Abstract: Certain novel spiropiperidine compounds are agonists of melanocortin receptor(s) and are useful for the treatment, control or prevention of diseases and disorders responsive to the activation of melanocortin receptors. The compounds of the present invention are therefore useful for treatment of diseases and disorders such as obesity, diabetes, sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pigment mixtures containing at least two components, component A being Al2O3 flakes coated with one or more metals, metal oxides and/or metal sulfides and component B being one or more functional pigments, such as electrically conductive pigments, magnetic pigments, IR-reflective pigments or lasermarkable pigments, and to their use in varnishes, paints, printing inks, plastics and powder coatings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical retardation film comprising two layers of an anisotropic polymer adjacent to each other or adjacent to both sides of a substrate, characterized in that each layer exhibits a tilted structure with an optical symmetry axis having a tilt angle &thgr; relative to the plane of the layer, to a means to produce substantially linear polarized light comprising such an optical retardation film and to a liquid crystal display comprising such an optical retardation film.

Abstract: Amide derivatives are selective &bgr;3 adrenergic receptor agonists with very little &bgr;1 and &bgr;2 adrenergic receptor activity and as such the compounds are capable of increasing lipolysis and energy expenditure in cells. The compounds thus have potent activity in the treatment of Type II diabetes and obesity. The compounds can also be used to lower triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels or raise high density lipoprotein levels or to decrease gut motility. In addition, the compounds can be used to reduced neurogenic inflammation or as antidepressant agents. Compositions and methods for the use of the compounds in the treatment of diabetes and obesity and for lowering triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels or raising high density lipoprotein levels or for increasing gut motility are also disclosed.

Abstract: 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives, represented by wherein Z represents cyclobutyl, 1-methylcyclopentyl or pyrrolidin-1-yl, are selective ligands for GABAA receptors, in particular having high affinity for the &agr;2 and/or &agr;3 subunit thereof, are useful in the treatment of anxiety and convulsions.

Abstract: Novel 4-substituted cyclohexanes substituted in the 1-position with 2-benzimidazoles, 2-imidazopyridines, or 4-imidazoles either directly or through a C1-C4alkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy or aminoalkyl chain are effective as NMDA NR2B antagonists useful for relieving pain.

Abstract: Two methods of producing a ceramic reinforced Al-alloy metal-matrix composite are described. The first one comprises the steps of dispersing a ceramic phase (of titanium diboride) in a liquid aluminum or aluminum alloy, mixing the ceramic phase with a cryolite or other fluoride flux powder and melting the mixture together with the aluminum or aluminum alloy phase at a temperature of between 700° and 1000° C. In the second method, the fluoride flux is reduced in situ by either molten aluminum or its alloying elements (Mg, Ca) to yield TiB2 crystallites of different size and size distribution that can be predetermined by fixing the flux and alloy composition and the processing temperature.

Abstract: Described are pigment flakes having a chiral liquid crystalline polymer material, the polymer material serving as a carrier material or being coated onto a carrier material. The pigment flakes have at least one dye that is chemically bound to the polymer. Also described are methods of making such pigment flakes and using them in paints, printing inks, spray paints, cosmetic products, colored plastics, optical elements and security applications.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I are antagonists of VLA-4 and/or &agr;4&bgr;7, and as such are useful in the inhibition or prevention of cell adhesion and cell-adhesion mediated pathologies. These compounds may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and are suitable for use in the treatment of asthma, allergies, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: Vaccine stabilizers, vaccine formulations and lyophilized vaccines with enhanced thermostability are disclosed. The vaccine formulations comprise an increased amount of a 6-carbon polyhydric alcohol (such as sorbitol), an increase amount of a disaccharide (such as sucrose) and an amount of a physiologically active buffer to adjust the pH from about 6.0 to about 7.0.

Abstract: Activated support materials are provided containing oxirane or azlactone groups as substituents in linear polymers as activated groups. A base support containing hydroxyl groups is suspended in a solution containing cerium (IV) ions and a monomer containing an oxirane or azlactone group, and grafting polymerization is carrier out to produce a polymer containing oxirane or azlactone groups covalently bonded to the base support. Azlactone groups can be bonded to the base support via a thioether bond by using a base support containing thiol groups. The activated support materials can be used to prepare affinity supports containing an affinity ligand that is thiophilic or possesses a metal chelating group, or to prepare immobilized enzymes. The ligand can be iminodiacetic acid, or can be obtained by reacting an oxirane group of the support material with NaHS, and reacting the resultant product with divinylsulfone followed by reacting with mercaptoethanol.

Abstract: There are disclosed compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which exhibit utility for the treatment of cytokine mediated diseases such as arthritis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical retardation film comprising two layers of an anisotropic polymer adjacent to each other or adjacent to both sides of a substrate, characterized in that each layer exhibits a tilted structure with an optical symmetry axis having a tilt angle &thgr; relative to the plane of the layer, to a means to produce substantially linear polarized light comprising such an optical retardation film and to a liquid crystal display comprising such an optical retardation film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to DNA molecules encoding purified human papillomavirus type 6a and compounds derived therefrom.

Abstract: Trisubstituted pyrroles are antiprotozoal agents useful in the treatment and prevention of protozoal diseases in human and animals, including the control of coccidiosis in poultry.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I: as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof useful as carbapenam antibacterial agents are disclosed wherein X is CR2R2, NR2, or O.

Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for indicating the reaching of a temperature within a predetermined temperature range by heated food. The device includes a transparent sealed container including a first compartment containing a first substance and a second compartment containing a second substance. The first compartment is separated from the second compartment by a meltable sealant having a melting point within the determined temperature range. The device is partially or fully immersed in the heated food and on reaching a temperature within the predetermined temperature range, the meltable sealant melts enabling the first substance to contact the second substance. The contact between the first substance and the second substance results in a detectable change such as a color change of at least one the first substance and the second substance. The color change is visibly detectable through the transparent sealed container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laser-markable plastics of which a feature is that they comprise as dopant anthracene- or pentaerythritol-coated effect pigments or a mixture comprising one or more effect pigments and anthracene and/or pentaerythritol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for increasing the yield of disulfide bonded recombinant proteins produced by yeast, especially recombinant secreted proteins The enzyme protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) catalyzes the formation of disulfide bonds in secretory and cell-surface proteins. We disclose the construction of recombinant strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which overproduce either human PDI or yeast PDI in a regulated fashion. These strains show greatly increased secretion of disulfide bonded proteins of potential therapeutic significance. These strains have the potential to increase the production of various disulfide bonded proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating and preventing bone loss in patients by administering a formulation of 4-amino-1-hydroxy-butylidene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid, disodium salt, or its hydrates. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition containing said disodium salt in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.