Abstract: Composition comprising two pathogenic and/or infective agents associated with multiple sclerosis, namely a first agent which consists of a human virus possessing reverse transcriptase activity and related to a family of endogenous retroviral elements, or a variant of said virus, and a second agent, or a variant of said second agent, these two pathogenic and/or infective agents originating from the same viral strain chosen from the strains designated, respectively, POL-2 deposited with the ECACC on Jul. 22 1992 under Accession Number V92072202 and MS7PG deposited with the ECACC on Jan. 8 1993 under Accession Number V93010816, and from their variant strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for at least one of detecting, quantifying or isolating at least one analyte from a liquid medium in which the analyte is distributed and comprises providing a reagent comprised of particles having a receptor for an analyte fixed to the particles distributed in the medium and a capturing means having an exposed surface defining an active zone. An intermediate reagent is formed by the complex of the reagent with the analyte. A second receptor is fixed in the active zone to capture either the analyte bound by the reagent or the receptor (capture partners). The active zone serves as a site of isolation and concentration of the capture partners.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for detecting and/or quantifying, in a biological sample, a cytotoxic factor, in particular a gliotoxic factor, with respect to adherent target cells, in particular macroglial cells, the toxicity of which causes the death by apoptosis of said cells. The method comprises providing an initial fraction of the sample, optionally enriched with the toxic factor by previous treatment, incubating the initial toxic factor with a reference culture medium comprising adherent target cells, and detecting and/or quantifying in the adherent target cells killed by apoptosis, by flow cytometry, at least one direct or indirect characteristic associated with the apoptotic adherent cells of the whole or part of the incubated medium, which, if it is present and/or is quantified, qualifies the sample as positive, i.e. as containing said toxic factor. The initial biological sample is preferably a urine specimen.

Abstract: Composition comprising two pathogenic and/or infective agents associated with multiple sclerosis, namely a first agent which consists of a human virus possessing reverse transcriptase activity and related to a family of endogenous retroviral elements, or a variant of said virus, and a second agent, or a variant of said second agent, these two pathogenic and/or infective agents originating from the same viral strain chosen from the strains designated, respectively, POL-2 deposited with the ECACC on Jul. 22, 1992 under Accession Number V92072202 and MS7PG deposited with the ECACC on Jan. 8, 1993 under Accession Number V93010816, and from their variant strains.

Abstract: The superparamagnetic monodispersed particles comprise a core of a first polymer, an internal layer of a second polymer coating the core and in which a magnetic material is distributed, and an external layer of a third polymer coating the magnetic layer and capable of interacting with at least one biological molecule. At least the second polymer is heat sensitive and has a predetermined lower critical solubility temperature (LCST) of 15-65.degree. C. These particles may be used to isolate at least one biological molecule from a liquid specimen.

Abstract: Kit for detecting a specific target nucleic acid sequence using a labeled probe with signal amplification, which comprises in containers (i) a probe labeled with a tracer (ii) a suspension of insoluble particles on which are immobilized at least one series of oligonucleotide units all of which are identical and contain at least one sequence that specifically hybridize with the target nucleic acid sequence and at one sequence that specifically hybridize with tracer labeled probe. A method using the kit is also described.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of a nucleotide sequence of interest comprising at least one nucleotide probe marked with a tracer. The methods include a reagent essentially comprising a linear backbone copolymer having lateral substituents, whose chain consists of a first type of repetitive unit and at least one other type of repetitive unit, in which at least one part of the units of the first type have a lateral substituent comprising a nucleotide unit, such a lateral substituent not being present on the other types of units. Each of said nucleotide units, all of which are identical, comprise at least one nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with said sequence of interest and nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with a probe, the reagent containing on average more than two of said nucleotide units, in molar equivalents, per mole of polymer. Such a reagent enables signal amplification to be obtained, and therefor lowers the sensitivity threshold.

Abstract: Viral material, in the isolated or purified state, in which the genome comprises a nucleotide sequence chosen from the group including sequences SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53 and SEQ ID NO:56, their complementary sequences and their equivalent sequences, in particular nucleotide sequences displaying, for any succession of 100 contiguous monomers, at least 50% and preferably at least 70% homology with the said sequences SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53 and SEQ ID NO:56, respectively, and their complementary sequences.

Abstract: A freeze valve for a substantially single-phase fluid contains a pipe designed to receive fluid in a flow area, a cold source and a heat source. The cold source and the heat source are placed in thermal contact with the pipe. The pipe is positioned in relation to the cold source and the heat source in such a way so as to permit the freezing of fluid passing through the pipe, thereby closing the passage through the pipe, or the heating of the fluid, thereby opening the passage. The pipe contains, for example, a metallic material that is mechanically strong and capable of dissipating heat by the Joule effect.

Abstract: Composition including two pathogenic and/or infective agents associated with multiple sclerosis, namely a first agent which consists of a human virus possessing reverse transcriptase activity and related to a family of endogenous retroviral elements, or a variant of the virus, and a second agent, or a variant of the second agent, these two pathogenic and/or infective agents originating from the same viral strain chosen from the strains designated, respectively, POL-2 deposited with the ECACC on Jul. 22, 1992 under Accession Number V92072202 and MS7PG deposited with the ECACC on Jan. 8, 1993 under Accession Number V93010816, and from their variant strains.

