Abstract: The present invention provides novel enzymes, tryparedoxins, their isolation from Crithidia fasciculata, a method for the production thereof in genetically transformed bacteria, and their use as molecular targets for the discovery of trypanocidal drugs

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to detect male antifertility problems based on the determination of latent phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to search for male antifertility drugs based on activity determination of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) derived from human tissue or human cells or from related mammalian species.

Abstract: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease which kills more than three million people every year. Although both a vaccine and various methods of diagnosis and treatment are available, the efficacy of these measures is in urgent need of improvement given that the number of new cases is once again on the increase. Research focuses, among other things, on the characterization of antigens secreted in the early stages of the infection as they constitute the first point of contact of the immune system with the pathogen. The 40 KD-antigen described herein is present in vivo as a hexamer and, despite its high molecular weight and lack of a signal sequence, is present extracellularly after only a few days of growth. Functionally, it is an L-alanine dehydrogenase and reacts with the monoclonal antibody HBT-10 directed against this protein. HBT-10 was the first known antibody specific to a protein of M. tuberculosis which did not cross-react with the vaccine strain M. bovis BCG.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel enzymes, tryparedoxins, their isolation from Crithidia fasciculata, a method for the production thereof in genetically transformed bacteria, and their use as molecular targets for the discovery of trypanocidal drugs

Abstract: The present invention describes an enzyme showing glutathionylspermidine synthetase-activity and being distinct from known enzymes with similar activities in several physicochemical parameters, a novel process to isolate said enzyme from Crithidia fasciculata, tools for the production thereof in genetically transformed organisms, and its use as a molecular target for the discovery of trypanocidal drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel enzymes, tryparedoxins, their isolation from Crithidia fasciculata, a method for the production thereof in genetically transformed bacteria, and their use as molecular targets for the discovery of trypanocidal drugs.

Abstract: The present invention describes an enzyme showing glutathionylspermidine synthetase-activity and being distinct from known enzymes with similar activities in several physicochemical parameters, a novel process to isolate said enzyme from Crithidia fasciculata, tools for the production thereof in genetically transformed organisms, and its use as a molecular target for the discovery of trypanocidal drugs.

Abstract: Plasmids containing synthetic DNA sequences are described which are suitable for the expression of the intermediate protein of the recombinant scu-PA (i.e., the unglycosylated protein moiety of the single chain prourokinase) in Enterobacteriaceae, especially in E. coli, with expression rates far higher than those obtainable according to prior methods. The plasmids comprise operons that include a regulatable, optionally synthetic, promotor, a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, a start codon, a synthetic structural gene with selected codon usage, and downstream of the structural gene, 1 to 2 transcription terminators. The preparation of the plasmids and of synthetic DNA-sequences starting from commercially available plasmids and intermediates is described. The intermediate protein, expressed in high yields by using the plasmids for transforming suitable hosts, may be refolded to produce the therapeutically useful plasminogen activator recombinant scu-PA.

Abstract: The use of superoxide dismutases for the prevention and/or treatment of organ failure in patients at risk with polytrauma caused by accidents is disclosed. The superoxide dismutases are administered according to the invention in daily doses of from 1 g to 15 g for a period of at least two days following the initial trauma (i.e. the accident), especially by intravenous infusion. Preferably natural or recombinant human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase is used.

Abstract: A method of preventing or treating posttraumatic nervous injuries by administering a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, cyclohexyl or benzyl; Z is one of the groups ##STR2## if Z is a group (a), R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together represent an additional bond between the carbon atoms bearing them, or if Z represents a group (b), R.sub.2 is hydrogen; R.sub.4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or phenyl, and R.sub.6 is hydrogen or methyl. Hydrates or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts may also be used in the method. Pharmaceutical compositions used in this method containing such compounds in a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount may be administered by infusion, injection, orally, perorally, rectally, percutaneously or other route.

Abstract: A method of treating patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by administering dipeptide derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group, cyclohexyl or benzyl; Z is one of the groups ##STR2## wherein if Z is a group (a), R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together represent an additional bond between the carbon atoms bearing R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, or if Z is a group (b), R.sub.2 is hydrogen; R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are hydrogen or lower alkyl, or R.sub.5 may also be phenyl; and R.sub.6 is hydrogen or methyl; hydrates or pharmaceutically acceptable acid additions salts thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions containing effective ALS symptom counteracting amounts of such dipeptide derivatives may be administered by infusion, injection, orally, rectally or percutaneously.