Abstract: The invention is in the field of medical treatments, in particular the treatment of humans, more in particular humans with calcium deposition diseases. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides that prevent or decrease the precipitation of calcium crystals in the human body, also known as ectopic calcification. More in particular, the invention relates to a circular polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the amino acids are D-amino acids, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide as described herein and their use in the treatment of a disease selected from the group consisting of osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder syndrome, heterotopic ossification, vascular calcification, kidney stones and calcinosis.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical treatment, in particular the invention provides a method for the prevention, amelioration or reduction of transplant failure in a host organism. More in particular, the invention provides a pentasaccharide-depleted heparin for use in preventing, ameliorating or reducing transplant failure of a foreign organ or tissue of the human or animal body into a recipient.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of methods for medical treatment. It provides an improved method for repairing damaged cartilage and/or preventing cartilage degeneration in tissue, in particular in a joint by administering a pharmaceutically active agent directly into the fat pad of a joint. The pharmaceutically active agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of agents that stimulate chondrogenic differentiation and/or cartilage matrix synthesis; agents that inhibit osteogenesis and/or hypertrophy, anti-inflammatory agents, agents that inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes, agents that inhibit senescence of chondrocytes and agents that enhance lubrication of a joint.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of methods for medical treatment. It provides an improved method for repairing damaged cartilage and/or preventing cartilage degeneration in tissue, in particular in a joint by administering a pharmaceutically active agent directly into the fat pad of a joint. The pharmaceutically active agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of agents that stimulate chondrogenic differentiation and/or cartilage matrix synthesis; agents that inhibit osteogenesis and/or hypertrophy, anti-inflammatory agents, agents that inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes, agents that inhibit senescence of chondrocytes and agents that enhance lubrication of a joint.

Abstract: A process for automatically welding parts consisting of a number of tubular members (2, 3, 4 and/or 5) cut out and welded together to form a pipe (1). A previously welded part is positioned and secured using a securing jaw. The part is suspended every time from its center of gravity (G) using the securing jaw (50) and a cable (52) stretched between the two securing points, as well as a suspension joint (37), so that the part lifted by means of a lifting apparatus can be moved along about its center of gravity (G). The previously welded part and as standardized spare part are then welded using a welding robot (30) along the contact line between the two tubular parts.