Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, characterization and expression of DNA fragments encoding sphingomyelinases D from three species of Loxosceles genus spiders, namely L. boneti., L. reclusa and L. laeta, and the toxoids thereof. The invention also relates to the production of active sphingomyelinases D and the toxoids thereof using recombinant means and to the use of same as an immunogen for the production in vertebrates of antibodies that neutralize the corresponding venom and the respective fragments F(ab?)2. The invention further relates to the use of recombinant sphingomyelinases D as part of an antigen matrix which can be used in the immunopurification of antibodies and the fragments thereof or as part of any diagnostic device used to obtain clinical confirmation that the causal agent of poisoning in a patient is a spider of the Loxosceles genus.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a conventional spur gear transmission or magnetic gear transmission, with a cycloidal configuration. The magnetic gears include contact points such that the mobile gear rolls on the fixed gear. Alternatively, a balance wheel is incorporated, which generates a centrifugal force opposite to the one associated with the mobile gear, of equal magnitude and on the same plane as this latter one, thereby completely eliminating the unbalancing of the mechanism. The balance wheel is mounted on the high-speed shaft in a manner similar to the mobile gear, and has the freedom to displace itself radially through centrifugal effect in the opposite direction to the eccentric position of the center of the mobile gear until it presses against a fixed track over which it rolls, concentric with the fixed gear with an equal force, opposite and collinear with that produced by the mobile gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to, in part, secreted proteins of bacterial pathogens and methods for their use. More specifically, the invention provides in part several new common secreted proteins for A/E pathogens. In some embodiments of the invention, these polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides, or portions thereof, are useful as vaccines, diagnostics, or drug screening tools for A/E pathogenic infections, or as reagents.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, characterisation and expression of DNA fragments encoding sphingomyelinases D from three species of Loxosceles genus spiders, namely L. boneti., L. reclusa and L. laeta, and the toxoids thereof. The invention also relates to the production of active sphingomyelinases D and the toxoids thereof using recombinant means and to the use of same as an immunogen for the production in vertebrates of antibodies that neutralise the corresponding venom and the respective fragments F(ab?)2. The invention further relates to the use of recombinant sphingomyelinases D as part of an antigen matrix which can be used in the immunopurification of antibodies and the fragments thereof or as part of any diagnostic device used to obtain clinical confirmation that the causal agent of poisoning in a patient is a spider of the Loxosceles genus.

Abstract: Potassium channels Kv1.3 are known to be implicated in immunological diseases and graft rejections. Disclosed are peptides capable of blocking with high affinity and specificity potassium channels Kv1.3, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for their use to block Kv1.3 potassium channels, to treat various immunological conditions and to diagnostic applications. Methods for their chemical synthesis and correct folding are also disclosed. Exemplary peptides correspond to protein components (Vm23 and Vm24) isolated from the venom of the Mexican scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus smithi. Vm23 and Vm24 bind to hKv1.3 channels in an almost irreversible manner, showing a Kd value in the order of 3 picomolar range, when applied to human lymphocytes cultures in vitro. Vm24 was chemically synthesized and used in in vivo experiments to successfully treat sensitized rats (on the DTH-response).

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, characterization and expression of DNA fragments encoding sphingomyelinases D from three species of Loxosceles genus spiders, namely L. boneti, L reclusa and L. laeta, and the toxoids thereof. The invention also relates to the production of active sphingomyelinases D and the toxoids thereof using recombinant means and to the use of same as an immunogen for the production in vertebrates of antibodies that neutralise the corresponding venom and the respective fragments F(ab?)2. The invention further relates to the use of recombinant sphingomyelinases D as part of an antigen matrix which can be used in the immunopurification of antibodies and the fragments thereof or as part of any diagnostic device used to obtain clinical confirmation that the causal agent of poisoning in a patient is a spider of the Loxosceles genus.

Abstract: Provided are pesticidal, particularly insecticidal, proteins which resemble S-layer proteins, as well as variants or mutants thereof, and DNAs encoding them. Further provided are methods and means for using said DNA or protein for controlling pests, particularly plant insect pests.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding ?-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding mutant pesticidal polypeptides, pesticidal compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the invention. Such compositions find use in methods for controlling plant pests.

Abstract: Provided are pesticidal, particularly insecticidal, proteins which resemble S- layer proteins, as well as variants or mutants thereof, and DNAs encoding them. Further provided are methods and means for using said DNA or protein for controlling pests, particularly plant insect pests.

