Abstract:
Provided are compounds of general formula A and A', wherein X1 and X2 are each C, CH or N; R3 and R4 are each H, optionally substituted C1-C30 saturated or unsaturated chemical group, or together form an optionally substituted C5-C8 cycle; Z1; Z2 and Z3 are each N or CH; V is C=0, C=S or CH2; n is from 1 to 12; W1 and W2 are each H, CH2, O or S; and R1 and R2 are each H, Cr1C6 alkyl, C1C6 aryl, C1C12 alkylaryl, optionally substituted phenyl, C1C6 alkoxy, C1C6 thioalkoxy, F, CI, Br or I. These compounds inhibit steroid sulfatase (STS), act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and are useful in the treatment of medical conditions involving hormones such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.
Abstract:
An optical sensor for detecting a target comprising a singlestranded aptamer complementary to said target, and a water-soluble cationic polythiophene derivative of the following formula (I) wherein "n" is an integer ranging from 6 to 100, is disclosed. The optical sensor allows for the detection of targets selected from the group consisting of potassium ions, small organic molecules, amino acids, proteins, whole cells and nucleotides. The detection is based on the formation of hybrid anionic aptamer/cationic polythiophene complexes.
Abstract:
A method for electric discharge machining (EDM) with a ductile carbonaceous electrode, to automate roughing, finishing, polishing and texturing operations on a electrically conductive material. The EDM method comprises using a ductile electrically conductive electrode made of carbon-polymer composite material. Prior to electric discharge machining, the electrode is made by heating uniformly a prescribed volume of said ductile electrode material, at a temperature close to the melting point temperature of the polymer matrix. The composite material is then molded into the desired electrode shape by pressing the soft material against a template, a mold model, a replicate of the workpiece or part of the workpiece. The formed electrode is then used to machine the desired shape and surface finish on the said workpiece using proper electric discharge machining techniques. When the dimensions and surface of the electrode are altered by wear, the same electrode can be rectified quickly and repetitively, by following the initial procedure of softening and pressing until the workpiece is complete.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel culture medium composition to improve the percentage of myoblasts in a primary culture made from a muscle biopsy, which in turn permits a more successful treatment of myopathies and cardiopathies. The present invention also relates to a method to increase the preparation of myoblasts in a primary culture of mixed cells and in particular from a muscle biopsy. The invention also relates to such enriched myoblast cultures to treat myopathies and cardiopathies. In addition, the invention relates to a nutrient medium which increases the proportion of myoblasts with respect to other cell types. The present invention also relates to a myoblast basal growth medium comprising all nutrients required for growth and expansion of myoblasts wherein at least a portion of the amino acid L-valine is replaced with D-valine.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a tridimensional living tissue construct free of exogenous extracellular matrix material, and in which angiogenesis occurs. Network of capillaries formed into the living tissue construct allows to provide blood vessels for replacement or repair in human and animals, and is also useful in screening compounds or agents potentially having capability of modulating the angiogenesis in vitro or in vivo .
Abstract:
The invention is concerned with a photopolymerizable composition sensitive to light in a green to infrared region of the optical spectrum, comprising (a) a photopolymerizable monomer or oligomer, or a mixture thereof, capable of forming a polymer having predetermined optical properties; (b) a photoinitiator sensitive to light in the aforesaid region; (c) an additive for increasing the refractive index and decreasing the viscosity of the composition; and (d) a filler having optical properties selected to contrast with the optical properties of the polymer. The composition of the invention is particularly useful for producing holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal materials and reversible dye doped polymer materials having improved electrical and optical switching characteristics.
Abstract:
System and method for converting kinetic energy from a fluid flow into mechanical energy, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a turbine including first and second hydrofoils, each of the hydrofoils being able to move linearly in a heaving motion, and being able to oscillate about a spanwise axis in a pitching motion, said heaving and pitching motions being quasi-sinusoidal, b) coupling the heaving motions of the first and second hydrofoils to the pitching motions of the second and first hydrofoils respectively, with the pitch-heave motion phase being substantially equal to the inter-hydrofoil phase, the heaving motion of one of the hydrofoils thereby driving the pitching motion of the other hydrofoil; and c) transforming the heaving motions of the hydrofoils into a rotational movement of a rotatable shaft, with linear-to-rotary transmission means.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of detection, as well as assays, reagents and kits for the specific detection of 15 clinically important respiratory viruses including influenza A and B viruses, human respiratory syncytial viruses, human metapneumoviruses, human enteroviruses, all serotypes of rhinoviruses, 7 serotypes of adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as coronaviruses NL, 229E, OC43, and SARS-CoV. The present invention allows for the detection of each of these respiratory viruses in a single assay.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods of preventing and treating pain, by modulating, e.g. inhibiting, the activity, function and/or expression of a PLC ? in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents capable of modulating the activity and/or expression of a PLC ? , or capable of modulating binding of a ligand or binding partner to a PLC ? , and their use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of pain. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for the diagnosis and prognostication of pain by determining whether there is modulation of activity and/or expression of a PLC ? , relative to a corresponding control.
Abstract:
A laser cavity for generating a train of laser pulses at a selected wavelength comprises a gain medium (100); an input pulse generator for gating on an effective gain of the cavity, the generator generating pairs of pulses with a time tsel between the pulses and a time T between the pairs of pulses; a first and a second set of distributed wavelength selective reflectors (101,102) on each side of the gain medium (100), each of the reflections being spaced apart in time; the second (102) set being paired with the first set (101) wherein the pairing ensures that a total cavity round-trip delay of T is equal for all wavelengths; a delay modifier for adjusting the time tsel between the pulses and selecting a wavelength; and an output; whereby the output repetition rate of the train of laser pulses can be equal for all wavelengths reflected by the first and second sets.