Abstract: A method for classifying human subjects having adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) into AIS subgroups, comprising detecting an impairment in the melatonin-signaling pathway in a cell sample from the subject, wherein the impairment is detected by an accumulation of cyclic adenosine 5?-monophosphate (cAMP) in the cell sample as compared to a control sample in the presence of a known melatonin-signaling pathway agonist, wherein the results of the detection step enable the classification of the subject having AIS into an AIS subgroup.

Abstract: A method of stratifying a subject having adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) comprising: providing a cell sample isolated from the subject; detecting Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (Pitxi) expression in the cell sample; whereby the results of the detecting step enables the stratification of the subject having AIS as belonging to an AIS subclass.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk for developing a scoliosis comprising monitoring osteopontin (OPN) expression in a sample from a subject over time; wherein an OPN expression that increases in the subject sample over time is indicative that the subject is at risk for developing a scoliosis.

Abstract: A method of screening for a compound for treating or preventing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), said method comprising: (a) contacting a test compound with a paraspinal skin fibroblast or a paraspinal muscle cell sample from the right and/or left side of the spine of a subject; and (b) determining at least one of Nodal, Notch1, Pitx2, Lefty1 and Lefty2's expression and/or activity in the cell sample; wherein the test compound is selected as potentially useful in treating or preventing AIS if at least one of Nodal, Notch1, Pitx2, Lefty1 and Lefty2's expression and/or activity in the cell sample is different in the presence of the test compound as compared to in the absence thereof.

Abstract: Compounds, methods, uses, compositions, kits and packages for the treatment of imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, based on uses of 4-phenyl-2 propionamidotetralin (4-P-PDOT) and analogs, derivatives, prodrugs, precursors thereof, and salts thereof, are described.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for assessing risk of developing osteoarthritis. Said methods comprise determining the cellular localizations, blood or synovial fluid concentrations, sumoylation states and post-translational modifications of pituitary homeobox transcription factor 1 (pitx-1) repressor proteins, identifying mutations in genes which encode said proteins and identifying any mutations or post-translational modifications causing the nuclear accumulation or retention of said proteins. Said proteins include prohibitin (PHB-I), prohibitone (PHB-2) and B cell lymphoma-6 transcriptional repressor interacting co-repressor (BCoR).

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an increased risk for a disease characterized by a dysfunctional melatonin-signaling pathway in an animal comprising detecting the presence or absence of at least one impairment in melatonin-signaling pathway in at least one of the animal's cells, wherein the presence of at least one impairment in melatonin-signaling pathway indicates that the animal possesses an increased risk of developing said disease. and a method of screening for a compound useful in the treatment of a disease characterized by a dysfunctional melatonin-signaling pathway, said method comprising the steps of contacting a candidate compound with at least one cell expressing at least one melatonin-signaling pathway impairment, wherein the candidate compound is selected if said melatonin-signaling pathway impairment is reduced in the presence of the candidate compound as compared to that in the absence thereof.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an increased risk for a disease characterized by a dysfunctional melatonin-signaling path-way in an animal comprising detecting the presence or absence of at least one impairment in melatonin-signaling pathway in at least one of the animal's cells, wherein the presence of at least one impairment in melatonin-signaling pathway indicates that the animal possesses an increased risk of developing said disease, and a method of screening for a compound useful in the treatment of a disease characterized by a dysfunctional melatonin-signaling pathway, said method comprising the steps of contacting a candidate compound with at least one cell expressing at least one melatonin-signaling pathway impairment, wherein the candidate compound is selected if said melatoninsignaling pathway impairment is reduced in the presence of the candidate compound as compared to that in the absence thereof.

Abstract: A needleless jet injection device including a barrel fitted with a cap at one of the ends thereof. Relative motion of the cap component actuates a setting device operably connected to a precussive member. A cartridge arranged at the other end of the barrel comprises two elements, i.e., a first element forming a container for the active principle, and a second element consisting of a plastic shell enclosing the first element.

Abstract: Needleless jet-injection device, characterized in that it consists of a body (1) having at one of its ends (4, 5) a cap (3), which, thanks to a relative movement between these elements, may drive a loading mechanism (2), co-operating with an impact component (17) which has to strike the piston of a cartridge (28) which is made of a material that does not pollute the environment and which contains the active product to be injected, this cartridge (28) being moreover placed at the other end of the said magazine-less body (1) and in the axis of said impact component (17), for single use.

