Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for scrubbing low levels of urea from aqueous solutions such as a dialysate from dialysis, and including blood and blood products, and devices capable of employing these methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for scrubbing low levels of urea from aqueous solutions such as a dialysate from dialysis, and including blood and blood products, and devices capable of employing these methods.

Abstract: The invention provides porous carbon particles for use in the treatment or prevention of liver disease, wherein at least 20% of the total pore volume is made up of pores having a mean diameter of from 2 to 200 nm and/or wherein the particles comprise micropores of diameter 2 nm or less and small macropores of diameter 50 nm to 500 nm, but substantially no mesopores of diameter greater than 2 nm and less than 50 nm, and substantially no large macropores of diameter greater than 500 nm.

Abstract: A device for testing for the presence of neuropathy by applying a thermal stimulus to a test area of skin includes a temperature sensing arrangement for determining a reference temperature being a reference skin temperature or room temperature, a thermal stimulus application arrangement and a temperature controlling arrangement for controlling temperature of the thermal stimulus. The reference temperature is used in controlling the temperature of the applied thermal stimulus. The device may include a blood flow sensing arrangement which provides a measurement of blood flow in an area of the skin which may be considered to be indicative of a blood flow in response to an applied stimulus.

Abstract: Whole blood is treated extracorporeally to remove substances contrary to health using mesoporous/microporous or macroporopus/microporous carbon in the form of beads or a channel monolith. The carbon may be the result of carbonising a mesoporous or macroporous phenolic resin. Substances contrary to health include externally introduced toxins such as bacterially derived staphylococcus enterotoxins A, B, TSST-1 or autologous, biologically active molecules with harmful, systemic effects when their activity is excessive or unregulated. Examples include the removal of inappropriate amounts of pro- or anti-inflammatory molecules and toxic mediators of systemic inflammatory response syndrome related to sepsis, cardio-pulmonary by-pass surgery, ischaemic reperfusioninjury; the removal of larger molecular weight and protein bound uremic toxins related to kidney and hepatic toxins related to liver failure and the removal of toxins relevant to biological and chemical warfare.

Abstract: There is provided a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomaterial may be ceramic, metallic and/or polymeric. It will usually be in the form of a solid, but could be a semi-solid or hydrogel. There is also provided a method of making a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers, said method comprising adsorbing, grafting or synthesising in situ bi-functional semi-dendrimers onto the surface of a biomaterial. There is further provided a biomedical device which is coated with or formed from a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomedical device may be a medical implant, for example, such as a stent, artificial hip joint or replacement heart valve. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bi-functional semi-dendrimer structure suitable for biomaterial functionalisation according to the present invention.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) insulin-producing cell clusters derived from stem cells (preferably human embryonic stem cells) are provided by this invention, together with a method for their production using a microgravity bioreactor cell culture system.

Abstract: A method of producing a soybean-based biomaterial which is suitable for use in a biomedical product, the method comprising: defatting soy flour; either prior to or at the same time as, performing a solvent extraction; to produce a biomaterial comprising variable levels of soy proteins, carbohydrates and isoflavones. The resulting biomaterials have a range of biomedical uses and are particularly desirable because of their isoflavone content. Examples of biomedical products containing the biomaterials include wound dressings; scaffolds for tissue engineering; fillers or implants for use in surgery; temporary barriers for use in dental or surgical procedures or to prevent post-surgical tissue adherence; carriers for the delivery of drugs, bioactive peptides or plasmids; anti-inflammatory agents; coatings for wound dressings or for dental, medical, surgical or veterinary devices or implants; and compositions for soothing skin or gum irritation.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing purified P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in a stabilised form such that, after being reconstituted into proteoliposomes, it can be freeze dried and stored for prolonged periods of time without loss of biological activity The method comprises the steps of: i) solubilising a mixture of P-gp and other proteins obtained from cell membranes; ii) removing insoluble material by centrifugation; iii) placing the mixture of P-gp and other proteins in a purification column; and iv) running through the purification column at least one wash buffer so as to remove unwanted proteins, and then at least one elution buffer so as to recover the P-gp; wherein one or more of the buffers contains a disaccharide. Trehalose is a particularly preferred disaccharide.

Abstract: There is provided a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomaterial may be ceramic, metallic and/or polymeric. It will usually be in the form of a solid, but could be a semi-solid or hydrogel. There is also provided a method of making a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers, said method comprising adsorbing, grafting or synthesising in situ bi-functional semi-dendrimers onto the surface of a biomaterial. There is further provided a biomedical device which is coated with or formed from a biomaterial having a functionalised surface which comprises bi-functional semi-dendrimers. The biomedical device may be a medical implant, for example, such as a stent, artificial hip joint or replacement heart valve. FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a bi-functional semi-dendrimer structure suitable for biomaterial functionalisation according to the present invention.

Abstract: An electrokinetic method for groundwater protection, soil remediation and engineering which comprises applying an electric field across an area of soil, sediment or slurry so as to generate a pH and Eh gradient and thereby promote the in situ precipitation of a stable iron-rich band. The method may be performed for the purpose of stabilisation and/or strategic dewatering/rewatering of soils, sediment and/or slurries, the improvement of the physical properties of soils and sediments for engineering purposes, the forced and directed migration of contaminated leachates, and/or electro-osmotic purging of non-polar contaminants.

Abstract: A prosthesis or implant has a surface carrying a coating comprising at least one phospholipid at a concentration to improve osteointegration. A method of making such a prosthesis or implant and a kit comprising a prosthesis or implant is also described.

Abstract: A commutator circuit includes a bridge (1), which may have a half-bridge or a full-bridge topology, and a switch resonant arm (3, L, C). The resonant arm is coupled to the midpoint of the bridge, directly, or via a current buffer, or via a transformer. The arm provide controlled resonant commutation of a load coupled to the midpoint of the bridge. The circuit may be used, for example to drive an electric servo motor, or in a digital audio power amplifier.