Abstract: The present invention relates to a photodiode, comprising a photo-active layer which layer comprises at least one electron donating material, and at least one fullerene derivative as an electron accepting material. The present invention further relates to a method for making such a photo diode, to a photo-active layer and to a fullerene derivative.

Abstract: A breath actuated dry powder inhaler, comprising a substantially disc shaped air circulation chamber for de-agglomeration of entrained powdered medicament using the energy of the inspiratory air stream. The chamber has a substantially circular or polygonal sidewall extending about a central axis between top and bottom walls of the chamber so that the height of the chamber is smaller than its diameter. A plurality of air supply channels disposed about the circumference of the chamber, which channels extend from joint or separate air inlets and which channels enter the chamber substantially tangentially to its sidewall. At least one of the supply channels extends through a powder dose supply region of the inhaler. The chamber further comprises an air outlet axially extending from a discharge opening in the centre of the top or bottom wall of the chamber and connects to a discharge channel that extends to a mouthpiece.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining parameters of a source of a potential-energy field. The system has a sensor array for sensing a property of the potential-energy field generated by the source, with a first sensor at a first position and a second sensor at a second position. The first and second sensor each have a sensor output for outputting a sensor signal representing the sensed property. A signal processor can determine the sensed property as a function of the position of the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor. A correlator is connected to the signal processor and arranged to correlate the determined result to a predetermined result derived for a template source positioned at a predetermined position and/or orientation with respect to the sensor array. A calculator is connected to the correlator. The calculator can determine the parameter from the correlation result.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics, and more specifically to the detection of a specific type of germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene, which will predispose to breast and ovarian cancer. In addition, the invention relates to the molecular genetic mechanism that may have mediated the genesis of these mutations, in particular the role of Alu repetitive DNA elements present in the intronic regions of BRCA1. The invention further relates to somatic mutations of this type in the BRCA1 gene in human breast and ovarian cancer, and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast and ovarian cancer. The invention more particularly relates to the screening of this type of BRCA1 mutations in human genomic DNA, which are useful for the diagnosis of inherited predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer.

Abstract: A compound includes a carrier molecule wherein the carrier molecule is linked to a further molecule, wherein the further molecule is at least one cyclic peptide in which the cyclic peptide portion thereof contains at least one sequence encoding a cell receptor recognizing peptide (RRP) and with the proviso that the compound is not a naturally occurring receptor agonist or antagonist. Preferably, the RRP is a receptor specific for Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) or a receptor that is up-regulated on HSC during disease. The RFP may be chosen from among a PDGF receptor, a collagen type VI receptor, cytokine receptor(s) such as TGB?, INF? and interleukin?. The cyclic portion of the peptide can contain at least one amino acid sequence RGD or KPT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting an epoxide to an alcohol. The process according to the invention is enzymatically catalyzed and highly enantioselective and regiospecific.

Abstract: A method for modulating in a cell the expression of one or more genes involved in the biosynthesis of a metabolite or a precursor for this metabolite by inserting into a cell a nucleotide sequence coding for a transcription factor comprising an AP2 DNA-binding domain, and/or by modifying the expression of a nucleotide sequence coding for such a transcription factor already present in the cell is provided. The method is useful for enhancing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants such as alkaloids including terpenoid indole alkaloids. Also provided is a method for enhancing stress tolerance in plants by the use of such transcription factors.

Abstract: A compound includes a carrier molecule wherein the carrier molecule is linked to a further molecule, wherein the further molecule is at least one cyclic peptide in which the cyclic peptide portion thereof contains at least one sequence encoding a cell receptor recognizing peptide (RRP) and with the proviso that the compound is not a naturally occurring receptor agonist or antagonist. Preferably, the RRP is a receptor specific for Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) or a receptor that is up-regulated on HSC during disease. The RFP may be chosen from among a PDGF receptor, a collagen type VI receptor, cytokine receptor(s) such as TGB?, INF? and interleukin?. The cyclic portion of the peptide can contain at least one amino acid sequence RGD or KPT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder formulation for administration by inhalation comprising an active substance and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, which composition has the form of a physical mixture and comprises from 5 to 25 wt. % of the excipient, and wherein the active substance has a particle size distribution of from 0.5 to 10 ?m, and wherein the excipient has a particle size distribution of from 15 to 500 ?m.

Abstract: An alphavirus vector system comprising nucleic acid of a human papilloma virus origin is disclosed. A method of treating or preventing cervical cancer is also disclosed. The method includes administering the alphavirus vector system and/or a cell comprising nucleic acid derived from human papilloma virus (HPV) to a subject. The alphavirus vector system or the cell may be administered as a vaccine.

