Abstract: An improved method for vitrification of biological cells, especially blastocyst-derived stem cells (BS cells). The method is very mild for the cells that remain viable after they have been thawed. The method comprises, i) transfer of the cells to a first solution (solution A), ii) optionally incubation of the cells in the first solution, iii) transfer the cells obtained in step i) or ii) to a second solution (solution B), iv) optionally incubation of the cells in the second solution, v) transfer of the cells obtained from step iii) or iv) into one or more closed straws with dimensions that allow a volume of at least 20 ?l to be contained in them vi) sealing the one or more closed straws, and vii) vitrification of the one or more closed straws. An important feature of the present invention is the use of closed straw and that relatively large volumes can be efficiently vitrified and subsequently thawed.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure Use of a compound having 50% activity or more of the activity of gastric inhibitory polypeptide, GIP, when tested in the same assay under the same conditions, and/or the use of GIP, analogues and fragments thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for prophylaxis and/or treatment of conditions caused or characterized by abnormal loss of cells and/or for prophylaxis and/or treatment of over weight and obesity. A compound as described above for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of over weight and obesity. Use of antagonists to GIP or the GIP receptor for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of disorders caused or characterized by hyperproliferation of cells and/or abnormally low body weight. A compound for the manufacture of a composition for prophylaxis and/or treatment of depression and/or mood disorders, and a method for determining the level of GIP in the brain of a mammal, is also included.

Abstract: Use of a compound having 50% activity or more of the activity of gastric inhibitory polypeptide, GIP, when tested in the same assay under the same conditions, and/or the use of GIP, analogues and fragments thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for prophylaxis and/or treatment of conditions caused or characterized by abnormal loss of cells and/or for prophylaxis and/or treatment of over weight and obesity. A compound as described above for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of over weight and obesity. Use of antagonists to GIP or the GIP receptor for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of disorders caused or characterized by hyperproliferation of cells and/or abnormally low body weight.

Abstract: A robot system comprising an industrial robot with a control system including a main memory (5) with at least one robot program an external computer (4) connected to the control system, wherein the robot system is adapted such that the robot program is editable in the external computer. The robot system comprises means 816) for obtaining a reference to that part of the robot program which is to be edited and for creating a local reflection in the external computer of said part, means (14) for generating and sending an order to the control system to carry out a change directly in said part of the robot program in the main memory of the control system, and means for updating the reflection. A method for editing a robot program from an external computer, which is connected to the control system of the robot.

Abstract: Use of a substance that upon administration will lead to increased concentrations of growth hormone, such as growth hormone, a functionally equivalent analogue thereof or a substance that will increase the release of endogenous growth hormone, for the production of a medicinal product for treatment of abnormal conditions affecting neural stem cells, progenitor cells and/or cells derived from neural stem cells or progenitor cells, especially conditions affecting the oligodendroglia, astroglia, and/or neuronal cells. In vitro and in vivo methods for inducing lineage determination, propagating and/or inducing or maintaining the genesis of neurons, oligodendrocytes, astroglial cells from progenitor cells, stem cells and/or cells derived from said cells by administrating to the cells a substance that increases the concentration of growth hormone.

Abstract: Use of a substance that upon administration will lead to increased concentrations of growth hormone, such as growth hormone, a functionally equivalent analogue thereof or a substance that will increase the release of endogenous growth hormone, for the production of a medicinal product for treatment of abnormal conditions affecting neural stem cells, progenitor cells and/or cells derived from neural stem cells or progenitor cells, especially conditions affecting the oligodendroglia, astroglia, and/or neuronal cells. In vitro and in vivo methods for inducing lineage determination, propagating and/or inducing or maintaining the genesis of neurons, oligodendrocytes, astroglial cells from progenitor cells, stem cells and/or cells derived from said cells by administrating to the cells a substance that increases the concentration of growth hormone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for permeabilisation of a cell structure consisting of a single cell, an intracellular structure or an organelle comprising the following steps: (a) microelectrodes, preferably two carbon fibre electrodes or hollow fibre electrodes, are provided, (b) the microelectrodes are connected to a power supply, (c) the electrodes, individually controlled by high-graduation micromanipulators, are placed close to the cell structure at an appropriate inter-electrode distance, and (d) a highly focused electric field of a strength sufficient to obtain electroporation is applied between the electrodes. The method may be used in order to transfer cell impermeant solutes, such as drugs or genes, into the cell structure or out of the cell structure, in biosensors, in the treatment of tumours and neurodegenerative diseases and in the study of biophysical processes.

