Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a preparation of killed or non infectious Gram positive bacteria such as Gram positive facultative intracellular bacteria, for example mycobacteria, for the treatment of intestinal inflammatory syndromes such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: A method and systems for locating a source of particles, molecules, or fragments of molecules using particle, molecule, or fragment of molecule reception rate is disclosed. According to the invention, the particle, molecule, or fragment of molecules diffusion parameters in the search space are determined and a lattice is designed on the search space. After having determined whether or not at least one particle, molecule, or fragment of molecule is detected by a sensor, a probability is computed for each node of said search space lattice. The probability associated to each node of the search space lattice corresponds to the probability that the particle, molecule, or fragment of molecule source is located on the node. Then, the move of the sensor is evaluated according to the entropy of the computed probabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for screening for substances which inhibit the oligomerization of NEMO and/or IKK-related complexes and/or signaling pathways based on the interference with NEMO oligomerization

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining likelihood of an individual of developing a psychiatric disorder. More particularly, the method of the invention is based on the identification of genetic variations in genes involved in the modulation of melatonin and their consequences on such pathway for the determination of whether an individual is susceptible of being afflicted by a psychiatric disorder such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Deficits and Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) and anorexia.

Abstract: A method for the production of high-level soluble human recombinant interferon alpha protein (rhuIFN?) in E. coli and vectors useful for such a production which comprises: (1) transforming an E. coli selected in the group consisting of E. coli protease deficient host strains, and E. coli reductase deficient host strains, with a recombinant expression vector comprising the sequence encoding the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), a junction sequence including a recognition site for a specific protease and a sequence able to encode an interferon alpha (IFN alpha) protein under the control of an inducible promoter, said vector encoding a GST-IFN alpha fusion protein; (2) expressing said interferon alpha protein in conditions comprising the induction of the expression with 0.1 mM-0.5 mM IPTG and a growth temperature of 25° and/or 37° C., depending on said E. coli strain; and (3) isolating the expressed IFN alpha protein.

Abstract: Purified antibodies that bind to M. tuberculosis ERP protein are disclosed. In one embodiment, a purified antibody, which binds specifically with a polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 39 or SEQ ID NO: 41 is provided. In some embodiments the polypeptide has a theoretical molecular weight of about 28 kDa. In other embodiments the polypeptide has an observed molecular weight of about 36 kDa, as determined by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The purified antibody may be a monoclonal or a polyclonal antibody. Further embodiments provide antibodies that does not bind specifically with M. leprae P28 protein. The antibodies of the invention have many uses including the identification of M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified opiorphin peptides as new inhibitors of metallo-ectopeptidases.

Abstract: The invention concerns Mycobacterium strains whereof the erp gene is modified and a vaccine composition containing same. The modification of the erp gene decreases the virulence and the persistence of the Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: A mutated Bordetella strain comprising at least a mutated ptx gene, a deleted or mutated dnt gene and a heterologous ampG gene is provided. The attenuated mutated Bordetella strain can be used in an immunogenic composition or a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of a Bordetella infection. Use of the attenuated Bordetella strain for the manufacture of a vaccine or immunogenic composition, as well as methods for protecting mammals against infection by Bordetella are also provided.

Abstract: The non-toxic proteolytic C fragment of tetanus toxin (TTC peptide) has the same ability to bind nerve cells and be retrogradely transported through a synapse as the native toxin. A hybrid protein encoded by the lacZ-TTC gene fusion retains the biological functions of both proteins in vivo, i.e. retrograde transynaptic transport of the TTC fragment and -gal enzymatic activity. After intramuscular injection, enzymatic activity could be detected in motoneurons and connected neurons of the brainstem areas. This strategy is useful for the delivery of a biological activity to neurons from the periphery to the central nervous system. Such a hybrid protein can also be used to map synaptic connections between neural cells.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus. This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method of detecting lymphadenopathy associated virus or related viruses or DNA pro-viruses with cloned DNA sequences which are hybridizable to genomic RNA and DNA of lymphadenopathy associated virus. It further relates to the cloned DNA sequences and a process for their preparation.

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: Antigenic and immunogenic determinants of Merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3). Antigenicity and functional assays identified a 68-amino acid conserved domain of MSP3 as a target of biologically active antibodies. A peptide comprising amino acid residues 184-251 of SEQ ID NO: 2, may also be employed as may peptides consisting of different combinations of the MSP3 a, b, c, d, e and f peptides. Particular non-overlapping or overlapping segments of MSP3 a, b, c, d, e and f peptides may also be used. The various overlapping segments and nonoverlapping segments among the different MSP3 peptides are shown in FIG. 6. MSP3 determinants include targets of antibody-dependent cellular inhibition (ADCI) which is a protective mechanism against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Six overlapping peptides were derived from the C-terminal end of the MSP3 polypeptide. Each of these peptides defined at least 1 non-crossreactive B cell epitope and contained T helper epitopes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kit for diagnosing autism linked to a mutation in a protein belonging to the family of human neuroligins.

Abstract: The invention provides novel preparations for a broad-spectrum antiplasmodial vaccine.

Abstract: The present application identifies the involvement of the HIF?-homologous Arntl2 gene in the control of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to developing insulin-dependent diabetes based on the expressing level of the Arntl2 gene. The present invention also provides a method for identifying compounds effective for treating or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes in a subject in need thereof and a method of treating or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes by administering an effective amount of compound identified by the identification method. The present invention also provides a method of enhancing protection against insulitis progression or autoimmune diabetes development in a subject in need thereof comprising, enhancing expression of the Arntl2 gene or modulating the expression of target genes thereof.

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: This invention relates to the field of anticancer therapy, and to the identification of immunogenic peptides derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding hTERT epitopes restricted to MHC class I molecule, analogues thereof and polyepitopes containing such epitopes and/or analogues. Are also included in the present invention, vector and cell comprising such polynucleotides. The present invention also concerns composition comprising hTERT polypeptides, corresponding polynucleotides, vectors and cells, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of viral vectors expressing different immunogens from the West Nile Encephalitis Virus (WNV) or the Dengue virus which are able to induce protective humoral and cellular immune responses against WNV or Dengue virus infections. More specifically, the present invention relates to three (3) antigens from WNV (the secreted envelope glycoprotein (E), the heterodimer glycoproteins (pre-M-E) and the NSI protein) and from Dengue virus (the secreted envelope glycoprotein (e), the heterodimer glycoproteins (pre- m-e) and the nsl protein) and their use in vaccinal, therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of racemases and definition of protein signatures of these racemases. More particularly, this invention relates to the identification of nucleic acid molecules encoding a peptide consisting of a motif characteristic of the protein signatures, and to the peptides consisting of these motifs and more specifically SEQ ID NOS: 1-4. This invention also relates to antibodies specific for the peptides and to immune complexes of these antibodies with the peptides. Further, the invention relates to methods and kits for detecting racemases using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, as well as the peptides consisting of the motifs and antibodies to these peptides.