Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining coefficients for use in correcting a magnetic relaxation time constant, T, value obtained via magnetic resonance imaging when a pulse rate was at a first pulse rate value to a T value reflecting the T value that would have been obtained if the pulse rate was at a second pulse rate value. The technique includes, for each region of interest, pairing an obtained derivative, m, and an obtained offset, c, as an ordered pair (c, m). The technique further includes fitting the obtained plurality of ordered pairs (c, m) to a polynomial function, and determining the values of the coefficients from the polynomial function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of radiochemical synthesis. Novel methods useful in the synthesis of a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, and novel intermediates useful in said method are provided that have advantages over known methods.

Abstract: Parallel transmit Magnetic Resonance MR scanner used to image a conductive object such as an interventional device like a guidewire within a subject. This is achieved by determining which Radio Frequency RF transmission modes produced by the parallel RF transmission elements couple with the conductive object and then transmitting at significantly reduced power so as to prevent excessive heating of the conductive object to an extent that would damage the surrounding tissue of the subject, for example, the coupling RF transmission modes may be generated at less than 30%, preferably around 10% of the normal power levels that would conventionally be used for MR imaging. However, even at these low power levels sufficient electric currents are induced in the conductive device to cause detectable MR signals; the location of the conductive object within the subject can thus be visualised.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain bicycloheteroaryl-heteroaryl-benzoic acid compounds of the following formula (for convenience, collectively referred to herein as “BHBA compounds”), which, inter alia, are (selective) retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR?) (e.g., RAR?2) agonists. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to (selectively) activate RAR? (e.g., RAR?2), to cause or promote neurite development, neurite outgrowth, and/or neurite regeneration, and in the treatment of diseases and conditions that are mediated by RAR? (e.g., RAR?2), that are ameliorated by the activation of RAR? (e.g., RAR?2), etc., including, e.g., neurological injuries such as spinal cord injuries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion proteins comprising regulatory T cell protein, VISTA (V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T cell Activation (PD-L3) and an immunoglobulin protein (Ig). The invention also provides the use of VISTA polypeptides, multimeric VISTA polypeptides, VISTA-conjugates (e.g., VISTA-Ig), and VISTA antagonists for the treatment of autoimmune disease, allergy, and inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a T1 or T2 map for a three-dimensional (3D) image volume of a subject. The method includes acquiring first, second, and third 3D images of the image volume of the subject. Signal evolutions of voxels through the first to third 3D images by comparing voxel intensity levels of corresponding voxel locations in the first, second, and third 3D images. A simulation dictionary representing the signal evolutions for a number of different tissue parameter combinations is obtained. The T1 or T2 map is generated by comparing the determined signal evolutions to entries in the dictionary and by finding, for each of the determined signal evolutions, the entry in the dictionary that best matches the determined signal evolution.

Abstract: A plurality of sets of k-space data each of the same image region of a subject but having different contrasts are obtained. A sparse image coding procedure is performed to reconstruct a plurality of MR images each corresponding to one of the sets of k-space data. This involves solving an optimization problem comprising a data consistency iteration step used to generate the reconstructed MR images; and a denoising iteration step applied to the reconstructed MR images generated during the data consistency iteration step. The denoising iteration step includes performing a 2D/3D block matching operation to identify similar patches across the reconstructed MR images, and using the similar patches across the reconstructed MR images in a sparsifying operation to provide sparse representations of the reconstructed MR images. The sparse representations are used as an input to the data consistency iteration step.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to novel derivatives of formula (I) where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X and m are as defined in the specification. These compounds which have therapeutic activity, in particular, as STAT3 inhibitors and so are useful in the treatment of proliferative diseases or conditions such as cancer. Methods for producing these compounds, novel intermediates used in the methods, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy form further aspects of the invention.

