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: 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: 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.

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 de 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 present invention refers to a compound having anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity according to the following structural formula: wherein, R1 and R3 are selected from H, HO—, R5—O—, HCOO—, R5—COO—, —OOC—R6—COO—, p-toluene sulphonate, phosphate, tartrate, maleate, sulphate, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and methanesulphonate, R2 is selected from H, HO—, R5—O—, HCOO—, R5—COO—, —OOC—R6—COO—, p-toluene sulphonate, phosphate, tartrate, maleate, sulphate, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, or —R1 and —R2 can be together —O—, (CH3)2—(CO)2-(ó-(CH3—CH2)2—(CO)2— R4 and R5 are selected from H and linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl, R6 is —(CH2)n equals to 1, 2 ó 3, and, can be a single bond or double bond, to the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, to a process for preparing the same and to the use of the same for preparing pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A sunroof, which is adapted to provide either home passive heating by solar accumulation or passive refrigeration due to its particular structure that additionally provides insulation conditions from the external environment. The sunroof allows incorporating heating and refrigeration during construction of homes for users looking for biosustainable solutions in the long term at present reasonable prices and included in moderately innovative products. The sunroof is comprised by structural sheets (preferable metallic) over which substantially parallel first and second transparent laminar elements are positioned, defining between such sheets and the first laminar elements a first chamber, and forming between first and second laminar elements a second watertight chamber; the first chamber is capable of being filled with water as the external and upper surface of the second transparent laminar element, which is filled with water or opaque and/or reflective liquids.

Abstract: In spite of their pivotal role in orchestrating immunity, dendritic cells (DCs) may be licensed by immunosuppressive signals to become tolerogenic. Here we show that ligation of cell surface glyco-receptors by Galectin-1, an endogenous glycan-binding protein, can drive the differentiation of regulatory DCs with tolerogenic potential in vivo. Galectin-1-differentiated DCs acquired a tolerogenic phenotype characterized by IL-27-dependent, STAT3-mediated and CD45RB+IL-10+ regulatory signatures. Adoptive transfer of galectin-1-conditioned DCs induced T-cell tolerance in inflammatory and neoplastic settings and dampened TH1- and TH-17-mediated autoimmune neuroinflammation. Consistent with a negative regulatory function of endogenous galectin-1, DCs from galectin-1-deficient (Lgals1?/?) mice had greater immunogenic capacity compared with their wild-type counterparts.

Abstract: Otimized DNA molecules that encode human IA-2ic, wherein at least one of the codons starting at positions 2747 and 2816 of the complete IA-2 gene is CGT. Said molecules are useful for detecting insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus, and may be fused to auxiliary proteins or peptides (for example, His-tag). RNA molecules encoded by the optimized DNA molecules, expression vectors comprising the optimized DNA molecules and cells transformed with said DNA molecules (particularly Escherichia coli cells). Also a method of producing human IA-2ic antigen that comprises growing cells transformed with the said optimized nucleic acid molecules under conditions suitable for producing said protein, the polypeptide obtained through that procedure, and an in vitro diagnostic method and a diagnostic kit using it.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus that measures dirt density on steel plates, characterized by including a pulsed laser that impinges on the inspected plate, and a microphone that detects the sound produced by the sudden ablation of the dirt, the amplitude of the microphone signal being the measure of the dirt on the plate. The microphone is connected to an electronic signal processing system, which is a computer or a programmed digital processor that determines the average value and standard deviation of the signal over the number of hits specified by the operator.