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

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gelatine capsule containing selegiline, its structurally related compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts as the active ingredient and paraffin as a carrier. Preferably, the gelatin capsule is a soft gelatine capsule, and paraffin is substantially in liquid form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific cuvette, an assay method and a diagnostic test kit where samples of whole blood can be used for quantitative diagnostic testing without need for centrifugation, even though the blood components to be analyzed are in the plasma fraction. Using the method of the present invention the blood sample is converted into a plasma fraction and a cell fraction by shaking in a cuvette in the presence of a special agglutinating reagent A plasma fraction is obtained which is suitable to be used in diagnostic tests using immunometric or colormetric methods or test strips without physically removing the blood cells from the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for generating a regular, linear transfer movement especially for reading an image plate used in X-raying. The transfer device comprises a fixed housing, a rotatable threaded bar (5), a slide (6) moving linearly on the bar, slide guides (9, 10) for controlling the linear movement of the slide, and members for transforming the rotational movement of the bar into the linear movement of the slide. In accordance with the invention, these members consist of two followers (8) elastically articulated in the slide (6) and placed on opposite sides of the threaded bar (5), each of which is provided with a tongue (15) elastically stressed in the threaded groove (7) of the bar, the stressing member consisting of a pull device (19, 21) fitted between the followers and interconnecting the followers elastically in the transverse direction of the threaded bar. The pull device may consist of a magnet (19) and its counterpart (21), or optionally of a draw-spring between the followers.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided for use in the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently H or OH, for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the pretreatment of object surfaces prior to taking a sample for microbial analysis. The method uses a blend to remove biofilms without hindering the growth of microorganisms. The method allows for reliable and replicable determination of microorganisms formed on the investigated surfaces.

Abstract: A drive system for a drive wheel of a vehicle having a hub. The drive system includes a frame, a sun gear including toothing on an outer surface, a motor arranged to rotate the sun gear via an output shaft, a revolving circular, a peripheral gear including toothing on an inner surface, and planetary gears interposed between the sun gear and the peripheral gear and engaging with the toothing of the sun gear and the toothing of the peripheral gear. Each planetary gear has a shaft connecting to the hub of the vehicle. A rotatable sleeve shaft surrounds at least a part of the output shaft and has a toothing on an outer surface. The peripheral gear is arranged relative to the sleeve shaft such that the toothing of the peripheral gear engages with the toothing of the sleeve shaft. A clutch/brake element is arranged between the sleeve shaft and the frame for controlling rotation of the sleeve shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a circuit arrangement for controlling a stepper motor, e.g. in a panoramic X-ray apparatus. In the method of the invention, the control data of a processor (5) is first converted into an analog signal with a digital-analog converter (6), and the signal thus obtained is integrated with an integrating circuit (7,10), whereafter the signal is converted into pulses controlling the stepper motor (9) with a voltage-frequency converter (8). The circuit arrangement comprises preferably one or two integrators. In consequence, the changes in the speed of rotation of the stepper motor can be made stepless, whereby the stresses directed at the mobile parts are small, and mechanical oscillation caused by high momentary forces is avoided. In addition, the loading of the processor can be made uniform. Error correction circuits employing feedback are employed to enhance operation of the invention.