Abstract: Use of a ?V?3 integrin antagonist, such as cilengitide or a functional variant thereof, for the treatment or prevention of a disease caused by a coronavirus is described, particularly, in which cilengitide is delivered to the subject intravenously or orally.

Abstract: A system and method for vestibular and/or balance rehabilitation by monitoring and measuring head motion data of a user having vestibular impairment. The system as includes a user device, a head tracking device, and a remote server device. The user device receives therapeutical configuration data prescribed by a therapist using the remote server device. A visual and auditory and/or haptic stimuli is generated in the user interface according to the received therapeutic configuration data during a training session or initial assessment session. Head motion data from the head tracking device during the training session is received along with user inputted data pertaining to symptoms of the user. The remote server device receives and processes the head motion and positional data, the user inputted symptoms data and communicates a set of updated therapeutic configuration data to the user device based on the processed data for use in a next training session.

Abstract: Target site blockers and their use in enhancing Arginase 2 in macrophages to maintain macrophages in an anti-inflammatory and tissue repair phenotype are disclosed herein. Further disclosed are compositions and the use of the compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases mediated by macrophages such as inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases or reparative diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the likelihood of an individual transitioning to a first episode of psychosis (FEP), the method comprising determining the level of selected markers in a bodily fluid sample from the individual, wherein the increase or decrease in the markers is predictive of the individual transitioning to a first episode of psychosis (FEP). The invention also relates to a method of predicting the functional outcome for an individual following a first episode of psychosis (FEP), the method comprising determining the level of selected markers in a bodily fluid sample from the individual, wherein the increase or decrease in the markers is predictive of an increased risk of functional disability outcome for the individual.

Abstract: A method of producing an acellular peripheral nerve graft comprises the steps of providing a section of peripheral nerve, primary treatment of the section of peripheral nerve comprising freezing and then thawing the section of peripheral nerve, freeze-drying the thawed section of peripheral nerve longitudinally to introduce longitudinal pores into the section of peripheral nerve, and decellularization of the section of peripheral nerve comprising contacting the freeze-dried section of peripheral nerve with detergent and enzymatic decellularization agents to provide the acellular peripheral nerve graft. 9. The acellular peripheral nerve graft typically has an average pore size of at least 40 ?m and a DNA content of less than 100 ng/mg.

Abstract: A room temperature injectable thermo-responsive hydrogel comprises a P407 poloxamer base hydrogel, chitosan, 2-Hydroxypropyl ?-cyclodextrin and genipin. The chitosan and genipin form an interpenetrating scaffold within the hydrogel in which the chitosan is crosslinked with genipin. Chemotherapeutic drugs can be added to the hydrogel singly or in combination in effective amounts without any loss of thermo-responsiveness in the hydrogel. Therapeutic use of the thermo-responsive hydrogel in the intratumoural treatment of solid cancer is also described.

Abstract: A collagen scaffold for the delivery of bioactive agents such as antimicrobials comprising a first collagen matrix layer and a second collagen matrix layer in which the first collagen matrix layer comprises a first bioactive agent physically entrapped in the first collagen matrix layer and the second collagen matrix layer comprises a second bioactive agent chemically attached to the second collagen matrix layer for an initial high concentration elution of antimicrobial from the first collagen matrix layer followed by a sustained release from the second collagen matrix layer to prevent re-infection.

Abstract: The inventors have determined that increasing the expression level or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject, which can be provided by expression of nucleic acids encoding FKBP-L or by providing FKBP-L polypeptides to a subject is advantageous for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders. In particular increased expression or activity of FKBP-L polypeptide in a subject may be used to treat excessive weight gain (which can be characterised as obesity), glucose intolerance, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are closely linked to obesity and insulin resistance. FKBP-L can also be used as a biomarker for obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Abstract: A method for preventing or treating epilepsy or status epilepticus, or a brain-related disorder characterized by precipitation of seizures, in an individual, the method comprising the step of treating the individual with an agent capable of inhibiting the activity of miR-134 in the individual, wherein the agent is delivered to the brain of the individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring adherence by a patient to a medication. The method comprises the steps of obtaining timing data in respect of each dose of a medication taken by a patient over a time interval, estimating the concentration of the medication in the patient's body over the time interval based on the dose timing data; determining the proportion of time over the time interval the concentration of the medication in the patient's body exceeds a target concentration; and calculating an adherence score for the patient based on the determined proportion of time the concentration of the medication in the patient's body exceeds the target concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer collagen scaffold. The method generally comprises the steps of: preparing a first suspension of collagen and freezing or lyophilizing the suspension to provide a first layer; optionally preparing a further suspension of collagen and adding the further suspension onto the layer formed in the previous step to form a further layer, and freezing or lyophilizing the layers, wherein when the layer formed in the previous step is formed by lyophilization the lyophilized layer is re-hydrated prior to addition of the next layer; optionally, repeating the aforementioned step to form one or more further layers; and preparing a final suspension of collagen and pouring the final suspension onto the uppermost layer to form a final layer, and freeze-drying the layers to form the multi-layer collagen composite scaffold.

