Abstract: An apparatus for ascertaining and/or monitoring fill level of a medium in a container. The apparatus includes an antenna, which transmits and receives high frequency signals in a predetermined oscillatory mode in a bounded space in a predetermined radiation direction, wherein, in front of the antenna in the radiation direction, an antenna protection element of a material transmissive for the high frequency signals is provided, and wherein a control/evaluation unit is provided, which evaluates the received high frequency signals and ascertains the fill level.

Abstract: The galaninergic system of the dorsal raphe nucleus is employed as a target for screening drug candidates for antidepressant activity.

Abstract: Compounds which are non-natural galanin receptor ligands are disclosed. The ligands are of small size, have agonist or antagonist galanin activity and may cross the blood-brain barrier to displace galanin from galanin receptors. The ligands are useful as medicaments for treatment of convulsions (e.g. in epilepsy), diseases and disorders related to endocrinology (e.g., growth hormone, insulin or prolactin release), tumors expressing galanin receptors, feeding disorders pain, allodynia, psychiatric disorders such as depression (involving e.g., noradrenaline or serotonin), cognitive disorders (e.g. Alzeimer's disease), and the like.

Abstract: Compounds which are non-natural galanin receptor ligands are disclosed. The ligands are of small size, have agonist or antagonist galanin activity and may cross the blood-brain barrier to displace galanin from galanin receptors. The ligands are useful as medicaments for treatment of convulsions (e.g. in epilepsy), diseases and disorders related to endocrinology (e.g., growth hormone, insulin or prolactin release), tumors expressing galanin receptors, feeding disorders pain, allodynia, psychiatric disorders such as depression (involving e.g., noradrenaline or serotonin), cognitive disorders (e.g.. Alzeimer's disease), and the like.

Abstract: Constructs of peptides and nucleic acid analogs conjugated together for transport across a lipid membrane and for delivery into interactive contact with intracellular polynucleotides are disclosed. Transport is effected through at least the exterior membrane of a cell, and most likely also through the walls of subcellular structures separated from the cytosol by lipid membranes, including the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, etc. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) analog sequences conjugated through a labile disulfide bond to transporting peptides, are intracellulary cleaved, and target mRNA (antigene) or dsDNA (antisense).

Abstract: A galanin antagonist which is a galanin receptor ligand is described. New peptides, Galanin (1-12)-Pro-Substance P(5-11), Galanin (1-12)-Pro-Bradykinin(2-9), Galanin (1-12)-Pro-Pro-Pro- (Leu.sup.5 -Enkephalin (5-1), Galanin (1-12)-Pro-Lys(.epsilon.-NH-)Pro-(Leu5-Enkephalin (5-1) and functional analogues and functional derivatives thereof are disclosed. The peptides are used in pharmaceutical preparations to treat a disorder in a mammal which depends on the physiological function of galanin at the galanin receptor.

Abstract: A polypeptide of the formulaH--X.sup.1 --Gln--Thr--Art--Ala--Asn--Pro--Asn--Pro--Tyr--Thr----Ser--Arg--Arg--Ser-- Val--Ala--Ser--X.sup.2 --Yin which X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 each represents an optional coupling-facilitating amino acid residue, and Y represents --OH or --NH.sub.2, and an artificial compound in free or carrier-associated form with the capability of binding to glyco-conjugates, especially immunoglobulins, which compound is chosen from the group consisting of said peptide and functional analogues and functional derivatives thereof, are disclosed. Additionally, there is described an artificial pertussis toxin antigen, which mainly consists of at least one peptide sequence reacting with antibodies induced by the native pertussis toxin selected from the above polypeptide and parts thereof.

Abstract: The following new polypeptides are described: (a) H-X.sup.1 -Asp-Asp-Pro-Pro-Ala-Thr-Val-Tyr-Arg-Tyr-Asp-Ser-Arg-Pro-Pro-Glu-Asp-X.sup .2 -Y, (b) H-X.sup.1 -Ser-Glu-Tyr-Leu-Ala-His-Arg-Arg-Ile-Pro-Pro-Glu-Asn-Ile-Arg-Arg-Val-Thr-A rg-Val-X.sup.2 -Y, (c) H-X.sup.1 -Ala-Phe-Val-Ser-Thr-Ser-Ser-Ser-Arg-Arg-Tyr-Thr-Glu-Val-Tyr-X.sup.2 -Y, (d) H-X.sup.1 -Gly-Ile-Thr-Gly-Glu-Thr-Thr-Thr-Thr-Glu-Tyr-Ser-Asn-Ala-Arg-Tyr-Val-X.sup .2 -Y, and (e) H-X.sup.1 -Leu-Glu-His-Arg-Met-Gln-Glu-Ala-Val-Glu-Ala-Glu-Arg-Ala-Gly-Arg-Gly-Thr-G ly-His-Phe-Ile-X.sup.2 -Y, in which X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 each represents an optional coupling-facilitating amino acid residue, and Y represents --OH or --NH.sub.2. Additionally, there is described an artificial pertussis toxin antigen, which mainly consists of at least one peptide sequence reacting with antibodies induced by the native pertussis toxin selected from the above polypeptides (a) to (e) and parts thereof.