Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of generating antigen specific T cells. Furthermore, the invention is directed to antigen specific T cells, isolated transgenic TCR's, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and their use in adoptive cell therapy. This invention in particular pertains to the use of cells co-expressing allogeneic MHC molecules and antigens to induce peptide-specific T cells from non-selected allogeneic T cell repertoires.

Abstract: An ultrasound detector adapted for ultrasound detection with medical applications includes an optical waveguide, and at least one Bragg grating, created with a predetermined refractive index modulation amplitude in the optical waveguide, wherein the at least one Bragg grating includes a localized defect in periodicity so that a localized-light resonance portion is formed around the defect, and the localized-light resonance portion has spectral properties capable of being modulated in response to an ultrasound oscillation, wherein the optical waveguide is a non-amplifying optical medium, and the refractive index modulation amplitude is selected such that the localized-light resonance portion is concentrated at the defect in periodicity and the ultrasound oscillation can be sensed by the at least one Bragg grating with an acoustic sensitivity most of which being obtained over the localized-light resonance portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and a method for the treatment and disposal of waste water containing salts and oil, in particular produced water, comprising at least one settling area for receiving the waste water and for separating oil proportions from the waste water, at least one subsequent reed bed area having plants for the uptake and degradation of contaminants in the waste water, at least one modular basin area having a plurality of utility basins, whereby a utility basin, controlled by way of distribution means, can be supplied with treated waste water from the reed bed area and/or from at least one other utility basin, and at least one saline area for the reception of the residual water from the modular basin area and for the evaporation of water and the concentration of salt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high affinity T cell receptor (TCR) against a tumor-associated antigen, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding same, a T cell expressing said TCR, and a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of diseases involving malignant cells expressing said tumor-associated antigen.

Abstract: A scanner device for computed tomography imaging of an object, includes a measurement device including a source device arranged for irradiating the object with at least one beam and a detector device arranged for detecting radiation transmitted through the object, wherein the source device has a fixed position relative the detector device, and a carrier device accommodating the object in a position between the source device and the detector device, wherein the measurement device and the carrier device are capable of a scanning movement relative to each other, and the measurement device and the carrier device have a fixed spatial orientation during the scanning movement. Furthermore, a scanning method for computed tomography imaging of an object is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (10), in particular for detecting x-ray radiation, comprising a carrier substrate (11), a detector layer (12) which comprises GaN, is arranged on the carrier substrate (11) and has a thickness less than 50 ?m, and contact electrodes (13) which form ohmic contacts with the detector layer (12). The invention also relates to a measurement device which is equipped with at least one such radiation detector (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in vitro maturation of at least one immature dendritic cell, comprising stimulating said immature dendritic cell with TNF?, IL- 1?, IFN?, a TLR7/8 agonist and prostaglandin E2 (PG). Furthermore, the invention relates to a composition comprising these factors as well as to mature dendritic cells produced by a method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stirring device for activated sludges comprising a hyperboloid stirring body (2) attached to a shaft (1), wherein a plurality of transport ribs (3) are provided on the top (O) of the stirring body (2) running toward the circumferential boundary (UM) thereof, wherein the transport ribs (3) have an oblique course, at least in sections, relative to a radial direction, and wherein an oblique position of the transport ribs (3) is selected such that, when the stirring body (2) rotates in a predetermined rotational direction (R), a flow is generated that is directed radially outward away from the circumferential boundary (UM) of the stirring body (2). In order to improve the efficiency of the stirring device, the invention proposes that at least one propeller (6) be attached to the shaft (1) that, when the stirring body (2) rotates in the rotational direction (R), generates a flow (A) directed toward the top (O) of the stirring body (2).

Abstract: An artificial airway including an airway tube having proximal and distal ends and a mask mounted at the distal end of the airway tube characterized in that the airway tube includes a curved portion adjacent to its distal end and a straight portion extending from the curved portion to the proximal end of the airway tube and the curved portion is more rigid than the straight portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a T cell receptor (TCR) recognizing antigenic peptides derived from tumor-associated antigen FMNL1/KW13 and being capable of inducing peptide specific killing of a target cell. The present invention is further directed to one antigenic peptides derived from tumor-associated antigen FMNL1/KW13, to an antigen specific T cell, comprising said TCR, to a nucleic acid coding for said TCR and to the use of the antigen specific T cells for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of malignancies characterized by overexpression of FMNL1/KW13.

