Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for determining properties of a sample (110) arranged in at least one receptacle (130) of a container device (120). The apparatus (100) comprises an actuator (30) which is configured to be coupled to the sample (110) via at least one holding element (34) which is configured to hold the sample (110). Further, the actuator (30) is configured to apply a mechanical stimulus to the sample (110) via the at least one holding element (34). The apparatus (100) comprises a force sensing device (20) which is configured to be coupled to the sample (110) via at least one cantilever (22). Further, the apparatus (100) comprises a frame (1), wherein the actuator (30) and the force sensing device (20) are configured to be mounted to the frame (1), and wherein the frame (1) is configured to be arranged on the container device (120).

Abstract: The invention relates to MHC-Ia open conformers as immunomodulatory agents, particularly in the treatment or prevention of cancer. The open conformer comprises or consists of a first and a second monomer, and each monomer comprises a HLA-heavy chain from the MHC-Ia molecules. The open conformer further comprises a protein stabilizing polypeptide sequence and optionally an amino acid linker. Further aspects of the invention provide combination medicaments comprising the MHC-Ia open conformers and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of MHC-Ia open conformers as immunomodulators, particularly in diseases where the interaction to diverse immunoregulatory receptors such as KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, LILRB1, LILRB2, and PTPRJ modulates an immune response, and in diseases were the negative modulation of Tregs is a therapeutic strategy, e.g. infectious diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to an Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor for use in the prevention or treatment of metastasis in a cancer patient defined by the presence of CTC clusters in the bloodstream. In certain embodiments the Na+/K+ ATPase is a cardiac glycoside and is selected from: digitoxin, ouabain, convallatoxin, proscillaridin, lanatoside C, gitoformate, peruvoside, strophanthidin, metildigoxin, deslanoside, bufalin, digoxin and digoxigenin. The invention further relates to the use of nucleic acid agents inhibiting the expression of genes related to CTC cluster formation and maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of plant extracts from the genus Daphne for the cosmetic treatment of the skin and to cosmetic preparations which comprise extracts of Daphne giraldii and/or Daphne gnidium or other members of the genus Daphne containing daphnetoxin and/or other daphnane diterpenoids for skin treatment. The plant extracts and cosmetic preparations are particularly useful for stimulation of the lymphatic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands presenting the minimal Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope that bind to anti-MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein) IgM antibodies, and their use in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy. In particular, the invention relates to disaccharides of formula (I) and (II) wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, and to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a bifunctional linker connecting the disaccharides to the polymer backbone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (A), wherein Z is NR10 or O. These compounds represent novel acridinium and xanthylium salts having an unprecedented substituted heterocyclic core. They are useful as fluorescent dyes or precursors thereof in different applications including various imaging and sensing techniques, and, in particular, as photosensitizers and hereby preferably as photocatalysts. The present invention further relates to processes for preparing the inventive compounds via 1,5-organodimetallic reagents from double directed ortho-metalation reactions or combined halogen-metal exchange/directed ortho-metalation reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and PI3K-related kinase (PIKKs) inhibitor compounds of formula (I), wherein X1, X2 and X3 are N or CH, with the proviso that at least two of X1, X2 and X3 are N; Y is N or CH, These compounds are useful, either alone or in combination with further therapeutic agents, for treating disorders mediated by lipid kinases.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands and moieties, respectively, mimicking glycoepitopes comprised by glycosphingolipids of the nervous system, particularly glycoepitopes comprised by glycosphingolipids of the cerebroside, the globoside-, the ganglioside- and the sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside type, which are bound by anti-glycan antibodies associated with neurological diseases. The invention further relates to the use of these carbohydrate ligands/moieties, in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of neurological diseases associated with anti-glycan antibodies. In particular, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and (II) and to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of these compounds, including polymers with loading of one compound of formula (I) or (II) or combinations of several compounds of formula (I), and/or (II).

Abstract: A method for providing sub-elements of a multipart implant or a multi-part osteosynthesis prior to introducing same into a human and/or animal body, involves: A) detecting data of a patient for whom the implant and/or the osteosynthesis is intended; B) generating a model using the detected data; C) generating manufacture specifications for at least two or more sub-elements which can be combined so as to form an implant and/or an osteosynthesis on the basis of the generated model, said manufacture specifications comprising C1) a dimensioning of the sub-elements; and D) manufacturing the sub-elements on the basis of the manufacture specifications. The sub-elements can be assembled together so as to form an implant or an osteosynthesis.

