Abstract: A method for diagnosing and/or stratifying the risk of infections or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs, particularly lower respiratory tract infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in which method provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments or partial peptides thereof, especially copeptin or neurophysin II, is/are determined. Suitable biomarker combinations for in-vitro diagnosis are also included.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or stratifying the risk of infections or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs, particularly lower respiratory tract infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In said method, provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments or partial peptides thereof, especially copeptin or neurophysin II, is/are determined. The invention further relates to suitable biomarker combinations for in-vitro diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retainer for an electrostatic high-voltage electrode, containing a high-voltage insulator, on the electrode side of the insulator at least one arm having a retaining means for retaining a high-voltage electrode hanging on the retaining means preferably vertically, and on the installation side of the insulator at least one installation means for installing the retainer at an installation point outside an exhaust gas channel of a chimney. Said retainer is characterized in that the retainer is equipped with at least one restoring element, which forms an articulated connection between the at least one installation means and the retaining means and which allows the retaining means and optionally a high-voltage electrode attached thereto to move out of the way from the operating position during cleaning in the exhaust gas channel with a cleaning device and allows an automatic return to the operating position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retainer for an electrostatic high-voltage electrode, containing a high-voltage insulator, on the electrode side of the insulator at least one arm having a retaining means for retaining a high-voltage electrode hanging on the retaining means preferably vertically, and on the installation side of the insulator at least one installation means for installing the retainer at an installation point outside an exhaust gas channel of a chimney. Said retainer is characterized in that the retainer is equipped with at least one restoring element, which forms an articulated connection between the at least one installation means and the retaining means and which allows the retaining means and optionally a high-voltage electrode attached thereto to move out of the way from the operating position during cleaning in the exhaust gas channel with a cleaning device and allows an automatic return to the operating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for prognosis of an outcome or assessing the risk of a patient having suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, comprising the determination of the level of at least one marker peptide in said sample said marker peptide selected from the group comprising ANP, AVP, ADM, ET-1, troponin, CRP, calcitonin and hGH or fragments thereof or its precursor or fragments thereof and attributing the level of said at least one marker peptides its precursor or fragments thereof with the prognosis of an outcome or assessing the risk for said patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for prognosis of an outcome or assessing the risk of a patient having suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack, comprising the determination of the level of at least one marker peptide in said sample said marker peptide selected from the group comprising ANP, AVP, ADM, ET-1, troponin, CRP, calcitonin and hGH or fragments thereof or its precursor or fragments thereof and attributing the level of said at least one marker peptides its precursor or fragments thereof with the prognosis of an outcome or assessing the risk for said patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers which are obtainable by (a) copolymerizing at least one hydrophilic monomer having one ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one crosslinker comprising two or more ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the presence of a chain transfer agent having a functional group; and (b) reacting one or more functional groups of the resulting copolymer with an organic compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group. The crosslinkable copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical mouldings, for example ophthalmic mouldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: Summary A method for the purification of the deprotected free amlodipine base, present in the reaction mixture following deprotection of an N-protected amlodipine compound, whereby (i) the reaction mixture containing the deprotected amlodipine free base, optionally after a preceeding filtration, is evaporated to dryness, or the solvent removed from the reaction mixture, (ii) the amlodipine free base contained in the residue thus obtained, is dissolved in a suitable solvent and (iii) the amlodipine free base is precipitated from said solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of ?,?-unsaturated amide compounds of general formula (I): whereby (A) a protective group is introduced into a molecule of general formula (II) to give a compound of formula (III), (B) the compound obtained is reacted in the presence of (i) a dehydrogenation catalyst and (ii) a suitable oxidation agent and (C) the protective groups are removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers which are obtainable by (a) copolymerizing at least one hydrophilic monomer having one ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one crosslinker comprising two or more ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the presence of a chain transfer agent having a functional group; and (b) reacting one or more functional groups of the resulting copolymer with an organic compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group. The crosslinkable copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical mouldings, for example ophthalmic mouldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers which are obtainable by (a) copolymerizing at least one hydrophilic monomer having one ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one crosslinker comprising two or more ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the presence of a chain transfer agent having a functional group; and (b) reacting one or more functional groups of the resulting copolymer with an organic compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group. The crosslinkable copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical mouldings, for example ophthalmic mouldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: A process for preparing 17?-substituted 4-azaandrost-1-en-3-one compounds of the general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically approved salt thereof, where R is hydroxyl, optionally substituted, linear or branched (C1-C2)alkyl or (C1-C12)alkenyl; phenyl or benzyl; an —OR1 radical, or an —NHR1 radical, or an —NR1R2 radical; R1 is hydrogen, optionally substituted, linear or branched (C1-C12)alkyl or (C1-C12)alkenyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; R2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or propyl; or —NR1R2 is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, by (A) introducing protecting groups into the 3-keto-4-aza moiety of the corresponding 1,2-dihydro compound, so that a compound of the general formula (III) is formed: where R3 is trialkylsilyl or, together with R4, the —C(O)—C(O)— or —C(O)—Y—C(O)— radical; R4 is alkyloxycarbonyl or phenyloxycarbonyl, preferably Boc (=tert-butyloxycarbonyl); or trialkylsilyl, or, together with R3, the —C(O)—C(O)— or —C(O)—Y—C(O)— radical; Y is —[C(R5)(R6)]n— or —CH(R5)?CH(R6)—, or

