Abstract: The invention provides a combination of reagents as a test kit containing a detection conjugate having a binding portion and a reagent for deactivating of the fluorochrome portion by interaction with the linker. The binding portion especially is an antibody portion. The detection conjugate has a fluorochrome portion connected to the antibody portion, and a linker connected to the fluorochrome portion, wherein the linker comprises an oligonucleotide. The fluorochrome portion can be deactivated by hydrolysis of the linker or by specific hybridization of a quencher having an oligonucleotide to the linker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the synthesis of particular macrocycles that are inhibitors of the proteasomic degradation of p27, in particular argyrin and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention refers to inhibitors of microRNAs, particularly of microRNAs miR-212 and/or miR-132 for use in medicine, particularly in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cardiac disorders, e.g. cardiac hypertrophy-associated or autophagic disorders, and further refers to isolated nucleic acid molecules, particularly microRNAs miR-212 and/or miR-132 and related sequences, for use in medicine, particularly human medicine, more particularly in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disorders involving cardiac atrophy and/or dysfunctional autophagy, e.g. cardiac cachexia.

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 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 present invention provides the use of spider silk threads for the production of tissue implants for medical use. A scaffolding matrix is provided for implantation, which matrix is comprised of spider silk thread and/or segments of spider silk threads which are cross-linked. The cross-linked spider silk thread segments essentially maintain a three-dimensional shape into which it is formed by pressing between molds. The three-dimensional shape obtainable by molding sufficiently stable to be used as an implant or for colonizing by mammalian cells while essentially maintaining the three-dimensional shape. In a further embodiment, the scaffolding matrix of cross-linked spider silk segments is at least partially covered by cells autologous or heterologous to the implant recipient. The matrix colonized with cells is obtainable by in vitro cultivation of isolated cells in suspension with the scaffolding matrix.

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: The invention is related to a medical device for conducting a medical examination and/or intervention within a human or animal body the medical device (1) comprising an elongate body (2) which is designed for introduction into an orifice (15) of the human or animal body the elongate body (2) comprising a distal end (3), which is on the front side of the elongate body during introduction into the orifice (15), of the human or animal body and a proximal end (4) on the opposite side, wherein the elongate body is a hollow body comprising a reception chamber (8) in its interior, which reception chamber (8) is arranged for reception of a human finger (9), characterised in that one or more guiding elements (5, 21) for guiding a medical examination and/or intervention component (6) are located on or in the elongate body and at least one image gathering device (7), which is arranged for gathering of images in front of the distal end (3) of the elongate body (2), is arranged on or in the elongate body (2).

Abstract: The invention provides a viral self-inactivating (SIN) vector on the basis of the avian sarcoma leukosis virus (ASLV) as well as a split-packaging system comprising in addition to the SIN vector a first helper plasmid serving for the expression of the viral fusion protein gag-pol and a second helper plasmid serving for the expression of the retroviral envelope protein (env). The first and second helper plasmid, for example contained in a packaging cell line or transiently transfected, serve for the generation of non-replicating (RCR-incompetent) viral particles containing RNA having a SIN LTR according to the invention at the 3? terminus, wherein the RNA can have a therapeutically effective section which e.g. is denoted a transgene. This 3? SIN LTR contains an extensive deletion of the U3 region which in the course of the reverse transcription is copied into the 5? LTR. In addition, in the SIN vector all coding regions of ASLV as well as the retroviral splice donor site are removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of differentiated respiratory epithelial cells comprising: (a) providing a cell population comprising or consisting of precursor cells of respiratory epithelial cells; (b) culturing the cell population of (a) in culture medium to which keratinocyte growth factor has been added; wherein the cultured cell population is supplemented with a glucocorticoid, a cAMP analogue and a cAMP elevating agent and wherein said supplementation is either simultaneously with the addition of keratinocyte growth factor in step (b) or prior or subsequently to the addition of keratinocyte growth factor in step (b), thereby differentiating said precursor cells into respiratory epithelial cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a three-dimensional tissue by cultivating eucaryotic cells by introducing the cells into a matrix and cultivating the cells within the matrix in a cell culture medium within a cell culture vessel under controlled dissolved oxygen conditions of the cell culture medium. The matrix contains a support containing an optical oxygen sensor, which is an oxygen-sensitive dye, which upon irradiation with an excitation wavelength changes its emission characteristics in dependence on the dissolved oxygen concentration in the surrounding medium, including a dye phosphorescing upon irradiation of an excitation wavelength, which phosphorescence is quenched by dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid device for humans with impaired hearing, who have an at least partially functional cochlea and a functional nervous signalling pathway from the cochlea via the auditory nerve to the brain. The hearing aid device contains a receiver, a transducer of the sound or other acoustic signals into electrical current serving as a signal representing a sound, a pulsed irradiation source connected to the transducer for receiving the electrical current and for generating modulated pulsed irradiation in dependence from the electrical current, and preferably one or more optical fibers optically coupled to the exit of the pulsed irradiation source, wherein the optical path for conduction of irradiation within the device ends directly opposite a functional element of the natural vibration transduction pathway, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining SUMOylation and utilizing said SUMOylation patterns for identifying specific interaction between different binding partners. In another aspect, the present invention relates to systems allowing the determination of SUMOylation and for determining specific interaction between binding partners. Furthermore, the present invention relates to vectors and proteins relating to SUMOylation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid device for humans with impaired hearing, who have an at least partially functional cochlea and a functional nervous signalling pathway from the cochlea via the auditory nerve to the brain. The hearing aid device contains a receiver, a transducer of the sound or other acoustic signals into electrical current serving as a signal representing a sound, a pulsed irradiation source connected to the transducer for receiving the electrical current and for generating modulated pulsed irradiation in dependence from the electrical current, and preferably one or more optical fibers optically coupled to the exit of the pulsed irradiation source, wherein the optical path for conduction of irradiation within the device ends directly opposite a functional element of the natural vibration transduction pathway, e.g.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits employing bromolysergide in therapies for the treatment of cluster headache disorders.

Abstract: A method of generating model data representing a body section of a biological organism, like e.g., a head or part thereof, a joint, or soft tissue, includes the steps of providing object data representing a first portion of the body section, providing standard data representing a complete standard body section, and subjecting the standard data to a registration process, wherein the model data to be generated are created by adapting the standard data to the object data, said model data representing the first portion of the body section and a second portion of the body section.

Abstract: A neural implant comprising spider silk, especially a neural implant consisting of natural spider silk fibres. In particular, the present invention makes available spider silk for use for the production of a pharmaceutical composition whose medical indication is defects in nerves that are to be bridged. Thread-like spider silk is arranged essentially in an axial direction within a sheathing formed of spider silk threads. The sheathing can be knitted, woven, laced or braided of spider silk threads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing cells having a mature hepatocyte phenotype, comprising (a) providing a cell population comprising precursor cells of mature hepatocytes, wherein said cell population is obtained from a subject or derived from a cell line; and (b) introducing into said precursor cells a group of differentiation factors and/or the nucleic acid sequences encoding said differentiation factors, said group consisting of (i) one or more member(s) of the Foxa subfamily, (ii) HNF-4? and (iii) C/EBP?, thereby differentiating said precursor cells into cells having a mature hepatocyte phenotype.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits employing bromolysergide in therapies for the treatment of cluster headache disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biocompatible neural implant for bridging interruptions or defects in nerves resulting from injuries sustained in an accident or following surgery. Inventive neural implants comprise fibers made from natural or synthetic spider silk and allow interrupted nerves to regenerate across defects such that functional nerve conduction is made possible within a short period of time.