Abstract: An endoscope cap and methods for manufacturing and using the cap, the cap including (1)—a sheath (2) with a proximal opening and a distal opening (4) facing the proximal opening and having a shape flaring towards its distal opening, —an attachment (3) suitable for attaching the cap to the distal end of an endoscope, with the proximal opening facing or surrounding the distal end of the endoscope, the wall of the sheath being made of a structure having sufficient strength to withstand perforation and/or incision by a sharp and/or pointed object.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound that modulates the interaction between Nod1 and a Gram-negative bacteria comprising contacting a Nod1 expressing cell with a cagPAI-positive H. pylori in the presence of a compound, contacting a Nod1 expressing cell with a cagPAI-positive H. pylori in the absence of said compound, and detecting the activation of a pro-inflammatory factor and/or the production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine or chemokine, wherein altered activation and/or production indicates that said compound modulates the interaction between Nod1 and the Gram-negative bacteria. The method is useful for identifying compounds for regulating the signaling cascade involving Nod1 against Gram-negative bacteria that cause mucosal inflammation in animal hosts.