Abstract: For detecting a property of at least one layer (301) of a pavement (300), a flux of radiation of energy levels or at least one range selected from an energy spectrum received from the pavement is measured in a position above the pavement. The measured radiation includes g-radiation emitted by at least one radionuclide in or under the pavement. Information regarding the property is determined from the measured flux and a relationship between at least one flux of g-radiation of the energy levels or the range or ranges selected from the energy spectrum and the property. Pavement layers typically contain different concentrations of g-radiation emitting radio nuclides than the roadbed or the soil underneath and this also applies to layers of pavement of different material compositions. Selectively processing measured radiation at different energy levels or in at least one selected energy range allows to determine information regarding properties of the pavement from measured g-radiation intensity more accurately.

Abstract: A peptide sequence of the so-called minor H antigen. The minor H antigens are associated with Graft versus Host disease. The peptide and its derivatives find many uses in bone marrow transplantation, organ transplantation, and in the treatment of leukemia. The peptide and its derivatives can be incorporated into vaccines and pharmaceutical formulations, and they can be used in diagnostic test kits. The peptide is derived from the HA-1 minor antigen, and has the sequence VLXDDLLEA (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein X represents a histidine or arginine residue. Both donors and recipients in bone marrow transplantation can be treated with the peptides, optionally in combination with other peptides, coupled to carriers, and with suitable excipients and/or adjuvants.

Abstract: An alphavirus vector system comprising nucleic acid of a human papilloma virus origin is disclosed. A method of treating or preventing cervical cancer is also disclosed. The method includes administering the alphavirus vector system and/or a cell comprising nucleic acid derived from human papilloma virus (HPV) to a subject. The alphavirus vector system or the cell may be administered as a vaccine.

Abstract: A breath actuated dry powder inhaler, comprising a substantially disc shaped air circulation chamber for de-agglomeration of entrained powdered medicament using the energy of the inspiratory air stream. The chamber has a substantially circular or polygonal sidewall extending about a central axis between top and bottom walls of the chamber so that the height of the chamber is smaller than its diameter. A plurality of air supply channels disposed about the circumference of the chamber, which channels extend from joint or separate air inlets and which channels enter the chamber substantially tangentially to its sidewall. At least one of the supply channels extends through a powder dose supply region of the inhaler. The chamber further comprises an air outlet axially extending from a discharge opening in the centre of the top or bottom wall of the chamber and connects to a discharge channel that extends to a mouthpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an asthma-associated gene, designated AAGA, the protein molecule encoded by AAGA and related molecules in diagnostic and prognostic screening of patient populations, to polymorphisms in AAGA, and to the use of the protein encoded by AAGA or a variant thereof as a therapeutic target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photodiode including a photo-active layer, which layer includes at least one electron donating material, and at least one fullerene derivative as an electron accepting material. The present invention further relates to a method for making such a photodiode, to a photo-active layer and to a fullerene derivative.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of microorganisms and to the culturing of microorganisms. Means and methods are described for enhancing the culturing properties of filamentous microorganisms, particularly filamentous fungi. According to the invention, the means and methods generally comprise reducing the branching and/or enhancing the fragmentation of the microorganisms, so that their liquid culturing properties are improved. In one embodiment, this is achieved by providing the microorganisms with activity capable of enhancing fragmentation and/or reducing branching such as the activity which in, for example, Streptomyces griseus is encoded by ssgA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide which is immunologically recognizable as a T cell epitope of the minor Histocompatibility antigen H-Y. The peptide comprises amino acid sequence SPSVDKARAEL (SEQ ID NO: 1) or FIDSYICQV (SEQ ID NO: 2). The peptide is obtainable from the minor Histocompatibility antigen H-Y. Providing a toxic moiety to the peptide eliminates T cells having specific binding affinity for the peptide. The peptide induces tolerance for transplantations when administered to H-Y-negative recipients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one lipophilic compound and at least one glass of a sugar, a sugar alcohol, a mixture of sugars, a mixture of sugar alcohols, or a mixture of at least one sugar and at least one sugar alcohol, wherein the lipophilic compound is incorporated in the sugar glass. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A compound includes a carrier molecule wherein the carrier molecule is linked to a further molecule, wherein the further molecule is at least one cyclic peptide in which the cyclic peptide portion thereof contains at least one sequence encoding a cell receptor recognizing peptide (RRP) and with the proviso that the compound is not a naturally occurring receptor agonist or antagonist. Preferably, the RRP is a receptor specific for Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) or a receptor that is up-regulated on HSC during disease. The RFP may be chosen from among a PDGF receptor, a collagen type VI receptor, cytokine receptor(s) such as TGB?, INF? and interleukin?. The cyclic portion of the peptide can contain at least one amino acid sequence RGD or KPT.