Abstract: This application relates to an in vitro method of producing a polyclonal IgG preparation. The method comprises (i) placing a polyclonal B-cell population enriched in IgG-secreting B cells in a culture medium; and (ii) culturing the polyclonal B-cell population under conditions enabling the production of the polyclonal IgG preparation from the polyclonal B-cell population. This improved method enables the production of antibodies (preferably IgG) and facilitates long-term culture of polyclonal B-cell populations.

Abstract: The present application discloses 17? hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17? HSD) type 1, 3, 10 inhibitors and use thereof (alone and in combination) in the treatment of cancer and other afflictions. 17? HSD1 inhibitors include estradiol derivatives with a nieta-carbamoylbenzyl substituent at C 16. 17? HSD3/HSD10 inhibitors include androsterone derivatives substituted at the C3 position with a sulfonamide piperazine. Also disclosed are compounds that are inhibitors of both 17? HSD1 and 17? HSD3 that have a spiro-morpholine substituent at C20.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cystamine analogues for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The present invention also relates to the use of composition comprising cystamine analogues and cysteine. The present invention relates to a method for modifying the progression of Parkinson's disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cystamine analogue or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a cystamine analogue to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use at least one PARP inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a subject, including a human, in need of such treatment. There is also provided methods of treating and diagnosing Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Abstract: The present invention provides new evidences to support that repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (theta-burst en stimulation, TBS) over nerve/muscle improves sensorimotor control. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated to a faulty volitional activation of transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) and its delayed contraction during anticipatory postural adjustment (APA), in correlation with maladaptive reorganization of primary motor cortex (M1). Repetitive magnetic stimulation of nerves can influence brain excitability and even reduce rigidity (Parkinson's disease), spasticity (stroke, ABI, cerebral palsy), and contribute to improvement of motor-control and function in stroke, chronic low back pain, ABI, cerebral palsy, prematurity and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: There is provided a method for referencing and correcting the beating spectrum generated by the interference of the components of a frequency comb source. The proposed method allows monitoring of variations of a mapping between the source and the beating replica. This can then be used to compensate small variations of the source in Fourier transform spectroscopy or in any other interferometry application in order to overcome the accuracy and measurement time limitations of the prior art. Constraints on source stability are consequently reduced.

Abstract: AKR1B1 (EC 1.1.1.21) is an aldose reductase that has mainly been associated with the polyol pathway, and more recently with lipid deperoxidation. We have discovered that the primary activity of this enzyme is rather a PGFS activity, catalyzing the transformation of PGH2 into PGF2?. AKR1B1 as a therapeutic target, and method for modulating its expression and activity are provided. Methods for regulating the expression and activity of PGF2? are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for modulating, reducing or inhibiting, inflammatory reactions in a patient. Particularly, inflammatory reactions that are targeted by the present invention are cell migration, secretion of toxic products and proteolysis at a site of inflammation. Reduction of inflammation manifestations and reactions occurs by using an anti-S100 polynucleotide or polypeptide inhibitor or antagonist, which is essentially targeted against S100A8, S100A9 or S100A12, alone or in combination with other inhibitors of chemokines or immune modulating products.

Abstract: Reagents, methods and kits for screening for compounds that modulate the activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV), such as human NaV1.5/SC-N5A/hH1 are described. The reagents, methods and kits are based on mutated NaV alpha subunit polyptides of SEQ ID NO:5 with mutations at positions 372, 898, 1419 and 1711 (the DEKA motif) and at positions 11485, 1486 and 1487 (the IFM motif) resulting in increased permeability for a group IIA divalent cation (Ca++) and decreased inactivation rate. The mutant polypeptide is used in a method and kit for determining whether a test compound modulates the channel activity, preferably using a chimeric polypeptide (chameleon polypeptide) comprising calmodulin, a calmodulin binding protein (M13), and two fluorescent agents.

Abstract: Methods, uses, kits and products are described for the prognosis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of myotronic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), and more particularly for the prognosis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the congenital form of myotronic dystrophy type 1 (cDM1), based on changes in/modulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

Abstract: A method of inferring intentions of an operator to move a robotic system includes monitoring the intention of the operator, with a controller. The intention of the operator is inferred to be one of a desired acceleration and a desired deceleration. The intention of the operator is also as a desired velocity. Admittance parameters are modified as a function of at least one of the inferred acceleration, deceleration, and velocity.

