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The invented substances have been characterized with regard to the inhibition of the cPLA2 (IC50 in the submicromolar range) and metabolic stability (tested in rat liver homogenates). The inventors are currently conducting such experiments with further, newly generated derivatives of the same inhibitor family. On behalf of the Westfalian Wilhelms-University of Muenster, PROvendis offers access to rights for commercial use as well as the opportunity for further co-development. The cPLA2 has been identified as target for the inhibition of inflammatory immune responses. The invented substances are of high interest for any pharma company with an immunological pipeline and may constitute the first-in-class cPLA2 inhibitors for systemic application.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological movement disorder. Atypical Parkinson syndromes arise from other neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The accurate distinction between them is challenging. Our scientists developed a new diagnostic test to differentiate between DLB, PD and other neuropathies.

For two-dimensional film thickness determination, a measurement system based on a hyperspectral imager has been developed for the first time. A head forms a measurement line. Reflection of the measurement object is displayed on the entrance slit of the hyperspectral imager. From the spectral reflectance data of each locally resolvable pixel of the examined object the layer height is reconstructed. If the measurement object is moving uniformly, combined measurement lines are resulting in a two-dimensional measuring surface. In addition, for each locally resolvable pixel the distance between head and measurement object can be determined.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), diabetes affects close to 400 million people worldwide and caused 500 billion Euros in health expenditure in 2013. In preclinical and clinical trials, the NMDA receptor antagonist dextrorphan (DXO) and its prodrug dextromethorphan have been shown to harbor antidiabetic properties (Marquard et al., Nat Med 2015). In addition, DXO was shown to protect mouse and human pancreatic beta cells from cell death during a diabetogenic setting.
DXO is well tolerated and sold as over-the-counter (OTC) medication for more than 50 years. However, adverse events are observed, which are likely caused by the action of DXO on the central nervous system (CNS). Here, the scientists developed DXO-derivatives that do not efficiently pass the blood brain barrier (BBB), and thus should cause fewer adverse effects on the CNS, but maintain their antidiabetic properties. Therefore, the derivatives might maintain the good safety profile and antidiabetic properties of its starting substance dextrorphan, but with fewer adverse effects.
The inventors now aim to demonstrate the expected novel clinical benefit in clinical studies.

The present invention refers to a method and a device for improving a person‘s mobility. It is designed as a mobile, technical platform offering space for one person being moved with power assistance.
In contrast to the already known mobility equipment, the technical basis of the inventive mobility platform consists of “rolling legs“ known as whegs (“wheg“ = wheel-like leg / wheel a leg / wheel-legs). These whegs combine the positive features of wheels and legs. To antagonize disturbing effects of alternation, a force coupled mechanical solution is applied.

Funded by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH, KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) and Ulm University scientists have developed a procedure that enables the targeted modification of surfaces' friction and adhesion properties through irradiation with light. Depending on the application the modification may be irreversible, i. e. properties are adjusted once-only, or reversible, i. e. facilitating a switch between the minimum and maximum coefficient of friction in a selective and continuous manner. Therefore, the new technique opens up new opportunities for photo-activatable and photo-switchable applications even in the field of micro and nano systems technologies.