Abstract: For improving the electroactivity and long-term stability of a neural interface, a novel neural probe (1) is proposed that is formed from a fiber (6), preferably by thermal imprinting, and wherein a polymer thin film (5) is employed for carrying a conducting thin film to be used as a recording or stimulation electrode (4). Due to this specific choice of materials and design, the electrode (4) is rendered compliant with respect to the fiber (6) on a nanometer to micrometer scale and offers a surface that is tailor-made for adhering to nervous tissue.

Abstract: For improving the sensitivity, lifetime and energy consumption of a dielectric elastomer transducer (1) to be used as a sensor, it is suggested that a dielectric layer (3) enclosed by two electrodes (2) of the transducer (1) includes a nanoscale volume of a fluid (15) such that the dielectric layer (3) is rendered compressible and/or displaceable out of a volume enclosed by the two electrodes (2). The advantage of such a design is that, although the dielectric layer (3) and possible buffer layers (4) separating the electrodes (2) from the dielectric layer (3) may all have thicknesses in the order of a few ?m or even in the sub-?m range, the transducer (1) is rendered highly compliant due to the movability of the fluid (15). In consequence, a large nominal capacitance of the transducer (1) as well as a large relative capacitance change (up to twenty times that of the nominal capacitance) can be achieved in conjunction with a very high sensitivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position and orientation of first and second rigid bodies in relation to each other. The apparatus includes a light source mounted to the first rigid body, an image sensor mounted to either the first or second rigid body and positioned in a field of light, a shadow mask mounted to either the first or second rigid body and arranged in the field of light, and a computation unit configured to calculate at least one angle by evaluating a shadow image which passes the shadow mask and is detected by the image sensor. The apparatus may include a mechanical constraint mounted to the first and second rigid bodies that defines a fixed distance between the first and second rigid bodies, is stationary in relation to one of the first or second rigid body, and is variably inclinable in relation to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition as a fungicide, wherein said composition comprises at least one compound of formula (I) or formula (II) wherein wherein R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently of each other H, OH or OCH3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample holder (1) for holding a sample, particularly for use with an atomic force microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a core biopsy needle (1) for obtaining a tissue sample comprising a hollow outer needle (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (L), and an inner needle (20), which is at least partially arranged or arrangeable within said outer needle along said longitudinal axis (L), wherein said inner needle (20) comprises at least one tissue-holding surface (21), wherein said tissue-holding surface (21) is adapted such that a tissue (3) adheres to the at least one tissue-holding surface (21), when the core biopsy needle (1) is inserted into the tissue (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands presenting the minimal Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope that bind to anti-MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein) IgM antibodies, and their use in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy. In particular, the invention relates to disaccharides of formula (I) and (II) wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, and to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of substitutents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a bifunctional linker connecting the disaccharides to the polymer backbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and PI3k-related kinase (PIKKs) inhibitor compounds of formula (I), wherein X1, X2 and X3 are N or CH, with the proviso that at least two of X1, X2 and X3 are N; Y is N or CH, These compounds are useful, either alone or in combination with further therapeutic agents, for treating disorders mediated by lipid kinases.

Abstract: A computer-implemented image processing method, system, and computer program product for representation of static objects in a digital target image including a plurality of target pixels. The method includes at least receiving a plurality of digital source images of the static objects, computing diffuse components for target pixels of surface elements by computing for each target pixel of the surface elements a set of diffuse reflection coefficients from a best-fit function when fitted into reflected light intensity values of corresponding source pixels of the source images under different illumination angles, generating normal vectors for the target pixels by using the computed diffuse reflection coefficients, and determining glossy coefficients for the target pixels of the one or more surface elements as the distances between the corresponding best-fit function values and the reflected light intensity values of the corresponding source pixels for the different illumination angles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device and a method for determining mass and/or mechanical properties of a biological system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a top-cover for a controlled environmental system (CES) for use with a measurement technique that requires introducing a probe to a sample placed on a sample holder, a CES and a procedure to control the environment for a sample in a system in particular a CES during a measurement with a probe based technique.