Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to allosteric modulation of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) and provides for the use of an A3 adenosine receptor modulator (A3RM), for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for modulating the A3AR in a subject, as well as pharmaceutical compositions including the same and therapeutic methods including administering to a subject an amount of an A3RM, the amount being effective to modulate A3AR activity. The A3RM according to claimed subject matter are 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives. Also provided are 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives.

Abstract: A biological microfluidics chip comprising a substrate, a microfluidic inlet port defining an opening in a surface of the substrate, and a microfluidic outlet port defining an opening in a surface of the substrate. The biological microfluidics chip also comprises a plurality of wells extending from a top surface of the substrate, wherein each well is bounded by one or more walls, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening are provided in a wall of each of the plurality of wells. An inlet microfluidic channel is provided in the substrate to connect the microfluidic inlet port to each of the inlet openings in the walls of the wells, and an outlet microfluidic channel is provided in the substrate to connect each of the outlet openings in the walls of the wells to the microfluidic outlet port.

Abstract: Photosensitive compounds for use in a method of treating a disease or condition are described. The photosensitive compounds have the formula R—Y, wherein R is a ruthenium complex and Y is at least one sulphur-containing photoreleasable group, and the compounds comprise at least one ruthenium-sulphur bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or amide, such that upon influence of visible or near infra-red light (400-1400 nm) in vivo, said at least one ruthenium-sulphur bond is broken, thereby generating a pharmacologically active compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phaseguide patterns for use in fluid systems such as channels, chambers, and flow through cells. In order to effectively control filling and/or emptying of fluidic chambers and channels, techniques for a controlled overflowing of phaseguides are proposed. In addition, techniques of confined liquid patterning in a larger fluidic structure, including approaches for patterning overflow structures and the specific shape of phaseguides, are provided. The invention also proposes techniques to effectively rotate the advancement of a liquid/air meniscus over a certain angle. In particular, a phaseguide pattern for guiding a flow of a liquid contained within a compartment is provided, wherein an overflow of the phaseguide by a moving liquid phase is controlled by a local change in capillary force along the phaseguide, wherein said overflow by the liquid over the phaseguide is provoked at the position of the local change in capillary force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phaseguide patterns for use in fluid systems such as channels, chambers, and flow through cells. In order to effectively control filling and/or emptying of fluidic chambers and channels, techniques for a controlled overflowing of phaseguides are proposed. In addition, techniques of confined liquid patterning in a larger fluidic structure, including approaches for patterning overflow structures and the specific shape of phaseguides, are provided. The invention also proposes techniques to effectively rotate the advancement of a liquid/air meniscus over a certain angle. In particular, a phaseguide pattern for guiding a flow of a liquid contained within a compartment is provided, wherein an overflow of the phaseguide by a moving liquid phase is controlled by a local change in capillary force along the phaseguide, wherein said overflow by the liquid over the phaseguide is provoked at the position of the local change in capillary force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of chemokine biomarkers predictive of future acute coronary syndromes including unstable angina pectoris (UAP). The present invention also identifies particular chemokines as potential therapeutic targets for intervention in cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the shape and/or position of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus, the apparatus comprising a volume for containing and directing fluid, the filling direction being a downstream direction, including the meniscus and the volume having at least a first structure defining a capillary pressure barrier along which the meniscus tends to align, the capillary pressure barrier and the meniscus defining a boundary in the volume between at least two sub-volumes,wherein (a) the capillary pressure barrier is stabilized by subtending at both ends an angle with a wall of the volume that on the downstream side of the capillary pressure barrier is greater than 90°, while not providing a deliberate fluid alignment weakness along the capillary pressure barrier that reduces the stability of the capillary pressure barrier and/or (b) wherein the capillary pressure is stabilized by providing a stretching barrier at a distance less than the maximum stretching distance of the f

Abstract: A method of forming a graphene film on one or more surfaces of a metal substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (i) heating a metal substrate defining one or more surfaces to an exposure temperature; (ii) restricting the metal flux from the one or more surfaces at the exposure temperature by provision of one or more counter surfaces proximal to one or more of the surfaces of the substrate; (iii) exposing the substrate to a carbon containing precursor gas at the exposure temperature so as to form a graphene film on the or each surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a graphene film on a surface (20) of a substrate comprises the steps of: (i) locating a carbon source (22) at, or in a vicinity of the surface (20) of the substrate; (ii) controlling ambient conditions at the surface (20) of the substrate to inhibit graphene nucleation on the surface (20); (iii) applying a temporary change of one or more of the ambient conditions at a localised site (30) on the surface (20) of the substrate to initiate graphene nucleation at the localised site (30); (iv) controlling the ambient conditions at the surface (20) of the substrate, following initiation of graphene nucleation at the localised site, to simultaneously inhibit graphene nucleation and enable graphene growth on the surface (20).

