Abstract: A load distributing thermal runaway barrier for an energy storage battery cell pack includes a first separator plate, a second separator plate, and at least one first elastic member arranged between the first and second separator plates. Each first elastic member is configured to maintain a first load in response to a pressure applied to at least one of the first and second separator plates. The load distributing thermal runaway barrier also includes a third separator plate, a fourth separator plate, and at least one second elastic member arranged between the third and fourth separator plates. Each first elastic member is configured to maintain a second load in response to a pressure applied to at least one of the third and fourth separator plates. The load distributing thermal runaway barrier additionally includes a thermally insulating pad arranged between the second and third separator plates.

Abstract: Methods for detecting angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) and/or thrombospondin-2 (Tsp-2) in a sample involve obtaining or having obtained a blood or plasma sample from a subject; and detecting Angpt-2 and Tsp-2 in the sample. Detecting can involve performing an assay to determine whether the sample includes Angpt-2 and/or Tsp-2 or elevated levels of Angpt-2 and/or Tsp-2. Elevated levels are indicative of acute heart failure.

Abstract: Methods for detecting angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) and/or thrombospondin-2 (Tsp-2) in a sample involve obtaining or having obtained a blood or plasma sample from a subject; and detecting or Angpt-2 and Tsp-2 in the sample. Detecting can involve performing an assay to determine whether the sample includes Angpt-2 and/or Tsp-2 or elevated levels of Angpt-2 and/or Tsp-2. Elevated levels are indicative of acute heart failure.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, kits and compositions to increase ANP levels in a subject for the treatment of hypertension and/or cardiovascular diseases, comprising at least one anti-miR agent that inhibits at least one of, or a combination of miR-103, miR-105, miR-107 and/or miR-155, alone, or in combination with an inhibitor of miR-425. Anti-miR agents can be small molecules or an oligonucleotide complementary to at least part of the sequence of hsa-miR-103, hsa-miR-105, hsa-miR-107 and/or hsa-miR-155, or their respective seed sequences or.their binding site in the 3?UTR of NPPA gene. Also provided herein are methods, kits and compositions to decrease ANP levels in a subject for the treatment of low blood pressure, comprising at least one or a combination of agonists of miR-103, miR-105, miR-107 and/or miR-155, alone or in combination with a miR-425 agonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in a subject, in particular, a method of treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising administering to a subject at least one anti-miR agent to miRNA-425. In some embodiments, an anti-miR agent is a small molecule or an oligonucleotide complementary to at least part of the miR-425 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or an anti-miR complementary to at least part of the miRNA seed sequence AUGACA (SEQ ID NO: 2). Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions to treat low blood pressure in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising a miR-425 agent to decrease ANP levels in the subject.

Abstract: Subject of the present invention are assays and in vitro methods for the prediction of the risk of a subject for contracting metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes mellitus and for diagnosing metabolic syndrome, comprising determining the level of arginine vasopressin pro-hormone or fragments thereof in a sample of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in a subject, in particular, a method of treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising administering to a subject at least one anti-miR agent to miRNA-425. In some embodiments, an anti-miR agent is a small molecule or an oligonucleotide complementary to at least part of the miR-425 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or an anti-miR complementary to at least part of the miRNA seed sequence AUGACA (SEQ ID NO: 2). Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions to treat low blood pressure in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising a miR-425 agent to decrease ANP levels in the subject.

Abstract: Subject of the present invention are assays and in vitro methods for the prediction of first coronary and cardiovascular events and biomarkers useful therein.

Abstract: Subject of the present invention are assays and in vitro methods for the prediction of the risk of a subject for contracting metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes mellitus and for diagnosing metabolic syndrome, comprising determining the level of arginine vasopressin pro-hormone or fragments thereof in a sample of a subject.