Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancer are described herein. More particularly, the methods for treating cancer comprise administering a 17?-hydroxylase/C17, 20-lyase inhibitor, such as abiraterone acetate (i.e., 3?-acetoxy-17-(3-pyridyl) androsta-5, 16-diene), in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid. Furthermore, disclosed are compositions comprising a 17?-hydroxylase/C17, 20-lyase inhibitor, and at least one additional therapeutic agent, such as an anti-cancer agent or a steroid.

Abstract: Apparatus for Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance testing a remote sample containing a given species of quadrupolar nucleus includes at least one probe (112) having a given maximum cross-sectional dimension; a device (102) for applying excitation to the probe or at least one of the probes to excite nuclear quadruple resonance for a selected range of distance of the sample from each such probe, the selected range being at least one tenth of the given maximum dimension of the probe, the apparatus being adapted to produce a non-uniform field over the selected range; and a device (106) for detecting the resonance response signal from the sample via the probe or at least one of the probes; the excitation being such as would generate non-zero resonance signals at all distances within the selected range.

Abstract: A tunable optical wavelength selective filter is constituted by a dynamic holographic diffraction element (3) in combination with a fixed diffraction grating or hologram (2). The dynamic diffraction element (3) is preferably implemented as an electronically controlled image displayed on a pixelated spatial light modulator and in particular a spatial light modulating using photo-electronic integrated circuits fabricated using silicon VLSI technology and integrated with ferro-electric liquid crystals. Amongst other uses the filter can be implemented to form a digitally tunable laser.

Abstract: A method for treating plant seed is provided comprising contacting them with a first surface of semi-permeable membrane having first and second surfaces, the second surface being in direct contact with a solution of predetermined osmotic potential, whereby the seeds abstract water from the solution through the membrane, wherein the seed and semi-permeable membrane are constantly or periodically caused to move relative to each other such as to constantly or periodically reorient the seed with respect to the first surface such that the transfer of water occurs evenly over substantially the entire surface area of the seed. For seed priming the osmotic pressure and the period for which the seeds are maintained in contact with the membrane are sufficient to allow pre-germinative metabolic processes to take place within the seeds up to a level limited to that immediately preceding radicle emergence. Methods for germinating seed and inducing desiccation tolerance in seed are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns endoprosthetic knee joint devices of the so called `meniscal knee`variety.A device is provided of the above type wherein the mutually engaging bearing surfaces of the tibial platform and the meniscal component have a part-cylindrical shaping to allow rotation therebetween about an antero-posterior axis, the superior bearing surface of the tibial platform preferably being convex.Movements of the natural joint can still be closely simulated and full congruency can be retained throughout the natural range of movement, but there is an additional degree of restraint at the tibio-meniscal interface. Unrestricted antero-posterior relative movement is allowed, as in the conventional meniscal knee, but the part-cylindrical interface shaping serves to reduce the risk of lateral or medial dislocation.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid transfer devices for use particularly in chemical diagnostic assays in extra-laboratory situations. The device comprises first and second capillary flow channels (210,212) in mutual abutment over an interface region (218), the first channel having a capillarity which is higher than that of the second channel. In a particular form, the first channel (210) defines a volume definition zone for a first liquid (223) in fluid connection with both the second channel (212) and means (219) for receiving excess first liquid, wherein the second channel is arranged for application of a second liquid (236). The first liquid may be a sample such as blood plasma, and the second liquid may be a liquid diluent. Use of the device allows the application of sample in excess, application of diluent liquid leading to reaction of assay reagents (228, 230) with sample in the volume definition zone only.

Abstract: A plucking unit, apparatus or equipment (25) for plucking poultry carcasses on a shackle line (26) including a plurality of individual plucking units (10), one for each of a number of carcasses to be plucked at any one time, and shielding means (12) included in or provided additionally to, said plucking units (10) whereby the plucking heads of each said unit are shielded from the plucking heads of the neighboring units during plucking.

Abstract: The invention provides a physiologically acceptable polymer comprising a backbone to which are attached guanidino groups, the polymer having a minimum molecular weight of 10,000. The invention also extends to foodstuffs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the physiologically acceptable polymer. Such foodstuffs and compositions are of value in controlling phosphate levels in the body.

Abstract: Boron nitride articles are made by heat treating turbostratic BN powder to reduce its oxygen content to 5-8% (mesographitic BN), washing this heat-treated powder, mixing it with 5-8% amorphous boron, shaping the mixture, explosively compacting the shape by a hydrodynamic method and reaction sintering the compacted shape, to form the article.The article is then buried in a powder mixture of BN and SiC and heat treated, to getter residual B.sub.2 O.sub.3.After this, the article is impregnated with low-viscosity oligomers (MW<1000) of methylsilanes selected to yield a high proportion of SiC on pyrolysis, and the article is heat-treated to fill the pores evenly throughout its thickness with SiC.

