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: 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: A biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic material is disclosed, which may be used to isolate and/or to protect a product from the environment, wherein said material comprises a matrix composed by starch, glycerol and starch nano-crystals dispersed in said matrix. The material may be used in the form of foils, sheets, films, coatings, gels, etc, to isolate and/or to protect a product from the environment. The material may be used to isolate and or to protect food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and cleaning products.

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 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: The system records the movement of tiny organisms housed in closed micro plates traversed by an infrared beam generating a signal as a function of the diffraction caused by the body of the microorganism. The behavior detection procedure includes processing the diffraction signal to discriminate the locomotor activity of the microorganism. The system may be used in the chronobiological field, longevity, toxicity, and pharmacology studies.

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: 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: Provided is a process for preparing attenuated viral strains, comprising to contact, at least one sulphated polymer and a virus susceptible to the inhibition of the polymer, via successive passages of the virus with increasing polymeric concentrations, where the amenable virus is characterized by the method of reducing viral plates and where the strain resulting from the attenuated virus has stable phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, different from that of the virus strain in wild state that generated thereto. The process comprises to contact the sulphated polymer(s) with the virus susceptible to the inhibition of the polymer via about 15 or more successive passages with increasing concentrations of the sulphated polymer(s). According to the inventive process, the concentration of the at least one sulphated polymer in the first passage should be less than the IC50 of the polymer for the amenable virus when it is found in wild state.

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: An isolated DNA sequence that corresponds to a region of the human A33 gene promoter from base pair ?105 to base pair +307, able to control the expression of a heterologous gene of interest, that may be used in conjunction with any other regulatory sequence, including sequences responsive to stress such as radiation, hypoxia and free radical formation. Constructs and viral vectors for recombinant DNA expression are provided, which include this sequence of human A33 gene promoter and, operably linked thereto, at least one heterologous gene. The regulatory sequence(s) control(s) the expression of at least one heterologous gene in cells including colorectal cancer cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating colorectal cancer are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure as a ‘blanket’ constituted by blocks preferably of concrete linked (in orthogonal directions) through chords, wires, strings made of materials resistant to strengths, and the chemical environment wherein it is placed, all in order to resist hydraulic actions. The blocks basically constitute a body formed by two truncated-conic linked by their bases and located (bonded) one beside the other in a same plane, allowing the blanket to intimately adapt to the shape of the underlying surface. This layout allows the blankets to pile up one upon the other, since the block hemi-bodies fit in the empty spaces of the blankets. This geometrical advantage allows the distribution of hydraulic forces in the three directions of space, where de layers behave as a sole flexible structure. This latter aspect is the fundamental innovation (vertical fitting), like the block geometry, with disposition thereof upon a resistant mesh (articulations).

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: A passive stream regulating system applicable to air-flue gas or water-flue gas heat exchangers, preferably natural gas balanced flue or natural flue home heaters and home boilers, which allows to attain non-over oxygenated stoichiometric mixture conditions. The system is included by small diameter tubes or other geometric systems formed by small channels, to produce a strong laminarization of the aerodynamic flow established within the venting tube, which are located in sections of the conduit or passage of incoming cold air to the combustion chamber of the exchanger or in sections of the conduit or passage of hot flue gases released to the environment.

Abstract: The system records the movement of tiny organisms housed in closed micro plates traversed by an infrared beam generating a signal as a function of the diffraction caused by the body of the microorganism. The behavior detection procedure includes processing the diffraction signal to discriminate the locomotor activity of the microorganism. The system may be used in the chronobiological field, longevity, toxicity, and pharmacology studies.