Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for the prevention and treatment of acute inflammatory conditions in individuals using an agonist of the complement C3a receptor.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing sleep disorders such as OASHS from snore sounds includes a segmentation module (126) coupled to a data logger (124) to provide segments of the digitized audio signal to a Snore Segment Identifier (128). A total airways response (TAR) module (130), pitch calculator (132), and MFCC calculator (134) are each coupled to an output side of the snore segment identifier module (128). Each of these modules is respectively arranged to calculate pitch, bispectrum, diagonal slice, and MFCC parameters for the snore segments received from the snore segment identifier (128). Similarly, the NGI calculator (136) produces a non-Gaussianity index for the digitized audio signal. A classification module (144) is arranged to process the calculated parameters and compare a resulting diagnosis probability to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing lipids and in particular methods for producing glycerolipids suitable for use in generating biofuels. The glycerolipids are produced through the modification of a cell so as to increase phosphatidic acid via the inhibition of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway. The invention further relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms in which the production of glycerolipids/oil is increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds of the Formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods for using such compounds as tools for biological studies or as agents or drugs for therapies such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, type II diabetes, fibrosis and cardiovascular diseases, whether they are used alone or in combination with other treatment modalities.

Abstract: A gradient coil arrangement for use in a magnetic imaging system, the imaging system being for generating a magnetic imaging field in an imaging region provided in a bore. The coil arrangement includes a first portion having a substantially cylindrical shape for positioning in the bore, a second portion extending outwardly from an end of the first portion, the second portion being for positioning outside the bore and at least one coil for generating a gradient magnetic field in the imaging region, the at least one coil having a first part provided on the first portion and a second part provided on the second portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of (i) a first antigen corresponding to a target antigen of interest, together with (ii) a second antigen, corresponding to a modified form of the target antigen, whose rate of intracellular proteolytic degradation is increased, enhanced or otherwise elevated relative to the first antigen, in compositions and methods for inducing both humoral and cellular immunity in an individual. The ability to provide compositions, which are capable of inducing both host-protective antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, facilitates the generation of immunogenic compositions capable of combating, inter alia, conditions that have long latency periods and, therefore, benefit from the dual approach of prophylaxis and therapy in one delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions relating to viral capsomeres which comprise foreign immunogenic sequences for use in pharmaceutical compositions and methods of producing such compositions, and related isolated or purified protein and nucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, compositions, and methods of use to augment an immune response, immunise an animal and prophylactically or therapeutically treat a disease, disorder or condition. The viral capsomere may be derived from a polyomavirus and comprise an immunogen of interest at the N-terminus and further at the C-terminus and/or at one or more exposed loops of the capsomere.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for remediation of sites contaminated with metals such as former industrial sites and mines. In particular the invention provides a process for site remediation comprising the steps of: (a) adding metal-binding particles to a site containing one or more metal contaminants such that at least some of the one or metal contaminants are sequestered by the particles, and (b) populating the site with plants. The use of the particles of the present invention in association with plants, and microbiota associated with the plant roots can achieve sustainable phytostabilization of contaminated sites.

Abstract: The present invention discloses small plant virus RNA molecules involved in modulating a plant defence response, particularly non-translated, plant viral microRNA molecules. The present invention also provides methods of their production and uses of these microRNA molecules for reducing a susceptibility of a plant to a pathogen.

Abstract: This invention discloses compositions and methods for inducing, promoting or otherwise facilitating pain relief. More particularly, the present invention discloses the use of sub-normovasodilatory doses of nitric oxide donors in the therapeutic management of vertebrate animals including humans, for the prevention or alleviation of pain, especially neuropathic pain. According to some embodiments of the present invention, nitric oxide donors are administered by any suitable route so as to provide concentrations of NO that are about ½ to 10?15 of those known to induce vasodilation in normal circulations.

Abstract: A method of activating a latent neural precursor cell population, comprising: (1) providing a neural cell population derived from the hippocampus; (2) introducing the neural cell population to a neurosphere-forming culture medium; and (3) activating the latent precursor cell population by treatment with a ?3 adrenergic receptor agonist.

