Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a mutated Salmonella strain comprising mutations in flagellin II genes, like the fliF gene, in particular, in addition the aroA gene, the IpxR gene, the pagP gene, the pagL gene, the ydiV gene and optionally the eptA gene and further optionally, the arnT gene. In a further aspect, immunogenic compositions comprising said Salmonella strain are provided optionally together with a pharmaceutically accepted carrier, diluent or effluent. Moreover, a method for producing outer membrane vesicles of Salmonella is provided, said method comprises the steps of cultivating the Salmonella strain according to the present invention and isolating the outer membrane vesicles accordingly.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a mutated Salmonella strain comprising mutations in flagellin II genes, like the fliF gene, in particular, in addition the aroA gene, the IpxR gene, the pagP gene, the pagL gene, the ydiV gene and optionally the eptA gene and further optionally, the arnT gene. In a further aspect, immunogenic compositions comprising said Salmonella strain are provided optionally together with a pharmaceutically accepted carrier, diluent or effluent. Moreover, a method for producing outer membrane vesicles of Salmonella is provided, said method comprises the steps of cultivating the Salmonella strain according to the present invention and isolating the outer membrane vesicles accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to bacterial promoter elements which constitute or which are comprised in promoter regions and which confer tumour specificity to the promoter region activity, resulting in transcription of a transgene, which can be a heterologous or a homologous gene, which transgene is functionally arranged downstream of the promoter region at presence of a host bacterium in tumour tissue, while essentially conferring inactivity of the promoter region and no transcription at presence of the host bacterium in non-tumour tissue. Accordingly, the invention relates to bacterial promoter regions containing these tumour specific promoter elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of compounds for introducing nucleic acids and/or protein into animal cells, tissue, organs or organisms in vitro, extracorporal, or in vivo. This combination comprises preparations suitable for administration to an animal or human for medical purposes, comprising as one component a bacterial vector genetically manipulated to contain nucleic acid sequences comprising a transgene, and a second component for the subsequent transcription, possibly translation of the transgene by controlled induction of bacterial vector as it is present within the animal or human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modulation of Natural Killer (NK) cells in vitro or in vivo through the use of activating or inhibiting ligands of CD27, such as antibodies, for a regulation of the immune response against several different diseases, such as viral infections, cancer, bacterial infections, sepsis as well as immunological diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the inventors were able to improve the host resistance against Influenza virus and cancer through the application of anti-CD27 antibodies. In a different setting the inventors were able to prevent the onset of a lethal bacterial sepsis by preventing the activation of NK cells via CD27. The invention furthermore relates to screening assays for ligands of the surface marker CD27.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for use in tumor therapy as well as a medical treatment in tumor therapy. The compositions comprise a leukocyte diminishing and/or leukocyte inactivating agent for use in bacterial tumor therapy in combination. Preferably, the leukocyte inactivating or diminishing agents are expressed by the bacteria used for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for bacterial tumor therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of compounds for introducing nucleic acids and/or protein into animal cells, tissue, organs or organisms in vitro, extracorporal, or in vivo. This combination comprises preparations suitable for administration to an animal or human for medical purposes, comprising as one component a bacterial vector genetically manipulated to contain nucleic acid sequences comprising a transgene, and a second component for the subsequent transcription, possibly translation of the transgene by controlled induction of bacterial vector as it is present within the animal or human.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an attenuated Salmonella comprising a eukaryotic expression vector for delivery of the eukaryotic expression vector to a eukaryotic cell. Delivery may be to eukaryotic cells cultured in vitro or to cells in vivo, such as by oral administration of the attenuated Salmonella comprising the eukaryotic expression vector.

Abstract: An attenuated strain of Salmonella typhimurium has been used as a vehicle for oral genetic immunization. Eukaryotic expression vectors containing the genes for b-galactosidase, or truncated forms of ActA and listeriolysin—two virulence factors of Listeria monocytogenes—that were controlled by an eukaryotic promoter have been used to transform a S. typhimurium aroA strain. Multiple or even single immunizations with these transformants induced a strong cytotoxic and helper T cell response as well as an excellent antibody response. Multiple immunizations with listeriolysin transformants protected the mice completely against a lethal challenge of L. monocytogenes. Partial protection was already observed with a single dose. ActA appeared not to be a protective antigen.

Abstract: In order to achieve improved mechanical properties for a coil (1), it is proposed to structure a first electroconductive winding (3) of the coil (1) as a coil former. This coil has a first connecting element (15), to which a second connecting element (17) is attached via an insulating part (25). The two connecting elements (15, 17) form the connections for the coil (1). In this way, a self-supporting coil structure is achieved. The coil (1) is particularly intended as an undervoltage winding with a low number of windings for cast resin transformers.

Abstract: For the production of a cast resin coil consisting of a plurality of axially superimposed flat coils, it is proposed that the corresponding flat coils be first of all produced by winding a first inner partial winding and a second outer partial winding with the interposition of individual spacer members by which sector-shaped intervening spaces are formed. The individual flat coils are then placed together axially and oriented so that their intervening spaces coincide, thus forming axial cooling channels. Moldings are inserted into each of said channels. This is followed by the encapsulation of the assembled flat coils. After the curing of the casting resin, the moldings are removed from the cooling channels. A cast resin coil produced in this manner has an impregnable layer of material, preferably in the region of the cooling channels by which the wall thickness of the cooling channels is predetermined in relation to the corresponding strip conductors.

Abstract: A clamping frame for a transformer core has a clamping frame part and a tensioner. The surfaces of the tensioner and of the clamping frame part abutting the transformer core lie in a common plane. The tensioner features an engagement part, which engages in a recess of the clamping frame part.

Abstract: An annular wheel of plastic is rotatably mounted on a central bearing. The wheel has a generally H-shaped cross-section, with radially outward and radially inward arms joined by a radial crossbar. An array of stiffening ribs at various circumferential locations around the crossbar of the H-shaped cross-section stiffen the wheel. To prevent the peripheral travel surface of the outward arm of the wheel from developing undulations during cooling following initial molding of the plastic wheel, the ribs have recesses in their opposite, axially outwardly directed sides. Dimensional relationships between the axial width and circumferential thickness of the rib, and the peripheral surface of the wheel and the thickness of the crossbar of the wheel are disclosed.