Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a transfer device for a container whose interior is under negative pressure and which is closed by means of an elastic stopper. The device has a receiving cap and a piercing mandril for piercing the stopper. Relative to its direction of piercing, the piercing mandril is provided with a front piercing portion and with a rear sealing portion which is of greater diameter. In the position in which a bead of the container is inserted into the receiving cap, the sealing portion contacts the stopper. In this way, a tear in the stopper, which tear has been formed by eccentric application of the device onto the container, can be sealed off.

Abstract: This application includes description of antibodies for specifically detecting prions of human origin and methods for detecting pathogenic prions. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind to an epitope characteristic for a human prion protein which is not found in the prion proteins of other species. In some embodiments, the antibodies are not cross-reactive with cow, Syrian Gold hamster, mouse, or rat prions. The application also includes a conformation-dependent immunoassay method for detecting pathogenic prions in a sample containing a prion (PrP) protein. The PrP protein may be present in a first conformation and a second conformation, such as PrPC and PrPSc in which the two conformations have different binding affinity for the antibody used to detect them.

Abstract: A novel arterial thrombosis risk factor comprising one or more of the identified mutants of coagulation factor VII-activating protease (FSAP) is described. In addition, diagnostic determination methods for detecting these mutants which are identified as risk factors are described.

Abstract: The cDNA which codes for factor XIIIa has been isolated using a cDNA bank from human placenta and probes constructed on the basis of the amino acid sequence of factor XIIIa peptide fragments. It is possible with this cDNA not only to obtain factor XIIIa by gene manipulation in high purity but also to prepare diagnostic aids which permit the analysis of genetic factor XIIIa defects. Furthermore, it is possible on the basis of the amino acid sequence to prepare antibodies which are suitable for diagnostic aids and antibody columns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a filled bottle closed by a stopper is disclosed. The venting is designed to equalize the pressure between the interior of the bottle and the atmosphere such that the stopper inserted into the filled bottle is not forced out of the bottle by excess pressure in the bottle. The venting may be accomplished by deforming the stopper in the bottle opening to form an air-outlet opening in the region sealed by the stopper and the bottle. The venting may be implemented by a squeezing device arranged on at least one side of the stopper, the squeezing device being active in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the bottle opening.

Abstract: Mutants of the DNA sequence coding for the protease (FSAP) which activates blood clotting factor VII and single-chain plasminogen activators, the mutants comprising a G/C base exchange at nucleotide position 1177 and/or a G/A base exchange at nucleotide position 1601, are described. The corresponding protease has a Glu/Gln exchange at amino acid position 393 and/or a Gly/Glu exchange at amino acid position 534. Diagnostic methods which are used for detecting FSAP in body fluids or tissue cells and also for identifying patients with genetic heterozygous or homozygous FSAP expression are also described. In addition, antibodies against FSAP and its mutants are disclosed and diagnostic methods which can be used to detect antibodies against FSAP and its mutants are specified.

Abstract: The use of antithrombin III for the prophylaxis and therapy of oncological diseases and diseases accompanying neovascularization, immune complex-mediated and autoimmune diseases, viral infections, fibrotic and granulomatous diseases, allergic diseases, degenerative diseases of the nervous system and arteriosclerosis and also acute inflammatory diseases and trauma is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-component system for the treatment and prophylaxis of sepsis and of septic shock, where the components are intended to act in combination with each other, to a pharmaceutical and a packaging unit containing both the components, and to a process for their preparation.

Abstract: A modified Factor VIII cDNA is described in which the B-domain of the wild-type Factor VIII cDNA has been deleted and a truncated Factor IX intron 1 has been inserted in one or more locatons of the Factor VIII cDNA. Such modified Factor VIII cDNA may be used for a higher yield production of Factor VIII in vitro as well as in a transfervector for gene therapy.

Abstract: A process for the preparation in pure form of the protease activating blood clotting factor VII and/or its proenzyme is described in which these are obtained from biological fluids or those obtained in the case of preparation by genetic engineering

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization, wherein the chamber temperature is set at less than 39° C. throughout, and containers with temperature-sensitive products can be efficiently sterilized without the temperature-sensitive products showing a significant loss of activity or degradation.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation is described while is useful for the treatment of inflammatory processes being accompanied by an increased distribution of cytokines and/or tissue factor in the human body, which preparation contains Antithrombin III as active ingredient.