Abstract: An image processing method for providing a digitized image as an approximation of an image function ƒ, wherein the digitized image comprises a plurality of pixels with a predetermined pixel size, comprises the steps of providing the image function ƒ from Radon data comprising a plurality of projection functions measured corresponding to a plurality of predetermined projection directions (v), and determining pixel values from the image function, the pixel values representing the digitized image to be obtained, wherein the pixel values are determined in dependence on at least two image function values within the pixel size of the respective pixel. Furthermore, an imaging method and an imaging device using the image processing method are described.

Abstract: A cooling system (1), especially for cryopreserving biological samples (2), comprises a cooling chamber (100) delimited by a bottom area (110), side walls (120), and a top area (130), and a cooling device (200) for cooling the cooling chamber (100) using liquid nitrogen (220). The bottom area (110) is designed for direct cooling using the liquid nitrogen, and the cooling chamber (100) is dimensioned such that an operator (3) can access and move around in the cooling chamber (100). The bottom area (110) has a platform (111) which is permeable to vapor of the liquid nitrogen (220) and forms a support zone for the operator (3). Methods for operating the cooling system are also described.

Abstract: A method and a device for transferring a microscopic, isolated sample, particularly a membrane-supported micro-dissected specimen, from an object table to an analysis arrangement, with a suction apparatus comprising a nano-suction means with a suction tube and a terminal membrane and a vacuum/overpressure unit which can be coupled to the nano-suction means for sucking or blowing the sample onto or from the terminal membrane; and a carrier apparatus for carrying the nano-suction means, which can be moved by means of an associated positioning unit for positioning the nano-suction means exactly in a sample removal position for sucking the sample onto the terminal membrane and in a sample release position for blowing the sample from the terminal membrane. A micro-dissection system, comprising such a device and a method for the production of a nano-suction means that is used in such a device.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a tomographic image of a region of investigation with reduced artifacts, said method comprises the steps of (a) reconstructing a first partial image and a second partial image of the region of investigation from first and second projection profiles each of which including projection data collected at first and second different groups of parallel projection lines, resp., wherein the first and second projection profiles are provided such that streak aliasing artifacts in the first and second partial images have different spatial phases, and (b) generating the tomographic image of the region of investigation by superimposing the first and second partial images. Preferably, the first and second projection profiles are constructed such that streak aliasing artifacts in the first and second partial images have opposite spatial phases relative to each other. Furthermore, an imaging method and an imaging device for imaging a region of investigation in an object are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition containing stem cells as well as CD6 depleted stem cells for the induction of a tolerance to allogenic transplants and/or for the treatment of blood, immune, and cancer diseases for time-staggered application wherein first the stem cells are applied followed by application of the CD6 depleted stem cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a compound preparation containing stem cells and CD6 depleted stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a Caspase domain or a functionally active variant thereof and a ligand binding domain of a nuclear hormone receptor, a nucleic acid coding for the fusion protein, a vector or cell comprising the nucleic acid, a method of producing the fusion protein, a non-human transgenic animal containing the nucleic acid, the use of the fusion protein for ligand-mediated induction of apoptosis of a cell, or for studying the function of a cell, tissue and/or organ or the use of a transgenic organism for studying the function of a cell at various developmental stages or as a disease model, a method for inducing apoptosis of a cell expressing a fusion protein or for identifying a ligand, or a medicament comprising a fusion protein, the nucleic acid, the vector or the cell, particularly for the treatment of cancer or for or after transplantation, particularly as safety mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified lymphoid cell having gene conversion fully or partially replaced by hypermutation, wherein said cell has no deleterious mutations in genes encoding paralogues and analogues of the RAD51 protein, and wherein said cell is capable of directed and selective genetic diversification of a target nucleic acid by hypermutation or a combination of hypermutation and gene conversion. The invention also relates to a method for diversifying any transgenic target gene in said cell. Preferably, the target gene is integrated into the immunoglobulin light or heavy chain locus by targeted integration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of generating antigen specific T cells. Furthermore, the invention is directed to antigen specific T cells, isolated transgenic TCR's, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and their use in adoptive cell therapy. This invention in particular pertains to the use of cells co-expressing allogeneic MHC molecules and antigens to induce peptide-specific T cells from non-selected allogeneic T cell repertoires.

Abstract: A device for the automated isolation and transfer of at least one microscopic sample from a sample carrier to a collecting system for subsequent automatic analysis is provided. The device comprises a selection unit for selecting at least one sample located on the sample carrier, a controllable isolation unit for the automated isolation of the at least one selected sample, a controllable transfer unit, which has carrier means for the defined receiving and deposition of the at least one selected isolated sample, for an automated and defined transfer of the at least one selected isolated sample from the sample carrier to the collecting system, and a control unit, which has a data link to the selection unit, the isolation unit and the transfer unit, for an automated isolation and transfer operation.