Abstract: The manufacture and use of compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Y is O or S, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl, and R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are hydrogen or various substituent groups, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The compounds have activity as inhibitors of the IL-I or other agonist-induced proteoglycan degradation in bovine nasal cartilage and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds are described to treat conditions advantageously affected by such inhibition including arthritis.

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a mounting member carried on a cover of a molten metal vessel. A movable member is carried on the cover and moved by an actuator into engagement with and moving the mounting member to move the mounting member to a position releasing the slag control shape for insertion into the molten metal vessel. The actuator is a fluid operated cylinder having an extensible piston rod which is engageable with the movable member to move the movable member into engagement with the mounting member. A valve actuated remotely from the cover supplies pressurized fluid to the cylinder to extend the piston rod. Alignment sensors are mounted on the cover and an actuator support to ensure that the cover is rotatably positioned on the molten metal vessel to align the actuator and movable members.

Abstract: The invention provides a nitroreductase, obtainable from a bacterium having the following characteristics as exemplified by examples isolated from Escherichia coli B and Bacillus amyloliquifaciens: 1) it is flavoprotein having a molecular weight in the range of 20-60 Kilodaltons; 2) it requires either NADH or NAD(P)H or analogues thereof as a cofactor; 3) it has a Km for NADH or NAD(P)H in the range of 1-100 .mu.M; and 4) it is capable of reducing either or both nitro groups of CB1954 and analogues thereof to a cytotoxic form e.g. the hydroxylamine. The sequence of one such nitroreductase is shown in Seq. ID No. 1. The nitroreductase may be conjugated to a tumor targeting agent such as a monoclonal antibody and used to convert prodrugs into active antitumor agents. Such prodrugs and drugs are also provided.