Abstract: The invention concerns lyophilized pharmaceutical preparations of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies which contain a sugar or an amino sugar, an amino acid and a surfactant as stabilizers. In addition the invention concerns a process for the production of this stable lyophilisate as well as the use of a sugar or amino sugar, an amino acid and a surfactant as stabilizers for therapeutic or diagnostic agents containing antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable mutants of B-type DNA polymerases comprising a Y-GG/A amino acid motif between the N-terminal 3?-5?-exonuclease domain and the C-terminal polymerase domain whereas the tyrosine of the Y-GG/A amino acid motif is mutated and whereas these mutant DNA polymerases are suitable for PCR.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the thermophilic archaebacterium Thermococcus gorgonarius. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, retains approximately 90% of its activity after incubation for two hours at 95° C. in the presence of stabilizing agents and possesses 3?-5? proofreading exonuclease activity. Thermostable DNA polymerases are useful in many recombinant DNA techniques, especially nucleic acid amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the specific detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus species, in particular Staphylococcus aureus, using new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region. The present invention relates also to said new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS region, between the 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) or rRNA genes, to be used for the specific detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus species, in particular of S. aureus, in a biological sample. It relates also to nucleic acid primers to be used for the amplification of said spacer region of Staphylococcus species in a sample.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived form the thermophilic archaebacterium Archaeoglobus fulgidus. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, is stable under PCR conditions and exhibits double strand specific exonuclease activity. It is a 3?-5? exonuclease and cleaves to produce 5?-mononucleotides. Thermostable exonucleases are useful in many recombinant DNA techniques, in combination with a thermostable DNA polymerase like Taq especially for nucleic acid amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of metal chelate-labelled peptide antigens, peptides obtainable by this process and their use in an immunological method of detection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of metal chelate-labelled peptide antigens, peptides obtainable by this process and their use in an immunological method of detection.

Abstract: Magnetic particles are prepared containing a magnetic core coated with a glass layer having a substantially pore-free glass surface or having pores with a diameter of less than 10 nm. The particles are used for separating biological material such as nucleic acids. A preferred process of preparing the particles is by forming a mixture of magnetic cores with a sol formed from an alcohol and a metal alkoxide, spray-drying the mixture to coat the cores with a layer of gelled sol, and heating the coated cores to obtain the magnetic glass particles. Preferably, the particles have an average particle size of less than 100 ?m. The magnetic core may be a composite material containing a mica core and magnetite particles immobilized on the mica core, and the glass layer may contain boron oxide. Magnetic core materials include magnetite (Fe3O4) and Fe2O3.

Abstract: A spreading material is described which comprises a porous flat-shaped structure impregnated with a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is N-oleoyl-sarcosinate.

Abstract: A novel use of the known protein Erythropoietin (EPO) and/or a derivative and/or a fragment thereof is disclosed. EPO is used as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of chronic inflammations. A particularly beneficial result is seen in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Significant effects are seen in clinical variables such as morning stiffness, swollen joints, and the like.

Abstract: A puncturing device for generating a puncturing wound for obtaining a body fluid sample of a human or animal, comprising a puncturing element drive in order to drive a puncturing element that is inserted into the puncturing device, an alternating voltage source designed to apply an alternating voltage signal with a rectangular leading edge to an electrode that is integrated into the puncturing element, an electrical measuring facility configured to measure a response signal elicited by applying the alternating voltage signal to the electrode, and an analytical facility configured to analyze the response signal and to control the puncturing element drive based upon a result of the analysis.

Abstract: A device for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes including a lancet and a lancet drive having a loadable elastic drive spring provided within an elongated housing. A relaxing motion of the drive spring is converted into a puncturing motion to move the lancet at high speed in a puncturing direction until its tip exits out of an opening of the housing. The device includes a transmission in the housing that has an input side that transforms the motion of a loading element along a linear loading path into a rotational motion of a lancet drive rotor to load the lancet drive rotor by tensioning the drive spring. When the lancet drive is triggered, the output side of the transmission converts a rotational motion of the lancet drive rotor, driven by the drive spring, into the puncturing motion in a direction along the main axis.

