Abstract: Methods and devices to identify contact lens wearers predisposed to contact lens discomfort are described. The methods and devices involve obtaining a tear film sample from a person and determining an amount of interleukin-17A present in the tear film sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosis and therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods and kits for the treatment of respiratory disease. In particular, the compositions, methods and kits are particularly useful, but not limited to, the treatment or prevention of exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a respiratory disease in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of casein kinase 1, thereby treating or preventing a respiratory disease in a subject. The present invention also provides a method of treating or preventing a respiratory disease in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of ALK5, thereby treating or preventing a respiratory disease in a subject, wherein the inhibitor is administered directly to the airway and/or lungs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved complexes of amorphous calcium phosphate and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate stabilised by phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins by addition of stannous ions. These complexes have anticariogenic properties useful to protect tooth structures as they remineralize (repair) early stages of dental caries and have other dental/medical applications (including anti-calculus, anti-erosion/corrosion and anti-dentinal hypersensitivity). Methods of making the complexes of the invention and of treatment or prevention of various dental conditions including dental caries, dental calculus, dental erosion/corrosion and dental hypersensitivity are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a carrier member, one or more operative components disposed in the carrier member, an optical fiber at least partly disposed in the carrier member, and at least one fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor array associated with the optical fiber and disposed in the carrier member. The carrier member includes an insertion end and side walls that contact the subject's body during positioning of the carrier member in the subject's body. The at least one FBG sensor array measures contact forces at one or both of the insertion end and along the side walls of the carrier member during positioning of the carrier member in the subject's body. A multi-core optical fiber configured for use in a medical device for positioning in a subject's body is also provided. A system and method for guiding positioning of a medical device in a subject's body is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predicting surface failure of a surface, for example a method comprising the steps of: obtaining a group of measured datasets, each including: a measurement value of at least a first type for each of a plurality of grid elements, each grid element associated with a location on the surface; and a time value, such that the group of datasets includes datasets associated with a plurality of unique time values, identifying an interface set of grid elements for each measured dataset, each interface set comprising grid elements of the associated measured dataset meeting a connection threshold according to a connection rule in dependence on the measurement values of the grid elements, determining a risk of surface failure in accordance with identification of a pattern of grid elements of the interface set which has a persistent location with respect to the surface of interface sets over a plurality of measured datasets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a compound that is capable of increasing or maintaining the pH of a solution and a mineralizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for use in preventing infection with at least one type of influenza virus, including the use of peptides or compositions comprising a peptide comprising, consisting or consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence selected from the group of sequences as shown in SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 53, or functional derivatives or homologues thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface including providing a composition including stabilized ACP and a source of fluoride ions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hydrogels composition comprising protist cells. In particular, the present disclosure relates to hydrogel compositions which may be used to encapsulate or suspend ciliated protist cells, and methods of preparing the same. The present disclosure further relates to methods of infecting molluscs with a ciliated protist cell, and methods and compositions for stabilising ciliated protist cells.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the devices. The media can include tissue and/or fluid. A method of controlling an apparatus in communication with a brain machine interface. The method can include measuring a first neural activity in a first neural area and measuring a second neural activity in a second neural area. The first neural activity can be associated with a first intent. The method can include creating and delivering, via the processor, one or more first control signals to the apparatus upon comparing the second neural activity with the first neural activity, and confirming, based on this comparison, that the second neural activity is associated with the first intent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the proline rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene, and the identification of mutations and variations in PRRT2 that give rise to seizure and movement disorders. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of such disorders by identifying alterations in the PRRT2 gene. Identification of alterations in the PRRT2 gene also enables the identification of subjects with an increased likelihood of having an offspring predisposed to such disorders. The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an alteration in the PRRT2 gene, wherein said alteration produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype. Also provided is an isolated PRRT2 polypeptide that comprises an alteration which produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the devices. The media can include tissue and/or fluid. A method of controlling an apparatus in communication with a brain machine interface. The method can include measuring a first neural activity in a first neural area and measuring a second neural activity in a second neural area. The first neural activity can be associated with a first intent. The method can include creating and delivering, via the processor, one or more first control signals to the apparatus upon comparing the second neural activity with the first neural activity, and confirming, based on this comparison, that the second neural activity is associated with the first intent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for inhibiting activation of ?? T cells that express a V?9+ TCR in a subject by administering a BTN2A1 antagonist to a subject as well as methods for inducing or enhancing ?? T cells that express a V?9+ TCR in a subject by administering a BTN2A1 antagonist to a subject. The disclosure additionally relates to BTN2A1 antagonists and BTN2A1 agonists.

Abstract: A method for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (“DED”) in a human or animal subject is provided. Thread thinning dynamics of a tear sample of the subject are determined using an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument. At least one physical parameter value of the tear sample is calculated based at least in part on the determined thread thinning dynamics. DED is evaluated based at least in part on the at least one calculated physical parameter value of the tear sample. A device for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (DED) in a human or animal subject is also provided. The device includes an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument and a processing device configured to evaluate DED based at least in part on the calculated at least one physical parameter value of the tear sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating an auditory disorder. In particular, the present invention relates to treating an auditory disorder using supraparticles comprising a therapeutic payload.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and uses for reducing the visibility of hypomineralised dental surfaces or subsurfaces, in particular in dental enamel. In one aspect, the invention involves a method of reducing visibility of a hypomineralised dental surface or subsurface, the method comprising (i) contacting the hypomineralised dental surface or subsurface with a liquid composition comprising at least 40% w/v of phosphopeptide (PP)-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP) at a pH of less than or equal to pH 6; and (ii) subsequently to (i), raising the pH of the liquid composition applied to the hypomineralised dental surface or subsurface to equal to, or greater than, about 9, thereby forming a gel in and/or on the hypomineralised dental surface or subsurface, thereby reducing visibility of a hypomineralised dental surface or subsurface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a compound that is capable of increasing or maintaining the pH of a solution and a mineralizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for uses including mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by various means including dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of mineralizing a dental surface or sub-surface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP), and simultaneously or subsequently, heating the dental surface or subsurface to which the stabilized ACP and/or ACFP has been, or is being, applied to a temperature greater than 37° C.

Abstract: A method of spatially deriving soil moisture at a selected location within an irrigation district to be irrigated. The method includes using system identification techniques to produce an algorithm for evapotranspiration based on a predetermined selection from the following measured parameters: solar radiation spectrum, wind speed, temperature, humidity, crop factor, soil type, barometric pressure, irrigation historical data, and energy measurement from solar panels at each of a plurality of representative locations; calibrating the algorithm by direct measurement of the moisture in the soil at each of the representative locations by respective soil moisture sensors; and using measured parameters of rainfall, soil type, irrigation historical data and crop factor with the algorithm to derive or interpolate soil moisture at the selected location within the irrigation district.