Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, products and systems for the prognosis of subjects suffering from multiple myeloma. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of prognosis for a subject suffering from multiple myeloma. The method comprises determining the level of desmoglein 2 (DSG2) in malignant plasma cells from the subject, wherein an increased level of DSG2 in the plasma cells is indicative of a poorer prognosis for the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biological marker of ovarian cancer, including early stage ovarian cancer. Specifically, the present invention provides methods for detecting ovarian cancer in a subject which include detecting an expression level of the biological marker junction plakoglobin in blood of the subject. An expression level of junction plakoglobin that is higher than a reference expression level for junction plakoglobin indicates that the subject has ovarian cancer. Methods of identifying a subject having ovarian cancer and methods of determining if a subject is susceptible to developing ovarian cancer are also provided based on detecting the expression level of junction plakoglobin in blood of the subject. The present invention also extends to methods of treatment of ovarian cancer together with methods of screening a candidate therapeutic agent for use in treating ovarian cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bacterial inoculants, and methods for their use, to control a fungal root disease in a plant and promote plant growth in water limited conditions. In particular strains of Paenibacillus and Streptomyces are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of potentiating chemotherapy or radiotherapy are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to a subject in need of chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic treatment an effective amount of a composition comprising biocompatible nanoparticles under conditions in which the nanoparticles alter one or more cell regulatory mechanisms in cells in which the nanoparticles are localised or other cells. Then one or more doses of a chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic treatment are administered to the subject either concurrently with or after the nanoparticles have altered the one or more cell regulatory mechanisms in the cells in which the nanoparticles are localised or other cells. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing the effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy on a cell population, methods of increasing the amount of strand breaks in DNA in a cell, and methods of inducing cancer cell death.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions and methods for their use. In particular, the compositions comprise an antimicrobial agent and a nanostructured liquid crystal carrier, wherein the antimicrobial agent is contained within the nanostructured liquid crystal carrier, and wherein the nanostructured liquid crystal carrier potentiates the activity of the antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial agents encompassed by the present invention include cationic antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, and antifungal agents. Nanostructured liquid crystal carriers encompassed by the present invention include those formed from an amphiphilic lipid such as monoolein and phytantriol. Antimicrobial compositions encompassed by the present invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of a microbial infection, such as that caused by a Gram-negative bacterium, including where the microbial infection forms part of a biofilm.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous copolymer monolith substrate for use in flow through liquid chromatography applications is disclosed. The method comprises forming a reaction composition comprising at least one monoethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer, at least one polyethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer, a RAFT agent, at least one liquid porogen, and a radical initiator. The reaction composition is introduced to a mold having a shape and dimensions suitable for forming a liquid chromatography substrate. The monoethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer, the polyethylenically unsaturated aryl monomer and the RAFT agent are copolymerised in the mold under conditions to form a solid copolymer network that is phase-separated from the reaction composition and/or any liquid components.

Abstract: Methods of potentiating chemotherapy or radiotherapy are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to a subject in need of chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic treatment an effective amount of a composition comprising biocompatible nanoparticles under conditions in which the nanoparticles alter one or more cell regulatory mechanisms in cells in which the nanoparticles are localised or other cells. Then one or more doses of a chemotherapeutic or radiotherapeutic treatment are administered to the subject either concurrently with or after the nanoparticles have altered the one or more cell regulatory mechanisms in the cells in which the nanoparticles are localised or other cells. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing the effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy on a cell population, methods of increasing the amount of strand breaks in DNA in a cell, and methods of inducing cancer cell death.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasma treatment method comprising: providing a plasma source and a screen comprising a hydrogel and positioning the screen between the plasma source and a surface of a target to be treated with the plasma such that substantially all of the plasma from the plasma source passes through the screen prior to contacting the surface of the target and the screen reduces the concentration of one or more species from the plasma; and/or contacting a surface of a target to be treated with the gel composition comprising a gel forming material and a liquid phase comprising plasma activated liquid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and products for reducing side effects associated with immunotherapy using immune agonist antibodies. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of reducing one or more side effects associated with immunotherapy using an immune agonist antibody alone, or in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in a subject suffering from a cancer, the method comprising modifying the gut microbiota in the subject and thereby reducing the one or more side effects associated with the immunotherapy in the subject.

