Abstract: There is provided an electrolyte for the electrodeposition of chromium comprising: (A) water; (B) at least one chromium salt; and (C) at least one complexing agent, wherein the molar ratio of components B:C is in the range of 1:1 to 1:50. There is also provided a method for electrodepositing chromium metal onto a conductive substrate.

Abstract: Genetically modified mammals are described which lack the mannan binding lectin associated serine protease MASP-2, together with methods and constructs for their production. Such mammals are useful as models for disorders of the complement system, and in the identification of treatments for such disorders. Also described are mammals which lack the associated protein MAp19; such mammals may also lack MASP-2.

Abstract: In various embodiments the invention provides anti-mucin-like protein (MLP) monoclonal antibodies, compositions and methods for detecting MLP as a biomarker for mucin-secreting type of cancer such as ovarian or pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the characterisation and analysis of proteins. Methods are provided for determining, on a protein, a binding site for a binding partner, the methods comprising: contacting a protein with a plurality of monomers, and polymerising the monomers to create a protein:polymer complex; digesting the protein in the complex to produce a peptide:polymer complex; isolating the peptide:polymer complex; and sequencing the peptide, wherein the peptide corresponds to a binding site for a binding partner.

Abstract: A method including receiving an indication that a first classifier has identified that an image includes an object of a predetermined class of objects. Image data that relates to the image is processed using a second classifier with a first training state, which determines whether the image data includes the object of the predetermined class of objects. In response to the determining, data relating to the image data is transmitted to a remote system. Update data relating to the transmitted data is received from the remote system. The training state of the second classifier is updated to a second training state in response to the update data such that the second classifier with the second training state would make a different determination of whether future image data similar to the image data includes an object of the predetermined class of objects than the second classifier with the first training state.

Abstract: The invention relates to senescent cell biomarkers and the uses thereof. The invention also extends to methods and kits for detecting senescence, and drug conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions for killing senescent cells.

Abstract: A device for providing assistance to ventricular systole, the device comprising a pressuriser and a driver, wherein the pressuriser is adapted to be able to apply localised pressure to only the external wall of one ventricle, or a portion thereof, and the driver is operatively linked to the pressuriser so as to be able to drive a cycle of increased and decreased pressure applied by the pressuriser. The invention also relates to a method of implanting the device and a method of treating cardiac pump failure in which the device is used.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of performing electrophoretic analysis on an substrate comprising: providing a substrate on a surface of at least one supporting member; and performing electrophoresis on the substrate by submerging the or each supporting member in an electrophoresis tank having a base and side walls enclosing a volume containing an electrophoresis buffer and inducing an electric current between ends thereof; wherein the or each supporting member is aligned within the tank such that each surface upon which the substrate is located is nonparallel with respect to the base of the electrophoresis tank and is substantially parallel with the direction of the electric current.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing back-reflection energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (XRD). This exhibits extremely low sensitivity to the morphology of the sample under investigation. As a consequence of this insensitivity, unprepared samples can be analyzed using this method. For example, in a geological context, whole rock samples become amenable to analysis. A composite diffraction spectrum can be produced using information from different recorded spectra in different energy sub-ranges. The composite spectrum excludes fluorescence signals that would otherwise obscure the diffraction signals.

