Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleic acid molecules coding for sigma subunits of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase. It also relates to polypeptides, referred to as SigA and SigB, encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, as well as to vectors and host cells transformed with the said nucleic acid molecules. The invention further provides screening assays for compounds which inhibit the interaction between a sigma subunit and a core RNA polymerase.

Abstract: Recombinant or substantially pure preparations of H. pylori polypeptides are described. The nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides also are described. The H. pylori polypeptides are useful for diagnostics and vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a human or canine GABAB receptor, or a conservative variant thereof.

Abstract: A new metered unit dose comprising 40 &mgr;g or less of budesonide is disclosed as well as a formulation thereof and the use thereof for the treatment of conditions in the nose.

Abstract: A new pharmaceutical formulation comprising the thrombin inhibitor HOOC—CH2—(R)-Cgl-Aze-Pab in combination with medium chain glycerides, a process for the preparation of such a pharmaceutical formulation, the use of a such formulation in the treatment of thromboembolism as well as a method of treating a patient in need of such a treatment by using said formulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of treating respiratory diseases, e.g., pediatric asthma, in a continuing regimen with not more than one daily dose of the drug budesonide using a nebulizer.

Abstract: Method for the manufacture of a medical device which presents a hydrophilic surface coated elongate shaft for insertion into a body passageway comprising the steps of having the elongate shaft formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material selected from the group consisting of a polyether block amide and a styrene block copolymer and forming the hydrophilic coating on the elongate shaft by applying sequentially to the surface of the elongate shaft a solution comprising between 0.05 to 40% (weight to volume) of an isocyanate compound and a solution containing between 0.5 and 50% (weight to volume) of polyvinylpyrrolidone and curing at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixture for insertion into and permanent anchorage in a cavity (32) formed in bone tissue. The fixture is made of a fixture member (2), which has an insertion end surface (10) and a cylindrical peripheral surface (6) provided with screw threads, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced cutting recesses (9), which are formed in a forward, self-tapping end portion (7) of the threaded peripheral surface (6) adjacent to the insertion end surface (10) and which open axially into the insertion end surface (10). A plurality of circumferentially-spaced tissue-collecting and tissue-distributing grooves (17) are formed in a rear, non-self-tapping portion (8) of the threaded peripheral surface (6).

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of treating respiratory diseases, e.g., pediatric asthma, in a continuing regimen with not more than one daily dose of the drug budesonide using a nebulizer.

Abstract: Rectal insertion device (1) for treating disorders of the digestive tract of a human or animal body such as colic comprising an elongate shaft (3) which is insertable into the anal canal of the human or animal body and a receptacle (12) for collecting feces discharged when the elongate shaft is inserted into the anal canal.

Abstract: Implant (10) having a shaft which is adapted in use to be embedded in bone tissue and which has an outer surface provided with a circumferentially-oriented roughness. The circumferentially-oriented roughness has first and second axial sections (19, 21) with each section comprising a series of circumferentially-oriented peaks which have a crest and which are axially spaced apart by troughs. The axial spacing (d) between the crests of adjacent peaks in the first axial section (19) is less than the axial spacing (3d) between the crests of adjacent peaks in the second axial section (21). Although the axial spacing between the crests of adjacent peaks in the first and second axial sections of circumferentially-oriented roughness differs, the first and second axial sections of circumferentially-oriented roughness are adapted in use to provide the same or substantially the same pitch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for pulmonary administration of full-length parathyroid hormone to mammalian hosts for the treatment of osteoporosis. Thus there is provided a therapeutic preparation comprising a human full-length parathyroid hormone, or homologues thereof, in the form of a dry powder suitable for inhalation in which at least 50% of said dry powder consists of (a) particles having a diameter of up to 10 microns; or (b) agglomerates, of such particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting guide instrument and method for enabling high-precision resection of the head (caput femoris) (8) of the neck (5) of a human femur (collum femoris) at a predetermined cutting angle (&agr;c) to the femoral shaft (9) and on a predetermined cutting level (Lc) with respect to the proximal end of the caput (8). A support part (11) is fixed to the femur during the resection. A longitudinal guide carrier (12) is supported by the support part (11) and is aligned along the femoral collum (5) at said predetermined cutting angle (&agr;c) to the femoral shaft (9). A cutting guide (13) is supported by and movable along the axis (D—D) of the guide carrier (12) to a cutting position corresponding to the predetermined cutting level (Lc). The invention also relates to the use of the instrument for performing such resection.

Abstract: A device including a display for displaying indicia, comprising: control means 900 for controlling the display 57, the control means having a memory 810 for storing control data, wherein said control means is configured so as to be responsive to said stored control data to provide indicia on said display; a voltage source 64 for providing a voltage to the device; sensing means 1300 configured to disable the display in response to variation of the voltage provided to the device beyond a threshold value; and means 1200 configured so as to be responsive to a control signal 1203 and prevent the disabling of the display by the control means, wherein said control signal 1203 is applied externally to the device.

Abstract: An inhaler for administering powder by inhalation and a method of constructing the same. The inhaler includes an inhaler body having an opening therein and an indicating wheel disposed in the inhaler body for providing an indication as to the usage of the inhaler. The indicating wheel is disposed such that at least part thereof is visible through the opening and so as to be rotatable in a diametrical plane containing a central axis of the inhaler body. The inhaler also includes a divider substantially closing one end of the inhaler body and a storage unit disposed in the inhaler body. The storage unit includes a storage chamber for storing powder for inhalation. The inhaler body and the divider are formed as a single integral unit of an opaque material and the storage unit is formed of a transparent material and has a portion which substantially fills the opening.

Abstract: A dental implant system comprising a fixture (301; 401; 501) for implantation in bone tissue (312, 314; 512, 514) of the maxilla or mandible by displacement thereof in a forward direction, the fixture having a forward end, a rearward end (330; 430; 530), and an outer surface (305; 405; 505) which extends between the forward and rearward ends and which forwardly of a predetermined position (307; 407; 507) on the outer surface is adapted for interlocking with bone tissue of the maxilla or mandible; and a superstructure (402) for mounting on the fixture, the superstructure having a forward end for interfacing with the rearward end of the fixture, the forward end of the superstructure and the rearward end of the fixture each presenting interfacing surfaces for interfacing with one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a human or canine GABAB receptor, or a conservative variant thereof.

Abstract: An inhaler for administering powder by inhalation and a method of constructing the same, the inhaler comprising: a housing having a screw thread (28) and a substantially circular sealing surface (40) coaxial therewith; a mouthpiece (2) attached to the housing; and a cap (14) for covering at least the mouthpiece (2), the cap (14) having a screw thread (17) for engaging the screw thread (28) on the housing and a substantially circular sealing surface (15) for engaging the sealing surface (40) on the housing; wherein the sealing surfaces (15, 40) are shaped and dimensioned such that the radial force therebetween is substantially constant for any relative position where the sealing surfaces (15, 40) engage one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spacer for children primarily intended to be used in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler (MDI), said spacer having a generally oblong shape and being rotationally symmetrical around a central, longitudinal axis and being provided with an opening at each end located centrally in said axis for connection of an meterd dose inhaler respectively of a mouth-piece or similar. The spacer has a small total volume which is in the range between 50 and 400 ml, and the material in the spacer has a surface resitivity which is lower than 109 Ohm, preferably lower than 106 Ohm.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a glucocorticoid substance which has a minimal systemic effect in the manufacture of a medicament for oral or rectal administration for non-topical use in the treatment of joint inflammation.