Abstract: A modified bioluminescent system comprising a fluorescent molecule covalently linked with a photoprotein, wherein said link between the two proteins has the function to stabilize the modified bioluminescent system and allowing the transfer of the energy by Chemiluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (CRET).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the susceptibility of a NIDDM patient towards sulfonylurea therapy by obtaining a sample from a NIDDM patient where the sample includes nucleic acid molecules containing a fragment of the SUR1 gene comprising the nucleotide in position −3 of exon 16 and detecting the presence or absence of the −3 t allele in position −3 of exon 6 whereby the presence of at least one −3 t allele identifies a NIDDM patient with a high susceptibility towards sulfonylurea therapy.

Abstract: Several genes encoding subunits of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been cloned and regulatory elements involved in the transcription of the &agr;:2 and &agr;:7-subunit genes have been described. Yet, the detailed mechanisms governing the neuron-specific transcription and the spatio-temporal expression pattern of these genes remain largely uninvestigated. The &bgr;2-subunit is the most widely expressed neuronal nicotinic receptors subunit in the nervous system. We have studied the structural and regulatory properties of the 5′ sequence of this gene. A fragment of 1163 bp of upstream sequence is sufficient to drive the cell-specific transcription of a reporter gene in both transient transfection assays and in transgenic mice. Deletion analysis and sit-directed mutagenesis of this promoter reveal two negative and one positive element. The positively acting sequence includes one functional E-box.

Abstract: KAL protein is identified the active agent in a therapeutic composition for treatment of injury to nerve tissue, including spinal cord tissue, as well as support of treatment for renal grafts. Additionally, therapeutic treatment of renal injury, and kidney transplantation and renal surgery, is effected by administration of KAL protein. The therapeutic agent may be administered locally, or intravenously. Retinal disorders may be similarly treated.

Abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein having a molecular weight of 28 779 Da, and hybrid proteins containing at least portions of its sequence.

Abstract: The use of genetic methodology based on the fusion of the proteins with the alcaline phosphatase (Lim et al., 1995) has allowed the isolation of a new exported protein of M. tuberculosis. In the present article, first of all the isolation of a gene encoding this exported protein called DES is described as well as its characterization and its destribution among the different microbacterial species. It is notably shown that the protein has in its primary sequence amino acids only found at the level of active sites of enzymes of class II diiron-oxo proteins family. Among the proteins of this family, DES protein of M. tuberculosis does not present significative homologies with stearoyl ACP desaturases. Secondly, the antigenic feature of this protein has been studied. For this, DES protein of M. tuberculosis has been overexpressed in E. coli under recombinant and purified protein from from this bacterium. The reactivity of tuberculous patients sera infected by M. tuberculosis or M.

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

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening molecules capable of inhibiting the survival of Helicobacter pylori in vivo by specifically inhibiting the activity of UreI, to the molecules identified by these methods, and to the use of these molecules to treat or prevent H. pylori infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel preparations for a broad-spectrum antiplasmodial vaccine that may contain a vaccinating antigen of Plasmodium falciparum capable of inducing resistance to the parasite and a kit containing the same. The invention relates to a method that may invoke the mechanisms of protective immunity and/or premonition.

Abstract: A variant of a LAV virus, designated LAVMAL and capable of causing AIDS. The cDNA and antigens of the LAVMAL virus can be used for the diagnosis of AIDS and pre-AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the human &bgr;TrCP protein for the targeting of proteins towards proteasome degradation pathways, which is capable of interacting with the Vpu protein of HIV-1 virus, with the cell proteins I&kgr;B and &bgr;-catenin and with the cell protein Skp1p, to its peptide fragments and to the nucleic acid sequences coding for said protein and its fragments. It further relates to the use of the human &bgr;-TrCP protein or its peptide fragments for the screening of anti-HIV-1 antiviral agents, antitumoral agents and anti-inflammatory agents, to the antiviral agents, antitumoral agents and anti-inflammatory agents, and to the antibodies directed against said protein and its peptide fragments.

Abstract: Compositions for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), tumor suppressor genes associated with HCC, methods for diagnosing various forms of HCC, methods for detecting genetic abnormalities associated with HCC, as well as kits for carrying out the methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant negative strand RNA molecules which may be used to express heterologous proteins in animal cells and/or to construct recombinant viruses able to express heterologous proteins during their multiplication in host animal cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and a method for measuring at least one optical characteristic, which can include in particular turbidity (T), absorbance (A) and fluorescence (F), of a medium (1), and a micro-bioreactor, a connector and associated male and female parts. The apparatus comprises a light source (3) provided with means for controlling (6) the intensity of the beam transmitted (11) by the source, a photodetector (4) for measuring the intensity of the beam reflected (12) by the medium, a feedback regulating system (7) operating on the control means such that the measured intensity of the reflected beam is equal to a predetermined nominal intensity, and means for reading the transmitted beam intensity, said intensity representing the medium optical characteristic(s). The apparatus also comprises means for adjusting the nominal intensity, such that the transmitted beam stabilised intensity is within a predetermined range. The invention is applicable to micro-bioreactors.

Abstract: A composition for forming a dried lens-shaped pellet and processes therefore, are provided. The composition comprises 20 to 40% by weight albumin, about 2 to 5% by weight starch, about 40 to 90% by weight of sugar and/or salt, and about 102 to 1011 microorganisms per gram of the composition. The microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, yeasts, protozoa, and fungi. A process for producing the pellet includes mixing the microorganisms with the albumin and starch to form a mixture, reducing water activity of the mixture by adding the sugar and/or salt to the mixture, shaping the mixture into pellets and drying the pellets under vacuum and at a temperature lower than about −10° C. Also a process for producing a suspension of microorganisms includes resuspending the pellet into a suitable medium. Further, other processes using the pellet include fermentation, reconstituting for purposes of testing, and preserving.

Abstract: A method of preventing or inhibiting infection by a parasite or virus in vivo comprises administering to a human in need thereof a parasite or virus mitogen in a sub-mitogenic amount sufficient to induce a protective immune response against the parasite or virus in the human.

Abstract: Compounds having the following peptide sequence: X Leu Y, wherein X is H or Ala or Leu-Ser-Ala, Y is OH or peptide sequence having from 1 to 10 amino acids, with the terminal carboxy end being amidified by a NH2 group, or esterified by a substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbyloxy, with the proviso that X and Y are not simultaneously H and OH, respectively, The invention also concerns the corresponding compounds wherein the peptide binding group —CO—NH— is replaced by a binding group resisting protease enzymatic degradation, or wherein the peptide backbone comprises one or more intercalated groups making the peptide binding resistant to enzymatic degradation. Also described are compounds comprising a grouping whose spatial structure is substantially identical to that of a peptide of the sequence X-Leu-Y wherein X and Y have the above-mentioned definition.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for assessing in vitro the genotoxicity of a compound, which consist in contacting said compound with at least a cell or cell type overexpressing bcl2 protooncogene and/or related anti-apoptotic protein, and observing the genotoxic effects of said compound on said cell.

Abstract: A carbohydrate peptide conjugate comprising:

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus. This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.