Abstract: A pH responsive and mucoadhesive pharmaceutical dosage form for the release of a pharmaceutically active agent is described. The dosage form includes a mucoadhesive layer for site-specific mucoadhesion, a water-insoluble outer layer, and an intermediate layer including one or more pharmaceutically active agents for site-specific delivery. The different membranous layers perform different functions in order to create a drug delivery system which is able to deliver a drug to a specific site, for a particular period of time and with a specific drug release pattern. The dosage form can have two or more intermediate layers, each layer comprising an active agent. The mucoadhesive layer can also include an active agents. The dosage form is preferably an oral or buccal delivery form for release of the active agent into the gastro intestinal tract. The intermediate layer can be an electrospun fibrous membrane layer containing the active agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modulating concentration of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) relevant proteins amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta (?) and gamma (?) secretases and amyloid beta peptide (A?), and also relates to a method of reducing A? shedding. Furthermore, this invention extends to a compound for use in the treatment of AD, and also to a method of treating AD.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modulating concentration of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) relevant proteins amyloid precursor protein (APP), beta (?) and gamma (?) secretases and amyloid beta peptide (A?), and also relates to a method of reducing A? shedding. Furthermore, this invention extends to a compound for use in the treatment of AD, and also to a method of treating AD.

Abstract: A polymeric hydrogel pharmaceutical dosage form for drug delivery to a target site of a human or animal. The dosage form includes polyethylene-imine (PEI) and 1-vinylimidazole (1VA), the dosage form being electro-responsive in use. Also, methods of manufacturing the dosage form and methods of treating chronic pain utilizing the dosage form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form which may comprise carbamoyl glycinated chitosan, and particularly it relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising the novel polymer in a lyophilized polymeric wafer form which shows rapid disintegration and dissolution characteristics in use.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form which may comprise carbamoyl glycinated chitosan, and particularly it relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form comprising the novel polymer in a lyophilized polymeric wafer form which shows rapid disintegration and dissolution characteristics in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a means for compensating for a whole or partial loss of speech. The means has a sensor unit in the form of a Logometrix pseudo palate and a palatometer which sense the position of a user's tongue while endeavouring to articulate words or sounds. The sensor unit is connected to a comparator which makes use of suitable artificial intelligence algorithms (such as Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Networks and Hidden Markov Models) together with a library of stored words and sounds as well as tongue positions and signals related to jaw and lip movement as well as inhalation and exhalation to match words or sounds and transmit the matched words or sounds to a loudspeaker. Preferably the output of the loudspeaker will simulate the natural voice of the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pharmaceutical dosage form, particularly to a topical ocular pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a polymeric matrix of polyethylene oxide block copolymer, preferably polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer and hydroxpropyl cellulose, and a pharmaceutically active ingredient incorporated within the matrix. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing the pharmaceutical dosage form.

Abstract: This invention relates to an osteogenic device for the de novo induction of bone formation in a mammal. The device contains at least one transforming growth factor-?3 isoform and a retention matrix. The device is introduced by direct injection or surgical implantation into an area where de novo bone formation is desired and, once implanted, the retention matrix acts to retain the TGF-?3 isoform at its place of introduction and forms a scaffold for generated bone, the induction of which is promoted by the TGF-?3 isoform. The device may be used to induce bone growth where bone has been debrided in a surgical procedure and it may also be used to transform neoplastic primary and/or metastatic secondary masses into bone thus facilitating surgical debridement thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified short interfering RNA (siRNA) nucleic acid molecules, particularly siRNA's which have been modified by the addition of a 2-0-guanidinopropyl (GP) modified nucleoside. In particular the invention relates to modified siRNAs which are capable of silencing target sequences, methods of treating and preventing infection by using the siRNAs, medicaments containing the siRNAs and use of the siRNAs.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for intraperitoneal delivery of an anti-neoplastic agent is provided for treating cancers associated with aberrant mucin expression, preferably ovarian cancer and pancreatic, prostate, metastatic breast, bladder and lung cancers. The composition comprises nanomicelles loaded with the anti-neoplastic agent, and antibodies such as anti-MUC16, anti-MUC1 or anti-MUC4 are conjugated to these nanomicelles. The antibody-bound nanomicelles are optionally embedded in a biodegradable pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogel capable of sol-gel transition at body temperature. The pharmaceutical composition is implantable in the peritoneum, where it transforms into a semi-solid gel at the body's core temperature. In response to pH, the hydrogel swells and releases the antibody-bound nanomicelles. The nanomicelles specifically target mucin antigens on cancer cells.

