Abstract: A method and system are proposed to obtain quantitative data about the shape of a biological structure, and especially a heart ventricle. A set of three-dimensional input meshes are generated from MRI data. They represent the shape of a ventricle at successive times. The input meshes are used to generate a set of three-dimensional morphed meshes which have the same number of vertices as each other, and have respective shapes which are the shapes of corresponding ones of the input meshes. Then, for each of the times, shape analysis is performed to obtain a curvedness value at each of a plurality of corresponding locations in the morphed meshes. The curvedness value may be used to obtain a curvedness rate at each of the locations, indicative of the rate of change of curvedness with time at each of the locations.

Abstract: A method is proposed for analyzing an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image of the anterior segment (AS) of a subject's eye. A region of interest is defined which is a region of the image containing the junction of the cornea and iris, and an estimated position the junction within the region of interest is derived. Using this a second region of the image is obtained, which is a part of the image containing the estimated position of the junction. Features of the second region are obtained, and those features are input to an adaptive model to generate data characterizing the junction.

Abstract: We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The method comprises establishing, for a sample of micro-particles from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, a ratio. The ratio is of a selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise GM1 gangliosides, preferably which bind to Cholera Toxin B (CTB) (“GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide”) to the selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise exposed phosphotidylserine, preferably which bind to Annexin V (“Annexin V microparticle polypeptide”). The GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide to Annexin V microparticle polypeptide ratio so established may be indicative of the state of the cell, tissue, organ or organism.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a hypermotor activity detection system, including: a video capture device configured to monitor a patient and obtain a video input; and a processing system configured to process the video input, including: a optical flow module configured to carry out an optical flow analysis on a video input region determined from the video input, and further determine a flow field magnitude of the video input region; a local motion reference module including: a division module configured to divide the video input region into a plurality of sub-windows; a sub-window flow module configured to determine a sub-window flow field magnitude for each of the plurality of sub-windows; a local motion magnitude module configured to obtain a magnitude of local motion based on the sub-window flow field magnitude for each of the plurality of sub-windows; and a local motion comparison module configured to compare the magnitude of local motion with a local motion

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-cancer drug and an inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) or its gene expression. The present invention also relates to methods of treating cancer and prognostic methods.

Abstract: A non-stereo fundus image is used to obtain a plurality of glaucoma indicators. Additionally, genome data for the subject is used to obtain genetic marker data relating to one or more genes and/or SNPs associated with glaucoma. The glaucoma indicators and genetic marker data are input into an adaptive model operative to generate an output indicative of a risk of glaucoma in the subject. In combination, the genetic indicators and genome data are more informative about the risk of glaucoma than either of the two in isolation. The adaptive model may be a two-stage model, having a first stage in which individual genetic indicators are combined with respective portions of the genome data by first adaptive model modules to form respective first outputs, and a second stage in which the first outputs are combined by a second adaptive mode.

Abstract: We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The method comprises establishing, for a sample of microparticles from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, a ratio. The ratio is of a selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise GM1 gangliosides, preferably which bind to Cholera Toxin B (CTB) (“GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide”) to the selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise exposed phosphotidylserine, preferably which bind to Annexin V (“Annexin V microparticle polypeptide”). The GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide to Annexin V microparticle polypeptide ratio so established may be indicative of the state of the cell, tissue, organ or organism.

Abstract: A method of producing an artificial neural network capable of predicting the survivability of a patient, including: storing in an electronic database patient health data comprising a plurality of sets of data, each set having at least one of a first parameter relating to heart rate variability data and a second parameter relating to vital sign data, each set further having a third parameter relating to patient survivability; providing a network of nodes interconnected to form an artificial neural network, the nodes comprising a plurality of artificial neurons, each artificial neuron having at least one input with an associated weight; and training the artificial neural network using the patient health data such that the associated weight of the at least one input of each artificial neuron is adjusted in response to respective first, second and third parameters of different sets of data from the patient health data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to corneal stromal keratocytes (CSKs) culture. In particular the present invention relates to a method for culturing corneal stromal keratocytes ex vivo. The method utilises a dual culture medium protocol. In the presence of serum (in particular low serum concentration) in a first culture medium A, the “activated keratocytes” are expandable while specific CSK gene expression is maintained in serum-free ERI condition in a second culture medium B. The invention also relates to culture medium A and B which is supplemented with liquid amnion extract or other additional supplements. This protocol also applied to CSK from other species. Additionally, the present invention provides method for CSK cultivation to provide sufficient quantity of genuine CSKs for corneal tissue engineering without a risk of fibroblastic changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing or monitoring the flare status of subjects with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). More particularly, the present invention relates to testing fluid samples from subjects for differentially expressed biomarkers, and kits for performing the tests.

