Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of somatic gene therapy. The invention provides a nucleic acid construct comprising a transgene encoding a therapeutic protein, a tetracycline-responsive aptazyme sequence, and inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). The nucleic acid construct can be transferred to a subject in need thereof in the form of a viral vector, in particular an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. The Tet-responsive aptazyme sequence allows for a tightly controlled expression of the transgene in the subject, thereby avoiding toxic side effects. The nucleic acid construct and the viral vectors comprising same are particularly useful in the treatment of proliferative diseases like cancer.

Abstract: A whistle comprises a mouthpiece, a resonator and an air outlet opening. In one embodiment, a bottle opener is formed in the wall of the resonator. The bottle opener is made of a combination of a first segment shaped approximately like a quarter circle and formed in the wall of the resonator and a second segment formed as a separate component. The second segment is shaped like a metal strip. The strip is incorporated in the wall of the resonator in such a way that its outer contour follows the approximately quarter-circle contour of the first segment. Therefore, the strip projects somewhat from the surface of the first segment so that a free edge projects out from the first segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1, 1?) for dispensing tablets, also in the form of pills, dragees or the like, having means for holding a blister pack (20), means for pushing out a tablet (21) from the blister pack and also means for setting taking times and means for displaying taking times. The invention provides for the apparatus (1, 1?) to have a bottom part (11, 101) and a lid (12, 102), removably connected to the bottom part (11), for holding the blister pack (20) and also having means (18, 43) for pushing out the tablets (21) from the blister pack (20), the arrangement of the means (18, 41) being matched to the arrangement of the tablets (21) in the blister pack (20) which is to be held. The present invention also relates to a lid (12, 102) and to a bottom part (11, 101) for such an apparatus.