Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a face mask, comprising: a frame defining a respiratory chamber, for receiving nose and mouth portions of a user, between a proximal end of the frame for interfacing with a face portion of the user and a distal end of the frame configured for allowing gas exchange with the environment; a vocal guide defined by a sectional portion of the frame, the guide comprising an arched nose ridge portion, side wall portions extending from the nose ridge portion and a base connecting the side wall portions, wherein the guide is configured with an inwardly-projecting contour located at one or more regions of each of the side wall portions so as to alter an output frequency response of sound waves travelling through the frame for improving speech intelligibility of the mask during use.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for treating medication refractory epilepsy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of treating epilepsy is disclosed comprising detecting, using a first electrode array coupled to a first endovascular carrier, an electrophysiological signal of a subject. The method further comprises analyzing the electrophysiological signal using a neuromodulation unit electrically coupled to the first electrode array and stimulating an intracorporeal target of the subject using a second electrode array coupled to a second endovascular carrier implanted within a part of a bodily vessel superior to a base of the skull of the subject.

Abstract: A method for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (“DED”) in a human or animal subject is provided. Thread thinning dynamics of a tear sample of the subject are determined using an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument. At least one physical parameter value of the tear sample is calculated based at least in part on the determined thread thinning dynamics. DED is evaluated based at least in part on the at least one calculated physical parameter value of the tear sample. A device for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (DED) in a human or animal subject is also provided. The device includes an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument and a processing device configured to evaluate DED based at least in part on the calculated at least one physical parameter value of the tear sample.

Abstract: Methods and kits for the diagnosis of illnesses related to protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) protein deficiency or altered PCDH19 protein function are provided, as well as methods and kits for the identification of a predisposition to such illnesses and methods of screening subjects to identify carriers of such illnesses and methods and kits for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of PCDH19 deficiency or altered PCDH19 protein function. Further, nucleotide and amino acid sequences corresponding to a complete PCDH19 open reading frame (ORF), mutant sequences encoding non-functional PCDH19 mRNA or altered PCDH19 mRNA are described along with transformed cells and non-human transgenic animals comprising wild-type or mutant PCDH19 ORF nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A method for characterising a sample located within an imaging region, the method comprising the steps of: generating one or more evanescent fields, each associated with a direction, within the imaging region; capturing an image of the imaging region; determining one or more sample characteristics of the sample according to a spatial intensity pattern resulting from an interaction between the, or each, evanescent field and the sample within the image, and associated apparatus and system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a compound that is capable of increasing or maintaining the pH of a solution and a mineralizing agent.

Abstract: A small-sized, portable enclosure protects a gas sensor against degradation due to environmental exposure and changes in atmospheric conditions. The protective enclosure includes an inlet for introduction of a gas into the enclosure, an outlet for release of the gas upon completion of a sensing run, and at least one retractable filter that removes from the inflowing gas deleterious compounds that can compromise the integrity of the sensor or cause the sensor to degrade over time. The enclosure does not include any filters during the measurement phase of the sensing run in order to allow the gas sensor to accurately measure an unmodified gas mixture and/or analyte.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to method for evaluating and improving cognitive function in a subject. In particular, the invention generally relates to methods for evaluating cognitive function in a subject by determining the level of cholesteryl esters in a subject, and to improving cognitive function in a subject comprising the administration of cholesteryl oleate, or analogues thereof.

Abstract: A method for characterising a sample located within an imaging region, the method comprising the steps of: generating one or more evanescent fields, each associated with a direction, within the imaging region; capturing an image of the imaging region; determining 5 one or more sample characteristics of the sample according to a spatial intensity pattern resulting from an interaction between the, or each, evanescent field and the sample within the image, and associated apparatus and system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating an auditory disorder. In particular, the present invention relates to treating an auditory disorder using supraparticles comprising a therapeutic payload.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal, for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.

Abstract: For constructing an asymmetric RF pulse for an MRI system, a first RF amplitude for a first part of a time interval is determined and an RF amplitude curve, which depends on at least one RF curve parameter is received. A combined RF amplitude curve for the time interval is determined by combining the first RF amplitude for the first part of the time interval and the RF amplitude curve for a second part of the time interval, which succeeds the first part of the time interval. The combined RF amplitude curve is optimized using a loss function, which comprises an energy loss term, which depends on a pulse energy of the combined RF amplitude curve, and using the at least one RF curve parameter as at least one optimization variable. A combined amplitude of the asymmetric RF pulse is given by the optimized combined RF amplitude curve.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal, for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal, for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a compound that is capable of increasing or maintaining the pH of a solution and a mineralizing agent.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for treating medication refractory epilepsy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of treating epilepsy is disclosed comprising detecting, using a first electrode array coupled to a first endovascular carrier, an electrophysiological signal of a subject. The method further comprises analyzing the electrophysiological signal using a neuromodulation unit electrically coupled to the first electrode array and stimulating an intracorporeal target of the subject using a second electrode array coupled to a second endovascular carrier implanted within a part of a bodily vessel superior to a base of the skull of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and their use for oral care. In particular, the compositions and methods are for maintaining oral health and/or treating various oral conditions such as gingivitis. The present invention relates to methods and uses of stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or stabilized amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (ACFP) in the preparation of a medicament for reducing pathogenic oral bacteria at an oral site in an individual; increasing commensal oral bacteria at an oral site in an individual; decreasing the proportion of pathogenic oral bacteria at an oral site in an individual; inhibiting oral dysbiosis; reducing gingival inflammation in an individual in need thereof; treating gingivitis in an individual in need thereof; and treating chronic gingivitis in an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface including providing a composition including stabilized ACP and a source of fluoride ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved complexes of amorphous calcium phosphate and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate stabilised by phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins by addition of stannous ions. These complexes have anticariogenic properties useful to protect tooth structures as they remineralize (repair) early stages of dental caries and have other dental/medical applications (including anti-calculus, anti-erosion/corrosion and anti-dentinal hypersensitivity). Methods of making the complexes of the invention and of treatment or prevention of various dental conditions including dental caries, dental calculus, dental erosion/corrosion and dental hypersensitivity are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides mutant parasites, in particular protozoan parasites comprising a mutation of the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase/6-phosphate phosphatase (TPS/TPP)-like gene of Toxoplasma gondii (herein referred to as ‘Toxoplasma’) or a homologue thereof as well as vaccines comprising same.