Abstract: System and method for converting kinetic energy from a fluid flow into mechanical energy, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a turbine including first and second hydrofoils, each of the hydrofoils being able to move lin-early in a heaving motion, and being able to oscillate about a spanwise axis in a pitching motion, said heaving and pitching motions being quasi-si-nusoidal, b) coupling the heaving motions of the first and second hydrofoils to the pitching motions of the second and first hydrofoils respectively, with the pitch-heave motion phase being substantially equal to the inter-hydrofoil phase, the heaving motion of one of the hydrofoils thereby driving the pitching motion of the other hydrofoil; and c) transforming the heaving motions of the hydrofoils into a rotational movement of a rotatable shaft, with linear-to-rotary transmission means.

Abstract: There is provided a method for referencing and correcting the beating spectrum generated by the interference of the components of a frequency comb source. The proposed method allows monitoring of variations of a mapping between the source and the beating replica. This can then be used to compensate small variations of the source in Fourier transform spectroscopy or in any other interferometry application in order to overcome the accuracy and measurement time limitations of the prior art. Constraints on source stability are consequently reduced.

Abstract: A method for writing a Bragg grating in a glass optical waveguide is provided. Ultrafast optical pulses are generated, preferably in the femtosecond range and having a writing wavelength in the range of 300 nm to 700 nm and an intensity sufficient to induce a change of refractive index in the waveguide through densification. The optical pulses are diffracted using a phase mask, to generate an interference pattern having a pitch providing a fundamental Bragg resonance corresponding to the target wavelength to be reflected by the grating. The interference pattern is impinged on a region of the waveguide, which is heated to a temperature above a threshold and for a predetermined heating period. Advantageously, the heating step allows the reduction of photoinduced losses which would otherwise be present in the waveguiding properties of the waveguide. Optionally, gratings may be written through the polymer jacket of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Purpose. The relationship between inherited genetic variations in 5?-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1) and type 2 (SRD5A2) genes and the risk of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PCa) remains a fairly unexplored area of research. Patients and Methods. We studied 526 men with organ-confined and locally advanced PCa with a median follow-up time of 7.4 years. We investigated the effects of allelic variants of SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 genes and haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs; n=19) on recurrence-free survival after RP using Kaplan-Meier plots, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard models. Results. Upon adjusting for known prognostic clinical and pathological factors, eight htSNPs were shown to be independent predictors of recurrence. The SRD5A1 rs166050 polymorphism was associated with an increased recurrence risk of HR=1.83 (95% CI, 1.04-3.21; P=0.035), while the rs518673 in SRD5A1 was associated with a decreased risk (HR=0.59, 95% CI, 0.41-0.

Abstract: Intensity standardization of MRI data sets aims at correcting scanner-dependent intensity variations. An automatic technique, called STI, which shares the simplicity and robustness of histogram-matching techniques, but also incorporates tissue spatial intensity information, has been discovered. The method comprises registering a medical image to a standard image; applying one or more masks to the image medical and standard images for isolating certain specific image components; determining the most common intensity data pair between the medical and standard images for each isolated image component; calculating a formula that joins the most common intensity data pair of each image component; and interpolating an intensity data adjustment using the formula and applying it to the medical image data to generate a standardized version of the medical image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment and/or prevention of aortic valve stenosis (AVS) and valve mineralization. Particularly, the invention provides a target for intervention in the treatment or prevention of AVS through the administration of the P2Y2 receptor agonists. Also, the invention provides means to treat hypertension related to decreased arterial compliance and vascular calcification.

Abstract: Photoactive polymers comprising first and second co-monomer repeat units, the first co-monomer repeat unit comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of an alkylthieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione moiety and a 1,3-dithiophene-5-alkylthieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione moiety, and the second co-monomer repeat unit comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of a 4,4?-dialkyl-dithieno[3,2-b:2?3?-d]silole moiety, an ethylene moiety, a thiophene moiety, an N-alkylcarbazole moiety, an N-(1-alkyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2?3?-d]pyrrole moiety and a 4,8-dialkyloxylbenzo[1,2-b:3,4-b]dithiophene moiety are described herein. These polymers are suitable for use in photovoltaic cells and field effect transistors.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R7, R6, R7, R8, R9, A, X and Y as defined herein are provided as useful for the treatment of cancer or for the manufacture of anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the competence of oocytes to fertilization, uterine implantation and development into a living being. The invention describes ovarian markers whose expression is predicative of oocyte competency that are detected and/or measured in follicular fluid, cumulus cells and/or follicular cells of a mammal. Also described are methods for evaluating competence of mammalian oocytes, methods for selecting a mammalian oocyte for assisted reproduction (AR), and screening methods for identifying stimulatory or inhibitory compounds to mammalian oocyte competence.