Abstract: A method of treating nephro-urological disorders, such as kidney stones, phosphate renal calculi formulation, infections connected with urease formation, and abnormal calcium or phosphate excretion is disclosed. The method comprises administration of L-cysteine, or its acid addition salts, in effective amounts to patients suffering from said disorders. In addition, compositions containing the effective compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methoxy or ethoxy radical and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen atoms or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together represent an aromatic carbon-carbon bond and R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an ethoxy radical; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.The present invention also provides processes for the preparation of these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, as well as their use in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prepared nutrient substrate carrier for the qualitative and quantitative determination of micro-organisms, comprising an object carrier coated with at least one nutrient substrate, which object carrier is firmly attached to a lid and, during storage and during incubation, is present in a transparent vessel which can be securely closed with a lid, wherein the coated object carrier is enclosed in an envelope during storage, said envelope being adapted to be easily removed before inoculation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel acidic alkali citrate having the formula K.sub.6 Na.sub.6 H.sub.3 (C.sub.6 0.sub.7 H.sub.5).sub.5 . 2-4 H.sub.2 O made by dissolving either(a) trisodium citrate.times.2 H.sub.2 O, tripotassium citrate.times.1 H.sub.2 O, and citric acid in a mole ratio of 2:2:1 in 3 to 5 times the quantity by weight of boiling demineralized water, based on the weight of the citric acid and maintaining the solution at a temperature not lower than 60.degree. C.; or(b) citric acid at 90.degree. C. while stirring in .01 to 1 times its weight of demineralized water and then adding sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate to give a mole ratio of 3:3:5 of sodium carbonate: potassium carbonate:citric acid,and quick drying the homogeneous solution obtained. Therapeutic agents for the treatment of urolithiasis and removal, or preventing recurrence, of urine stones comprising said acidic alkali citrate are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for the determination of micro-organisms, comprising a vessel (1) closable with a cover (3) in which vessel is housed a nutrient medium carrier in the form of a longitudinal carrier body (2, 40) which has a plurality of troughs (10, 11, 12, 13, 41, 42, 45, 46) for the reception of nutrient substrate substances, the upper surfaces of which are provided with a removable cover, wherein at least one closable filler connection (19, 20, 43, 44), formed on the carrier body (2, 40) opens into each trough (10, 11, 12, 13, 41, 42, 45, 46).

Abstract: The present invention provides a Petri dish, especially for culturing micro-organisms, comprising a circular lower dish and a cover loosely laid thereon. Projections are formed provided on the periphery of the inner surface of the cover and, matching depressions are formed on the rim of the lower dish. This permits adjusting a gap between the cover and dish for control of gas exchange between the interior of the Petri dish and the atmosphere.

Abstract: In a pneumatic mixing apparatus for bulk materials, filter apparatus comprises a plurality of tube filters which are disposed each beneath a reverse cleaning nozzle. Venturi nozzles fastened to a perforated plate project into each tube filter coaxially with the latter. An external supporting frame is also fastened to the perforated plate and at its bottom end embraces the tube filters in a plurality of coplanar rings affixed to one another.

Abstract: It has been found that compositions derived from Propioni bacteria, especially P. granulosum, P. avidium, and P. acnes are useful in increasing tolerance of individuals to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. When these compositions are administered before or during a regimen of radio- or chemotherapy, the subject can receive higher doses of radiation and chemicals without harmful side effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining laxative compounds from senna drug, wherein(a) the senna drug is extracted with aqueous methanol by countercurrent percolation and the extract concentrated at a temperature of .ltoreq.50.degree. C. until the methanol has been completely removed from the extract;(b) the extract obtained is purified by continuous liquid-liquid extraction with an organic solvent;(c) the refined material (raffinate) obtained is transferred to a crystallization apparatus, acidified, while stirring, to a pH of 1.5 to 2.0, seeded with sennoside crystals, left to crystallize while stirring and the crystalline crude sennoside obtained separated off;(d) whereafter, the crude sennoside are, if desired, recrystallized and optionally converted with a pharmacologically compatible base into a pharmacologically compatible salt.

