Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which forms an immunological complex with a phosphorylated epitope of an antigen belonging to human abnormally phosphorylated tau protein. The tau protein ca be obtained from a brain homogenate, itself isolated from the cerebral cortex of a patient having Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe consisting of at least about 15 nucleotides from the spacer region between rRNA genes of a non-viral organism, particularly prokaryotic organism and more particularly bacteria, and preferably from about 15 nucleotides to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides to be used for the detection of non-viral microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alternative PCR amplification which does not draw upon the use of thermostable DNA polymerases. It provides means for the controlled manipulation of denaturing conditions which do not demand the use of high denaturing temperature. More particularly, it provides means for the controlled oscillation of divalent metal ions, preferably of divalent metal ions such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Cd2+, which are known to destabilize the DNA helix and thereby decrease the melting temperature of the DNA helix. The invention also provides methods for the automatization of this process. For instance, by means of cathodic reduction of the divalent metal species the concentration can be decreased to levels that allows for reannealing of separated sands with the primers; while oxidation of deposited metals or oxidation of monovalent metal ions, can restore the initially high concentration that allows for separation of both strands that make up the DNA helix.

Abstract: Described is a new variety of retrovirus designated HIV-3, also known as HIV-1 subtype O, samples of which are deposited in the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under V88060301. Further described are variants of the virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying recombinant HCV single or specific oligomeric envelope proteins selected from the group consisting of E1 and/or E1/E2 characterized in that upon lysing the transformed host cells to isolate the recombinantly expressed protein a disulphide bond cleavage or reduction step is carried out with a disulphide bond cleavage agent. The present invention also relates to a composition isolated by such a method. The present invention also relates to the diagnostic and therapeutic application of these compositions. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of HCV E1 protein and peptides for prognosing and monitoring the clinical effectiveness and/or clinical outcome of HCV treatment.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which forms an immunological complex with a phosphorylated epitope of an antigen belonging to human abnormally phosphorylated tau protein. The tau protein ca be obtained from a brain homogenate, itself isolated from the cerebral cortex of a patient having Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: An isolated human tau peptide epitope which specifically binds monoclonal antibody AT120 consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 2, 3, 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the GTPase gene family as a target for nucleic acid based assays for the detection and differentiation of prokaryotic organisms. The invention relates to polynucleic acids derived from gene sequences encoding prokaryotic GTPase (=GTP-binding) proteins, as well as their use in the detection and identification of prokaryotic organisms; primers and probes derived from said polynucleic acid sequences, for specific amplification and detection of prokaryotic DNA in a biological sample; as well as methods and kits allowing the detection and identification of at least one micoroorganism, and preferentially several microorganisms simultaneously in a sample. More specifically, the invention relates to new polynucleic acid sequences encoding GTPase proteins from Campylobacter species, primers and probes derived from them, and methods and kits comprising these reagents for the detection and differentiation of species belonging to the genus Campylobacter.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a peptide corresponding to an immunologically important viral epitope. Specifically, the peptide corresponds to an immunodominant epitope identified in the gp120 region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), strain Ant70. This peptide has the following amino acid sequence: NH2-Gln-Ile-Asp-Ile-Gln-Glu-Met-Arg-Ile-Gly-Pro-Met-Ala-Trp-Tyr-Ser-Met-Gly-Ile-Gly-Gly-CO2H. The invention also relates to the use of this peptide, particularly when biotinylated in the form of complexes of streptavidin-biotinylated peptides or of avidin-biotinylated peptides, for the in vitro determination of HIV-1-specific antibodies.

Abstract: An isolated and purified polypeptide having heparin binding properties with the amino acid sequence of SQ ID No: 1 and pharmaceutical compositions for treating skin wounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new genomic nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences corresponding to the coding region of these genomes. The invention relates to new HCV types and subtypes sequences which are different from the known HCV types and subtypes sequences. More particularly, the present invention relates to new HCV type 7 sequences, new HCV type 9 sequences, new HCV type 10 and new HCV type 11 sequences. Also, the present invention relates to new HCV type 1 sequences of subtypes 1d, 1e, 1f and 1g; new HCV type 2 sequences of subtypes 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2k and 2l; new HCV type 3 sequences of subtype 3g, new HCV type 4 sequences of subtypes 4k, 4l and 4m; a process for preparing them, and their use for diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy. More particularly, the present invention provides new type-specific sequences of the Core, the E1 and NS5 regions of new HCV types 7, 9, 10 and 11, as well as of new variants (subtypes) of HCV types 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for genotyping any HCV isolate present in a biological sample, previously identified as being HCV positive, and for classifying said isolate according to the percentage of homology with other HCV isolates, comprising the steps of: contacting said sample in which the ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides have been made accessible, if need be, under suitable denaturation, with at least one probe from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, with said probe being liable to hybridize to a region being in the domain extending from nucleotide at position −291 to nucleotide at position −66 of the 5′ untranslated region of one of the HCV isolates represented by their cDNA sequences, with said numbering of position beginning with the first ATG codon of the open reading frame encoding the HCV polyprotein, or with said probe being complementary to the above-defined probes, detecting the complexes possibly formed between said probe and the nucleotide sequence of the HCV i