Abstract: A apparatus for computing coefficient values for configuring a digital filter for compensating for non-linearity of an RF/IF device. The apparatus includes a reference signal generator, connected to an input of the RF/IF device, for generating an input reference signal to the RF/IF device. A vector signal analyzer, connected to an output of the RF/IF device, analyzes a response signal from the RF/IF device and outputs digital in-phase and quadrature-phase (I/Q) signals. A processor, connected to an output of said vector signal analyzer, computes a difference between the input reference signal and the digital in-phase and quadrature-phase (I/Q) signals. The processor calculates the coefficient values for configuring the digital filter based on the computed difference. A memory device, connected to the digital filter, stores the calculated coefficient values for the digital filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for permeabilization of a cell structure consisting of a single cell, an intracellular structure or an organelle comprising the following steps: (a) microelectrodes, preferably two carbon fibre electrodes or hollow fibre electrodes, are provided, (b) the microelectrodes are connected to a power supply, (c) the electrodes, individually controlled by high-graduation micromanipulators, are placed close to the cell structure at an appropriate inter-electrode distance, and (d) a highly focused electric field of a strength sufficient to obtain electroporation is applied between the electrodes. The method may be used in order to transfer cell impermeant solutes, such as drugs or genes, into the cell structure or out of the cell structure, in biosensors, in the treatment of tumours and neurodegenerative diseases and in the study of biophysical processes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection wherein (I) a sample comprising fluorescent molecules is made to flow through a channel structure (1) including a constricted region (2) with a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot and with extremely thin, transparent walls; (II) a laser beam (3) is focused inside the constricted (2) and thus exciting molecules passing through the constricted region (2); and (III) the fluorescence emitted due to excitation is detected. This enables direct determination of the concentration of a sample without use of internal or external standards. A method for the production of a flow cell for use in the method or apparatus, wherein a part of a channel structure (1) is heated until its melting point is reached, followed by pulling of the structure to lengthen the melted region and make it thinner until it has a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot at the diffraction limit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection wherein (I) a sample comprising fluorescent molecules is made to flow through a channel structure (1) comprising a constricted region (2) with a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot and with extremely thin, transparent walls, (II) a laser beam (3) is focused inside the constricted (2) and thus exciting molecules passing through the constricted region (2), and (III) the fluorescence emitted due to excitation is detected. This enables direct determination of the concentration of a sample without use of internal or external standards. A method for the production of a flow cell for use in said method or apparatus, wherein a part of a channel structure (1) is heated until its melting point is reached, followed by pulling of the structure to lengthen the melted region and make it thinner until it has a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot at the diffraction limit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for an industrial robot adapted for storage of user programs which comprise a series of robot instructions. At least one of the robot instructions is arranged as a shell instruction, which constitutes a call to a shell routine (20). The shell routine is associated with a plurality of optional attributes (21a, 21b, 21c) and comprises- a forward list (22) comprising a first set of robot instructions; and- a backward list (23) comprising a second set of robot instructions.The control system comprises a program executor adapted, for forward running of a user program, to execute the shell instructions in accordance with the forward list and, for running the user program backwards, to execute the shell instructions in accordance with the backward list.The invention also relates to a method for controlling an industrial robot. The method comprises creating a plurality of shell routines and testing them in advance.

Abstract: A load vehicle has a chassis (7) comprising a front chassis member (48) and a rear chassis member (49). These two chassis members are mutually pivotally interconnected through a hinge (51) forming a substantially vertical pivot axis. A load carrier arrangement is arranged on the rear chassis member (49). The rear chassis member (49) comprises two chassis portions (61, 62,) which are mutually pivotally interconnected through a hinge (63) forming a substantially vertical pivot axis. Each of these chassis portions (61, 62) has wheels or the like (3, 4 and 5, 6, respectively).

Abstract: A device for feeding tree trunks comprises a body structure (1) and support members (2) arranged on the body structure and supporting members (3) for feeding a tree trunk located between the feed members. The support members with associated feed members are moveable towards and away from each other by means of power members (4) to adjust the distance between the feed members located on either sides of the tree trunk to the coarseness of the trunk. The device comprises members (5), which by abutment against the trunk locates the same so that longitudinal center lines of the trunk will obtain different positions generally transversely to the direction (R) of the relative mobility of the feed members towards and away from each other in dependence of the trunk coarseness.