Abstract: Laxative compositions having particularly mild and well-tolerated action, not accompanied by toxic or side-effects, based on psyllium seeds and senna fruits are prepared by mixing separately ground psyllium seeds and senna fruits in a dry state, moistening the resulting ground mixture rapidly and uniformly with water, quickly granulating the resulting mixture and drying same in a manner preventing substantial swelling of the product to a residual moisture content of no more than 3.5% and then coating the composition with a pharmacologically acceptable material.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of undesired uroliths with benzoic acid is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature-stabilizing packaging container for condensation sensitive, water containing products in closed tubes, especially semi-solid test media such as immersion nutrient substrate carriers for the determination of micro-organisms or the like. The packaging container comprises a strip-like, heat-insulating material, at least one of the surfaces of which is provided with a radiation-repelling, metallic covering.

Abstract: An apparatus for the optical scanning of objects in which the light from at least one light source falls on at least one light-sensitive sensor and the objects to be scanned are disposed between the light source and the sensor. The sensor comprises a large-area solar cell and an aperture mask conforming to the contours of the object to be scanned disposed between the surface of the solar cell and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel acidic alkali citrate having the formula K.sub.6 Na.sub.6 H.sub.3 (C.sub.6 O.sub.7 H.sub.5).sub.5.2-4 H.sub.2 O made by dissolving either(a) trisodium citrate.times.2 H.sub.2 O, tripotassium citrate.times.1 H.sub.2 O, and citric acid in a mole ratio of 2:2:1 in 3 to 5 times the quantity by weight of boiling dimineralized water, based on the weight of the citric acid and maintaining the solution at a temperature not lower than 60.degree. C.; or(b) citric acid at 90.degree. C. while stirring in 0.1 to 1 times its weight of demineralized water and then adding sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate to give a mole ratio of 3:3:5 of sodium carbonate:potassium carbonate:citric acid,and quick drying the homogeneous solution obtained. Therapeutic agents for the treatment of urolithiasis and removal, or preventing recurrence, of urine stones comprising said acidic alkali citrate are provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved method for the extraction of silymarin (silymarin I-IV), in which a large part of the oil is removed from the fruits of Silybum marianum by cold pressing, the compressed mass is broken up, the pressed residue in extracted with ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate extract is evaporated and processed.

Abstract: New 1-(2',4',6'-trihydroxyphenyl)-propanedione-(1,2)-compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is ##STR2## and their acid addition salts are particularly effective in the treatment of liver diseases.

Abstract: Aristolochic acids are obtained from aristolochic plant species by alkaline extraction, comprising:(a) extracting the aristolochic plant species in slightly alkaline medium;(b) acidifying the extract;(c) dissolving the precipitate in an organic solvent immiscible with water;(d) extracting the obtained solution with aqueous alkali;(e) acidifying the extract; and(f) separating and optionally recrystallizing the precipitated product.

Abstract: A new compound, viz., aluminum polyhydroxysulfate hydrate of the formula [Al.sub.7 (OH).sub.17 (SO.sub.4).sub.2 .multidot. n H.sub.2 O] where n equals 10-15, preferably 12, has been found to have outstanding therapeutic value in the treatment of urinary stones; the invention thus provides methods of treating phosphate conditions in the urinary passage and compositions for such treatment comprising said new aluminum compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to 19,20-bis-nor-prostanoic acids, and their functional derivatives, endowed with hypolipemic, and antiulcerous properties.

Abstract: Salts of polyhydroxyphenylchromanones, e.g., silymarin or one or more members of the silymarin group, are reacted with a monoaminopolyhydroxy alcohol of the formula ##STR1## wherein X IS AN INTEGER FROM 3 TO 5; ANDR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen, lower alkyl or hydroxyalkylTo give chemotherapeutic salt compounds which are water soluble while retaining a high degree of medical effectiveness. The salt compounds can be administered to mammals to antagonize or mitigate liver damage and inflammation.