Abstract: A device for fabricating a perfusable three-dimensional tissue construct includes a chamber in which the tissue construct may be cultivated, the chamber including an inlet and an outlet for perfusing the tissue construct, and a sacrificial scaffold fixed in the chamber. The sacrificial scaffold includes a thermo-responsive polymer, the thermo-responsive polymer being not dissolvable in water at human body temperature and becoming dissolvable in water at a temperature below 30° C. The sacrificial scaffold includes at least one filament extending from the inlet to the outlet such that dissolution of the sacrificial scaffold provides for a liquid channel from the inlet to the outlet. The sacrificial scaffold seals the inlet and/or the outlet such that dissolution of the sacrificial scaffold after receiving a cultivation matrix in the chamber provides for a liquid channel from the inlet to the outlet through the cultivation matrix. Methods of use and manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments a biocompatible composite membrane for in vitro cell culturing comprising a first material, which is non-water soluble and a water soluble second material is provided, wherein the composite membrane comprises a porous scaffold and a filling layer, the scaffold comprising the first material and the filling layer comprising the second material. Further, a method for fabricating the membrane, a bioreactor for use of the membrane in cell-stretch experiments and a corresponding method for investigating cells attached to the biocompatible composite membrane are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic multi-layered material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a monolithic medical material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic multi-layered material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a monolithic medical material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic multi-layered material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a monolithic medical material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a (poly)peptide which comprises or consists of QEP or a QEP derivative thereof a nucleic acid molecule encoding said (poly)peptide or a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, for use in the prevention or in the treatment of a disease or disorder caused by, physiologically linked to or associated with glucose and/or galactose uptake, wherein said pharmaceutical composition is to be administered under a high-sugar condition. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is for use in increasing insulin sensitivity. The invention further relates to a food composition comprising said (poly)peptide. The invention further relates to a method of screening for and/or identifying a compound suitable to prevent or treat said disease or disorder under a high-sugar condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic multi-layered material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a monolithic medical material having at least a first layer, from which anisotropic pores originate, and a second layer, in which the anisotropic pores continue. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention, and to the use of a multi-layered material as a chondral support matrix, a meniscus support matrix or an intervertebral disc support matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a (poly)peptide which comprises or consists of QEP or a QEP derivative thereof a nucleic acid molecule encoding said (poly)peptide or a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, for use in the prevention or in the treatment of a disease or disorder caused by, physiologically linked to or associated with glucose and/or galactose uptake, wherein said pharmaceutical composition is to be administered under a high-sugar condition. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is for use in increasing insulin sensitivity. The invention further relates to a food composition comprising said (poly)peptide. The invention further relates to a method of screening for and/or identifying a compound suitable to prevent or treat said disease or disorder under a high-sugar condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a multi-layered material having anisotropic pores. It further relates to a multi-layered material which can be produced by the process according to the invention, and to the use of a multi-layered material as a chondral support matrix, a meniscus support matrix or an intervertebral disc support matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to coatings having a contact angle hysteresis with water measured by the sessile drop method of at most 20°.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient. A drug lumen is within the electrode carrier and adapted to receive a therapeutic fluid. The drug lumen contains delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier and a hydrogel matrix disposed between the drug lumen and the one or more delivery openings and adapted to swell in volume when exposed to the therapeutic fluid. The hydrogel matrix is adapted to control diffusion of the therapeutic fluid from the drug lumen through the delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label-free biosensor system, a method for manufacturing said label-free biosensor system, its use for detecting biochemical reactions and/or bindings, enzymatic reactions, nucleic acid hybridizations, protein-protein interactions and protein-ligand interactions, as well as an assay method for detecting and/or quantifying an analyte of interest in a biological sample which comprises detecting the Recognition Induced Birefringence (RIB) generated in the presence as opposed to the absence of said analyte by bringing said sample into contact with said label-free biosensor system.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for treating a hard surface, in particular for cleaning and/or dirt-repellent treatment of a hard surface, containing a) at least one multi-armed silyl polyalkoxylate of the formula (I) (H-A)n-Z-[A-B—Si(OR1)r(R2)3?r]m (I), where Z is a (m+n)=valent radical having at least three carbon atoms, A is a divalent polyoxyalkylene radical, wherein the m+n polyoxyalkylene radicals bound to Z can be different from one another, and wherein one radical A is in each case bound to Z via an oxygen atom belonging to Z, and one oxygen atom belonging to A is bound to B or hydrogen, B is a chemical bond or a divalent organic radical having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, OR1 is a hydrolysable group, R1 and R2 independently of one another are a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and r is an integer from 1 to 3, and m is an integer ?1 and n is 0 or an integer ?1, and m+n has a value from 3 to 100, b) at least one surfactant, c) water and/or at least one nonaqueous solvent, d) if

Abstract: The invention relates to coatings having a contact angle hysteresis with water measured by the sessile drop method of at most 20°.

Abstract: The invention relates to coatings with a contact angle hysteresis in water as measured by the tilting plate method of at most 20° made from silyl-terminated linear prepolymers which may cross-link with the surface of the substrate for coating, wherein the silyl-terminated linear prepolymers may be obtained by reaction of compounds of general formula (I): X-A-X? (I), where A=a polyoxyalkylene chain of ethylene oxide units or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units with a maximum fraction of 50 wt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label-free biosensor system, a method for manufacturing said label-free biosensor system, its use for detecting biochemical reactions and/or bindings, enzymatic reactions, nucleic acid hybridizations, protein-protein interactions and protein-ligand interactions, as well as an assay method for detecting and/or quantifying an analyte of interest in a biological sample which comprises detecting the Recognition Induced Birefringence (RIB) generated in the presence as opposed to the absence of said analyte by bringing said sample into contact with said label-free biosensor system.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode includes an implantable electrode carrier having an outer surface with electrode contacts for electrically stimulating nerve tissue of the inner ear of a patient. A drug lumen is within the electrode carrier and adapted to receive a therapeutic fluid. The drug lumen contains delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier and a hydrogel matrix disposed between the drug lumen and the one or more delivery openings and adapted to swell in volume when exposed to the therapeutic fluid. The hydrogel matrix is adapted to control diffusion of the therapeutic fluid from the drug lumen through the delivery openings to the outer surface of the electrode carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for treating a hard surface, in particular for cleaning and/or dirt-repellent treatment of a hard surface, containing a) at least one multi-armed silyl polyalkoxylate of the formula (I) (H-A)n-Z-[A-B—Si(OR1)r(R2)3?r]m (I), where Z is a (m+n)=valent radical having at least three carbon atoms, A is a divalent polyoxyalkylene radical, wherein the m+n polyoxyalkylene radicals bound to Z can be different from one another, and wherein one radical A is in each case bound to Z via an oxygen atom belonging to Z, and one oxygen atom belonging to A is bound to B or hydrogen, B is a chemical bond or a divalent organic radical having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, OR1 is a hydrolysable group, R1 and R2 independently of one another are a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and r is an integer from 1 to 3, and m is an integer ?1 and n is 0 or an integer ?1, and m+n has a value from 3 to 100, b) at least one surfactant, c) water and/or at least one nonaqueous solvent, d) if