Abstract: A coupling, which may be an ostomy coupling but could be any kind of tube or pipe coupling, includes a first coupling member 10 and a second coupling member 30 which are mutually interengageable and which surround an orifice 70. The coupling also includes a resilient split ring 50 which encircles the two coupling members and has a handle member 51 which can be manipulated to cause the split ring to be deformed. This causes the radially-inwardly extending tabs 52 on the ring to be shifted between respective first positions in which the split ring is undeformed and the tabs lock the two coupling members together and respective second positions in which the split ring is deformed in such a way as to shift the tabs radially outwardly to positions where they permit separation of the two coupling members.The split ring is desirably made of a relatively rigid but springy plastics material, for example an acetal resin.

Abstract: A container for receiving and separating blood plasma into its ingredients having two sealingly coupled sections (1 and 2). One container section (2) and the adjacent portion of the other container section are made of solid material, and the two container sections are screwed together. The container sections (1 and 2) have their respective chamber (29 and 30) for receiving their respective fluid ingredients, and these chambers are interconnected through a connecting channel (31) through the abutting portions, at which the container sections (1 and 2) are screwed together. A valve seat (21, 27) is shaped at each end of the connecting channel (31) for each valve member (22, 16) for a sealing closing of the chambers (29, 30) in the separated state of the container sections (1, 2).

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 80, 90 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 100. A plurality of tabs 101 symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 100, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The split ring 100 is for the most part circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: The ostomy bag includes a multi-stage filter system that provides contamination protection for a deodorizing filter in the system. The multi-stage filter system also includes protection elements that are impassable to semi-liquid waste material but permit passage of gaseous waste. The protection elements are located such that gaseous waste must pass through the protection elements before it passes through the deodorizing filter. In one embodiment of the invention, the protection elements include a fluid and gas-impermeable cover layer with fluid bypass ports. The fluid and gas-impermeable cover layer is followed by a barrier filter that restricts passage of semi-liquid waste material. The barrier filter is followed by a liquid-impermeable membrane that prevents passage of liquid. The liquid-impermeable membrane is followed by a moisture-absorbent pad that is adjacent the deodorizing filter.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention novel methods for cardiopulmonary bypass and organ transplant, each employing a potassium channel activator, are disclosed. The use of a potassium channel activator has been found to reduce the damage or ischemia induced by the bypass and transplant procedures.

Abstract: Enzymatic hydrolysis and esterification processes for the preparation of compounds useful as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and/or as intermediates in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Abstract: Methods and devices for preventing an adverse reaction of the skin to the presence of a skin-sensitizing agent by administering an effective amount of a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are as defined herein. These compounds inhibit the action of angiotensin II and are useful, therefore, for example, as antihypertensive agents.

Abstract: A novel device and method for the application of two or more components of a fibrin sealant using a gas is disclosed. The novel device and method involve the concentric arrangement of annular apertures for each of the components concentric with and radially outward of a center gas discharge aperture in the exit end of a spray head. Reservoirs for each component, for example syringe cartridges or cylinders, are in dextrete fluid communication with the spray head and preferably can be activated by a common means.

Abstract: In a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (Alzheimer's disease) by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in ocular fluids and determining if such AChE activity is elevated over that found in ocular fluids of patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease. A level of AChE activity in the ocular fluid of a patient less than 30% higher than the level of AChE activity in the ocular fluids of a significant number of age-matched controls signifies the absence of Alzheimer's disease. A level of AChE activity in the ocular fluid of a patient at least about 35% higher than the level of AChE activity in the ocular fluids of a significant number of age-matched controls signifies the presence of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing or reducing the risk of hypertension in normotensive patients having insulin resistance by administering a cholesterol lowering drug, such as pravastatin, alone or in combination with an ACE inhibitor, especially one containing a mercapto moiety, such as captopril or zofenopril.

Abstract: A combination of a liquid-containing bag and a tube 28 is disclosed. The bag may be a urine drainage bag and is made up of a pair of superposed sheets 20, 22, joined by a weld 24 whose configuration is chosen to define in a single welding operation the outline of the bag and the tube integral therewith. A single weld seam 24 defines the bag volume. The tube and portion of the weld seam 24 run adjacent to one another and are separated by a row of perforations 30 or by a line of weakening. In such an arrangement, means are provided for precluding face-to-face contact of selected parts of the inner surfaces of said sheets. This may be done by effecting heat shrinkage of selected parts of one or both sheets. One or preferably both sheets is biaxially oriented.

Abstract: A novel, overall process for the preparation of a compound of the formula I: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cycloalkyl group; andR.sup.3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, or salts thereof, useful as intermediates in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; novel methods within the overall process; and novel intermediates produced by those methods.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesives which possess absorptivity and/or permeability properties to remove transepidermal water loss and/or other bodily fluids that come into contact with the adhesive, in combination with a fine balance of cohesion and adhesion properties, can be formulated by controlling the crosslinking of a polyurethane polymer having excess hydroxyl functionality, a glass transition temperature of less than about 0.degree. C., a moisture absorption of at least about 20% of its weight and/or a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least about 300 grams/meter.sup.2 /24 hours measured at 37.degree. C. and a 90% relative humidity gradient. Adhesives of these polymers possess a peel adhesion to human skin of between about 0.3 and 4 newtons/cm width of the polymer or adhesive.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, coding for all or part of a squalene synthetase, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, host cells containing the expression vectors, and methods utilizing these materials. The invention also concerns polypeptide molecules comprising all or part of a squalene synthetase, and methods for producing these polypeptide molecules.

Abstract: A polymeric device for the controlled release of active agents contained in the device in which the polymer has a glass transition temperature greater than the normal storage or non use temperature of the device. When heated to or above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, the active agent is released. The release of active agent can be switched on or off by the adjustment of the temperature of the polymeric device above or below the glass transition temperature of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for isolating tissue repair promoting substances from human or animal blood, which method comprises collecting the human or animal blood from a single human or animal individual in a first container of a container system comprising at least first and second interconnected containers; centrifuging the container system containing the blood so as to separate the blood in various fractions including a plasma fraction; transferring at least part of the plasma fraction to the second container of the container system; subjecting the plasma fraction in the second container to a low temperature so as to obtain a precipitate comprising tissue repair promoting substances; concentrating the precipitate in the second container so as to obtain a first fraction comprising a major part of the non-precipitated material, and a second fraction comprising at least the major part of the precipitate and a minor part of the non-precipitated material; and separating the second fraction comprising the tissue repair promoting

Abstract: Methods for the enzymatic resolution of mixtures of enantiomers, such as .beta.-lactam compounds, which may be employed as intermediates in the preparation of taxanes such as taxol, the latter useful in the pharmaceutical field.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed having the formula ##STR1## and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are as defined herein. These compounds are useful, for example, as cardiovascular agents and especially as anti-ischemic agents.