Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of agents (including heparin derivatives) for the prevention and/or treatment of CNS damage.

Abstract: The Invention relates to materials and methods for the treatment of conditions associated with bacterial biofilms, intracellular bacterial infections and/or adherent-invasive Escherichia coli infections, including Crohns' disease. In particular, the invention relates to the use of colicins and bacteria producing colicins, for the treatment of such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, improved compositions and methods for the treatment of tissue damage (e.g., acute or chronic) and related diseases, disorders or conditions based on the use of pathfinder cells, extracellular secretomes thereof, and/or pathfinder cell-associated microRNAs. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for treating tissue damage (e.g., acute or chronic) comprising a step of administering a population of cells to an individual suffering from a disease, disorder or condition characterized by acute damage to one or more tissues, wherein the cells are originated from an adult tissue and wherein the cells induce tissue repair, regeneration, remodeling, reconstitution or differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing pulmonary arterial hypertension in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject an inhibitor of miR-145 expression or activity. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising miR-145 inhibitors for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses BTV and ASHV vaccines or compositions and methods of producing recombinant reassortant BTV and ASHV vectors and methods of vaccination against BTV and ASHV.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials for use in increasing HSP20 activation in a biological system, for example by increasing phosphorylation of Ser16 of HSP20. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for increasing HSP20 activation in a biological system, comprising contacting the system with an antagonist capable of inhibiting PDE4 binding to HSP20, the antagonist comprising or consisting essentially of a fragment of PDE4 or an analogue thereof. In a further aspect the invention provides a method of screening for an agent able to increase activation of HSP20. A preferred antagonist has a C-terminal lysine residue.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions based on microvesicles for the treatment of various diseases, disorders and conditions. In particular, the present invention encompasses the recognition that microvesicles contain specific microRNAs which may function as intercellular regulators involved in cell or tissue regeneration, remodeling, reconstruction, reprogramming or transdifferentiation. Thus, among other things, the present invention provides methods and compositions based on microvesicles and/or associated microRNAs that provide more predictable and effective therapeutic results.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lactate difference imaging (LDI) technique, allowing assessment of the metabolic responses of tissue over a period of time. This approach utilises lactate change over a time period as an indicator of viable tissue, and offers benefits in the management and treatment of the effects of many common diseases, in particular stroke.

Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus comprises a first, powered electrode and a second electrode structure located in front of the first electrode. An insulating layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode structure. The second electrode structure has a plurality of second electrode portions defining gap portions therebetween. The width of the gap portions is w. The second electrode portions each have a forward surface and the gap portions each having a forward surface, the height difference between the forward surface of each second electrode portion and the forward surfaces of the adjacent gap portions being h, and wherein h is at most 1 mm and the ratio w/h is at least 1. Thus, the forward surfaces of the second electrode portions and the forward surfaces of the gap portions together provide a smooth topography. The plasma generated by the apparatus (in air or other oxygen-containing gas) forms ozone, which can be used to treat foodstuffs, for example.

Abstract: A fluidics apparatus is disclosed for manipulation of at least one fluid sample, typically in the form of a droplet. The apparatus has a substrate surface with a sample manipulation zone for location of the fluid sample. A transducer arrangement such as an interdigitated electrode structure on a piezoelectric body provides surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface for manipulation of the fluid sample. The substrate surface has an arrangement of surface acoustic wave scattering elements forming a phononic crystal structure for affecting the transmission, distribution and/or behaviour of surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface. Also disclosed is a method for lysing a cell. In this method, the cell is comprised in a fluid sample contacting a substrate surface, the method comprising providing surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface, such that the cell lyses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphodiesterase 4D7 (PDE4D7) for use as a marker for malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, wherein the expression of the marker is increased when comparing the expression in malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer tissue, to the expression in normal tissue or benign prostate tumor tissue, and the use of PDE4D7 as a diagnostic marker for malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The present invention also relates to a composition for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, a corresponding detection method, a method allowing to discriminate between a benign and malignant hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and a method of data acquisition, as well as corresponding immunoassays. The present invention also relates to a method of identifying an individual for eligibility for malignant, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer as well as an immunoassay for stratifying an individual with such prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) for use as a marker for prostate cancer, and the use of PDE9A as a marker for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer. The present invention also relates to a composition for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer, a corresponding method and immunoassay, a method for diagnosing, monitoring or prognosticating hormone-resistant prostate cancer vs. hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, a corresponding immunoassay, a method of data acquisition, an immunoassay for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer, a method of identifying an individual for eligibility for prostate cancer therapy, an immunoassay for stratifying an individual or cohort of individuals with a prostate cancer disease, an immunoassay for stratifying an individual with prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphodiesterase 4D7 (PDE4D7) for use as a marker for prostate cancer, and the use of PDE4D7 as a marker for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer. The present invention also relates to a composition for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer, a corresponding method and immunoassay, a method for diagnosing, monitoring or prognosticating hormone-resistant prostate cancer vs.