Abstract: An antibody is produced, which will bind effectively with the antigen Campath-1, and which has at least one complementarity determining region of rat origin, as identified in FIG. 2, which may be combined with a range of different foreign variable domain framework regions as desired, including framework regions of human origin.

Abstract: A herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) mutant capable of establishing latent infection in the absence of in vivo viral replication in neuronal cells and of expressing an inserted therapeutic gene, which comprising: (i) a DNA sequence change in the gene coding for Vmw65 protein, such as to substantially remove the transducing properties while retaining its structural role and thereby preventing in vivo replication, the DNA sequence change being achieved by a transition or transversion alteration of 1 to 72 base pairs, an oligonucleotide insert of 3 to 72 base pairs, or a deletion of 3 to 72 base pairs, at a position between amino acids 289 and 412 of the protein; and (ii) a therapeutic gene inserted into a region of the HSV-1 genome which is non-essential for culture of the virus, and a promoter therefor able to express the therapeutic gene in neuronal cells in vivo. The preferred insertion site for the therapeutic gene (e.g. tyrosine hydroxylase gene) is within the thymidine kinase gene of HSV in 1814.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain naphthoquinone derivatives, some of which are novel, of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl or an ethanoyloxy group; methods for their preparation; compositions containing such compounds and their use as pesticides, such as fungicides and, especially, insecticides and acaricides. Compounds of formula I may be derived from plants of the genus Calceolaria and the invention therefore also relates to extracts of a Calceolaria species and their use as pesticides.

Abstract: A laser waveguide is made by sputter-depositing an alloy of mainly aluminum and a little dopant e.g., Cr, in an oxidizing atmosphere, onto a heated quartz substrate, and annealing to form ruby, which is then encased in a silica cladding.

Abstract: A bilayer laminated medical dressing having a thermally expandable passage is provided. The medical dressing achieves gas permeability as a function of temperature by cutting a star-shaped hole through the dressing when the dressing is flat and relaxed. On warming, the leaves between the radial cuts of the star-shaped hole curl and increase the hole size. Such a material is useful as a medical dressing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of one or more methyl xanthines to enhance the flower and foliage color of plant material and compositions therefor; compositions to promote the continued development of plant material comprising a methyl xanthine and a gibberellin; use of a composition comprising a methyl xanthine and a gibberellin to promote the continued development of plant material; and plant material treated with a composition as defined above

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging within a sample space an object containing quadrupolar nuclei comprises irradiating the object to excite nuclear quadrupole resonance, applying to the object a magnetic field gradient having a profile Bo(x) such that the square of the profile Bo(x))2 varies linearly with distance (x), detecting resonance response signals from the nuclei, and deriving an image from the response signals. A method of and apparatus for nuclear quadrupole resonance testing an object, and a method of and apparatus for detecting the presence of a particular substance containing a given species of quadrupolar nucleus, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator, which is particularly useful for separating cellular matter. The separator utilizes the phenomenon known as dielectrophoresis (DEP).A DEP force effects a particle suspended in a medium. The particle experiences a force in an alternating electric field. The force is proportional to, amongst other things, the electrical properties of the supporting medium and the particle and the frequency of the electric field.The separator, of the present invention, comprises a chamber (10) and a plurality of electrodes (12) disposed in the chamber (10).An electric field established across electrodes subjects some of the particles to a stronger force than others such that they are confined within the chamber. Particles which are not confined are removed from the chamber by the supporting medium which is preferably urged through the chamber. Valves (101 and 202) are provided on exhausts of the chamber.The invention is able to separate two different particles continuously.

Abstract: Apparatus for Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance testing a sample comprises: means for applying excitation to the sample to excite NQR resonance, the excitation comprising at least one excitation pulse, the or each pulse covering a selected excitation frequency range, for the or each pulse the phase of the excitation varying generally non-linearly with the excitation frequency over the selected range; and means for detecting the NQR response signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining a representation of the distribution of electrical impedance within material contained within a containing wall, comprising providing a plurality of mutually spaced electrodes mounted at spaced locations of the wall, electrically insulated from one another and arranged to be in electrical contact with material contained within the wall, applying between an electrical reference ground and each electrode, separately, an input electrical signal which, while applied to any one of the electrodes, causes respective output electrical signals to be generated between the reference ground and each other one of the electrodes, measuring the output electrical signals and processing the resulting measured data to provide a representation of the distribution, within the said material, of its electrical impedance.

Abstract: Microporous polytetrafluoroethylene is metallised with 1 micron platinum, which is plasma-oxygenated then plasma-hydrogenated, whereby to increase the surface area of the platinum. The resulting composite body has applications as a catalyst or electrode.