Abstract: A process and a device for the simultaneous tensioning and loosening of eccentric tension rods (19) of gas turbine rotors assembled from several turbine disks (23). An improved hydraulic tensioning device is used to provide an optimal circular and flat impact quality, and the quiet running of the gas turbine rotor is improved overall at high speeds. Further, it is guaranteed that the same forces act on each tension rod (19), the elongation of each tension rod (19) can be measured as accurately as possible, and a minimization of the setting force losses is achieved. A solid cylindrical ring (1) forms a piston chamber (11) in each case, whereby the piston chambers (11) are connected together with cross holes and are acted on by the hydraulic medium. The catch pin (3), through which a measuring rod (5) is guided, which makes contact with the head of the tension rod (19) by a pressure spring (18), is inserted through a boring in the piston (2).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a thermoelastic connection of a hot gas-carrying injector tube (8) to the flame tube (1) suspended in the combustion chamber housing (10) of a gas turbine. The injector tube (8) is connected by corrugated spacers (7) to a circumferential intermediate ring (6), which is attached to the lower flange of the flame tube (1) by detachable fastening elements (3, 4, 5). A circumferential cooling channel (annular space 15), into which cooling air is admitted, is formed between the cone of the injector tube (8) and the intermediate ring (6). The compressor air enters the combustion space (1, 8) of the combustion chamber (10) through the annular space (15) from below, as well as through the holes (11), especially through the circumferential gap (12).

Abstract: A domestic electric water heater comprises a cylindrical tank having a vertical wall and an inwardly curved bottom, the latter defining with the vertical wall an annular stagnant water zone susceptible of bacterial contamination by, for example, legionella bacteria. The tank is provided with an upper immersion heating element and a lower immersion heating element, the latter being located above to the annular zone of contamination. The tank further comprises an outer electric heating element mounted on the outer surface of the vertical wall at the level of the contamination zone and below the lower immersion element. This outer heating element is capable of bringing water in the contamination zone to a temperature sufficient to eliminate the danger of such bacterial contamination, the temperature being in the order of 46.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tent.This tent is characterized in that it is formed by an elementary central tent (1) having a central frame symmetrical relative to a vertical axis, whose base constitutes a regular polygon with an even number of sides and which is formed by at least two identical diametrical hoops (9,11) whose lower ends take support on the ground, at the place of diametrically opposite summits of the base polygon, and which cross, at their centers, at the summit (16) of the central frame, on the vertical axis of symmetry (33'-read zz'), and of at least four vertical lateral hoops (15), and by at least two lateral tents (2,3,4) extending outward from lateral hoops of the central frame.

Abstract: A highly stable voltage regulator circuit based on a low-voltage reference and supplying a voltage which is substantially higher than the reference voltage. The circuit is to be constructed as an integrated circuit comprising transistors of one conductivity type and without a zener diode.The reference voltage is supplied by a "band-gap reference" circuit (1). A differential circuit (T16, T17) controls the output voltage, which is applied to the base of a transistor (T16) via a resistor (R16) in which the current is maintained constant by means of an associated differential circuit (T11, T12) which comprises a resistor (R11) connected between its emitters. The bases of the transistors T11, T12 are each connected to one end of a resistor (R20) arranged in a bridge connected between the reference terminal and ground.

Abstract: A switched-mode converter produces a periodic square-wave signal whose amplitude depends on the input d.c. voltage. This signal is applied to an inductive network. A rectifier and a smoothing capacitor are coupled to this network with the output d.c. voltage being present across the capacitor. The frequency of the square-wave signal is controlled in dependence on the input voltage, namely so that it is directly proportional thereto or that the period decreases at a greater rate than the input voltage increases. A further control, for example, a series control, can be used to regulate the output voltage.

Abstract: The specification describes an apparatus for loading a stillage, for example with elongate articles such as extrusions. The apparatus comprises a horizontal series of spaced forwardly projecting sub-frames each carrying one or more rollers rotatable about a horizontal forwardly extending axis on to which rollers the extrusions can be fed from one side. The sub-frames can be moved forward and rearward relative to the frame of the apparatus. Between adjacent sub-frames are tines which can be raised to lift the extrusions off the rollers and, after the sub-frames and rollers have been moved rearwardly, can be lowered to lower the extrusions on to the stillage. The tines can then be moved rearward to disengage them from the extrusions on the stillage, either by movement of the tines relative to the main frame or by moving the main frame itself. Means is provided for depositing spacers on the extrusions while they are in their raised position after having been lifted from the rollers by the tines.