Abstract: A modified Factor VIII cDNA is disclosed wherein the B-domain of the wild type factor cDNA has been deleted and a truncated Factor IX intron 1 has been inserted in two locations of the Factor VIII cDNA and as a promoter a cDNA is used which is suitable for the expression in hematopoietic cell lines and specifically in platelets.

Abstract: A stabilized protein preparation is described which contains no antithrombin III and is protected against loss of activity during pasteurization by the addition of stabilizers which comprise one or more saccharides as a mixture with more than 0.5 mol/l of one or more amino acids chosen from the group arginine, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, aspartic acid and its salts or glutamic acid and its salts. Glycine and/or glutamine can also be additionally added to each of these amino acids. A process for the viral inactivation or viral depletion of a protein preparation of this type which contains the abovementioned stabilizers and is subjected to pasteurization or viral depletion by filtration, centrifugation or treatment with detergents or bactericidal or virucidal agents is also described.

Abstract: The cDNA which codes for factor XIIIa has been isolated using a cDNA bank from human placenta and probes constructed on the basis of the amino acid sequence of factor XIIIa peptide fragments. It is possible with this cDNA not only to obtain factor XIIIa by gene manipulation in high purity but also to prepare diagnostic aids which permit the analysis of genetic factor XIIIa defects. Furthermore, it is possible on the basis of the amino acid sequence to prepare antibodies which are suitable for diagnostic aids and antibody columns.

Abstract: A stabilized protein preparation is described which contains no antithrombin III and is protected against loss of activity during pasteurization by the addition of stabilizers which comprise one or more saccharides as a mixture with more than 0.5 mol/l of one or more amino acids chosen from the group arginine, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, aspartic acid and its salts or glutamic acid and its salts. Glycine and/or glutamine can also be additionally added to each of these amino acids. A process for the viral inactivation or viral depletion of a protein preparation of this type which contains the abovementioned stabilizers and is subjected to pasteurization or viral depletion by filtration, centrifugation or treatment with detergents or bactericidal or virucidal agents is also described.

Abstract: A process for the preparation in pure form of the protease activating blood clotting factor VII and/or its proenzyme by use of one or more affinity chromatography separation processes and/or fractional precipitation is described, in which the affinity chromatography separation process used is adsorption on

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pure form of protein, wherein the protein is protease activating blood clotting factor VII, the proenzyme for the protease, or a mixture of both the-protease and the proenzyme, is described. The protein is obtained from biological fluids or through genetic engineering and is isolated by anion- and/or cation-exchange chromatography at a pH below the isoelectric point of the protein to be isolated, or by a combination of anion- or cation-exchange chromatography with a chromatography process and/or fractional precipitation at pH between 2.5 and 9.0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation in pure form of the protease activating blood clotting factor VII and/or its proenzyme by the use of a chromatography separation processes and/or fractional precipitation is described. The process used may include adsorption on calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite, a hydrophobic matrix, a chelate matrix, a matrix on which heparin or a substance related to heparin, such as heparin sulfate or dextran sulfate, is immobilized, or a matrix that is coated with an immobilized monoclonal or polyclonal antibody directed against the protein to be isolated, or F(ab) or F(ab)2 fragments of antibodies directed against the protein to be isolated. A pharmaceutical preparation and a reagent are described which contain the said protease and/or its proenzyme.

Abstract: Methods for growing and neutralizing or removing circoviruses, in particular porcine circoviruses, which are obtained from an infected cell culture after one or more passages in cultures of porcine, bovine or human cells are described. When the porcine circoviruses grow, a cytopathogenic effect occurs in the cell culture. The circoviruses can be neutralized by treatment with an antibody-containing substrate such as porcine serum or human immunoglobulin or be removed by a pasteurization method. Also described are a vaccine and a diagnostic aid containing inactivated or avirulent circoviruses.