Abstract: An immunoresponsive cell, such as a T-cell expressing (i) a second generation chimeric antigen receptor comprising: (a) a signalling region; (b) a co-stimulatory signalling region; (c) a transmembrane domain; and (d) a binding element that specifically interacts with a first epitope on a target antigen; and (ii) a chimeric costimulatory receptor comprising (e) a co-stimulatory signalling region which is different to that of (b); (f) a transmembrane domain; and (g) a binding element that specifically interacts with a second epitope on a target antigen. This arrangement is referred to as parallel chimeric activating receptors (pCAR). Cells of this type are useful in therapy, and kits and methods for using them as well as methods for preparing them are described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to pyrrolobenzodiazepines compounds (PBDs) and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are useful as medicaments, in particular, to treat bacterial infections.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining coefficients for use in correcting a magnetic relaxation time constant, T, value obtained via magnetic resonance imaging when a pulse rate was at a first pulse rate value to a T value reflecting the T value that would have been obtained if the pulse rate was at a second pulse rate value. The technique includes, for each region of interest, pairing an obtained derivative, m, and an obtained offset, c, as an ordered pair (c, m). The technique further includes fitting the obtained plurality of ordered pairs (c, m) to a polynomial function, and determining the values of the coefficients from the polynomial function.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a patient includes measuring neural respiratory drive using a monitoring device (10), repeating the measurement either continuously or at regular time intervals, and comparing the measurements obtained in order to predict treatment failure and/clinical deterioration and/or re-admission. In embodiments of the invention, the neural respiratory drive is measured by obtaining a measure of the second intercostal space parasternal electromyogram. A monitoring device (10) includes a signal input (20), a processing unit (30), and a output unit (50), and is arranged to measure the neural respiratory drive, store the measured value and compare it to a previously measured value for the neural respiratory drive.

Abstract: Assessing Susceptibility to Epilepsy and Epileptic Seizures A method and system adapted to assist with assessing susceptibility to epilepsy and/or epileptic seizures in a patient receives (202) patient brain data and generates (204) a network model from the received patient brain data. The system further generates (206) synthetic brain activity data in at least some of the nodes of the network model and computes (208) seizure frequency from the synthetic brain activity data by monitoring transitions from non-seizure states to seizures states in at least some of the nodes over time. The system further includes a device (104, 110) configured to use the seizure frequency to compute (210) a likelihood of susceptibility to epilepsy and/or epileptic seizures in the patient, and a device (104, 110) configured to compare (212) the computed likelihood with another likelihood of susceptibility to epilepsy and/or epileptic seizures in order to assess whether the likelihood has increased or decreased.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus and method to capture an image of in-vivo tissue with automatic exposure control. For example, the method includes capturing image data on an image sensor and analyzing an indication of brightness of each pixel to determine whether the captured image data is saturated. When the image data is saturated, the method includes reducing the exposure period by a first increment, and repeating the capturing and analyzing steps until the captured image data is not saturated. When the captured image data is not saturated, in some embodiments, the method includes analyzing the indication of brightness of each pixel compared to a threshold indicative of use of a proportion of an available dynamic range of the image sensor, and when it is determined that the threshold has not been reached, increasing the exposure period by a second increment that has a magnitude relative to the first increment.

Abstract: A method for expanding a population of ?? T-cells is provided in which isolated activated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are cultured in a medium comprising transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?) under conditions in which the production of effector ?? T-cells having therapeutic activity against malignant disease is favored. The use of TGF-? in the production of effector cells in particular V?9V?2 T-cells is also described and claimed.

Abstract: Imaging methods, imaging apparatus and computer program products are disclosed. An imaging method comprises: receiving image data of a 3-dimensional object; and allocating a confidence level to at least a portion of an image frame of the image data using a machine-learning algorithm, the confidence level indicating a likelihood of that image frame having a specified element imaged on a specified plane through the 3-dimensional object. In this way, particular elements when imaged in a desired way can be identified from image data of the 3-dimensional object.

Abstract: A method of estimating a longitudinal magnetic relaxation T1 time for a region of a subject. The method includes providing a computer with at least two magnetic resonance (MR) images of the region of the subject that were respectively acquired at different times after the generation of a preparation pulse during a MR pulse sequence; in said computer, analyzing said at least two MR images in order to obtain, from the same location in each of the MR images, a pixel value, wherein each of the pixel values and the time at which their respective MR image was acquired form a data point; and in said computer, fitting the data points to a model representing said longitudinal magnetic relaxation by varying a single adjustable parameter to estimate the T1 time constant for the region of interest, wherein the single adjustable parameter represents a T1 time constant within the model.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing magnetic resonance (MR) image data from k-space data. The method includes obtaining k-space data of an image region of a subject; and reconstructing, using a sparse image coding procedure, the MR image data from the k-space data by performing an iterative optimization method. The optimization method includes a data consistency iteration step and a denoising iteration step applied to MR image data generated by the data consistency iteration step. The denoising iteration step incorporates a sparsifying operation to provide a sparse representation of the MR image data for the imaged region as an input to the data consistency iteration step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inhibiting an ADAM protease, comprising inhibiting binding to an integrin-binding loop of a disintegrin domain in the ADAM protease. Also provided are cyclic peptides which inhibit binding to an integrin-binding loop of an ADAM protease, as well as associated pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods of treatment.