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

Abstract: This device is intended for the dispensing of a powdered medication by inhalation. The device includes a powder container (1), an 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: The invention relates to long-acting pharmaceutical compositions from which the release of the active compound increases exponentially, and to a process for their preparation. The composition, preferably a tablet, comprises a rapid releasing core and a slow-releasing coat surrounding that core.

Abstract: A filter arrangement in a radiography apparatus in order to define the intensity of the radiation beam incident upon the object. To the movable filter part in front of the radiation source (2) there is coupled an electric circuit element, for example a potentiometer, from which the signal is applied further to a row (8) of light-emitting diodes in the vicinity of the object to be radiographed, for example the patient's head (7). When the filter is moved, the electric signal controls the light-emitting diodes so that the light-emitting diodes which become illuminated in the row will indicate the boundary of the filtered radiation beam at a given time.

Abstract: Equipment for automatic adjustment of image receptor exposure during imaging in panoramic or tomographic radiography. The equipment includes: a radiation source (4) and an image receptor (7), the radiation (5) passing through the object (6) to be X-ray examined, placed between these; at least two interspaced detectors (1), placed behind the image receptor and measuring the radiation intensity; memory means for storing exposure reference values; and adjustment means (3), which adjust variables affecting the image receptor exposure during X-raying on the basis of signals from the detectors and reference values. The apparatus also includes an integrator for each separate detector (1a, 1b, 1c, . . .

Abstract: A new stable solid composition suitable for oral administration comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of selegiline is achieved by reducing the destabilizing effect of the conventional lubricant present in such compositions, magnesium stearate either by replacing all or a substantial part of the magnesium stearate by other lubricants such as fatty acid esters and vegetable oils and/or by adding a pharmaceutically acceptable acid to the selegiline-containing tablets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sensitizing cancer cells for a killer cell mediated lysis which involves administering to a patient an effective amount of antiestrogen and killer cells either jointly or sequentially, wherein the killer cells are selected from the group of NK cells, LAK cells and CTL cells and the antiestrogen is selected from the group of triphenylethylene class antiestrogens, such as tamoxifen or toremifene or their pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

Abstract: A bioceramic system for delivery of a bioactive compound, which comprises a combination of bioactive glass, bioactive glass ceramic or bioactive ceramic, hydroxyapatite, optionally one or more other calcium phosphate compound and optionally a matrix, and which may incorporate into the bioceramic system a bioactive compound. The timing of the release of the bioactive compound can be regulated as desired and depends on the conditions of the surrounding, the composition of the bioceramic system and its method preparation.

Abstract: Compounds having formula (I) wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently H or OH, are useful in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. The compounds of formula (I) are devoid of significant antiestrogenic and estrogenic activity.

Abstract: A valve for use in connection with aerosol spacers to be mounted on a metered dose inhaler, characterized in that the valve comprises a frame portion (1) one end of which can be attached to the chamber portion of known aerosol spacers and its other end constitutes a mouthpiece having an air outlet aperture (4) for expiratory air and an air inlet aperture (6) for the air to be inhaled via the inhaler chamber, and a flap (3) which is to be fitted inside the mouthpiece and slides freely in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece so that, upon inhalation, it will open the air inlet aperture (6) and close the air outlet aperture (4) and upon exhalation, it will close the air outlet aperture (4), and upon exhalation, it will open the air outlet aperture (4) and close the air inlet aperture (6).

Abstract: The present invention involves the prevention of ethanol-induced neurodegeneration through the administration to a subject before, during and/or after ethanol consumption an effective amount of dexmedetomidine of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde by reacting 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde with a reagent comprising zinc chloride, water and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: New compounds of formula (I) wherein R.sub.1 is H, CH.sub.3, OCH.sub.3, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, CN, CF.sub.3, CHF.sub.2, CH.sub.2 F or halogen, R.sub.2 is a heterocyclyl radical selected from 1-imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl and isothiazolyl, R.sub.3 is H or OH, R.sub.4 is H, R.sub.5 is H or OH; or R.sub.4 is H and R.sub.3 and R.sub.5 combined form a bond; or R.sub.3 is H and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 combined form --(O); R.sub.6 is methylene, ethylene, --CHOH--, --CH.sub.2 --CHOH--, --CHOH--CH.sub.2 --, --CH--CH-- or --C(--O)--; or R.sub.4 is H and R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 combined is --CH-- or --CH--CH.sub.2 --; stereoisomers thereof and non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof exhibit selective aromatase inhibiting properties, compared with their desmolase inhibiting properties. The compounds of the invention are valuable in the treatment of estrogen dependent diseases, e.g. breast cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Abstract: A carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen free from type III procollagen carboxyterminal propeptide can be used to produce an antibody which is specific for carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen and which has no affinity for the type III procollagen carboxyterminal propeptide. This antibody can be used to assay more accurately the propeptide which is a measure of the rate of production of type I procollagen and useful in diagnosing and monitoring e.g. bone diseases.

Abstract: A population of pests, especially a population of rodents, can be controlled hormonally by means of baits that contain an orally active antiestrogen. The hormone present in the baits weakens the reproductive capacity of rodents thereby controls their population.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing cis-(+)-hydroxy-5-[2-(dimethylamine)ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) -benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one that is a useful intermediate in the preparation of diltiazem. It has been found that the requisite N-alkylation reaction proceeds rapidly and with an excellent yield when the solvent is a mixture of toluene and N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one and the base is finely-divided sodium carbonate under anhydrous conditions. Such diltiazem commonly is used in the treatment of angina pectoris.