Abstract: Method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of at least one specific element, wherein the signal of background tissue represented in an MR image is at least partially dephased by applying a gradient imbalance or additional gradient, wherein signal around said element is accordingly conserved, resulting in a selective depiction of said element.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating allergic disorders and compositions for use therein. The methods comprise administering an allergen and one or more medicaments. These medicaments are compounds that inhibit the transcription of genes involved in the initiation of innate and specific immunity, thereby promoting the development of tolerance to these allergens, through inhibition of the NF-?B and/or the MAPK/AP-1 signal transduction pathway(s). In another embodiment, the use of DNA vaccines is disclosed that incorporates a gene encoding one or more allergen sequences or fragments thereof, in combination with genes encoding proteins that inhibit the activation of the NF-?B and/or the MAPK/AP-1 pathway or in combination with small interfering RNA sequences or anti-sense sequences that inhibit the expression of NP-?B and/or AP-1 proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of immunology, more in particular to the field of immune therapy, even more particularly to a method for regulating tolerance to an allergen in a subject and even more specifically, to methods which involve regulation of a glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR). Provided is methods of treating allergic disorder and compositions for use therein.

Abstract: The invention provides a scanning suspension comprising a particle which is capable of at least in part disturbing a magnetic field, wherein said particle comprises a diameter of at least 1 ?m, and use thereof for obtaining a scanning image. Preferably, said particle comprises holmium and a composition capable of essentially maintaining its structure during irradiation. A particle of the invention is suitable for preparing a kit of parts, comprising a diagnostic and a therapeutic composition which both comprise particles of the invention with essentially the same chemical structure, wherein said therapeutic composition is more radioactive than said diagnostic composition. Said kit of parts is especially suitable for treatment of a tumor. First, the distribution of a particle of the invention within an individual can be determined with a scanning image obtained with said scanning composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of proteins, more specifically to those proteins that are located on the surface of the cell. The invention, amongst others, provides an inhibitor or pharmaceutical composition that is capable of inhibiting down-regulation of a cell surface receptor. The invention provides a method to control or up-regulate hormone activity by using inhibitors or reagents that modify down-regulation of a protein. The invention further provides a method to control or up-regulate protein activity wherein ligand-induced receptor uptake and/or degradation by endocytosis of a receptor is inhibited, preferably by inhibiting the ubiquitin/proteasome system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermosensitive adhesive composition comprising: a) a first monomer chosen from the group of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates containing in the alkyl group 4 to 10 carbon atoms; b) a second monomer chosen from the group of alkyl acrylates or methacrylates containing in the alkyl group 1 to 3 carbon atoms, acrylamides, methacrylamides and other unsaturated monomers; and c) 1 to 15 mole % of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or hydroxyethyl methacrylic acid, which copolymer has a glass transition temperature between 45 and 70° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of antiviral agents, and more specifically to antiviral therapy. The invention provides use of at least one compound or mixture of compounds of the general formula or a functional equivalent or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a viral infection.

Abstract: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases (155 million people worldwide) and is rapidly increasing (20-50% per decade), particularly in children (currently 10% in The Netherlands). Asthma impairs the quality of life and is a major cause of absence from school and work. Asthma, if not treated properly, can be life threatening. The invention provides a nucleic acid library comprising genes or functional fragments thereof wherein the genes are essentially capable of initiation and/or progression and/or suppression and/or repression of an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for at least a partial prevention of cellular damage in disease resulting from hypoxia/ischemia (H/I)-related inflammation, preferably due to occlusion of blood vessels. Administration of IFN type-I before, around or after the time of lifting of the ischemia results in improved survival of cells downstream of the occluded blood vessel, presumable because the H/I-related inflammation is attenuated. Treatment results in less damage, better recovery and/or improved repair of the affected tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for at least a partial prevention of cellular damage in disease resulting from H/I-related blood flow resistance, preferably due to occlusion of blood vessels. Administration of &bgr;-interferon before, around or after the time of lifting of the ischemia results in improved survival of cells downstream of the occluded blood vessel, presumable because micro-vasculature downstream of the lifted obstruction if prevented from clogging. Prevention of blood flow impairment presumably leads to increased survival of cells in tissue affected by the ischemia.

Abstract: A process for providing a semiconducting device including the steps of depositing a semiconducting layer onto a substrate by means of heating a gas to a predetermined dissociation temperature so that the gas dissociates into fractions, whereby those fractions subsequently condense on the substrate to build up a semiconducting layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermosensitive adhesive composition comprising: a) a first monomer chosen from the group of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates containing in the alkyl group 4 to 10 carbon atoms; b) a second monomer chosen from the group of alkyl acrylates or methacrylates containing in the alkyl group 1 to 3 carbon atoms, acrylamides, methacrylamides and other unsaturated monomers; and c) 1 to 15 mole % of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or hydroxyethyl methacrylic acid, which copolymer has a glass transition temperature between 45 and 70° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a non-permeable, ceramic layer of a thickness of not more than about 100 &mgr;m to a ceramic or metallic body by applying a solution of one or more elastomers, which elastomers contain substantially not exclusively sulfur, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, optionally drying, and pyrolyzing to form a porous layer and subsequently sintering at increased temperature to form a non-permeable ceramic layer.

Abstract: A graphitic material having an accessible surface of at least 50 m2 per gram, wherein 0.1-40% by weight, based on the weight of the material, of at least one alkali metal is taken up between the graphite layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of antiviral agents, and more specifically to antiviral therapy. The invention provides use of at least one compound or mixture of compounds of the general formula or a functional equivalent or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or hydrate thereof for the treatment of a viral infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to the new use of Serum Amyloid P component (SAP) and/or endotoxin-binding fragments thereof for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for neutralizing lipopolysaccharide and particularly for the treatment of sepsis. The invention further relates to a diagnostic method for demonstrating the presence of endotoxin in blood or blood fractions, such as serum or plasma.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers or polymeric hydrogels are used to encapsulate antigen to form vaccines. The antigen is mixed with a polymer solution, microparticles are formed of the polymer and antigen, and, optionally, the polymer is crosslinked to form a stable microparticle. Preferred polymers are alginate and polyphospazenes, and mixtures thereof. Microparticles can be administered parenterally or mucosally. For oral delivery, the microparticles are preferably fifteen microns or less in diameter, and adhere to the mucosal lining of the gastointestinal tract, increasing uptake by the reticuloendothelium.

Abstract: The present invention to a synthetic transfection system comprising as a carrier a cationic, water dispersible polyphosphazene. In addition, it relates to a method for introducing DNA fragments in target cells, comprising contacting these DNA fragments with a polyphosphazene which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents and subsequently contacting the obtained transfection system with target cells. Finally, the invention involves the use of a polyphosphazene which is at least partially substituted with cationic substituents as a transfection vehicle.