Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that galectin-1 (Gal1) plays a role in viral-associated PTLD, e.g., EBV-associated PTLD and hypoxia associated angiogenesis disorders. Accordingly, the invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring, treating and modulating viral-associated PTLD, e.g., EBV-associated PTLD and hypoxia associated angiogenesis disorders.

Abstract: This invention discloses water soluble pharmaceutical compositions including at least one therapeutically active substance and at least one compound selected from the sialoglycosphingolipids, the glycosphingolipids or a mixture of sialoglicosphingolipids and glycosphingolipids, in which at least one of the therapeutically active substances is a drug with hydrophobic characteristics. In particular, sterile compositions for i.v. administration, composed of nano-glycosphingolipids micelles or modified glycosphingolipids, which can be coated with albumin in a noncovalent form and which allow transport and controlled release of highly hydrophobic molecules are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel modified gene, rGRF3, or an orthologue thereof, which is shown to be decoupled from control by miR396, particularly in the presence of over-expression of at least one GIF gene, such as GIF1, AtGIF 2, AtGIF 3, Os11g40100, Os12g31350, Os03g52320 or combinations thereof. When present in a plant, the rGRF3 results in a phenotype of increased productivity (e.g. increased yield, increased biomass, increased stress resistance, increased seed production, increased seed yield, increased root growth, increased root elongation speed, delayed leaf senescence or increased drought tolerance and combinations thereof).

Abstract: Low-cost and easily-operated microviscometer suitable for medical diagnosis clinical studies and other fluid tests. The equipment consists of a microchannel (2) formed by concatenated microchannels made by micro-manufacturing techniques, and a fluid column position detector inside the microchannel. The microchannels are open at one end and closed at the other end and are made of a single biocompatible material. When a liquid drop is put into the inlet of the microchannel (2), the fluid enters by capillary until the compressed air pressure equals the capillary pressure plus atmospheric pressure. The fluid transient movement from entering the channel until stopping at its balance position is analyzed thus obtaining as a result the viscosity and the capillary pressure of the liquid tested.

Abstract: Polypeptide having activity inducing pathogen plant defence, nucleotide sequence encodes it, microorganism, compositions and methods. The polypeptide is a subtilisin derived from a strain of Acremonium strictum. The polypeptide is encoded by the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No.: 1 or sequences at least 90% homologous to the same and has the amino acid sequence SEQ ID No: 2 or sequences at least 90% homologous to the same.

Abstract: The application relates to methods for increasing plant yield and transgenic plants with increased yield using a plant protease.

Abstract: A focus error signal resulting from the photothermically-induced expansion is measured in a sample of material under analysis. A laser is disposed as a periodically modulated heating source which is directed to the sample and a device for focus error measuring which is directed to the surface being heated. A device measuring focus error generates a signal representative of the displacement of the surface of material in perpendicular direction due to the expansion produced by the periodic heating, which is filtered, either analogically or digitally, to discriminate the displacement component at the frequency in which it was modulated or at any other related frequency, such any harmonic or a sum with any other modulation. The focus error signal, appropriately calibrated, gives a precise and sensitive measure of the magnitude the expansion.

Abstract: The invention provides promoters inducible by reactive oxygen species (ROS), capable of driving the expression of a gene of interest, particularly in a tumor cell. More particularly, it refers to promoters inducible by reactive oxygen species, that may be used to drive the expression of a gene of interest, such as a therapeutic gene, or a reporter gene for use in image diagnosis. The promoters comprise at least a fragment of a promoter sequence responsive to said reactive oxygen species, and corresponding to a gene highly expressed in cancer cells, wherein the fragment of the promoter sequence responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is selected from the group of: the VE element of the VEGF promoter, the E6 element of the promoter of the EGR-1 gene, the MMP-1 element and a chimeric promoter containing an E6 element and a VE element. It also provides vectors carrying a human therapeutic or non therapeutic gene of interest, operably linked to said promoter sequence and compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: Cell lines, compositions comprising them for the treatment of melanomas, procedures to prepare the compositions, and treatment methods. More particularly, the invention relates to diverse human melanoma cell lines for the treatment of malignant diseases, wherein the cell lines are: (a) Mel-XY1 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2830), (b) Mel-XY2 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2831), (c) Mel-XY3 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2832), (d) Mel-XX4 (deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures DSMZ under access number DSM ACC2829), or (e) sub-populations thereof. The cell lines may be irradiated, thus obtaining populations with apoptotic phenotype, and populations with necrotic phenotype of such lines.

