Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions based on microvesicles for the treatment of various diseases, disorders and conditions. In particular, the present invention encompasses the recognition that microvesicles contain specific microRNAs which may function as intercellular regulators involved in cell or tissue regeneration, remodeling, reconstruction, reprogramming or transdifferentiation. Thus, among other things, the present invention provides methods and compositions based on microvesicles and/or associated microRNAs that provide more predictable and effective therapeutic results.

Abstract: A device for performing cell assays has at least one assay site. The site comprises a pair of stimulating electrodes and a cell confinement cavity for confining at least one cell in an extracellular fluid medium. The cell confinement cavity and the stimulating electrodes are arranged so that, in use, each cell is exposable to an electrical field generated by a potential difference applied across the stimulating electrodes. The stimulating electrodes are spaced a distance apart such that the potential difference can induce field stimulation of each cell and simultaneously be below the level that would result in electrolysis of the extracellular fluid medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are new classes of phenanthridinium derivatives, most notably dihydro-imidazo-phenanthridinium (DIP) compounds. The compounds are prepared by the reaction of the middle b ring of a phenanthridinium core with primary amines to form the DIP compounds. This reaction can also be applied to other classes of starting compounds which comprise a 6-membered ring aromatic heterocycle having a ring nitrogen and at least one alpha hydrogen atom which can be reacted with a primary amine. Also disclosed is a method of using the DIP compounds for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based optoelectronic device such as a solar cell has an n-type layer and a p-type layer, together forming a p-n junction. Contact regions are formed on the device, with light-receiving regions between contact regions. A window layer is formed over the n-type layer or the p-type layer at the light-receiving region, the window layer promoting reduced carrier recombination at the surface of the n-type or p-type layer, and/or reflection of minority carriers in the n-type or p-type layer towards the p-n junction. The device has a window protection layer formed over the window layer, the window protection layer providing protection from degradation of the window layer during manufacture and/or operation of the device. For GaAs-based devices the window layer may be Al0.9Ga0.1As and the window protection layer may be GaAs. Additionally, an AlAs etch stop layer may be provided over the window protection layer.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods relating to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomers. Complexes of two or more GPCRs associated with G-proteins are provided. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising a GPCR and a G-protein, nucleic acids, expression vectors and host cells. Methods of producing the complexes and fusion proteins of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A sensing device, apparatus and system, and method for operating the same are provided. The sensing apparatus includes a first module and a second module. The first module includes a controller, a transmitter and an array of sensor elements. The controller is capable of activating one or more sensor elements in the array independently of others in the array, in order to obtain a sensor output from the array at different times by using different sensor elements in said array. The transmitter is configured to transmit sensor data derived from the sensor output from the first module to a receiver of the second module. Each sensor element is a biological sensor for detecting the presence of the same analyte in the environment in which the sensor array is to be deployed.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods relating to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomers. Complexes of two or more GPCRs associated with G-proteins are provided. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising a GPCR and a G-protein, nucleic acids, expression vectors and host cells. Methods of producing the complexes and fusion proteins of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: An improved integrated optical device (5a-5g) is disclosed containing first and second devices (10a-10g; 15a, 15e), optically coupled to each other and formed in first and second different material systems. One of the first or second devices (10a-10g, 15a, 15e) has a Quantum Well Intermixed (QWI) region (20a, 20g) at or adjacent a coupling region between the first and second devices (10a-10g; 15a, 15e). The first material system may be a III-V semiconductor based on Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) or Indium Phosphide (InP), while the second material may be Silica (SiO2), Silicon (Si), Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3), a polymer, or glass.

