Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension comprising 50-95% by weight of the total suspension (w/w) of at least one metallic material and/or ceramic material and/or polymeric material and/or solid carbon containing material; and at least 5% by weight of the total suspension of one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such suspension in 3D printing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension comprising 50-95% by weight of the total suspension (w/w) of at least one metallic material and/or ceramic material and/or polymeric material and/or solid carbon containing material; and at least 5% by weight of the total suspension of one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such suspension in 3D printing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension comprising 50-95% by weight of the total suspension (w/w) of at least one metallic material and/or ceramic material and/or polymeric material and/or solid carbon containing material; and at least 5% by weight of the total suspension of one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such suspension in 3D printing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension comprising 50-95% by weight of the total suspension (w/w) of at least one metallic material and/or ceramic material and/or polymeric material and/or solid carbon containing material; and at least 5% by weight of the total suspension of one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such suspension in 3D printing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension comprising 50-95% by weight of the total suspension (w/w) of at least one metallic material and/or ceramic material and/or polymeric material and/or solid carbon containing material; and at least 5% by weight of the total suspension of one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such suspension in 3D printing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension comprising 50-95% by weight of the total suspension (w/w) of at least one metallic material and/or ceramic material and/or polymeric material and/or solid carbon containing material; and at least 5% by weight of the total suspension of one or more fatty acids or derivatives thereof. In addition, the invention relates to uses of such suspension in 3D printing processes.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of subunits and oligomers of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) in prophylactic and/or curative treatment of an immunocompromised individual such as subjects suffering from solid tumors or haematological cancers. Solid tumors include such as female cancers, male cancers, cancers of the respiratory system, cancers of the gastro intestinal system, the renal system and further subjects suffering from thyroid cancer and melanomas. Haematological cancers include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The immunocompromised condition of the individual may be due to a cancer disease as mentioned herein or the treatment of said cancer disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for exposing a substrate surface to at least one fluid. The device comprises a substrate having a surface containing a contiguous target region and a cover plate. A plurality of fluid-transporting features is present in a cover plate surface, and the features are separated by at least one partitioning wall representing an integral portion of the cover plate. The features fluidly communicate with at least one outlet, and each feature fluidly communicates with an inlet. The cover plate surface is positioned in fluid-tight contact with the substrate surface such that the at least one partitioning wall contacts the contiguous target region. As a result, each feature, in combination with the substrate surface, forms a flow passage containing a distinct exposure zone on the target region. Also provided are methods for exposing a substrate surface to a plurality of cells and methods for detecting cell-cell interactions.

Abstract: A method of assaying collagen fragments in body fluids, including bringing a sample of body fluid in contact with at least one immunological binding partner for the collagen fragments, said binding partner being immunoreactive with synthetic peptides, the sequences of which are essentially derived from collagen and containing potential sites for cross-linking. The immunological binding partners are incorporated, either as whole antibodies or as immunologically active fragments thereof, in an assay for quantitative determination of collagen fragments in the sample. In addition to being contacted with the immunological binding partner(s), the sample may be brought into direct contact with the corresponding synthetic peptide. The invention further comprises a test kit and specific means for carrying out the method. The structure of specific peptides is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for detecting a cell-cell interaction between a first living cell and a second living cell. The method comprises (a) providing a flow passage defined at least in part by a substrate having a first living cell, or tissue section containing living cells, immobilized on a surface thereof, (b) introducing a second living cell by controlled delivery of a carrier fluid containing the second living cell in contiguous laminar flow through the flow passage, thereby effecting contact or proximity between the first living cell and the second living cell, and (c) detecting a cell-cell interaction, if present, as a result of the contact or proximity between the first living cell and the second living cell. Devices for carrying out the method and for providing a cell-cell interaction are provided as well.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to a method of measuring the rate of degradation of collagen is disclosed which comprises determining the amount in a body fluid of one or more fragments of collagen having an amino acid sequence comprising isoaspartic acid. The invention also relates to an immunological binding partner that specifically binds to an amino acid sequence of type II collagen containing an isoaspartic acid residue. The invention further relates to a synthetic peptide having an amino acid sequence of type II collagen that contains an isoaspartic acid residue.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing the degradation of type II collagen in body fluids are disclosed. In a specific method, a sample of body fluid is subjected to at least two distinct immunological assays, each using a different immunological binding partner, and a numerical index is formed representing the difference in the results of the assays.

