Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sulfated oligosaccharides, and in particular to the use of certain sulfated oligosaccharides as agents for lowering blood levels of triglycerides such as, for example in treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia.

Abstract: A method for the inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell hyperplasia in a human or other warm-blooded animal patient in need of such treatment, comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of at least one sulfated oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide has the general formula I: R1—(Rx)n—R2  (I) wherein R1 and R2 and each Rx represents a monosaccharide unit, all of which may be the same or different, adjacent monosaccharide units being linked by 1→2, 1→3, 1→4 and/or 1→6 glycosidic bonds and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to indolo[3,2-j]phenanthridine compounds and their use in the treatment of cancer and other diseases of humans and animals including parasitic diseases such as those of Apicomplexan origin, compositions containing said compounds and methods of treatment using them.

Abstract: A laser beam with an annular or ring shaped intensity distribution, such as a TEM01* beam, is scanned across the surface of a photosensitive thin film to directly produce changes of refractive index in selected regions of the film. This method is suitable for producing channel waveguides for planar lightwave circuits, where the refractive index profile (solid curve) of such a waveguide is more uniform than the prior art refractive index profile (dashed curve) produced by a TEM00 laser beam, and has a reduced bend loss.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a compound of general Formula: or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts, racemates, isomers and/or tautomers thereof comprising cyclizing an azomethine ylide of general Formula: wherein, A is a cyclic or non-cyclic group; Z is a carbon or a heteroatom; n is selected from 0, 1, 2, or 3; W, X and Y may be the same of different and each are selected from hydrogen; optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, alkoxy, alkinoxy, alkynoxy, aryl, alkylthio, heterocyclyl; carboxy, carboxy ester, carboxamido, acyl, acyloxy, mercapto, halogen, nitro, sulfate, phosphate, cyano and optionally protected hydroxy; or W and X, together with the nitrogen and carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated or unsaturated nitrogen containing heterocyclic group which may be optionally substituted or optionally fused to a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic group, aryl group or heterocyclic group is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the range of an object. A first image of at least a portion of the object viewed from a first position is generated. A second image of the portion viewed from a second position spaced apart from the first position is generated by calculation from the first image and the distance between the first and second position. It is assumed that all of the portion represented by the first image lies on a radius less than the distance to the object. A third image of the portion viewed from the second position is generated and the range determined by comparison of the first and third images.

Abstract: A system for information transmission having a plasma antenna, including an electrodeless plasma tube, and a power source effective to generate an electromagnetic field to cause ionization of material within the tube so as to form the antenna for one or both of either sending or receiving signals, wherein the electromagnetic field is applied to a portion only of the tube. The system preferably includes a terminal arranged about a base of the tube or establishing the electromagnetic field upon application of power from the power source, to induce surface wave ionization within the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing a variety of Lamellarin compounds and analogues via a synthetic intermediate, which methods involved the step of performing an intramolecular cyclization of a compound of Formula (I) to produce compounds of Formula(II), wherein the variables are given in the specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measurement of at least one of brightness, flow velocity and temperature of radiant media are provided. A substantially collimated beam of light having a selected frequency is directed to a linear polariser. The linearly polarised output is directed to an electro-optically active birefringent crystal to separate the output into two characteristic waves and to introduce a first fixed phase delay between the characteristic waves. The birefringent crystal is selectively electro-optically modulated to introduce a second variable phase delay between the characteristic waves and the characteristic waves are combined to interfere prior to detection.

Abstract: A system for generating an image of a space includes a camera having an image plane and a field of view. A reflective surface is positioned within the field of view of the camera and configured to reflect radiation from the space onto the image plane of the camera. The camera occludes radiation from being received at the reflective surface from an area of the space and the reflective surface is configured such that the occluded area is of substantially constant or decreasing area with increasing distance into the space.

Abstract: A set of oligonucleotide probes and method are disclosed for detecting a plurality of different target polynucleotides. The set includes a collection of different promiscuous probes each of which is capable of hybridizing to a target sequence shared between at least two of the target polynucleotides. At least one target polynucleotide comprises at least one target sequence that is shared with one or more other target polynucleotides. A predefined combination of promiscuous probes is capable of hybridizing to target sequences of said at least one target polynucleotide, wherein said predefined combination of probes provides specificity of detection of that target polynucleotide. Also disclosed are processes of identifying a set of target sequences for designing the set of oligonucleotide probes of the invention.

