Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for imaging and measuring characteristics of an objects surface shape, surface spectral reflectance and structure of sub-surface layers. In particular, the invention relates to imaging of topography of human skin and skin sub-surface layers and determination of concentration of skin constituents. The present invention has applications in areas such as skin care, dermatology, cosmetics, wound management and tricology. The imaging device of the invention significantly improves photometric stereo measurements by suppressing specular reflection and allows accurate determination of the surface shape. Consequently the device allows elimination of the influence of the shape and illumination conditions on spectral measurements and allows accurate measurement of skin constituents.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods and systems for attenuating artifacts in single channel cochlear implants. Both high and low frequency artifacts can be attenuating using embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems. In some embodiments, low-pass filters, impedance balancing, and DC artifact estimation can be used, alone or in combination, to attenuate or completely remove artifacts in single channel cochlear implants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and use of RNA interference (RNAi) for the transient, reversible and controlled opening of the tight junctions of the blood brain barrier and/or the blood retinal barrier. This method may be used in the treatment of many diseases and disorders which require the opening of the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier. Such methods generally involve the use of an RNAi-inducing agent, such as siRNA, miRNA, shRNA or an RNAi-inducing vector whose presence within a cell results in production of an siRNA or shRNA, targeting tight junction proteins to open the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for the automated post production of a single video file, the method comprising the steps of gathering video data from a plurality of camera sources; gathering audio data from a plurality of microphone sources; using an automated tracking offline algorithm to track a sound emitting from a moving target object in a 3D space, to provide localization data of said target object to identify an optimum camera source to provide video data of said target object; and composing a composite video sequence of said moving target from a plurality of identified optimum camera sources in a single video file. The algorithm relies on both video data from multiple camera views and audio data from multiple microphone arrays to infer the 3D position of the active speaker over the duration of the captured presentation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing preterm labor in pregnant female subjects. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist sufficient to prevent the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 by fetal DNA. The invention further provides compositions comprising a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist for use in the methods of the invention. The compositions and methods of the present invention enhance gestation and therefore improve neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: A process for producing nanoparticles comprises the steps of preparing silver seeds in the presence of a water soluble polyanionic polymer and growing the silver seeds to form nanoparticles. The polyanionic polymer may be poly(sodium styrenesulphonate).

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for measuring optical signal-to-noise-ratio (OSNR) in an optical communication system. A channel filter is adapted to select one specific optical communication channel from a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical communication system, wherein the channel comprises an optical signal carrying digital bit information and noise from associated optical power amplifiers in the system. At least one optical delay interferometer is adapted to measure at least two interferograms of the noisy signal. The invention provides a mechanism for calculating the in-band OSNR from extinctions of the interferograms measured at different optical delays by referring to each other, wherein said optical delays are selected to be substantially less than a bit period of the optical channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process of patterning structures on a carbon based surface comprising exposing part of the surface to an ion flux, such that material properties of the exposed surface are modified to provide a hard mask effect on the surface. A further step of etching unexposed parts of the surface forms the structures on the surface. The inventors have discovered that by controlling the ion exposure, alteration of the surface structure at the top surface provides a mask pattern, without substantially removing any material from the exposed surface. The mask allows for subsequent ion etching of unexposed areas of the surface leaving the exposed areas raised relative to the unexposed areas thus manufacturing patterns onto the surface. For example, a Ga+ focussed ion beam exposes a pattern onto a diamond surface which produces such a pattern after its exposure to a plasma etch.

Abstract: (S)-(+)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methyl-hexanoic acid or (S)-pregabalin is an anticonvulsive drug. In addition to its use as an anticonvulsive agent, pregabalin has also been indicated as a medicament in the treatment of anxiety, neuropathic pain and pain in patients with fibromyalgia. Provided herein are thioester intermediates in the synthesis of and processes for the synthesis of 3-(aminomethyl)-5-methyl-hexanoic acid in the (R) or (S) configuration.