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: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing at least one growth parameter of a leguminous plant via co-inoculation of a leguminous plant with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism. In further aspects, the present invention also relates to leguminous plants co-inoculated with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism, as well as specific actinobacterial strains and inoculant compositions which are useful in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing at least one growth parameter of a leguminous plant via co-inoculation of a leguminous plant with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism. In further aspects, the present invention also relates to leguminous plants co-inoculated with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism, as well as specific actinobacterial strains and inoculant compositions which are useful in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of immunomodulation. Taught herein is an agent for inhibiting immunostimulation mediated by a Toll-like receptor useful in the treatment of viral and microbial pathogenesis, diseases involving elements of autoimmunity and inflammation as well as cancer. The agent antagonizes disulfide bond formation between C98 and C475 of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) thereby preventing TLR7 activation. Pharmaceutical compositions are also enabled herein.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a prostate cancer in a subject comprise detecting a marker selected from an endosomal associated marker and/or a lysosomal associated marker from the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively detecting an anion in a medium and/or selectively measuring the concentration of an anion in a medium. The apparatus comprises at least one sensor and a conductive polymer film and is configured such that dielectric and/or electric property changes of the conductive polymer film can be detected by the sensor when the conductive polymer film is in hydraulic contact with the medium or after it has been in hydraulic contact with the medium. Methods of selectively detecting an anion in a medium and/or selectively determining a concentration of an anion in a medium are also provided.

Abstract: A method of enhancing embryo implantation in a subject is disclosed which comprises administering to the uterine cavity of the subject a formulation comprising copper and/or zinc in an amount effective to stimulate endometrial production of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and/or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Alternatively, a device may be inserted into the uterine cavity of the subject, wherein the device comprises copper and/or zinc, for a period of time that is effective to stimulate endometrial production of LIF and/or VEGF. The method is suitable for use with women undergoing treatment by any of the assisted reproductive technologies, such as those involving the transfer of embryos such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and variants including IVF-ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and in vitro maturation (IVM) treatments, as well as intrauterine-insemination (IUI) therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical devices using coated polymers, methods for reducing platelet attachment and/or fouling associated with medical devices, and methods for coating polymers. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a medical device comprising one or more polymeric materials coated with a hyperbranched polyglycerol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for assessing the risk of glaucoma in a subject. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provide a method of assessing the risk of primary open angle glaucoma in a subject, the method comprises determining a risk score for primary open angle glaucoma in the subject on the basis of the genetic content of the subject at a plurality of selected genetic loci or markers and thereby assessing the risk of primary open angle glaucoma in the subject, wherein the selected genetic loci or markers comprise (i) genetic loci or markers having an association with glaucoma, and/or (ii) genetic loci or markers having an association with increased intraocular pressure, and/or (iii) genetic loci or markers having an association with an increased vertical cup to disk ratio, and/or (iv) genetic loci or markers having an association with a multi-trait test of glaucoma, intraocular pressure and vertical cup to disc ratio. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for measuring an amount of an oxidant in a solution is disclosed. The device includes a microfluidic substrate configured to mix a solution sample to be analysed with an indicator dye solution containing an indicator dye under conditions suitable for some of the indicator dye to react with any oxidant in the solution to produce an oxidant measurement solution having a reduced indicator dye concentration that is indicative of the amount of oxidant in the solution, the microfluidic substrate including an optical reading window through which the reduced indicator dye concentration in the oxidant measurement solution can be measured optically.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for providing remote assistance comprises a local user apparatus that captures both the field of view of the local user along with physiological state of the local user, and a remote user apparatus to allow the remote user to view what the local user is seeing and doing. The local user and remote user have a shared view and a shared audio link, and the remote user can provided assistance to the local user in performing tasks at the local site. Additionally the physiological state of the local user is monitored, and from the physiological state data, an estimate of the emotional state or physiological state of the local user is provided to the remote user. The remote user can interact or assist the local user, including controlling the amount and/or type of assistance provided to the local user based on their current emotional state.