Abstract: A non-destructive method of estimating hematocrit (Hct) of whole blood from a dried blood sample prepared from the whole blood, the method comprising: a) determining the amount of hemoglobin derivatives comprising oxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin and hemichrome (total hemoglobin) in a dried blood sample, wherein the sum of the amounts of the hemoglobin derivatives remains constant in the dried blood sample in function of time, and b) estimating the hematocrit from the sum of the amounts of the hemoglobin derivatives, wherein the hematocrit is estimated using a calibration curve providing a correlation between hematocrit and the amount of the hemoglobin derivatives in a dried blood sample. The amount of the hemoglobin derivatives is preferably determined by measuring the reflectance, absorbance, or transmittance of the dried blood sample at the quasi-isosbestic point of the hemoglobin derivatives about 589 nm or at multiple wavelengths within the range of 450 to 750 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides a flushing system (1) configured to flush the pericardial cavity (PC) of a patient, wherein the system comprises: an infusion liquid outlet (4) to connect a first tube(20) having an infusion liquid lumen to guide a flow of infusion liquid from the system to the pericardial cavity, and an effusion liquid inlet (6) to connect to a second tube (21) having an effusion liquid lumen to guide the effusion liquid flow from the pericardial cavity to the system, a flow rate control system to control the flow rate of the infusion liquid flow at the infusion liquid outlet (4) on the basis of multiple sensor signals, wherein the flow rate control system comprises: a control unit (5) to provide a control signal on the basis of the sensor signals, and a pump device (3) to pump infusion liquid to the infusion liquid outlet (4) at an infusion liquid flow rate, wherein the infusion liquid flow rate is adjustable by the control signal of the control unit (5) and wherein the sensor signals registered by th

Abstract: Deoxynojirimycin and deoxygalactonojirimycin derivatives according to the present invention are N-alkylated D-galacto, D-gluco- or L-ido-deoxynojirimycin with a linear methyloxypentyl group bearing various sidegroups and a non-fused bicyclic aromatic group (“X”) on the methyloxy-carbon. These compounds display an increased inhibitory potency towards GCS, and/or an increased inhibitory potency towards GBA2, and/or a decreased inhibitory potency towards GBA1, relative to known deoxynojirimycin derivatives of the same (D-gluco, L-ido or D-galacto) configuration.

Abstract: The present application relates to an assembly for a joint (1, 2, 3, 4), the joint comprising a joint implant (5, 6) between a proximal segment of a limb that is proximal to the joint and a distal segment of the limb that is distal to the joint and in which the joint is configured to allow rotation of the proximal and distal segments with respect to one another about an axis that intersects a first plane, and to inhibit rotation in the second and third plane, both perpendicular to the first plane, the assembly being for subjecting the joint at predetermined angles of the joint rotation in the second and third plane to a defined bending moment to induce a load to the implant that causes a movement of the implant in relation to the bone of the proximal or distal segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to antimicrobial peptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and to uses thereof for in the treatment or prevention of microbial, bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for influencing the stability of an antibody producing cell, comprising directly or indirectly influencing the amount of BCL6 and/or Blimp 1 expression product within said antibody producing cell. Stable antibody producing cells and cell lines are also provided, as well as methods for producing antibodies using such cells and/or cell lines.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for treating and ameliorating inflammation of the gut. In particular, the invention provides devices, apparatuses and methods in which a neuromodulatory signal is delivered a splenic nerve and/or superior mesenteric plexus (SMP). The signal is able to treat inflammatory disorders, e.g., colitis, for example in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for determining whether a hepatitis B patient is susceptible to hepatitis B treatment, comprising determining whether a sample of the patient comprises nucleic acid with nucleotide polymorphisms that are associated with a positive outcome of hepatitis B treatment and/or determining whether a sample of the patient comprises an expression level of carnitine or of a carnitine derivative that is associated with a positive outcome of hepatitis B treatment. Compositions, kits of parts, (micro)arrays and vectors useful for such methods are also herewith provided.

Abstract: A method to adjust or tune mechanical settings of a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, wherein before executing an x-ray measurement a patient's breast is placed and compressed between the detector cover and the paddle, wherein prior to the x-ray measurement reaction forces between the mammography apparatus and the patient's breast are minimized. The invention relates further to a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, which apparatus is provided with at least one weighing means to measure the downwards forces exerted by (the part of) the apparatus above the weighing means towards the ground.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for influencing the stability of an antibody producing cell, comprising directly or indirectly influencing the amount of BCL6 and/or Blimp 1 expression product within said antibody producing cell. Stable antibody producing cells and cell lines are also provided, as well as methods for producing antibodies using such cells and/or cell lines.

