Abstract: The invention is related to a surgical device for patient-specific guidance of at least one tool used during a surgical intervention, comprising at least the following features: a) at least one carrier system which is arranged for fixation on a bone structure of a patient, b) at least one guiding system connectable to the carrier system, the at least one guiding system comprising at least one base module and at least one guiding part for precisely defined guidance of at least one tool used during the surgical intervention, c) at least one connecting means for establishing a mechanical connection between the at least one guiding part and the at least one base module, wherein the connecting means comprises at least a non-fixed operating state and a fixed operating state, wherein in the non-fixed operating state the at least one guiding part can be adjusted relative to the base module in a patient-specific adjustment and in the fixed operating state the at least one guiding part is mechanically fixated relative

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods for producing Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides which have a defined length. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising at least one capsule polymerase, at least one donor carbohydrate and at least one acceptor carbohydrate, wherein the ratio of donor carbohydrate to acceptor carbohydrate is a ratio from 10:1 to 400:1. Moreover, the present invention provides truncated versions of the capsule polymerases of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A and X. Also provided herein are pharmaceuticals, in particular vaccines, comprising the synthetic capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis which have a defined length. Furthermore, the invention provides for methods for the production of said vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteins comprising amino acid sequences encoded by nucleic acids derived from the human chromosomal region C19Orf10 termed Factor1 and/or C19Orf63 termed Factor 2 for the use in enhancing proliferation and/or healing and/or inhibiting apoptosis of none-transformed tissue or none-transformed cell or inhibitors thereof. The invention further relates to the use of inhibitors of factor1 and factor 2 for medical use, preferably for use in treating or preventing a disease in which angiogenesis contributes to disease development or progression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cells engineered to express at least one cytokine and at least one antigen which induces the self differentiation of dendritic cell (DC) progenitor cells into functional antigen-presenting induced DC (iDC). Moreover, therapeutic uses of said iDC for regenerating the immune system after transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells are disclosed. Said iDC are also useful for generating mice with a functional endogenously regenerated humanized immune system producing antigen-specific T and B cell responses which can be used as animal models for the study of the human adaptive immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a compound promoting the expression and/or the activity of one or more long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) selected from SEQ ID NOs 1 to 22, preferably selected from SEQ ID NOs 1 to 3; and/or (ii) a compound inhibiting the expression and/or the activity of one or more lncRNAs selected from SEQ ID NOs 23 to 42. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a compound promoting the expression and/or the activity of one or more lncRNAs selected from SEQ ID NOs 23 to 42; and/or (ii) a compound inhibiting the expression and/or the activity of one or more long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) selected from SEQ ID NOs 1 to 22, preferably selected from SEQ ID NOs 1 to 3.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for biomimetic-inspired infrared sensors utilizing a bottom up approach. This method includes providing a sinusoidal alternating electrical field between a preformed electrode gap comprising two gold micro-electrodes. Providing single needles of zinc phosphide crystals optimized for growth conditions using a physical vapour transport. Immobilizing at least one individual zinc phosphide nanowire in the preformed electrode gap using dielectrophoretic manipulation. And, placing and contacting the at least one individual zinc phosphide nanowire in the preformed electrode gap. Two nanowires are combined to form a lambda shape for improved sensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel labyrinthopeptin derivatives. These labyrinthopeptin derivatives are useful for the treatment of infectious diseases, such as an infectious disease caused by an infection with human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), cytomegalovirus (CMV/HCMV), dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV; FSME virus), vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSV), zika virus (ZIKV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Said labyrinthopeptin derivatives are also useful for analyzing the mode of action of labyrinthopeptins. Also encompassed by the present invention are labyrinthopeptins for use in treating an infectious disease, in particular an infectious disease caused by an infection with any one of the viruses selected from RSV, KSHV, CMV, CHIKV, TBEV, VSV, ZIKV and HCV. The invention further relates to a combination of labyrinthopeptin A1 and A2 for use as a medicament, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound which inhibits the activity of MKK4 as a medicament for the treatment of a patient suffering from an impaired liver function, to the use of a compound as a medicament for the treatment of liver failure, including acute/fulminant or chronic liver failure and/or for increasing the regeneration of liver tissue in a patient.

Abstract: The method for preparing a tissue construct for medical purposes uses endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) which have not been passaged multiple times and have a content of EOEC (early outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells) and LOEC (late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells). These cells and fibroblasts and/or muscle cells, viz. myoblasts, myofibroblasts, smooth muscle cells or the progenitors thereof, are, in the form of living cells, seeded onto a matrix or introduced into a matrix in order to yield the tissue construct following further treatment steps. The matrix is preferably a protein preparation, more particularly a fibrinogen preparation. Both the cells and the fibrinogen preparation can be obtained from a single blood sample from a patient. Apart from the preparation of bypass materials, prosthetic vascular graft, tissue patches, conduits and the like, the EOEC-containing EPC culture or suspension is suitable as means for cell transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject, which has peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) or which has a risk for developing PPCM, wherein the method comprises analyzing the amount and/or activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1); and/or the genotype of the PAI-1 gene. The invention also relates to an inhibitor of PAI-1 for use in the treatment of PPCM. Also a method of treating PPCM in a subject in need of such a treatment, wherein said method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of an inhibitor of PAI-1 is comprised in the present invention. Moreover, the present invention further relates to the use of a binding molecule for identifying a subject, which has PPCM or which has a risk for developing PPCM, wherein said binding molecule specifically binds to PAI-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development or the therapy control of spondyloarthritis (Spa), in particular, of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis in a subject, in particular in mammals. In addition, the present invention relates to test kits for use in the diaposis of the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, in a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, it a subject analysing for the presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB in a subject. The presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB is indicative for the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.

