Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising polymers whose solubility characteristics can be changed by incubation and particularly ploy (hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylamide mono/di-lactate) interpolymers. Another aspect of this invention is the application of such temperature sensitive polymers as release systems of biologically active compounds. The polymers of the present invention comprise monomers, which have modifiable functionality. The functionality of the monomers can for example be modified by the presence of hydrolysable groups. The modification is effected by the incubation, leading to a change of the water solubility characteristics of the polymer. The polymers used in the present invention contain hydrolysable chemical groups. As a result the polymer's solution characteristics, specifically its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), change upon incubation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising polymers whose solubility characteristics can be changed by incubation and particularly poly (hydroxyalkyl(meth) acrylamide mono/di-lactate interpolymers. Another aspect of this invention is the application of such temperature sensitive polymers as release systems of biologically active compounds. The polymers of the present invention comprise monomers, which have modifiable functionality. The functionality of the monomers can for example be modified by the presence of hydrolysable groups. The modification is effected by the incubation, leading to a change of the water solubility characteristics of the polymer. The polymers used in the present invention contain hydrolysable chemical groups. As a result the polymer's solution characteristics, specifically its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), change upon incubation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a controlled release system and especially to a method for entrapment of compounds in polymer carriers for controlled release of active ingredients, preferably bioactive ingredients, such as drugs. This method results in a system for controlled release of active ingredients and especially for controlled drug delivery. In accordance with the present invention, the tem controlled release ” encompasses all kinds of controlled release, including slow release, sustained and delayed release. Particularly, the present invention results in active ingredients, entrapped in or otherwise incorporated in or coupled to polymer carriers or polymeric devices, such as micelles, nanoparticles, microspheres and other types of polymer devices for controlled release; the active ingredients are covalently bonded to the polymer carriers or polymeric devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a use of a long-circulating microvesicle comprising a sterol, partially synthetic or wholly synthetic vesicle-forming phospholipids, and a corticosteroid in water soluble form, which microvesicle has a mean particle diameter size range of between about 75 and 150 nm and which microvesicle is non-charged or negatively charged at physiological conditions, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of atherosclerosis and/or cardiovascular disease. A method for treating a subject suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, atherosclerosis and/or cardiovascular disease, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of such long-circulating microvesicles is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of molecular biology and cell biology. It provides tools and methods for studying the interaction of proteins and lipids in vivo as well as in vitro. The invention relates to a method for isolating or identifying a target protein interacting with a lipid in a cell. This method employs novel dual-labeled lipid precursors such as fatty acids or their derivatives. These lipid precurors comprise two functional groups: a photoactivatable group, such as a diazirine ring, as well as a terminal alkyne or azide moiety.

Abstract: A silicon nitride thin film formation apparatus is provided for stationary and moving substrates and a process for forming such films. The process provides high uniformity of film thickness and film properties as well as a high deposition rate. The film properties are adequate for application as an antireflection layer or passivation layer in solar cell devices or as dielectric layer in thin film transistors. The apparatus includes a number of metal filaments. In the space within the formation apparatus opposite to the substrate with respect to the filaments, a gas dosage system is arranged at a predetermined distance of the filaments. The film formation apparatus for stationary substrates also contains a shutter to control the starting and ending conditions for film formation and to control the film thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides heavy chain variable domain antibodies (VHH) for preventing and/or dissolving aggregates. VHH of the invention are preferably used in the treatment of human diseases that are associated with the formation of aggregates in the body. The invention further provides, among others, means and methods for selecting and using VHH.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of analytical methods suitable for biochemical applications and provides a method for determining the amino acid sequence of a peptide. The determination of amino acid sequences of proteins and peptides is useful in the study of biological systems. The invention relates to a method for determining at least part of the amino acid sequence of a protein comprising the steps of cleaving the protein into proteolytic peptides, ionizing the proteolytic peptides to generate peptide precursor ions, dissociating these peptide precursor ions using tandem mass spectrometry in order to obtain peptide fragment ions, followed by determining the amino acid sequence of a selected proteolytic peptide wherein the cleaving step generates at least one proteolytic peptide with an N-terminal lysine residue and wherein the dissociation of the peptide precursor ions is initiated by electron transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Piroplasmid protein or an immunogenic fragment of the protein, and to a nucleic acid encoding the Piroplasmid protein or immunogenic fragment. Furthermore, the invention relates to cDNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers comprising the nucleic acid. Also the invention relates to host cells comprising the cDNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers. Finally, the invention relates to vaccines comprising a Piroplasmid protein or an immunogenic fragment of the protein, to methods for the preparation of such vaccines, to the use of such proteins or fragments for vaccine purposes, and to diagnostic tests.