Abstract: Isolated DNAs encoding the enzyme I-SpomI and its recognition and cutting site are provided. The DNA sequences can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, referred to as CBD-1, CBD-2, CBM-1/TH-1, CBM-1/TH-2, CBM-2/TH-1, CBM-2/TH-2 and C-20 peptides, which are antigenic and elicit a protective immune response against HIV infection. Compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising these antigenic peptides are also encompassed by the present invention, as well as neutralizing antibodies which inhibit infection of primary CD4+ T lymphocytes by various HIV isolates. Methods for diagnosis of HIV are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention demonstrates that, contrary to apoptotic rabies virus G proteins, certain non-apoptotic rabies virus G proteins, such as the G protein of the CVS-NIV strain, have a neurite outgrowth promoting effect. The invention further demonstrates that this neurite outgrowth promoting effect is due to the cytoplasmic tail of said non-apoptotic rabies virus G proteins, more particularly to their PDZ-BS, which shows a single-point mutation compared to the one of apoptotic rabies virus G proteins. The invention provides means for inducing and/or stimulating neurite outgrowth, which are useful in inducing neuron differentiation, for example for the treatment of a neoplasm of the nervous system, as well as in regenerating impaired neurons, for example for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, disorder or condition or in the treatment of a microbial infection, or in protecting neurons from neurotoxic agents or oxidative stress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic animal mode system based on the development of transgenic mice bearing components of the human immune system. Specifically, the Invention relates to a Flk2 deficient Rag “?c” transgenic mouse and the engraftment of said mouse with human hematopoietic stem cells. The present invention further presides methods for increasing the numbers of functionally competent human dendritic cells is and the hematopoietic targets cells that they interact with in said transgenic mouse through the administration of Flk2L. The transgenic animal model system of the invention may be used for testing human vaccine candidates, for screening potential Immune adjuvants and for developing novel therapeutics.

Abstract: Methods of eliciting humoral responses, methods of immunization, and methods of vaccination using lentiviral vector are disclosed. Additionally, immunogenic compositions and vaccines for West Nile Virus are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting and identifying bacteria of the Salmonella genus by identification of the variable nucleotide sequences contained in the CRISPR loci of these bacteria, and also to diagnostic reagents, such as oligonucleotide primers and probes, for molecular typing and subtyping of these bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for the prediction of risk for heart failure using post-translation modified forms of cardiac troponin T as a biomarker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-derived polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same which advantageously comprises a cd81-binding region. In this connection, the present invention specifically relates to the use of the polypeptides or nucleic acid molecules in compositions and methods for the prevention, the treatment and the diagnosis of HCV infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacterial toxic proteins, in particular toxins from Clostridium or other pathogenic organisms using, for example, promoter nucleic acids to control expression of polypeptides such as bacterial toxins.

Abstract: A purified polynucleotide having a chain of nucleotides corresponding to a mutated sequence, which in a wild form encodes a polypeptide implicated in hereditary sensory defect, wherein said mutated purified polynucleotide presents a mutation responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness selected from the group consisting of a specific deletion of at least one nucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing the occurance or progression of a cancer or pre-cancerous condition associated with expression, or over-expression of human cytidine deaminases of the APOBEC3 family. The invention also relates to drug screening assays designed to identify compounds that regulate the activity, or level of expression, of hA3A, hA3C and hA3H. The invention further relates to transgenic mice, as well as cells derived from said mice, that have been genetically engineered to express, or over-express hA3A, hA3C and/or hA3H. Such mice may be utilized to screen for, or identify, compounds that modulate the activity, or expression, of the human cytidine deaminases. The present invention also provides topical compositions such as cosmetic lotion, crème, or sunscreen for use on the skin, which comprise one or more inhibitors of human cytidine deaminase activity.

Abstract: A conjugate molecule comprising an oligo- or polysaccharide covalently bound to a carrier and its use as potential vaccine against infection by S. Flexneri.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of infection, a disease, or a condition using CD26 (DPIV) inhibitors. The present invention also relates to an antibody that binds to the IP-10 protein and a method of monitoring the necessity for administering a CD26 inhibitor to a patient, comprising evaluating a level of sIP-10, a activity of CD26, and/or a level of CXCR3 cells in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to determine the gene expression profile on a sample previously obtained from a patient diagnosed for a liver tumor, comprising assaying the expression of a set of genes in this sample and determining the gene expression profile (signature). In a particular embodiment, said method enables to determine the grade of liver tumor, such as hepatoblastoma (HB) or a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The invention is also directed to kits comprising a plurality of pairs of primers or a plurality of probes specific for a set of genes, as well as to solid support or composition comprising a set of probes specific for a set of genes. These methods are useful to determine the grade of a liver tumor in sample obtained from a patient, to determine the risk of developing metastasis and/or to define the therapeutic regimen to apply to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Basic Prolin-rich Lacrimal protein (BPLP) gene products, such as Opiorphin, for establishing a prognosis, a diagnosis or the monitoring of a pathological state or of treatment efficacy in a subject and the related method of use.

Abstract: A method of detecting a curvilinear object of a noisy image. The method includes filtering the noisy image in accordance with a two dimensional line profile. The line profile is selected within a class of steerable filters. A beamlet coefficient is calculated in accordance with the filtering, wherein a coefficient above a predetermined threshold identifies a local feature.

Abstract: An enzyme proteolysis-resistant peptide that binds to antibodies directed against the amino acid region 1-116 of the endocan's polypeptide sequence, which peptide possesses an apparent molecular weight of 14 kDa.

Abstract: The present invention provides the crystal structure of the Trypanosoma cruzi PRACA proline racemase. Methods of modelling drugs that treat or prevent infection by T. cruzi are also provided, as are the drugs that are identified.

Abstract: The ospF gene of Shigella flexneri encodes a phosphatase, which is a member of a new class of phosphatases. The OspF phosphatase inhibits the activity of several proteins either by direct protein modification or transcription downregulation. These proteins include MAP kinase, IL-8, CCL20, IL-12, AP1, CREB, RPA p32, and BCL2 related proteins. Methods for treating diseases using OspF phosphatase, methods for identifying agents that modulate OspF phosphatase's activity, methods for identifying agents that mimic OspF phosphatase's activity, and immunogenic compositions comprising OspF phosphatase are provided. A strain of Shigella flexneri containing an inactivated ospF gene is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid, vectors, viruses, and recombinant cells comprising triple-stranded structures, such as those resulting from central initiation and termination of HIV-1 reverse transcription at the center of HIV-1 linear DNA genomes. These triplex structures can act as a cis-determinant of HIV-1 DNA nuclear import, allowing infection of non-dividing target cells. In one aspect, the presence of the DNA triplex sequence in an HIV vector strongly stimulates gene transfer in hematopoietic stem cells. The invention also provides methods of using these triplex structures for making recombinant cells, as well as methods of using the recombinant cells to express proteins of interest both in vitro and in vivo.