Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a vagal tone has a detector that detects a QRS waveform of an ECG signal and generates a pulse signal that is integrated by an integrator. The integrator output is passed, in parallel, to a high pass filter and a low pass filter. The filter outputs are passed to respective voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs). The outputs of the VCOs are combined in a phase comparator that generates an output pulse train with the pulse period being proportional to the phase differences of the input signals. The phase comparator output signal is integrated and combined with a DC signal to remove any offset for constant heart rate. The combined signal is applied to a vagal tone gauge, which connects the output into a standard linear vagal tone scale.

Abstract: Novel Herpes simplex viruses and vaccines based on such novel HSV-1 strains are described. In particular, viruses having a deletion in the terminal portion of RL are provided. The virus can be further modified to express heterologous antigens and also engineered to overproduce HSV Light particles. This is achieved by incorporating a ts mutation into the UL26 gene.

Abstract: A system for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optically transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis while a light source and a plurality of radiation detectors are provided for scanning optically readable portions and tracking information encoded to the disc and scanning the sample. The source is arranged above the disc and the detectors are arranged above and below the disc. The optical properties of the sample can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detectors including the use of a ratio of first and second detector output. A third detector output also may be used in the analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a novel protein, JMY, which is found to be a co-activator of p300/CBP. The invention also provides JMY polypeptides and antibodies thereto, as well as assays for modulators of the cell cycle which target the interaction of JMY with transcription factors such as E2F, ER or TBP.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO:1) encoding a novel protein, JMY, which is found to be a co-activator of p300/CBP. The invention also provides JMY polypeptides and antibodies thereto, as well as assays for modulators of the cell cycle which target the interaction of JMY with transcription factors such as E2F; ER or TBP.

Abstract: A system for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optically transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis while a light source and detector are mounted on an arm for rotation in an arc crossing the surface of the disc. The source is arranged above the disc and the detector is arranged below the disc with the optical axes provided with a calibration marking which interrupts the passage of the light beam when the beam passes over it, thus allowing the scan to be aligned relative to the disc. The optical properties of the sample supported on the substrate can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for determining homocysteine, cysteine, O-acetyl-L-serine and/or methionine levels in a biological sample using an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of homocysteine, cysteine, O-acetyl-L-serine and methionine. The enzyme being more particularly homocysteine desulphurase, a polynucleotide fragment encoding protozoan homocysteine desulphurase, a recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide fragment, transformed cells, the protozoan homocysteine desulphurase polypeptide, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant homocysteine desulphurase for use in medicine or veterinary medicine.

Abstract: A system for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optically transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis while a light source and detector are mounted on an arm for rotation in an arc crossing the surface of the disc. The source is arranged above the disc and the detector is arranged below the disc with the optical axes provided with a calibration marking which interrupts the passage of the light beam when the beam passes over it, thus allowing the scan to be aligned relative to the disc. The optical properties of the sample supported on the substrate can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a herpes simplex virus strain which lacks a functional ICP34.5 gene and a functional ICP27 gene. It also provides the use of a herpes simplex virus strain which lacks a functional ICP34.5 gene and a functional ICP27 gene in the treatment of disorders of, or injuries to, the nervous system of a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a substance capable of disrupting an interaction between (i) a herpes simplex virus (HSV) ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, and (ii) proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof. The method comprises: (a) providing an HSV ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a first component; (b) providing PCNA, or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a second component; (c) contacting the two components with a substance to be tested under conditions that would permit the two components to interact in the absence of the substance; and (d) determining whether the substance disrupts the interaction between the first and second components.

Abstract: The present invention involves isolated equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) or gH or gC polypeptides and antigenic fragments. Methods of using the polypeptides and the fragments thereof are also presented.

Abstract: An Equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) mutant which does not produce a functional thymidine kinase due to a deletion and/or insertion in the gene encoding thymidine kinase, the deletion and/or insertion made at a position within the thymidine kinase gene such as to not substantially alter expression of the UL24 gene. Recombinant DNA comprising DNA of the EHV-4 mutant, host cells containing the recombinant DNA, and a process for the preparation of the EHV-4 mutant.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optical transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis whilst a light source and detector are mounted on an arm for rotation in an arc crossing the surface of the disc. The source is arranged above the disc and the detector below the disc with the optical axes of the two being aligned so that the entire usable surface of the disc can be scanned by the light source and detector. The disc is provided with a calibration marking which interrupts the passage of the light beam when the beam passes over it, thus allowing the scan to be aligned relative to the disc. The optical properties of the sample supported on the substrate can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detector.

Abstract: A visual field test device (10) is disclosed which allows a larger area of the visual field to be examined and allows use of the device for testing for diseases of the eye and brain, for example, glaucoma. The device consists of a chart (12) which has visual target patterns (13) for the left and right eyes and which is foldable about fold line (45) so that the visual targets are on front and rear surfaces of the device (10). Each visual target consists of about 60 fixation targets (14), represented by sequential numbers, arranged to spiral outwards along lines (16) to facilitate use by test subjects. A plurality of test stimuli (21) are located on a rotatable disc (18) and the chart (12) has a central aperture (20) through which a selected test stimuli (21) can be viewed. Different test stimuli can be used as required and in one embodiment a moveable cover (22) can be used to obscure the test stimuli.

Abstract: The three-dimensional structure of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has been determined by X-ray crystallography and the coordinates of the individual atoms are presented. Analogues of hCG and other glycoprotein hormones sharing a similar .alpha.-subunit structure are produced by inputting chemical changes to the structure into a computer loaded with three-dimensional molecular simulation software and representing visually on a computer display. The three-dimensional structures of the original glycoprotein and the chemically modified analogues are compared, and those analogues wherein the three-dimensional configuration and spatial arrangement of regions involved in receptor binding and signal transduction remain substantially preserved are selected for synthesis by molecular biology techniques and screening for biological activity. Glycoprotein analogues with additional glycosylation sites, and deletion of non-essential hairpins are disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding antisense RNA to proteins having enzymic activity in .beta.-oxidation, constructs, vectors, plants and plant cells comprising such nucleotide sequences, and uses of such nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A device for use in promoting wound healing is made of a substrate formed of a biologically acceptable material and has there on means capable of orienting cell growth so as to allow guided tissue repair. The means for orienting cell growth may include grooves embossed or stamped on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA sequences which encode the complete amino acid sequence of a glutamine synthetase, vectors containing such sequences and methods for their use, in particular as dominant selectable markers, for use in co-amplification of non-selected genes and in transforming host cell lines to glutamine independence.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA sequences which encode the complete amino acid sequence of a glutamine synthetase, vectors containing such sequences, and methods for their use, in particular as dominant selectable markers, for use in co-amplification of non-selected genes and in transforming host cell lines to glutamine independence are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention involves isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) gH or gC polypeptide, the polypeptides so encoded, and antigenic fragments thereof. Vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acid sequences, and uses thereof, are presented.