Abstract: An antioxidant dietary supplement composition comprises from 37 to 42% by weight of grapeseed extract, from 32 to 37% by weight of green tea extract, from 7 to 15% by weight of pine bark extract and from 7 to 15% by weight of pomegranate extract, wherein the % by weight is based on the total weight of the grapeseed extract, green tea extract, pine bark extract and pomegranate extract in the composition. The composition has use in the treatment of viral infections, especially respiratory infections, in mammals and birds, especially in humans, horses and camels. Also disclosed is a method of treating a viral infection in a mammal or bird which comprises administering to the mammal or bird a composition according to the invention.

Abstract: An antioxidant dietary supplement composition comprises from 37 to 42% by weight of grapeseed extract, from 32 to 37% by weight of green tea extract, from 7 to 15% by weight of pine bark extract and from 7 to 15% by weight of pomegranate extract, wherein the % by weight is based on the total weight of the grapeseed extract, green tea extract, pine bark extract and pomegranate extract in the composition. The composition has use in the treatment of viral infections, especially respiratory infections, in mammals and birds, especially in humans, horses and camels. Also disclosed is a method of treating a viral infection in a mammal or bird which comprises administering to the mammal or bird a composition according to the invention.

Abstract: A laboratory stand for a microplate comprises a base (2), at least one post (3, 4) extending upwardly from the base, a shelf (5) located above the base and supported by the at least one post, and means for adjusting the height of the shelf in relation to the base. The shelf (5) comprises a rear portion (9) which is substantially horizontal and a front portion (10), which is inclined downwards away from the horizontal, which is adapted to retain at least one microplate. The laboratory stand improves pipetting ergonomics.

Abstract: A method for detecting inflammation in the urinary tract or urethra of a patient, especially urethritis, comprises a) contacting leucocytes obtained from a urine sample provided by the patient with a luminescence reagent which emits light on reaction with an oxidant; b) adding an activator to the mixture of leucocytes and luminescence reagent; c) continuously monitoring and/or measuring light emitted by the luminescence reagent over a predetermined time period commencing before and ending after the addition of the activator. The light emission is indicative of the presence or absence of inflammation in the urinary tract or urethra of the patient. The urine sample is preferably a sample of first pass urine. The method makes possible a diagnosis especially of urethritis and, in particular, urethral infections selected from Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be carried out quickly without invasive procedures.

Abstract: A laboratory stand for a microplate comprises a base (2), at least one post (3, 4) extending upwardly from the base, a shelf (5) located above the base and supported by the at least one post, and means for adjusting the height of the shelf in relation to the base. The shelf (5) comprises a rear portion (9) which is substantially horizontal and a front portion (10), which is inclined downwards away from the horizontal, which is adapted to retain at least one microplate. The laboratory stand improves pipetting ergonomics.

Abstract: A method for detecting inflammation in the urinary tract or urethra of a patient, especially urethritis, comprises a) contacting leucocytes obtained from a urine sample provided by the patient with a luminescence reagent which emits light on reaction with an oxidant; b) adding an activator to the mixture of leucocytes and luminescence reagent; c) continuously monitoring and/or measuring light emitted by the luminescence reagent over a predetermined time period commencing before and ending after the addition of the activator. The light emission is indicative of the presence or absence of inflammation in the urinary tract or urethra of the patient. The urine sample is preferably a sample of first pass urine. The method makes possible a diagnosis especially of urethritis and, in particular, urethral infections selected from Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be carried out quickly without invasive procedures.

Abstract: The onset of or the existence of overtraining syndrome in an individual is detected by a method which comprises a) contacting leucocytes in, or obtained from, a blood sample provided by the individual with a luminescence reagent which emits light on reaction with an oxidant; b) adding an activator to the mixture of leucocytes and the luminescence reagent; c) continuously monitoring and/or measuring light emitted by the luminescence reagent over a predetermined time period commencing before and ending after the addition of the activator; and d) assessing the light emission. The individual may be a human, for example an elite athlete, or a non-human mammal, for example a racehorse. A diagnostic kit, for carrying out the method, comprising a luminescence reagent which emits light on reaction with an oxidant, an activator and a library of standard signature light emission curves is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for collecting a sample of the first pass portion of urine voided by a donor isolated from the midstream portion of the urine comprises a first part (1) comprising an opening at its upper end (4) adapted to receive urine voided by a donor, a urine collection body (3) downstream of the upper end and a closable exit (6) located downstream of the urine collection body and at the lower end (5) of the first part, the exit providing a circular orifice (7), a second part (2) located downstream of the exit of the first part and comprising a collecting vessel (10) which is in communication with the exit of the first part, wherein the circular orifice provided by the exit of the first part defines an inlet into the collecting vessel and has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the collecting vessel at the upper end thereof, and wherein the collecting vessel contains a moveable closure member (13) for blocking the inlet into the collecting vessel which moveable closure member is capable of floating

Abstract: Particles that move at low Reynolds numbers are separated from a filter material on which they are adsorbed by subjecting the filter material, in a liquid medium, to agitation of sufficient magnitude to create turbulence and shear forces acting on the filter material such that the particles become desorbed from the filter material and become suspended in the liquid medium. The method may be used to recover biological particles, such as leucocytes and blood platelets, from filter materials on which they are retained by adsorption. The recovered particles may then be used in diagnostic testing and analytical techniques.