Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of protein ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-associated recruitment domain) in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of colorectal cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring ASC in said sample. Measurement of ASC can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning and expression of foreign protein or polypeptides in bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. In particular, this invention relates to expression tools comprising a FKBP-type peptidyl prolyl isomerase selected from the group consisting of FkpA, SlyD, and trigger factor; methods of recombinant protein expression, the recombinant polypeptides thus obtained, as well as to the use of such polypeptides.

Abstract: There is described a method for determining a mechanical axis of a femur using a computer aided surgery system having an output device for displaying said mechanical axis, the method comprising: providing a position sensing system having a tracking device capable of registering instantaneous position readings and attaching the tracking device to the femur; locating a center of a femoral head of the femur by moving a proximal end of the femur to a first static position, acquiring a fixed reading of the first static position, repeating the moving and the acquiring for a plurality of static positions; and locating the centre by determining a central point of a pattern formed by the plurality of static positions; digitizing an entrance point of the mechanical axis at a substantially central position of the proximal end of the femur; and joining a line between the entrance point and the center of rotation to form the mechanical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the assessment of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of protein CYFRA 21-1 in the assessment of colorectal cancer. It also relates to a method for assessing colorectal cancer in vitro using a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring CYFRA 21-1 in said sample. Measurement of CYFRA 21-1 can, e.g., be used in the early detection or in the follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a circular portion of an object, such as to determine the center point of the object, is provided. The method includes determining spatial coordinates of at least two points on a circumferential edge of the circular portion of the object, and calculating the center point of the circular portion using the spatial coordinates of the two points and a geometric parameter representative of the diameter of the circular portion. A calibration device and system are also provided for use with a computer tracking system in order to calibrate such an object having a circular portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of breast cancer. It discloses the use of protein PDX1 (peroxiredoxin 1) in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of breast cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring PDX1 in said sample. Measurement of PDX1 can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of protein RS15A (ribosomal protein S15a) in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of colorectal cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring RS15A in said sample. Measurement of RS15A can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of HIV infections. It especially teaches the production of a soluble retroviral surface glycoprotein-(or transmembrane glycoprotein)-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of a chaperone-antigen complex especially in the detection of antibodies to HIV in immunoassays, preferably according to the double antigen bridge concept, or as an immunogen. The invention also discloses soluble complexes comprising a variant of HIV-1 gp41 or a variant of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, and a chaperone selected from the peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase class of chaperones. Variants comprising specific amino-acid substitutions in the N-helical domain of HIV-1 gp41 or of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning and expression of foreign protein or polypeptides in bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. In particular, this invention relates to expression tools comprising a FKBP-type peptidyl prolyl isomerase selected from the group consisting of FkpA, SlyD, and trigger factor; methods of recombinant protein expression, the recombinant polypeptides thus obtained, as well as to the use of such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of breast cancer. It discloses the use of protein ASC in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of breast cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring ASC in the sample. Measurement of ASC can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of breast cancer. It discloses the use of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2N (UBC13) in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of breast cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring UBC13 in the sample. Measurement of UBC13 can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of breast cancer. It discloses the use of protein cellular retinoic acid binding protein II in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of breast cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring cellular retinoic acid binding protein II in said sample. Measurement of cellular retinoic acid binding protein II can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of breast cancer.

Abstract: A system for automatic calibration of instruments (S) having varying cross-sectional dimensions within a predetermined range and having detectable elements (110, 112, 113, 114) thereon for computer-aided surgery, comprising a calibration base (C) having detectable elements (43, 44, 46, 48) secured thereto for detecting a position and an orientation thereof in space by sensors (204) connected to a position calculator (202). The calibration base is adapted to receive and to releasably secure a working shaft (100) of any of the instruments (S) and provides an abutting surface (14) for a tip (102) thereof in such a way that a position and orientation of the tip (102) of the instrument (S) secured therein is calculable when working shaft cross-section dimensions thereof are known. The position calculator (202) receives instrument data (214) and calibration data (218) from an operator through a user interface (206) and stores the instrument data (214) and calibration data (218) for subsequent calibrations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of HIV infections. It especially teaches the production of a soluble retroviral surface glycoprotein- (or transmembrane glycoprotein)-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of a chaperone-antigen complex especially in the detection of antibodies to HIV in immunoassays, preferably according to the double antigen bridge concept, or as an immunogen. The invention also discloses soluble complexes comprising a variant of HIV-1 gp41 or a variant of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, and a chaperone selected from the peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase class of chaperones. Variants comprising specific amino-acid substitutions in the N-helical domain of HIV-1 gp41 or of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of HIV infections. It especially teaches the production of a soluble retroviral surface glycoprotein-(or transmembrane glycoprotein)-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of a chaperone-antigen complex especially in the detection of antibodies to HIV in immunoassays, preferably according to the double antigen bridge concept, or as an immunogen. The invention also discloses soluble complexes comprising a variant of HIV-1 gp41 or a variant of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, and a chaperone selected from the peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase class of chaperones. Variants comprising specific amino-acid substitutions in the N-helical domain of HIV-1 gp41 or of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an axis of an intramedullary canal of an exposed bone with a position tracking system in computer-assisted surgery, comprising a detectable device trackable in space for position and orientation. A stem portion is secured to the detectable device so as to be tracked for position and orientation. The stem portion has a leading end insertable in an intramedullary canal of the bone through an opening in the bone, and is adapted to be handled by a following end thereof. A tip portion is provided at the leading end of the stem portion. The tip portion is positionable in a determined way with respect to a surface of the intramedullary canal, such that reference points with respect to the intramedullary canal are calculable as a function of the position and orientation of the detectable device. The reference points are related to define an axis of the intramedullary canal. A method is provided for digitizing the intramedullary canal axis.

Abstract: A CAS system and method for guiding an operator in inserting a femoral implant in a femur as a function of a limb length and orientation of the femoral implant with respect to the femur, comprising a reference tool for the femur, a registration tool, a bone altering tool and a sensing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a biomolecule-linker conjugate of uniform stochiometry. It especially relates to a conjugate consisting of a biomolecule of a molecular weight between 5 kD and 500 kD and a hydrophilic linker molecule said linker having a molecular weight between 5 kD 15 kD and between 4 and 60 charged residues, characterized in that said conjugate comprises at least one biomolecule-linker product of uniform stoichiometry in a pre-selected amount.

Abstract: The present invention concerns new compounds comprising a branched linker and their use for producing conjugates for applications in diagnostic or therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of HIV infections. It especially teaches the production of a soluble retroviral surface glycoprotein- (or transmembrane glycoprotein)-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of a chaperone-antigen complex especially in the detection of antibodies to HIV in immunoassays, preferably according to the double antigen bridge concept, or as an immunogen. The invention also discloses soluble complexes comprising a variant of HIV-1 gp41 or a variant of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, and a chaperone selected from the peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase class of chaperones. Variants comprising specific amino-acid substitutions in the N-helical domain of HIV-1 gp41 or of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, are also described.