Abstract: The present invention describes compounds of formula (I) Wherein: R1 is selected from H and CH3 R2 is selected from H, C4H9 alkyl, C6H13 alkyl and C3H6-phenyl, said phenyl optionally substituted by OH or OCH3, (1R,2S,5S)-5-methylcyclopent-3-ene-1,2-diol X is O or S Y is C, N or S. These compounds have been identified as novel compounds useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists, in particular, to TLR2-activating lipoproteins, and more particularly to TLR2-activating lipopeptides derived from the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. The invention further extends to the use of said TLR2-activating lipoproteins as a therapeutic or as part of a vaccine composition in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, cancer or allergic diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device including at least one circulating zone and at least one fluid including at least one more-paramagnetic liquid and at least one less-paramagnetic liquid forming a liquid-liquid interphase, the device including at least one element generating, in the circulating zone, a magnetic field, wherein the less-paramagnetic liquid is surrounded by the more-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone or wherein the more-paramagnetic liquid is surrounded by the less-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone. Also disclosed is a method including circulating at least one less-paramagnetic liquid inside one or more circulating zones of a device including at least one circulating zone and at least one more-paramagnetic liquid in the circulating zone.

Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasound imaging system configured to provide a full circumferential 360-degree view around an intra-vascular/intra-cardiac imaging-catheter-head by generating a three-dimensional view of the tissue surrounding the imaging-head over time. The ultrasound imaging system can also provide tissue-state mapping capability. The evaluation of the vasculature and tissue characteristics include path and depth of lesions during cardiac-interventions such as ablation. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a catheter with a static or rotating sensor array tip supporting continuous circumferential rotation around its axis, connected to an ultrasound module and respective processing machinery allowing ultrafast imaging and a rotary motor that translates radial movements around a longitudinal catheter axis through a rotary torque transmitting part to rotate the sensor array-tip.

Abstract: An anesthetic administration device comprising an infusion device, which is in fluid connection with a regional anesthetic needle by means of a feed tube. The infusion device comprises one or more anesthetic flow devices capable of triggering forward flow, and optionally backward flow, of the local anesthetic through the regional anesthetic needle. Forward, and optionally backward flow, of the local anesthetic through the regional anesthetic needle is controlled by a controller that comprises one or more actuator switches. The one or more actuator switches are positioned on the device 1 such that they may be operated by hand.

Abstract: The method comprising providing a plurality of images of a scene captured by a plurality of image capturing devices (101); providing silhouette information of at least one object in the scene (102); generating a point cloud for the scene in 3D space using the plurality of images (103); extracting an object point cloud from the generated point cloud, the object point cloud being a point cloud associated with the at least one object in the scene (104); estimating a 3D shape volume of the at least one object from the silhouette information (105); and combining the object point cloud and the shape volume of the at least one object to generate a three-dimensional model (106). An apparatus for generating a 3D model, and a computer readable medium for generating the 3D model.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of immunomodulation. Taught herein is an agent for inhibiting immunostimulation mediated by a Toll-like receptor useful in the treatment of viral and microbial pathogenesis, diseases involving elements of autoimmunity and inflammation as well as cancer. The agent antagonizes disulfide bond formation between C98 and C475 of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) thereby preventing TLR7 activation. Pharmaceutical compositions are also enabled herein.

Abstract: A robot is provided, the robot comprising a body carrying a first drive arrangement, a second drive arrangement and a stabiliser. The robot further comprises actuators operable to cause relative movement of the first drive arrangement, the second drive arrangement and the stabiliser, and to drive the first and the second drive arrangements. The robot is arrangeable in first, second and third configurations each having static stability. In the first configuration, the stabiliser and the first drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the second configuration, the stabiliser and the second drive arrangement are arranged to contact the ground. In the third configuration, the first and the second drive arrangements are arranged to contact the ground. No other ground contacting point is involved in conferring said static stability in said configurations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the treatment of degenerative retinal conditions. According to a general aspect, the present invention is directed to inflammatory mediators, preferably components or substrates of the NLRP3-inflammasome, for use in the treatment of degenerative retinal conditions involving drusen and anaphylatoxin-induced choroidal-neovascularisation. The invention is also directed to a method for the treatment of degenerative retinal conditions involving drusen and anaphylatoxin-induced choroidal-neovascularisation and to recombinant vectors and recombinant proteins for use in such methods. The present invention also provides a method for determining the risk of developing or monitoring the progression of diseases involving drusen and anaphylatoxin-induced choroidal neo-vascularisation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis, using a molecule capable of acting as substrate for the queuine-insertase enzyme complex.

Abstract: A heart valve therapeutic device (1) comprises a coaptation assist valve (20) comprising a conduit (2) with an outer surface (3) for coaption with the native leaflets, and a prosthetic flow valve (5) mounted within the conduit (2) to allow one-way flow through the conduit (2). Support for the coaptation assist valve (20) is provided by a support (10) for positioning the conduit (2) across the native leaflets, and connectors (15) attaching the conduit (2) to the support (10).

Abstract: Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment of psoriasis are disclosed. Preferred compounds have demonstrated efficacy in reducing skin scaling, erythema and skin thickness in the mouse model of Aldara-induced psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for certain sulfonyl ureas and related compounds which have advantageous properties and show useful activity in the inhibition of activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Such compounds are useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders in which the inflammation process, or more specifically the NLRP3 inflammasome, have been implicated as being a key factor.

Abstract: A regional anaesthesia injection apparatus comprising an injection volume determiner. The apparatus configured to determine a volume of a regional anaesthetic injection into a target tissue; an injection pressure determiner configured to determine a pressure of the injection; and a controller coupled to the injection volume determiner and to the injection pressure determiner and configured to provide an injection signal to control injection of fluid into the target tissue based on the determined pressure and the determined volume.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for Dynamic Bandwidth Assignment (DBA) Virtualization in a Passive Optical Network, comprising an Optical Line Termination (OLT) point and a plurality of Optical Network Units (ONU) and a plurality of Virtual Network Units (VNO), wherein each VNO is configured with a virtual Dynamic Bandwidth Assignment module to schedule a bandwidth assignment independently of the other VNOs and using a merging engine to implement a detailed bandwidth scheduling allocation over the Passive Optical Network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using Raman spectroscopy for identification of low grade cervical cytology cases likely to progress to high grade/cancer. The Applicant has found that high quality Raman spectra can be successfully acquired from morphologically normal appearing cells from negative, LSIL and HSIL Thinprep® specimens and different grades of cervical pre-cancer can be separated with good sensitivities and specificities. Raman spectroscopy can further identify different categories of the LSIL cases i.e., whether they are likely to regress to negative or progress to HSIL cytology.

Abstract: A heart valve therapeutic device (1) has an elongate anchor (7) wherein the anchor has a stiffness to hold its shape and location to support the valve element. The anchor may have a stylet or a shaped or stiff collar (70) arranged to provide a desired shape to the anchor (7) and it may be lockable. A prosthetic valve element (15) has leaflets (17) and is supported on the anchor by coupler (16, 50) at a desired location. There is an actuator for changing relative axial position of the proximal and distal couplers (16, 50) on the anchor. The anchor stiffness may be sufficient to provide sufficient support to resist axial forces from the ventricle in use without necessarily having a fixing element engaging heart tissue. The prosthetic leaflets (240) may extend proximally and radially outwardly, so that there is excellent co-apting of the native leaflets (NL) against the prosthetic leaflets (240).