Abstract: The invention relates to 2-sulfinyl- or 2-sulfonyl-substituted imidazole derivatives of the formula (I) in which the radicals R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meaning indicated in the description. The compounds of the invention have an immunomodulating and/or cytokine release-inhibiting effect and are therefore suitable for the treatment of disorders associated with an impairment of the immune system.

Abstract: The invention relates to imidazole derivatives of the Formula (I) in which the radicals R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings indicated in the description. The compounds of the invention have an immunomodulating and/or cytokine release-inhibiting effect and are therefore suitable for the treatment of disorders associated with an impairment of the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to macrolide conjugates of pyrrolizine and indolizine derivatives with macrocyclic antibiotics and derivatives thereof. The macrolide conjugates are potent inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase and are therefore suitable to treat disorders of the rheumatic type and to prevent allergically induced diseases. The macrolide conjugates have significantly enhanced potency and efficacy.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-thio-substituted imidazole derivatives of the formula I in which the radicals R1, R2, R3 and m are as defined in the description. The compounds according to the invention have immunomodulating and/or cytokine-release-inhibiting action and are therefore suitable for treating disorders associated with a disturbed immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new crystalline modification of 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dmethyl-7-phenyl-2, S-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizin-S-ylacetic acid which is referred to as polymorph B. It has a peak in the solid state 13C-NMR spectrum (with adamantane as external reference standard; CH group d=29.45 ppm) in the range from 179.8 to 180.2 ppm and can be processed directly to a pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, R3, R4, X and Y have the meanings indicated in the description. These compounds have immunomodulating effects, as well as an inhibiting or regulating effect on the release of IL-1? and/or TNF-?. They can therefore be used for the treatment of diseases associated with a disturbance of the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining whether a subject having or suspected of having inflammatory disease may potentially benefit from treatment with a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor, which method comprises (I) obtaining an inflammatory tissue sample from the subject; and (II) determining whether p38MAPK, in particular p38MAPK?, is expressed in the tissue sample. The present invention further relates to the use of an antibody against the p38MAPK protein for determining whether a subject having or suspected of having inflammatory disease may benefit from treatment with a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor; kits for determining from an inflammatory tissue sample whether a subject having or suspected of having inflammatory disease may benefit from treatment with a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor; and to the corresponding use of said kit.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a double-layer membrane of different polymers or polymer mixtures with opposite blood-compatible and tissue-compatible surfaces, a first polymer solution of a blood-compatible polymer and a second solution of a tissue-compatible polymer are extruded concurrently in layered form through a nozzle into a coagulation bath so as to form a double layer membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an on-load tap changer having an energy storage mechanism for changing over, without any interruptions, between different winding taps of a tap-changing transformer on load. According to the invention, the energy storage mechanism has one or more compression springs, which are tensioned at the beginning of a changeover operation. In comparison with the tensile springs used to date with such energy storage mechanisms, the compression springs have markedly greater long-term strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-thio-substituted imidazole derivatives of the formula I in which the radicals R1, R2, R3, R4 and p are as defined in the description. The compounds according to the invention have immunomodulating and/or cytokine-release-inhibiting action and are therefore suitable for treating disorders associated with a disturbed immune system.

Abstract: In a polyimide molded body, in particular a polyimide membrane which is functionalized with a chemical group and a method for production thereof, a molded body or membrane is obtained, whereby a pre-prepared polyimide body, as starting material, is brought into contact with an aqueous modifier solution for a period of 1 second to 1 hour. The modifier solution contains at least one modifier substance at least partially dissolved therein, which comprises a primary or secondary amino group, or a similar amino group and additionally at least one further functional group per molecule. The polyimide molded body is brought to an elevated temperature, either during the contact period with the modifier solution or thereafter and then purified and dried. The membrane obtained according to the invention may be functionalized in a targeted adjustable manner and has a high functionalization degree. The functionalization may be achieved simply and economically in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: Polymeric composition, material produced thereof and their applications The invention relates to a novel polymer composition comprising at least one copolymer constituted of acrylic (AC) monomer units and of at least one water-soluble comonomer unit, which is preferably 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The composition is used to produce materials, such as membranes, film or suface coatings, that are suitable as highly tissue compatible supports for epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes. The materials are suitable to be used in a bioartificial liver, where they work as separating membrane and carrier for adhesion-dependent tissue cells. As an example it is described how selectively permeable membranes are formed by a phase inversion process from these acrylic copolymers with varying content of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and how they interact with liver cells to construct a biohybrid organ for liver replacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-thio-substituted imidazole derivatives of the formula I in which the radicals R1, R2, R3, R4 and p are as defined in the description. The compounds according to the invention have immunomodulating and/or cytokine-release-inhibiting action and are therefore suitable for treating disorders associated with a disturbed immune system.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-thio-substituted imidazole derivatives of the formula I in which the radicals R1, R2 R3 and m are as defined in the description. The compounds according to the invention have immunomodulating and/or cytokine-release-inhibiting action and are therefore suitable for treating disorders associated with a disturbed immune system.

Abstract: The invention relates to substituted isoxazole derivatives of formula (I), wherein the radicals R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings as cited in the description.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer substrate for cultivating tissue cells. The substrate is provided in form of an oxygen-permeable flat membrane, preferably with ultra-filtration properties, and has an optimized amine content of at least 10 nmole amine function per cm2 membrane. The substrate can be used to treat burns and other tissue defects. The substrate can be rapidly populated with cells, in particular with keratinozytes, and supports reorientation of the cells after the populated membrane is transferred to a wound or a dermis equivalent. The substrate can also be later easily detached from the newly formed tissue structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel polymer composition comprising at least one copolymer constituted of acrylic (AC) monomer units and of at least one water-soluble comonomer unit, which is preferably 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The composition is used to produce materials, such as membranes, film or suface coatings, that arc suitable as highly tissue compatible supports for epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes. The materials are suitable to be used in a bioartificial liver, where they work as separating membrane and carrier for adhesion-dependent tissue cells. As an example it is described how selectively permeable membranes are formed by a phase inversion process from these acrylic copolymers with varying content of 2-aclylanido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and how they interact with liver cells to construct a biohybrid organ for liver replacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyimide microparticles which can be obtained by means of the following steps: a) a polymer solution consisting of at least one polyimide polymer and a solvent or a solvent mixture is produced according to methods known per se, b) microparticles are formed from the polymer solution by spraying or by thermal phase inversion, c) the microparticles obtained in step b) are treated with an aqueous functionalization solution containing an amine-containing modifier at a high temperature, with or without stirring, and d) the modified obtained are washed and optionally dried, according to methods known per se.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tap selector switch with a preselector for uninterrupted switching-over between different winding taps of a tapped transformer. The entire selector is in that case accommodated as a separate assembly in an own insulating material housing, and the fixed preselector contacts are constructed in circular form and arranged around a switch rod in different planes in the interior of this insulating material cylinder. Connection to them is made by preselector contact bridges, which are fastened to the switch rod, with radially resilient contact members.

Abstract: In a membrane body and a method for producing such a body, at least one hollow membrane is provided which is joined to, and at least partially surrounded by, a flat membrane to form a combined hollow and flat membrane body for separating more than one component from a fluid mixture.