Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peptide, multimer, conjugate, analog, derivative or mimetic thereof that inhibits the activity of VISTA. The invention further contemplates therapeutic use of the VISTA antagonist peptide, multimer, conjugate, derivative or mimetic thereof, including treating or preventing cancer, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasitic infections and fungal infections, as well as research uses of the antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention provides a robotic locomotive device (1) that is capable of driving itself forwards and backwards, anchoring and steering itself whilst inside a tubular structure (200), for example, the human colon, or any structure comprising two opposing walls (202, 204). In this respect, the device is made up of two or three segments (102, 104, 106) covered in an elastic material and driven by an internal actuating mechanism. All of the segments (102, 104, 106) have a concertina configuration that enable a shortening and lengthening motion. As well as contracting and extending in length, at least one of the end segments (102, 106) is capable of bending at an angle away from the longitudinal axis such that it becomes wedged or jammed between the walls (202, 204) of the tubular structure (200). That is, the end segments (102, 106) are capable of both a bending action and a contracting and extending action.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining one or more target sites usable for treatment of ventricular tachycardia is proposed including receiving three-dimensional model data indicative of a cardiac model modelling an anatomy of a heart of a subject with fibrosis, wherein the cardiac model includes at least one myocardial segment associated with and/or modelled as electrically conducting myocardial tissue and at least one fibrotic segment associated with and/or modelled as insulating fibrotic tissue, simulating the evolution of a cardiac activation wave across the at least one myocardial segment and the at least one fibrotic segment, and determining at least one split location, at which an isosurface of the simulated wave is split into two or more sections, the at least one split location being indicative of a location for the simulated wave hitting a boundary between the at least one fibrotic segment and the at least one myocardial segment.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R1, R2, Q1, Q2, L1 and n are as defined herein. The compounds have antifungal properties and are useful in the treatment of fungal infections, including infections that are resistant to conventions anti-fungal agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tip for a vibrating scaler for use in dentistry, the tip comprising a proximal inlet for receiving coolant; a distal working portion for being vibrated to aid scaling; and an outlet for delivering coolant received via the inlet to cool the working portion, wherein the working portion defines a concave side and a convex side of the tip and the outlet is located on the convex side of the tip. The invention also relates to a vibrating scaler for use in dentistry that comprises the tip.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coolant for cooling a device for use in dentistry, the coolant comprising a Newtonian fluid having a viscosity greater than water. The invention also relates to a method of cooling a device for use in dentistry utilising the coolant, the coolant for use in a method of cooling a device for use in dentistry and an apparatus and kit comprising the coolant.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: (I) wherein the substituents are defined in the specification. The compounds are hyperpolarisation activated cyclic-nucleotide modulated ion channel 2 (HCN2) inhibitors. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and the use of the compounds for the treatment or prevention of medical conditions mediated by HCN2, including neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic leathers, artificial epidermal layers, artificial dermal layers, layered structures, products produced therefrom and methods of producing the same.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments provide an MRI scanner-compatible virtual reality system comprising: user equipment locatable within an MRI scanner bore, the user equipment being configured to provide a subject with an immersive virtual environment; the system further comprising: at least one sensor configured to track eye movement of the subject; wherein interaction of the subject with the immersive virtual environment is controlled by the tracked eye movement. Aspects and embodiments may be implemented in a manner which recognises that VR techniques, which typically rely upon dynamic movement of a VR subject, can be used to aid with maintenance of minimal motion of a subject to be placed within an MRI scanner bore. Implementations may be such that calmness of a subject can be increased and awareness of their physical surroundings diminished, thus allowing for successful MRI image acquisition whilst seeking to minimise distress, boredom and/or frustration experienced by the subject under study.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: (I) wherein the substituents are defined in the specification. The compounds are hyperpolarisation activated cyclic-nucleotide modulated ion channel 2 (HCN2) inhibitors. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and the use of the compounds for the treatment or prevention of medical conditions mediated by HCN2, including neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein the substituents are defined in the specification. The compounds are hyperpolarisation activated cyclic-nucleotide modulated ion channel 2 (HCN2) inhibitors. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and the use of the compounds for the treatment or prevention of medical conditions mediated by HCN2, including neuropathic pain.