Abstract: The present invention relates to a growth medium support plate (1) comprising a body part (13) and, situated essentially in the same plane therewith and extending therefrom, a stem member (8) for connecting a cap (10) to said support plate. The stem member is connected to the support plate so as to be flexible in regard to the plane of the support plate. The stem member is connected to the support plate body part in a flexurally stiff fashion.

Abstract: An improved method of competitively excluding pathogens capable of intestinal colonization, such as Salmonella or Cambylobacter, from a digestive tract of a bird comprises administration in ovo to a fertile bird egg of a competitive exclusion (CE) culture essentially free from bacteria which abundantly form gas such as Clostridium species. The CE culture may be any CE culture essentially free from abundant gas forming bacteria which culture is derived from a digestive tract of a bird free from pathogens. The CE culture may be administered either into the air cell or the amnion of a fertile bird egg, preferably into the amnion.

Abstract: Disclosed is use of nonsteroidal anti-estrogen compounds such as toremifene citrate as active ingredient for treating autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is use of nonsteroidal anti-estrogen compounds such as toremifene citrate as active ingredient for treating autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for panoramic dental X-raying. The apparatus comprises an arm (7) rotating about an axis (6), a radiation source (9) at one end (8) of the arm for generating an X-ray beam (12), a shutter (13) for shaping the X-ray beam, and at the opposite end (10) of the arm, a recorder (11) for receiving the X-ray beam after it has passed through the dental arch for forming an image of the dental arch. The X-raying is performed with rotation of the arm (7) so as to image substantially the entire length of the dental arch. According to the invention, the shutter (13) narrows the X-ray beam (12) in the front area of the dental arch in order to increase the thickness of the sharply imaged layer compared to the two sides of the dental arch. This solution allows compensation for the decrease in the width of the sharp layer caused by the orthogonal X-raying and for the consequently shortened X-raying radius in the front area of the dental arch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for binding antibody or antigen molecules to solid phase. The reactive compound comprising an antibody or antigen molecule and a solide phase are formed by coupling a specific antibody or antigen molecule to a solid phase using a two-step reaction. The coupling is covalent, between the active groups of the solid phase and the antibody, a fragment thereof or the antigen molecule, in the presence of an anionic surfactant, after adding an alkaline/solution to raise the pH to the basic region.

Abstract: A device intended for the dispensing of a powdered medication by inhalation. The device includes a powder container (1), and air channel (2), and a metering strip (4) equipped with a dosing recess (3). The metering strip (4) can be moved along a flat surface (5) from a filling position, in which the dosing recess (3) is filled with powder coming from the container (1), to an inhalation position, in which the dosing recess (3) is in the air channel (2).

Abstract: A new form of human glandular kallikrein-1 (hK2) found from cloning a prepro-hK2 cDNA from a human protrate cancer tissue cDNA library. The new form differs in sequence from the prior art form in that Arg226 is substituted by Trp. A baculovirus expression vector is described for obtaining hK2 proteins, including Arg226-hK2 as an active mature protein directly from a culture medium.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a microbe culture medium which can be activated with a liquid sample or water. Covalently crosslinked cellulose ethers are used as a gelling agent. The gel into which nutrients have been mixed is dried on a water-impermeable support. The culture medium according to the invention may be utilized for detecting bacteria and fungi both in the hygiene control of industry and in medical diagnostics. The same method principle may be used within different sensitivity ranges as the absorption capacity of the gel may be regulated according to the hydrophilicity of cellulose ethers.

Abstract: The invention is related to the use of COMT inhibitors in the treatment of diabetic vasculat dyfunctions.

Abstract: Disclosed is use of nonsteroidal anti-estrogen compounds such as toremifene citrate as active ingredient for treating autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device and a method for performing an assay of a sample using the closure device. The closure device, mountable on the mouth of a test vessel, comprises a body part (1) with an axially passing cylindrical bore. The bore is covered at one end with an openable lid (7). The closure device further includes a plunger (3), slidably mounted in the bore for the formation of a sealed reagent storage chamber (9) in the space remaining between the closed lid and the plunger. The inner wall of the bore (2) is provided with at least one groove (4), whose depth is so deep as not to be within the reach of the outer diameter of the plunger (3). The groove extends from exterior end of the bore, over such a length as to maintain a gas flow communication between said reagent storage chamber (9) and the exterior end of the cylindrical bore when the plunger (3) is in a partially inserted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an electronegative substituent, preferably nitro, cyano, formyl or carboxy, R.sub.2 is --A--R.sub.4, wherein A is a branched or straight chain C.sub.1-9 alkylene and R.sub.4 is carboxy or 5-tetrazolyl; R.sub.3 is an electronegative substituent, preferably nitro, cyano, halogen, formyl, carboxy, C.sub.1-5 alkyl carbonyl, aryl carbonyl or SO.sub.2 R.sub.6, wherein R.sub.6 is a branched or straight chain C.sub.1-5 alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl or NR.sub.7 R.sub.8, wherein R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently hydrogen, a branched or straight chain C.sub.1-5 alkyl or together form a C.sub.3-6 ring; or a pharmaceutically acceptable ester or salt thereof. The compounds are peripheral, long acting COMT (catechol-O-methyl transferase) inhibitors and are useful, e.g., in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and hypertension.

