Abstract: Enhanced antisense oligonucleotides targeting Regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1), leading to modulation of the expression of RTEL1 or modulation of RTEL1 activity are provided. This disclosure relates to the use of enhanced antisense oligonucleotides targeting RTEL1 for use in treating and/or preventing a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in particular a chronic HBV infection. This disclosure further relates to the use of the enhanced antisense oligonucleotides targeting RTEL1 for destabilizing cccDNA, such as HBV cccDNA. A pharmaceutical composition and its use in the treatment and/or prevention of a HBV infection is also described.

Abstract: A device and a method are for sterilization of milk from livestock such as cows, sheep or goats. The milk, prior to an irradiation with UV-C light through a light translucent barrier, is homogenized since the milk is exposed to ultrasound. The milk simultaneously to or after the homogenization is exposed to an electrical field, such as a field with changing polarity, where polarity change and field strength are chosen such that the milk in the electrical field is heated due to the milk's resistance.

Abstract: Expansion and movement joints are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a collar having a first aperture extending therethrough to receive a conduit, and a guide to receive the collar, where the guide has a second aperture that defines an inner surface of the guide, and where the inner surface of the guide is larger than an outer surface of the collar to define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation using RF energy delivered by an imaging ablation catheter under direct visualization, using the control and modulation of a set of ablation parameters based on direct optical imaging of the tissue surface via the imaging ablation catheter, where a set of optical image-derived parameters modulates the setting of a subset of Radio Frequency dosing parameters. The ablation dosing algorithms based on image-derived information can be implemented manually or in semi-automated or automated forms.

Abstract: A method of ablating tissue comprising adjusting a set of dosing parameters for an ablation catheter based on a set of optical image-derived parameters generated from optical image-derived information obtained from direct optical imaging of the tissue while the ablation catheter is in contact with the tissue. The set of optical image-derived parameters may include a color profile, a blanching parameter, or a contact angle of a distal tip of the ablation catheter. The method may further comprise comparing the color profile to a signature profile and adjusting the set of dosing parameters based on the comparison between the color profile and the signature profile.

Abstract: Expansion and movement joints are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a collar having a first aperture extending therethrough to receive a conduit, and a guide to receive the collar, where the guide has a second aperture that defines an inner surface of the guide, and where the inner surface of the guide is larger than an outer surface of the collar to define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A device and a method are for sterilization of milk from livestock such as cows, sheep or goats. The milk, prior to an irradiation with UV-C light through a light translucent barrier, is homogenized since the milk is exposed to ultrasound. The milk simultaneously to or after the homogenization is exposed to an electrical field, such as a field with changing polarity, where polarity change and field strength are chosen such that the milk in the electrical field is heated due to the milk's resistance.

Abstract: A colostrum heating tub and a container for storing said colostrum therein, the colostrum heating tub adapted for holding a stationary pool of heating liquid and surrounding the container such that it is at least partly immersed in the heating liquid when positioned in the colostrum heating tub. The colostrum heating tub further contains a rack module for holding the container within the stationary pool of heating liquid, the rack module adapted for rotating around an axis such that at least the container can be rotated 360 degrees around the axis so the container is, at all times during 360 degree rotation around the axis, maintained in a fixed position with respect to the rack module and at least partly immersed in the stationary pool of heating liquid for even distribution of heat throughout the container to uniformly heat the colostrum.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation using RF energy delivered by an imaging ablation catheter under direct visualization, using the control and modulation of a set of ablation parameters based on direct optical imaging of the tissue surface via the imaging ablation catheter, where a set of optical image-derived parameters modulates the setting of a subset of Radio Frequency dosing parameters. The ablation dosing algorithms based on image-derived information can be implemented manually or in semi-automated or automated forms.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation using RF energy delivered by an imaging ablation catheter under direct visualization, using the control and modulation of a set of ablation parameters based on direct optical imaging of the tissue surface via the imaging ablation catheter, where a set of optical image-derived parameters modulates the setting of a subset of Radio Frequency dosing parameters. The ablation dosing algorithms based on image-derived information can be implemented manually or in semi-automated or automated forms.

