Abstract: The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance.

Abstract: The present invention refers to new compounds derived from artesunate salts with quinolines represented by the general formula (I) where X is represented by the general formula (II) and Y is represented by the general formula (III) depending on the radicals substituted in X (formula II), the relation X to Y (formula III) may vary from 1:1 to 1:7, because the amount of Y depends on the amount of N available in X for the formation of the salt. The radicals R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, e R6 in the general formula (II) are represented by: R1?H, CF3, CH3, OCH3, NH2, halogen; R2?H, CH3, NH2, halogen, NH—CHCH3(CH2)3N(C2H5)(CH2CH2OH), CH(OH)-2(C5H11N), NH—R7—N—(C2H5)2; R3?H, m-OC6H4CF3, NH2; R4?H, CH3, OCH3, NH2, halogen; R5?H, CH3, CF3, NH2, halogen; R6?H, CF3, CH3, NH2, halogen, NH—R8—N—(C2H5)2, NHCH(CH3)(CH2)3NH2; R7?(CH2)2, (CH2)3, CHCH3CH2, (CH2)4, (CH2)5, CHCH3(CH2)3(CH2)6, (CH2)8, (CH2)10, (CH2)12; R8?CHCH3(CH2)3, CHCH3(CH2)CHCH3, (CH2)2, (CH2)3, (CH2)6, (CH2)3O(CH2)3.

Abstract: This invention refers to new 1,2,3-triazole and imidazole compounds included in the families of compounds represented by general formula VIII.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the design of an artificial calibrating virus (ACV), as well as a methodology quality guarantee system, which has controlling characteristics in the performance of all the stages carried out during a detection and/or quantification molecular test. More specifically, the referred to ACV is used for the validation and calibration of quantitative determinations of circulating viruses in blood plasma samples by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology in real time (or ‘real time PCR’).

Abstract: The primary objective of the present invention is the development of new mutant forms of the Sm14 protein, for producing a greater production volume. The recombinant proteins here obtained were capable of providing protection against schistosome and fasciola infection. The level of protection of Sm14 recombinant proteins obtained in the present invention was similar to that reached in the parasite saline extract. The mutant proteins of the present invention have reached approximately 100% of renaturation after the heating at 80° C., different from wild forms of the Sm14 protein. Moreover, after storage for 2 months at 4° C., mutant proteins have shown smaller ?-structure loss than wild forms that have shown formation with random structure, as demonstrated by the circular dichroism analysis, indicating the success of mutations.

Abstract: The primary objective of the present invention is the development of new mutant forms of the Sm14 protein, for producing a greater production volume. The recombinant proteins here obtained were capable of providing protection against schistosome and fasciola infection. The level of protection of Sm14 recombinant proteins obtained in the present invention was similar to that reached in the parasite saline extract. The mutant proteins of the present invention have reached approximately 100% of renaturation after the heating at 80° C., different from wild forms of the Sm14 protein. Moreover, after storage for 2 months at 4° C., mutant proteins have shown smaller ?-structure loss than wild forms that have shown formation with random structure, as demonstrated by the circular dichroism analysis, indicating the success of mutations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide fragments which have one or more shared and/or similar amino acid sequences to amino acid sequences of specific portions of the 14 kDa protein of S. mansoni (Sm14) or related FABPs (Fatty Acid Binding Proteins), the said peptide fragments functioning as continuous or discontinuous epitopic regions of the molecule or mimicking its biological activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for constructing active peptide fragments, peptide fragments, immunogenic composition and diagnostic kit using said peptide fragments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine against infections caused by flavivirus. More particularly to the use of the YF vaccine virus (17D) to express at the level of its envelope, protein epitopes from other pathogens which will elicit a specific immune response to the parental pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining Physalis angulata extracts, particularly to isolate ergostane-type steroidal derivatives, such as physalins, which are useful in the treatment of infections caused by protozoans. The physalins of the invention have also prophylactic and therapeutic properties for treating auto-immune diseases in mammals. The isolation process to obtain physalins comprises the steps of: (a) grinding roots, leaves or stem-bark of Physalis ssp; (b) extracting the material obtained in step (a) with solvents selected from the group consisting of water and alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, isobutanol; (c) evaporating the extract obtained in step (b) and washing the syrup material with a suitable solvent; (d) rapid filtering of the extract of step (c) and fractionating the components of the extract according to a polarity gradient of organic solvents; and (e) separating the steroidal components contained in the fractions by chromatography.

