Abstract: The invention relates to an inhibitor, in particular an antisense oligonucleotide, directed against the enhancer RNA SINT1 for use in a method for the prevention or treatment of heart disease, particularly for cardiomyopathy. The antisense oligonucleotide is a gapmer or RNA interference (RNAi) agent. The antisense oligonucleotide is particularly suitable for the treatment of cardiomyopathy resulting from cardiac overload.

Abstract: We describe a super-resolution optical microscopy technique in which a sample is located on or adjacent to the planar surface of an aplanatic solid immersion lens and placed in a cryogenic environment.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments relate to electron microscopy sample preparation apparatus; and a method of preparing an electron microscopy sample. Aspects and embodiments provide electron microscopy sample preparation apparatus. The apparatus comprises a support holder configured to receive an electron microscopy sample support, the electron microscopy sample support configured to receive a fluid sample. The apparatus comprising a gas outlet configured to direct a flow of gas towards a surface of the electron microscopy sample support to adjust fluid supported by the electron microscopy sample support. Aspects and embodiments recognise that in order to be successfully imaged, a specimen must be adequately prepared for imaging. Successful and reproducible preparation of an electron microscopy sample or specimen may be key to obtaining useful results from microscopy techniques.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optical component in a laser system using diffraction patterns of alignment references includes: placing a first alignment reference in the path of a laser beam upstream of an optical component, the first alignment reference having first reference features forming a first diffraction pattern when illuminated by the laser beam; placing a second alignment reference in the path of the laser beam downstream of the first alignment reference and the optical component, the second alignment reference having second reference features forming a second diffraction pattern when illuminated by the laser beam; illuminating the alignment references and optical component with the laser beam; monitoring the combined diffraction pattern of the reference features of the alignment references downstream of the second alignment reference; and adjusting the relative position and/or orientation of the optical component towards the combined diffraction pattern indicating alignment of the optical component to t

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligonucleic acid agent directed against the microRNA miR27b-5p for use in a method of treatment or prevention of heart disease.

Abstract: Stabilised and aquated polymeric silicate compositions are described in which the compositions are poorly condensed compositions in which the silicates are resorbable and are capable of undergoing efficient dissolution to provide bioavailable soluble silicic acid. In particular, stabilised and aquated polymeric silicates are described that are capable of intravenous delivery, useful in the treatment of cancer or systemic infection, or for topical administration, e.g. in the form of a solid or semi-solid ointment useful in the treatment of wounds or the prevention of bacterial infection.

Abstract: Compositions comprising silica particles having a mean size by standard particle sizing of between 0.5 nm and 20 nm are described for used in activating lymphocytes in culture or in whole blood.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to spectroscopic sensors of ionizing radiation, and the use of an application specific integrated circuit to detect both positive features in a pixel anode signal indicative of ionizing radiation interacting with that pixel, and negative features indicative of ionizing radiation interacting in an adjacent or proximal pixel. For this purpose, both positive and negative peak hold circuits may be provided in each ASIC pixel circuit.

Abstract: Copper based antibacterial agents are described based on amphiphilic copper complexes formed between copper and hydroxypyrones, such as maltol. In further aspects, the present invention relates to PEG based-ointments showing that they are particularly effective for topical delivery of amphiphilic complexes of copper. In particular, PEG ointments were shown to limit bacterial growth, even when in the absence of copper agent. However, this bacteriostatic effect is shown herein to become a true biocidal effect when copper hydroxypyrones are added to the PEG.

