Abstract: There is provided a biodegradable composition as obtained from a melt comprising converted starch, a plasticizer and at least one member selected from alkenol homopolymers and/or alkenol copolymers which are combined under conditions sufficient to ensure uniform melt formation, in which the at least one member is present in the composition at a concentration of from 10 to 200 parts per 100 parts of dry converted starch.The invention further relates to methods of making the composition, and to articles made from said composition.

Abstract: A microtome has a specimen holder which executes a vertical up and down movement relative to a cutting knife and which has a guide mechanism in which a sleeve is arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable. The sleeve is provided at its front end with a specimen clamping mechanism and in its interior with a micrometer nut which is secured against axial displacement and through which extends a micrometer spindle mounted on the guide mechanism. The micrometer nut has on its outer face a toothed ring which is connected operatively to a pinion connected to an electric motor. When the electric motor is activated the sleeve is displaced in the guide mechanism. The micrometer spindle extends, on the side opposite the specimen clamping mechanism, through the guide mechanism as a stub end on which is located a mechanical cutting-thickness advance mechanism.

Abstract: A microtome comprises a handwheel which can be rotated in two directions of rotation, and drive means for the purpose of driving a specimen holder, so that the specimen holder executes a cutting movement when the handwheel is rotated in one direction, and a resetting movement when the handwheel is rotated in the other direction. The cutting and resetting movements take place relative to a cutting knife. A reduction gearing arrangement enables the speed of the cutting movement to be reduced relative to the speed of the resetting movement without having to rotate the handwheel at a correspondingly lower rate. A catch enables the reduction gearing arrangement to be bridged so that the speed of the cutting movement and resetting movement are equal for any given rate of rotation of the handwheel.

Abstract: A microtome provided with a drive wheel mounted in a stand, to be actuated manually and/or by means of a drive motor for generating a vertical relative movement between a specimen holder and a cutting knife, has a specimen holder, having a specimen clamping mechanism, arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable in a vertically drivable guide mechanism by means of a cutting-thickness adjustment mechanismn. The adjustment mechanism can horizontally displace the specimen holder through a cutting thickness adjustment distance towards the cutting knife. A specimen retraction mechanism serves to displace horizontally the specimen holder from an unretracted position to a retracted position, the retracted position being further from the cutting knife than the unretracted position. The distance between the retracted position and the unretracted position is greater than the maximum cutting thickness adjustment distance.

Abstract: A cryostat microtome apparatus comprises a cooling enclosure which can be set to a predetermined internal temperature and a microtome disposed in the enclosure. The enclosure is supported on a support assembly which is vertically adjustable to permit stepless adjustment of the height of the enclosure, for adaptation to operator requirements. A mechanical actuating assembly and/or a gas spring assembly is provided for height adjustment of the apparatus.

Abstract: A knife holder having two cylinders journaled for axial and rotatable movement are supported by two spaced-apart clamp blocks. The cylinders are axially and rotatably movable in the clamp blocks. Each cylinder has a continuous longitudinal slot of a cross-sectional shape generally complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the knife clamped therein. The axial movement of one cylinder relative to the other cylinder enables the length of knife edge that is exposed to be varied.

Abstract: A sterility indicator device comprising a base of steam permeable, absorbent material, e.g. paperboard, having mounted thereon at least one, though preferably three separate indicator ink spots of chromium chloride that change color in response to predetermined combinations of time, temperature and saturated steam, impermeable transparent cover films bonded to the top surface of the base overlaying the indicator ink spots and to the bottom surface of the base thereby preventing the escape of corrosive reactants there through, and an adhesive substance, to be used to bond the impermeable cover films to the base.

Abstract: Process for stabilizing dyestuffs sensitive to light and/or oxidation, especially natural dyestuffs, by adsorption on a highly disperse adsorbent, whereby the dyestuff is immobilized, as well as the application of the process to dyestuffs which are determined for dyeing medicines, for instance gelatine capsules for medicinal purposes, cosmetics, food stuffs and animal feed.

Abstract: N-(substituted-aminoalkyl)-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamides which are useful as pharmacological agents, especially cognition activators, are disclosed. They can be produced by reacting a 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetate ester with an appropriate amine.

Abstract: O-2,6-Diamino-2,3,6-trideoxy-.alpha.-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.4)-O-?. beta.-D-xylofuranosyl-(1.fwdarw.5)!-N.sup.1 -?(S)-4-amino-2-hydroxy-1-oxobutyl!-2-deoxystreptamine, also known as 3'-deoxybutirosin A and acid addition salts of said compound. These compounds exhibit a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Abstract: Lower alkyl 2-oxo-4-phenyl-1-pyrrolidineacetic acid esters which are useful as pharmacological agents, especially cognition activators, are disclosed. They can be produced by reacting 4-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone with a lower alkyl haloacetate in the presence of a strong base.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical capsules with telescopically engaged body and cap portions, also known as hard shell capsules, having enteric properties. The capsule body and cap portions are formed by dip-molding using a homogeneous film-forming mixture comprising (1) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and an ammonium salt of cellulose acetate phthalate polymer, or (2) gelatin and an ammonium salt of a copolymer of methacrylic acid and methacrylic acid alkyl ester; optionally with the inclusion of plasticizer and/or coloring agent. The capsules are soluble in or disintegrated by the alkaline intestinal secretions but are substantially insoluble or resistant to solution in the acid secretions of the stomach.

