Abstract: Musculoskeletal fibroproliferative disorders, such as Dupuytren's disease may be treated by administering locally a TNF-? antagonist. TNF-? antagonists find particular utility in inhibiting the progression of early disease state Dupuytren's disease and other musculoskeletal fibroproliferative disorders and, in combination with extracellular matrix degradation agents (such ascollagenase or matrix metalloproteinase I), treating advanced disease state Dupuytren's disease and, in particular inhibiting recurrence.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatised thereron two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: A stent graft assembly comprises a graft of flexible material supported by a stent frame that is configured to be deformable between an expanded state and a radially collapsed state. The graft of flexible material has the shape of a tube that is curved along a longitudinal axis of the tube when the graft is in an expanded, undeformed state. The stent graft assembly is deformable into a state in which the graft is deformed into the shape of a tube that is straight. The stent graft assembly may be designed for treatment of a thoracic aorta aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lipoteichoic acid T for use in treating pleural effusion or pneumothorax. The present invention also relates to the use of lipoteichoic acid T (LTA-T) in the manufacture of a medicament for treating pleural effusion or pneumothorax. The present invention also relates to a kit comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising lipoteichoic acid T and instructions indicating that the composition is for use as a pleurodesis agent. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of treating pleural effusion or pneumothorax comprising administration of lipoteichoic acid T to a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of hydroxylases is described having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6 and 8, and variants and fragments thereof having HIF hydroxylation activity. The polypeptides of the invention have in particular prolyl hydroxylase activity. An assay method monitors the interaction of the HIF hydroxylase with a substrate. Modulators of HIF hydroxylase are provided for use in the treatment of a condition associated with increased or decreased HIF levels or activity or for the treatment of a condition where it is desirable to modulate HIF levels or activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine for the treatment of disease caused by Neisseria, the vaccine including one or more immunogenic components for Neisseria serogroups, as well as antibodies to the immunogenic components and methods of preventing and treating Neisseria infections. The immunogens are based on elements of the inner core lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract: A charge-neutral organometallic dendrimer is described, said dendrimer having the formula (I): CORE-[DENDRITE(-Q)a]n??(I) in which CORE represents a group of formula MXxYz, in which M represents a metal cation, x represents an integer of 1 or more, each X which may be the same or different represents a mono-, bi- or tri-dentate coordinating group, z represents 0 or an integer of 1 or more, and each Y which may be the same or different represents a coordinating group, the total of (b.x)+(c.

Abstract: A method of linking electronic database records, wherein each record is associated with a single member from a set of unique members, and wherein each member from the set of unique members has associated with it a plurality of identifiers for uniquely identifying the member. The method comprising the following steps. First, a set of combinations of identifiers is obtained by, for each record, determining a plurality of identifiers using the data stored in the record. Next, a set of clusters of linked combinations of identifiers is created, by creating a link between any combinations that have equal identifiers. For each cluster from the set of clusters, a quality value for the cluster is calculated, and any cluster whose quality value is below a pre-determined threshold is split into two or more clusters by removing one or more links between combinations in the original cluster, if in that case the resulting clusters have higher quality values than the original cluster.

Abstract: A process for producing a substrate having an adhesive surface, which process comprises: (a) contacting the substrate with a carbene precursor, which carbene precursor is a compound of the following formula (1): whose substituent groups are defined herein, provided that when R is aryl or heteroaryl, said aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted by one, two, three, four or five groups, which groups are independently selected from various groups including -LB-WB; and (b) either: (i) when WA or WB comprises an adhesive functional group, generating a carbene reactive intermediate from the carbene precursor so that it reacts with the substrate to functionalise the surface, thereby yielding said substrate having an adhesive surface; or (ii) when WA or WB comprises a group which is a precursor of an adhesive functional group, generating a carbene reactive intermediate from the carbene precursor so that it reacts with the substrate to functionalise the surface, and (c) converting said group which is a precursor into an

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing mechanism for forming an image in an intermediate image zone and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing mechanism includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.