Abstract: A colostrum heating tub and a container for storing said colostrum therein, the colostrum heating tub adapted for holding a stationary pool of heating liquid and surrounding the container such that it is at least partly immersed in the heating liquid when positioned in the colostrum heating tub. The colostrum heating tub further contains a rack module for holding the container within the stationary pool of heating liquid, the rack module adapted for rotating around an axis such that at least the container can be rotated 360 degrees around the axis so the container is, at all times during 360 degree rotation around the axis, maintained in a fixed position with respect to the rack module and at least partly immersed in the stationary pool of heating liquid for even distribution of heat throughout the container to uniformly heat the colostrum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible bag for storing raw milk where the flexible bag is for use in system comprising a cassette adapted to contain the flexible bag, where the flexible bag further comprises a spout, preferably with a screw top, and two or more perforations for fixing the flexible bag inside the cassette when the former is mounted in the cassette. Additionally, the invention relates to a cassette for use in a system comprising said cassette and the flexible bag, where the cassette comprises at least two sets of small pins, and at least two sets of cavities, where said cavities are adapted to receive said pins, and wherein said pins are constructed and placed such that they penetrate said perforations of said flexible bag, when said bag is placed inside said cassette.

Abstract: A novel catheter is described. The catheter comprises a handle, an inner sheath providing an inner sheath lumen extending along a first length from a proximal inner sheath portion supported by the handle to a distal inner sheath portion connected to a cage gripper, and an outer sheath having a second length extending from a proximal outer sheath portion supported by the handle to a distal outer sheath portion connected to a cage housing. The inner sheath rotatably resides inside the outer sheath with the cage gripper rotatably housed inside cage housing. During a surgical procedure, a distal bridge portion of the inner sheath is connected to an opening in the lead sidewall with the lead received inside the cage housing. A gear knob is manipulated to cause the inner sheath to rotate with respect to the outer sheath so that the cage gripper is moved from an un-deployed position housed inside the cage gripper to a deployed position completely surrounding the lead connected to the distal bride.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation using RF energy delivered by an imaging ablation catheter under direct visualization, using the control and modulation of a set of ablation parameters based on direct optical imaging of the tissue surface via the imaging ablation catheter, where a set of optical image-derived parameters modulates the setting of a subset of Radio Frequency dosing parameters. The ablation dosing algorithms based on image-derived information can be implemented manually or in semi-automated or automated forms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible bag for storing raw milk where the flexible bag is for use in system comprising a cassette adapted to contain the flexible bag, where the flexible bag further comprises a spout, preferably with a screw top, and two or more perforations for fixing the flexible bag inside the cassette when the former is mounted in the cassette. Additionally, the invention relates to a cassette for use in a system comprising said cassette and the flexible bag, where the cassette comprises at least two sets of small pins, and at least two sets of cavities, where said cavities are adapted to receive said pins, and wherein said pins are constructed and placed such that they penetrate said perforations of said flexible bag, when said bag is placed inside said cassette.

Abstract: The present application relates to a hearing aid, especially a hearing aid with multiple modes of operation and efficient switching between these modes of operation. The hearing aid comprises means for performing a first mode of operation, means for performing a second mode of operation, first and second quality measuring means for providing first and second quality measures corresponding to the first and second modes of operation, respectively, and selecting means for automatically selecting one of said first and second modes of operation by applying a predetermined selection criterion to the first and second quality measures, and wherein the selecting means is programmed to select the mode of operation for which the estimated quality measure is largest when the difference between the first and second quality measures exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid with a compressor having a low and gain independent delay and low power consumption. The hearing aid comprises a multi-channel compressor for compensation of dynamic range loss and with a digital input for inputting a digital sound signal, and an output connected to an amplifier with a selectable gain as a function of frequency for compensation of frequency dependent hearing loss, and connected to an output for outputting the processed digital sound signal.

Abstract: A hapten-polymer carrier complex was found to be useful for immunoassay purposes, specifically ELISAs, for the detection of pesticides and their degradation products in hydrosoil and ground water. The degradation products of Casoron G® (also known as dichlorobenzonitrile and dichlorbenil) and Prefix® (also known as chlorthiamid and dichlorobenzthiamide) are analytes detected with high specificity and sensitivity, particularly the degradation product BAM (2,6-dichlorobenzamide). The polymer carrier complex is bound to the hapten via a linker unit, strategically positioned meta to the amide or amide derivative of BAM.