Abstract: The present invention provides novel non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) that were identified to be expressed in pericytes upon hypoxia. The lncRNA of the invention positively affect Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor (PDGFR) beta expression, pericytes proliferation and pericyte recruitment to endothelial cells. The invention provides inhibitors of the lncRNA for use in the treatment of diseases mediated by PDGFR expression. For example the invention described antisense approaches to target the lncRNA of the invention. Furthermore, the invention provides lncRNA inhibitors as amplifier of therapeutic PDGFR inhibitors such as imatinib or other tyrosine kinase inhibitors. lncRNA inhibitors and methods for screening modulators of lncRNA expression and/or function are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antagonists of the expression and/or the function of the micro RNA miRNA-29 for use in the prevention and/or treatment of aortic aneurysms. Further disclosed is a method for the identification of miRNA-29 antagonists, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said miRNA-29 antagonists and a method for preventing and treating age-related aortic aneurysm formation in a subject in need of such a treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antagonists of the expression and/or the function of the micro RNA miRNA-29 for use in the prevention and/or treatment of aortic aneurysms. Further disclosed is a method for the identification of miRNA-29 antagonists, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said miRNA-29 antagonists and a method for preventing and treating age-related aortic aneurysm formation in a subject in need of such a treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which enhance the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) for treating stem and progenitor cells in the cell therapy of patients with ischemic heart diseases such as coronary heart disease or ischemic cardiomyopathy. Treatment of such cells which are isolated from bone marrow, for example, with an eNOS transcription enhancer prior to their administration improves their functional activity and ameliorates neovascularization of the heart and cardiac regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament comprising a mesoangioblast-like cell obtained from a subject, a method of isolating a mesoangioblast-like cell, a method of producing a mesoderm-derived cell using a mesoangioblast-like cell, the use of a mesoangioblast-like cell for the preparation of a medicament for treating a cardiovascular disease and/or an ischemic disease and a method of converting the mesoangioblast-like cell into a pluripotent stem cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the analysis of a sample from a mammal in connection with cardiovascular diseases, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) isolating of bone marrow-precursor cells (BMPs) and/or blood-derived circulating precursor cells (BDPs) by means of cell specific surface markers, and b) detecting the cardiovascular functionality of the isolated BMPs and/or BDPs by means of a suitable migration assay. The method according to the invention can be employed as a kit in the context of the diagnosis and/or the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases, for the monitoring of their therapies and/or for a stratification for a prospective cell therapy with stem- and/or precursor cells in order to increase the perfusion of ischemic tissue or for a regeneration of tissue losses (e.g. heart insufficiency), respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel markers of vascular inflammation and combinations thereof as diagnostic and prognostic tools in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The markers also act as tools that facilitate the selection of active ingredients for the treatment of such diseases, and finally act as starting points for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the invention relates to the creation of an individual risk profile of negative events that are associated with the progression of arteriosclerosis.

Abstract: Improving cell therapy and tissue regeneration in a patient suffering from a cardiovascular or a neurological disease by treating a tissue of the patient with shock waves and/or applying to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of stem cells and/or progenitor cells. Such treatment increases expression of chemoattractants, pro-angiogenic factors, and pro-survival factors. The chemoattractants can be, for example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1). For example, the treated tissue can be located in the patient's heart or in a skeletal muscle of the patient, and the shock waves can be extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) or intracorporeal shock waves. The cardiovascular disease can have an ischemic or non-ischemic etiology. For example, the cardiovascular disease can be a myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, or a dilatative cardiomyopathy. For example, the neurological disease can be a peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the immunocytological determination of apoptotic endothelial cells and/or endothelial precursor cells in samples such as, for example, peripheral blood, by means of, for example, throughflow cytometry or by means of a solid-phase immunoassay, as a diagnostic instrument in patients in whom a cardiovascular disease is either manifest or who carry the risk for the same and as an instrument by means of which the prevention and the therapeutic management of such a disease can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which enhance the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) for treating stem and progenitor cells in the cell therapy of patients with ischemic heart diseases such as coronary heart disease or ischemic cardiomyopathy. Treatment of such cells which are isolated from bone marrow, for example, with an eNOS transcription enhancer prior to their administration improves their functional activity and ameliorates neovascularization of the heart and cardiac regeneration.

Abstract: In a device for transoesophagal echocardiography, an ultrasound transformer (1) is used to make a sequence of layer images for a plurality of parallel sectional planes with the aid of an ultrasonic diagnostic device (8). The layer images made during one cardiac cycle with the image repetition rate of the ultrasonic diagnostic device (8) are stored in a buffer store (34) and transferred to a main store (48) with the aid of a selection stage (49) to generate three-dimensional sets of images only when a locating device (13), and ECG device (24) and a respiration detector (54) generate release signals which are allocated to a constant spatial probe position, a constant R--R interval distance and a constant respiratory state. The content of the main store (48) is evaluated with the aid of an image processing system (56), whereby sectional images may be calculated, especially for any sectional plane, and displayed on a monitor (31).

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope device for scanning a patient's organ is constructed using a mobile ultrasonic transducer probe on a carriage housed in a distal and section of the device, within a guide channel formed by a plurality of axially aligned rigid guide links having hollow spaces opened to one side and pivotable by means of a tension wire running through the links. A flexible hose in conjunction with a balloon envelope surround the end section and serves as a water supply path. The device is especially useful for transeophaged echocardiographic scanning.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for rechanneling stenoses in body passages, in particular of coronary and peripheral arterial vessels, has a microwave antenna provided in the interior of the balloon, which antenna is connected to a microwave generator by way of a coaxial cable. By action of the microwaves on a microwave-absorbing dilatation liquid and/or a metallic coating on the envelope of the balloon, the catheter is heated and the vessel wall is subjected to thermal aftertreatment to prevent restenosis.