Abstract: A method for the selective determination of the scattering index ?s of a scattering biological matrix, in particular for the purpose of non-invasive determination of the concentration of glucose in the skin, by means of detection measurements, in each of which light in the form of primary light (9) is irradiated into the biological matrix (5) and an intensity measurement value of secondary light (12) exiting at a detection site (33-40) that is located at different measuring distances (?) from the respective light irradiation site (10) during the detection measurements is measured. In order to improve the quality and selectivity of the determination of ?s, the primary light is irradiated obliquely at an angle between 5° and 85° using a contacting light-guiding element.

Abstract: A device for sampling, transporting and/or disposal of fluid media in the nl and ?l-range comprises a substrate with and open or closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively, the substrate with the open or closed groove or capillary respectively is bent or arcuated at least at one location. The substrate comprises at least one end into which the open closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively is extended, which end is shaped according to its application or use as e.g. needle-like, straight-lined cut, tip-like, at least most half circle-shape, rounded, etc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for cleaning pipette needles or stirrers, the device comprising a trough which holds cleaning fluid and whose lower region has a fluid duct for filling and/or emptying purposes and whose upper region has at least one feed pipe which leads into at least one nozzle directed into the trough interior. Advantageously, the device has a cylindrical trough and in insert with nozzles which is screwed into the trough. The invention further concerns a method of cleaning pipette needles or stirrers, the material to be washed being introduced into the trough interior and sprayed with a washing fluid. The device can also be used to flush the interior of a pipette needle.

Abstract: A method is provided to determine the presence of an analyte in a sample. The method provides an element with a sample application zone, a detection zone, a zone containing immobilized analyte or analyte analogue, a conjugate that has a first bioaffine binding partner capable of a specific binding reaction with the analyte and a first detectable label, and a universal conjugate, which can be detached by liquid and comprises a second bioaffine binding partner and a visually detectable label. The second bioaffine binding partner is capable of a specific binding reaction with the first detectable label. The method also includes contacting the sample application zone with the sample, contacting the sample with the conjugate and the universal conjugate to react the analyte with the and the universal conjugate to form a detection complex, and determining the presence of the detection complex in the detection zone of the element.

Abstract: A method and device for the removal of balls from a supply is disclosed. The device has a horizontal plate having one or a plurality of circular orifices of identical size in the form of transcurrent orifices running vertically from the upper side to the lower side. The plate on its upper side exhibits a depression around each orifice, in conjunction with which the base of the depression are curved, the periphery of the depression exhibits an elliptical, oval or spindle-shaped form at the level of the surface of the plate, the mid-point of the orifice in each case lies on the mid-point of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the periphery of the depression, and the base of the depression is inclined towards the mid-point of the orifice along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a sample, in particular of a body liquid of human beings or animals, comprising test elements (2) with a carrier film (5) and a test field (7) fixed to the flat side (6) of the carrier film (5), the test field (7) containing a reagent system the reaction of which with the sample (21) leads to an optically measurable change in the detection zone (24) which is characteristic for the analysis, and an evaluation instrument with a measuring device for measuring the optically measurable change.

Abstract: The invention concerns monoclonal antibodies against the epitope YPYDVPDYA (SEQ ID NO: 1) which is derived from the haemagglutinin of the human influenza virus and are suitable for the detection and isolation of native haemagglutinin of the human influenza virus, of modified haemagglutinin or of haemagglutinin fusion proteins and have an affinity of >108 M?1, in particular of 109 to 1010 M?1.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first porous carrier and a second porous carrier for evaluating biological fluid samples is disclosed. The apparatus is used for separating non high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) from a lipoprotein in a body sample and for determining high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in a HDL and non high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) in a body sample.