Abstract: A new decapeptide having the formula, pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-NO.sub.2 Arg-Pro-Gly(NH.sub.2); salts thereof; production thereof by reacting pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr(N.sub.3) with Gly-Leu-NO.sub.2 Arg-Pro-Gly(NH.sub.2), by reacting pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly(N.sub.3) with Leu-NO.sub.2 Arg-Pro-Gly(NH.sub.2), or by reacting pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu(N.sub.3) with NO.sub.2 Arg-Pro-Gly(NH.sub.2); certain peptide intermediates and their salts used in the production thereof; and the use thereof in the preparation of luteinizing hormone releasing factor.

Abstract: (+,-)-cis-.alpha.[3-(2,6-Dimethyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]-.alpha.-phenyl-2-py ridinemethanol and acid-addition salts. The compounds are pharmacological agents, especially antiarrhythmic agents. The compounds can be produced by reacting pyridyllithium with cis-.gamma.-(2,6-dimethylpiperidino)butyrophenone, or by reacting cis-1-(3-lithiopropyl)-2,6-dimethylpiperidine with 2-benzoylpyridine. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising (+,-)-cis-.alpha.-[3-(2,6-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl)propyl]-.alpha.-phenyl-2- pyridinemethanol and acid-addition salts thereof and methods for treating cardiac arrhythmia using said pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: New octapeptides having the formula Prot Grp-R-Trp-Ser-Tyr-R.sub.2 -Leu-Arg-Pro-R.sub.3 ; salts thereof; wherein R is Gln, Gln (bzl), His (bzl), Ser (bzl), Pro, Leu, Tyr (bzl), Ile, Cys (bzl) or Phe, R.sub.2 is D-Phe, D-Ala, D-Leu, D-Trp, D-Tyr, D-Tyr (Me), D-Ser, D-Met, D-Arg, D-Val, D-His, D-Gln, D-Phs, D-Thr, D-Pro, D-Me.sub.5 Phe or D-Asn and R.sub.3 is NH.sub.2, NH(lower alkyl), N-(lower alkyl).sub.2, NH-benzyl, NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N-(lower alkyl).sub.2 or NH-CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 NH-benzyl; methods for their production; certain peptide intermediates and their salts used in the production thereof; and the use of said octapeptides as luteinizing hormone releasing factor antagonists.

Abstract: 4-Aryl-1,6-dihydro-1,3,8-trimethylimidazo[1,2-a]-pyrazolo[4,3-f][1,4]diazep ines; and acid-addition salts. The aryl group is o-fluorophenyl or o-chlorophenyl. The compounds are pharmacological agents, especially anticonvulsant and antianxiety agents. They can be produced by reacting an aryl-(2-hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl-1,3-dimethylpyrazol-4-ylmethanone hydrocarbon sulfonate ester with ammonia in the presence of iodide.

Abstract: New octapeptides having the formula X-R.sup.1 -Trp-Ser(benzyl)-Tyr(benzyl)-R.sup.2 -Leu-Arg(R)-Pro-R.sup.3 -Y wherein X is a protective group, R is hydrogen or a protective group, R.sup.1 is a single bond, Gln, D-Leu or D-Val, R.sup.2 is D-Phe or D-Ala, R.sup.3 is a single bond or Gly and Y is lower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino or di(lower alkyl)amino.

Abstract: New heptapeptides having the formula X-R-His(benzyl)-His(benzyl)--R.sup.1 --R.sup.2 --Trp--Ala--Y wherein X is a protective group, R is Pro or Gln; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are Ser(benzyl) or Tyr(benzyl) and Y is lower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino or di(lower alkyl)-amino.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluid absorbent web for the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles is provided, such as diapers, underpads, sanitary napkins or similar articles. The method includes the step of forming a uniform moving web of fiberized wood pulp having a central zone, applying hydrocolloid polymer particles onto the surface of the central zone, and distributing the applied particles into the body of the moving web by air pressure means. Apparatus for producing such articles is also provided featuring means for incorporating absorbent polymer particles within a central zone of a moving web of the matrix.

Abstract: New hexapeptides having the formula X-Trp-His-(benzyl)-Ser(benzyl)-Tyr(benzyl)-Pro-Ala-Y wherein X is t-butoxycarbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl and Y is lower alkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino or di(lower alkyl)amino.