Abstract: A method of forming a portion of magnetic core from a plurality of magnetic ribbons using a former having an electrically conductive coil located about the former has following steps: locating an end of a stack of magnetic ribbon material substantially within the opening of the coil, locating the free end of said stack opposite the first end within the opening of the coil and then applying electric energy to said coil so as to produce a force that draws the ends of said magnetic ribbon towards each other to form the core. Also is disclosed a method for testing for the completion of the assembly of a magnetic core consisting of one or more magnetic ribbons comprising the steps of: measuring one or more electromagnetic characteristics including instantaneous value of the core current and voltage during the process of forming and comparing the said characteristics with a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a subject predisposed to ischemic stroke. The method includes the step of identifying a mutation in the subject that reduces the release rate of tissue plasminogen activator.

Abstract: A member of a new class of bacterial toxin has been isolated and characterised. The bacterial toxin is of the AB5 type and is characterised in that it has a subtilase domain. It is cytotoxic to Vero cells, and toxicity in vivo in mice occurs in a number of different sites. Mutation of the serine active residue results in greater than 99% reduction in activity. The protein has been purified and antibodies have been prepared for both the A subunit and B subunits, and ELISA detection methods have been developed. The nucleic acid sequence has been determined and primers specific for the toxin have been used for a preliminary screen of a range of patient samples to ascertain the extent to which the toxin is present.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating reproductive disorders. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing reproductive disorders by detecting the presence of IFN-? in the semen of a prospective father, which is indicative of the presence of a reproductive disorder. In particular, the invention provides a method for treating a reproductive disorder in a mammal, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound which inhibits the activity of IFN? to the mammal. The mammal may be the prospective mother or the prospective father.

Abstract: Chimeric carbohydrates produced by recombinant microorganism carrying exogenous glycosyl transferases act with or without exogenous enzymes required for synthesis or nucleotide synthesis precursors. These recombinant microorganism can be used as a means for competitively inhibiting the binding of toxins or adhesins to receptors of mucosal surfaces, especially gastrointestinal surface. In particular chimeric sugar moieties have been made for lipopolysaccharides, in recombinant microorganism that present multiple copies of the oligosaccharides. The oligosacchide moieties so presented act as receptor mimic for toxins and adhesins. A number have been synthesise and have been shown to confer protection against attack by pathogenic organisms or their products in vitro and an in vivo.

Abstract: Chimeric carbohydrates produced by recombinant microorganism carrying exogenous glycosyltransferases act with or without exogenous enzymes required for synthesis or nucleotide synthesis precursors. These recombinant microorganism can be used for competitively inhibiting the binding of toxins or adhesins to receptors of mucosal surfaces, especially gastrointestinal surface. In particular chimeric sugar moieties have been made for lipopolysaccharides, in recombinant microorganism that present multiple copies of the oligosaccharides. The oligosaccharide moieties so presented act as receptor mimic for toxins and adhesins. A number have been synthesized and have been shown to confer protection against attack by pathogenic organisms or their products in vitro and in vivo.