Abstract: The invention generally provides compositions and methods that promote wound healing. Such compositions comprise isolated L. sericata polypeptides having serine protease activity. Desirably, the serine protease degrades fibronectin. The invention further provides biologically active fragments of fibronectin that promote wound healing that are the degradation products of incubation with ES.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator is detailed. The precipitator includes a conduit for the passage of particles in an air flow and a generator of an electrostatic field substantially orthogonal to the air flow, and an ion supply, capable of charging the particles, in which the generator includes a point electrode and a two dimensional surface electrode. The plane surface electrode includes an ion source and the point electrode includes a counter electrode and the counter electrode is earthed.

Abstract: A polycationic carbohydrate such as chitosan, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, are used as immunostimulants. Vaccine compositions containing these polycationic carbohydrates, in particular in particles such as microparticles or liposomes are also described and claimed. Methods of treatment and the use of the polycationic carbohydrates as immunostimulants in the production of vaccines are further aspects described and claimed.

Abstract: Apparel suitable for providing protection against noxious agents, wherein the apparel comprises a laminate material that provides a substantially effective barrier against the noxious agents. It is preferred that the laminate material comprises two or more layers, at least one of which is a barrier layer that is a substantially effective barrier against the noxious agents and at least one of which is a protective layer that protects the at least one barrier layer.

Abstract: A method, suitable for stand off analysis of a sample (2), comprising: (i) using an excitation means (6) to vaporise the sample (2) thereby producing a vapour plume (10) of molecular species; and (ii) using an analytical means (12) to analyse molecular species within the vapour plume (10) wherein the analytical means (12) analyses the molecular emission spectra of the vapour plume (10). The invention also relates to a kit and an apparatus for use with the same.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for carrying out a thermal cycling reaction, wherein a succession of samples is conveyed through a series of sequentially arranged temperature control sites, each of the sites comprising means for supplying an electric current to, or inducing an electric current in, sample-containing vessels passing through it so as to induce temperature changes in the samples. Also provided is a sample support and its production, the support comprising a succession of sample vessels arranged sequentially one behind the next, preferably in the form of a linked chain, the support comprising an electrically conducting, preferably plastics, material which heats when an electric current passes through it.

Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for carrying out a thermal cycling reaction, wherein a succession of samples is conveyed through a series of sequentially arranged temperature control sites, each of the sites comprising means for supplying an electric current to, or inducing an electric current in, sample-containing vessels passing through it so as to induce temperature changes in the samples. Also provided is a sample support and its production, the support comprising a succession of sample vessels arranged sequentially one behind the next, preferably in the form of a linked chain, the support comprising an electrically conducting, preferably plastics, material which beats when an electric current passes through it.

Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the temperature of a biochemical reaction such as an amplification reaction is described. The method comprises effecting the reaction in the presence of a fluorescently labeled temperature probe DNA sequence which comprises a double stranded region which denatures at a predetermined temperature, the fluorescent label of said temperature probe sequence being arranged so that a detectable signal occurs at the point at which denaturation of said region takes places; and monitoring fluorescence from said reaction mixture so as to determine when said predetermined temperature has been reached.

Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents.

Abstract: I Embodiments of the present invention relate to a modulation system in which an m-level, m>2, digital subcarrier is used to modulate a signal.

Abstract: An isolated protein, for use in treatment of wounds, is characterized in that it is secreted by the organism Lucilia sericata and it exhibits proteolytic activity against FITC-casein at a pH of 8.0 to 8.5. The protein exhibits proteolytic activity against Tosyl-Gly-Pro-Arg-AMC but not against Suc-Ala-Ala-Phe-AMC, and its proteolytic activity against FITC-casein and Tosyl-Gly-Pro-Arg-AMC is inhibited by the serine proteinase inhibitors PMSF and AMPSF. The protein is also bound by immobilized aminobenzamidine.

Abstract: Detailed is radar imaging apparatus including a single transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna, scanning apparatus (e.g. a pantograph) for mechanically scanning the antennas over a surface of interest, position providing apparatus (e.g. a computer driving the pantograph via an X-Y drive and a stepper motor) providing a position signal indicative of the instantaneous position of the transceiver and a control system for operating the transmit antenna in a stepped frequency continuous wave mode. The amplitude and phase components of the receive antenna signal are analysed and the output combined with the position signal as in a synthetic aperture array to provide a radar image signal of the surface and underlying features. The scan is two-dimensional (random or boustrophedral).

Abstract: A method of determining the length of a particular region within a nucleic acid, the method comprising a) subjecting a sample of the nucleic acid to a plurality of amplification reactions in which the region is amplified, wherein the time of the extension phase in each of the reactions is varied; b) monitoring the progress of the amplification reactions; c) determining the minimum time during which extension phase of the amplification is completed within each reaction mixture and relating that to the length of the sequence undergoing extension. The method, combined with melting point analysis, will allow percentage GC content of a sequence to be determined. Length analysis of this type can be used in diagnosis or analysis as well as in recombinant DNA technology to check for the presence of concatamers, and in taxonomic classification or forensics. Apparatus for use in the method is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining data for use by a receiver of a satellite positioning system or a GNSS comprises deriving the data remotely from the receiver by a server (200), using meteorological information and a regional or global three dimensional map of grid points from which it computes tropospherical delays by ray tracing through the refractivity field derived from atmospheric measurements of pressure, temperature and water data content, such measurements being available from meteorological bodies. When used to enhance position determined by a user receiver that includes a non-meteorological, climate based model (130) giving zenith delays and means (130?) to map them to particular inclinations, the server also includes a copy of such non-meteorological model (230) and provides its ray traced delay values as zenith delays.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a human hookworm strain is provided by infecting a non-human primate with a non-adapted or non-passaged human hookworm and maintaining the non-human primate. Methods of obtaining human hookworm materials and compositions, such as for use as a vaccine, are also provided, along with a model for maintaining and investigating human hookworm.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for imaging an object (4) on the remote side of a barrier (6). The apparatus has source means (2) for scanning the object (4) through the barrier (6) with radiation and mask means (8) having at a least one radiation transparent area wherein the radiation from the source is masked thereby to project on to the object (4) at least one scanning beam of radiation. The apparatus (1) also has detector means (10) for detecting radiation reflected from any scanned point on the object (4) and image generation means for generating an image of the object (4) from the detected radiation.

Abstract: A respirator (1) having a plurality of internal masks (2, 3) within an external mask (4), the inner masks (2, 3) being linked by ducts (8, 9) so as to direct the inhaled air from the outside of the mask to the oronasal area via an ocular mask. The oronasal mask (3) has a secondary valve (12) that is sprung so as to operate within the timeframe of the exhalation part of the breathing cycle, the exhaled air being ejected into the hollow outer body of the mask (4).