Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention concerns antisense oligonucleotides against targets of miR-21. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions inhibit the activity of miR-21 for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for analysis of the status of kidney function in a sample of body fluid obtained from a patient who has not been diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI, also referred to as acute kidney failure) or in a sample of body fluid obtained from a patient who has been diagnosed with AKI, which analysis is suitable for evaluating the prospects for long-term survival, which method for analysis comprises or consists of determining the concentration of the microRNA-210

Abstract: The present invention relates to a promoter region of a microRNA, the use of a microRNA, in particular miR-21, and related elements for the diagnosis and for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. Additionally, the invention concerns antisense oligonucleotides against targets of miR-21. A cell deficient for miR-21, the promoter region and targets of miR-21 and a knock-out organism thereof are also encompassed. Finally, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modulator, in particular an inhibitor, of microRNA-24 (miR-24) and to direct and indirect miR-24 targets for use in a method of treatment and/or prevention of ischemia, in a method of prevention of endothelial apoptosis or in a method of induction of angiogenesis. The present invention further relates to a precursor of miR-24 and to siRNAs or shRNAs against direct or indirect miR-24 targets for use in a method of treatment of angiogenesis associated with cancer. The present invention also relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing ischemia or prevalence or disposition for ischemia, and to a method for identifying a modulator of miR-24 and/or direct or indirect miR-24 targets. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions or kits comprising any of the above agents, to endothelial cells devoid of expressing functional miR-24, and to a non-human, transgenic animal comprising these endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a promoter region of a microRNA, the use of a microRNA, in particular miR-21, and related elements for the diagnosis and for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. Additionally, the invention concerns antisense oligonucleotides against targets of miR-21. A cell deficient for miR-21, the promoter region and targets of miR-21 and a knock-out organism thereof are also encompassed. Finally, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to microRNAs (miRNAs) for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of heart diseases. It relates in particular to SEQ ID No: 1 to SEQ ID No: 29 for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of heart diseases. In addition, the invention relates to the use of these sequences to produce a medicament for heart diseases and for the diagnosis thereof. Also encompassed are a method for the diagnosis of a heart disease, a kit and an expression vector comprising these sequences, a cell which contains the expression vector, and also a method for modulating a heart disease and a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a heart disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an agent for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially cardiac hypertrophy, wherein said method and agent consist in increasing testosterone concentration in pathological tissues to normal levels or inhibiting and/or eliminating metabolites from testosterone metabolism. The testosterone concentration in pathological tissues can be increased to normal levels by administering at least one substance from the following groups: testosterone; substances with effects similar to those of testosterone; testosterone mimetics; substances that enhance testosterone synthesis; substances that inhibit testosterone metabolism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an agent for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially cardiac hypertrophy, wherein said method and agent consist in increasing testosterone concentration in pathological tissues to normal levels or inhibiting and/or eliminating metabolites from testosterone metabolism.

Abstract: An increase in the selectivity, sensitivity and the suppression of primer dimer formations, fluorescence-based gene expression analyses and gene mutation analyses is accomplished by adding bovine serum albumin to the conventional PCR reaction components. Magnesium chloride concentration is adjusted accurately depending on the Taq polymerase used.

Abstract: An increase in the selectivity, sensitivity and the suppression of primer dimer formations, fluorescence-based gene expression analyses and gene mutation analyses is accomplished by adding bovine serum albumin to the conventional PCR reaction components. Magnesium chloride concentration is adjusted accurately depending on the Taq polymerase used.