Abstract: The present invention concerns compounds derived from the anaethetic propofol. The compounds may be useful in the treatment of pain, particularly, but not exclusively, chronic pain and central pain sensitisation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which activate the p53 response, and find use in, for example, hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer treatment and potentially other diseases/conditions (involving sirtuin function).

Abstract: The present invention provides glucoimidazole derivatives and methods of making them. The compounds can be used to inhibit the activity of O-GlcNAcase enzymes, including both bacterial OGA (bOGA) and human OGA (hOGA) and can be selective, showing low inhibition of hexosaminidases. The compounds can be used to study the role of the O-GlcNAcase modification in human or animal cells. Furthermore the compounds can have therapeutic uses in the treatment of diseases mediated by the activity of O-GlcNAcase enzymes including type II diabetes, Alzheimers Disease, and cancer.

Abstract: A system for arranging searchable items, such as digital images or multimedia icons for presentation on a graphical user interface. The system has an optimizer module which minimises a cost function for arranging items in a layout space and is applied to one or more predetermined characteristics of the items. The optimizer module also creates a mixture distribution by considering each item as having a spatial distribution in the layout space and controls the entropy of the mixture distribution in order to maximise the extent to which each item occupies a separate position in the layout space. A Renderer module then renders the layouts to generate a display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device for medical purposes having a carrier arm on whose distal end at least one medical instrument can be secured and having at least one joint for positioning the carrier arm and/or the medical instrument, wherein the at least one joint can be transferred between a position that releases the joint and a position that blocks the joint and wherein the at least one joint is coupled with a touch sensor for actuating the joint. To produce a holding device for medical purposes that ensures simple construction, simple handling, and reliable positionability, it is proposed with the invention that the sensor should be coupled with the medical instrument mounted on the distal end of the carrier arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents capable of binding sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-9 (Siglec-9) and their use in the treatment of cell proliferation and differentiation disorders. Furthermore, the present invention provides associated pharmaceutical formulations and methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating particles. The apparatus comprising an ultrasound source for providing a variable ultrasound signal within a region of interest, and a controller connected to the ultrasound source such that it provides a control signal to the ultrasound source. The variable ultrasound signal creates a pressure field within the region of interest, the shape and/or position of which can be altered by changing the control signal input to the ultrasound source such that a particle within the region of interest will move in response to changes in the pressure field.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer array and method of making an ultrasonic transducer array. The array comprising a plurality of individual array elements made from a piezoelectric composite which is made from a plurality of individual piezoelectric segments; a passive filler between the piezoelectric segments; and, one or more electrodes for driving the array elements formed from the piezoelectric segments; wherein the spatial pattern of the piezoelectric segments of the piezoelectric composite defines one or more non-linear, irregular channels which separate the piezoelectric segments thereby minimising interaction between the individual array elements and minimising spurious modes in the ultrasound transducer array.

Abstract: A system and a method for speech generation which assist the speech of those with a disability or a medical condition such as cerebral palsy, motor neurone disease or a dysarthia following a stroke. The system has a user interface having a multiplicity of states each of which correspond to a sound and a selector for making a selection of a state or a combination of states. The system also has a processor for processing the selected state or combination of states and an audio output for outputting the sound or combination of sounds. The sounds associated with the states can be phonemes or phonics and the user interface is typically a manually operable device such as a mouse, trackball, joystick or other device that allows a user to distinguish between states by manipulating the interface to a number of positions.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasound transducer array connected to a planar electronic component, the planar electronic component having one or more through hole adapted to receive a conducting element to provide an electrical connection which extends through the planar electronic component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the prevention/treatment of ichthyosis vulgaris (IV), atopy and potentially other disorders associated with loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene sequence. The prevention/therapy is based on the use of agents which enable the host's translational machinery to read through a nonsense mutation found in a mutant allele of the filaggrin gene.

Abstract: A medical instrument for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ in the human or animal body, comprises an elongated shaft having a distal portion introducible into the body, and at least one working element arranged at a distal end portion of the shaft for manipulating the tissue or organ. The at least one working element comprises at least one magnetically acting element producing a magnetic field for manipulating the tissue or organ. A method for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ uses the instrument.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel compounds for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of cancers and other proliferative conditions that are for example characterized by cells that express cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and allelic variants thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds for use in medical therapy, for example in the treatment of prophylaxis of cancers or other proliferative conditions, as well as methods for treating cancers or other conditions in human or non-human animal patients. Provided are methods for identifying novel compounds for use in the treatment of prophylaxis of cancers and other proliferative conditions that are for example characterized by cells that express CYP1B1 and allelic variants thereof. Finally, provided is a method for determining the efficacy of a compound as described herein in treating cancer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel compounds for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of cancers and other proliferative conditions that are for example characterized by cells that express cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and allelic variants thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds for use in medical therapy, for example in the treatment of prophylaxis of cancers or other proliferative conditions, as well as methods for treating cancers or other conditions in human or non-human animal patients. Provided are methods for identifying novel compounds for use in the treatment of prophylaxis of cancers and other proliferative conditions that are for example characterized by cells that express CYP1B1 and allelic variants thereof. Finally, provided is a method for determining the efficacy of a compound as described herein in treating cancer.

Abstract: A surgical tissue anchor comprising a plurality of jaws suitable for clamping onto tissue, clamp component(s) operable to bias the jaws in a closed position and attachment structure operable for attachment of the anchor to one or more tethers for retracting the clamped tissue. The one or more tethers are guided to the desired region using a surgical guide.

Abstract: This invention relates to coating a surface wherein the coated surface inhibits foulants such as cell and/or protein and/or prion adhesion or formation. In particular, the coated surface may be part of a medical device which inhibits bacterial adhesion and colonisation, thrombus formation and/or prion, blood protein and/or protein formation.

Abstract: The described invention relates to compounds which modulate cell migration, and find use in, for example, wound healing, cancer progression and angiogenesis.

Abstract: A shaft rotating device for rotating a shaft of a medical instrument about its longitudinal axis relative to a handle of the medical instrument comprises an operating element for rotating the shaft. The operating element is arranged at a proximal portion of the shaft and it is in driving connection with the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable relative to the handle against frictional forces. The shaft rotating device further comprises a frictional element with a surface. The surface of the frictional element is in frictional contact with the surface of a counterpart for keeping the shaft and the handle rotationally stationary with respect to each other and movable against the frictional forces. The operating element and the frictional element are in operational connection with respect to one another such that a torque applied to the operating element decreases the frictional forces.

Abstract: A method for improving the development and/or review of a computer program. The method comprises the steps of: adapting one or more design side components of the computer program to send and receive information on changes that occur therein; adapting one or more code side components of the computer program to send and receive information on changes that occur therein; synchronising design side components and code side components by conveying details of a change in a design side component to one or more corresponding code side components and to one or more corresponding design side components to update the contents of said components and by conveying details of a change in a code side component to one or more corresponding design side components and one or more corresponding code side components to update the contents of said components.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of cancers and other proliferative conditions that are for example characterized by cells that express cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and allelic variants thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds for use in medical therapy, for example in the treatment of prophylaxis of cancers or other proliferative conditions, as well as methods for treating cancers or other conditions in human or non-human animal patients. The invention also provides methods for identifying novel compounds for use in the treatment of prophylaxis of cancers and other proliferative conditions that are for example characterized by cells that express CYP1 B1 and allelic variants thereof. The invention also provides a method for determining the efficacy of a compound of the invention in treating cancer.