Abstract: A method of estimating sepsis risk in an individual with infection comprises a step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for an IL-2 or IL-7 mRNA value, and correlating the mRNA value with sepsis risk. The IL-2 and IL-7 mRNA values are quantified by absolute quantification of mRNA copy number, wherein the copy numbers are normalised to a house keeping gene and corrected against a calibration curve for serial dilutions of the IL-2 and IL-7 cDNA. The method generally involves a step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for IL-2 and/or IL-7 mRNA values, optionally in combination with mRNA values for other cytokines, and correlating a sum or difference of the values with sepsis risk using a regression analysis curve against outcome.

Abstract: Aspirin is one of the most widely used drugs in the treatment of inflammation, pain and fever. It has more recently found application in the prevention of heart attacks and stroke and is being studied as a cancer chemopreventative agent. Despite its value aspirin continues to be underutilized because it causes gastric bleeding. The technology under development potentially removes this problem. It is designed to reduce contact between the drug and the intestinal lining. An isosorbide aspirinate prodrug compound is thus provided. The compound has the general structure as shown in general formula (I) wherein Y is a C1-C8 alkyl ester, a C1-C8 alkoxy ester, a C3-C10 cycloalkyl ester, an arylester, a C1-C8 alkylaryl ester or —C(O)ORring, wherein Rring is a 5-membered aromatic or nonaromatic 5-member ring having at least one heteroatom substituted for a carbon of the ring system, which can be unsubstituted or substituted with at least one nitric oxide releasing group.

Abstract: The invention relates to gene suppression and replacement. In particular, the invention relates to enhanced expression of suppression agents for suppressing gene expression in a cell and in vivo and replacement nucleic acids that are not inhibited by the suppression agent. Regulatory elements are included in expression vectors to optimize expression of the suppression agent and/or replacement nucleic acid.

Abstract: The adrenergic receptors or adrenoceptors are a family of G-protein coupled receptors split into ? and ? subclasses. The adrenoceptors have important roles in regulating a myriad of physiological conditions and their malfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases. Disclosed herein are a series of novel compounds which are ligands of the alpha2-adrenoceptor (?2-ARs) subclass of adrenergic receptors. The invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel compounds. The compounds are suitable for use in the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of ?2-ARs associated disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia.

Abstract: An animation tool which is configured to enable a user to generate one or more animations for subsequent execution on a computer platform is described. The animation tool provides a plurality of graphical integers which a user can use to generate an animation. The graphical integers are divisible into graphical elements and graphical element effects, the effects being applied by a user onto an element and defining the viewing properties of that element.

Abstract: A tunable laser device (1) comprises integrally formed first and second ridge waveguides (5, 6). A longitudinally extending ridge (12) defines first and second light guiding regions (19, 20) of the first and second waveguides (5, 6) which communicate with each other. A plurality of first slots (27) extending laterally in the ridge (12) adjacent the first waveguide (5), and a plurality of second slots (28) extending laterally in the ridge (12) adjacent the second waveguide (6) produce first and second mirror loss spectra of the respective first and second waveguides (5, 6) with minimum peak values at respective first and second wavelength values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing a pro-inflammatory immune response through the administration of the DEAD-box protein DDX3, as encoded by SEQ ID NO:1. The invention further extends to a method of suppressing an aberrant immune response, such at that associated with autoimmune conditions, through inhibition of DDX3. The invention also extends to a method of suppressing a pro-inflammatory immune response through the administration of the vaccinia virus protein K7. The invention further extends to the provision of an attenuated poxvirus wherein the K7R gene which encodes for the K7 protein is deleted or rendered non-functional. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising DDX3 inhibitory compounds, such as K7, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a methods, uses, compositions such as adhesive, sealants and coatings, scaffold material, composite material, all comprising amyloid-like materials such as fibrils, in particular those made from fruit or vegetable proteins. The amyloid-like materials impart good mechanical strength to the materials in which it is employed. Inhibition of amyloid formation is also described.