Abstract: An assembly for treating a sample in a liquid medium, in particular a biological material, includes an essentially static permanently active module, closed off by a chamber from the outside. The assembly includes a disposable outer container holding the sample to be treated, for example an inoculum of a cell culture. The disposable outer container can be connected to the main outlet of a treatment circuit. Another disposable outer container is provided for analyzing the nucleic fraction obtained in the treatment circuit. This container can be connected to the main outlet of the treatment circuit and comprises various reagents and means for analyzing the nucleic fraction. Constituents of the assembly can act as a heat source when connected to an electrical current.

Abstract: Gliotoxic factor in the isolated or purified state, characterized in that it possesses toxic activity with respect to human or animal astrocytic cells, having the effect of a cytomorphological disorganization of their network of intermediate filaments and/or a degradation of the proteins of said intermediate filaments and/or cell death, in particular by apoptosis.

Abstract: Composition including two pathogenic and/or infective agents associated with multiple sclerosis, namely a first agent which consists of a human virus possessing reverse transcriptase activity and related to a family of endogenous retroviral elements, or a variant of the virus, and a second agent, or a variant of the second agent, these two pathogenic and/or infective agents originating from the same viral strain chosen from the strains designated, respectively, POL-2 deposited with the ECACC on Jul. 22, 1992 under Accession Number V92072202 and MS7PG deposited with the ECACC on Jan. 8, 1993 under Accession Number V93010816, and from their variant strains.

Abstract: Composition including two pathogenic and/or infective agents associated with multiple sclerosis, namely a first agent which consists of a human virus possessing reverse transcriptase activity and related to a family of endogenous retroviral elements, or a variant of the virus, and a second agent, or a variant of the second agent, these two pathogenic and/or infective agents originating from the same viral strain chosen from the strains designated, respectively, POL-2 deposited with the ECACC on Jul. 22, 1992 under Accession Number V92072202 and MS7PG deposited with the ECACC on Jan. 8, 1993 under Accession Number V93010816, and from their variant strains.

Abstract: A target nucleic acid may be amplified in the presence of an enzymatic system including DNA polymerase, strand translocation and RNAse H activities by using a chimeric primer that includes, in the 5' to 3' direction, an RNA-type segment capable of hybridizing with a 3'-terminal segment of the target and a DNA-type segment capable of hybridizing with a segment adjacent to the 3'-terminal segment of the target and a DNA- or RNA-type primer capable of hybridizing with the 3'-terminal segment of the target. A cyclic amplification that may be implemented isothermally on the basis of either a DNA or an RNA target is achieved even when the terminals are not defined.

Abstract: An RNA amplification method is particularly useful for diagnosing bacterial or viral infections or genetic disorders and for cell typing. The method includes the steps of denaturing a solution containing RNA, synthesizing a first cDNA strand from a suitable primer in the presence of reverse transcriptase, denaturing the heteroduplex formed, synthesizing a second cDNA strand from a second primer in the presence of DNA polymerase and then subjecting the cDNA formed to a sufficient number of amplification cycles. All the reactants and solvents are first placed in the same container to provide a single manipulation step that avoids the risk of contamination.

Abstract: Composition including two pathogenic and/or infective agents associated with multiple sclerosis, namely a first agent which consists of a human virus possessing reverse transcriptase activity and related to a family of endogenous retroviral elements, or a variant of the virus, and a second agent, or a variant of the second agent, these two pathogenic and/or infective agents originating from the same viral strain chosen from the strains designated, respectively, POL-2 deposited with the ECACC on Jul. 22, 1992 under Accession Number V92072202 and MS7PG deposited with the ECACC on Jan. 8, 1993 under Accession Number V93010816, and from their variant strains.

Abstract: Gliotoxic factor in the isolated or purified state, characterized in that it possesses toxic activity with respect to human or animal astrocytic cells, having the effect of a cytomorphological disorganization of their network of intermediate filaments and/or a degradation of the proteins of said intermediate filaments and/or cell death, in particular by apoptosis.

Abstract: Device for capturing a target molecule for the purpose of detecting it and/or assaying it, including a solid support on which is immobilized a ligand, the ligand being provided in the form of a conjugate resulting from the covalent coupling of a polymer with a plurality of molecules of the ligand. The polymer is an N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, and the conjugate is immobilized on the solid support by adsorption.When the ligand is capable of forming a complex with the target, the device is specific for a given target. When the device comprises, in addition, a bifunctional reagent capable of forming a complex, on the one hand, with the ligand and, on the other hand, with the target, the support on which the ligand is immobilized constitutes a universal capturing system.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of a nucleotide sequence of interest comprising at least one nucleotide probe marked with a tracer. The methods comprise use of a reagent essentially comprising a linear backbone copolymer having lateral substituents, whose chain consists of a first type of repetitive unit and at least one other type of repetitive unit, in which at least one part of the units of the first type have a lateral substituent comprising a nucleotide unit, such a lateral substituent not being present on the other types of units. Each of said nucleotide units, all of which are identical, comprise at least one nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with said sequence of interest and nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with a probe, the reagent containing on average more than two of said nucleotide units, in molar equivalents, per mole of polymer. Such a reagent enables signal amplification to be obtained, and therefor lowers the sensitivity threshold.