Abstract: The present invention relates to gene therapy for the treatment of tumors. The invention more particularly relates to introduction of a gene encoding an anti-angiogenic factor into cells of a tumor, for example with a defective adenovirus vector, to inhibit growth or metastasis, or both, of the tumor. In a specific embodiment, delivery of a defective adenovirus that expresses the amino terminal fragment of urokinase (ATF) inhibited growth and metastasis of tumors. These effects were correlated with a remarkable inhibition of neovascularization within, and at the immediate vicinity of, the injection site. Delivery of a defective adenovirus vector that expresses kringles 1 to 3 of angiostatin inhibited tumor growth and tumorigenicity, and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. The invention further provides viral vectors for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gene therapy for the treatment of tumors. The invention more particularly relates to introduction of a gene encoding an anti-angiogenic factor into cells of a tumor, for example with a defective adenovirus vector, to inhibit growth or metastasis, or both, of the tumor. In a specific embodiment, delivery of a defective adenovirus that expresses the amino terminal fragment of urokinase (ATF) inhibited growth and metastasis of tumors. These effects were correlated with a remarkable inhibition of neovascularization within, and at the immediate vicinity of, the injection site. Delivery of a defective adenovirus vector that expresses kringles 1 to 3 of angiostatin inhibited tumor growth and tumorigenicity, and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. The invention further provides viral vectors for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymers and copolymers based on vinyl chloride by mass polymerization of a monomer composition based on vinyl chloride, comprising carrying out at least part of the polymerization reaction in a polymerization zone defined by an essentially spherical wall by effecting in the said polymerization zone a controlled and regulated circulation of the polymerization reaction mixture by means of a rotated blade-type turbine assembly, where the said blades pass by in the vicinity of the said wall over 10% to 60% of its surface, the reaction mixture being caused by the centrifugal force of said rotated blade-type turbine assembly to perform an at least partially ascending movement over at least part of the spherical wall and falling back, essentially under the action of gravity in the central part of the spherical polymerization zone, thus ensuring intensive mixing without dead space.

Abstract: The interface circuit described comprises a plurality of control stages, each of which can detect and indicate a short-circuit in the corresponding load or the associated power transistor.In particular, the interface circuit is arranged to disable a transistor permanently when short-circuits occur repeatedly in the load in order to prevent damage to the transistor.

Abstract: A vertical autoclave for carrying out operations involving a medium having a liquid phase and/or a solid phase, comprising:(a) a concave autoclave bottom;(b) a shaft along a vertical axis of said autoclave, said shaft passing through said bottom of said autoclave; and(c) stirrer means for driving said medium with a centripetal motion about said concave autoclave bottom.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymers and copolymers based on vinyl chloride by mass polymerization of a monomer composition based on vinyl chloride, comprising carrying out at least part of the polymerization reaction in a polymerization zone defined by an essentially spherical wall by effecting in the said polymerization zone a controlled and regulated circulation of the polymerization reaction mixture by means of a rotated blade-type turbine assembly, where the said blades pass by in the vicinity of the said wall over 10% to 60% of its surface, the reaction mixture being caused by the centrifugal force of said rotated blade-type turbine assembly to perform an at least partially ascending movement over at least part of the spherical wall and falling back, essentially under the action of gravity in the central part of the spherical polymerization zone, thus ensuring intensive mixing without dead space.

Abstract: A vertical autoclave for carrying out operations involving a medium having a liquid phase and/or a solid phase includes:(a) a concave autoclave bottom;(b) a shaft along a vertical axis of said autoclave, said shaft passing through said bottom of said autoclave; and(c) stirrers for driving said medium with a centripetal motion about said concave autoclave bottom.

Abstract: Oligopeptides having no more than 10 amino acids containing the sequence--(N-ter) A--X, --Gly--Y--Gly--X.sub.2 --A (C-ter)having the capacity of interacting with blood platelets and an ability to inhibit the aggregation of platelets induced by a collogen containing substance.

Abstract: Current stabilizing device constituted by a two-terminal network in series with a load to be fed. The two-terminal network comprises, in series between its two poles a regulating transistor and a resistor, the regulating transistor being controlled by the current collector of another transistor whose base current is controlled by the difference between a stabilized voltage taken at the terminals of a voltage stabilizing diode through which a current which is itself stabilized flows and the voltage drop across the resistor; several two-terminal networks may be connected together in series. The device is particularly applicable to the stabilization of the remote feeding current for repeaters in telephone cables which are not accessible, for example, submarine telephone cables.