Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from said subject, (b) contacting said sample with a source of Borrelia antigens and (c) determining the expression level of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in said sample at the end of step (b).

Abstract: The invention is in the field of molecular immunology, more in particular, in the field of the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases, more in particular, systemic sclerosis or scleroderma. The invention is based on the observation that SSC patients have an elevated plasma level of CXCL4. This was found to contribute to the pathogenesis of SSc, in particular, fibrosis. When CXCL4 was neutralized in in vitro experiments, the fibrotic effects could be neutralized. This led us to conclude that SSc may be cured by reducing the plasma level of CXCL4. The invention, therefore, relates to a method for treatment or prevention of fibrosis in patients with scleroderma, wherein the plasma level of CXCL4 is reduced.

Abstract: Described herein are method, compositions and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer. The methods include determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. The method for prognosing prostate cancer in a sample of a patient includes assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of prostate-specific marker in the sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of prostate-specific marker; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.

Abstract: Described herein are method, compositions and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer. The methods include determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. The method for prognosing prostate cancer in a sample of a patient includes assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of prostate-specific marker in the sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of prostate-specific marker; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.

Abstract: Method and brain computer interface for processing a brain wave signal of a subject using a brain wave detector. One or more stimuli are applied to the subject which each include a pseudo random noise component. The brain wave signal is detected and mental processing of the one or more stimuli is tracked by correlating the pseudo random noise component and the brain wave signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of oligo(alkylene glycol) functionalized polyisocyanopeptides comprising the steps of functionalizing an isocyanopeptide with oligo-(alkylene glycol) side chains and subsequently polymerizing the oligo-alkylene glycol functionalized isocyanopeptides. Several isocyanopeptide may be functionalized with various linear or non-linear oligo-(alkylene glycol) side chains having variable chain length. The alkylene glycol may be selected from the group consisting of ethylene-, propylene-, butylene- or pentylene glycol. Preferably the isocyanopeptides are functionalized with at least 3 ethylene glycol side chains. The peptides may comprise L aminoacids, D-aminoacids or D, L-aminoacids. The obtained oligoalkylene functionalized polyisocyanopeptides are a new class of materials with unique thermo-responsive properties.

Abstract: Meniscus prosthesis assembly having a meniscus prosthesis body made of a first biocompatible non-resorbable material and having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a first bone plug made of a second biocompatible non-resorbable material for osseous integration, the first bone plug having a first end portion and a second end portion; wherein the first end portion of the first bone plug is arranged at and operatively connected to the first end portion of the meniscus prosthesis body, and wherein the first biocompatible non-resorbable material and the second biocompatible non-resorbable material are the same or different. The assembly further comprises at least one suture, wherein the at least one suture is arranged at and operatively connected to the second end portion of the first bone plug.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of molecular immunology, more in particular, in the field of the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases, more in particular, systemic sclerosis or scleroderma. The invention is based on the observation that SSC patients have an elevated plasma level of CXCL4. This was found to contribute to the pathogenesis of SSc, in particular, fibrosis. When CXCL4 was neutralized in in vitro experiments, the fibrotic effects could be neutralized. This led us to conclude that SSc may be cured by reducing the plasma level of CXCL4. The invention, therefore, relates to a method for treatment or prevention of fibrosis in patients with scleroderma, wherein the plasma level of CXCL4 is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of medicine and immunology. In particular, it relates to novel antisense oligonucleotides that may be used in the treatment, prevention and/or delay of Leber congenital amaurosis.

Abstract: Provided is a hemostasis assay comprising a reaction mixture comprising a blood product to be tested, a trigger molecule for inducing thrombin generation, a thrombin-specific substrate which, upon cleavage by thrombin, produces a measurable thrombin-specific signal, a trigger molecule for inducing plasmin generation, a plasmin-specific substrate which, upon cleavage by plasmin, produces a measurable plasmin-specific signal, a phospholipid-containing surface, and calcium ions. The assay allows determination of the amount of thrombin and the amount of plasmin generated in the reaction mixture in time, starting at t=0, by measuring the thrombin-specific and plasmin-specific signals.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method for identifying a subject at risk of developing an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and/or diagnosing a subject suffering from an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, preferably wherein said idiopathic inflammatory myopathy is Inclusion Body Myositis. The invention provides methods in diagnosis, use of specific antigens, and kits for use in studying the presence or absence of (auto)antibodies in samples derived from subjects.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a motor system, a motor, and to a robot arm device comprising the same. According to the invention, a motor is provided comprising a rack having a periodic surface thereon which is engaged by a plurality of engaging elements. By driving the engaging elements back and forth towards the surface structure in a periodic and time shifted manner, a linear motion can be brought about.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a prostate-specific antigen, PCA3. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for the PCA3 protein; purified PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins or polypeptides in a sample; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess, or prognose a mammal afflicted with prostate cancer; therapeutic uses; and methods of preventing prostate cancer in an animal.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for generating hardness and/or strain information of a tissue which can be subject to a varying pressure, the method comprising: —positioning at least one signal transmitter (1) outside the tissue (10); —positioning at least one signal receiver (1) outside the tissue (10); —using the signal transmitter (1) to send signals (S) at different angles towards the tissue; —using the signal receiver (1) to receive signals from the tissue (10), wherein the received signals result from the signals that have been sent by said signal transmitter. The invention is also related to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in vitro determining generation of a haemostatis factor such as thrombin and/or plasmin in a test sample using a chemiluminescent substrate specific for said blood clotting factor. Upon cleavage of the substrate, a luminescent signal is generated via aminoluceferin with the aid of a luciferase. The invention also relates to a kit for in vitro determining generation of a haemostasis factor in a test sample, and to novel chemiluminescent substrates for the determination of thrombin and plasmin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from said subject, (b) contacting said sample with a source of Borrelia antigens and (c) determining the expression level of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in said sample at the end of step (b).

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a prostate-specific antigen, PCA3. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for the PCA3 protein; purified PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins or polypeptides in a sample; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess, or prognose a mammal afflicted with prostate cancer; therapeutic uses; and methods of preventing prostate cancer in an animal.

Abstract: Described herein are method, compositions and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer. The methods include determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. The method for prognosing prostate cancer in a sample of a patient includes assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of prostate-specific marker in the sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of prostate-specific marker; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing Q-fever in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from said subject, (b) contacting said sample with a source of a Coxiella burnetii antigen and (c) determining the expression level of a pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-? in said sample at the end of step (b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to protein constructs that comprise one or more peptides, proteins, factors, compounds or other components as further described herein that are linked to and/or are linked to each other via a helical polymeric backbone. The constructs of the invention are suitable for administration to a human or animal body and can be used for pharmaceutical purposes, for example, for immunotherapy, such as for treating cancer and for other immunological applications, as well as for other therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic purposes.