Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The process comprises the steps of: forming a silicon and optionally carbon-containing calcium phosphate precipitate by an aqueous precipitation method involving preparing an aqueous solution comprising phosphate ions, silicate ions, calcium ions and optionally carbonate ions, wherein the ratio of Ca/P and of Ca/(P+Si) in the solution is maintained above approximately 1.67; and heating the precipitate in an atmosphere comprising carbon and oxygen to form a silicate and carbonate co-substituted calcium phosphate material. The present invention also provides a synthetic carbonate and silicate co-substituted hydroxyapatite material, as well as a biomedical material.

Abstract: There is described a method of isolating nucleotide sequences encoding target peptides from DNA libraries using DNA binding proteins to link the peptide to the sequence which encodes it. DNA libraries are prepared from cells encoding the protein of interest, or from synthetic DNA, and inserted into, or adjacent to, a DNA binding protein in an expression vector to create a chimeric fusion protein. Incorporation of the vector DNA into a carrier package, during expression of the chimeric fusion protein, results in the production of a peptide display carrier package (PDCP) displaying the DNA-bound fusion protein on the external surface of the carrier package. Employment of affinity purification techniques results in the PDCP particles containing sequences encoding the desired peptide to be selected and the desired nucleotide sequences obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of a bioceramic composition comprising calcium phosphosilicate (CPS, Ca10(PO4)4(SiO4)2), the process comprising: providing calcium or a calcium-containing compound, a phosphorus-containing compound and a silicon-containing compound; and forming a precipitate by reacting the compounds in an aqueous phase at an alkali pH.

Abstract: The present invention concerns apparatus for the detection and/or assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders of a user, the apparatus comprising: control means for providing a goal-orientated task to a display, said task being formulated to elicit a movement from a user in response to said task; input means via which a user can input a response to said task; wherein said control means records a user's response as multi-dimensional input data, which can be used to profile the user for the presence or absence of a neurodevelopmental disorder, the task being specifically formulated such that indicative characteristics of a user's movement over time can be identified by said multi-dimensional input data.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods relating to antibodies specific for a soluble form of CTLA-4 (sCLTA-4). Such antibodies have been shown to have a strong boosting effect on antigen-specific human immune responses.

Abstract: An inorganic silicate-substituted calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite, useful as a biomaterial, has a Ca/P molar ratio in the range 2.05 to 2.55 and a Ca/(P+Si) molar ratio less than 1.66. The hydroxyapatite can be substantially free of carbonate ions. The material has relatively high solubility and is able to release silicon into solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling apparatus comprising a drill-bit (1) capable of rotary and high frequency oscillatory loading; and control means for controlling applied rotational and/or oscillatory loading of the drill-bit, the control means having adjustment means for varying the applied rotational and/or oscillatory loading, said adjustment means being responsive to conditions of the material through which the drill is passing. The control means is in use provided on the apparatus in a downhole location and includes sensors for taking downhole measurements of material characteristics, whereby the apparatus is operable downhole under closed loop real-time control. The apparatus can determine appropriate loading parameters for the drill-bit in order to achieve and maintain resonance between the drill-bit and the drilled material in contact therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for treating diseases associated with autoantibodies specific for platelet proteins, in particular autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. The composition, comprising an epitope of a platelet protein, treats diseases by tolerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling apparatus comprising a drill-bit (1) capable of rotary and high frequency oscillatory loading; and control means for controlling applied rotational and/or oscillatory loading of the drill-bit, the control means having adjustment means for varying the applied rotational and/or oscillatory loading, said adjustment means being responsive to conditions of the material through which the drill is passing. The control means is in use provided on the apparatus in a downhole location and includes sensors for taking downhole measurements of material characteristics, whereby the apparatus is operable downhole under closed loop real-time control. The apparatus can determine appropriate loading parameters for the drill-bit in order to achieve and maintain resonance between the drill-bit and the drilled material in contact therewith.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic rodents, particularly mice, expressing truncated versions of the Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) gene and showing Schizophrenia-related neural and behavioral phenotypes. The rodents of the invention have (1) a plurality of copies of a heterologous truncated Disc1 genomic DNA sequence which includes at least 1 stop codon after exon 8 such as to encode a Disc1 polypeptide truncated before exon 9; (2) 2 copies of endogenous Disc1 genomic DNA sequence encoding full length Disc1 polypeptide. Also provided are related materials and methods.

