Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is lower alkoxy, R.sup.2 is bromine or lower alkoxy, and R.sup.3 is aryl, heteroaryl or a group --Q--R.sup.30, wherein Q is ethylene, vinylene or ethynylene and R.sup.30 is aryl, heteroaryl, lower alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl;hydrolyzable esters of carboxylic acids of formula I; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these compounds are useful for treating infectious diseases.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the production and purification of hydrophobic fusion proteins production and purification of said hydrophobic polypeptides, proteins or peptides. Homogeneous monomeric .beta.-amyloid peptide and tests for screening amyloid toxicity-inhibiting drugs using this monomeric .beta.-amyloid peptide relate to these fusion proteins.

Abstract: N-Acyl-.alpha.-aminocarboxylic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein L, R' to R"' and Q have the significance given in the description, can be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of illnesses which are caused by the binding of adhesive proteins to blood platelets and by blood platelet aggregation and cell-cell adhesion. They are manufactured by cleaving off protecting groups in corresponding protected compounds or by converting the cyano group into the amidino group in corresponding nitriles.

Abstract: Acetic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein L, M, T and Q have the significance given in the description, can be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of illnesses which are caused by the binding of adhesive proteins to blood platelets and by blood platelet aggregation and cell-cell adhesion, and are manufactured by cleaving protecting groups in the corresponding protected compounds or by converting the cyano group into the amidino group in corresponding nitriles.

Abstract: A throwaway arrangement of reaction containers each having the same shape and dimensions for bringing about temperature cycles in a liquid mixture contained within the reaction containers. Each reaction container having a first conical wall region, and a second cylindrical wall region which at one end forms the opening of the reaction container. The thickness of the first wall region is less than the thickness of the second wall region. The opening of the reaction container is adapted to receive a cover for closing the container in gas-tight manner when placed on the opening of the reaction container. To facilitate handling and access to the liquids in the reaction containers, the arrangement reaction containers is annular, and the closure of each reaction container can be pierced by a pipetting needle.

Abstract: An analytical device separates magnetic microparticles from a suspension. The separating portion of the device contains two permanent magnets between which the reaction vessel containing the suspension is disposed. For the purpose of more rapid, complete separation of the magnetic microparticles, magnets are positioned diametrically opposite one another relative to the reaction vessel. The polar axes of the magnets and the longitudinal axis of the reaction vessel include an acute angle.

Abstract: A vessel holder for receiving a number of vessels is useful in an automated analyzer. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading bar code labels, the vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and containing a single straight row of identical elongate chambers. Each chamber is for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base with respect to which they are perpendicularly disposed. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition. The inside of a side wall of each chamber bears a first bar code label for detecting the absence of a vessel in the chamber, and the outside of a side wall of each chamber bears a second bar code label for detecting the position of the chamber in the vessel holder. The first and the second bar code labels are readable by a bar code reader from one and the same side of the vessel holder.

Abstract: Colors are generated in the display device by guiding light through three serially-arranged, electrically controlled color filters. Each filer attenuates one of three colors. The color filters incorporate two cholesteric filters, two .lambda./4 plates, and one electrically switchable liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A process for producing a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is halogen and R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, benzyl, or phenyl, which comprises reducing a compound having the formula ##STR2## wherein X and R.sup.1 are as above, with an aluminum trialkoxide or lithium aluminum trialkoxyhydride reducing agent.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell comprising a chiral ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal layer whose helix structure is influenced by the action of an electric field such that its optical anisotropy alters; a pair of transparent plates between which the liquid crystal is disposed and which have a surface structure for aligning the molecule of the liquid crystal and are provided with electrodes to produce an electric field therein; and one polariser each before and after the liquid crystal: such ratio d/p of the thickness d of the liquid crystal layer to the pitch height p of the helical twisting is greater than 5, the smectic tilt angle .theta..sub.o is being between 22.5.degree. and 50.degree. and the product d.multidot..theta..sub.o.sup.2 .multidot..DELTA.n.multidot.l/.lambda. (phase factor) of the thickness d, the square of the tilt angle .theta..sub.o, the value of the birefringence .DELTA.n and the reciprocal of the wavelength .lambda. of light bedding is greater than 0.45 .mu.m.

Abstract: An analyzer automatically performs analytical operations in which liquid samples for analysis and required reagents are held in suitable vessels. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading the bar code labels, the analyzer contains at least two vessel holders, a bar code reader, and means for automatically adjusting the focal range and the bar code reader. The vessel holders are disposed parallel to one another in the analyzer. A number of vessels of the same kind (for example, sample-containing vessels) are disposed in each vessel holder. Each vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and contains a single straight row of identical elongate chambers for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base and are disposed perpendicularly thereto. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition.

