Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter proposes an apparatus (42) and a method for transferring energy and/or a substance from a non-rotating means of an apparatus to a rotating device (43)—or vice versa—through the intermediary of a suitable means (1, 1?).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a vitamin, a metal ion, and a surfactant, as a therapeutic agent or disinfectant. The composition has been known as a decontaminant because the same efficiently decomposes DNA. It has now been possible to demonstrate that the agent has surprisingly good compatibility while having a wide-ranging disinfecting effect and is therefore also suitable for other purposes, e.g., for disinfecting or dressing wounds.

Abstract: What is suggested herein is the use of CD154 for the detection and/or isolation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes and a method for the detection and/or isolation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes, wherein the suspension is contacted with a CD40/CD154 system inhibitor, intra- or extracellular determination of CD154 is effected, and the cells having CD154 are detected and/or isolated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cardiodilatin fragments, to highly purified cardiodilatin fragments, and to appropriate intermediates for the preparation of said fragments. Furthermore, the invention relates to highly purified cardiodilatin fragments which are free of peptide impurities and exhibit a single migration peak in capillary electrophoresis, as well as to appropriate processes for the preparation of same.

Abstract: A receiving device for object holders comprises a base part. A plurality of centering elements are connected with the base part. The centering elements are arranged such that a plurality of receiving areas for receiving one object holder each are configured. The centering elements form a preferably circumferential centering frame around each receiving area.

Abstract: A device for carrying out chemical and/or biological reactions comprises a sample chamber (38) formed by a first portion (12) and a second portion (26) and designed for holding the sample. With the aid of a moving means (46,50) the sample can be moved in the sample chamber (38). The second portion (26) is connected via an intermediate element (27) with a heating and cooling-control element (29) for heating and cooling the sample. For ensuring good temperature conductivity and resistance to the sample of the second portion (26), in a preferred embodiment, the second portion (26) is made of ceramic.

Abstract: The invention concerns a three component system comprising surface-active substances, vitamins and metal ions for efficient destruction and removal of contaminating proteins, nucleic acids and microorganisms from surfaces like for example laboratory benches, floors, equipment and instruments. These non-corrosive and non-toxic solutions for removal of proteins, nucleic acids and microorganisms are applied by spraying, rubbing or immersion of contaminated surfaces thereby destroying, solubilizing inactivating and removing proteins and nucleic acids. In that way also microorganisms are killed with high efficiency and at the same time all genetic information is inactivated.

Abstract: An analyzing device for analyzing chemical and/or biological samples comprises a plurality of base parts, e. g. object holders, in a receiving device. The base parts are closed by a lid which is configured such that each base part and the lid form a test chamber for receiving the sample. Further, a conveying means for moving the sample in the test chamber is provided. The pumps of the conveying means are connected via channels with the test chamber and are controlled such that a portion of the sample liquid is alternately drawn off the test chamber and supplied back thereto by the pumps.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods of obtaining autologous monoclonal antibodies (AMABs) to self-antigens or homologs thereof. The method involves obtaining a genetically engineered host animal that does not biosynthesize at least one epitope of the antigen and utilizes the lack of self-tolerance of the host to the epitope to produce antibodies specific to the antigen. The invention also encompasses the AMABs produced by the methods. The invention further encompasses methods of isolating cells comprising the use of such AMABs that have specificity for a cell surface antigen.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a readout method performed by stripe scanning planar objects with substances emitting fluorescence radiation, a detector being provided and said fluorescence radiation being imaged onto said detector, said detector comprising at least one row of N-linearly disposed single detector segments, with the scanning direction being rotated by angle ? with respect to the at least one detector row.

Abstract: Cells can be labeled with products which they secrete and release in an efficient manner by coupling the cells at their surface to a specific binding partner for the product and allowing the product to be captured by the specific binding partner as it is secreted and released. The product-labeled cells can then be further coupled to suitable labels, if desired, and separated according to the presence, absence, or amount of product.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods of obtaining autologous monoclonal antibodies (AMABs) to self-antigens or homologs thereof. The method involves obtaining a genetically engineered host animal that does not biosynthesize at least one epitope of the antigen and utilizes the lack of self-tolerance of the host to the epitope to produce antibodies specific to the antigen. The invention also encompasses the AMABs produced by the methods. The invention further encompasses methods of isolating cells comprising the use of such AMABs that have specificity for a cell surface antigen.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a beam splitter device having two spaced apart parallel highly reflecting mirrors, between which there is disposed a semireflecting mirror which is spaced a different distance from the at least one highly reflecting mirror, said semireflecting mirror having at least one portion configured to form a full reflector or an antireflector, the semireflecting mirror being slidably disposed between the highly reflecting mirrors and a laser-scanning microscope as well.

Abstract: A serine protease inhibitor, characterized by having a domain with four cysteines, and a sequence of 0 to 20 amino acids is present between the first and second cysteines, or the serine protease inhibitor has a domain with six cysteines, and a sequence of 7 to 20 amino acids is present between the first and second cysteines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibiotically active natriuretic peptides for use as antibiotically active preparations prepared using biotechnological and recombinant methods and chemical synthesis. The antibiotically active peptides are referred to as natriubiotics. After chemical peptide synthesis, these natriubiotics can be used as human or veterinary medicaments in a suitable galenic formulation or as food additives.

Abstract: The invention provides antigen-binding fragments specific for dendritic cells and effective in treatment and/or diagnosing a variety of disorders. Methods of use are also provided as are methods for screening for additional such antigen-binding fragments and the products obtained thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to serine protease inhibitors having the amino acid sequence in accordance with Seq. ID No. 1.

Abstract: A separation procedure for separating a selected desired or undesired population from a biological sample utilizing relatively heavy, dense particles and gravity sedimentation. The particles have one or more reactants bound thereto which are specific to and will bind with the selected population. The particles preferably are mixed with the sample by repeatedly causing the particles to settle through a substantial portion of the sample to bind to the selected population. The particles with the bound selected population then are allowed to preferentially settle in the sample and the supernatant including an enriched population is separated from the particles with the selected population bound thereto. The enriched populations in the biological sample supernatant can be further enriched by multiple removal steps.

Abstract: Pepetides having bifidogenic properties are obtainable by the process of adding proteases to cow'milk or human milk, followed by incubation, centrifugation, acidification, purification by reverse phase HPLC and cation-exchange HPLC, culturing Bifidobacterium bifidum and E. coli in the presence of collected bifidogenic fractions, and isolation of the peptides having bifidogenic properties, and the isolated peptides can be amidated, acetylated, sulfated, phosphorylated, glycosylated, oxidized, or fragmented and still maintain their bifidogenic properties, and combination peptides having bifidogenic properties are obtainable by chemically bonding the peptides having bifidogenic properties, the amidated, acetylated, sulfated, phosphorylated, glycosylated, oxidized, or fragmented peptides having bifidogenic properties, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Use of urodilatin for treating chronic renal insufficiency by stimulating the residual renal function.