Translation in the European court of human rights: challenges and solutions

The article deals with some problems of court translation, the right to which is provided by the European Convention of Human Rights and other legislations. The translation challenges appear at all stages of the court proceeding, ranging from submitting documents to judgment delivering. Translators and interpreters’ competences are outlined. Translation performs important functions in communication of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights to the European Council member States and in conducting comparative studies of national and European legislations. Translation has been proved an important means in enhancing the role of the Court in protecting human rights

Growth inhibition of human ovarian carcinoma by a novel AvidinOX-anchored biotinylated camptothecin derivative

Oxidized form of avidin, named AvidinOX, provides stable fixation of biotinylated molecules in tissues thus representing a breakthrough in topical treatment of cancer. AvidinOX proved to be a stable receptor for radiolabeled biotin, biotinylated antibodies and cells. In order to expand applicability of the AvidinOX-based delivery platform, in the present study we investigated the possibility to hold biotinylated chemotherapeutics in AvidinOX-treated sites. A novel biotinylated gimatecan-derived camptothecin, coded ST8161AA1, was injected at suboptimal doses into human tumors xenografted in mice alone or pre-complexed to AvidinOX. Significantly higher growth inhibition was observed when the drug was anchored to AvidinOX suggesting the potential utility of this delivery modality for the local treatment of inoperable tumors

Identification of a panel of tumor-associated antigens from breast carcinoma cell lines, solid tumors and testis cDNA libraries displayed on lambda phage

BACKGROUND: Tumor-associated antigens recognized by humoral effectors of the immune system are a very attractive target for human cancer diagnostics and therapy. Recent advances in molecular techniques have led to molecular definition of immunogenic tumor proteins based on their reactivity with autologous patient sera (SEREX). METHODS: Several high complexity phage-displayed cDNA libraries from breast carcinomas, human testis and breast carcinoma cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-468 were constructed. The cDNAs were expressed in the libraries as fusion to bacteriophage lambda protein D. Lambda-displayed libraries were efficiently screened with sera from patients with breast cancer. RESULTS: A panel of 21 clones representing 18 different antigens, including eight proteins of unknown function, was identified. Three of these antigens (T7-1, T11-3 and T11-9) were found to be overexpressed in tumors as compared to normal breast. A serological analysis of the 21 different antigens revealed a strong cancer-related profile for at least five clones (T6-2, T6-7, T7-1, T9-21 and T9-27). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that patient serum reactivity against five of the antigens is associated with tumor disease. The novel T7-1 antigen, which is overexpressed in breast tumors and recognized specifically by breast cancer patient sera, is potentially useful in cancer diagnosis

Identification of Peptide Mimotopes of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Variant Surface Glycoproteins

The control of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, a deadly disease in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly depends on a correct diagnosis and treatment. The aim of our study was to identify mimotopic peptides (mimotopes) that may replace the native proteins in antibody detection tests for sleeping sickness and hereby improve the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. We selected peptide expressing phages from the PhD.-12 and PhD.-C7C phage display libraries with mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) LiTat 1.3 or LiTat 1.5 of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The peptide coding genes of the selected phages were sequenced and the corresponding peptides were synthesised. Several of the synthetic peptides were confirmed as mimotopes for VSG LiTat 1.3 or LiTat 1.5 since they were able to inhibit the binding of their homologous monoclonal to the corresponding VSG. These peptides were biotinylated and their diagnostic potential was assessed with human sera. We successfully demonstrated that human sleeping sickness sera recognise some of the mimotopes of VSG LiTat 1.3 and LiTat 1.5, indicating the diagnostic potential of such peptides

Single chain antibodies against ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’

Antibodies are widely used as microbiological reagents, but antibodies that recognize ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ are generally lacking.  We have developed and applied immunization and affinity screening methods to create a primary library of recombinant single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies in an M13 vector, pKM19.  The antibody population is enriched for antibodies that bind antigens of ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ and Diaphorina citri.  The primary library has more than 107 unique antibodies and the genes that encode them.  We have screened this library of antibodies for antibodies that bind to specifically chosen proteins that are present on the surface of ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’.  These proteins were used as ‘bait’ for affinity-based selection of scFvs that bind to the major outer membrane protein, OmpA; the polysaccharide capsule expressing protein KpsF; a protein component of the type IV pilus (CapF); and two flagellar proteins FlhA and FlgI.  These scFvs have been used in ELISA and dot blot assays against purified protein antigens and ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ infected plant extracts.  We also have isolated scFv that bind to surface exposed portions of the TolC proteins and of a protein called InvA.  These proteins may have critical roles in pathogenicity.  Thus far, screening of these scFvs is more efficient when using phage bound, rather than soluble scFvs.  We have demonstrated a technology to produce antibodies and select at will and against any protein target encoded by ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’.  Future applications will include advanced diagnostic methods for huanglongbing and the development of immune labeling reagents for in planta applications