Abstract: A device for performing cell assays has at least one assay site. The site comprises a pair of stimulating electrodes and a cell confinement cavity for confining at least one cell in an extracellular fluid medium. The cell confinement cavity and the stimulating electrodes are arranged so that, in use, each cell is exposable to an electrical field generated by a potential difference applied across the stimulating electrodes. The stimulating electrodes are spaced a distance apart such that the potential difference can induce field stimulation of each cell and simultaneously be below the level that would result in electrolysis of the extracellular fluid medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and methods for detecting interactions between lipid complexes and lipid binding agents. More specifically, the invention provides materials and methods for displaying lipid complexes, particularly those containing two or more different lipid molecules, on a hydrophobic surface so as to mimic their in vivo environment more closely than in other analytical methods. This allows more accurate detection of lipid complexes and even identification of lipid complexes which are not detected by other methods. The invention lends itself particularly well to array or microarray formats.

Abstract: Various uses of visible light interference patterns are provided. Suitable interference patterns are those formed by diffraction from patterns of apertures. Typical uses disclosed herein relate to spatial metrology, such as a translational and/or angular position determination system. Further uses include the analysis of properties of the light itself (such as the determination of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation). Still further uses include the analysis of one or more properties (e.g. refractive index) of the matter through which the light passes. Part of the interference pattern is captured at a pixellated detector, such as a CCD chip, and the captured pattern compared with a calculated pattern. Very precise measurements of the spacing between maxima is possible, thus allowing very precise measurements of position of the detector in the interference pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a novel cell population that can be used for tissue regeneration and the treatment of disease states associated with cell degeneration for age related tissue changes. The cell population are derived from adult stem/progenitor cells which are characterised by being positive or negative to the Thy1.1 cell marker.

Abstract: Disclosed are new classes of phenanthridinium derivatives, most notably dihydro-imidazo-phenanthridinium (DIP) compounds. The compounds are prepared by the reaction of the middle b ring of a phenanthridinium core with primary amines to form the DIP compounds. This reaction can also be applied to other classes of starting compounds which comprise a 6-membered ring aromatic heterocycle having a ring nitrogen and at least one alpha hydrogen atom which can be reacted with a primary amine. Also disclosed is a method of using the DIP compounds for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based optoelectronic device such as a solar cell has an n-type layer and a p-type layer, together forming a p-n junction. Contact regions are formed on the device, with light-receiving regions between contact regions. A window layer is formed over the n-type layer or the p-type layer at the light-receiving region, the window layer promoting reduced carrier recombination at the surface of the n-type or p-type layer, and/or reflection of minority carriers in the n-type or p-type layer towards the p-n junction. The device has a window protection layer formed over the window layer, the window protection layer providing protection from degradation of the window layer during manufacture and/or operation of the device. For GaAs-based devices the window layer may be Al0.9Ga0.1As and the window protection layer may be GaAs. Additionally, an AlAs etch stop layer may be provided over the window protection layer.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods relating to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomers. Complexes of two or more GPCRs associated with G-proteins are provided. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising a GPCR and a G-protein, nucleic acids, expression vectors and host cells. Methods of producing the complexes and fusion proteins of the invention are also provided.