Abstract: A method for determining the ion channel activity of a substance comprises the steps of (i) expressing the substance as a heterologous protein in a host cell, and (ii) determining changes in permeability of the plasma membrane of the host cell induced by expression of the heterologous protein. A screening method for determining ion channel modulating activity of a test substance is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the purification of human platelet heparanase using chromatographic techniques is described. The method comprises detergent-aided solubilization of a heparanase-containing fraction followed by purification of the heparanase therefrom by concanavalin A, Zn2+-chelating Sepharose, a Blue A or Reactive Red matrix, octyl agarose and gel filtration chromatography. Heparanase so purified has a molecular mass (Mr) of about 50 kDa and degrades both heparin and heparan sulfates.

Abstract: A cell for forming a composite hard material and hard materials and methods of forming composite hard materials. A cell (10) in which the article is formed includes a talc outer sleeve (12), a glass sleeve (14) and a reflecting foil (22). A heater (18) is arranged inwardly of the foil (22) and a barrier layer (16) is arranged inwardly of the glass sleeve (14). A central column (20) is defined for receiving the charge of material (50) from which the hard composite material is to be formed.

Abstract: This invention concerns the detection of neural damage to the optic nerve, optic radiations and white matter of the visual brain indicative of various neurological disorders but with particular application to multiple sclerosis. The method involves simultaneous measurement of the shape and latency of responses to visual stimuli presented simultaneously in different parts of the visual field of the two eyes, separating out linear and nonlinear response components, and most particularly separating out binocular interaction responses to assess neural function within each half of the visual cortex. Because rough retino-topicity is maintained in the optic nerve, through the optic radiations and the visual cerebral cortex, stimulation of the separate parts of the visual field permits isolation of responses from different component parts of these neural elements and therefore from the results obtained an objective assessment of damage to these separate neural components can be made simultaneously.

Abstract: Powerful nanosecond-range lasers using low repetition rate pulsed laser deposition produce numerous macroscopic size particles and droplets, which embed in thin film coatings. This problem has been addressed by lowering the pulse energy, keeping the laser intensity optional for evaporation, so that significant numbers of the macroscopic particles and droplets are no longer present in the evaporated plume. The result is deposition of evaporated plume on a substrate to form thin film of very high surface quality. Preferably, the laser pulses have a repetition rate to produce a continuous flow of evaporated material at the substrate. Pulse-range is typically picosecond and femtosecond and repetition rate kilohertz to hundreds of megahertz.

Abstract: D-mannoside-6-phosphate compounds having anti-inflammatory activity are disclosed, and use thereof in treating inflammatory diseases, particularly cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the minimum film formation temperature of a latex are disclosed based upon the measurement of the conductivity of the latex as the temperature of the latex is varied. By plotting the latex's conductivity and temperature relationship, the minimum film formation temperature is determined.

Abstract: A method for the anticoagulant and/or antithrombotic treatment of a human or other warm-blooded animal patient in need of such treatment, comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of at least one sulfated oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide has the general formula I: R1—(Rx)n—R2   (I) wherein R1 and R2 and each Rx represents a monosaccharide unit, all of which may be the same or different, adjacent monosaccharide units being linked by 1→2, 1→3, 1→4 and/or 1→6 glycosidic bonds and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to genetic constructs which are useful in regulating the synthesis of malting enzymes in plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding gibberellin-regulated MYB polypeptides, for example the barley and rice GAMyb genetic sequences and transcriptionally-modulating parts and/or immunologically interactive parts thereof. The genetic sequences of the invention are introduced into plant cells, in particular monocotyledonous plant cells such as those derived from barley, wheat, maize, rye, rice or sorghum, where their expression in either the sense or antisense orientation modulates the expression of hydrolytic malting enzymes which are normally regulated by GAMYB polypeptides. The genetic sequences of the invention are therefore useful in the production of plants with altered malting properties.