Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating a hepatitus virus infection by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a proteasome inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a subject in need thereof. Preferably, the protesome in hibitor inhibits or regulates a ubiquitin proteasome pathway.

Abstract: The invention relates to agents for the treatment of viral infections, in particular, infections with hepatitis and retro-viruses. Said agents inhibit the release, maturation and replication of both retro-viruses and also hepatitis viruses. In the example of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis-B viruses it has been shown that proteasome inhibitors block the release of virus particles and the infectiousness of the released viral particles and thus the reproduction of the viruses. The proteasome inhibitors affect the activities in the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway, in particular the enzymatic activities of the 26S and the 20S proteasome complexes. The application for the above invention lies in anti-retroviral therapy, particularly the treatment of HIV infections and AIDS and in the anti-viral therapy of hepatitis infections, in particular the treatment of acute and chronic HBV and HCV infections and the associated liver carcinomas.

Abstract: A precision biopsy needle for removing liquid-containing tissue samples. The needle includes a needle body that receives a tissue sample and an internal plunger that is movable inside the needle body. A removable sample receiving element is introduced between the inner wall of the needle body and the movable inner plunger. The tissue sample may be transferred without the risk of damage to the tissue structure, and prevents the sample material from drying out during manipulation.