Abstract: A pre-heater for an apparatus for the production of carbon black, is adapted to pre-heat air by heat exchange to a temperature of at least 800° C., comprises an elongated jacket arranged substantially and having a top end and a bottom end, said jacket defining a space, a plurality of tubings arranged inside said space, said tubings having a diameter of 85 to 90 mm, said jacket being provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, for allowing said air to enter and exit said space, a smoke inlet chamber and a smoke collection chamber for allowing smoke to enter and exit said tubing. Said jacket is supported by a suspension means between said top and bottom ends excluding at the top end as such, such that the jacket is allowed to expand upwards above and downwards below said suspension means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning outlet ports (11) or the like and/or outlet spouts (12) or the like in soda recovery boilers (13) or the like, the cleaning device comprising at least one connecting rod (9). The cleaning device has at least one front tool part (1a-d, 3, 6), mounted on said connecting rod (9). The present invention also relates to a cleaning tool for use in the cleaning device as well as a method of using the cleaning device.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis comprising administering tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the methods comprising the tPA inhibitors. Also provided are methods for stimulating angiogenesis comprising administering tPA to a patient in need thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of tPA for the methods of stimulation. The present invention discloses that tPA is a specific PDGF-C activating protease, and that the CUB-domains in PDGF-CC directly interact with the protease, are required for efficient proteolysis, and released CUB-domains are tPA inhibitors. Preferably, the method and compositions of the present invention are used for simultaneously stimulating, or simultaneously inhibiting, thrombolysis and angiogenesis.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis comprising administering urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for the methods comprising the uPA inhibitors. Also provided are methods for stimulating angiogenesis comprising administering uPA or an agonist thereof to a patient in need thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of uPA or an agonist thereof for the methods of stimulation. The present invention discloses that uPA is a specific PDGF-D activatin rotease.

Abstract: A method of modulating, regulating and/or stabilizing angiogenesis in a mammal in need thereof, in which the PDGF-D level or activity or both in the mammal are modulated or increased. In preferred embodiments, an active PDGF-D polypeptide, or a polynucleotide encoding an active PDGF-D is administered to the mammal, preferably at a location where angiogenesis modulation or stabilization is desired. The PDGF-D is advantageously co-administered with an angiogenic growth factor, such as a member of the VEGF family of growth factors, in particular VEGF-E. The claimed method inhibits leakage of blood vessels and is useful, inter alia, for treatment of edemas.

Abstract: PDGF-D, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors, as well as the nucleotide sequence encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected and transformed host cells expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications, including methods for stimulating growth of a connective tissue or healing a wound in a mammal, which methods comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of PDGF-D polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the PDGF-D polypeptides.

Abstract: Complexes of a protein selected from the group consisting of VEGF-B167, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and processed VEGF-B186 and analogs thereof and the neuropilin-1 (NP-1) receptor, the extracellular domain or a ligand-binding fragment or analogue thereof; the use of such complexes in assays for growth factor proteins having substantially the same binding affinity for a cell surface receptor as VEGF-B167, VEGF-C, VEGF-D or processed VEGF-B186 and/or in promoting or antagonizing a cellular response mediated by VEGF-B167, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and/or processed VEGF-B186; and specific binding partners, e.g. antibodies, for such complexes.

Abstract: PDGF-D, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors, as well as the nucleotide sequence encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected and transformed host cells expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications, including methods for stimulating growth of a connective tissue or healing a wound in a mammal, which methods comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of PDGF-D polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the PDGF-D polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering wheel adjusting mechanism (2) for motor vehicles (4) comprising a pivotally to the vehicle (4) attached supporting arm (8), and a pivotally to the supporting arm (8) attached steering shaft housing unit (12), where at least one locking plate package (14 and 16, respectively) is attached to both the vehicle (4) and the steering shaft housing unit (12), which locking plate package (14 and 16, respectively) is compressible with clamping means (18) in order to lock the steering shaft housing unit (12) relative to the vehicle (4). Optionally, the supporting arm (8) is pivotally attached to a to the vehicle (4) mountable fastening part (20). Optionally, the locking plate package (14 and 16, respectively) is attached to a firmly to the vehicle (4) mountable fastening unit (22). Optionally, the fastening part (20) and the fastening unit (22) are integrated with each other to a firmly to the vehicle (4) mountable steering wheel adjusting bracket (24).