Abstract: An isolated DNA sequence corresponding to a region of the SPARC gene human promoter from base pair ?513 to base pair +35 capable of driving the expression of a heterologous gene of interest, that can be associated to any other promoter sequence, such as radiation responsive sequence, hypoxia responsive sequence and free-radical responsive sequence. The invention also provides constructs and DNA recombinant expression viral vectors, comprising the isolated sequence of the SPARC gene human promoter and at least one heterologous gene operably linked thereto, wherein the promoter sequence drives the expression of the at least one heterologous gene in tumor cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and a method for treating tumors are also provided.

Abstract: Brassinosteriods, illustrated by the following exemplary compounds, are disclosed: The compounds have anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity. In pharmaceutical compositions, the compounds are useful in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals for treatment of diseases caused by adenovirus, such as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, and herpes simplex type 1, such as herpetic stromal keratitis.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions using a polypeptide comprising at least one CXXC motif, such as Giardia parasite's variable surface proteins (VSP) or a fragment thereof to raise by oral or mucosal vaccination an immune response against a heterologous selected antigen, such as tumor antigen, microbial antigen or other antigen.

Abstract: Vaccine against neoplastic or cancerous lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which comprises E7 peptide spherical particles and, as an option, an adjuvant, where spherical particles may be oligomeric. The oligomeric spherical particles may have a diameter in the vicinity of 50 nm and a molecular weight in the vicinity of 700 kDa. The vaccine may be helpful to prevent or treat human papillomavirus (HPV)-related lesions or do both things at the same time.

Abstract: Adjuvant for vaccines that comprises a non-lipidated bacterial outer-membrane polypeptide (Omp), in which the bacteria may be of those of Brucella genus. The adjuvant may be a modified polypeptide or may be, for example, the Omp19S polypeptide or the Omp16S polypeptide, parts or mixtures of the two. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant is the non-lipidated polypeptide included in SEQ ID No: 1, or parts thereof. In a further preferred embodiment, the adjuvant is the non-lipidated polypeptide included in SEQ ID No: 2 or parts thereof.

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: A method of quantization of magnetic nanoparticle absorption in animal tissues includes determination of the number of magnetic nanoparticles absorbed in animal tissues by magnetization measurements. The method is based on the measurement of magnetization versus magnetic field applied of the tissue sample absorbed with the nanoparticles obtaining their saturation magnetization. This magnitude is compared to the saturation magnetization of the same nanoparticles found in the tissue for the determination of the absolute number of magnetic nanoparticles in the animal tissue studied. The method includes preparing the samples for the sample holder, measuring the magnetization vs. applied magnetic field of a known number of magnetic nanoparticles, determining the saturation magnetization of the sample to be studied by measuring the magnetization and calculating the nanoparticle mass in the tissues from the data measured (saturation magnetization of the sample and of calibration of nanoparticles).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing multilayers formed by thin mesoporous films of oxides or hybrid organic/inorganic materials by means of a combination of sol-gel methods, self-assembly of surfactants and selective functionalization of the surfaces of the pores. Each of the constituent layers has a chemical composition, thickness, and index of refraction.

Abstract: A method of altering circadian rhythm in a mammal is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprising: administering to the mammal a PDE5 inhibitor, e.g., sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil or zaprinast. The method may be employed to prevent a circadian rhythm disorders including, but not limited to transmeridian flight disorder (i.e., “jet-lag”), shiftwork-related disorder, seasonal affected disorder and insomnia by phase delay or phase advance.

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: Method for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an amount of fatty acids and a suboptimal dose of at least one antidepressant. Wherein the fatty acid may be omega-3 (?3), for example the docohexaenoic acid (DHA) and the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The omega-3 fatty acid may be administered orally, in amounts that may be variable, for example in amounts between 0.15 and 1.00 g/kg/day. The antidepressant may be any antidepressant, preferably the antidepressant is fluoxetine or mirtazapine in sub-optimal doses.