Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a clearance normalized amount of a metabolite disease biomarker in a sample including the steps of (a) determining the amount of the disease biomarker in at least a first type of sample of a subject suspected to suffer from the disease, (b) determining the amount of a kidney function biomarker which correlates with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the said at least first type of sample, and (c) determining a clearance normalized amount for the metabolite disease biomarker by normalizing the amount determined for the metabolite disease biomarker in step (a) to the amount of the kidney function biomarker determined in step (b). Moreover, the invention also relates to a method for diagnosing a disease in a subject suspected to suffer therefrom and to a device for determining a clearance normalized amount of a metabolite disease biomarker in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the field of cancer therapy. In particular, it relates to an antagonist of a B-type plexin which prevents the interaction of the B-type plexin with ErbB-2 for use as a medicament, in particular, for treating metastasizing cancer. The present invention also contemplates a method for identifying an antagonist which prevents the interaction of a B-type plexin with ErbB-2. Finally, the invention provides for a polynucleotide encoding a B-type plexin polypeptide which lacks a functional intracellular domain and the said polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a kit for the post-synthetic modification of nucleic acids via an inverse Diels-Alder reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds and methods useful in detection and therapy of HPV-associated diseases. The invention is based on the elucidation of a mechanism by which replication of HPVs occurs in naturally infected tissues and cells. Moreover it is based on the identification of distinct epigenetic changes of the viral genome in infected cells that allows promotion of the affected cells to precancerous and cancerous cells. The invention therefore provides methods of diagnosing neoplasias and their precursor lesions as well as methods of preventing the development of malignancies or inhibiting tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting at least one direct factor Xa inhibitor in a sample other than citrate plasma, comprising the step of mixing a sample containing a factor Xa inhibitor with a composition containing factor Xa under conditions which allow the factor Xa to release a detectable substance from a chromogenic substrate.

Abstract: Described are particular fragments of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16 capable of increasing IFN-? secretion of T cells or inducing proliferation of T cells and the use of said fragments for immunizing an individual against HPV-associated or other p16INK4a expressing carcinomas, preferably advanced carcinomas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for diagnosing breast cancer, metastasizing breast cancer, or for determining the CTC status in a subject. Moreover, the present invention is concerned with devices and kits for carrying methods of the invention. The methods comprise determining in a sample of a subject suspected to be afflicted with breast cancer the amount of at least one miRNA selected from a recited list of miRNAs, followed by comparing the amount with one or more references, whereby breast cancer is to be diagnosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modulators of G protein-coupled receptor 177 (Gpr177) for use in the treatment, alleviation, prevention and/or diagnosis of cancer as well as to methods for the diagnosis of such cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with compounds inhibiting CD95 signaling in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, contemplated by the current invention are medicaments comprising such a compound for the prevention and/or treatment of pancreatic cancer as well as the use of such a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of pancreatic cancer, the prevention of migration of cancer cells, and/or the prevention and/or treatment of an inflammatory reaction. The present invention also refers to a method for the identification of a compound inhibiting CD95 signaling, as we to a method for the manufacture of a medicament comprising the steps of the method for the identification of a compound inhibiting CD95 signaling and the further step of formulating the inhibiting compound as a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides comprising at least one antigenic determinant or epitope of an apicomplexan Ferlin, Ferlin-like protein and/or another C2-domain containing protein for use as malaria vaccines. It further relates to compositions comprising said peptides and to the use of such compositions as malaria vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting (D)-2-hydroxyglutarate or (D)-2-hydroxyadipic acid in a sample, the method comprising the steps of: a) contacting a sample with a reagent mixture, wherein said reagent mixture comprises: (i) a solvent, (ii) a dye having an oxidized state and a reduced state, wherein the reduced state can be distinguished from the oxidized state and wherein the dye is initially present in the oxidized state, (iii) an electron transfer agent, (iv) a (D)-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase enzyme, and (v) a cofactor; and b) detecting (D)-2-hydroxyglutarate or (D)-2-hydroxyadipic acid by measuring the production of the reduced state of the dye. The invention further pertains to a method for diagnosing and/or monitoring a (D)-2-hydroxy-glutarate-associated disease in a subject. Encompassed by the invention is also a method for diagnosing a mutation in an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene or in a (D)-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2HG) dehydrogenase enzyme gene in a subject.