Abstract: Compounds of the following formula are useful as liquid crystals: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl;A is a single bond or trans-1,4-cydohexylene;Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are independently a single bond or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, except Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 cannot simultaneously be --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --;ring B is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; andn is 0 or 1,Liquid crystalline mixtures which contain such compounds are especially useful in electro-optical indicating devices.

Abstract: Chiral dopants of the formula ##STR1## in which n represents the number 0 or 1; R.sup.3 denotes a group of the general formula ##STR2## A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3, independently of one another, represent 1,4-phenylene which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, cyano and/or methyl and in which 1 or 2 CH groups may be replaced by nitrogen, or represent trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, trans-1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl or naphthalene-2,6-diyl, and ring A.sup.2 additionally represents 1,4-biphenylene; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.4, independently of one another, denote a single covalent bond or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --; Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3, independently of one another, denote a single covalent bond, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --COO--, --OOC--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --C.tbd.C--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 O--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.3 -- or the trans-form of --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH--, --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --O-- or --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH--; with the proviso that, if R.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of liposomes or proliposomes in which a mixture suitable for their preparation is milled in an agitator-ball mill.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic performance of temperature cycles in a number of test tubes in which each test tube is closed by a closure and contains a predetermined volume of a liquid reaction mixture. The apparatus includes a holder, a computer-controlled automatic control system, and a device for cyclic alteration of the holder temperature. The holder has an arrangement of chambers for holding test tubes with each chamber being adapted to receive one test tube. The holder is constructed of a material of high thermal conductivity, and has an upper surface, a bottom surface and a cylindrical outer wall. Each chamber has an opening located in the upper surface of the holder. The device for cyclic alteration of the temperature of the holder is actuated by the automatic control system. By reducing the dimensions of the device and the power required to operate it, numerous advantages are realized.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with non-soluble proteins and soluble or insoluble fragments thereof, which bind TNF, in homogeneous form, as well as their physiologically compatible salts, especially those proteins having a molecular weight of about 55 or 75 kD (non-reducing SDS-PAGE conditions), a process for the isolation of such proteins, antibodies against such proteins, DNA sequences which code for non-soluble proteins and soluble or non-soluble fragments thereof, which bind TNF, as well as those which code for proteins comprising partly of a soluble fragment, which binds TNF, and partly of all domains except the first of the constant region of the heavy chain of human immunoglobulins and the recombinant proteins coded thereby as well as a process for their manufacture using transformed pro- and eukaryotic host cells.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a halogenated .alpha.

Abstract: A cell for performing optical measurements in an automatic analyzer is molded in one piece from a transparent plastic material, and has a tubular body including two plane walls parallel to each other, two opposite ends, and a bottom wall. The first end of the tubular body is open and the second end is closed by the bottom wall which has the shape of a half-cylinder. The tubular body of the cell has two side-walls which extend between the plane-parallel walls and which each have an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of each side wall is adjacent the bottom wall and includes an elongated, leg-shaped outer projection which extends along the longitudinal axis of the cell between the upper portion of the side-wall and a point at a certain distance from the bottom wall. Each of the plane-parallel walls has a tongue member adjacent the open end of the tubular body.

Abstract: An analyzer has a horizontally disposed baseplate on which primary containers and secondary containers are disposed; a pipetting needle of an electrically conductive material connected to a metering device by a tubing, for transferring a predetermined volume of liquid each time from a primary container to a secondary container; a transport device for the controlled transport of the pipetting needle in three directions at right angles to one another, two of the transport directions extending horizontally and the third transport direction extending vertically; an electrically conductive reference body rigidly connected to baseplate and which in each of the horizontal transport directions has two outer surfaces disposed perpendicularly to the transport direction; and a control device for controlling the metering device and the transport is device.

Abstract: A method and system achieving the results of a conventional titration without the need to chemically dilute a sample. Such a result is accomplished by providing a plurality of calibration standards, each containing a different known concentration of a visualizable material. The visualizable material contained within each calibration standard is then visualized (the parameters of the visualization forming a setting). The visualization is then altered by adjusting at least one parameter of the visualization until the point where the visualizable material within each calibration standard can no longer be visualized within the solution. The visualizable material within a sample solution having an Unknown concentration of the visualizable material is then visualized using settings corresponding to the plurality of calibration standards to generate a number of modified visualizations. (Each modified visualization corresponds to the concentration of the standard to which it relates).