Abstract: A method for assessing the electrical function of a heart, a method for determining a subject's need for the implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or the need for administration of an anti-arrhythmic agent, and apparatus for assessing the function of the heart and a computer program product. The methods and products involve analysis of ECG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a panel of bacteriophage, wherein the panel comprise any one or more bacteriophage selected from the group consisting of:—NCTC 12081404, NCTC 12081405, NCTC 12081406, NCTC 12081407, NCTC 12081408, NCTC 12081409 and NCTC 12081410. The invention also relates to the use of such panels for treating C. difficile infection, or for prophylactic treatment of subjects not yet colonized by C. difficile or that have been colonized but the colonization has not yet progressed to infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated CSN5 polypeptides and their use in a method of screening modulators of CSN5 activity that could be used as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. The methods comprise the step of administering, to a subject in need thereof, an amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent effective to inhibit MASP-2-dependent complement activation. In some embodiments, the MASP-2 inhibitory agent inhibits cellular injury associated with MASP-2-mediated alternative complement pathway activation, while leaving the classical (C1q-dependent) pathway component of the immune system intact. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions for inhibiting the effects of lectin-dependent complement activation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for structured illumination microscopy (SIM) comprises a pulsed femtosecond MiTai laser (11) operable to generate a pulsed beam. The beam pulses are directed on to a specimen (12) via an optical arrangement including a beam steering apparatus comprising a pair of acousto-optic deflectors AODx, AODy, each operable to vary the deflection angle of the beam in response to variation in the frequency of an applied acoustic deflection signal, and an acousto-optic modulator AOM. The frequency of the acoustic deflection signals applied to the AODs and/or the frequency of the acoustic compensation signal applied to the AOM in the present invention is dynamically modulated. This dynamic modulation can increase the effective AODxy scan angle in each direction by about 4 mrads (equivalent to a 15% increase in the area of the field of view). Furthermore, dynamic modulation of the compensation frequency also improves the evenness of the illumination over the field of view.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. The methods comprise the step of administering, to a subject in need thereof, an amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent effective to inhibit MASP-2-dependent complement activation. In some embodiments, the MASP-2 inhibitory agent inhibits cellular injury associated with MASP-2-mediated alternative complement pathway activation, while leaving the classical (C1q-dependent) pathway component of the immune system intact. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions for inhibiting the effects of lectin-dependent complement activation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing back-reflection energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (XRD). This exhibits extremely low sensitivity to the morphology of the sample under investigation. As a consequence of this insensitivity, unprepared samples can be analysed using this method. For example, in a geological context, whole rock samples become amenable to analysis. A composite diffraction spectrum can be produced using information from different recorded spectra in different energy sub-ranges. The composite spectrum excludes fluorescence signals that would otherwise obscure the diffraction signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of nucleic acid sequence hybridisation comprising the steps of: a) hybridising one or more samples comprising nucleic acids containing a region of interest with at least one probe nucleic acid sequence; and b) adding to the samples a non-deoxy ribonucleic acid molecule, before or during step a). and use of non-deoxy ribonucleic molecules to block or mask a surface or to block or mask repetitive DNA sequences.

Abstract: A method for assessing the electrical function of a heart that includes: (1) for each of a plurality of leads of an ECG, determining a value derived from the output of that lead and which corresponds to an action potential duration; (2) for each of the plurality of leads of the ECG, determining a value derived from the output of that lead and which corresponds to a diastolic interval; (3) for each of the plurality of leads of the ECG, determining a relationship between the determined values for action potential duration and for diastolic interval; and (4) assessing the differences between the determined relationships for each of the plurality of leads. The invention further relates to apparatus and a computer program that may be used in the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing back-reflection energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (XRD). This exhibits extremely low sensitivity to the morphology of the sample under investigation. As a consequence of this insensitivity, unprepared samples can be analyzed using this method. For example, in a geological context, whole rock samples become amenable to analysis. A composite diffraction spectrum can be produced using information from different recorded spectra in different energy sub-ranges. The composite spectrum excludes fluorescence signals that would otherwise obscure the diffraction signals.

Abstract: A method for improving skin scar color matching, for example reducing scar hyperpigmentation, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent, which positively modulates ?2-adrenergic receptor conformation, or receptor activity, or activation thereof, to a subject in need thereof. The subject typically is in need of improving skin scar color matching, for example reducing scar hyperpigmentation, because the subject has or is at risk of hyperpigmentation. The subject typically is selected as being at risk of hyperpigmentation on the basis of one or more of the following factors: ? the subject has previously developed hyperpigmentation of a scar ? the subject tans readily on exposure to sunshine or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, rather than burning ? the subject has a non-Caucasian racial origin ? the subject's skin color (for example in an area that is not tanned) is considered to be darker than that typical of a naturally fair-haired Caucasian person.