Abstract: A method for preventing or treating epilepsy or status epilepticus, or a brain-related disorder characterized by precipitation of seizures, in an individual, the method comprising the step of treating the individual with an agent capable of inhibiting the activity of miR-134 in the individual, wherein the agent is delivered to the brain of the individual.

Abstract: A system and method suitable for monitoring user technique of an inhaler device configured for delivery of a medicament is provided. The system may include a microphone adapted for sensing sound made during operation of the inhaler device and processing circuitry operable to process a data signal obtained from the microphone, wherein the data signal includes acoustic information sensed. The processing circuitry is adapted to determine inhalation and exhalation breath characteristics that occur during use, by analyzing the temporal and spectral components of the acoustic information sensed and processed to differentiate between an inhalation and an exhalation, based on both the temporal and spectral components. This information can be processed to determine user technique adherence to inhaler or respiratory device protocol. The analysis of temporal and spectral components can determine the impact of user technique errors on the quantity and the deposition of medicament delivered into the user's airways.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of angiogenin, or a fragment or variant thereof, to treat diseases or conditions characterized by neuronal injury or death, or axonal degeneration, especially neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The invention also describes a plurality of mutations of the human angiogenin gene which are associated with a neurodegenerative disease phenotype, and particularly a ALS phenotype. Also described is a method of assessing whether an individual is afflicted with, or generically predisposed to develop, a disease or condition characterized by neuronal injury or death, or axonal degeneration.

Abstract: Therapy is provided to living tissue by contacting the living tissue with at least one reservoir loaded with cells or a therapeutic composition, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with at least one conduit that includes a refilling port. A constituent selected from (a) cells, (b) bioagents from the cells or (c) the therapeutic composition is released from the reservoir to the living tissue. The reservoir is then refilled with (i) cells, (ii) nutrients for cells, or (iii) additional therapeutic composition; and (a) cells, (b) bioagents from the cells or (c) the therapeutic composition continue to be released from the reservoir to the living tissue after the refilling.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing metastatic potential of a breast cancer in an individual with breast cancer is described. The method comprises a step of assaying a breast cancer tumor sample from the patient for expression of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 22, (ADAM22), wherein expression of ADAM22 correlates with increased potential for metastasis compared with a patient who is ADAM22 negative. The invention also describes an agent for use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in a patient, in which the agent is selected from leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) protein (SEQ ID NO:1) and an LGI1 peptide mimic capable of mimicking the ADAM22 binding activity of LGI1 by binding to the LGI1 binding domain of ADAM22 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and which is capable of inhibiting migration of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, including a diagnostic method, for characterising platelets. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for characterising platelets by immobilising platelets on a substrate for detection and subsequent characterisation, and to devices on which such a method may be practiced. The method comprises the steps of:—a. contacting a substrate that includes a plurality of discrete platelet-binding zones having a surface area of 7850 ?m2 orless with a fluid composition comprising platelets; and b. detecting platelets bound to the platelet-binding zones and thereby characterising platelets.

Abstract: A method for preventing or treating epilepsy or status epilepticus, or a brain-related disorder which is characterized by precipitation of seizures, in an individual. The method comprises the step of treating the individual with an agent that inhibits the activity of miR-134 in the individual. The agent is delivered to the brain of the individual.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer collagen scaffold. The method generally comprises the steps of: preparing a first suspension of collagen and freezing or lyophilising the suspension to provide a first layer; optionally preparing a further suspension of collagen and adding the further suspension onto the layer formed in the previous step to form a further layer, and freezing or lyophilising the layers, wherein when the layer formed in the previous step is formed by lyophilisation the lyophilised layer is re-hydrated prior to addition of the next layer; optionally, repeating the aforementioned step to form one or more further layers; and preparing a final suspension of collagen and pouring the final suspension onto the uppermost layer to form a final layer, and freeze-drying the layers to form the multi-layer collagen composite scaffold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-layer collagen scaffold. The method generally comprises the steps of: preparing a first suspension of collagen and freezing or lyophilizing the suspension to provide a first layer; optionally preparing a further suspension of collagen and adding the further suspension onto the layer formed in the previous step to form a further layer, and freezing or lyophilizing the layers, wherein when the layer formed in the previous step is formed by lyophilization the lyophilized layer is re-hydrated prior to addition of the next layer; optionally, repeating the aforementioned step to form one or more further layers; and preparing a final suspension of collagen and pouring the final suspension onto the uppermost layer to form a final layer, and freeze-drying the layers to form the multi-layer collagen composite scaffold.