Abstract: A liquid transfer device for an analysis unit includes a transfer needle having a tip, and a capacitive liquid level detector for detecting immersion of the tip of the needle into an analysis liquid by detecting a change in capacitance between a signal electrode and a counter electrode. The analysis liquid is contained in a vessel. The capacitive liquid level detector includes a signal electrode, a counter electrode, and a detection circuit connected to the signal electrode and the counter electrode. The detection circuit detects a change in capacitance between the signal electrode and the counter electrode. A temperature dependent detection resistor is disposed adjacent the tip of the liquid transfer needle. The tip of the liquid transfer needle and the temperature dependent detection resistor are movable into and out of the analysis liquid. The detection circuit includes a current supply for supplying current to the detection resistor.

Abstract: 2'-Deoxyisoguanosine, isosteric analogues and isoguanosine derivatives of formulae I-V, processes for their production via compounds of the general formulae a or b and reaction with aroyl isocyanates or from compounds of the general formulae VI-IX by photochemical irradiation. A further production process is the conversion of deoxyguanosines or guanosines by means of persilylation, reaction with ammonia and deamination in the 2 position. The compounds are suitable as pharmaceutical agents with antiviral efficacy.

Abstract: Low coherence interferometer apparatus for investigation of a sample (15), in particular for multidimensional imaging, having an interferometer configuration (2) comprising a low coherence light source, a probe head (9) having a light exit opening (16) for irradiating light into the sample, an optical coupler, a reference reflector and a detector (13). The optical paths between the elements of the interferometer configuration (2) form interferometer arms. The optical coupler and the reference arm of the interferometer configuration (2) are integrated into a common optical chip (28). In addition to the reference reflector (11), the reference arm comprises a deflection reflector (33) formed on an end surface (35) of the optical chip (28) in such a manner that the reference light is cross-coupled between a first light guide (10a) forming a first portion of the reference arm (10) and a second light guide (10b) forming a second portion of the reference arm (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production and purification of human prostate specific antigen (hPSA) by recombinant-DNA-technology. hPSA was produced in an active form by the baculovirus expression vector system. Recombinant protein was secreted into the culture medium at a high yield by infected cells and purified to homogeneity by three-step procedure containing cation-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The active protein obtained differs from the native protein in that it is unglycosylated and that it does not degrade the kallikrein-specific substrate H-D-Pro-Phe-Arg-pNA.HCl. The inactive form of hPSA obtained has two additional amino acid residues in its N-terminus, and it does not form complexes. Possible uses of the recombinant protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides novel azulene derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.6 have the significance given in the description, as well as their tautomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates and physiologically compatible salts or esters and substances which are hydrolyzed or metabolized in vivo to compounds of formula I.The invention is also concerned with a process and intermediates for the manufacture of the above compounds, pharmaceutical compositions which contain such compounds as well as the use of these compounds in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A diagnostic kit, method, and apparatus for electrochemically determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample. A mixture is formed which includes the sample, an enzyme acceptor polypeptide, an enzyme donor polypeptide, and a labeled substrate. The enzyme donor polypeptide is capable of combining with the enzyme acceptor polypeptide to form an active enzyme complex. The formation of such the active enzyme complex is responsive to the presence or concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample. The active enzyme hydrolyzes the labeled substrate, resulting in the generation of an electroactive label, which can then be oxidized at the surface of an electrode. A current resulting from the oxidation of the electroactive compound can be measured and correlated to the concentration of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of treatment using compounds which are dual non-selective beta-adrenoceptor and alpha-1-adrenoceptor antagonists, in particularly the carbazolyl-(4)-oxypropanolainine compounds of Formula 1, as defined herein, for inhibiting the expression of Fas, a cell surface protein.

Abstract: Device for the isolation of nucleic acids from a liquid sample by introducing the liquid into the device through an inlet opening and passage of the sample through a nucleic acid binding material and discharging of the resulting liquid through an outlet opening, wherein the nucleic acid binding material is inserted through the outlet opening during the manufacture of the device and the outlet opening is narrowed in order to hold the material. The device is particularly simple and reliable to manufacture but yet ensures that nucleic acids can be isolated without contamination.

Abstract: Featured is a method for injection of a payload into the tissues of an organism or a body, including the steps of generating forces by electromagnetic repulsion and accelerating the payload to be injected, using the generated electromagnetic forces. The payload is thereby accelerated to a velocity sufficient for the payload to pass through the skin of the organism and be disposed in the subcutaneous tissues. The method further includes providing an electromagnetic force generating device that generates forces electromagnetically in a predetermined direction responsive to an electric current flowing through the device, wherein the step of generating includes passing an electric current through the electromagnetic force generating device to generate the electromagnetic repulsive forces used for accelerating the payload.

