Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collimator (1) for defining a beam of energetic rays (2) which is emitted from an essentially punctiform radiation source (3) and is oriented onto an object (1) to be treated. The collimator is especially used for the stereotactic conformation radiotherapy of tumors. The collimator (1) is embodied in such a way that an irregular object (4) can be scanned by rays (2, 2?) which are defined by an opening in the collimator. The invention also relates to a program for controlling the collimator. In order to define the contours (29, 29?, 29?) of the objects (4) to be irradiated in a simple but highly accurate manner, especially with a precise definition of the irradiation fields, the collimator comprises a plurality of different sized openings (5, 5? 5?). One of the openings (5, 5?, 5?) can be selectively displaced in a polydirectional manner on a strip (6) having a spherical surface, and the central axis (7) thereof is oriented towards the radiation source (3).

Abstract: A thread (2) of a fastener (3) such as a screw, a bolt or a nut is checked with respect to damages. Light beams are directed onto the thread (2) in a way that the light beams are directed substantially perpendicular with respect to a flank (17) of the thread (2). Then, the light beams being reflected by the flank (17) of the thread (2) are collected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flank (17) of the thread (2) with at least one collecting optical system (18). The collecting optical system (18) has an optical axis (12) which is directed substantially perpendicular with respect to the flank (17) of the thread (2). In this way, it is possible.to reliably differentiate damaged surfaces of the thread (2) of the fastener (3) from undamaged surfaces at great inspecting velocities.

Abstract: A method for the verification of the calculated radiation dose of an ion beam therapy system that comprises a grid scanner device, arranged in a beam guidance system (6, 8), having vertical deflection means (13) and horizontal deflection means (14) for the vertical and horizontal deflection of a treatment beam (11) perpendicular to its beam direction, with the result that the treatment beam (11) is deflected by the grid scanner device to an isocentre (10) of the irradiation site and scans a specific area surrounding the isocentre (10), irradiation being carried out on the basis of automatically calculated radiation dose data. The accuracy of the calculation of the radiation dose data is verified by using a phantom, a discrepancy between the radiation dose calculated for the at least one measurement point of the phantom and a radiation dose measured for the at least one measurement point being determined and evaluated.

Abstract: A method for operation of an ion beam therapy system that comprises a grid scanner device, arranged in a beam guidance system (6, 8), having vertical deflection means (13) and horizontal deflection means (14) for the vertical and horizontal deflection of a treatment beam (11) perpendicular to its beam direction, with the result that the treatment beam (11) is deflected by the grid scanner device to an isocentre (10) of the irradiation site and scans a specific area surrounding the isocentre (10) using a specific radiation dose. Both the depth dose distribution and the transverse dose distribution of the grid scanner device (13, 14) at various positions in the region of the isocentre (10) are measured and evaluated, it being concluded that the radiation dose distribution is adequately homogeneous if the degree of variation in the radiation dose values measured at the individual positions does not exceed a specific tolerance limit value.

Abstract: An assembly unit includes a component including at least one through hole and at least one screw. The screw is associated with the through hole of the component. The screw is designed and arranged to produce a thread. The screw includes a head and a supporting surface to face the component. The screw includes a shank at least partly including a thread. The screw in the region of the shank and close to the supporting surface includes an annular channel, the diameter of the annular channel being less than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and the effective axial length of the annular channel being more than the axial length of the through hole. The diameter of the through hole of the component is more than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and being less than the outer diameter of the thread of the screw.

Abstract: A towing device (1) for motor vehicles includes an elongated element (2) having a length, a cross section, a first end portion (13) and a second end portion (5). The cross section oft he elongated element (2) at least along a part of the length of the elongated element (2) is designed to be hollow. The first end portion (13) is designed to be connected to a motor vehicle. The towing device (1) further includes a lug (3) being connected to the second end portion (5) of the elongated element (2). Due to the hollow cross section, the mass of the towing device (1) is substantially reduced.

Abstract: For precision radiation therapy it is essential that the patient be positioned as accurately as possible with reference to the irradiation center (IC). To this end, an axis of rotation (TA) of a patient positioning table (7) is first determined in terms of its position and is then aligned correspondingly. For determining the position, a mark (5) is introduced into the isocenter (IC) of the irradiation device and rotates with the patient positioning table (7). The distance between the axis of rotation (TA) and the isocenter (IC) is determined on the basis of the distance (P, IC) traveled and the angle of rotation (&phgr;), and the axis of rotation is then aligned correspondingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of checking an isocentre and a patient-positioning device of an ion beam therapy system that comprises a grid scanner device, arranged in a beam guidance system, having vertical deflection means and horizontal deflection means for the vertical and horizontal deflection of a treatment beam perpendicular to its beam direction, with the result that the treatment beam is deflected by the grid scanner device onto an isocentre of the irradiation site, and a specific area surrounding the isocentre is scanned, wherein a check of the isocentre and a patient-positioning device is carried out and the patient-positioning device comprises a patient table rotatable about an axis of rotation of the table. For the checking, a target point within a spherical phantom is represented by means of a special specimen body and the centre point of the specimen body is visibly represented by means of several image-forming methods.

