Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting a risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) from one or more fundus images are disclosed. Fundus images associated with an individual are processed to determine whether fundus images are of sufficient quality. The fundus images of sufficient quality are processed to identify fundus images belonging to a single eye. A plurality of risk contributing factor sets of CNNs (RCF CNN) are configured to output an indicator of probability of the presence of a different risk contributing factor in each of the one or more fundus images. At least one of the RCF CNNs is configured in a jury system model having a plurality of jury member CNNs, each being configured to output a probability of a different feature in the one or more fundus images. The outputs of the jury member CNNs are processed to determine the indicator of probability of the presence of the risk contributing factor output by the RCF CNN.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels from at least one fundus image are disclosed. At least one fundus image associated with an individual is processed using a first set of one or more convolutional neural networks to determine a glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level for the at least one fundus image. Methods and systems of determining a risk level of progression of diabetic retinopathy of an individual are also disclosed. At least one fundus image associated with the individual is processed using a second set of one or more convolutional neural networks to determine a retinopathy grade for the at least one fundus image. A risk level of progression of diabetic retinopathy of the individual is determined based on at least the HbA1c level and the retinopathy grade.

Abstract: A vessel of a malleable or moldable material having one or more side walls and a closed base integral with said one or more side walls, an opening in the top of the vessel, and further comprising two or more projections extending into the interior of the vessel generally laterally from said side walls, wherein said projections are also integral with said side wall. Vessels of this type are produced by a process in which ridges are deformed into projections within a vessel blank, and this process forms a further aspect of the invention. They are particularly useful for holding solid masses such as small beads or cakes in position in the vessel.

Abstract: A vessel of a malleable or mouldable material having one or more side walls and a closed base integral with said one or more side walls, an opening in the top of the vessel, and further comprising two or more projections extending into the interior of the vessel generally laterally from said side walls, wherein said projections are also integral with said side wall. Vessels of this type are produced by a process in which ridges are deformed into projections within a vessel blank, and this process forms a further aspect of the invention. They are particularly useful for holding solid masses such as small beads or cakes in position in the vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a method of extracting a nucleic acid analyte from a cell or virus in a sample chamber, comprising a) adding disruption beads comprising external silica or glass to the sample chamber; b) agitating the disruption beads within the sample chamber to disrupt the cell; c) adding binding particles comprising external silica or glass to the sample chamber in the presence of a chaotropic agent; d) contacting the contents of the sample chamber with a removal device with which the binding particles reversibly associate; and e) separating the removal device and associated binding particles from the sample chamber, thereby removing the nucleic acid analyte from the sample. There are also provided apparatus and kits for use with the method.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for carrying out a thermal cycling reaction, wherein a succession of samples is conveyed through a series of sequentially arranged temperature control sites, each of the sites comprising means for supplying an electric current to, or inducing an electric current in, sample-containing vessels passing through it so as to induce temperature changes in the samples. Also provided is a sample support and its production, the support comprising a succession of sample vessels arranged sequentially one behind the next, preferably in the form of a linked chain, the support comprising an electrically conducting, preferably plastics, material which heats when an electric current passes through it.

Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for processing a fluid sample comprising: (i) a platform comprising: (a) a chamber suitable for receiving a sample; and (b) a functional component; (ii) an arm capable of being raised and lowered and including a means for removeably attaching to the functional component such that said component may be raised and lowered with the arm; and (iii) a means for moving the platform such that any chamber or functional component may be aligned with respect to the arm. This invention also relates to a method of processing a fluid sample and use of said apparatus and said method for processing a sample prior to a nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: The use of a virus, which expresses and displays a binding moiety, as a means of detecting the presence or measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The virus, which is typically a bacteriophage expressing a binding moiety, is used as a binding reagent in an immunoassay, and may be readily and accurately detected by detecting nucleic acid sequences of the virus.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for collecting particles from air comprises a cyclone having air inlet and outlet means, means maintaining an airflow there through and means delivering a collecting fluid from a reservoir to particles separated from the air flow in the cyclone, in which the air inlet means is associated with means for heating the incoming air. The apparatus, which is optionally provided with enclosure means for trapping heat, prevents freezing of the collecting fluid at temperatures near to and even below 0° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for an apparatus for processing a fluid sample comprising: (i) a sample processing chamber comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; (ii) a waste chamber downstream from the sample processing chamber and in fluid communication with the sample processing chamber fluid outlet and wherein the fluid communication between the sample processing chamber outlet and the waste chamber comprises a divergent analyte flow path; (iii) at least two further chambers up stream from the sample processing chamber both of which are in fluid communication with the sample processing chamber fluid inlet; (iv) a means for moving fluid from each of the at least two further chambers through the sample processing chamber and into the waste chamber or into the divergent analyte flow path as desired by applying positive or negative pressure to the desired flow path; and (v) a passive means for restricting the flow of fluid. This invention also relates to a method and use of the same.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and associated apparatus for isolating a known volume of sample solution comprising: (i) taking an apparatus comprising a first chamber with a sealing means, a second chamber, wherein said first and said second chamber are connected via a duct and collecting the sample solution into the first chamber of the apparatus; and (ii) pumping a pre-determined known volume of the sample solution into the second chamber of the apparatus. The sample solution of the present invention preferably comprises a nucleic acid target material. This invention also relates to a single integrated apparatus and a kit capable of performing the same.

Abstract: A method for measuring intracellular ATP and/or gene expression, which method comprises transforming a cell with a construct which encodes a luciferase and a luciferin recycling protein, introducing luciferin into said cell, and monitoring biolominescent signals from said cell. Novel luciferin recycling proteins are also described and these, together with their use in the production of optically active enzyme substrates are claimed.