Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, analogues and derivatives thereof, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides a method for assessing responsiveness to treatment with the peptide of the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to prognosis of ALS progression, using Akt and phosphorylated Akt as biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a binding molecule, in particular an antibody or binding fragment thereof, capable of activating FXII, which binds to the proline rich domain of FXII. In particular, the invention is directed to FXII activating antibodies or binding fragments thereof which binds to the proline rich domain of FXII. The invention also encompasses the use of the binding molecule directed to the proline rich domain of FXII as blood coagulation activator, e.g. in diagnostic blood coagulation tests. Corresponding methods and blood coagulation test are also encompassed.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors of microRNAs 19a and 19b and their use for treating or preventing conditions or diseases which are associated with bone loss, in particular osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfect (OI). The inhibitors are also useful for inducing an anabolic effect in bone, either alone or when administered in combination with parathyroid hormone or a recombinant fragment thereof. The invention further relates to inhibitors of microRNAs 19a and 19b and their use for treating or preventing conditions or diseases which are associated with reduced muscle function, in particular muscle degeneration and muscle atrophy. The inhibitors are also useful for stabilizing and/or strengthening muscle function. In addition, inhibitors of microRNAs 19a and 19b can be used for treating or preventing cancer-related bone destruction or bone metastasis.

Abstract: Medical training model having at least one blood vessel model (1) which in at least one practice region can be connected to an anatomically replicated substitute blood circulation system (2) and in which a real instrument (17) is used, further having an image recording device (3) for creating measured images of the at least one blood vessel model (1), and having an image processing device (11) which converts the recorded measured images into an imaging blood vessel representation and makes same displayable on a screen (12), wherein the image recording device (3) is designed as a photo-optical system (8) which records transmitted-light images (13) as measured images of the at least one blood vessel model (1) for simulation of medical activity, for which purpose the at least one blood vessel model (1) is replicated in a transparently produced solid-bdy block (4) for a contrast between transparent solid-body block (4) and non-transparent instrument (17).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-agonist ligand of ARTC1, which inhibits the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of ARTC1, or an inhibitor nucleic acid sequence capable of downregulating or inhibiting expression of a target nucleic acid sequence encoding ARTC1, for use in prevention or treatment of cancer. The invention also relates to a method for diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: An implantable valve prosthesis for preventing blood reflux from a cardiac atrium into a vein opening into the atrium, with a generally tubular stent (2), also a flexible tube (3) that can be closed by collapsing the tube (3) and which is arranged at least in a partial area of a second end section (9) of the stent (2) on the outer peripheral surface. The second end opening (11) of the flexible tube (3) is open in the pressureless state. As a result of this valve design, during a physiological flow out of the pulmonary vein in the direction of the left atrium or out of the caval vein in the direction of the right atrium, there is no rise or an only insubstantial rise in the resistance to flow.

Abstract: A means for treating cardiovascular disease, in particular chronic heart failure, especially in terms of a more specific treatment preventing or minimizing pathological hypertrophic signaling while leaving cardiac contractility largely intact. For this purpose the present invention provides a means for treating cardiovascular disease, in particular chronic heart failure, the means specifically inhibiting or causing inhibition of components of the ?1-AR/cAMP pathway generating cAMP resulting from activation of the ?1-adrenoceptor on the cardiomyocyte cell crest.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors of microRNAs 19a and 19b and their use for treating or preventing conditions or diseases which are associated with bone loss, in particular osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfect (01). The inhibitors are also useful for inducing an anabolic effect in bone, either alone or when administered in combination with parathyroid hormone or a recombinant fragment thereof. The invention further relates to inhibitors of microRNAs 19a and 19b and their use for treating or preventing conditions or diseases which are associated with reduced muscle function, in particular muscle degeneration and muscle atrophy. The inhibitors are also useful for stabilizing and/or strengthening muscle function. In addition, inhibitors of microRNAs 19a and 19b can be used for treating or preventing cancer-related bone destruction or bone metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, analogues and derivatives thereof, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides a method for assessing responsiveness to treatment with the peptide of the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to prognosis of ALS progression, using Akt and phosphorylated Akt as biomarkers.