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for navigation and display of 3D image data is described. In the method, a 3D image dataset to be displayed is retrieved and a highlight position is identified within the 3D image dataset. A scalar opacity map is calculated for the 3D image dataset, the opacity map having a value for each of a plurality of positions in the 3D image dataset, the respective value being dependent on the respective position relative to the highlight position, and on the value of the 3D image at the respective position relative to the value of the 3D image at the highlight position. The opacity is applied to the 3D image dataset to generate a modified 3D image view.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods useful in treating inflammation of the gut, such as inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease, by modulating ?? T cells (e.g., V?4+ cells). Particular embodiments include V?4+ cells expressing heterologous protein; polynucleotides containing genes contributing to functional expression of BTNL3, BTNL8, and HNF4A; methods of treating a subject using V?4+ cells or gene therapy; and methods of identifying a subject having imitations associated with inflammation of the gut. Compositions and methods of the invention can be used in the treatment of inflammation and cancer of the gut.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods useful in treating inflammation of the gut, such as inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease, by modulating ?? T cells (e.g., V?4+ cells). Particular embodiments include V?4+ cells expressing heterologous protein; polynucleotides containing genes contributing to functional expression of BTNL3, BTNL8, and HNF4A; methods of treating a subject using V?4+ cells or gene therapy; and methods of identifying a subject having imitations associated with inflammation of the gut. Compositions and methods of the invention can be used in the treatment of inflammation and cancer of the gut.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) compatible transducer for magnetic resonance elastography applications has a cantilevered drive element a free end of which is arranged in use to move reciprocally, and a flexible non-conductive connection rod slidably disposed within a flexible non-conductive sleeve. The connection rod is affixed at a proximal end to the cantilevered drive element via a proximal flexible connection piece that in use accommodates the slight rotational movement of the cantilevered drive element as it reciprocates about its secured end, whilst translating the rotational reciprocation of the cantilevered drive element into a pure translational reciprocation of the connection rod within the sleeve. The distal end of the connection rod is affixed against a protrusion connected to another cantilevered driven element, upon which is mounted a piston element that in use contacts the subject.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments relate to a plasmonic metamaterial structure, applications and devices including that plasmonic metamaterial structure, and a method of forming that plasmonic metamaterial structure. Aspects and embodiments provide a plasmonic metamaterial structure which comprises: a plurality of optical antenna elements. The plurality of optical antenna elements comprise: a first electrode, a second electrode and a plasmonic nanostructure element located between the first and second electrode to form an electron tunnelling junction between the first and second electrodes. The plurality of optical antenna elements are configured such that the electromagnetic field of one optical antenna element spatially overlaps that of adjacent optical antenna elements and adjacent optical antenna elements are electromagnetically coupled to allow the plurality of optical antenna elements to act as a plasmonic metamaterial.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging system comprises a first imaging subsystem, a sensor array and a second imaging subsystem. The first imaging subsystem forms a primary image of the interior of an eye through the diameter of the eye pupil. The second imaging subsystem comprises a lens array to form an array of secondary images on the sensor array. The lens array is composed of a plurality of types of lenses, each type having a different optical power.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for analysing a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan representing a time-sequence, comprising t time points, of images comprising v voxels, where each scan can be represented by a data matrix X?t×v. The method comprises modelling the scan data X as the convolution of neural activation time courses N?+t×v and a haemodynamic filter ?, and performing an inverse operation to estimate N from X and ?. The method further compasses decomposing the neural activation time courses N into multiple brain network components by representing N as the product of a first matrix H defining, for each component, a spatial map of the voxels belonging to that component, and a second matrix W defining, for each component, the time sequence of activation of that component during the scan. In other implementations, the matrix decomposition may be performed before the deconvolution.

Abstract: Embodiments described provide an ultrasound method, and an ultrasound apparatus and computer program product operable to perform that method. In some embodiments, the method allows for provision of a multi-transducer ultrasound imaging system by providing a robust method to accurately localize the transducers in the system in order to beamform a final image. The method and apparatus described allow for improvements in imaging quality in terms of resolution, depth penetration, contrast and signal to noise ratio (SNR).

Abstract: Anatomical and functional assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) using machine learning and computational modeling techniques deploying methodologies for non-invasive Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) quantification based on angiographically derived anatomy and hemodynamics data, relying on machine learning algorithms for image segmentation and flow assessment, and relying on accurate physics-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation for computation of the FFR.