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: A health monitoring system for complex networked apparatus includes a number of neuro-fuzzy inference apparatuses feeding inference results into a data fusion hierarchy. At each level in the hierarchy, fuzzy inference is applied to generate a desired output signal by processing selected input signals in accordance with a knowledge base defining fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy inference rules defined in advance. The knowledge base includes alternative definitions of membership functions and/or inference rules. The apparatus selects which definition to use according to environmental or other conditions, and predetermined selection criteria.

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: A method of assessing the effect of viewing varying colours of light on a subject's perception of tinnitus, comprising the steps of: presenting a display in at least part of the subject's field of view; illuminating the display with coloured light in the visible spectrum using one or more variable sources; varying measurable values of the coloured light illuminating the display; and recording the measurable values of the coloured light illuminating the display at which the subject indicates a change in their perception of tinnitus.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treating a subject suffering from a complement mediated coagulation disorder, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. 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: 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: There is provided a novel process for preparing polyamides (in particular cyclic and hairpin polyamides) comprising the step of coupling an amine with a Boc-protected amino acid monomer in the presence of diphosgene and/or triphosgene. Such a process may be performed on a solid or solution phase.

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: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treating a subject suffering from a complement mediated coagulation disorder, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. 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: A portable sampling device (2) for obtaining a biological sample from a subject comprises sample collection means (8) for excising a biological sample (14) from a subject, and sample containment means (6) for containing excised sample (14) and sample preservative (12) for preserving excised sample. The sample collection means (8) includes sample cutting means (18) adapted, inuse, to cut into the subject and release the biological sample therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved optical arrangement for an optical imaging system or the like, comprising: an optical device; a digital micromirror device having a plurality of individually addressable micromirrors; a convex mirror; and a concave mirror concentric to the convex mirror. The convex mirror and the concave mirror define an optical triplet which is located in an optical path with the digital micromirror device and the optical device. The concave mirror comprises two concave mirror sections, one or both concave mirror sections being moveable relative to the convex mirror so as to control an image mapping between the digital micromirror device and the optical device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catheter for use in post-mortem angiography and a method for post-mortem in-situ cardiac angiography of a human or animal body. The catheter comprises (a) a proximal end for insertion into a human or animal body, (b) a distal end which remains outside the body during normal use, (c) a tube for delivering an imaging agent to the body, and (d) a marker for insertion into the body, the marker being positioned at a predetermined distance from the proximal end and comprising a substance such that its position once inserted into the body is detectable from outside the body.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting MASP-3-dependent complement activation in a subject suffering from paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria by administering to the subject a composition comprising an amount of a MASP-3 inhibitory agent in an amount effective to inhibit MASP-3-dependent complement activation. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the survival of red blood cells in a subject suffering from paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria by administering to the subject a composition comprising an amount of at least one of a MASP-1 inhibitory agent and/or a MASP-3 inhibitory agent effective to increase the survival of red blood cells.

Abstract: There is provided a mixture having a freezing point of up to 50° C., formed by reaction between: (A) one molar equivalent of a salt of formula I (Mn+)(X?)n I or a hydrate thereof; and (B) from one to eight molar equivalents of a complexing agent comprising one or more uncharged organic compounds, each of which compounds has (i) a hydrogen atom that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the anion X?; and (ii) a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, N and P that is capable of forming a coordinative bond with the metal ion Mn+, which reaction is performed in the absence of extraneous solvent, wherein M, X? mind a have meaning given in the description.

Abstract: A health monitoring system for complex networked apparatus includes a number of neuro-fuzzy inference apparatuses feeding inference results into a data fusion hierarchy. At each level in the hierarchy, fuzzy inference is applied to generate a desired output signal by processing selected input signals in accordance with a knowledge base defining fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy inference rules defined in advance. The knowledge base includes alternative definitions of membership functions and/or inference rules. The apparatus selects which definition to use according to environmental or other conditions, and predetermined selection criteria.

Abstract: The invention provides assays and apparatuses for assessing the ability of certain orally-ingestible samples, such as saliva or foodstuffs to cause inflammation, and thus the health risk such samples can cause upon ingestion by a subject. The invention also provides an assay to monitor an individual's diet with regards to inflammation risk. The invention also extends to methods of preventing inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A health monitoring system for complex networked apparatus includes a number of neuro-fuzzy inference apparatuses feeding inference results into a data fusion hierarchy. At each level in the hierarchy, fuzzy inference is applied to generate a desired output signal by processing selected input signals in accordance with a knowledge base defining fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy inference rules defined in advance. The knowledge base includes alternative definitions of membership functions and/or inference rules. The apparatus selects which definition to use according to environmental or other conditions, and predetermined selection criteria.

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: This invention relates to the amplification of multiple nucleic acid target sequences. Forward and reverse compound primers comprising a common amplification sequence and a target-specific primer sequence are immobilized at a site on a solid support. Target regions of single-stranded template DNA are primed and copied by the forward primer to produce a first extension product. The template DNA is removed and the first extension product is primed and copied by the reverse primer to produce a second extension product. The second extension product has common amplification sequences at each end and is bulk-amplified in solution by regular PCR employing primers that target the common amplification sequences. These methods allow highly multiplexed amplifications to be performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device for a processor comprising a means for monitoring the power consumption of the processor and a means for analysing the power consumption to detect abnormal operation of the processor.