Abstract: The present invention relates to microarrays, sets of primers and methods for determining the co-receptor usage of a virus, in particular whether HIV uses CXCR4 or CCR5 as co-receptor. The methods and compositions of the invention are based on microRNA analysis. The invention can be used to determine virus tropism in any species or organism that expresses microRNAs, particularly in human beings.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for automatic surface inspection of an unwinding strip to detect surface defects, comprising at least a camera (10) whereof the optical axis is directed towards the surface to be inspected and forming on said surface a transverse line of sight (L) and at least an illuminating system (15) whereof the incident rays (Ri) are directed towards the transverse tranline of sight and distributed over the entire length of said line. At each point of the transverse line of sight, the observation direction of the camera (10) forms with the specular reflected ray at said point a constant angle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for automatic surface inspection of an unwinding strip to detect surface defects, comprising at least a camera (10) whereof the optical axis is directed towards the surface to be inspected and forming on said surface a transverse line of sight (L) and at least an illuminating system (15) whereof the incident rays (Ri) are directed towards the transverse line of sight and distributed over the entire length of said line. At each point of the transverse line of sight, the observation direction of the camera (10) forms with the specular reflected ray at said point a constant angle.

Abstract: Hapten-carrier conjugates capable of eliciting anti-hapten antibodies in vivo to amphetamines are disclosed. Methods of preparing the hapten-carrier conjugates and therapeutic compositions are also disclosed. A therapeutic composition containing the hapten-carrier conjugate is useful in the treatment of addiction to amphetamines. Passive immunization using antibodies raised against conjugates of the instant invention also is disclosed. The therapeutic composition is suitable for co-therapy with other conventional drugs for treatment of amphetamine abuse.

Abstract: Antibodies to a therapeutic agent and its derivatives and conjugates are disclosed, including antibodies to argatroban and its derivatives and conjugates. The antibodies are useful as reagents in assays and diagnostic kits for determining the concentration of a therapeutic agent or its derivatives and conjugates in biological samples, and further have therapeutic uses in treatment for potential toxicity associated with stable therapeutic conjugates and derivatives, both in vivo and ex vivo.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of non-invasive diagnosis are provided. The imaging agents include a linking groups and a reactive entity capable of reaction with a reactive functionality to form a covalent bond therewith. The imaging agents may be in the form of a bifunctional anchor molecule. The bifunctional anchor molecules have a functional group capable of activation which, when activated, may form a covalent bond with a reactive functionality on a target protein present in the mammalian vascular system, thereby “anchoring” the molecule to that target protein. The bifunctional anchors are also conjugated, either directly or indirectly, to a diagnostic agent of interest which provides the ability to diagnostically and non-invasively image the mammalian vascular space. Vascular targets include both cellular- and noncellular-associated proteins present in the mammalian vascular system.

Abstract: Novel compounds comprising chemically reactive intermediates which can react with available reactive functionalities on blood components to form covalent linkages, where the resulting covalently-bound conjugates are found to have renin inhibition activity are provided. Specifically, the renin inhibitor compounds of the present invention are tripeptide derivatives of a known renin inhibitor which can be covalently linked to chemically reactive functionalities on various blood components. The conjugated renin inhibitors thereby have extended lifetimes in the bloodstream, as compared to the unconjugated parent drug, and are, therefore, capable of maintaining renin inhibitory activity for extended periods of time as compared to the unconjugated parent drug. Also provided herein are methods for inhibiting renin activity in vivo comprising administering to the bloodstream of a mammalian host the novel compounds of the present invention.