Abstract: The present invention is in the field of processes for the production of nanoparticles. It relates to a process for the preparation of nanoparticles comprising heating a water-free solution containing (a) a metal-organic compound containing an alkaline earth metal and a group 4 metal, and (b) a stabilizer to at least 150° C. for at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scoring system to monitor natural or drug-modified disease progression in erosive inter-phalangeal finger joint osteoarthrits and the use of said scoring system to identify and value drugs with anticatabolic and/or repair promoting potential.

Abstract: Methods of treating a glucocorticoid-responsive condition in a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering, in combination, a glucocorticoid receptor agonist and a PPAR agonist in therapeutically effective amounts. It is an aspect of the present invention that the amount of the glucocorticoid receptor agonist used in a method of treating a glucocorticoid-responsive condition is less than an amount of the glucocorticoid receptor agonist necessary to achieve a therapeutic effect if administered in the absence of the PPAR agonist.

Abstract: A method for performing end-to-end vessel anastomosis includes providing a vessel support including a vessel receiving portion and a handle portion extending therefrom. The vessel receiving portion is an annulus. The vessel receiving portion is positioned around the end of a first vessel and the end of the first vessel is everted about the outer diameter of the vessel receiving portion such that the inner surface of the vessel is directed outwardly. The end of the second vessel is positioned over the everted end of the first vessel such that the inner surface of the second vessel is disposed against the inner surface of the first vessel. A surgical adhesive is provided and is used to adhere the ends of the vessels together without requiring the application of heat or radiant energy. The handle portion of the vessel support may be removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure probe for characterizing the pressure and/or differential pressure in a fluid, and all derivatives, like for instance, flow rate. The device comprises a front side adapted for facing an upstream direction of the fluid flow, a bulbous part adapted for creating a region of low pressure, also called wake, and a flow detachment means. The front side allows creation of a region of high pressure. It has a planar shape or the shape of a recess. The device thus allows to be substantially flow angle independent, to be Reynolds number independent in a wide range of flow velocities and to obtain a large differential pressure gain.