Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection and/or quantification of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive bacteria that is an important human pathogen, in an isolated biological sample, through magneto-amperometric biosensors, comprising detecting fragments of lytA gene of said microorganism, amplified through PCR, preferably asymmetric PCR or direct asymmetric PCR, by means of the hybridization thereof to a specific probe fully complementary to a region of said amplified fragment. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the use of primers SEQ ID NO: 3 and 4 together with probes SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 to perform said detection. The biosensor developed to detect S. pneumoniae can be applied to different types of clinical samples from patients infected with this bacterium or other related bacteria. Preferably the clinical sample is an isolated biological fluid such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva or urine.

Abstract: Kit and method for the pre mortem in vitro detection of Alzheimer's disease The invention relates to a detection kit for Alzheimer's disease based on the vitro identification of the presence of biomarkers in the remains normally discarded after crystalline lens surgery. The kit can be used for the pre mortem detection of the disease, even before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Among the available biomarkers, the biomarker of choice is beta-amyloid peptide, for which several methods of sample processing and labelling for the presence of the biomarker may be used. Embodied in the invention is also the use of the crystalline lens remains discarded during surgery, often cataract surgery, to prepare a method for the in vitro pre mortem detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention is a filtering, transparent device for preventing damage to healthy eyes and for the prophylaxis and therapy of pseudophakic eyes and/or eyes with macular and retinal neurodegeneration and is the result of applying a yellow filter to the transparent or translucent surface(s) of the visor of a protective helmet, to protect the eyes from the short wavelengths of the visible spectrum (500 to 380 nm). The invention avoids the difficulties and risks of existing ways of protecting healthy eyes or eyes subjected to cataract surgery, and improve the protection of eyes suffering retinal neurodegeneration, simply by applying a filter to the transparent or translucent surface(s) of the visor of any protective helmet. The invention consists of combining the transparent or translucent surface(s) of the visor of any protective helmet with a yellow filter that absorbs short wavelengths of light from 500 to 380 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanoparticles of noble metals, having a controlled microstructure which leads to the appearance of ferromagnetic behaviour in said nanoparticles, thereby enabling the use of very small magnets (<5 nm) in a range in which standard ferromagnetic metals behave as superparamagnetic entitles (disappearance of hysteresis cycle). The inventive nanoparticles can be used, for example, to reduce the dimensions in magnetic recordings, as well as in biomedicine as tools for biomolecule recognition, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, drug-release control or hypothermia treatments.

Abstract: A component with a yellow pigment that absorbs light wavelengths in the range 500 to 380 nm is provided for transparent or translucent components of a vehicle in order to protect healthy eyes, pseudophakic eyes, and eyes with macular and retinal degeneration from harmful ultraviolet rays. The component may be in the form of a filter that is applied on or within these transparent or translucent components of the vehicle.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and the corresponding device thereof for recognition of persons incorporating, as biometric constant and determinant for each individual, the irregularities of the map of the posterior surface of the cornea, being different in each individual. The invention is based on taking an image exclusively of the second ocular dioptric with the objective of determining the irregularities of the surface map thereof with respect to a standardised surface (sphere, ellipsoid, torus, etc.) and quantifying them, yielding a set of attributes characteristic of each person utilised as a system of authentication, that is to say utilising the variations and calculations carried out therewith as biometric minutiae. Taking an image is of proven safety insofar as it may be taken without any contraindication whatsoever and as many times as necessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a person recognition method and device incorporating the anatomic location of the retina as a biometric constant, corresponding to the physiological location of the projection of the visual axis. More specifically, the invention relates to a person recognition method and a corresponding device incorporating the anatomic location of the retina as an exclusive discriminant biometric constant for each individual, corresponding to the physiological location of the visual axis, taking account of the physiological fixation disparity.

Abstract: A device is provided for the treatment and prophylaxis of healthy eyes, pseudoaphakic eyes and/or eyes suffering macular and retinal degeneration that comprises a yellow filter applied to a conventional illumination system to protect them from short wavelengths of the visible spectrum under 500 nm and preferably in the range of 350 nm to 500 nm. This device the difficulties and risks of existing ways of protecting eyes undergoing cataract surgery and prevents or improves the degeneration of healthy eyes and those suffering neurodegeneration by the simple application of a protective filter to any lighting system. Embodiments of the invention comprise combining a conventional light source with a conventional yellow filter that absorbs wavelengths of light shorter than 500 nm so that the filter completely covers the illumination source.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a covering filtering material for protecting eyes which are healthy, pseudo-aphakic (operated for cataracts) and/or having retinal degeneration under shortwave lengths, which results from the application of a filter with yellow pigmentation on any covering, coating or screening material with the purpose of protecting the eyes from the shortwave lengths of visible spectrum from 500 to 380 nm which cause retinal degeneration. By way of example, this element may be applied in materials intended for manufacturing awnings, parasols or insulating materials or protection screens of any type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a new isolate of Neospora caninum for the development of diagnostic tests and for the manufacture of products for the treatment and prevention of the infection caused by Neospora. The use of a new isolate of Neospora caninum (filed in the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, with access number CCAP 2051/1), and the extracts obtained therefrom, in the preparation of diagnostic tests and in the manufacture of products for the treatment and prevention of the infection caused by Neospora, is based on the ease with which the new isolate converts from the tachyzoite to the bradyzoite stage under in vitro conditions. Additionally and with the same applications, the polypeptides and the polynucleotides obtained from the new isolate and the immunoreactive antibodies developed against Neospora antigens are used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polyhydroxylated compounds and, in particular, to its activity as fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors and to their use for the treatment of pathological states for which an inhibitor of this enzyme is indicated. The invention further relate to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to a process for the preparation of such compounds.

Abstract: The object of this invention is an ophthalmologic lens for pseudoaphakic eyes and/or eyes suffering macular and retinal degeneration, created by applying a yellow pigment filter to a regular ophthalmologic lens, to protect the eye from the short wavelengths of the visible spectrum (under 500 nm). This invention avoids the difficulties and risks of the techniques currently available to protect eyes subjected to cataract surgery and improves protection in eyes with neurodegeneration through the simple use of an ophthalmologic lens. The invention is comprised of a common ophthalmologic lens and a yellow pigment that absorbs short wavelengths of light of 350/500 nm, both appropriate for use in humans.

Abstract: The invention relates to gene NcSAG4, the RNA messenger of said gene, the oligonucleotides designed based on the nucleotide sequence thereof or any of the fragments of same, and to protein NcSAG4 encoded thereby, or any of the recombinant forms of same, expression vectors, and host cells containing same, for the purpose of diagnosis and vaccination for the prevention of neosporosis. The invention also relates to the use thereof as a specific marker of the N. caninum bradyzoite stage, for the analysis of the pathogenesis or the effectiveness of vaccines against the establishment of a chronic infection in the intermediate host.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a contact lens for pseudo-aphakic eyes and/or eyes with macular and retinal degeneration, its main characteristic being the application of a yellow filter to a standard contact lens, with the purpose of protecting the eye from the short wavelength radiation of the visible spectrum (lower than 500 nm). This invention avoids the difficulties and risks of existing techniques, providing protection to the cataract-operated eye and improving natural protection in eyes with retinal neuro-degeneration, through the simple application of a contact lens. The invention consists of the combination of a standard contact lens and yellow filter, which absorbs short wavelengths of 350/500 nm, both its components being appropriate for use in the human eye.

Abstract: Element for the protection and therapy of eyes applied to the transparent vertical surfaces of buildings. The invention is prepared by applying a yellow pigmented filter to the transparent or translucent surfaces of a building in which a subject may be found, and is designed to protect the eyes from the short wavelengths of the visible spectrum in the range 500 to 380 nm. The invention avoids the difficulties and risks of existing ways of protecting healthy eyes or eyes subjected to cataract surgery, and improves the protection of eyes suffering neurodegeneration, simply by applying a filter to the transparent or translucent surfaces of any building in which a subject may be found to provide protection against the neurodegenerative components of light (short wavelengths).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing intraocular pressure by administering pharmaceutical compositions comprising indole derivatives. The pharmaceutical compositions useful in this invention comprise indole derivatives and melatonin analogs of Formulae I-IV. A preferred embodiment is a method of lowering intraocular pressure using 5-(methoxycarbonylamino)-N-acetyltryptamine (5-MCA-NAT), also known as GR 135531, which has a prolonged duration of action and greater efficacy in lowering intraocular pressure compared to melatonin. The present invention further provides a method of treating disorders associated with ocular hypertension, and a method of treating various forms of glaucoma; the method comprises administering an effective dose of a pharmacuetical composition comprising an indole derivative with or without agents commonly used to treat such disorders.

Abstract: Compounds of the following formula: wherein all variables are as defined in the specification. The compounds have cytotoxic properties and can therefore be used in the treatment of malignant tumors.

Abstract: External magnetically actuated valve for an artificial intraurethral urinary sphincter. External magnetically actuated valve for an artificial intraurethral urinary sphincter, allowing urine control for people suffering from urinary incontinence or retention, by the application of an external magnetic field. After valve (1), object of the present invention, is placed in the patient's urethra (9), said patient may control urination. Urine is evacuated when a permanent magnet (3) is approached to the body of the patient. Closing is automatic. The system is provided with a safety system to prevent over pressures in bladder (8).

Abstract: Compounds having formula (I) wherein R3, R4, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogen, amine, mono(lower)alkylamine, di(lower)alkylamine, phenyl, or substituted phenyl possess antitumor activity and are new with the exception of the compound in which R3, R4, R7, R8 are all hydrogen and the compound in which R3 and R7 are hydrogen, R4 is chlorine, and R8 is a 2-nitrophenyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which can compensate, at origin, the magnetic field perturbations in the surroundings of an electrically-driven train track caused by variations in the current of the power supply catenary. The object of the system is to create a return circuit with a geometry which varies with the position of the train, causing the suppression at origin of the field produced by the catenary-train-track circuit and thus reducing perturbations of the magnetic field in the surroundings. The system relies on shunting the return current from the track divided in to elementary segments insulated from each other, to a return conductor placed near the catenary and parallel to it, using a series of vertical conductors which connect each segment to said return conductor.