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrogel compositions, which can be applied as biodegradable materials and to the processes to prepare such hydrogels. The hydrogel of the present invention comprises a stereocomplex gel structure which is the result of the interaction of oligomerized monomers of one chirality with that of oligomerized monomers of the opposite chirality, both grafted to hydrophilic polymers. The grafts form an interaction which is different from a covalent chemical interaction and thus provide the gel with the required coherence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liposomal compositions comprising polyphenol in the interior of a colloidal carrier, and especially to the use of such compositions in the treatment of cancer or in the inhibition of cancer growth and in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for targeting a polyphenol to tumor tissue, or to sites in the body requiring anti-inflammatory activity or activity against autoimmune conditions. Furthermore, the present invention describes a method of post-loading a polyphenol derivate such as caffeic acid into a liposome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a mycobacterial heat-shock protein for the manufacture of a vaccine for therapeutic application.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for interfering in activation of an immune cell, comprising providing a substance which specifically interacts in the binding of leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor (LAIR) and collagen. The invention in one aspect provides a method for down regulation of activation of an immune cell. In another aspect the invention provides a method for up regulation of activation of an immune cell. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Piroplasmid protein or an immunogenic fragment of said protein, and to a nucleic acid encoding said Piroplasmid protein or said immunogenic fragment. Furthermore, the invention relates to cDNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers comprising said nucleic acid. Also the invention relates to host cells comprising said cDNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers. Finally, the invention relates to vaccines comprising a Piroplasmid protein or an immunogenic fragment of said protein, to methods for the preparation of such vaccines, to the use of such proteins or fragments for vaccine purposes, and to diagnostic tests.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of coronaviruses and diagnosis, therapeutic use, and vaccines derived therefrom. The invention provides replicative coronaviruses and virus-like particles (VLPs) from which large parts of their genome are (at least functionally) deleted without abolishing their replicative capacities. The deletion preferably results in at least a functional deletion in that the corresponding gene is not or is only partly expressed wherein the resulting gene product is dysfunctional or at least functionally distinct from a corresponding wild-type gene product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant, which is resistant to a pathogen of viral, bacterial, fungal or oomycete origin, wherein the plant has an increased homoserine level as compared to a plant that is not resistant to the said pathogen, in particular organisms of the phylum Oomycota. The invention further relates to a method for obtaining a plant, which is resistant to a pathogen of viral, bacterial, fungal or oomycete origin, comprising increasing the endogenous homoserine level in the plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Piroplasmid protein or an immunogenic fragment of the protein, and to a nucleic acid encoding the Piroplasmid protein or the immunogenic fragment. Furthermore, the invention relates to cDNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers comprising the nucleic acid. Also the invention relates to host cells comprising the cDNA fragments, recombinant DNA molecules and live recombinant carriers. Finally, the invention relates to vaccines comprising a Piroplasmid protein or an immunogenic fragment of the protein, to methods for the preparation of such vaccines, to the use of such proteins or fragments for vaccine purposes, and to diagnostic tests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising polymers whose solubility characteristics can be changed by incubation and particularly poly (N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide mono/di-lactate) interpolymers. Another aspect of this invention is the application of such temperature sensitive polymers as release systems of biologically active compounds. The polymers of the present invention, comprise monomers which have modifiable functionality. The functionality of the monomers can for example be modified by the presence of hydrolysable groups. The modification is effected by the incubation, leading to a change of the water solubility characteristics of the polymer. The polymers used in the present invention contain hydrolysable chemical groups. As a result the polymer's solution characteristics, specifically its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), change upon incubation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting infection of an animal with a microorganism that causes a slow progressive disease, comprising providing the animal with a protein of the microorganism, or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof, and measuring an immune response of the animal directed against the microorganism. With a method of the invention, diagnosis during early stages of an infection has become possible. In one aspect, the microorganism comprises Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. Preferably, the protein comprises a surface-associated protein. Peptides comprising B-cell epitopes of M. avium ssp paratuberculosis heat shock protein 70, nucleic acid molecules encoding such peptides and diagnostic kits comprising a peptide and/or nucleic acid molecule of the invention are also herewith provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable hydrogel comprising bonds which are hydrolyzable under physiological conditions. More particularly, the hydrogel consists of two interpenetrating polymer networks interconnected to one another through hydrolyzable spacers. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of a hydrogel, wherein macromolecules, e.g., polymers which contain bonds which are hydrolyzable under physiological conditions, are cross-linked in an aqueous solution.