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: 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 relates to the use of a combination of SP1298 and SP2205 proteins or functional fragments thereof or homologous proteins or protein fragments thereof of S. pneumoniae for preventing or treating a S. pneumoniae infection, their use for the preparation of a vaccine for the preventive treatment of a S. pneumoniae infection, compositions comprising said proteins of S. pneumoniae or functional fragments thereof, vaccines comprising said proteins or functional fragment thereof, and to a method for in vivo immune protection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magneto-optical switching device for switching magnetization in a medium, comprising a magnetizable medium. According to the invention, a radiation system suited for imparting angular momentum to the magnetic spin system of said magnetizable medium, so as to selectively orient the magnetization of said medium. In addition, the invention relates to a method of switching a magnetizable medium, comprising providing a magnetizable medium; providing a radiation beam of a selectively chosen angular momentum; and targeting said radiation beam to said medium so as to transfer said angular momentum to a magnetic spin system of said magnetizable medium. Accordingly, spin states in magnetic materials can be manipulated using radiation of a suitable angular momentum. An effective magnetic field is generated for orienting the magnetization of the domains and can simultaneously be used to locally heat the material.

Abstract: An osseointegration system for a long bone comprises a sleeve system comprising at least two osseointegrated sleeves being mutually uncoupled in the sense that respective ones of the sleeves do not prevent one another to perform transverse displacements relative to one another; a stem arranged for being, in said operation condition, received within the at least two osseointegrated sleeves in such manner that at least low amplitude to-and-fro axial sliding displacements of the stem relative to said sleeves are allowed; at least one fitting collar; and retaining means arranged for realizing that in said operation condition the stem is retained by the long bone.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer in a subject. The methods comprises: (a) determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and (b) correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. Kits for prognosing prostate cancer are also described.

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: Method for training of a perceptual skill, e.g. using a brain computer interface, which method comprises measuring electrophysiological activity in reaction to a sequence of perceptual stimuli. Furthermore, matching the measured electrophysiological activity signal with a predefined electrophysiological signature signal is performed, in which the predefined electrophysiological signature signal corresponds to an early electrophysiological component. Feedback is provided when a match is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing an activated antigen-presenting cell or a composition that comprises at least one activated antigen-presenting cell, which method at last comprises the steps of providing a composition that comprises at least one antigen-presenting cell and contacting said composition with a vaccine. Suitably, the at least one dendritic cell is brought into a state in which it is capable of stimulating T-cells and/or a T-cell mediated response.

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 provides proteins/genes, which are essential for survival, and consequently, for virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vivo, and thus are ideal vaccine candidates for a vaccine preparation against pneumococcal infection. Further, also antibodies against said protein(s) are included in the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magneto-optical switching device for switching magnetization in a medium, comprising a magnetizable medium. According to the invention, a radiation system suited for imparting angular momentum to the magnetic spin system of said magnetizable medium, so as to selectively orient the magnetization of said medium. In addition, the invention relates to a method of switching a magnetizable medium, comprising providing a magnetizable medium; providing a radiation beam of a selectively chosen angular momentum; and targeting said radiation beam to said medium so as to transfer said angular momentum to a magnetic spin system of said magnetizable medium. Accordingly, spin states in magnetic materials can be manipulated using radiation of a suitable angular momentum. An effective magnetic field is generated for orienting the magnetization of the domains and can simultaneously be used to locally heat the material.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer in a subject. The methods comprises: (a) determining the ratio of PCA3 and PSA expression in a urine sample and (b) correlating the value of the PCA3/PSA ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. Kits for prognosing prostate cancer are also described. More particularly, the present invention features a method for prognosing prostate cancer in a biological sample of a patient comprising: assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of PSA in the biological sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of PSA; 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 invention relates to a magneto-optical switching device for switching magnetization in a medium, comprising a magnetizable medium. According to the invention, a radiation system suited for imparting angular momentum to the magnetic spin system of said magnetizable medium, so as to selectively orient the magnetization of said medium. In addition, the invention relates to a method of switching a magnetizable medium, comprising providing a magnetizable medium; providing a radiation beam of a selectively chosen angular momentum; and targeting said radiation beam to said medium so as to transfer said angular momentum to a magnetic spin system of said magnetizable medium. Accordingly, spin states in magnetic materials can be manipulated using radiation of a suitable angular momentum. An effective magnetic field is generated for orienting the magnetization of the domains and can simultaneously be used to locally heat the material.

Abstract: The C-type lectin DC-SIGN is absent in normal synovium but is highly expressed by CD68 positive macrophages in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Accordingly, rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed or treated by, respectively, assaying or blocking DC-SIGN. This can be accomplished by the use of agents, e.g., antibodies, which bind specifically to DCSIGN. Agents that bind to ICAM-3 are used to block inhibition of activation of macrophages by DC-SIGN-ICAM-3 interaction and cause inhibition of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioresorbable composition comprising a mixture of at least one polymer and capsules, which capsules comprise an inner part which is encapsulated by a shell which shell is at least partly decomposable by application of an external stimulation source. The invention also relates to a medical device comprising said composition.

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: Dendritic cells (DC) that express the type II C-type lectin DC-SIGN (CD209) are located in the submucosa of tissues, where they mediate HIV-1 entry. Interestingly, the pathogen Candida albicans, the major cause of hospital-acquired fungal infections, is found at similar sites. Here it is demonstrated that DC-SIGN is able to bind Candida albicans both in DC-SIGN transfected cell lines and in human monocyte derived DC. Moreover, in immature DC, DC-SIGN is able to internalize Candida in specific DC-SIGN enriched vesicles, distinct from those containing the mannose receptor (MR; CD206), which is another Candida receptor on DC. Together, these results demonstrate that C. albicans has two major receptors on human monocyte derived DC, these receptors being DC-SIGN and MR. Targeting of DC-SIGN offers novel opportunities to combat chronic forms of candidiasis.

Abstract: Described is a method for obtaining hollow particles, having a particle wall and a particle lumen, the particle having dimensions of between 1 nm and 100 ?m, from a mixture comprising a liquid medium comprising at least one colloid or solute, the method comprising freezing said mixture and lyophilising the obtained frozen mixture, characterised in that a volume of at least 0.1 ?l of the mixture is subjected to a freezing step comprising: (a) (1) quench freezing the mixture resulting in a quench frozen mixture, and (2) incubating said quench frozen mixture at a temperature above the quench freezing temperature and below the melting point of the liquid medium, orb) (1) reducing the temperature of the mixture at a rate of 1 to 100° C./minute to below the freezing temperature of the mixture and (2) incubating said frozen mixture at a temperature above the temperature of the mixture and below the melting point of the liquid medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to prostate cancer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method to diagnose prostate cancer in a patient by detecting a PCA3 sequence, and more particularly a PCA3 RNA, the PCA3 sequence detected in a sample from the patient being specifically associated with prostate cancer. In a particular embodiment the method and kit enables an amplification of a PCA3 RNA through an exon-exon junction of a spliced PCA3 mRNA. The invention also relates to methods and kits to detect such an amplified PCA3 RNA, using a probe which spans the amplified exon-exon junction. In particular the methods and kits are designed to detect a PCA3 RNA which lacks one intron or more, and in particular case is intron-less. The invention further relates to a method of detecting PCA3 RNA expressed in non-prostate tissue or cells of the urinary tract, that comprises PCA3 intron 3.