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated and pure Toxoplasma gondii antigenic fragments, recombinant polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding them, primers and probes derived from the same, as well as the use of these polypeptides, nucleic acids, primers and probes in methods and kits for the diagnosis and prevention of T. gondii infection in mammals (humans and animals).

Abstract: The etiological agent responsible for non-A, non-B hepatitis has been identified and termed hepatitis C virus (HCV). The HCV genome is a linear, positive-stranded RNA molecule with a length of approximately 9,400 nucleotides. With the exception of rather short untranslated regions at the termini, the genome consists of one large, uninterrupted, open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of approximately 3,000 amino acids. This polyprotein has been shown to be cleaved co-translationally into individual viral structural and non-structural (NS) regions. The structural protein region is further divided into capsid (Core) and envelope (E1 and E2) regions. The NS regions are divided into NS-1 to NS-5. The present invention is directed toward peptides derived from the HCV NS4 region that contain immunologically important epitopes. A series of biotinylated peptides were prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis and these peptides have proven useful for the detection of HCV-specific antisera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying recombinant HCV single or specific oligomeric envelope proteins selected from the group consisting of E1 and/or E2 and/or E1/E2, characterized in that upon lysing the transformed host cells to isolate the recombination expressed protein a disulphide bond cleavage or reduction step is carried out with a disulphide bond cleavage agent. The present invention also relates to a composition isolated by such a method. The present invention also relates to the diagnostic and therapeutic application of these compositions. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of HCV E1 protein and peptides for prognosing and monitoring the clinical effectiveness and/or clinical outcome of HCV treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wound dressing comprising a biopolymer matrix comprising gelatin cross-linked with an oxidized polysaccharide. Preferably said oxidized polysaccharide comprises an oxidized dextran or an oxidized xanthan. Preferably said matrix is in the form of a hydrated film, a hydrated or dry foam, dry fibers which may be fabricated into a woven or non-woven tissue, hydrated or dry microbeads, dry powder; or said matrix is covered with a semipermeable film, so as to control the humidity of the wound covered with the dressing, with the permeability chosen so as to maintain this humidity within a therapeutically optimal window. A polysulfated polysaccharide with a M.W. greater than 30,000 kDa is mechanically entrapped during the formation of said matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating a skin surface wound of a human. The process includes topically applying a keratinocyte pellet fraction onto the wound to result in wound closure. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition including a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and a keratinocyte pellet fraction. The keratinocyte pellet fraction can be produced in a sterile manner by growing a keratinocyte culture, lysing the keratinocytes, centrifugation, and recovering the keratinocyte pellet fraction.

Abstract: The field of the present invention is that of identification and analysis of chemical and/or biological species of the enzyme/substrate, enzyme/inhibitor or antigen/antibody etc. type. The problem on which the invention is based is to provide a system for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of biological substances by amplified chemiluminescence which allows an actual significant improvement in the emission of light resulting from passage of a chemiluminescent reagent to the excited state. This problem has been solved by means of a system according to the invention, which involves a ligand a) which can be coupled with the substances to be analysed, a chemiluminescent reagent b) of the luminol type, an enzyme c), a substrate d) which oxidizes the enzyme c), and at least one amplifier e), this system being characterized in that the amplifier e) is chosen from the family of halogenophenol (iodophenol) esters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the in-vitro diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies liable to be correlated with CMT1a disease. The invention also relates to probes intended in this in-vitro diagnosis process and to kits containing said probes. The probes of the invention can contain a sequence constituted of from about 15 successive nucleotides of a Not1 fragment, with said Not1 fragment having 1.2.times.10.sup.6 base pairs and being obtained after digesting human DNA of patients with Not1, separating the fragments resulting from digestion by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and hybridizing the resulting fragments with any of the probes VAW409, EW401 or VAW412 or their derivatives, to about the total number of the successive nucleotides of the Not1 fragment. The probes enable the detection of the duplication of a part of chromosome 17p.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the rapid and reliable detection of drug-induced mutations in the reverse transcriptase gene allowing the simultaneous characterization of a range of codons involved in drug resistance using specific sets of probes optimized to function together in a reverse-hybridization assay.