Abstract: A method of marking a eukaryotic (mammalian) cell by expressing in this cell a nucleic acid, said nucleic acid encoding a cell surface receptor, and by subsequently presenting said receptor at the cell surface, characterized by using a nucleic acid in which the region encoding the intracellular domain of the receptor has been completely or party deleted or modified in such a way that the receptor presented at the surface cannot, after binding to its binding partner, effect any signal transduction, is effective and usable in gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention concerns new cationic or polycationic amphiphiles which are capable of forming aggregates with macromolecules, in particular with DNA or RNA, and it concerns their delivery into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. Compounds with spermyl-dioleoyloxypropyl structure have proven to be particularly preferable.

Abstract: Analytical system for evaluating test elements having means of determining whether a sufficient amount of sample liquid was evenly applied to an application zone comprising in a first embodiment of the invention at least two sources of light which illuminate separate or at least not fully overlapping areas of the application zone or the evaluation zone of the test strip, a control unit with which the light sources, of which there at least two, can be independently activated, at least one sensor which detects light reflected by the evaluation zone or transmitted by the evaluation zone and supplies an output signal proportional to the intensity of light as well as an evaluation unit which receives a first output signal from the sensor and converts it into a first measured value when the first of the light sources is activated, receives a second output signal from the sensor and converts it into a second measured value when the second of the light sources, is activated and compares the measured values and determ

Abstract: An antibody which binds to the CD30 antigen and a) inhibits the release of sCD30 from Hodgkin's disease cells, and b) does not bind to B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas or plasma cells. An example of such antibodies are the antibodies secreted from hybridoma cell line DSM ACC 2204. The antibodies may be used for diagnosis, or conjugated to a toxin to produce an immunotoxin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antibody which inhibits the binding between u-PA and u-PAR to an extent of at least 90% in an assay as defined in the specification, or an active fragment or immunological equivalent of said antibody. Examples of such antibodies are deposited Jul. 7, 1994 at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSM) with accession numbers DSM ACC2178 and DSM ACC2179 under the terms and conditions of the Budapest Treaty. The invention furthermore relates to a method for detecting or quantifying u-PAR or a glycosylation variant of u-PAR in a sample by use of an antibody according to the invention.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a therapeutic agent for preventing or counteracting localized proteolytic activity using of an antibody of the invention as well as to use of an antibody according to the invention for the preparation of a diagnostic agent which is capable of targeting a diagnostic to a cell that contains a u-PAR on the surface.

Abstract: A protein having polysialyl transferase activity, which a) is a product of a prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression of an exogenous DNA, b) is coded by the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1, c) is coded by the DNA sequences which hybridize with the sequences SEQ ID No. 1 and/or SEQ ID No. 3, d) is coded by DNA sequences which if there was no degeneracy of the genetic code, would hybridize with the sequences defined in b) to c), and e) catalyzes the polycondensation of .alpha.-2,8-linked sialic acids, and its related nucleic acid molecules and fragments are useful for the production of therapeutic agents for tumor therapy.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the elimination or/and reduction of interferences which are caused by the presence of free haemoglobin in the determination of an analyte in a sample by optical measurement, wherein one or several peroxidic compounds are added to the analytical reagent or to a part thereof before the measurement. In addition a reagent kit is disclosed which contains at least one peroxidic compound.

Abstract: An improved method of transcribing nucleic acids wherein the amount of abortive transcripts formed is reduced wherein the improvement comprises an effector sequence in the transcription reaction.

Abstract: Method and device for processing nucleic acids in a reaction mixture on a surface that can be temperature-controlled and its immediate vicinity wherein the main space of the reaction mixture remains essentially isothermal. The method has the advantage of a very short processing time.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for measuring an antigen concentration in a sample, which comprises: preparing VH-domain polypeptide and VL-domain polypeptide of an antibody specific to the antigen; labeling one of the polypeptides with a reporter molecule to form labeled polypeptides, and immobilizing the other polypeptides onto solid-phase to form immobilized polypeptides; contacting the antigen-containing sample and the labeled polypeptides with the solid-phase; and measuring the reporter molecule of the labeled polypeptides bound to the immobilized polypeptides. The present invention permits simpler and quicker sandwich ELISA for measurements of an antigen concentration in high sensitivity.

Abstract: Formation of an intramolecular cross-link in enzyme donor polypeptide fragments of .beta.-galactosidase, thereby forming a cyclic enzyme donor which is hindered from complementation with an enzyme acceptor fragment to form active of .beta.-galactosidase. The cyclic enzyme donor can be linearized by cleaving to restore complementation ability. Assays in which such cyclic enzyme donors are linearized by specific analytes are disclosed, as well as novel homobifunctional bis-maleimido cross-linking agents of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydroxy or acetate.