Abstract: A pH responsive and mucoadhesive pharmaceutical dosage form for the release of a pharmaceutically active agent is described. The dosage form includes a mucoadhesive layer for site-specific mucoadhesion, a water-insoluble outer layer, and an intermediate layer including one or more pharmaceutically active agents for site-specific delivery. The different membranous layers perform different functions in order to create a drug delivery system which is able to deliver a drug to a specific site, for a particular period of time and with a specific drug release pattern. The dosage form can have two or more intermediate layers, each layer comprising an active agent. The mucoadhesive layer can also include an active agents. The dosage form is preferably an oral or buccal delivery form for release of the active agent into the gastro intestinal tract. The intermediate layer can be an electrospun fibrous membrane layer containing the active agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oramucosal pharmaceutical dosage form in the form of a wafer. The wafer comprises a porous, hydroscopic, muco-adhesive polymeric matrix with at least one desired pharmaceutically active compound added thereto. The polymer is selected from a number of polymers having different dissolution rates and, in use when taken orally, the matrix adheres to an oramucosal surface to dissolve over a predetermined period of time to release the pharmaceutically active compound. The invention also extends to a method of manufacturing an oramucosal pharmaceutical dosage form in the form of a wafer which involves freeze drying or lyophilisation.

Abstract: The field of this invention relates to supramolecular functional materials, particularly to coordination networks, more particularly to coordination polymers, more particularly to metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers. The metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers comprises a repeat unit [L1-M-L2]n where L1 and L2 are one of a plurality of carboxylate ligands and L1 can be the same as L2, M is a metal, particularly a transition metal, and n is an integer from 1 to infinity. The metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers display one or more physico-chemical properties giving at least one functionality to the supramolecular material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the conversion of carbon containing feedstock to a liquid chemical product, particularly a liquid fuel product, wherein carbon dioxide emissions are minimized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus, primarily a radiation imaging apparatus and an array of coded aperture masks, for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine. The coded aperture masks are fitted with radiation attenuation tubes, each of which extends from each side of the mask in the direction of the mask apertures. The tubes are made from lead and have parallel sides. The masks are configured for gamma ray usage and are made from tungsten having a thickness of between 1 and 2 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioreactor processes, particularly bioreactor processes for the production of hydrogen gas from biomass, more particularly to bioreactor processes for the production of hydrogen gas employing a mixed anaerobic thermophilic bacterial consortium during the anaerobic fermentation of biomass.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymeric pharmaceutical dosage form for the delivery, in use, of at least one pharmaceutical composition in a rate-modulated and site-specific manner. The dosage form comprises a biodegradable, polymeric, scaffold incorporating loaded with at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The polymer or polymers making up the scaffold degrade in a human or animal body in response to or in the absence of specific biological stimuli and, on degradation, release the API or APIs in an area where said stimuli are encountered. Preferably the polymeric scaffold is formed from poly (D1L-lactide) (PLA) and polymethacrylate (Eudragit S100/ES100) polymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to biomaterials, said biomaterials for use in methods to control and/or induce bone growth. Particularly, the invention relates to macroporous calcium phosphate biomaterials pre-loaded with certain amounts of osteoclastic activity inhibitors for use in methods to control and/or induce bone growth in primates.