Abstract: Described are antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the gene encoding osteopontin, bone sialoprotein II and/or osteonectin, wherein said oligonucleotides inhibit the expression of said gene(s). Moreover, the therapeutic use of said antisense oligonucleotides is described, e.g., for the treatment or prevention of cancer/metastasis, preferably osteolytic metastasis or metastasis of breast cancer cells.

Abstract: Method for the quantitative determination of vitamins, amino acids, or other substances necessary for life, in a substance mixture, whereby in the culture container, the cavities of a microtitration plate, in each case a predetermined number of vital cells of a suitable microorganism are prepared in a permanent manner. For this purpose, the cells are shock frozen at ?80° C. and then freeze dried in a freezing solution containing 200 to 500 mM trehalose/sucrose. The freezing solution is preferably the test medium. The culture containers are preferably the wells of a microtitration plate.

Abstract: Implant articles with improved osseointegrating properties, osteogenic implant materials, and process of inducing differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, proliferation of osteoblast and attachment of cells to implant surface, comprising the step of impregnating the surface with a solution containing osteoactive bone sialoprotein, recombinant human bone sialoprotein, recombinant His-Myc-Ek-BSP or substantive fragments thereof that have not been in contact with serum containing complement factor H or any other BSP processing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting pathogenic organisms, in particular Helicobacter pylori and H. heilmanii, in fecal, salivary and secretory samples by means of a double-antibody sandwich assay. The inventive method is characterized by dissolving or dispersing the sample having the pathogen antigen in a buffer solution and contacting the buffer solution with a solid phase to which at least two primary antibodies are bound, one of which specifically binds to the pathogenic antigen and the other to human immunoglobulin A; washing the solid phase of non-specifically bound proteins and contacting the solid phase with a secondary antibody which specifically binds to pathogenic antigen, and determining the quantity of specifically bound secondary antibodies.

Abstract: Method for determining the active parathyroid hormone content in a sample, wherein the component of parathyroid hormone polypeptide chains which are oxidized at one or more sites near the PTH receptor binding structure having the amino acids 15 to 22 are specifically excluded from the content determination. Oxidation of the parathyroid hormone occurs in particular in dialysis patients, their blood plasma being exposed to an oxidation stress in the dialysis. The invention is based on the use of antibodies which bind specific conformation epitopes of the oxidised or reduced parathyroid hormone and its fragments. Further, there is provided a test system for the quantitative determination of parathyroid hormone and active fragments hereof in a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medicament against tumors and their metastases, which preferentially settle in bone tissue, comprising as active ingredient at least one binding molecule which binds to bone sialoprotein or a fragment thereof in serum or plasma.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies or a plurality of antibodies against human bone sialoprotein (BSP), characterized in that the antibodies bind to epitopes which are present only in human bone sialoprotein from tumor cells, the post-translational glycosylation of which is modified or incomplete in the region of amino acids of 120 to 135, containing the amino acids TGLAA (SEQ ID NO: 2), in comparison with normal bone sialoprotein from bones. The antibodies are put to use in an immunoassay for the diagnosis and prognosis of tumor diseases, in particular the diagnosis and prognosis of bone metatstases in the case of primary breast carcinoma.

Abstract: The preparation of vitamin D compounds of formula (I) with a label attached to a spacer group in the 3 position is disclosed. In the above formula (I), O represents the oxygen atom of an ether group; Y represents hydrogen or hydroxy; A represents a label such as biotin, digoxigenin, or another vitamin D group; R represents a substitured hydrocarbon side-group of vitamin D or a vitamin D metabolite. Also disclosed is a method of measuring 25-hydroxy vitamin D metabolite and a 1?,25-dihydroxy vitamin D metabolite in a sample.

Abstract: In a rectifier supporting device for (three-phase) generators which is intended particularly for motor vehicles, buses and the like, cooling plates carrying the rectifier diodes are constructed as heat sinks following the circular shape of an end shield of the generator and segment-like cut out portion for a brush holder of the generator. Each of the heat sinks is supported at an axial distance from, but coaxial with, a circuit board arranged between the two heat sinks. The circuit board has a shape corresponding to that of the heat sinks and provides electric connections to the diode head wires and stator wires.In an advantageous construction of the circuit board, sheathe-like guides extend downward until adjacent to the stator phase windings and receive the stator wires guided up toward the circuit board in an insulated passage through the facing three-phase generator housing parts and heat sink areas.

Abstract: A current collecting unit comprises a current collecting rail having a longitudinal axis and provided with a sleeve, and a connecting member mounted in the sleeve having one curved portion located above the longitudinal axis and another curved portion located below the longitudinal axis and both forming electrode supports.

Abstract: A method for producing strong resistance-welded joints between wires and massive workpieces, especially welded joints between nickel-plated copper wires and steel workpieces. The melting of the nickel coating is insured by producing locally high temperatures and pressures, due to the special configuration of the surface of the workpiece. The work surface is provided with bulges or protrusions which cause a concentration of electrical current and electrode pressure.