Abstract: The invention concerns an acellular immunogenic or vaccine composition for producing antibodies against Bacillus anthracis comprising a protective antigen (PA) and killed and optionally purified spores, obtained from mutating strains of Bacillus anthracis and their uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to biosensors, methods for obtaining them and their use for detecting, assaying or locating, in direct immunofluorescence, a ligand such as an antigen or hapten, in a heterogeneous population. The biosensor includes (i) at least one fragment of a receptor which is protein in nature, capable of binding to a ligand via an active site, where at least one amino acid residues of the fragment located in the proximity of the active site is naturally present in the form of a cystein (Cys) residue, or is substituted with a Cys residue, and (ii) a fluorophore coupled to the Cys residue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an implant for an osteosynthesis device in particular of the backbone and the specific tool for setting this implant, enabling a secure fixing and a simple and easy setting. The implant comprises a bone anchoring device (1) topped with a fixing head (3) consisting of two side branches (5) forming an open U and designed to receive a linking rod to be locked by clamping, by means of a threaded nut (6) to be screwed on matching threaded parts produced on the partially cylindrical outer walls (5a) of the fixing head (3) side branches, and comprises, in the nut (6) diametral zone, a plate mounted in free rotation. The implant, in combination with the corresponding tool, enables the setting with blind indexing of the plate between the U-shaped branches (5) of said head (3), before and during the clamping of the nut, which is performed with the same tool (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hepatic cell line derived from wild-type mammalian liver tissue by culture methodology, the cells of the cell line being capable of differentiating into hepatocytes and bile duct cells. The present invention also relates to methods of producing such cells as well as to their applications in therapy and as an investigational tool.

Abstract: An osteosynthesis device having an elastically deformable connection system including a deformable connection member wherein a in a sagittal plane, determined stiffness for exerting in a return force on flexion-extension movements between the fixing portions, and in a frontal plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane, determined stiffness for exerting return force on lateral inflexion movements between the fixing portions.

Abstract: A thermostable mutant DNA polymerase; a method for obtaining the thernmostable mutant DNA polymerase by identifying a thermostable mutant polypeptide exhibiting enzymatic activity, wherein the thermostable mutant polypeptide is a variant of DNA polymerase I obtained from Thermus aquaticus; a polynucleotide, an expression vector, and a host cell encoding the thermostable mutant DNA polymerase; and a method of performing a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) utilizing the thermostable mutant DNA polymerase, as well as a kit for facilitating the same.

Abstract: A clamping nut suitable for co-operating with a threaded shank of an osteosynthesis appliance, the nut including an annular body and a tapped bore for cooperating with the threaded shank. The annular body is provided with a structure which enables turning the body and with a transverse bearing face. The osteosynthesis nut further includes a ring mounted in a housing of the annular body which is provided internally with the tapped bore, and which cooperates externally with the annular body.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which can become fixed to the engrailed transcription factor and which can modulate the activity thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns cell-penetrating peptides which comprise an amino acid sequence consisting of GLX9WRAX9WRX1LX2RSLX9WX3X4X5X6X7X8 (SEQ ID No: 1), wherein X1 is A, L or G, X2 is W or none, X3 is R or K, X4 is K, L or S, X5 is L or K, X6 is R or W, X7 is K or S, and X8 is A, V or Q, and X9 is W, F or Y. These CPPs can be used as vectors for delivering nucleic acids and/or proteins and/or peptides to cells, in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuation device, including a flexible electrode, having a first and a second end, at least part of the flexible electrode being mobile relative to a substrate, two electrodes fixed relative to the substrate, and a mechanism for forming two pivots of the flexible electrode, located between the two ends of the flexible electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to the therapeutic use of a SMR1-peptide or a pharmaceutically active amount of said SMR1-peptide, for the preparation of a therapeutic composition for preventing or treating diseases wherein a modulation of the activity of a membrane metallopeptidase, notably a membrane-zinc metallopeptidase, is sought, in a mammal, specifically in a human.

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: The invention concerns a stabilized interbody fusion system for vertebrae, of the type comprising an interbody implant (4) designed to be inserted in the intervertebral space defined between two neighboring vertebrae to be mutually secured, so as to restore the height and the angle of the lordosis of the vertebral segment defined by the two neighboring vertebrae and a stabilizing plate (17) provided, at each of its ends, with at least a passage hole (18) for an anchoring screw, the plate (17) and the implant (4) being provided with mutual assembly means, such that after assembly, the stabilizing plate (17) extends on each side of the implant to enable the stabilizing plate to be anchored on the neighboring vertebrae through the screws, characterized in that it comprises spacing means (30), interposed between the stabilizing plate (17) and the implant (4), to enable the stabilizing plate to be positioned at a specific distance relative to the implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides hybridomas and antibodies which specifically react with native P. falciparum at a surface of ring stage infected erythrocytes and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel polar solvents and novel electrolytic compositions comprising such solvents, and having a high range of stability, as required for applications in the field of electrochemistry. The present solvents have a highly polar amide function, and preferably combine with a salt soluble in the solvent and having an anion with a delocalized charge, and at least one polymer, to form an electrolytic composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for an osteosynthesis device, in particular for the spine, the implant including a first assembly itself including: a fixing body having a housing for receiving the head of an anchor screw in such a manner as to define a ball joint; and a positioning ring; and a second assembly itself including a nut type system. According to the invention: the first assembly has a positioning ring mounted in the fixing body; and the second assembly has a nut type system, adapted, when tightened on the body, to bear against the bracing rod and to cause the positioning ring to move in linear displacement.

Abstract: A disk prosthesis includes first and second plates (2, 3) to be fixed on neighboring cervical vertebrae and an articulation arrangement (7) inserted between the two plates in a superposed position. The articulation arrangement allows for flexion-tension movements in a sagittal plane (S) according to a limited clearance, lateral inflexion movements in a plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane (S) according to limited angular clearance, and relative rotation movements between the first and second plates according to a limited angular clearance. The first and second plates are assembled to form a prosthesis of a single piece.

Abstract: The invention concerns an acellular immunogenic or vaccine composition for producing antibodies against Bacillus anthracis comprising a protective antigen (PA) and killed and optionally purified spores, obtained from mutating strains of Bacillus anthracis and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel synthetic or natural peptides for use in treating viral or parasitic infections or in the treatment of tumors. The peptides of the present invention are less than 30 amino acids in size, preferably less than 20 amino acids, in particular 15 to 20 amino acids, and in vitro the peptides specifically bind a type 2A protein phosphatase holoenzyme or one of its subunits. The invention also relates to a method for identifying said peptides, and to their uses.

Abstract: A disk prosthesis for cervical vertebrae. The prosthesis includes a spherical cap formed on a first insert, while a spherical cup is formed on a second inset, two inserts made of ceramic material, one of the inserts being mounted on a first plate while the other insert is mounted on a second plate in such a manner that the center of rotation of the joint is substantially centered relative to the edges of the plates, a spherical cup possessing a contact surface area that is not less than that of the spherical cap and being connected via an annular molding to the base of the insert, and a plate provided with the insert having the spherical cap includes an annular setback to leave clearance for the annular molding.