Abstract: A flow cell assembly is provided comprising a first plate member and a second plate member, which may be built into an analysis station, each having a respective first surface. Said first and second plate members overlie one another with their respective first surfaces facing one another. A cavity defined between said first surfaces and a plurality of channels in said second plate member each lead to a respective portion of said cavity from a further surface of the second plate member. The cavity provides an analysis field on said first plate member. There are at least three inlet flow channels and at least one outlet flow channel all communicating with the analysis field for providing hydrodynamically positioned flow over said field. Methods for using the novel systems in analyte screening and for selectively exposing a cell to analyte are provided as well.

Abstract: A method of assaying collagen fragments in body fluids, including bringing a sample of body fluid in contact with at least one immunological binding partner for the collagen fragments, said binding partner being immunoreactive with synthetic peptides, the sequences of which are essentially derived from collagen and containing potential sites for cross-linking. The immunological binding partners are incorporated, either as whole antibodies or as immunologically active fragments thereof, in an assay for quantitative determination of collagen fragments in the sample. In addition to being contacted with the immunological binding partner(s), the sample may be brought into direct contact with the corresponding synthetic peptide. The invention further comprises a test kit and specific means for carrying out the method. The structure of specific peptides is also described.

Abstract: A method of assaying type II collagen fragments in body fluids, including bringing a sample of body fluid in contact with at least one immunological binding partner for the collagen fragments, said binding partner being immunoreactive with synthetic peptides, the sequences of which are essentially derived from collagen and containing potential sites for cross-linking. The immunological binding partners are incorporated, either as whole antibodies or as immunologically active fragments thereof, in an assay for quantitative determination of collagen fragments in the sample. In addition to being contacted with the immunological binding partner(s), the sample may be brought into direct contact with the corresponding synthetic peptide. The invention further comprises a test kit and specific means for carrying out the method. The structure of specific peptides is also described.

Abstract: A method of assaying collagen fragments in body fluids, including bringing a sample of body fluid in contact with at least one immunological binding partner for the collagen fragments, said binding partner being immunoreactive with synthetic peptides, the sequences of which are essentially derived from collagen and containing potential sites for cross-linking. The immunological binding partners are incorporated, either as whole antibodies or as immunologically active fragments thereof, in an assay for quantitative determination of collagen fragments in the sample. In addition to being contacted with the immunological binding partner(s), the sample may be brought into direct contact with the corresponding synthetic peptide. The invention further comprises a test kit and specific means for carrying out the method. The structure of specific peptides is also described.

Abstract: The fragmentation pattern of collagen, especially of type 1, as reflected in breakdown products of collagen in a body fluid such as serum or urine is estimated by measuring the levels of such breakdown products using two or more distinct immunoassays. The results may be combined into a numerical index diagnostic of one or more pathological conditions or patient types.

Abstract: Type I collagen degradation products are assayed in a body fluid by conducting a competition immunoassay in which sample molecules compete with a peptide or isomerized peptide in binding to an immunological binding partner for the peptide or isomerized peptide respectively, wherein the peptide or isomerized peptide comprises the amino acids AHDGGR optionally extended at the N-terminal end with one or more amino acids that do not form a contiguous sequence with AHDGGR in type 1 collagen, and wherein D represents aspartic acid or .beta.-aspartic acid. The peptide C(X).sub.n AHDGGR, where X is any amino acid and n is preferably from 4 to 6 is provided for use in such assays and in diagnostic assay kits.

Abstract: A method of assaying collagen fragments in body fluids, including bringing a sample of body fluid in contact with at least one immunological binding partner for the collagen fragments, said binding partner being immunoreactive with synthetic peptides, the sequences of which are essentially derived from collagen and containing potential sites for cross-linking. The immunological binding partners are incorporated, either as whole antibodies or as immunologically active fragments thereof, in an assay for quantitative determination of collagen fragments in the sample. In addition to being contacted with the immunological binding partner(s), the sample may be brought into direct contact with the corresponding synthetic peptide. The invention further comprises a test kit and specific means for carrying out the method. The structure of specific peptides is also described.

Abstract: Degradation of body proteins such as bone collagen is studied by detecting in body fluids isomerized peptide fragments of said proteins in which peptide bonding to the .alpha.-carboxylic acid group of aspartic acid or asparagine has become isomerized to an amide bond to the side chain carboxylic acid group of aspartic acid. Antibodies specific for the isomerized peptide sequences are used in assays.