Abstract: A method of predicting survivability of a patient. The method includes storing in an electronic database patient health data comprising a plurality of sets of data, each set having a first parameter relating to heart rate variability data including at least one of ST segment elevation and depression, a second parameter relating to vital sign data, and a third parameter relating to patient survivability; providing a network of nodes interconnected to form an artificial neural network, the nodes comprising a plurality of neurons, each having at least one input with an associated weight; and training the neural network using the patient health data such that the associated weight of the at least one input of each neuron is adjusted in response to respective first, second and third parameters of different sets of data from the patient health data, such that the neural network is trained to produce a prediction on the survivability of a patient within the next 72 hours.

Abstract: Methods of treating a dengue virus (DENV) infection in a human subject, comprising administering to the human subject a compound of Formula (I), or pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula (I): A compound of Formula (I) can be administered within onset of fever to 72 hours of fever onset due to dengue infection and then every 6 to 12 hours until there is an improvement in the infection or between from about 1 day to about 10 days. The methods of the invention can be used to treat primary and secondary DENV1-4 viral infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to multimeric forms of antimicrobial peptides, for example, defensin peptides. The multimeric forms of defensin peptides possesses antimicrobial activity and may be formulated into antimicrobial compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, eyedrop composition, contact lens solution compositions for coating medical devices and the like. The invention also relates to the use of these multimeric forms of peptides, e.g. multimeric forms of defensin peptides for inhibiting and/or reducing the growth of microorganisms in general, including in a host. The invention further relates to a method of preparing multimers of peptides derived from defensins, for example hBD3. The method includes a composition or combination comprising the multimeric antimicrobial peptides and at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Abstract: Natural-Killer T-Cell Lymphoma (NKTCL) susceptibility prediction, diagnosis and therapy. The invention relates to a method for predicting Natural Killer T-cell Lymphoma (NKTCL) susceptibility and/or diagnosing NKTCL in a subject comprising testing for JAK mutations. The invention also relates to a method of screening for candidate agents capable of treating NKTCL using a cell line comprising at least one JAK mutation. The invention includes an NKTCL animal model comprising at least one JAK mutation. The invention also includes JAK inhibitors for treating NKTCL.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing cardiomyocyte differentiation using a combination and/or composition of factors. The present invention also includes the combination and/or composition of factors. For example, the factors comprise at least one p38-MAPK modulator, at least one immunomodulator, at least one Wnt modulator and/or at least one ROS modulator. In particular, the factors comprise at least one p38-MAPK inhibitor, at least one immunosuppressant, at least one Wnt modulator and/or at least one ROS activator.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of diagnosing liver cancer in a subject as well as methods of assessing the risk of a subject having chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis of developing liver cancer. Also disclosed are kits for the diagnosis of liver cancer.

Abstract: A non-stereo fundus image is used to obtain a plurality of glaucoma indicators. Additionally, genome data for the subject is used to obtain genetic marker data relating to one or more genes and/or SNPs associated with glaucoma. The glaucoma indicators and genetic marker data are input into an adaptive model operative to generate an output indicative of a risk of glaucoma in the subject. In combination, the genetic indicators and genome data are more informative about the risk of glaucoma than either of the two in isolation. The adaptive model may be a two-stage model, having a first stage in which individual genetic indicators are combined with respective portions of the genome data by first adaptive model modules to form respective first outputs, and a second stage in which the first outputs are combined by a second adaptive mode.

Abstract: An isolated peptide tetramer includes the formula [(RGRKVVRR)2K]2KK and its derivatives thereof. The derivatives may include at least one amino acid substitution, at least one amino acid deletion, a rearrangement of the peptide monomer and/or at least one non-proteogenic amino acid modification in at least one peptide monomer. The isolated peptide tetramer and derivatives thereof have antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and/or anti-protozoan) properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dual-media approach for culturing isolated corneal endothelial cells. Isolated corneal endothelial cells are first contacted with a proliferative medium to propagate and/or expand the endothelial cells followed by a maintenance medium to preserve the morphology and/or characteristics of the corneal endothelial cells. The invention includes the proliferative medium and the maintenance medium and also a combination of the two medium.