Abstract: The invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising (a) a capsular saccharide antigen from serogroup C of N. meningitidis, and (b) a chitosan adjuvant. The composition preferably comprises (c) one or more further antigens and/or (d) one or more further adjuvants. The compositions are particularly suitable for mucosal delivery, including intranasal delivery. The invention also provides immunogenic compositions for mucosal delivery comprising capsular saccharides from at least two of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y of N. meningitidis. It is preferred that the capsular saccharides in the compositions of the invention are conjugated to carrier protein(s) and/or are oligosaccharides. Conjugated oligosaccharide antigens are particularly preferred.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method of typing a sample from an individual as a sample from an individual with an increased life expectancy, an average life expectancy or a reduced life expectancy. The typing is based on a comparison of a level of lipid species in a sample of the individual to a level of lipid species in a reference. The disclosure further relates to a composition comprising lipid species for use in increasing life expectancy of an individual.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a multicellular spheroid comprising injecting a cell suspension into a gel. The invention also provides a method of producing a gel comprising one or more multicellular spheroids, the method comprising injecting a cell suspension into a gel, as well as a gel obtainable by the method. Also provided is a method of assessing the effect of an agent on the property of a cell selected from any of survival, growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, morphology, signalling, metabolic activity, gene expression and cell-cell interaction, the method comprising (i) producing a multicellular spheroid or gel according to the method of the invention, or providing a gel according to the invention; and (ii) assessing the effect of the agent on the property of a cell in the multicellular spheroid.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume (10) that (a) is internally divided into at least first (14), second (16) and third (17) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides (12, 13) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume (10). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits (19, 21, 22) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume (10) and a respective said sub-volume (14, 16, 17); and at least one further conduit (24) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume (10) and a said sub-volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic lipoteicoic acid (LTA) mimetics which are useful as vaccine components for therapy and/or prophylaxis of bacterial infection.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquids or liquid-based substances includes a plurality of volumes at least two of which are defined at least in part by one or more phaseguides inside the volume and/or in a conduit connected thereto for controlling aliquoting of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances inside the volume. Each volume has an upstream and downstream side with respect to meniscus advancement direction via which it may be filled with or emptied of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances. The apparatus also includes at least one common upstream-side conduit connected to supply a liquid or liquid-based substance via a plurality of the inlet or extraction conduits, a plurality of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined level of stability and one or more of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined different stability compared with the stability of at least one of the other phaseguides whereby to control the preference order in which the volumes fill and/or empty.

Abstract: The invention provides a polynucleotide comprising a reporter sequence operatively linked to a regulatory element of a gene selected from Bscl2, Srxnl, Cbr3, Ephxl, Nope, Cdknla, Perp, Pltp, Cgrefl, Ltb4r1, Btg2, Gpx2, Ltb4r2, Ddit4l, Fosl1, and Egr1, which regulatory element stimulates expression of the reporter sequence in response to a genotoxic agent or to an oxidative stress-inducing agent. The invention also provides a method of detecting a genotoxic or oxidative stress-inducing agent comprising subjecting a cell containing the polynucleotide of the invention to a test agent; and assessing the expression of the reporter sequence.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition according to the following general formula: [(BL)-(M)-(Ar)-(X)]n+ (A)n-5 wherein M is a metal ion, BL is a bidentate ligand having two nitrogen atoms coordinating with a metal ion M, Ar is an, optionally substituted, conjugated cyclic hydrocarbon compound, X is H2O and A is an anion and n in n+ and n? are individually chosen from 1,2,3,4 or 5. The invention is also directed to its precursors and its use as multi-electron catalyst in a water splitting process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles by applying a cathodic potential as an alternating current (ac) voltage to a solid starting metal object which solid metal object is in contact with a liquid electrolyte comprising a stabilising cation. The invention is also directed to the use of the nanoparticles as a catalyst.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to allosteric modulation of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) and provides for the use of an A3 adenosine receptor modulator (A3RM), for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for modulating the A3AR in a subject, as well as pharmaceutical compositions including the same and therapeutic methods including administering to a subject an amount of an A3RM, the amount being effective to modulate A3AR activity. The A3RM according to claimed subject matter are 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives. Also provided are 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for extracting materials from biological material, which process is characterized in that the naturally occurring biological material is treated with an extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent of natural origin or a an ionic liquid of natural origin to produce a biological extract of natural origin dissolved in the said solvent or ionic liquid.