Abstract: A method and apparatus to estimate the concentration of a target substance (e.g. Cholesterol or CRP) in the plasma component of awhole blood sample without the need to separate the red blood cells from the plasma prior to testing, thereby simplfying the design and construction of the test device. The invention achieves this by measuring the analyte under investigation in a time dependent (bio-/immuno-) chemical reaction and measuring separately, a marker substance (e.g haemoglobin) for the estimation of red blood cell volume, using a non-time-dependent alteration in physical property of the reaction mixture (in this instance, transmission) attributed to inherent filter effects on sample addition. These non-time-dependent changes are not part of the reaction chemistry, and are resolved from the time dependent alteration in physical property caused by the assay chemistry by continuous measurement and mathematical modelling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to estimate the concentration of a target substance (e.g. Cholesterol or CRP) in the plasma component of awhole blood sample without the need to separate the red blood cells from the plasma prior to testing, thereby simplfying the design and construction of the test device. The invention achieves this by measuring the analyte under investigation in a time dependent (bio-/immuno-) chemical reaction and measuring separately, a marker substance (e.g haemoglobin) for the estimation of red blood cell volume, using a non-time-dependent alteration in physical property of the reaction mixture (in this instance, transmission) attributed to inherent filter effects on sample addition. These non-time- dependent changes are not part of the reaction chemistry, and are resolved from the time dependent alteration in physical property caused by the assay chemistry by continuous measurement and mathematical modelling.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of obesity, the treatment of obesity related disorders, prevention of weight gam, prevention of weight regain or for weight maintenance by the use of a cathepsin K inhibitor as active ingredient, alone or in conjunction with other anti-obesity agents The invention also relates to the pharmaceutical compositions comprising cathepsin K inhibitor as active ingredient, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, and optionally one or more anti-obesity agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a genus of compounds, represented by the formula (I) diagrammed below, wherein the meanings of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, D and n are indicated therein, which are inhibitors of cathepsin K. These compounds are useful for treating or preventing atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitised with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analogue and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analogue is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitised solely with the non-specific protein.

Abstract: A spray nozzle (300) which employs a locking and an alignment feature (330) to facilitate the replacement of internal nozzle components. The spray nozzle includes a nozzle body (310), a swirl element (314) and an orifice disc (312). The nozzle body defines a central bore which extends between a fluid receiving section and a fluid discharge section and delineates a central axis and delimits an interior locating surface for swirl element and the orifice disc. The orifice disc includes a protuberance (374) associated with the downstream surface thereof which protrudes into the spray opening of the nozzle body.

Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitised with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analogue and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analogue is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitised solely with the non-specific protein.

Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitized with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analog and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analog is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitized solely with the non-specific protein.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing test strips of the type comprising a length of porous carrier material capable of acting as a liquid flow path for a sample liquid and having at least zone downstream from a first end of the strip which zone contains an immobilized specific binding agent to act as a capture means during an assay to reveal the presence of an analyte in applied sample liquid, and in which process the specific binding agent is deposited onto a sheet of the porous carrier material which is then blocked and subdivided into a plurality of individual identical test strips, wherein blocking of the porous carrier material is achieved by applying a solution of blocking agent to the sheet upstream from the zone in an amount sufficient to ensure that the solution permeates downstream to beyond the zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of COX-2, compositions which contain such compounds and methods of use. The compounds are represented by formula I: ##STR1## and include pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.