Abstract: The invention provides gene therapy vectors, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, expressing a functional fragment of the miniaturized human micro-dystrophin gene and method of using these vectors to express the fragment of micro-dystrophin in skeletal muscles including diaphragm and cardiac muscle and to protect muscle fibers from injury, increase muscle strength and reduce and/or prevent fibrosis in subjects suffering from muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: The invention provides a product comprising: a membrane-spanning protein; a lipid membrane formed from amphiphilic molecules and membrane-spanning protein molecules; and a substrate, wherein the membrane protein is directly coupled to the substrate. The invention also provides a method for producing such a product which i) comprises treating a substrate with a hydrophilic coating agent; ii) providing at least one membrane-spanning protein; iii) bringing the protein into contact with the treated substrate under conditions for the coupling of the protein directly to the treated substrate; and iv) adding amphiphilic molecules to the protein-coupled substrate to form a lipid membrane. The product is useful for biosensors, protein arrays and the like.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel methods for isolating a substantially pure cell population of non-embryonic epidermal neural crest stem cells from the bulge-region of mammalian hair follicles. Also disclosed is the substantially pure cell population of follicular bulge-derived neural crest stem cells for medical research and therapeutic use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion proteins (fusion polypeptides), particularly for use in expression and/or purification systems. The present inventors have found that the TolAIII domain has remarkable properties which are of particular use as a fusion protein partner to achieve high levels of expression in a host cell. In one aspect of the invention, a TolAIII domain or a functional homologue, fragment, or derivative thereof is located towards the N-terminus of the fusion polypeptide and a non-TolA polypeptide is located towards the C-terminus of the fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: An EKG structure comprising geosynthetic material associated with at least one conducting element wherein the structure comprises at least one core element substantially enclosed by at least one sheath, one or both comprising the geosynthetic material; the use thereof as an electrode, a method for treating substrate with the EKG structure, the treated substance obtained thereby.

Abstract: A fuel cell (1) having an electrode comprising an electrocatalyst (32) on a support, wherein the support is a mesh (30) of conductive material such as a metal, metal alloy and metal composite (e.g. titanium or titanium alloy), is disclosed, as well as a method of operating such a fuel cell by contacting a fuel and an oxidant on said electrode. The electrolyte of the fuel cell may be an ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A resonant sensor for determining structural property changes, in particular for detecting the presence of chemical or biological species, comprises a structure (2) mounted to be capable of resonating and having a cyclically symmetrical configuration with two independent degenerative modes of vibration of a common natural frequency (f), and means (24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38) for exciting the structure (2) to resonate according to the two degenerative modes, regions (8,12,16,20) of the structure (2) being modified such that, on changes in the structural properties of the modified regions (8,12,16,20), for example by the addition or subtraction of mass, the natural frequencies (f1, f2) of the two modes of vibration become different, the difference in frequencies (?f) being proportional to the change in structural properties.

Abstract: An EKG structure comprising geosynthetic material associated with at least one conducting element wherein the structure comprises at least one core element substantially enclosed by at least one sheath, one or both comprising the geosynthetic material; the use thereof as an electrode, a method for treating substrate with the EKG structure, the treated substance obtained thereby

Abstract: An EKG structure comprising geosynthetic material associated with at least one conducting element wherein the structure comprises at least one core element substantially enclosed by at least one sheath, one or both comprising the geosynthetic material; the use thereof as an electrode, a method for treating substrate with the EKG structure, the treated substance obtained thereby

Abstract: A range of 3-oxybenzamide compounds and related quinazolinone compounds are disclosed which can act as potent inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or PARP enzyme (EC 2.4.2.30), and which thereby can provide useful therapeutic compounds for use in conjunction with DNA-damaging cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy to potentiate the effects of the latter. The coumpounds disclosed include 3-benzyloxybenzamides, 3-oxybenzamides in which a chain of 5 or more methylene groups terminate in a halogen atom or in a purin-9-yl moiety, certain benzoxazole-4-carboxamide compounds and certain quinazolinone compounds. In formula X and Y together may form a bride —X—Y— that represents the grouping (a), (b) or (c) wherein R5 is H, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl.

