Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a hydrogel from a hydrophilic polymer having one or more functional groups which are capable of co-reacting in a condensation reaction which method comprises the steps of: (i) preparing a solution of the polymer; (ii) heating the solution to a temperature sufficient for the condensation reaction to take place for a period of time sufficient for the hydrogel to cross-link wherein where the hydrophilic polymer comprises a first and a second hydrophilic polymer, step (i) comprises a step of mixing the hydrophilic polymers to prepare a homogeneous intimate mixture of the polymers; and wherein the heating step (ii) is carried out at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The method of the invention is advantageous because it is relatively low cost, it is a safer procedure with less health & safety concerns, it is carried out in a liquid state and is not limited by film thickness.

Abstract: The current invention provides new human variable chain framework regions and humanized antibodies comprising the framework regions. The invention also provides a new method of identifying framework acceptor regions in framework sequences for backmutation to graft a donor sequence to the human framework.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus comprises two rotatable bodies (1, 10 or 40) arranged to rotate in opposite directions. The first body being a polarizer (10) and the second being a mirror (1) or a second polarizer (40). The apparatus is arranged to define an optical path for a polarized beam, wherein the optical path passes through the first body (10), is reflected at the second body (1 or 40), and is reflected by the first body (10) back to the second body (1 or 40) from where it is transmitted or reflected to produce a linear scan. There is also disclosed a scanning system comprising a reflector (1) and an optical wedge (42) containing refractive materials, arranged to counter rotate and arranged so that a beam passing through the optical wedge (42), is reflected by the reflector (1) and passes back through the optical wedge (42) to produce a linear scan.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis of pre-eclampsia is disclosed, which comprises measuring the hormone inhibin A in a biological sample such as maternal serum. The method allows non-invasive, early diagnosis and can be used to predict the onset of secondary symptoms.

Abstract: “Head-to-head” bis-benzimidazoles having the following formula wherein A1, A2, X1 and X2 are as defined in the following specification, have been found to bind to specific sequences in the minor groove of duplex DNA, and to have cytotoxic effects against a range of tumor cell lines.

Abstract: A Corticotropin Releasing Factor-binding protein (CRF-BP) is isolated and purified sufficient to provide AA sequence data from which the DNA is obtained, which is then used to produce the protein recombinantly. The CRF-BP is useful for modulating the biological activity of CRF, such as reducing the high ACTH levels in mammals caused by excess CRF. The CRF-BP or fragments thereof and/or antibodies to the proteins may be employed in diagnostic assays to determine the levels of CRF, CRF-BP and the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP in a vascular fluid sample. The DNA or subsequence thereof can be used as probes for genetic material in certain assays. The anti-CRF-BP antibodies are also useful to purify the CRF-BP protein and to modulate the biological effect of CRF-BPs proteins.

Abstract: Epoxides containing hydroxy groups are rearranged enantioselectively using a chiral base to give allyl alcohols in high enantiomeric excess, e.g. ##STR1## If R.sup.3 .noteq.H, the reaction also has the effect of generating a chiral tetrasubstituted carbon atom.

Abstract: Corticotropin Releasing Factor-binding protein (CRF-BP) is produced recombinantly and is useful for modulating the biological activity of CRF. CRF-BP or fragments thereof and/or antibodies to such polypeptides are employed in diagnostic assays to determine the levels of CRF and CRF-BP and the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP in a vascular fluid sample. Following such an assay, pregnancy-related pathological disorders, such as increased risk of premature labor, can be treated, for example, by administering CRF-BP to lower the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP to within a normal range for pregnancy. Anti-CRF-BP antibodies are also useful to purify CRF-BP and to modulate the biological effect of CRF-BPs.

Abstract: A process and composition for treating a material comprising wool to ameliorate ageing, mis-shaping and shrinkage employ an enzyme (protein disulphide isomerase) and a cofactor therefor.