Abstract: A method for treating a sludge to be fed to a bioreactor for treating wastewater, or an anaerobic or aerobic sludge digester, the method comprising contacting the sludge with free nitrous acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated, synthetic or recombinant peptide, wherein the peptide comprises the sequence: C K G K G A Xaa1 C R Xaa2 Xaa3 Xaa4 Y Xaa5 C C Xaa6 G Xaa7 C R Xaa8 Xaa9 R C SEQ ID NO: 1 wherein Xaa1, Xaa3, Xaa4, Xaa6, Xaa7 and Xaa8 are independently selected from serine and threonine; Xaa2 is selected from arginine and lysine; Xaa5 is selected from aspartic acid and glutamic acid; and Xaa9 is selected from glycine, alanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the imaging system generating a magnetic imaging field in an imaging region (5), the apparatus including at least one coil for at least one of transmitting, receiving or transceiving an electromagnetic field, a field component (4) (such as a coil or a shield) and a drive (6) coupled to the field component for moving the field component (4) relative to the imaging region (5) to thereby modify the electromagnetic field during imaging process. The same concept can also be applied to nuclear imaging or nuclear spectroscopy apparatus.

Abstract: A method for use in producing a patch having a number of projections thereon. The method includes providing a distribution member and filling material on a mold surface, the mold including a number of cavities extending from the mold surface for defining the patch projections, filling the cavities with filling material, at least in part by urging filling material from the distribution member into the cavities, causing the filling material to solidify and separating the solidified filling material and the mold to thereby form the patch.

Abstract: A method for preparing a suspension of LDH particles comprises the steps of preparing LDH precipitates by coprecipitation to form a mixture of LDH precipitates and solution; separating the LDH precipitates from the solution; washing the LDH precipitates to remove residual ions; mixing the LDH precipitates with water; and subjecting the mixture of LDH particles and water from step (d) to a hydrothermal treatment step by heating to a temperature of from greater than 80° C. to 150° C. for a period of about 1 hour to about 144 hours to form a well dispersed suspension of LDH particles in water.

Abstract: A method for preparing a suspension of LDH particles comprises the steps of preparing LDH precipitates by coprecipitation to form a mixture of LDH precipitates and solution; separating the LDH precipitates from the solution; washing the LDH precipitates to remove residual ions; mixing the LDH precipitates with water; and subjecting the mixture of LDH particles and water from step (d) to a hydrothermal treatment step by heating to a temperature of from greater than 80° C. to 150° C. for a period of about 1 hour to about 48 hours to form a well dispersed suspension of LDH particles in water.

Abstract: Primers suitable for nucleic acid sequence amplification of Pongamia plant genetic markers and a method of genetic analysis of Pongamia plants are provided. The primers comprise a repeat unit of two or three nucleotides repeated five to ten times together with a three prime extension of two or three nucleotides. Genetic markers amplified by the primers are also provided, from which may be produced further primers for genetic analysis of Pongamia plants. The primers, genetic markers and methods of genetic analysis may be suitable for selection and breeding of Pongamia plants having desired traits such as, or relating to, seed size, seed number, seed oil content, seed oil quality, seed flavour and toxicity, disease resistance, water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, precocious flowering, flowering time, tree size, tree shape, growth rate, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance and/or growth in low-nutrient soils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active single chain relaxin polypeptides comprising a relaxin B chain derived from relaxin-3, the polypeptides being truncated by one or more amino acids at the C-terminus of the relaxin-3 B chain. Typically the single chain relaxin polypeptides are antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor, and in some embodiments are selective antagonists of the RXFP3 receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical methods, apparatus, systems and kits for the detection or monitoring of proteolysis of proteinaceous matrices such as fibrin clots. The methods, apparatus, systems and kits generally include the use of voltammetric techniques to measure the changes in current that result from diffusion of an electroactive species towards an electrode on proteolysis of a proteinaceous matrix.