Abstract: An assembly unit (1) includes a component (2), one ore more screws (3) and bushes (18). The screw (3) includes a shank (5) at least partially including a thread (10), a head (4) being designed and arranged to rotate the screw (3) and a supporting surface (6) facing the component (2). The supporting surface (6) is designed and arranged to directly contact the component (2) after assembly without contacting the bush (18) to transmit an axial force. The component (2) includes a through hole (17) for each screw (3). The bush (18) is associated with the screw (3), and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the respective through hole (17). The bush (18), the screw (3) and the component (2) are designed and arranged to be locked and aligned in an axial direction.

Abstract: A detachable fastener includes a screw element and a securing ring. The screw element and the securing ring each include cooperating wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements and two different pairs of stop surfaces. The wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements face one another and form sliding surfaces sliding upon one another in a loosening direction of rotation resulting in an increase of the axial force. The first pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a tightening direction of rotation. The second pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a loosening direction of rotation. The stop surfaces are arranged with a clearance existing between one another such that the wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements can slide upon one another without skipping.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and products for activating dendritic cells. In particular, the invention relates to oligonucleotides which have a specific sequence including at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide which are useful for activating dendritic cells. The methods are useful for in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo methods such as cancer immunotherapeutics, treatment of infectious disease and treatment of allergic disease.

Abstract: An assembly unit includes a component including at least one through hole and at least one screw. The screw is associated with the through hole of the component. The screw is designed and arranged to produce a thread. The screw includes a head and a supporting surface to face the component. The screw includes a shank at least partly including a thread. The screw in the region of the shank and close to the supporting surface includes an annular channel, the diameter of the annular channel being less than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and the effective axial length of the annular channel being more than the axial length of the through hole. The diameter of the through hole of the component is more than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and being less than the outer diameter of the thread of the screw.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for a wheel of a vehicle includes a screw element including a threaded portion, a first supporting surface and a number of first wedge shaped teeth being located at the supporting surface. A supporting element is rotatably connected to the screw element. The supporting element includes a second supporting surface and a number of second wedge shaped teeth being associated with the first wedge shaped teeth. The first wedge shaped teeth are located at the first supporting surface to face the supporting element and the second wedge shaped teeth are located at the second supporting surface to face the screw element.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for treating cancer. In particular the invention relates to combinations of nucleic acids and antibodies for the treatment and prevention of cancer. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods for screening cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and products for activating dendritic cells. In particular, the invention relates to oligonucleotides which have a specific sequence including at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide which are useful for activating dendritic cells. The methods are useful for in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo methods such as cancer immunotherapeutics, treatment of infectious disease and treatment of allergic disease.

Abstract: An assembly unit (1) includes a component (2), one ore more screws (3) and bushes (18). The screw (3) includes a shank (5) at least partially including a thread (10), a head (4) being designed and arranged to rotate the screw (3) and a supporting surface (6) facing the component (2). The supporting surface (6) is designed and arranged to directly contact the component (2) after assembly without contacting the bush (18) to transmit an axial force. The component (2) includes a through hole (17) for each screw (3). The bush (18) is associated with the screw (3), and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the respective through hole (17). The bush (18), the screw (3) and the component (2) are designed and arranged to be locked and aligned in an axial direction.

Abstract: A fastener, especially a screw (1), includes a head (2) including an inner polygon (6). The inner polygon (6) has a design corresponding to a spline shaft and is formed by a plurality of tangential surfaces (7) substantially extending in a circumferential direction, a plurality of radial surfaces (8, 9) each being connected to one of the tangential surfaces (7) and a plurality of connecting surfaces (10) substantially extending in a circumferential direction and each connecting two radial surfaces (9, 8) being associated with adjacent tangential surfaces (7). Each of the connecting surfaces (10) has a bent design in the form of a circular arc and is convex in a direction towards the axis (5) for engagement of a hexagon wrench (14) of the standard range during emergency operation.

Abstract: A fastener (1) or a connecting element for connecting components includes a screw member (2) and a securing ring (3). The screw member (2) includes a first wrench engagement surface (5), a threaded portion (11) and a support surface (7). The securing ring (3) includes a second wrench engagement surface (9), a counterpart support surface (13) facing the screw member (2) and a contact surface (15) being designed and arranged to transmit an axial force to a component in the mounted position of the fastener (1). The securing ring (3) is rotatably connected to the screw member (2). The support surface (7) faces the securing ring (3), it is designed and arranged to transmit an axial force to the securing ring (3) and it includes a first taper-surface tooth arrangement (8) being designed and arranged to be operative in both directions of rotation.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for a wheel of a vehicle includes a screw element including a threaded portion, a first supporting surface and a number of first wedge shaped teeth being located at the supporting surface. A supporting element is rotatably connected to the screw element. The supporting element includes a second supporting surface and a number of second wedge shaped teeth being associated with the first wedge shaped teeth. The first wedge shaped teeth are located at the first supporting surface to face the supporting element and the second wedge shaped teeth are located at the second supporting surface to face the screw element.