Abstract: Compounds disclosed herein are effective against Ralstonia pickettii for treating or preventing insulin resistance, obesity or type II diabetes of a subject, and include an antibiotic effective against Ralstonia pickettii, an immunogenic compound producing a protective immune response, or an antibody which specifically binds to Ralstonia pickettii or a fragment thereof. In vitro methods for diagnosis or prediction of insulin resistance, obesity or type II diabetes include determining the presence of Ralstonia pickettii or of an antibody which specifically binds to Ralstonia pickettii in a test sample. An antibody binding specifically to an antigen of Ralstonia pickettii, a Ralstonia pickettii cell, or a nucleic acid hybridizing under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid from Ralstonia pickettii is disclosed. A kit including said antibody, the nucleic acid, and optionally a Ralstonia pickettii bacteria or a nucleic acid or protein thereof, a further reagent or a conventional kit component, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mammography apparatus is provided for detecting malignant cells in a breast, comprising an x-ray source and an x-ray detector that cooperates with the x-ray source for providing an x-ray image of said breast, and further comprising a paddle for flattening the breast by pressing it against said x-ray detector, and comprising a contact area measuring device for measuring a contact area between the breast and the paddle, wherein the contact area measuring device is embodied with at least a first laminate of an electrically insulating material and an electrically low resistance material, which first laminate is provided on a side of the paddle facing the breast, and wherein the electrically low resistance material is sandwiched between the paddle and the insulating material.

Abstract: Described is the use of Eubacterium hallii et rel. and/or Alcaligenes faecalis et rel., as well as pharmaceutical, food, or feed compositions comprising these bacteria as a medicament, in particular, for preventing and/or treating insulin resistance and/or insulin resistance-related complications such as metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as insulin resistance in endocrine diseases (e.g., obese subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and lipodystrophy syndromes. Also described is a method for preventing and/or treating insulin resistance and/or insulin resistance-related complications such as dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as insulin resistance in endocrine diseases (e.g., obese subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and lipodystrophy syndromes) in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing the level of Eubacterium hallii et rel. and/or Alcaligenes faecalis et rel. in the small intestine.

Abstract: The invention provides a flushing system (1) configured to flush the pericardial cavity (PC) of a patient, wherein the system comprises: an infusion liquid outlet (4) to connect a first tube(20) having an infusion liquid lumen to guide a flow of infusion liquid from the system to the pericardial cavity, and an effusion liquid inlet (6) to connect to a second tube (21) having an effusion liquid lumen to guide the effusion liquid flow from the pericardial cavity to the system, a flow rate control system to control the flow rate of the infusion liquid flow at the infusion liquid outlet (4) on the basis of multiple sensor signals, wherein the flow rate control system comprises: a control unit (5) to provide a control signal on the basis of the sensor signals, and a pump device (3) to pump infusion liquid to the infusion liquid outlet (4) at an infusion liquid flow rate, wherein the infusion liquid flow rate is adjustable by the control signal of the control unit (5) and wherein the sensor signals registered by th

Abstract: The invention relates to antimicrobial peptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides and to uses thereof for in the treatment or prevention of microbial, bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infection.

Abstract: Described is the use of Eubacterium hallii et rel. and/or Alcaligenes faecalis et rel., as well as pharmaceutical, food, or feed compositions comprising these bacteria as a medicament, in particular, for preventing and/or treating insulin resistance and/or insulin resistance-related complications such as metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as insulin resistance in endocrine diseases (e.g., obese subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and lipodystrophy syndromes. Also described is a method for preventing and/or treating insulin resistance and/or insulin resistance-related complications such as dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as insulin resistance in endocrine diseases (e.g., obese subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and lipodystrophy syndromes) in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing the level of Eubacterium hallii et rel. and/or Alcaligenes faecalis et rel. in the small intestine.

Abstract: Described is the use of Eubacterium hallii et rel. and/or Alcaligenes faecalis et rel., as well as pharmaceutical, food, or feed compositions comprising these bacteria as a medicament, in particular, for preventing and/or treating insulin resistance and/or insulin resistance-related complications such as metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as insulin resistance in endocrine diseases (e.g., obese subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and lipodystrophy syndromes. Also described is a method for preventing and/or treating insulin resistance and/or insulin resistance-related complications such as dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as insulin resistance in endocrine diseases (e.g., obese subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease and lipodystrophy syndromes) in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing the level of Eubacterium hallii et rel. and/or Alcaligenes faecalis et rel. in the small intestine.

Abstract: Miltefosin or perifosin for use in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring patients utilizing reflectance avoidance as well as other imaging modalities. Information regarding perfusion, oxygen saturation and oxygen availability, as well as others may be obtained. System embodiments may include a light source, a light transport body configured to project light from the light source to an examination substrate and transmit light reflected by the examination substrate, and an analysis section in optical communication with the light transport body. The light source may be pulsed in order to improve the quality of video images produced by the systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for influencing the stability of an antibody producing cell, comprising directly or indirectly influencing the amount of BCL6 and/or Blimp 1 expression product within said antibody producing cell. Stable antibody producing cells and cell lines are also provided, as well as methods for producing antibodies using such cells and/or cell lines.