Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length and which is substantially identical to at least a part of a 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of a (+) strand RNA virus, such as HCV, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dsRNA, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for treating infections and diseases caused by the replication or activity of the (+) strand RNA virus, as well as methods for inhibiting viral replication.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for manual adjustment of a focus position in microscopes with a motor-operated focusing drive. According to the invention, the arrangement has a first operator's control for giving an adjusting path length and a second operator's control for giving an adjusting speed. The two operator's controls are preferably constructed as rotating knobs. An adjusting path length for the focusing movement is given by the rotational angle at the first rotating knob, and an adjusting speed of the focusing movement is given by the rotational angle at the second rotating knob. The change in the rotational angle at the first rotating knob is proportional to the change in the adjusting path and the change in the rotational angle at the second rotating knob is proportional to the change in the adjusting speed.

Abstract: An optical observation instrument, particularly a microscope, is outfitted with at least one eyepiece in which a device for displaying information in a visually perceptible manner is arranged in the intermediate image plane. In this way, added information is effectively introduced into the observation beam path with low expenditure on instrumentation because, in contrast to the prior art, no splitter mirrors or the like optical components are required. Further, this prevents unnecessary attenuation of the intensity of the observed image due to additional splitter mirrors or the like.

Abstract: A microscope is disclosed with a stage which is adjustable in coordinates X, Y and/or Z, with a drive for stage adjustment and with a control circuit for presetting different adjusting speeds. In a microscope of the type mentioned above, a device is provided for showing the given adjusting speed during the adjustment of the stage in at least one of coordinates X, Y, Z. Therefore, it is advantageously possible during the adjustment and/or programming of the microscope to visually perceive the adjusting speed or to display speed gradations which are not otherwise detectable in the eyepiece.