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: 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 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: 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: 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: The present invention relates to compounds and uses of compounds which interact with chitinase enzymes, in particular the inhibition of those enzymes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mineralising demineralised and hypo-mineralised biological material such as tooth or bone. The apparatus has a probe electrode for receiving a mineralisation agent and a counter electrode. It is also provided with a controller to control the electrical signal provided to the probe such that the extent of mineralisation of the biological material is controlled by modulating or changing the electrical signal provided by the probe based upon the measured output of the circuit formed from the probe, counter electrode and biological material. The electrical output provides a measure of the extent of mineralisation of the biological material which is compared with data from a reference technique which gives 3D structural information on an area of interest in the biological material.

Abstract: A non-invasive device adapted to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) comprising: a pressure sensor mounted on a soft contact lens to be worn on the eye of a subject, wherein the device is adapted such that, when worn on the eye, the pressure sensor is located at or near the transitional region of the cornea. The pressure sensor communicates wirelessly to an external controlling device through a magnetic field-based telemetry system that serves to power the pressure sensor and transmit the pressure measurements to the external device.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of conditions mediated by endothelial function in mammals is provided. The composition includes a milk protein hydrolysate generated by treating milk or milk whey protein with a proteolytic enzyme having subtilisin or subtilisin-like activity and/or glutamyl endopeptidase or glutamyl endopeptidase-like activity. The composition is useful in the management of vascular conditions.

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 medical instrument for grasping an object, in particular a surgical needle holder, including an elongated shaft, two jaw parts arranged at a distal end of the shaft, at least one of the jaw parts being pivotable with respect to the other of the jaw parts between a grasp state for grasping the object between the jaw parts and a release state for releasing the object. A handle is arranged at a proximal end of the shaft and has at least one operating element for moving the at least one pivotable jaw part between the grasp state and the release state via an axially movable force transmission element operatively connected with the at least one operating element and with the at least one pivotable jaw part via an articulated joint. The instrument further includes a latching mechanism for immobilizing the at least one pivotable jaw part in the grasp state.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns cosmetic and therapeutic treatment of tissue, such as tooth, to effect, for instance, whitening and tissue re-building through mineralisation and including kits for use in the methods.

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 recombinant polynucleotide encoding migrating stimulating factor (MSF) or variants or fragments or derivatives or fusions thereof or fusions of said variants or fragments or derivatives. Reagents are disclosed which can distinguish MSF and fibronectin, and which can distinguish polynucleotides which encode MSF or fibronectin. These reagents are believed to be useful in, for example, diagnosing cancer. MSF or variants or fragments or derivatives or fusions thereof, or fusions of said variants or fusions or derivatives, are useful in modulating cell migration and in wound healing.

Abstract: A kit of parts comprising two or more protein kinase substrate polypeptides, each said substrate polypeptide comprising a specificity conferring portion (which is different for each said kinase substrate polypeptide) and a phosphorylatable portion, wherein the phosphorylatable portions of each polypeptide are capable of being bound in a phosphorylation state-sensitive manner by the same specific binding partner, for example and antibody preparation, and wherein the said specific binding partner is not an antibody specific for phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine or phosphothreonine. The phosphorylatable portion preferably comprises the amino acid sequence LSFAEPG.