Abstract: A compound of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is nitro, halogeno or cyano group and R.sub.2 is a group selected from ##STR2## wherein Y and Z are independently oxygen, sulfur or NR, wherein R is hydrogen, straight or branched C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.5-7 cycloalkyl, phenylC.sub.1-8 alkyl or phenyl group and X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are NR, where R is hydrogen, straight or branched C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.5-7 cycloalkyl, phenylC.sub.1-8 alkyl or phenyl group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen exists in serum in two forms: classical type I procollagen which is a heterotrimer containing two pro .alpha.1-chains and one pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen, and an .alpha.1-homotrimer type I procollagen containing three identical pro .alpha.1-chains. These intact, trimeric aminoterminal propeptides may be isolated without the use of proteolytic enzymes and the resultant propeptides may be used to prepare antibodies specific for the intact trimeric propeptide, having no affinity for the monomeric form of the propeptide. Such antibodies are useful in methods of assaying intact trimeric aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in serum, without false information resulting from inadvertent assay of the monomeric form of the propeptide.

Abstract: Aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen exists in serum in two forms: classical type I procollagen which is a heterotrimer containing two pro .alpha.1-chains and one pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen, and an .alpha.1-homotrimer type I procollagen containing three identical pro .alpha.1-chains. These intact, trimeric aminoterminal propeptides may be isolated without the use of proteolytic enzymes and the resultant propeptides may be used to prepare antibodies specific for the intact trimeric propeptide, having no affinity for the monomeric form of the propeptide. Such antibodies are useful in methods of assaying intact trimeric aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in serum, without false information resulting from inadvertent assay of the monomeric form of the propeptide.

Abstract: A protective sheath (10) for an image plate, which covers a radiation- and light-sensitive surface (9) on an image plate (6) and which generally comprises a continuous first, reasonably rigid sheet section (1), having a size equal to that of the image plate, as well as a second reasonably rigid sheet section parallel to the first sheet section or two parallel second, reasonably rigid sheet sections (2a, 2b), which is/are at edges (15a, 15b) thereof attached (8) to two opposite outer edges (5a, 5b) of the first sheet section. A first (3) and a second surface (4), facing each other and included in the first sheet section and in the second sheet sections, respectively, have therebetween a distance (H1) which is substantially equal to a thickness (D1) of the image plate and the first surface (3) is provided with a coating (7) protecting the radiation- and light-sensitive image plate surface from damage.

Abstract: A non-competitive method for the determination of analytes. Initially the analyte is bound to a specific binding partner, after which the unoccupied binding sites of the binding partner are inactivated. The bound analyte is then dissociated from the binding partner and replaced by a labeled marker, after which the bound labeled marker is determined. The signal from the bound labeled marker is directly proportional to the initial amount of analyte in the sample, which makes the present method more favorable than the competitive assays.

Abstract: Accessories for a device used for reading a latent image recorded on an image plate by means of X-radiation. The device comprises: a drum element (8), having a concave peripheral surface (7); drive means (20) for rotating (R) the drum element at such a speed that a flexible image plate (1) located inside the drum element against the peripheral surface substantially retains the shape thereof; a light source (14) for focusing a stimulating light on the image plate (1), a light detector (17) for detecting the emitted light, as well as means (27) for moving the stimulating light and the light detector relative to the image plate in a direction (M) of said axis. The accessories comprise at least two balancing blocks (4, 5), which constitute permanent parts of the drum element and are located at a distance from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peroral composition providing controlled release of a drug, the composition comprising a) a core comprising the drug and a drug release controlling agent and b) an enteric coating comprising the drug release controlling agent, wherein the drug release controlling agent consists substantially of a pH-sensitive enteric polymer. Preferably the pH-sensitive enteric polymer has a pH dissolving point of at least 6.5. The composition is preferably in the form of granules. Preferably, the composition is in the form of enteric matrix granules coated with an enteric coating. The composition releases the drug gradually in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The composition is especially suitable for the administration of 3-(3-cyanophenyl)methylene-2,4-pentanedione into the colon.