Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-22 in prevention and therapy of infections in particular related to viral infections in individuals who are unable to respond to viral exposure with enhanced IL-22 gene expression or protein production.

Abstract: A particle detector (10) has a particle sensing surface (12) and a detecting layer (13). Provided on the particle sensing surface (12) is a random arrangement of projecting dactyls (15) which form boundaries to confinement cages (14). Only those particles having a size and shape that permits them to fit into the confinement cages between the dactyls are detected. The particle detector (10) advantageously is adapted to identify a large variety of different particles using the same detector.

Abstract: An inflammatory process is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of neuritic plaques within the cerebral cortex that are mainly composed of a small insoluble protein of 40-42 aminoacids (amyloid protein). Amyloid-specific Interleukin-10 (IL-10) generation is found to be selectively and significantly reduced in AD patients (p=0.023). The genotype associated with high IL-10 production is extremely infrequent in AD individuals (2% vs. 28%). The presence of low/intermediate-IL-10-producing genotypes (GCC/ATA; ATA/ATA) was associated with an earlier age at disease onset and (ACC/ACC; ACC/ATA) with an accelerated rate of disease progression/severity and with amyloid-specific impairment of IL-10 production. This relationship is independent of ApoE gene polymorphism. These results support the use of anti-inflammatory compounds in the therapy of this disease.

Abstract: A particle detector (10) has a particle sensing surface (12) and a detecting layer (13). Provided on the particle sensing surface (12) is a random arrangement of projecting dactyls (15) which form boundaries to confinement cages (14). Only those particles having a size and shape that permits them to fit into the confinement cages between the dactyls are detected. The particle detector (10) advantageously is adapted to identify a large variety of different particles using the same detector.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis, prognosis or identification of a predisposition towards atherosclerosis and the susceptibility to the development of atherosclerotic plaques and/or vascular obstruction is described, the method comprising analysing a sample to determine the percentage frequency of multiple sub-populations of T-lymphocytes and comparing the data obtained against comparative and/or control data.