Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions for increasing immunity against coronaviruses, in particular highly pathogenic coronaviruses. Compositions are provided comprising peptides comprising at least a part of the S2 ectodomain of the S (spike) protein from at least one human coronaviruses (HCoV) selected from HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E and HCoV-HKU1, as well as compositions comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding at least a part of the S2 ectodomain of the S (spike) protein from at least one human coronaviruses (HCoV) selected from HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E and HCoV-HKU1. Compositions described herein are particularly useful as vaccines, in particular against highly pathogenic coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and/or SARS-CoV-2 as well as cross-species transmission of typically non-human coronaviruses.

Abstract: Provided herein are means and methods for inhibiting processes and/or facilitating processes in cells by means of a compound of structural formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each independently H, OH, CH3, OCH3, a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide or Cl; with the proviso that at least two of R1-R6 are H; and at least one other of R1-R6 is OH. The compound can be used among others in the prophylactic or curative treatment of an elevated blood interleukin-1? level and/or the treatment of low grade inflammation in an animal subject in need thereof. Also provided is a method for increasing longevity or increasing the health span in a non-diseased animal subject, the method including administering to the animal subject an effective amount of a hydroxychalcone of formula I as indicated herein. Also provided are food and food supplements including a compound of formula I as indicated herein.

Abstract: An expert system, in particular for medical diagnosis, includes a memory 2 for storing a plurality of hypotheses. The hypotheses are arranged in a first and second disjoint group of hypotheses. The memory stores questions for rejecting hypotheses of the second group. An output 3 is used for supplying questions to a user. A input 4 is used for receiving initial data and answers to questions. A processor 5 is programmed to select questions from the stored questions for those hypotheses from the second group that are possible in dependence on the initial data. The processor also determines from answer(s) received in response to outputting the selected questions whether at least one of the hypotheses of the second group is possible. In response to determining that no hypothesis of the second group is possible, the processor supplies a most likely hypothesis of the first group.

Abstract: The invention relates to the targeted delivery of substances to cells. The invention provides a virus-like particle or gene delivery vehicle provided with a ligand capable of binding to a human amino acid transporter. Provided are, for example, ligands that can bind to the human transporter of cationic L-amino acids (hCAT1). Such hCAT1 binding molecules find applications in the design of vector systems for entry into human or primate cells. Preferred are retroviral envelope molecules, which—when incorporated in a virus particle—can infect hCAT1 positive cells at high frequencies. Also disclosed are methods for the design of such hCAT1 binding molecules.

Abstract: A nucleic acid delivery vehicle for enhancing and/or inducing angiogenesis. This nucleic acid delivery vehicle includes a nucleic acid having at least one sequence coding for a protein capable of increasing nitric oxide production and a nucleic acid delivery carrier. The vehicle can be used in a method for enhancing and/or inducing angiogenesis in an individual involving providing cells of the individual with the nucleic acid delivery vehicle. Also disclosed is a cell for producing the nucleic acid delivery vehicle for enhancing and/or inducing angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the targeted delivery of substances to cells. The invention provides a virus-like particle or gene delivery vehicle provided with a ligand capable of binding to a human amino acid transporter. Provided are, for example, ligands that can bind to the human transporter of cationic L-amino acids (hCAT1). Such hCAT1 binding molecules find applications in the design of vector systems for entry into human or primate cells. Preferred are retroviral envelope molecules, which—when incorporated in a virus particle—can infect hCAT1 positive cells at high frequencies. Also disclosed are methods for the design of such hCAT1 binding molecules.