Abstract: It has been demonstrated that the level of sST2 increases in pregnant females suffering from pre-eclampsia. Accordingly, the level of sST2 in a pregnant female can be used to assess risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Abstract: There is disclosed a focussing system for concentrating radiation onto a target surface, comprising: a first reflective element forming part of the surface of a cone axially aligned along a first alignment axis, the first reflective element being positioned such that when planar radiation is incident on the first reflective element in a direction parallel to the first alignment axis, the planar radiation is focussed towards a first focus lying along the first alignment axis, wherein said part of the surface of a cone is contained within a sector having an included angle of less than 180 degrees; and a second reflective element having a reflective surface that at all points is flat in a direction parallel to a single reference direction, the second reflective element being positioned between the first reflective element and the first focus such that, when planar radiation is incident on the first reflective element in a direction parallel to the first alignment axis, radiation reflected from the first reflecti

Abstract: The invention provides a solid-state p-n heterojunction comprising an organic p-type material in contact with an n-type material wherein said heterojunction is sensitised by at least one sensitizing agent, characterised in that the device comprises a cathode separated from said n-type material by a porous barrier layer of at least one insulating material. Also provided are opto-electronic devices such as solar cells or photo-sensors comprising such a p-n heterojunction, and methods for the manufacture of such a heterojunction or device.

Abstract: An analyte sensor is disclosed that comprises: a light source arranged for emitting light to a probe; a detector arranged to receive fluorescence light emitted from said probe in response to the light incident from the light source, and to generate an output signal; and a signal processor arranged to determine information related to the presence of an analyte at the probe based on at least the output signal of the detector, wherein the probe comprises nano-particles comprising fluorescent material for which the fluorescence changes in response to the presence of analyte.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing mechanism for forming an image in an intermediate image zone and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing mechanism includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.

Abstract: A charged particle spectrum analysis apparatus comprising an electric field generator arranged to subject charged particles to a time-varying electric field, a detector to record charged particle time spectrum data of charged particles which have passed through the electric field, the detector comprising a position-sensitive detection portion, and the time-varying electric field arranged to be activated in synchrony with activation of detector, and the time-varying electric field arranged to subject a predetermined region of said detection portion to consecutive charged particle deflection cycles.

Abstract: There are provided antigens, vectors encoding the antigens, and antibodies and other binding compounds to the antigens and uses thereof in the prevention or treatment of malaria. In particular, compositions are provided comprising a Reticulocyte-binding protein Homologue 5 (PfRH5) antigen having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment thereof; or which comprise a viral vector that expresses PfRH5 antigen having at least 90% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2, or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels arranged in an array, a selection means for selecting individual pixels in the array, and a shutter means for transmitting a shutter signal to the pixels. The pixels are constructed and arranged to sense incident light only when both selected and in receipt of a shutter signal. The pixels in said array can thus be triggered individually to capture light at different times.

Abstract: An acoustic separator comprises: two parallel chamber walls defining a separation chamber therebetween, each chamber wall defining one side of the chamber; inlet means through which fluid can flow into the chamber; and outlet means through which fluid can flow out of the chamber. One of the chamber walls includes a transducer arranged to transmit pressure waves across the chamber towards the other of the chamber walls which in turn is arranged to reflect the pressure waves to set up a standing wave in the chamber. The outlet means defines an opening in one of the sides of the chamber.

Abstract: A resonant radar reflector assembly comprising first and second reflector members (110A, 110B), the first and second and reflector members each being configured to resonate at their respective resonant frequency when irradiated by radio frequency (RF) radiation of a corresponding frequency, wherein the first member has a portion (114A) responsive to an electric field applied parallel to an electric polarization axis of the first member, the second member having a corresponding portion (114B) responsive to an electric field applied parallel to a corresponding electric polarization axis of the second member, the first member also having a portion (112A) responsive to a magnetic field applied parallel to a magnetic polarization axis of the first member, the second member having a corresponding portion (112B) responsive to a magnetic field applied parallel to a corresponding magnetic polarization axis of the second member, the first and second members being arranged such that at least one electric or magnetic pol