Abstract: Combination therapies and methods implementing the administration of a selective inhibitor of soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha (solTNF-?), preferably a dominant negative TNF-? protein, in combination with an anti-cancer therapeutic agent for treating WUC4+ cancer in human or animal subjects.

Abstract: Process for obtaining lithium compounds and intermediate compounds, comprising the following steps: a) contacting aluminosilicate particles, for example ?-spodumene, with at least one fluorine compound, for example HF, NaF or others; b) stirring the mixture increasing the temperature until reaching an appropriate temperature; c) carrying out at least a precipitation and filtration process of the mixture of step b), and, d) recovering the lithium compound. The process may comprise using HF at a concentration between 5 and 30% v/v or NaF at a concentration between 5 and 30% w/v; a solid/liquid ratio of step a) between 0.9 and 14.4% w/v; a particle size of between 29 and 200 ?m. The final lithium product of the process may be lithium carbonate or lithium fluoride.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for oral delivery and methods of treatment using VSP carriers, such as Giardia sp. variable surface proteins (VSP), to deliver therapeutic agents. VSP drug carriers can be combined with bioactive peptides, e.g., insulin, glucagon, or hGH, and be administered orally or mucosally. VSP carriers are resistant to acidic pHs and to proteolytic degradation and protect therapeutic agents from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A vaccine for the prevention of infections with Bordetella, comprising at least outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of B. parapertussis, excipients and/or adjuvants. Bordetella may be, for example, B. pertussis or B. parapertussis. The vaccine can comprise adjuvants, for example, aluminum hydroxide and other immunogens such as tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, or combinations thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the vaccine for the prevention of infections with Bordetella comprises at least outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of B. pertussis and the lipopolysaccharide of B. parapertussis, excipients and/or adjuvants. The vaccine can comprise between 3 to 20 ?g per dose of OMVs from B. pertussis and between the amount equivalent to 107 and 1010 bacteria per dose of lipopolysaccharide of B. parapertussis. The adjuvant can be aluminum hydroxide and other immunogens such as tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, or combinations thereof. The Tdap vaccine exhibits cross activity.

Abstract: A method of treating a solid tumor in a mammal by inhibiting angiogenesis, including administering to the mammal which has a solid tumor selected from the group consisting of breast carcinoma, lung carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, colon carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, neuroblastoma, central nervous system tumor, multiform glioblastoma and melanoma; a composition including brassinosteroids of general formula (I) wherein can be a single or double bond and the configurations of carbon atoms C22 and C23 respectively linked to the substituents HO are S for both carbon atoms and a pharmaceutically acceptable additive.

Abstract: A device for diagnosis of physiologic status and/or selection of best spermatozoa of a semen sample based on chemotaxis, and the procedure of thereof, enabling by a simple and inexpensive device the diagnosis and selection of the best spermatozoa in only one step. Only needed are: the present device, a regular light microscope, and personnel with elementary knowledge of laboratory management. The device is of the type having two communicated compartments (1a, 1b), and where said compartments (1a, 1b) communication occurs through a duct or bridge (2) located in the lower part, and above the lower level of mentioned compartments (1a, 1b); in the entrances of said compartments (1a, 1b) appropriate closing means (3, 4) and appropriate air output ducts (5) are placed communicating the top end of compartments (1a, 1b) with the exterior.

Abstract: A microapparatus (11) implantable in the eye (13) includes a cuasi-bistable microvalve (21) commanded by an intraocular pressure sensor (23) in situ. The microvalve mechanism includes a diaphragm (27) made of a conjugated polymer (29) that shows high deformation and biocompatibility capabilities and which volume depends from the electric potential applied by its pair of electrodes (31). The sensor and actuator-valve are coupled to a drainage conduit (15), the first to deform by the pressure in the ocular globe and the second in a position of buckling to normally close the drainage conduit. The sensor has a membrane of conductive polymeric material with these same properties and whose ohmic resistance varies with the mechanical deformation produced by the ocular pressure.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition that can be used in the treatment of wounds, comprising at least a sulfated polysaccharide and wherein the polysaccharide/s are in the form of solids as powder, flakes or sheets obtained through a lyophylization process. Particularly, this invention relates to the use of one or more sulfated polysaccharides, as solids in the form of sheets obtained by lyophylization, in the healing of wounds in humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a gene from Helianthus annuus encoding a transcription factor that comprises a homeodomain associated with a leucine zipper. This gene is named Hahb-10. The transcription factor Hahb-10 can be used in DNA constructs to transform host cells and plants. Transgenic plants that overexpress this transcription factor are more tolerant to herbicides, and have a shorter life cycle.

Abstract: A process for inactivating foot-and-mouth disease virus by incubating such virus in the presence of soluble ammonium or Group IA salts and recovering the inactivated and stable virus.