Abstract: VEGF-B polypeptides from the PDGF family of growth factors having the property of promoting mitosis and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, DNA sequences encoding these polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and antibodies which react with them. The VEGF-B polypeptides are useful in stimulating angiogenesis as well as in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating blood-neural barrier (BNB) for the treatment of CNS conditions such as edema, and for increased drug delivery efficacy across the BNB. The present invention further relates to improved tPA treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular and related diseases in combination with antagonism of the PDGF signaling pathway. The inventive method and composition is particularly suitable for conjunctive therapy of ischemic stroke using tPA and an anti-PDGF-C antagonist or an anti-PDGFR-? antagonist.

Abstract: A method for modulating vasculogenesis or arteriogenesis or angiogenesis, especially for treating heart and limb ischemia, using the core domain protein of PDGF-C, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors, or a homodimer or a heterodimer comprising the core domain. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the core protein, nucleotide sequences encoding the protein, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for making and using chimeric polypeptides that comprise a VEGFR-2 ligand. The chimeric molecules of the present invention retain VEGFR-2 binding activity and an enhanced angiogenic activity as compared to native VEGF-A.

Abstract: PDGF-D, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of polypeptide growth factors, is described, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding, methods for producing, pharmaceutical compositions containing this new growth factor, and its antibodies and other antagonists. Also disclosed are transfected and transformed host cells expressing PDGF-D, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: PDGF-D, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of polypeptide growth factors, is described, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding, methods for producing, pharmaceutical compositions containing this new growth factor, and its antibodies and other antagonists. Also disclosed are transfected and transformed host cells expressing PDGF-D, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: PDGF-D, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors, as well as the nucleotide sequence encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected and transformed host cells expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications, including methods for stimulating growth of a connective tissue or healing a wound in a mammal, which methods comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of PDGF-D polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the PDGF-D polypeptides.

Abstract: Non-human transgenic animals overexpressing PDGF-C and cells thereof have been created. The transgenic animals contain a nucleotide sequence that encodes for platelet derived growth factor C (PDGF-C) or an analog thereof, or a functional fragment of PDGF-C or analog thereof. These animals are useful for studying disease states characterized by overexpression of PDGF-C, as well as useful for evaluating therapies intended to treat such diseases.

Abstract: PDGF-D, a new member of the PDGF/VEGF family of growth factors, as well as the nucleotide sequence encoding it, methods for producing it, antibodies and other antagonists to it, transfected and transformed host cells expressing it, pharmaceutical compositions containing it, and uses thereof in medical and diagnostic applications, including methods for stimulating growth of a connective tissue or healing a wound in a mammal, which methods comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of PDGF-D polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the PDGF-D polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for modulating angiogenesis. The compositions of the invention provide antibody substances specific for two or more PDGF/VEGF family members, which are useful for modulating angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in a subject.

Abstract: A method of modulating, regulating and/or stabilizing angiogenesis in a mammal in need thereof, in which the PDGF-D level or activity or both in the mammal are modulated or increased. In preferred embodiments, an active PDGF-D polypeptide, or a polynucleotide encoding an active PDGF-D is administered to the mammal, preferably at a location where angiogenesis modulation or stabilization is desired. The PDGF-D is advantageously co-administered with an angiogenic growth factor, such as a member of the VEGF family of growth factors, in particular VEGF-E. The claimed method inhibits leakage of blood vessels and is useful, inter alia, for treatment of edemas.