Abstract: A method of compressing an image is described in which digital data signals in a 2-dimensional images are formed into an image data pyramid with a number of layers and each layer is processed to give a compressed encoding in an ordered list. The encoding with the largest quality gain factor is selected first and added to a compressed representation of the data array. This is repeated for the next largest gain factor and so on until a predetermined maximum is reached. Each layer of the image data pyramid corresponds to different frequency bands, the vector quantizations of these layers will only minimally interfere with one another. This allows a simple ordering of all possible gain contributions made by the compressed encodings, to the compressed representation. This in turn allows a straightforward selection of the compressed encodings having the largest quality gain factors, for compiling the compressed representation of the image.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the finding that the protein p300 has acetylation activity which is directed to the retinoblastoma tumour suppressor protein pRb by the presence in the cell of the adenovirus E1A protein. This represents a target for modulators of the cell cycle, to which end the invention provides an assay for a modulator of acetylation of pRb by p300, which comprises: a) bringing into contact a p300 protein a pRb protein and a putative modulator compound under conditions where the p300 protein, in the absence of said modulator is capable of acetylating the pRb protein; b) providing conditions for acetylation of said pRb protein; and c) measuring the degree of inhibition of acetylation caused by said modulator compound.

Abstract: An assay for the detection of haptoglobin (Hp) in milk using an Hp-specific antibody as a means to predict or detect mastitis or subclinical mastitis by way of Hp being an associated marker and/or to test the quality of milk, in, for example, dairy cattle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptor/reporter fusion protein based assays for detecting the effect test compounds have on a particular membrane receptor, as well as to receptor/reporter fusion proteins for use in such assays and compounds identified by the assays as having interesting/useful effects. Suitable membrane receptors are growth factor receptors, cytokine receptors, ion channels and integrins including any subtypes, mutants, homologs and chimeric forms of such receptors. The assay may be to study G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Abstract: The invention provides hyperactive mutant recombinases and hybrid mutant recombinases, and methods for their identification. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding hyperactive mutant recombinases and hybrid recombinases, as well as vectors and host cells. Host cells include eukaryotic cells capable of expressing said recombinases and carrying out site-specific recombination in the cell. The mutant recombinases may be used, for example, in biotechnology, gene therapy or transgenic applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a phosphorylcholine-containing glycoprotein in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases associated with inflammation. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of ES-62 for the treatment or prophylaxis of autoimmune diseases associated with abnormal inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of an object. The apparatus includes a device for establishing a standing wave pattern or radiation emanating from the object and a coupling device for coupling the radiation to a detector, such as a measuring radiometer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an in situ method of screening a compound for pharmacological activity comprising the steps of detecting an initial pattern of neural activity in brain tissue, adding the compound to the brain tissue and detecting a resulting pattern of neural activity, and observing the pharmacological activity of the compound on neural activity by comparing the initial pattern of intracellular neural activity with the resulting pattern of neural activity.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method by which to form molecule recognizing films on sensor electrodes efficiently, within a short period, uniformly and in a high quality state. Another object of this invention is to provide a method by which to accurately introduce a vast number of biological samples for evaluation to the plural minute sensor electrode dots within a short period and efficiently. In order to form organic thin films on electrodes, a solution of a material for the organic thin film is accurately printed via an ink-jet onto the surface of microelectrodes as required, thereby producing a high density array of microelectrodes. Further, a solution of a sample substance or a liquid substance to be sensed is ejected into air via an ink-jet nozzle to fall to the surface of organic thin membranes on the microelectrodes so that the sample is evaluated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of manufacturing of optical devices, for example, semiconductor optoelectronic devices such as laser diodes, optical modulators, optical amplifiers, optical switches, and the like. There is further disclosed Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits (OEICs) and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) including such devices. According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an optical device (40), a device body portion (15) from which the device (40) is to be made including a Quantum Well Intermixing (QWI) structure (30), the method including the step of plasma etching at least part of a surface of the device body portion (5) prior to depositing a dielectric layer (51) thereon so as to introduce structural defects at least into a portion (53) of the device body portion (5) adjacent the dielectric layer (51). The structural defects substanially comprise “point” defects.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for measuring the temperature of an object such as a food object. Also, a related method, container, transportation member and production line which utilizes this apparatus. The apparatus includes a coupling device for coupling radiation emanating from the object to at least a first radiation temperature measuring radiometer, and a first device for switching measurement circuitry between measuring the radiation temperature of at least a first reference temperature and the radiation temperature of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting an agent for use in the treatment of herpes virus infection and use of known agents, such as 2,2?-dithiobisbenzamide (DIBA) and azodicarbonamide (ADA), and unknown agents, which selectively eject zinc bound to a zinc finger protein, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of herpesvirus infections.