Abstract: A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which the cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.

Abstract: In a conveying system with rail-like guide means (2) and conveying means (1) movable along the guide means (2) independently of one another, a displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is provided for a changeover from serial to parallel conveyance. The displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) connects in a first position with an essentially stationary rail element (3). In this first position it is filled with conveying means (1) being supplied in series along the stationary rail element (3). The conveying means (1) are then blocked on the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) and the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is displaced in essence transverse to its length, thereby conveying the conveying means in parallel. For a changeover from parallel to serial conveyance, the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers which are obtainable by (a) copolymerizing at least one hydrophilic monomer having one ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one crosslinker comprising two or more ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the presence of a chain transfer agent having a functional group; and (b) reacting one or more functional groups of the resulting copolymer with an organic compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group. The crosslinkable copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical mouldings, for example ophthalmic mouldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: A method of incorporating radiation-absorbing agents (i.e., dyes) into polymeric materials. A preferred method involves crosslinking or polymerizing a polymerizable or crosslinkable material in the presence of a polymeric dye. A preferred product is a tinted contact lens comprising poly(vinyl alcohol). The methods offer advantages in reduced fabrication cycles, reduced extractables, elimination of post-polymerization activation steps, elimination of post-polymerization extraction steps and reduced scrap and costs associated with lens handling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of storage-stable hydrogel mouldings, the storage stability of which can be established by controlled hydrolysis. At the same time as the sotrage stability is established, the hydrogel is sterilised in its final packaging, and the salt concentration of the aqueous phase is adjusted preferably to a physiological range.

Abstract: A method of incorporating dyes into polymeric materials. The method involved contacting a functionalized dye with a high molecular weight crosslinkable polymer precursor, dispensing the solution into a mold and applying radiation, thereby forming a molded article having dye covalently bonded to the polymer backbone. A preferred product is a visibility tinted disposable contact lens comprising poly(vinyl alcohol). Various embodiments of the innovative method offer advantages in reduced fabrication cycles, reduced extractables, elimination of post-polymerization activation steps, elimination of post-polymerization extraction steps and reduced scrap and costs associated with lens handling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for producing mouldings, especially contact lenses, which comprises the following steps: a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a water-soluble prepolymer that contains crosslinkable groups; b) converting the resulting solution into the solid state; c) introducing the resulting solid-state solution into a mould; d) converting the solid-state solution into the liquid state in the mould; e) where applicable closing the mould; f) initiating the crosslinking; g) where applicable opening the mould, so that the moulding can be removed from the mould.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of mouldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a crosslinkable polymer comprising units containing crosslinkable groups, units containing a bound photoinitiator and, if desired, units containing further modifiers is crosslinked in solution, and to mouldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process. The present invention likewise relates to novel crosslinkable polymers which can be employed in the process, in particular derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 which comprises from about 0.5 to about 80%, based on the number of hydroxyl groups in the polyvinyl alcohol, of units of the formula I ##STR1## in which the variables are as defined in the description, and units of the formula IV, as defined in the description, which contain a bound photoinitiator.