Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sampling air-borne particles. According to one embodiment a nozzle is used to generate a jet of fog that includes a gas and liquid droplets. The jet of fog is formed by the nozzle in a way to cause particles in the air surrounding the jet of fog to be drawn into the jet of fog and to further cause the particles to aggregate with the liquid droplets inside the jet of fog. A sample collecting surface is located opposite and spaced apart from an outlet of the nozzle. The sample collecting surface is preferably sloped so that the liquid sample can be forced by gravity off the collecting surface and into a liquid sample container. Inside the jet of fog and on the sample collection surface the liquid droplets merge with one another to form larger sized droplets that are collectable in the liquid sample container.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for sampling air-borne particles. According to one embodiment a nozzle is used to generate a jet of fog that includes a gas and liquid droplets of different sizes. The jet of fog is formed by the nozzle in a way to cause particles in the air surrounding the jet of fog to be drawn into the jet of fog and to further cause the particles to aggregate with the liquid droplets inside the jet of fog. A sample collecting surface is located opposite and spaced apart from an outlet of the nozzle. The sample collecting surface is preferably sloped so that the liquid sample can be forced by gravity off the collecting surface and into a vial or other liquid sample container. Inside the jet of fog and on the sample collection surface the liquid droplets merge with one another to form larger sized droplets that are collectable in the liquid sample container.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for sampling air-borne particles. According to one embodiment a nozzle is used to generate a jet of fog that includes a gas and liquid droplets of different sizes. The jet of fog is formed by the nozzle in a way to cause particles in the air surrounding the jet of fog to be drawn into the jet of fog and to further cause the particles to aggregate with the liquid droplets inside the jet of fog. A sample collecting surface is located opposite and spaced apart from an outlet of the nozzle. The sample collecting surface is preferably sloped so that the liquid sample can be forced by gravity off the collecting surface and into a vial or other liquid sample container. Inside the jet of fog and on the sample collection surface the liquid droplets merge with one another to form larger sized droplets that are collectable in the liquid sample container.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device comprising polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) filters and the use of the same for collecting, detecting and identifying organisms present in air ecosystems. The invention also provides a method suitable for the capture, detection and identification of whole airborne biological particles, including viruses and other important air pathogens, which involves the use of the device. This method allows toperform organism, preferably viral, metagenomics to sequence all DNA and RNA organisms captured in the filters. This methodology may be used to detect, for instance, SARS-CoV2 particles in air samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved Etanercept variants which comprise one (A105E), preferably two (A105E/L106F), amino acid substitutions regarding the Etanercept original amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. These variants inhibit TNF activity but fail to neutralize human LT? (hLT?). Thus, they are proposed herein as a great alternative to be used in the clinic for the treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases in which an exacerbated TNF activity is involved, since they prevent the side effects associated to the use of the original Etanercept molecule while retaining the TNF blocking activity.

Abstract: Chemokine binding activity of viral TNF receptors and related proteins. The invention relates to a C-terminal domain (CTD) of viral tumor necrosis factor receptors (vTNFRs) CrmB or CrmD or CTD homologues (CTD1, CTD2 and CTD3) from poxvirus and their functional homologues, including derivatives, and fragments, for use in binding chemokines and their analogues and/or to enhance the immunomodulatory properties of TNFRs or in blocking binding of chemokines to their corresponding cell surface receptors and/or to modulate chemokine biological activity.

Abstract: Chemokine binding activity of viral TNF receptors and related proteins. The invention relates to a C-terminal domain (CTD) of viral tumour necrosis factor receptors (vTNFRs) CrmB or CrmD or CTD homologues (CTD1, CTD2 and CTD3) from poxvirus and their functional homologues, including derivatives, and fragments, for use in binding chemokines and their analogues and/or to enhance the immunomodulatory properties of TNFRs or in bloking binding of chemokines to their corresponding cell surface receptors and/or to modulate chemokine biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and characterisation of a viral homologue (vCD30) of mammalian CD30. The vCD30 polypeptide is shown to have immunomodulatory activity and has various therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and characterisation of a viral homologue (vCD30) of mammalian CD30. The vCD30 polypeptide is shown to have immunomodulatory activity and has various therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises M3 protein as encoded by virus MHV 68, or a homologue of said M3 protein, for use in binding to a chemokine or a chemokine analogue in vivo, or to block binding of chemokines to corresponding cell surface receptors in vivo, to produce an immunomodulatory effect, or to bind to a chemokine analogue present in a virus or parasite to block its entry into cells.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises M3 protein as encoded by virus MHV 68, or a homologue of said M3 protein, for use in binding to a chemokine or a chemokine analogue in vivo, or to block binding of chemokines to corresponding cell surface receptors in vivo, to produce an immunomodulatory effect, or to bind to a chemokine analogue present in a virus or parasite to block its entry into cells.

Abstract: ES-2 polypeptide encoding nucleic acid has been cloned from Schistosoma mansoni and shown to bind and inhibit chemokine function, including CC chemokines such as MIP-1&agr; and/or RANTES, CXC chemokines such as IL-8, C chemokines and CX3C chemokines, both in vivo and in vitro. The polypeptide is useful in therapy of inflammatory disorders and other diseases, and in assaying for substances with ability to potentiate or inhibit its anti-chemokine function, which substances have additional therapeutic potential.