Abstract: A method of culturing human or mammalian mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or osteoblastic cells to form corresponding cell aggregates evenly distributed in the culturing medium having a reduced content of cells with fibroblast morphology comprises contacting MSC or OC with a water-soluble cellulose derivative over a period of from 1 day to one or two weeks. Also disclosed are a corresponding aggregates, a culture medium and a pharmaceutical composition, and uses of the aggregate, the culturing medium and the composition.

Abstract: A method of culturing human or mammalian mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or osteoblastic cells to form corresponding cell aggregates evenly distributed in the culturing medium having a reduced content of cells with fibroblast morphology comprises contacting MSC or OC with a water-soluble cellulose derivative over a period of from 1 day to one or two weeks. Also disclosed are a corresponding aggregates, a culture medium and a pharmaceutical composition, and uses of the aggregate, the culturing medium and the composition.

Abstract: A needle guide system for a medical imaging instrument comprises a needle guide assembly (1, 2) and a mounting assembly (3, 4, optionally 5) for attaching the needle guide assembly to a transducer, the mounting assembly comprising self-destroying means effective on dismounting. The mounting assembly comprises an attaching clip (4) mountable on a transducer directly or via an adapter (5), and a locking clip (3) mountable on the attaching clip from which it can be dismounted easily only by breaking indications of fracture comprised by the attaching clip. The needle guide assembly (1, 2) comprises a revolver (1) capable of receiving needles of varying diameter and a journal clip (2) by which it is mounted on the locking clip (3).

Abstract: A medium is disclosed for embedding and preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0° C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification, comprising an aqueous solution of at least one water-soluble cellulose derivative and, optionally, an osmotic pressure stabilizing agent. A method for preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0° C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification using the above medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for stimulating pancreatic cells to synthesize and/or excrete insulin comprises contacting insulin-producing cells, in particular their aqueous suspension, with a water-soluble cellulose derivative, in particular selected from alkylated, hydroxyalkylated, and alkylated-hydroxyalkylated cellulose or a mixture thereof. A medium for the culture of pancreatic &bgr;-cells contains an effective cell-stimulating amount of a cellulose derivative. It can be used to stimulate pancreatic &bgr;-cells to produce and/or excrete insulin. An apparatus for such stimulation comprises a container holding a solution of a cellulose derivative in an aqueous culture medium. Stimulation of pancreatic &bgr;-cells by a cellulose derivative is useful in the management of diabetes. Further preservative or therapeutic methods using the aqueous cellulose derivatives are disclosed.

Abstract: A medium is disclosed for embedding and preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0° C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification, comprising an aqueous solution of at least one water-soluble cellulose derivative and, optionally, an osmotic pressure stabilizing agent. A method for preserving single cells or a cell tissue for an extended period of time at a temperature not exceeding 0° C. in a state suitable for DNA and/or RNA amplification using the above medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument includes a canula slidingly disposed in a finger tube having a finger at its distal end. By forward displacement of the finger tube relative to the canula the finger is inserted into an opening in the canula wall near its cutting front edge. Thereby a piece of tissue located inside the canula is severed from living tissue. The instrument has a steel spring compressed against a force of at least 35 N for displacing the canula and the finger tube in the tissue cutting step. The stopper on which the moving canula impacts includes an element of an impact damping design. The impact damping element is made of high-impact grade ABS-polymer or a polymer with similar physical properties. It can be used also with known biopsy instruments having a moving canula and/or stylet driven by a powerful spring. Also described is a loading assembly for a biopsy apparatus incorporating the biopsy instrument.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument includes a canula slidingly disposed in a finger tube having a finger at its distal end. By forward displacement of the finger tube relative to the canula the finger is inserted into an opening in the canula wall near its cutting front edge. Thereby a piece of tissue located inside the canula is severed from living tissue. The instrument has a steel spring compressed against a force of at least 35 N for displacing the canula and the finger tube in the tissue cutting step. The stopper on which the moving canula impacts includes an element of an impact damping design. The impact damping element is made of high-impact grade ABS-polymer or a polymer with similar physical properties. It can be used also with known biopsy instruments having a moving canula and/or stylet driven by a powerful spring. Also described is a loading assembly for a biopsy apparatus incorporating the biopsy instrument.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument includes a canula slidingly disposed in a finger tube having a finger at its distal end. By forward displacement of the finger tube relative to the canula the finger is inserted into an opening in the canula wall near its cutting front edge. Thereby a piece of tissue located inside the canula is severed from living tissue. The instrument has a steel spring compressed against a force of at least 35 N for displacing the canula and the finger tube in the tissue cutting step. The stopper on which the moving canula impacts includes an element of an impact damping design. The impact damping element is made of high-impact grade ABS-polymer or a polymer with similar physical properties. It can be used also with known biopsy instruments having a moving canula and/or stylet driven by a powerful spring. Also described is a loading assembly for a biopsy apparatus incorporating the biopsy instrument.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument includes a canula slidingly disposed in a finger tube having a finger at its distal end. By forward displacement of the finger tube relative to the canula the finger is inserted into an opening in the canula wall near its cutting front edge. Thereby a piece of tissue located inside the canula is severed from living tissue. The instrument has a steel spring compressed against a force of at least 35 N for displacing the canula and the finger tube in the tissue cutting step. The stopper on which the moving canula impacts includes an element of an impact damping design. The impact damping element is made of high-impact grade ABS-polymer or a polymer with similar physical properties. It can be used also with known biopsy instruments having a moving canula and/or stylet driven by a powerful spring. Also described is a loading assembly for a biopsy apparatus incorporating the biopsy instrument.