Abstract: A robot for holding and for handling medical instruments/equipment (1), in particular retractors, preferably for use in orthopedic operations, comprises a manipulator (2) and an end effector (3) supported on the manipulator (2) for gripping/coupling of the particular instrument (1), wherein means for detecting external parameters relating to the holding situation are provided and wherein the holding/handling function of the robot can be defined on the basis of the identified parameters and optionally with the use of further predeterminable parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an active optical connection with an optoelectronic element and a light deflection means for light deflection between the optoelectronic element and an optical waveguide arranged transversely with respect to the beam direction of said element. In this case, it is provided that a carrier substrate for the optoelectronic element is arranged in a highly precisely repeatably positioning machine, in particular a flip-chip machine, the optoelectronic element is mounted on the substrate by a or the highly precisely repeatably positioning machine and a curable, moldable compound is applied over the optoelectronic element, and the moldable compound is molded by a mold for molding light deflection means, said mold being moved by a or the highly precisely repeatably positioning machine, and at the earliest thereafter the substrate is removed from the or a highly precisely repeatably positioning machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional structure of the intracellular domain (AICD) of human amyloid precursor protein (APP695) in complex with human Fe65-PTB2 (i.e. a protein-complex comprising the intracellular domain (AICD) of human amyloid precursor protein (APP695) and the human Fe65-PTB2), as well as to methods and uses of said three-dimensional structure for identifying ligands which modify the interaction between the AICD and the Fe65-PTB2. Moreover, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions which contain one or more of such identified ligands for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: Described is a pharmaceutical composition containing (a) a parvovirus and (b) a chemotherapeutic agent, preferably as separate entities. The parvovirus might be based on parvovirus H1, LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus (RPV), Rat virus (RV), vectors based on the foregoing viral species, and/or cells capable of actively producing the foregoing viral species. The pharmaceutical composition is beneficial for the treatment of a tumor. Tumors for which a parvovirus or the adjunction of the invention has particular utility include glioma, medulloblastoma, meningioma and pancreatic cancer. Preferred chemotherapeutic agents are gemcitabine and Temozolodine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modulators of G protein-coupled receptor 177 (Gpr177) for use in the treatment, alleviation, prevention and/or diagnosis of cancer as well as to methods for the diagnosis of such cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides or fragments thereof for use as malaria vaccines. It also relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for the polypeptides of the invention. It further relates to compositions comprising such polypeptides or fragments thereof or the nucleic acid molecules, in particular combinations of such polypeptides or fragments thereof, and the use of such compositions as malaria vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shortened peptides comprising a muscle function enhancing amino acid sequence which is derived from the S100 calcium binding protein family. Furthermore, the present invention provides said peptides for medical use, in particular, for treating or preventing disorders associated with muscular malfunction, such as skeletal muscle or cardiac muscle disorders. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical compositions comprising said peptides and a method for treating or preventing disorders associated with muscular malfunction using said peptides or said pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic tests and diagnostic tools. Specifically, contemplated is to a method for diagnosing cancer in a sample of a subject suspected to suffer from cancer comprising contacting the sample with an antibody which specifically binds to the epitope characterized by SEQ ID NO 1 on a BRAF polypeptide under conditions which allow for binding of said antibody to the epitope and determining binding of the antibody to the epitope, whereby cancer is diagnosed. Further contemplated are antibodies which specifically bind to the epitope characterized by SEQ ID NO 1 on a BRAF polypeptide and a device or kit comprising such antibodies.

Abstract: A parvovirus characterized by a CpG-enriched genome, wherein the genome contains at least 2 additional CpG inserts that are not present in the wild type genome is described as well as the use of said parvovirus, e.g., a parvovirus based on parvovirus H1, LuIII, Mouse minute virus (MMV), Mouse parvovirus (MPV), Rat minute virus (RMV), Rat parvovirus (RPV), Rat virus (RV), vectors based on the foregoing viral species, and/or cells capable of actively producing the foregoing viral species for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, e.g., for the treatment of cancer, preferably pancreas carcinoma, hepatoma or lymphoma.