Abstract: The present invention shows that CB plasma contains soluble NKG2D ligands and that the incubation of PBMCs with CB plasma results in decreased cytotoxicity, decreased proliferation and inhibition of IFNy production by NKG2D bearing cells, in particular, NK cells. Interaction of NKG2D with soluble NKG2D ligand leads to blocking of the NKG2D receptor, and renders NKG2D bearing cells refractory to activation and inhibits cell functions. Notably, this is a mechanism naturally employed by tumor cells or viruses such as CMV to escape the immune system.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo restraint system is provided for a vehicle having a forward seating area and an interior rearward cargo area. The system includes a pane mounted adjacent an interior roof of the vehicle. An airbag is provided for powering the panel from a position adjacent the roof of the vehicle to a position wherein a portion of the panel is adjacent the forward seating area dividing the forward seating area from the cargo area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo restraint system is provided for a vehicle having a forward seating area and an interior rearward cargo area. The system includes a pane mounted adjacent an interior roof of the vehicle. An airbag is provided for powering the panel from a position adjacent the roof of the vehicle to a position wherein a portion of the panel is adjacent the forward seating area dividing the forward seating area from the cargo area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bus stop signal for alerting the driver of a bus and surrounding vehicles that one or more of the passengers has requested that the bus stop at the next bus stop location. The bus stop signal includes a stop indicator signal, and a device in electrical communication with the stop indicator signal. The device includes a housing, and a switch at least partially mounted within the housing. A handle bar is located in the passenger area of the bus, and the device is mounted to the handle bar such that the switch is pressed by at least one passenger in the vehicle, to activate the stop indicator signal. The bus also includes a rear panel, and the stop indicator signal is mounted to the rear panel. Multiple stop indicator signals may be used on other panels of the bus to provide an indication that a stop has been requested.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for separating a DNA molecule from a mixture of DNA molecules, which method comprises: (i) amplifying the DNA molecules in the mixture; (ii) hybridising single strands of the amplified DNA molecules with a complementary strand of a reference DNA molecule so as to form duplexes; and (iii) separating the duplexes. The different DNA molecules in the original mixture give rise to duplexes having different numbers, positions or types of mismatches. This allows the duplexes to be separated by, for example, gel electrophoresis. The separated duplexes can then be analysed to identify the DNA molecules that were present in the original mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for separating a DNA molecule from a mixture of DNA molecules, which method comprises: (i) amplifying the DNA molecules in the mixture; (ii) hybridising single strands of the amplified DNA molecules with a complementary strand of a reference DNA molecule so as to form duplexes; and (iii) separating the duplexes. The different DNA molecules in the original mixture give rise to duplexes having different numbers, positions or types of mismatches. This allows the duplexes to be separated by, for example, gel electrophoresis. The separated duplexes can then be analysed to identify the DNA molecules that were present in the original mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying an unknown allele of a polyallelic gene, which method comprises (i) contacting the unknown allele with a panel of probes, each of which recognises a sequence motif that is present in some alleles of the polyallelic gene but not in others; (ii) observing which probes recognise the unknown allele so as to obtain a fingerprint of the unknown allele; and (iii) comparing the fingerprint with fingerprints of known alleles. The use of a panel of probes which each recognises a different motif allows identification of which motifs are present in the unknown allele. The alleles of the polyallelic gene each have a unique combination of motifs and so identification of this combination (or “fingerprint”) leads to identification of the unknown allele.