Abstract: The principal aim of the present invention is to afford a bioinsecticide dry composition based on entomotoxines of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, which is characterized by its practicability, economy and efficacy in controlling Dipteral insects, being, at the same time, ecologically safe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detection of Schistosoma sp. in biological samples through PCR, as well as a method for the diagnosis of Schistosomiasis through the amplification by PCR of the DNA sequence of Schistosoma sp., followed by the separation of the products of the amplification by electrophoresis and the detection by appropriate technique. Moreover, the present invention provides a kit for the diagnosis to be used in the detection of Schistomsomiasis.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for drug level detection by using a simplified and effective deproteinizing step from body fluids, such as plasma, blood, urine, saliva, tear fluid, followed by drug extraction and measurement using an accurate technique, such as a colorimetric assay or a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography method. In a particular embodiment, the invention is directed to a method to quantify rifampicin in order to monitor its levels in body fluids and also to a Kit for rifampicin concentration measurement.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is the detection/monitoring of microorganisms present in the air, water or foodstuffs through the use of a fiber optic biosensor with an evanescent-field. A first concretization of the present invention concerns a method for detection of contamination by specific microorganisms through the use of the evanescent-field of a sensitive fiber optic characterized by stages of: a) exposing the evanescent-field of the sensitive fiber optic using an appropriate technique based on physical and chemical properties; (b) permitting immediate contact of the exposed evanescent-field obtained in the stage (a) with the sample to be examined, with the aforementioned sample having a form adequate so as to obtain the generation of an optical signal in response to the presence of microorganisms in the sample; and, (c) demodulating the optical signal generated in stage (b) and using this value to quantify the microorganisms through an appropriate method.

Abstract: The detection/monitoring of microorganisms present in a sample is enabled through the use of a fiber optic biosensor with an evanescent-field. Embodiments include: (i) a method for detection of contamination by specific microorganisms through the use of said biosensor, permitting the interaction of the exposed evanescent-field with the sample to be examined which has a form adequate to obtain the generation of an optical signal in response to the presence of microorganisms in said sample; (ii) a composition for use in the detection of microorganisms; and (iii) a device for surveying microorganisms through an insertion of a sensitive fiber optic, with an adequately exposed evanescent-field, into a surface or volume of a biological culture medium specific for the microorganism to be detected, comprising a demodulation system based on a fiber optic circuit and related components.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a vaccine composition for humans against YF infections consisting essencially of a recombinant YF virus, YFiv5.2/DD, which is regenerated from YF infectious cDNA. There is provided new plasmids, pYF 5′3′ IV/G1/2 and pYFM 5.2/T3/27, which together, have the complete sequence of said YF infectious cDNA. The method for producing recombinant YF virus and the Original, Primary and Secondary Seed Lots are other embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention refers to extracts from the fungus Guignardia sp., and also a new isolate compound from the aforementioned extract, both having antimicrobial activities, particularly antibacterial and antifungal activities, and their use in pharmaceutical compositions. The new compound, isolated from the extract of the fungus Guignardia sp.

Abstract: The present invention refers to novel gem-difluoro compounds of formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 can be hydrogen, acyl or acyl substituted; R.sub.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyl substituted, nitro, halogen, methylenedioxy, trifluoromethyl or OR';Y is oxygen, sulfur or NR";R.sub.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyl substituted, phenyl, aryl group substituted or metal selected of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, clcium, magnesium, zinc or aluminum;R' and R" are hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkyl substituted, phenyl or aryl substituted; and(a) in the group C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: This patent deals with the use of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens obtained using recombinant DNA techniques, or synthetic peptides derived from these antigens, and their use in the immunological diagnosis of Chagas Disease using either ELISA, or western blot, or dot-blot, or hemagglutination, or agglutination, or monoclonal antibodies, or radioimmunoassay. The antigens or synthetic peptides are characterized by displaying the following aminoacid sequences: Ag1: valine (or alanine), alanine, glutamic acid, alanine (orthreonine), glutamic acid, lysine, glutamine, lysine (or arginine), alanine, alanine, glutamic acid, alanine (or serine), threonine (or methionine or alanine) and lysine.