Abstract: An exemplary device for detecting a heartbeat of a patient can be provided which can include a transmitter which can provide ultrasonic waves, a receiver that can receive Doppler-shifted ultrasonic waves, and a hardware analyzer coupled to the receiver and which can evaluate a particular moment of the heartbeat of the patient based on a time-dependent signal obtained from the receiver. The hardware analyzer device can comprise a spectrum analyzer configured to extract time-varying frequency component(s) from the time-dependent signal provided by the receiver, and a processing module which can evaluate the moment of the heartbeat based on a variation of at least one of the frequency components in time. The processing module can determine a window of interest (WOI) in time from the variation of the frequency component(s) in time, and the moment when the time-dependent signal provided by the receiver assumes a maximum within the WOI as the moment of the heartbeat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene therapy vector which is useful in the treatment or prevention of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a subject in need thereof. The gene therapy vector of the invention comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cardiac sarcomeric protein and a cardiomyocyte-specific promoter which is operably linked to said nucleic acid sequence. The invention furthermore relates to a cell which comprises the gene therapy vector. Pharmaceutical compositions which comprise the gene therapy vector and/or a cell comprising said vector are also provided. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating or preventing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a subject by introducing the gene therapy vector of the invention into a subject in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, analogues and derivatives thereof, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides a method for assessing responsiveness to treatment with the peptide of the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to prognosis of ALS progression, using Akt and phosphorylated Akt as biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, analogs and derivatives thereof, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides a method for assessing responsiveness to treatment with the peptide of the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to prognosis of ALS progression, using Akt and phosphorylated Akt as biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel method for measuring contraction characteristics of engineered heart tissue constructs (16) which is based on the mechanical coupling of the construct (16) to a support element (8) which comprises or is mechanically coupled to a piezoelectric element (10). An apparatus (1) for carrying out the method of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in a patient suspected of having PPMS. Further, the present invention relates to a method of determining the course of PPMS in a patient having PPMS. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of determining the severity of PPMS in a patient suspected of having PPMS. It also relates to the use of at least one metabolite for diagnosing PPMS in a patient suspected of having PPMS, for determining the course of PPMS in a patient having PPMS, or for determining the severity of PPMS in a patient suspected of having PPMS. In addition, it relates to a kit for diagnosing PPMS in a patient suspected of having PPMS, for determining the course of PPMS in a patient having PPMS, or for determining the severity of PPMS in a patient suspected of having PPMS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uses of a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, analogues and derivatives thereof, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides a method for assessing responsiveness to treatment with the peptide of the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to prognosis of ALS progression, using Akt and phosphorylated Akt as biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a HNK-I mimetic peptide or a polypeptide comprising such HNK-I mimetic peptide for treating or preventing a Pseudomonas infection, in particular an infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The invention further relates to the use of a HNK-I mimetic peptide or a polypeptide comprising such HNK-I mimetic peptide for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a Pseudomonas infection. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a HNK-I mimetic peptide or a polypeptide comprising such HNK-I mimetic peptide, wherein the composition is for treating or preventing a Pseudomonas infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of in vivo determination of enzyme activity. It also allows visualization of organisms, organs, tissues and cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method of in vivo visualization and a composition suitable for in vivo determination and/or visualization of enzyme activity by methods such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, also called Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRI or MRT), or Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). In particular, the activity of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase affects the signals received and allows conclusions on the lipid metabolism of an organism, an organ system, an organ, a tissue and a cell of interest, This method can be employed, e.g., for diagnosis of cardiac disorders, of tumor prognosis and of disorders of the lipid metabolism. The composition used comprises superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (SPIO) incorporated in the core of lipid micelles designated nanosomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tumor biology. It provides a method for determining the risk of metastasis of a tumor, in particular, the risk of hematogenous dissemination and/or homing/survival in bone marrow, wherein the expression of RAI2, and optionally of other genes, in a tumor sample obtained from the patient is determined. The invention further provides a kit for determining the expression of RAI2 and/or other genes. A pharmaceutical composition comprising RAI2 in gene or protein form is disclosed, in particular for preventing and/or treating metastasis of a tumor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the enrichment and/or isolation of target cells in a sample, which sample comprises red blood cells and/or platelets, comprising (a) filtering the sample through a filter element having a pore or mesh size of between 0.5 and 5 ?m, (b) contacting the cells retained by the filter element in step (a) with a separation surface, wherein said separation surface comprises affinity molecules which selectively bind to the target cells, (c) incubating the cells and the separation surface under conditions which allow for the binding of the affinity molecules to the target cells; and (d) separating the separation surface from any unbound cells and material.