Abstract: Benzimidazole-4-carboxamide compounds (I) which can act as potent inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or PARP enzyme (EC 2.4.2.30), and which thereby can provide useful therapeutic compounds for use in conjunction with DNA-damaging cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy to potentiate the effects of the latter. In formula (I), R and R′ may each be selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl (e.g. CH2CH2OH), acyl (e.g. acetyl or benzoyl) or an optionally substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl) or aralkyl (e.g. benzyl or carboxybenzyl) group. R is generally a substituted phenyl group in the most preferred compounds. The compounds may also be used in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or pro-drugs.

Abstract: A range of dipyridamole analogues useful for inhibiting transport of nucleosides or purines across cell membranes, thereby to potentiate the activity of various cytotoxic antitumor drugs, is disclosed.

Abstract: Phosphate derivatives are disclosed of quinazolinone compounds having structural formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X' represent hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, or O--Z where Z is a phosphate or phosphate derivative; Y' represents hydrogen, alkyl or an optionally substituted aryl group or optionally substituted aralkyl group; and R' is hydrogen, alkyl, or CH.sub.2 --O--Z where Z is again a phosphate or phosphate derivative; subject to the proviso that if neither X' nor R' contains Z, Y' is an aryl or aralkyl group having an O--Z substituent therein with Z once again being a phosphate or phosphate derivative as hereinabove defined. These compounds are useful as prodrugs for providing active PARP inhibiting substances for medical use in conjunction with a cytotoxic drug or radiotherapy in order to increase the effectiveness of the latter, especially in connection with antitumor treatment.

Abstract: Benzimidazole-4-carboxamide compounds (I) which can act as potent inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or PARP enzyme (EC 2.4.2.30), and which thereby can provide useful therapeutic compounds for use in conjunction with DNA-damaging cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy to potentiate the effects of the latter. In formula (I), R and R' may each be selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl (e.g. CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH), acyl (e.g. acetyl or benzoyl) or an optionally substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl) or aralkyl (e.g. benzyl or carboxybenzyl) group. R is generally a substituted phenyl group in the most preferred compounds. The compounds may also be used in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or pro-drugs.

Abstract: A bilayer of polymer film arranged in a manner to create respective flow paths for a first and second gaseous or liquid fluid, wherein the ratio of the surface area of polymer film adapted to contact and thereby isolate both fluids to the total matrix volume is in excess of 700 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3, processes for the preparation thereof, heat exchangers comprising such bilayers and uses thereof.

Abstract: Benzoxazole carboxamides are disclosed which can act as potent inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or PARP enzyme (EC 2.4.2.30), and which thereby can provide useful therapeutic compounds for use in conjunction with DNA-damaging cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy to potentiate the effects of the latter. Representative of the compounds are 2-methyl, 2-t-butyl, 2-phenyl or 2-(4-methoxyphenyl) benzoxazole-4-carboxamide.

Abstract: The encephalopathy caused by ifosfamide and similarly acting compounds can be prevented or treated by the administration of methylene blue or another compound which is able to oxidize a reduced flavin moiety. Pyritinol is able to reduce other aspects of ifosfamide toxicity.

Abstract: A range of 3-oxybenzamide compounds and related quinazolinone compounds are disclosed which can act as potent inhibitors of the DNA repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase or PARP enzyme (EC 2.4.2.30), and which thereby can provide useful therapeutic compounds for use in conjunction with DNA-damaging cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy to potentiate the effects of the latter. The compounds disclosed include 3-benzyloxybenzamides, 3-oxybenzamides in which a chain of 5 or more methylene groups terminate in a halogen atom or in a purin-9-yl moiety, certain benzoxazole-4-carboxamide compounds and certain quinazolinone compounds. In formula X and Y together may form a bride --X--Y-- that represents the grouping (a), (b) or (c )wherein R.sup.5 is H, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl.