Abstract: A DNA polynucleotide sequence is disclosed that comprises a transcribed sequence, and a promoter sequence. Transcription of the transcribed sequence by an RNA polymerase in a cell renders an RNA a transcript capable of forming a partially self-complementary hairpin structure which can be processed by the cell to an siRNA product that can degrade phospholamban mRNA in such cell. The promoter is a drug inducible conditional promoter or a cardiomyocyte cell-specific promoter or both, operably linked to the transcribed sequence. The promoter is operable by an RNA polymerase naturally occurring in a mammalian cell.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a self regulating DNA non-viral expression vector is provided that allows after non-viral ex vivo gene therapy for the controlled and regulable inflammation-specific expression of anti-inflammatory polypeptide gene products in the recipient's joint tissues. The inventive gene expression construct comprises a RNA polymerase promoter sequence that is induced by inflammation and which is operable in a mammalian cell, a transcribed sequence under the control of said promoter sequence, encoding a transcription product that has the ability to modulate the inflammatory response, and/or encoding the mRNA for a polypeptide gene product that has the ability to modulate the inflammatory response, whereby the inflammatory response is modulated by a negative feed back response of said gene product on said promoter sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis method for determining a functional parameter of an organ of a human or animal individual by measuring the 13CO2 content in the air exhaled by the individual to which a substrate has been administered the reaction of which in the body of the individual enriches the air exhaled by the individual with 13CO2. The method is characterized by using a measuring device, the maximum reaction rate of the substrate in the body of the individual being determined via a change of the measured 13CO2 content in the air exhaled by the individual using zero-order enzyme kinetics. The invention also relates to an aqueous methacetin solution for use in said analysis method, the pH of the solution being greater 7.0. The invention also relates to a face mask (1) for use in the inventive method for separating the exhaled air from the air inhaled by an individual. Said face mask comprises a face mask body (2) and an air cushion (3) encircling the face mask body.

Abstract: A material system having a matrix and nanoparticles embedded therein, wherein the matrix comprises at least one matrix metal, the nanoparticles have an average size of less than 50 nm and the nanoparticles have in each case at least one functional carrier. A method for producing the material system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins capable of acting as transcriptional repressors of cytokinin signaling, to polynucleotides encoding these fusion proteins, to vectors and cells comprising these polynucleotides, and to transgenic plants and parts thereof comprising these polynucleotides, vectors, and cells. The invention further relates to a process for making these transgenic plants and to the use of these transgenic plants for producing seeds of enhanced size, with enhanced seed filling, with reduced seed loss and/or with more rapid germination, and/or for producing a live root system with increased root mass, root length and/or root branching. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing the seed size, for enhancing seed filling, for reducing seed loss, and/or for reducing germination time and/or reproduction time, and/or for enhancing the root mass, root length and/or root branching of a plant and to seeds obtainable by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Described is the use of a nanocarrier having a dendritic structure which is composed of a dendritic core and at least one shell for the non-covalent encapsulation and/or transport of divalent metal-ions, preferably Cu-ions or Zn(II) -ions. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition containing such nanocarrier complexed divalent metal-ions in a non-covalent encapsulated form. Finally several therapeutic uses of such a nanocarrier divalent metal-ion complex are described, for example for slowing down ageing or for the treatment of Cu-ion transport disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Menkes disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel biosynthetic growth factor mutants which exhibit improved biological activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a semiconductor array having a first semiconducting layer and a second semiconducting layer made of a ferromagnetic material, which is coupled to the first semiconducting layer in such a way that a spin-polarized state of the semiconducting charge carriers is injected into the first semiconducting layer. The second semiconducting layer interacts with charge carriers made available outside of the second semiconducting layer in such a way that a high spin polarization is created in the second semiconducting layer at least 250 Kelvin.