Abstract: Described are compounds having a thiazolhydrazide scaffold, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of these compounds together with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluents. Said thiazolhydrazide compounds can be used for prophylaxis and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).

Abstract: A sensor comprises silver nanoparticles in which substantially all of the surfaces of the silver nanoparticles are available for interaction with an analyte or for functionalization with a receptor which is capable of interacting with an analyte. Silver nanoparticles are preparated by forming the nanoparticles in the presence of a polymeric stabilizer such as PVA.

Abstract: A tunable laser device (1) comprises integrally formed first and second ridge waveguides (5, 6). A longitudinally extending ridge (12) defines first and second light guiding regions (19, 20) of the first and second waveguides (5, 6) A plurality of first and second slots (27, 28) extending laterally in the ridge (12) adjacent the first and second waveguides (5, 6), produce first and second mirror loss spectra of the respective first and second waveguides (5, 6) with minimum peak values at respective first and second wavelength values. The spacing between the second slots (28) is different to that between the first slots (27) so that with one exception the minimum peak values of the first and second mirror loss spectrum occur at different wavelength values. The first and second waveguides (5, 6) are independently pumped with variable currents to selectively vary the common wavelength at which the minimum peak values of the first and second mirror loss spectra occur to produce Vernier tuning of the device.

Abstract: Products for altering IL-33 activity including antibodies that specifically bind to an epitope with the polypeptide sequence of IL-33 such as antibodies that specifically bind to a protease cleavage region of IL-33 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 17, or SEQ ID NO. 16, or SEQ ID NO. 10; isolated IL-33 polypeptide(s); and compositions comprising a soluble IL-33 receptor linked to an enzyme capable of cleaving IL-33 or an antibody that binds to IL-33 linked to an enzyme capable of cleaving IL-33. The invention also relates to methods of altering IL-33 activity using the products described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for suppressing an inflammatory immune response comprising the excretory/secretory (ES) component of Fasciola hepatica or a fraction thereof. The composition has particular utility in the treatment or prophylaxis of T cell mediated inflammatory immune responses, and in particular autoimmune disease. The invention further extends to methods for modulating a T cell mediated immune response wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the excretory/secretory (ES) component from Fasciola hepatica is administered to a subject in need of such treatment in order to suppress the development of the response.

Abstract: A hand washing monitoring system (1) comprising a camera (2), a processor (4), the processor being adapted to receive from the camera images of hand washing activity. The processor analyses mutual motion of hands to determine if the hands mutually move in desired poses, and if so, the durations of the patterns; and generates a hand washing quality indication according to the analysis. The processor extracts information features from the images and generates feature vectors based on the features, including bimanual hand and arm shape vectors, and executes a classifier with the vectors to determine the poses. The processor uses edge segmentation and pixel spatio-temporal measurements to form at least some of the feature vectors.

Abstract: Multicomponent vaccines are provided which aid in the prevention and treatment of staphylococcal infections and which include certain selected combinations of bacterial binding proteins or fragments thereof, or antibodies to those proteins or fragments. By careful selection of the proteins, fragments, or antibodies, a vaccine is provided that imparts protection against a broad spectrum of Staphylococcus and other bacterial strains and against proteins that are expressed at different stages of the logarithmic growth curve. In one embodiment of the invention, a composition is provided that includes a fibrinogen binding domain of a fibrinogen binding protein and a bacterial component such as a capsular polysaccharide, and both active and passive vaccines based on these components are also provided, along with methods of treating infection using these compositions and vaccines.

Abstract: Surface proteins are provided which generate polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which are cross-reactive to both coagulase-positive staphylococcus bacteria, such as S. aureus and to coagulase-negative bacteria, such as S. epidermidis and S. hemolyticus. The antibodies may be generated from surface proteins that have been isolated on the basis of characteristics that may be common between S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, or the A domains of those surface proteins, and these recombinant surface proteins are used to generate the cross-reactive antibodies. Vaccines comprising an immunologically effective amount of the proteins are also provided, and these vaccines are used in methods for the treatment or protection against a wide variety of staphylococcal infections.