Abstract: Opto-mechanical motion capture system for indirectly measuring the movement of bodies and objects, mainly focused on joints of flexible materials, or which have deformations, which makes difficult the instrumentation with rigid sensors such as potentiometers. This invention consists of an image acquisition device or camera and a visualization bed in which there is a series of transmission cables which convey to the visualization bed the movements generated in the flexible parts to be sensed. The camera is set in such a way that it is possible to capture the image of the transmission cables, enabling the determination of its displacement and thus of the sensed objects. The main object of this invention is to enable the measurement of the movements of the flexible parts of the human body in a simple, cheap and comfortable way for the user of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, characterisation and expression of DNA fragments encoding sphingomyelinases D from three species of Loxosceles genus spiders, namely L. boneti, L reclusa and L. laeta, and the toxoids thereof. The invention also relates to the production of active sphingomyelinases D and the toxoids thereof using recombinant means and to the use of same as an immunogen for the production in vertebrates of antibodies that neutralise the corresponding venom and the respective fragments F(ab?)2. The invention further relates to the use of recombinant sphingomyelinases D as part of an antigen matrix which can be used in the immunopurification of antibodies and the fragments thereof or as part of any diagnostic device used to obtain clinical confirmation that the causal agent of poisoning in a patient is a spider of the Loxosceles genus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the novel use of an adenosine aspartate product for the formulation of a drug intended to prevent the development of preneoplastic lesions and to reverse some types of cancer, particularly liver cancer, providing chemoprotection, preventing myelotoxic effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel design for a solar concentrator formed by: a first upper bushing, a second upper bushing, a third upper bushing, a fourth upper bushing, a fifth upper bushing, a sixth upper bushing, a first lower bushing, a second lower bushing, a third lower bushing, a first upper bar, a second upper bar, a third upper bar, a first lower bar, a second lower bar, a third lower bar, a first vertical bar, a second vertical bar, a third vertical bar, a first diagonal bar, a second diagonal bar, a third diagonal bar, a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror and a fourth mirror. The solar concentrator is formed by small flat mirrors which can be adjusted using nuts in order to obtain the desired parabolic curvature, thereby providing a higher concentration coefficient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunoenzymatic method for the quantification of protein CETP in plasma, which requires the utilization of fusion protein GST/CETP, the synthetic peptide CETP 11486-S496 and polyclonal antibody anti-CEPT 11486-S496. The method is used in the study of pathologies involving alterations in the CETP levels in plasma or in seric lipids and makes it possible to detect, evaluate and follow-up patients suffering from dyslipidemia and/or risk of altergenesis.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an intranasal peptide vaccine for use against infection caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), containing a common linear protein epitope known as CLE which is recognized by sera of patients infected with the bacteria and which is associated with a mucosal adjuvant comprising cholera toxin subunit B, known as CTB. The disclosure relates to a peptide containing twenty amino acids, which is located in the linear sequence of the CFA/I fimbria of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The use of transcriptome-modifying agents is disclosed in order to prevent malignant cells from undergoing the necessary genetic changes in order to combat cell insult and survive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The combination of transcriptome-modifying agents comprises agents that inhibit the DNA methylation machinery plus a substance that inhibits histone deacetylation. A treatment kit is disclosed which includes an effective dose of hydralazine and valproic acid or a salt of same in the case of magnesium valproate, which is intended for use with radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the treatment of patients cancer.

Abstract: Provided are pesticidal, particularly insecticidal, proteins which resemble S-layer proteins, as well as variants or mutants thereof, and DNAs encoding them. Further provided are methods and means for using said DNA or protein for controlling pests, particularly plant insect pests.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an intranasal peptide vaccine for use against infection caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), containing a common linear protein epitope known as CLE which is recognized by sera of patients infected with the bacteria and which is associated with a mucosal adjuvant comprising cholera toxin subunit B, known as CTB. The disclosure relates to a peptide containing twenty amino acids, which is located in the linear sequence of the CFA/I fimbria of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinant human antibodies specific for Cn2 toxin from C. noxius scorpion venom. The antibodies are able to recognize the toxin and preferably neutralize it as well as the whole venom of C. noxius scorpion. This invention is also directed to a human non-immune phage display library. One clone that specifically binds the Cn2 toxin was affinity matured by directed evolution. Three cycles of maturation were performed and several scFv clones were isolated which specifically recognize toxin Cn2 with increased Kd of 446 fold. All variants were monomeric and only variants 6009F, 6105F and 6103E showed to be capable of neutralizing toxin Cn2 and the whole venom. Variant 6009F recognizes a different epitope than that of BCF2, a murine monoclonal antibody raised against scorpion toxin Cn2 which is also capable of neutralizing both Cn2 toxin and the whole venom when tested in mice, as well as that of commercially available polyclonal antibody fragments antivenom from horse.

Abstract: The present invention is related with the use of vinpocetine and the derivates developed from its formula that maintains the same effects for the treatment of epilepsy and its complications. Our results show that vinpocetine prevents all the abnormalities of the ABR waves that accompany the epileptic cortical activity observed for the ictal and post-ictal periods in two experimental models of epilepsy in vivo, that vinpocetine also inhibits the marked hearing loss and the characteristic EEG changes induced by two convulsing agents that differ in their mechanisms of action. These findings also indicate that the capacity of vinpocetine as an antiepileptic drug is not accompanied by adverse secondary effects.