Abstract: An iris diaphragm device for a microscope includes an iris diaphragm having a stationary mount ring, a rotatable adjusting ring, and a plurality of blades. The plurality of blades form a diaphragm opening, which is steplessly adjustable, by rotation of the adjusting ring, between a maximum and a minimum opening size. A coupling linkage is connected to the adjusting ring and includes two levers. An actuation element drives the coupling linkage. A closure element is arranged on one of the levers in a way such that after a predefined size of the diaphragm opening has been established, a further actuation of the actuation element causes the closure element to pivot and cover the diaphragm opening.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for laser microdissection of specimen regions (23) of interest of a specimen (4) are described. In a first step, an incomplete cut line (25) enclosing the specimen region (23) of interest is generated by means of a laser beam (7). At the incomplete point of the cut line (25), there remains a web (26) which joins the specimen region (23) of interest to the surrounding specimen (4). In a second step, the web (26) is severed with a single laser pulse directed onto it, thereby completing the cut line. The specimen region (23) of interest is in that context detached from the specimen (4) and falls by the action of gravity into a collection vessel (19).

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing one or more cellulases having a ration of tensile strength loss to antipilling properties of less than 1. The cellulases may be obtained from CBS 669.63 or 670.93.

Abstract: Polypeptides with lipase/acyltransferase activity are described with an amino acid sequence which has identity to the sequence reported in SEQ ID NO 2 of at least 49%, also polypeptides which display this activity, as well as nucleic acids (genes) which code for these polypeptides, vectors which contain nucleic acids which code for these polypeptides, transformed microorganisms which contain these nucleic acids, processes for production of these polypeptides and the application of nucleic acids for discovering new lipase/acyltransferases and the use of these lipase/acyltransferases as catalysts in chemical and biochemical processes.

Abstract: Novel salicyl alcohol derivatives having valuable cosmetically and pharmaceutically useful properties, such as prostaglandin synthesis inhibition, corresponding to the formula (I): R1—OCH2—Ph—O—Z—(R2)n  (I), a method for producing the same and their utilization in cosmetics and pharmacy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the individual adaptation of excitation intensities in a multiband fluorescence microscope with several excitation bands that are different in their spectrums and with associated fluorescence bands. The intensities of the individual fluorescence bands in the microscope image are determined and compared with standard intensity values greater than or equal to zero. For every excitation band that is assigned to a fluorescence intensity deviating from the standard intensity values a selective filter (23; 28, 29, 31, 32) is introduced into the illumination optical path. The transmission degree of the illumination optical path is variably adjusted in such a manner that by attenuating the excitation band the associated fluorescence intensity is adjusted to its standard intensity value.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing one or more cellulases having a ratio of tensile strength loss to antipilling properties of less than 1. The cellulases may be obtained from CBS 9.93 or CBS 670.93.

Abstract: A microscope includes a light source, an illuminating optical system, an aperture device, and a spectral correction device. The light source includes a control device for controlling the intensity of light emitted by the light source. The illuminating optical system has a numerical aperture and illuminates a specimen. The aperture device is located in the illumination beam path and modifies the numerical aperture. The spectral correction device is located in the illumination beam path and corrects a change in the spectral intensity distribution of the light emitted by the light source so that the spectral intensity distribution of light directed onto the specimen remains substantially unchanged. Upon a change of the numerical aperture by the aperture device, the light source is controllable by the control device of the light source so that the light flux through the illuminating optical system remains substantially unchanged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining 12-hydroxystearinic acid and the salts thereof from a native fat or oil, especially ricinoleic oil, characterized in that a) the native fat or oil is hydrolized under the catalytic influence of one or several enzymes at 15-50° C. to obtain ricinoleic acid b) the glycerol thus arising and the enzyme are separated, c) the hydrolysate is catalytically hydrolized, d) the product thus obtained is formulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coloring keratin fibers containing at least one dye precursor and a choline-based oxidase system. The present invention also relates to a process for coloring keratin containing fibers using the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to flavone and isoflavone glycoside derivatives of general formula (I): [A1-C(═O)O]m—[X—O-Z]-[O—C(═O)-A2]n (I), wherein [X—O-Z] represents a flavone or isoflavone glycoside structure, wherein X represents a flavone or isoflavone parent substance of formula (IIa) or (IIb), said (iso)flavone parent substance being mono- or multisubstituted and/or mono- or multireduced (hydrogenated), wherein Z (sugar) represents a mono-, di- or polysaccharide which is acetally bonded to the radical X and is ester-substituted with A2 n-times, [A1-C(═O)] representing an acyl radical on the flavone or isoflavone parent substance, wherein A1 and A2, independently of each other, represent a polyunsaturated C15-C25-alkenyl radical with at least 4 isolated and/or at least 2 conjugated double bonds or an arylaliphatic radical with 1-4 methylene groups between the ester group and the aromatic ring, wherein [C(═O)A2&rs

Abstract: The invention relates to an enzyme-catalysed modification of substances in a mixture, comprising bringing the substance in a mixture to be modified into contact with an enzyme and a substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser microdissection device comprised of a microscope table (1), which supports a specimen (3) to be dissected, of an incident lighting device (7), a laser light source (5) and of an objective (10) for focussing the laser beam (18) of the laser light source (5) onto the specimen (3). According to the invention, the microscope table (1) is not moved during the dissecting process. A laser scanning device (9) is arranged in the incident lighting device (7), is comprised of two thick glass wedge plates (11a, 11b), which are tilted toward the optical axis (8) and can be rotated independently of one another around said optical axis (8). In addition to the beam deviation caused by the wedge angle of the wedge plates (11a, 11b), a beam offset of the laser beam (18) is produced by the thickness and the tilt of the wedge plates (11a, 11b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the deacidification of natural fats and oils in which glycerides with acid values of 5 to 20 are treated with lower alcohols and free fatty acids are thus converted into esters and which is distinguished by the fact that the reaction is carried out in the presence of enzymes immobilized on supports with a diameter of 1 to 5 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for laser cutting preparations which comprises an XY table (2) that defines a table surface (4). A holding device (14) for accommodating an object support (6) with a preparation (8) is arranged above the table surface (4) and is joined to the XY table (2) in a manner that permits it to be displaced in the Y direction (20a) in the X direction (22a). An open working space (16) is defined between the holding device (14) and the table surface (4). A catching device (10), which has at least one receptacle (12) for catching a preparation part that has been cut out, can be introduced into said working space. The invention also relates to a microscope that is equipped with the aforementioned laser cutting device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring thickness of transparent films is described in which an illumination beam is directed through an objective onto an object comprising a transparent film. A structured focusing aid is disposed in the illumination beam, a camera is disposed in an imaging beam. The focusing aid and the camera each are disposed in locations conjugated with the focal plane of the objective. The focal plane of the objective is displaced stepwise through the object. At each position, a camera image is recorded and its focus score is determined, the image of the focusing aid being used as the contrast indicator. The positions with maximal focus scores are assigned to the locations of the interfaces. The thickness of the transparent film is calculated from the difference between the positions of its interfaces.

Abstract: A mutated subtilisin-type protease that bears at least one mutation in its amino-acid sequence that causes the positive charge to be reduced or the negative charge to be increased in the substrate binding region of the molecule is used in cosmetic products. Such proteases show a surprisingly low skin and mucous membrane irritating potential.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regulating the brightness of a light source (2), configured as an incandescent lamp, in the illumination beam path (8) of a microscope (1), the brightness of the light source (2) being modifiable by increasing or reducing the electrical power delivered to the light source (2), are characterized in that a red shift, associated with the reduction in the delivered electrical power, of the spectrum of the light emitted by the light source (2) in the illumination beam path (8) is compensated for by way of a variable optical filter (16) that brings about a blue shift of the spectrum. A color-neutral regulation of the brightness of the illuminating light is thereby achieved.

Abstract: A bleaching composition is presented having a) an enzyme which produces hydrogen peroxide from atmospheric oxygen, b) a substrate for said enzyme, and c) a transition metal compound, where the enzyme is covalently bound to the transition metal compound. The bleaching composition is useful in disinfectants and laundry detergents as a bleaching component and for inhibiting the transfer of dyes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for laser cutting microscopic samples. The device for laser cutting microscopic samples comprises a microscope (1) having at least one lens (6) for observing a sample (12) that is to be cut The lens (6) defines an optical axis (14) and a lens aperture (34). A laser (4) is also connected to the microscope (1). The laser (4) generates a laser beam (41) that is injected into the lens (6) by means of at least one optical system (16). A diaphragm (18) is provided, which generates a dimmed laser beam (4b), whereby the laser aperture (36) generated by the lens (6) is smaller than the lens aperture (34) of the lens (6) itself.