Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a subject, involving: determining the amount of FABP-3 (Fatty acid binding protein 3) in a sample from a subject suspected to suffer from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and comparing the determined amount to a reference amount. The method may further involve the determination of a BNP-type peptide. Also disclosed is a device adapted to carry out the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for predicting the risk of recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in a subject based on determining the amount of the biomarker Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and optionally of at least one further biomarker in a sample from the subject. The present disclosure also contemplates a method of diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation in a subject suspected to suffer from Atrial Fibrillation based on determining the amount of the biomarker Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and optionally of at least one further biomarker in a sample from the subject. Further envisaged are devices adapted to carry out the method of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for diagnosing and/or grading diastolic dysfunction or at least one structural or functional abnormality associated with diastolic dysfunction. The method involves measuring the level of IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) and, optionally, the level of at least one further marker in a patient suffering from heart failure, and comparing the level to a reference level. Further envisaged is a method of monitoring diastolic function in a patient suffering from heart failure. Also encompassed by the present disclosure are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of identifying a subject who is at risk of progressing to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), using the steps of measuring the amount of the biomarker soluble ST2 and comparing the thus measured amount to a reference. Further encompassed by the present disclosure are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for diagnosing and/or grading diastolic dysfunction or at least one structural or functional abnormality associated with diastolic dysfunction. The method involves measuring the level of IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) and, optionally, the level of at least one further marker in a patient suffering from heart failure, and comparing the level to a reference level. Also disclosed is a method of monitoring diastolic function in a patient suffering from heart failure, and kits and devices for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing atrial fibrillation in a subject, said method comprising the steps of determining the amount of ESM-1 in a sample from the subject, and comparing the amount of ESM-1 to a reference amount, whereby atrial fibrillation is to be assessed. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing heart failure and/or at least one structural or functional abnormality of the heart associated with heart failure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing whether a subject with no known history of atrial fibrillation is suffering from atrial fibrillation, or not, said method comprising the steps of a) determining the amount of a BNP-type peptide in a sample of said subject; b) comparing the amount the BNP-type peptide to a reference, and c) assessing intermittent ECG recordings obtained from said subject over a period of at least one week by using a handheld ECG device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing whether a subject with no known history of atrial fibrillation is suffering from atrial fibrillation, or not, said method comprising the steps of a) determining the amount of a BNP-type peptide in a sample of said subject; b) comparing the amount the BNP-type peptide to a reference, and c) assessing intermittent ECG recordings obtained from said subject over a period of at least one week by using a handheld ECG device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a recent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The method is based on the determination of the at least one marker selected from the group consisting of a cardiac Troponin, NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), hsCRP, IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) in a sample from the subject, and on the comparison of the, thus, determined amount(s) with a reference amount (reference amounts). Further, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being treatable with anticoagulation therapy. Further envisaged are systems, reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or grading diastolic dysfunction or at least one structural or functional abnormality associated with diastolic dysfunction. The method comprises measuring the level of IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) and, optionally, the level of at least one further marker in a patient suffering from heart failure, and comparing the level to a reference level. Further envisaged is a method of monitoring diastolic function in a patient suffering from heart failure. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a recent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The method is based on the determination of the at least one marker selected from the group consisting of a cardiac Troponin, NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), hsCRP, IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) in a sample from the subject, and on the comparison of the, thus, determined amount(s) with a reference amount (reference amounts). Further, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being treatable with anticoagulation therapy. Further envisaged are systems, reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A lubricating unit (20) for use with a threaded unit drive (10), composed of a spindle (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (11) and a nut (14) enclosing the spindle (12), includes a hollow-cylindrical housing (30) that has a base body (31) with an annular cavity (32) closed on the end face using a separate cover (36). A storage slab (70) composed of foam material is accommodated in the cavity (32) and is bent to form a ring. At least one oil-filling recess (79) extends through the storage slab (70). Fastening means (23) are provided on the longitudinal end face of the housing (30) opposite the cover (36) for fastening the housing (30) to the nut (14). The cover (36) is connected in an adhesive manner to the base body (31). At least one oil-filling opening (37) open toward the oil-filling recess (79) is provided in the housing (30).

Abstract: A lubricating element for rolling element tracks, particularly linear motion systems, has a body composed of a lubricant-storing material, which includes an application section capable of being brought in contact with a rolling element bearing surface to supply lubricant; the body has an elongated shape in a first storage region adjacent to the application section, and a lubricant flow through the first storage region triggered via the dispensing of lubricant at the application section is essentially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the first storage region.

Abstract: A lubricating element for rolling element tracks, particularly linear motion systems, has a body composed of a lubricant-storing material, which includes an application section capable of being brought in contact with a rolling element bearing surface to supply lubricant; the body has an elongated shape in a first storage region adjacent to the application section, and a lubricant flow through the first storage region triggered via the dispensing of lubricant at the application section is essentially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the first storage region.