Abstract: An actuator (12) includes a moving member (18) pivotally connected to a base unit (14) for rotation about an axis. The driving force for rotation of the moving member (18) relative to the base unit (14) is provided by a pair of antagonistically operating shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (48, 50) and transmitted via a torsional spring (56). An endoscope, or a snake-like robot (66), may include one or more of the actuators (12).

Abstract: The compound 3,3,3-trifluoro-N-((1,4-trans)-4-((3-((S)-2-methylmorpholino)-IH-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)amino)cyclohexyl)propane-1-sulfonamide having the Formula (I) or a salt thereof, its opposite enantiomer, compositions comprising the compound and its use in the treatment or prevention of leishmaniasis, particularly visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract: A method of reducing photoelectron yield (PEY) and/or secondary electron yield (SEY) of a ceramic surface comprises applying pulsed laser radiation comprising a series of laser pulses emitted by a laser (4) to the surface of a target (10) to produce a periodic arrangement of structures on the surface of the target (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that salt inducible kinases (SIKs) suppress the formation of anti-inflammatory molecules such as IL-10, which are important for the resolution of inflammation and identifies SIK inhibitors that may be used to treat disorders associated with undesirable inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: wherein X is C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, cyano, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkenylaryl, alkenylheteroaryl, alkynylaryl, alkynylheteroaryl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, alkylhydroxy, alkylamino, alkenylamino, alkynylamino, amido, carboxyl, or carboxyl ester, or forms an unsubstituted or substituted cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, indane or tetralin with Y, Y is H or forms an unsubstituted or substituted cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, indane or tetralin with X, or forms an unsubstituted or substituted monocycle with Z; and Z is H or forms an unsubstituted or substituted monocycle with Y; wherein when X and Y are both H, then X is C2 alkenyl or C2 alkynyl, and when Y is H forms a substituted cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl with X, the cyclohexyl is other than a trisubstituted cyclohexyl bearing CH3, i-Pr and (CH2)2CO2CH3 groups or CH3, i-Pr and (

Abstract: A compound of Formula (I), or a salt thereof, compositions comprising the compound, processes for its preparation and its use in therapy, for example in the treatment of parasitic diseases such as Chagas disease, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and leishmaniasis, particularly visceral leishmaniasis (VL).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that salt inducible kinases (SIKs) suppress the formation of anti-inflammatory molecules such as IL-10, which are important for the resolution of inflammation and identifies SIK inhibitors that may be used to treat disorders associated with undesirable inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure: wherein X is C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, cyano, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkenylaryl, alkenylheteroaryl, alkynylaryl, alkynylheteroaryl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyl, alkylhydroxy, alkylamino, alkenylamino, alkynylamino, amido, carboxyl, or carboxyl ester, or forms an unsubstituted or substituted cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, indane or tetralin with Y, Y is H or forms an unsubstituted or substituted cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, indane or tetralin with X, or forms an unsubstituted or substituted monocycle with Z; and Z is H or forms an unsubstituted or substituted monocycle with Y; wherein when X and Y are both H, then X is C2alkenyl or C2 alkynyl, and when Y is H forms a substituted cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl with X, the cyclohexyl is other than a trisubstituted cyclohexyl bearing CH3, i-Pr and (CH2)2CO2CH3 groups or CH3, i-Pr and (C

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating cell senescence and cell proliferation using isoforms of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The methods and compositions of the invention find use in inhibiting cancer cell growth or in generating populations of cells for tissue regeneration through the modulation of cell senescence and proliferation.

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.

Abstract: The disclosure is based on the discovery of genes which influence lignin biosynthesis. In particular, the inventors have observed that if the expression, function and/or activity of these gene(s) (or any protein products thereof) is/are modulated, the lignin content of plants can be altered. As such, this disclosure provides plants, which exhibit modulated expression of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s) and which may find application in methods for producing biofuels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that salt inducible kinases (SIKs) suppress the formation of anti-inflammatory molecules such as IL-10, which are important for the resolution of inflammation and identifies SIK inhibitors that may be used to treat disorders associated with undesirable inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to N-heterocyclic sulphonamide compounds, in particular pyrazole sulphonamide compounds, and their use as N-myristoyl transferase inhibitors.

Abstract: A device for creating an intercostal transcutaneous access to an, in particular endoscopic, operating field including a base body, which closely surrounds an incision all-side frame-shaped and with at least two webs mounted on the base body, which can be introduced into an intercostal space, by which two ribs arranged next to each other can be moved apart. To create a device for creating an intercostal transcutaneous access to an, in particular endoscopic, operating field which allows individual pressing apart of the ribs, it is proposed according to the invention that the at least two webs are mounted adjustable relative to each other on the base body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that salt inducible kinases (SIKs) suppress the formation of anti-inflammatory molecules such as IL-10, which are important for the resolution of inflammation and identifies SIK inhibitors that may be used to treat disorders associated with undesirable inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and/or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: There is disclosed medical apparatus of the type for use in surgery such as transanal endoscopic microsurgery, as well as methods of providing access to, inspecting and enabling surgery within a body passage. In one embodiment of the invention, medical apparatus in the form of a rectal expander (10) is disclosed, the expander (10) being adapted for location at least partly within a body passage such as the rectum (12) of a patient (14), the expander (10) having a leading end (18) and an access area in the form of an opening (20) for access from the expander (10) into the rectum (12), at least part of the opening (20) being spaced from the leading end (18), and the expander (10) being controllably movable between collapse and expansion positions, for expanding the rectum (12).

Abstract: An actuator (12) includes a moving member (18) pivotally connected to a base unit (14) for rotation about an axis. The driving force for rotation of the moving member (18) relative to the base unit (14) is provided by a pair of antagonistically operating shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (48, 50) and transmitted via a torsional spring (56). An endoscope, or a snake-like robot (66), may include one or more of the actuators (12).

Abstract: A method for welding together glass workpieces where one of the workpieces has metal nanoparticles positioned at or near the surface to be welded. The method comprises positioning the workpieces in operative contact at an interface where a weld is to be formed, applying a laser beam to be incident upon the interface wherein energy from the laser beam is absorbed by the nanoparticle bearing workpiece and the energy from the laser beam is transferred to the glass surrounding the metal nanoparticles to heat the glass and to weld the workpieces together.

Abstract: A mode locked semiconductor disk laser with an output beam having an ultra-short pulse length which provides the incident beam to a non linear microscope. The wavelength of the beam is at or near the action cross section maximum absorption wavelength for creating two photon excited fluorescence of a fluorescent biological marker in a sample. Semiconductor disk lasers combine excellent beam quality and output power, stability while maintaining simplicity and easiness of operation. In addition, these types of lasers are ideally suited for mass production as they are built in wafer-scale technology enabling a high level of integration. Importantly this non expensive, turn-key, compact laser system could be used as a platform to develop portable non-linear bio-imaging devices for clinical studies, facilitating its wide-spread adoption in “real-life” applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving medical interventions and in certain instances to the generation of image data, in particular data acquired during a medical intervention or procedure. The invention also concerns the visibility of structures in target regions to be imaged and how this may be enhanced.