Abstract: A cochlear implant of a cochlear implant system is described. The cochlear implant comprises electrodes which are mechanically connected to one another and can be inserted in a row in the form of a spiral into a cochlea in order for auditory nerve receptors to be stimulated, a control circuit that can specifically apply electric pulses to the individual electrodes, and an energy source. The control circuit allows the electrodes to be fed in a pulsed manner with electric signals generated by a processor from the acoustic signals, and auditory nerve receptors adjacent to the electrodes to be stimulated. The electrodes are components of modules, each of which comprises its own decoder-and-control circuit for decoding module addresses and stimulation signals and generating electric pulses for the electrodes. Encoded module addresses and stimulation signals generated from acoustic signals are applied to inputs of the decoder-and-control circuit.

Abstract: A method of processing magnetic resonance (MR) lung images creates a quantitative ventilation map of the lung, which is calculated from ventilation images. A step of determining ventilation frequency includes a frequency analysis of a time series of a quantitative lung dimension parameter which is characteristic for the dimension of the lung at the time of collecting the corresponding MR lung image. Creation of the quantitative ventilation map includes selecting a first group of ventilation images, which consists of expiration ventilation images collected at regular expiration phases of multiple ventilation periods, and a second group of ventilation images, which consists of inspiration ventilation images collected at regular inspiration phases of the multiple ventilation periods, and calculating the quantitative ventilation map from the first and second groups of ventilation images, wherein the quantitative ventilation map is adjusted with reference to the tidal volume of the lung.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical device (100) designed to be inserted into a stump of a hollow organ (40) of a person or animal in order to prepare a circular anastomosis, wherein the device (100) is designed without a stapling unit for producing a surgical stapled scam, wherein the device (100) has an instrument shaft (120) having a handle section (121, 300) and, at the end of time instrument shaft (120) away from the handle section (121, 300), a head section (130) that is or can be coupled to the instrument shaft (120) by means of a detachable coupling (113), wherein the handle section (121, 300) is designed for a user to hold the device (100), wherein the head section (130) has at least one first molded body (109) and a counter-pressure plate (111) of a surgical circular stapling device (160) connected to the first molded body (109), wherein the surgical device has fu least one first molded body (109) and one second molded body (108) between the handle section and the counter-pressure plate, the second

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions that find use in facilitating a diagnosis of inflammatory liver disease in a subject. The methods and compositions generally involve detection of eotaxin-3 (E3) levels, either alone or with levels of eotaxin-1 (E1), and optionally, with levels of CCL22 and, further optionally, with levels of IL15. These levels can be used to facilitate a diagnosis of a liver disease of at least one of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and/or to facilitate a differential diagnosis between AIH, PBC, and PSC. The methods and compositions of the present disclosure also find use in facilitating treatment decisions for a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new binder molecule useful e.g. as an immune suppressor. In particular, it has been recognized that the UL11 protein of human the cytomegalovirus, binds to the CD45 molecule, potentially altering the immune system of an individual. In addition, the present invention relates to binder molecules, in particular, fusion molecules containing the CD45 binding domain of the UL11 protein in combination with a second molecule of interest for delivery of said molecule to cells expressing the CD45 molecule. Moreover, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the UL11 protein of human cytomegalovirus, or derivatives or homologs thereof, or a nucleic acid sequence encoding the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of vasculitis, in particular of large vessel vasculitis, like giant-cell arteritis (GCA), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and Takayasu's arteritis, in a subject analyzing for the presence of antibodies against ferritin, in particular heavy chain ferritin or immunoreactive peptides thereof or ferritin analog protein, preferably bacterial ferritin analog protein, or immunoreactive peptides thereof, in a subject. In addition, test kits for use in the diagnosis of the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of vasculitis, in particular of large vessel vasculitis, like GCA, PMR and Takayasu's arteritis, in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is related to a medical device (1) for conducting a medical examination and/or intervention within a human or animal body, the medical device (1) comprising a handle (2) and a curved guiding bar (3) connected to the handle (2), the guiding bar (3) comprising a guiding duct (4) adapted for guiding a medical instrument (5) from the handle area to a distal end (7) of the guiding bar (3) which is distant from the handle (2), the guiding bar (3) comprising on its distal end (7) a first camera (6) which is integrated within the guiding bar (3) or attached to the guiding bar (3), whereby the first camera (6) is arranged and adjusted for capturing an area (8) in front of the distal end (7) of the guiding bar (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates in a first aspect to a method of coating surfaces of substrates with a lattice-like structure. In particular, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of coating surfaces by binding of epsin or a fragment thereof on the surface and, thereafter, binding of a compound forming the lattice like structure, in particular, binding of the clathrin heavy chain, to the epsin bound on the surface, thus, obtaining a coated substrate having a lattice like structure on the surface. In another aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of producing nanometer-sized liposomes having a clathrin structure on its surface. In addition, substrates, like elements or devices, with coated surfaces having a lattice-like structure on the surface are provided obtainable by a method according to the present invention.

Abstract: The method for preparing a tissue construct for medical purposes uses endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) which have not been passaged multiple times and have a content of EOEC (early outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells) and LOEC (late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells). These cells and fibroblasts and/or muscle cells, viz. myoblasts, myofibroblasts, smooth muscle cells or the progenitors thereof, are, in the form of living cells, seeded onto a matrix or introduced into a matrix in order to yield the tissue construct following further treatment steps. The matrix is preferably a protein preparation, more particularly a fibrinogen preparation. Both the cells and the fibrinogen preparation can be obtained from a single blood sample from a patient. Apart from the preparation of bypass materials, prosthetic vascular graft, tissue patches, conduits and the like, the EOEC-containing EPC culture or suspension is suitable as means for cell transplantation.