Abstract: The present invention refers to human EGLN2 variants having at position 58 of the amino acid sequence a serine or a leucine and their use in the prevention or treatment of thromboembolic or coronary heart diseases, in particular stroke, prolonged reversible ischemic neurological deficit (PRIND), transitoric ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction and/or early myocardial infarction.

Abstract: This invention relates to monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies capable of specifically recognizing IL-13 receptor ? and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PNA derivatives which carry, at the C terminus, or at both the C and N termini of the PNA backbone, one or more phosphoryl radicals. The phosphoryl radicals carry, where appropriate, one or more labeling groups, groups for crosslinking, groups which promote intracellular uptake, or groups which increase the binding affinity of the PNA derivative for nucleic acids. The invention furthermore relates to a process for preparing the above-mentioned PNA derivatives and to their use as pharmaceuticals or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention refers to human EGLN2 variants having at position 58 of the amino acid sequence a serine or a leucine and their use in the prevention or treatment of thromboembolic or coronary heart diseases, in particular stroke, prolonged reversible ischemic neurological deficit (PRIND), transitoric ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction and/or early myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel yeast strains, methods and genetic constructs for their preparation, and their use for the synthesis or modification of steroidal compounds. More particularly, the invention describes strains having a reduced 20?HSD type activity, in particular by modifying the GCY1 and/or YPR1 genes. The yeast strains of the invention make it possible to improve the efficiency of the synthesis or to increase the selectivity or the yields of the method, as well as the quality of the final product. The strains, methods and compounds of the invention are useful in the search for, the development and the production of products with therapeutic or prophylactic activity, in humans or animals, in particular of steroidal derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention refers to human EGLN2 variants having at position 58 of the amino acid sequence a serine or a leucine and their use in the prevention or treatment of thromboembolic or coronary heart diseases, in particular stroke, prolonged reversible ischemic neurological deficit (PRIND), transitoric ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction and/or early myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification of a chemical compound which modulates the activity of mammalian GPI-PLC wherein a] a mammalian cell is incubated with glimepiride; b] hcDIGs of the cells of a] are prepared; c] the hcDIGs from b] are incubated with a chemical compound; d] the activity of the GPI-PLC from the hcDIGs of c] is determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to a purified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence chosen from the sequence SEQ ID NO:4 or biologically active amino acid sequences derived from SEQ ID NO:4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PNA derivatives which carry, at the C terminus, or at both the C and N termini of the PNA backbone, one or more phosphoryl radicals. The phosphoryl radicals carry, where appropriate, one or more labeling groups, groups for crosslinking, groups which promote intracellular uptake, or groups which increase the binding affinity of the PNA derivative for nucleic acids. The invention furthermore relates to a process for preparing the above-mentioned PNA derivatives and to their use as pharmaceuticals or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying an increase in risk for type II Diabetes mellitus, venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism in a subject, wherein the presence of an amino acid exchange at position 286 from valine (Val) to alanine (Ala) in the EDG5 protein in a biological sample taken from the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are retroviral vectors for delivering interfering RNA into cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel yeast strains, methods and genetic constructs for their preparation, and their use for the synthesis or modification of steroidal compounds. More particularly, the invention describes strains having a reduced 20?HSD type activity, in particular by modifying the GCY1 and/or YPR1 genes. The yeast strains of the invention make it possible to improve the efficiency of the synthesis or to increase the selectivity or the yields of the method, as well as the quality of the final product. The strains, methods and compounds of the invention are useful in the search for, the development and the production of products with therapeutic or prophylactic activity, in humans or animals, in particular of steroidal derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a less-painful immunogenic composition of a hydrophobic protein in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for administering to a mammal, comprising the steps of (a) solubilizing said hydrophobic protein with a zwitterionic detergent to make a first composition; (b) altering said first composition, such that the altered composition produces a reduction in pain as measured in the rat footpad model as compared to said first composition.

Abstract: Self-propagating, fusogenic blebs are produced from cells infected with a population of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP). The self-propagating, fusogenic nature of the blebs is derived from expression of heterologous genes encoding viral fusion proteins that are incorporated into the replication defective replicon particles. The resulting blebs can be harvested from supernatants of cells displaying severe cytopathic effects. The blebs are used to make immunogenic compositions and devise methods of immunizing mammals against paramyxoviruses such as parainfluenza virus type 3.

Abstract: A lyophilized polynucleotide composition contains at least one polynucleotide and at least one cryoprotectant, wherein the ratio of the polynucleotide to cryoprotectant is from about 0.001 to about 1.0 part by weight polynucleotide per 1.0 part by weight of the cryoprotectant. This composition also contains from about 0.5 weight percent to about (6) weight percent water, based on the total weight of the final lyophilized polynucleotide composition. The polynucleotide composition of this invention is characterized by enhanced stability, in that it retains at least 90% supercoil over a time period of at least (10) days at a temperature of about 37° C. The lyophilized polynucleotide composition also has improved solubility. An improved process for lyophilization of polynucleotides employs a specific primary drying cycle, that results in the above-described stable, lyophilized polynucleotide composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the cultivating cells, and in particular to methods for propagating viruses.

Abstract: The nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) in the SA11 ATCC rotavirus strain has a histidine at amino acid position 47. This substituted form is more cytotoxic than the NSP4 of the Australia rotavirus strain, which has an asparagine at amino acid position 47. The histidine at amino acid position 47 is mutagenized to another amino acid to produce an alternative form of NSP4 which has reduced toxicity, while retaining its antigenicity and immunogenicity. NSP4 having a glutamic acid at amino acid position 48 is more cytotoxic than NSP4 having a lysine at amino acid position 48. The lysine at amino acid position 48 is mutagenized to another amino acid other than glutamic acid to produce an alternative form of NSP4 which has reduced toxicity, while retaining its antigenicity and immunogenicity.

Abstract: An altered G protein or portion thereof of RSV which retains immunogenicity and which, when incorporated into an immunogenic composition or vaccine and administered to a vertebrate, does not induce enhanced disease (e.g., atypical pulmonary inflammation such as pulmonary eosinophilia) upon subsequent infection with RSV, is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the altered G protein comprises an alteration in one or more regions selected from the group consisting of the region from amino acid 159 to amino acid 198, the region from amino acid 159 to amino acid 174, the region from amino acid 171 to amino acid 187, the region from amino acid 176 to amino acid 190, and the region from amino acid 184 to amino acid 198 of the RSV G protein. Immunogenic compositions and vaccines comprising the altered RSV G protein, and optionally comprising RSV F protein, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the purification and crystallization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/NS4A polypeptide complex. Also, crystallization conditions for NS3/NS4A are provided. Further, the atomic coordinates for the NS3/NS4A protein are disclosed. Examples of its use for the determination of the three-dimensional atomic structures of HCV NS3/NS4A with substrate(s) or substrate analog(s) or inhibitor complexes are also provided.