Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for diagnosing liver fibrosis wherein two or more diagnostic markers are measured and the measurements are correlated by a mathematic algorithm characterized in that the diagnostic markers are selected from the group N-terminal procollagen III propeptide (PIIINP), Collagen IV, Collagen VI, Tenascin, Laminin, Hyaluronan, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 complex. The algorithm can be used to predict the histological score of a liver biopsy.

Abstract: A compound includes a carrier molecule wherein the carrier molecule is linked to a further molecule, wherein the further molecule is at least one cyclic peptide in which the cyclic peptide portion thereof contains at least one sequence encoding a cell receptor recognizing peptide (RRP) and with the proviso that the compound is not a naturally occurring receptor agonist or antagonist. Preferably, the RRP is a receptor specific for Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) or a receptor that is up-regulated on HSC during disease. The RFP may be chosen from among a PDGF receptor, a collagen type VI receptor, cytokine receptor(s) such as TGB?, INF? and interleukin?. The cyclic portion of the peptide can contain at least one amino acid sequence RGD or KPT.

Abstract: The invention concerns a medicament to treat a fibrotic disease, wherein the medicament contains a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) that is suitable for inhibiting by RNA interference the expression of a gene that is involved in the formation of extracellular matrix.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis, early diagnosis, differential diagnosis, assessment of the severity and therapy-accompanying monitoring and prognosis of chronically inflammatory intestinal diseases (Crohn's disease, Colitis ulcerosa), in which the presence and/or the amount of one or more antibodies which bind to ribosomal proteins, in particular P0 and L5, are determined in the serum, plasma, tissue samples and/or stool of a patient who is suffering from a chronically inflammatory intestinal disease or in whom such a disease is suspected. The blocking or removal of such antibodies and/or the influencing of antigen-presenting cells or specifically reactive T-cells which react to ribosomal proteins, such as P0 and L5, by suitable agents can be therapeutically utilized.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) to treat a (+) strand RNA virus infection, wherein one strand S1 of the dsRNA exhibits a region that is at least segmentally complementary to a segment of the translatable region of the virus genome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a K-ras oncogene, comprising a complementary RNA strand which is substantially identical to at least a part of a K-ras gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of a K-ras oncogene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of a K-ras oncogene in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for diagnosing liver fibrosis wherein two or more diagnostic markers are measured and the measurements are correlated by a mathematic algorithm characterized in that the diagnostic markers are selected from the group N-terminal procollagen III propeptide (PIIINP), Collagen IV/, Collagen VI, Tenascin, Laminin, Hyaluronan, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP complex. The algorithm can be used to predict the histological score of a liver biopsy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of an anti-apoptotic gene, comprising a complementary RNA strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 25 nucleotides in length and which is substantially identical to at least a part of an apoptotic gene, such as a Bcl gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of an anti-apoptotic gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of an anti-apoptotic gene in a cell.

Abstract: The use of endothelin inhibitors for the preparation of drugs for treatment or prevention of fibrotic disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies from body fluids by means of an immune reaction with tissue transglutaminase (tTG), with tTG-containing compounds, the antigenic structures, immunoreactive sequences or analogues thereof. The method may be used in the diagnosis and therapy control of diseases associated with an immune reaction against tTG, tTG-containing compounds, the antigenic structures, immunoreactive sequences or analogues thereof. Therefore, the invention is also directed to the use of tTG and the above-mentioned substances in diagnosis and therapy control, preferably in the diagnosis and therapy control of chronically inflammatory diseases or autoimmune diseases, and more preferably, in the diagnosis and therapy control of sprue or coeliac disease.