Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides bearing free, uncapped 5? phosphate group(s) are recognized by RIG-I, leading to the induction of type I IFN, IL-18 and IL-1? production. Bacterial RNA also induces type I IFN production. 5? phosphate oligonucleotides and bacterial RNA can be used for inducing an anti-viral response or an anti-bacterial response, in particular, type I IFN and/or IL-18 and/or IL-1? production, in vitro and in vivo and for treating various disorders and diseases such as viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, tumors, allergies, autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies and immunosuppression. Single-stranded 5? triphosphate RNA can be used for inducing an anti-viral response, an anti-bacterial response, or an anti-tumor response, in particular, type I IFN and/or IL-18 and/or IL-1? production, in a target cell-specific manner.

Abstract: A fastener assembly (1) includes a screw (2) and a bush (3). The screw (2) includes a head (4), a shank portion (6) and a threaded portion (7) including a thread (8). The shank portion (6) is arranged to face the head (4) and the threaded portion (7) is arranged to face away from the head (4). The shank portion (6) has a diameter and the thread (8) has an outer diameter, the diameter of the shank portion (6) being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) includes a first narrowing location (10) having a diameter being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) is captively connected to the screw (2) by the first narrowing location (10). The bush (3) includes at least one resilient element (15) having an actuation portion (28) and an engagement portion (29).

Abstract: The present invention provides 4-nucleotide (4mer) RNA motifs that confer immunostimulatory activity, in particular, IFN-?-inducing activity to a RNA oligonucleotide. The present invention also provides RNA oligonucleotides, including siRNA, with high or low immunostimulatory activity. The present invention further provides the use of the RNA oligonucleotides of the invention for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A fastener assembly (1) includes a screw (2) and a bush (3). The screw (2) includes a head (4), a shank portion (6) and a threaded portion (7) including a thread (8). The shank portion (6) is arranged to face the head (4) and the threaded portion (7) is arranged to face away from the head (4). The shank portion (6) has a diameter and the thread (8) has an outer diameter, the diameter of the shank portion (6) being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) includes a first narrowing location (10) having a diameter being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) is captively connected to the screw (2) by the first narrowing location (10). The bush (3) includes a second narrowing location (11) including at least one resilient element (15) being designed and arranged to elastically engage the thread (8). The bush (3) includes a slot (17) or a gap (19) being designed and arranged to continuously extend over the bush (3) in an axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for treating cancer. In particular the invention relates to combinations of nucleic acids and antibodies for the treatment and prevention of cancer. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods for screening cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides 4-nucleotide (4mer) RNA motifs that confer immunostimulatory activity, in particular, IL-12-inducing activity to a single-stranded RNA oligonucleotide. The present invention also provides single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides, including antisense RNA, with high or low immunostimulatory activity. The present invention further provides the use of the RNA oligonucleotides of the invention for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method serve for precision rolling of a surface area (2) of a rotationally symmetrical component (3), especially a screw. The apparatus (1) includes at least two spaced apart rolling tools (4, 5), a measuring unit (9) for determining an actual blank diameter of the component (3), an evaluating unit (10) for comparing the determined actual blank diameter of the component (3) with a predetermined blank diameter and for determining an adjustment value from the result of the comparison, and a control unit (11) for adjusting a distance between the at least two rolling tools (4, 5) in response to the adjustment value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve for determining the deflection of a fastener, especially a screw.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and products for activating dendritic cells. In particular, the invention relates to oligonucleotides which have a specific sequence including at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide which are useful for activating dendritic cells. The methods are useful for in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo methods such as cancer immunotherapeutics, treatment of infectious disease and treatment of allergic disease.

Abstract: A method of intensity-modulating a beam of radiation from a radiation source is provided, the method including the steps of: a) providing a collimator having a window which allows the passage of radiation from the radiation source and which defines when viewed from the radiation source a two-dimensional array of bixels, the collimator further having a plurality of independently movable radiation attenuators which are constrained to move along columns or rows of the array to block selected bixels thereof, whereby, within each column or row along which the attenuators are movable, at least one arrangement of the respective attenuator(s) results in a pair of open bixels sandwiching a blocked bixel or line of blocked bixels; b) positioning the collimator in the path of the radiation source; and c) repeatedly: positioning the radiation attenuators within the window to form at each repeat a different pattern of bixels; and irradiating the collimator, until a predetermined pattern of radiation intensities for the be

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collimator (1) for defining a beam of energetic rays (2) which is emitted from an essentially punctiform radiation source (3) and is oriented onto an object (1) to be treated. The collimator is especially used for the stereotactic conformation radiotherapy of tumors. The collimator (1) is embodied in such a way that an irregular object (4) can be scanned by rays (2, 2?) which are defined by an opening in the collimator. The invention also relates to a program for controlling the collimator. In order to define the contours (29, 29?, 29?) of the objects (4) to be irradiated in a simple but highly accurate manner, especially with a precise definition of the irradiation fields, the collimator comprises a plurality of different sized openings (5, 5? 5?). One of the openings (5, 5?, 5?) can be selectively displaced in a polydirectional manner on a strip (6) having a spherical surface, and the central axis (7) thereof is oriented towards the radiation source (3).

Abstract: This invention provides oligonucleotide agents that modulate an immune response by stimulating IFN production and methods of using such agents for therapeutic treatments of mammals.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve for determining the deflection of a fastener, especially a screw.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method serve for precision rolling of a surface area (2) of a rotationally symmetrical component (3), especially a screw. The apparatus (1) includes at least two spaced apart rolling tools (4, 5), a measuring unit (9) for determining an actual blank diameter of the component (3), an evaluating unit (10) for comparing the determined actual blank diameter of the component (3) with a predetermined blank diameter and for determining an adjustment value from the result of the comparison, and a control unit (11) for adjusting a distance between the at least two rolling tools (4, 5) in response to the adjustment value.

Abstract: A towing device (1) for motor vehicles includes an elongated element (2) having a length, a cross section, a first end portion (13) and a second end portion (5). The cross section of the elongated element (2) at least along a part of the length of the elongated element (2) is designed to be hollow. The first end portion (13) is designed to be connected to a motor vehicle. The towing device (1) further includes a lug (3) being connected to the second end portion (5) of the elongated element (2). Due to the hollow cross section, the mass of the towing device (1) is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the clinical utility of IFN-? in the treatment of a variety of viral and proliferative disorders. Among other aspects, the invention provides methods which increase the efficacy of IFN-? treatment and reduce IFN-? treatment-related side effects. In addition, methods are provided for supporting the survival and for activating natural interferon producing cells (IPCs) in vitro without exogenous IL-3 or GM-CSF. The invention is based on the discovery that certain CpG and non-CpG ISNAs promote survival and stimulation of IPCs.

Abstract: A detachable fastener includes a screw element and a securing ring. The screw element and the securing ring each include cooperating wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements and two different pairs of stop surfaces. The wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements face one another and form sliding surfaces sliding upon one another in a loosening direction of rotation resulting in an increase of the axial force. The first pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a tightening direction of rotation. The second pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a loosening direction of rotation. The stop surfaces are arranged with a clearance existing between one another such that the wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements can slide upon one another without skipping.