Abstract: A method of producing a di-substituted pyridinium polymer by microwave-assisted polymerisation of a 2, 3, or 4-substituted pyridine monomer of the formula NC5R4—R?—X, wherein R is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and alkenyl groups, R? is a linking group, and X is a leaving group. Using this method, di-substituted pyridinium polymer compositions may be obtained wherein at least 50% of the di- substituted pyridinium polymer chains in the composition have the same degree of polymerisation.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods relating to antibodies specific for the soluble form of CTLA-4 (sCT-LA-4). Such antibodies have been shown to have a strong boosting effect on antigen-specific human immune responses.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter circuit (20) is provided for transferring power between low voltage terminals and high voltage terminals. The circuit comprises an inductor (Lr) and a capacitor (Cr) provided across the low voltage terminals, the capacitor being provided in parallel with the high voltage terminals. The circuit further comprises a plurality of switches (T1 to T4) for switching the polarity of the capacitor in the circuit, and a controller for controlling the switching of the capacitor to repeatedly switch the polarity of the capacitor at a switching frequency f, such that, in use, and other than at the instant of switching, the switched capacitor produces an increasing voltage at the high voltage side of the inductor. A connection device (D2) is provided for repeatedly connecting the high voltage terminals to the switched capacitor at substantially the switching frequency f to enable current flow between the switched capacitor and the high voltage terminals.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter (130) for transferring power between low voltage terminals (26) and high voltage terminals (28). The converter comprises a low voltage circuit (132) connectable to the low voltage terminals (26), a high voltage circuit (134) connectable to the high voltage terminals (28); and at least one capacitor (Cr) common to the low and high voltage circuits. Each of the circuits comprises an inductor (L1/L2) and switches (T1-T4/T5-T6) arranged to connect the capacitor(s) in series with the respective inductor, with alternating polarity, to form a resonant LC connection across the respective voltage terminals. The switches in each circuit include at least one set of switches (T1,T2/T5,T6) which, when actuated, allow current flow at the respective voltage terminals in a first direction; and the switches in at least one of the circuits include a further set of switches (T3, T4/T7,T8), which, when actuated, allow current flow at the respective voltage terminals in a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides specific binding members that bind synaptophysin and which comprise: an antibody VH domain selected from the group consisting of the C1-3 VH domain (SEQ ID NO. 2) and a VH domain comprising a VH CDR3 with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 12 and optionally one or more VH CDR's with an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO. 10 and SEQ ID NO. 11; and/or an antibody VL domain selected from the group consisting of the C1-3 VL domain (SEQ ID NO. 4) and a VL domain comprising one or more VL CDR's with an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO. 13, SEQ ID NO. 14 and SEQ ID NO. 15. The invention further provides related materials such as nucleic acids, kits and compositions, and also methods of use of the binding member, for instance in targeting entities to hepatic stellate cells which are implicated in liver fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to compounds of the following formula (wherein RP, r, q, RN, Ralk, and Q are as defined herein) and compositions comprising those compounds. The compounds may be used to inhibit osteoclast survival, formation, and/or activity; to inhibit conditions mediated by osteoclasts and/or characterised by bone resorption; in the treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer associated bone disease, Paget's disease; and/or in the treatment of conditions associated with inflammation or activation of the immune system.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of a bioceramic composition comprising calcium phosphosilicate (CPS, Ca10(PO4)4(SiO4)2), the process comprising: providing calcium or a calcium-containing compound, a phosphorus-containing compound and a silicon-containing compound; and forming a precipitate by reacting the compounds in an aqueous phase at an alkali pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides specific binding members that bind synaptophysin and which comprise: an antibody VH domain selected from the group consisting of the C1-3 VH domain (SEQ ID NO. 2) and a VH domain comprising a VH CDR3 with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 12 and optionally one or more VH CDR's with an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO. 10 and SEQ ID NO. 11; and/or an antibody VL domain selected front the group consisting of the C1-3 VL domain (SEQ ID NO. 4) and a VL domain comprising one or more VL CDR's with an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO. 13, SEQ ID NO. 14 and SEQ ID NO. 15. The invention further provides related materials such as nucleic acids, kits and compositions, and also methods of use of the binding member, for instance in targeting entities to hepatic stellate cells which are implicated it liver fibrosis.

Abstract: A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprise a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca10?yGdy(PO4)6?x(SiO4)x(OH)2?z+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

Abstract: An implantable replacement joint includes first and second components having respective bores, and a flexible member within a cavity formed by the respective bores.