Abstract: The invention relates to vectors based on a virus from the order Mononegavirales, and in particular a rabies virus. More specifically, it relates to a rabies virus vector which, having transfected a target cell, is switchable between replication-competent and replication-incompetent forms. Amongst other applications, the invention avoids the cytotoxicity associated with current vectors based on rabies virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a tautomer and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R1 is alkyl, Cl, F or Br; R2 is H or F; R3 is selected from H and alkyl; R4 is selected from H and C(O)R6; R5 is H; or R4 and R5 are linked to form a heterocyclic group which is optionally substituted with one or more R10 groups; R6 is selected from R7, OR7 and NR8R9; R7, R8 and R9 are each independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl and aryl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or more R10 groups; each R10 is independently selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, COO-alkyl, aralkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2-aryl, COOH, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, NH2, NH-alkyl, N(alkyl)2, CF3, alkyl and alkoxy; X and Z are each independently CR11, and Y is selected from CR11 and N; and R11 is H or F; for use in treating a disorder associated with protein misfolding stress and in particular associated with accumulation of misfolded proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods of inducing gametogenesis by producing meiotically competent cells. Reagents and kits for use in the methods of the invention are also provided. The present invention finds use in the field of medicine, particularly in the study and treatment of infertility.

Abstract: We disclose methods and apparatus for measuring pH in a sub-surface volume of a diffusely scattering sample. Probe light is directed to an entry region on the sample surface, and collected from a collection region on the sample surface following diffuse scattering within the sample. The collection region is spatially offset from the entry region, so that when one or more Raman spectral features are detected in the collected probe light, a pH of the sub-surface volume can be determined from the spectral features.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a clinical thermometer for non-invasive measurement of sub-cutaneous temperature of tissue of a human or animal subject. Probe light is collected from a collection region spatially offset from an entry region on a visible surface of the subject, following scattering within the tissue, and a temperature of the tissue is determined from Raman spectral features in the collected light.

Abstract: Stabilised and aquated polymeric silicate compositions are described in which the compositions are poorly condensed compositions in which the silicates are resorbable and are capable of undergoing efficient dissolution to provide bioavailable soluble silicic acid. In particular, stabilised and aquated polymeric silicates are described that are capable of intravenous delivery, useful in the treatment of cancer or systemic infection, or for topical administration, e.g. in the form of a solid or semi-solid ointment useful in the treatment of wounds or the prevention of bacterial infection.

Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is a polypeptide comprising a modified angiopoietin receptor or fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide binds preferentially to angiopoietin-2 compared to angiopoeitin-1. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide, as well as pharmaceutical uses of the polypeptide in treating diseases such as cancer and inflammation are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting nuclear waste, for example drums of intermediate level nuclear waste, are disclosed. In particular, a single laser pulse may be directed at a pitcher-catcher laser target structure, with subsequent separate detection of the generated X-rays and neutrons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid having a cyclopropene group wherein said cyclopropene group is joined to the amino acid via a carbamate group. Suitably the cyclopropene group is a 1,3-disubstituted cyclopropene such as a 1,3-dimethylcyclopropene. Suitably the cyclopropene group is present as a residue of a lysine amino acid. The invention also relates to methods of making the polypeptides. The invention also relates to an amino acid comprising cyclopropene wherein said cyclopropene group is joined to the amino acid moiety via a carbamate group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for incorporating an unnatural amino acid into a protein of interest in a eukaryotic cell, said method comprising the steps of: i) providing a eukaryotic cell expressing an orthogonal tRNA synthetase-t RNA pair, a nucleic acid sequence of interest encoding said protein of interest, and a mutant eRF1, said mutant eRF1 having amino acid sequence having at least 60% sequence identity to the human wild type eRF1 sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, said nucleic acid sequence of interest comprising a codon recognised by the tRNA at the position for incorporation of an unnatural amino acid; ii) incubating the eukaryotic cell in the presence of an unnatural amino acid to be incorporated into a protein encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of interest, wherein said unnatural amino acid is a substrate for the orthogonal tRNA synthetase; and iii) incubating the eukaryotic cell to allow incorporation of said unnatural amino acid into the protein of interest via the orthogonal tRNA synthetase-t RNA

Abstract: Processes for recovering colloids of carboxylate ligand modified ferric iron hydroxide materials such as IHAT (Iron Hydroxide Adipate Tartrate) are described based on the use of water miscible non-aqueous solvents, such as ethanol, methanol and acetone. The processes produce materials with advantageous properties such as improved bioavailability, reduced aggregation and/or agglomeration and/or increased iron content.