Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medical diagnostics. In particular, it relates to compositions, methods and kits for detecting immune cells for diagnosis of allergy, for monitoring of vaccination responses, for determining immune response to pathogens and of treatment efficacy of allergen immunotherapy. For example, the invention provides a method of determining allergic reactivity in a subject, the method comprising, providing a sample from a subject, contacting the sample with a recombinant or synthetic allergen linked to a detectable label in conditions for permitting the binding of the allergen to an IgE molecule present in the sample, determining the binding of the allergen to an IgE molecule in the sample by detecting the label, wherein the detection of the label indicates the subject has allergic reactivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prognosing ACS in a subject, the method comprising determining plasma MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) concentrations in a sample from the subject, diagnosing ACS when the subject plasma concentrations are greater than a reference MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) plasma concentration, and prognosing the magnitude of ACS from the subject plasma MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) concentrations. Also provided is a method of treating ACS in a subject, a device, a kit, and a cardiac biomarker related to the methods of prognosing ACS.

Abstract: A surgical system for use in establishing and maintaining an opening to an anatomical space of a body, the system comprising an obturator assembly having a cutting portion at a distal end and a cannula, the cannula being detachably coupled to the cutting portion and deployable into the anatomical space of a patient, the cannula comprises a locking portion, and a lengthwise extendable body; a valve assembly comprising a passage for receiving the cannula, a first end for coupling to a fluid extraction device and a second end for placement external and adjacent the anatomical space; a base comprising a plate for placement on a patient external and adjacent the anatomical space, the plate has an aperture configured for receiving the obturator assembly and coupling means located about the aperture for coupling with the valve assembly; and wherein, in use, the locking portion of the cannula is configured to be retained in the valve assembly with the extendable body extended into the anatomical space to facilitate a

Abstract: A method for diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a subject, the method comprising measuring plasma macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) concentration in a sample from the subject, and diagnosing ACS when the subject plasma MIF concentration is greater than a reference plasma MIF concentration, wherein the sample is taken less than 4 hours after symptom onset. The invention also relates to a method for prognosing ACS in a subject, the method comprising measuring plasma MIF concentration in a sample from the subject, diagnosing ACS when the subject plasma MIF concentration is greater than a reference plasma MIF concentration, and prognosing the magnitude of ACS from the subject plasma MIF concentration. Also provided is a method of treating ACS in a subject, a device, a kit, and a cardiac biomarker related to the methods of diagnosing and prognosing ACS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for monitoring the response of an individual to a treatment for multiple myeloma, and methods for treating an individual for multiple myeloma. More specifically, the methods include determining the expression of a gene that is regulated by a treatment for multiple myeloma and comparing the exRNA levels of the gene in a test sample to the exRNA levels in a control profile, wherein a change in the expression of the gene in the test sample compared to the control indicates that the individual has responded to the treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a method for prognosing ACS in a subject, the method comprising determining plasma MIF and Nt-ProBNP (or BNP) concentrations in a sample from the subject, diagnosing ACS when the subject plasma concentrations are greater than a reference MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) plasma concentration, and prognosing the magnitude of ACS from the subject plasma MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) concentrations. Also provided are a device, a kit and a cardiac biomarker panel related to the methods of prognosing ACS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for prognosing ACS in a subject, the method comprising determining plasma MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) concentrations in a sample from the subject, diagnosing ACS when the subject plasma concentrations are greater than a reference MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) plasma concentration, and prognosing the magnitude of ACS from the subject plasma MIF and Nt-proBNP (or BNP) concentrations. Also provided is a method of treating ACS in a subject, a device, a kit, and a cardiac biomarker related to the methods of prognosing ACS.

Abstract: A magnetic circuit (400) comprises a magnetic path which includes at least one magnetic source (102) arranged to generate magnetic flux within the magnetic path. A magnetic flux-concentrating element 402 is magnetically coupled to the magnetic source, and arranged to concentrate magnetic-flux generated by the magnetic source within a volume adjacent to the magnetic flux-concentrating element (402). Some embodiments of the magnetic circuit (400) comprise at least first (102) and second (104) magnetic sources, which may advantageously be arranged to generate magnetic flux in a common direction within the magnetic path.

Abstract: A chest brace comprising a mouldable thermoplastics pressure plate with an adjustable waist strap and adjustable cross over shoulder straps whereby the straps are adjusted so that the plate transmits an antero-posterior force to the chest of the patient.

Abstract: A bone splint manufactured in a polylactide copolymer, the splint comprising an elongate bridging member adapted to be secured to and across fractured bone ends and means to reduce the effective length of the bridging member so that, in use, the splint holds the bone ends together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining co-receptor usage of an HIV in a subject including the steps of: culturing a viral preparation derived from the subject's plasma with one or more cell lines which express surface CD4 and CCR5, surface CD4 and CXCR4, or surface CD4, CCR5 and CXCR4, wherein an anticoagulant is added to the viral preparation or to the culture; and screening for infection, wherein the presence or absence of infected cells is indicative of the co-receptors used by the HIV.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside or nucleotide analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimens and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular HBV variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for and/or develop or design agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside or nucleotide analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimens and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular HBV variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for and/or develop or design agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.