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 polyamide rate-modulated monolithic drug delivery system comprising at least one active compound and a biodegradable and biocompatible polyamide polymer. The polymer is selected for delivering, in use, the active compound, within a predetermined time frame depending on the biodegradable properties of the polymer, to a target organism or organisms. In one embodiment of the invention the polymer is modified by salting-out or crosslinking the polymeric material to achieve the desired biodegradability characteristics and, consequently, to control the release of the active compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bioreactor for producing high rates of hydrogen from plant biomass. It also relates to the rapid screening, selection and isolation of biofilm forming mesophilic and/or thermophilic bacteria or bacteria consortia that generate high levels of hydrogen from plant biomass or from soluble hydrolysates derived from the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials including hemicellulose. The reactor comprises a primary reactor vessel having a bed of hydrogen producing bacteria towards its base located within a secondary reactor vessel which functions as a hydrogen gas collector and as a clarifier and separator. The plant biomass may be one or a mixture of insoluble cellulosic material and a hydrolysate derived from hydrolysis of cellulosic material. In one embodiment the bed of the primary reactor vessel is fluidised by recycling hydrogen gas saturated plant biomass effluent from the secondary reactor vessel to the primary reactor vessel.

Abstract: A spark gap protection device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of spark gaps and a plurality of windings. Each spark gap is connected to at least one winding which is inductively coupled to an associated winding connected to another spark gap so that, in use, a surge current flowing across a spark gap and through a winding connected to the spark gap induces a voltage in the associated inductively coupled winding connected to another spark gap. This forces the other spark gap to trigger, thereby distributing the surge current between the spark gaps.

Abstract: This invention relates to inhibition of hepatitis gene expression. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of using RNA sequences to inhibit Hepatitis B and C Virus replication. Expression cassettes that include DNA sequences derived from endogenous micro RNAs (miRs) are used in the method and are transcribed by Pol II promoters, and then processed to generate sequences that are specific to target hepatitis virus sequences (RNAi effecter sequences). The RNAi effecter sequences can target the selected hepatitis virus sequences resulting in gene silencing or transcriptional inhibition of the hepatitis virus gene. The expression cassettes may be delivered in vitro or in vivo to host cells. A pharmaceutical composition containing the expression cassettes is also claimed.

Abstract: A DNA polynucleotide is described herein having a modified sequence of a target gene, wherein any one type of nucleotide in the target gene sequence has been chemically modified to another type of nucleotide; and a complementary sequence of the unmodified target gene; wherein either one of the modified sequence or the complementary sequence is in a reverse orientation to the other sequence; and wherein the RNA sequence transcribed from the DNA polynucleotide forms a duplex between the modified sequence and the complementary sequence so that a long double stranded RNA (IdsRNA) duplex forms between the modified and complementary sequences with base pair mismatches where the nucleotides have been modified, the IdsRNA duplex being capable of inhibiting expression of the target gene. RNA polynucleotides and IdsRNA duplexes transcribed by the DNA polynucleotide are also described, as is a method for producing the IdsRNA duplexes. These IdsRNA duplexes can be used in gene silencing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved monolithic drug delivery dosage form which releases a pharmaceutically active agent at a predetermined rate. The dosage form comprises a salted-out or crosslinked polymer and a pharmaceutically active agent. The salted-out or crosslinked polymer functions to polymerically entangle the pharmaceutically active agent but, progressively relax on contact with an aqueous medium in use to release the pharmaceutically active agent at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for diagnosing and/or monitoring a viral infection or disease in a patient, the assay including the steps of mixing a sample of leucocytes with a fluorescent cell membrane-permeable dye which stains RNA or both DNA and RNA within the leucocytes; identifying from all the leucocytes at least two of the three major sub-populations of leucoytes selected from the group consisting of monocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes; determining the fluorescence intensity for each of the identified sub-populations; and comparing the fluorescence intensity of at least two cell sub-populations to each other to obtain at least one of the following ratios: monocytes:granulocytes, monocytes:lymphocytes, and granulocytes lymphocytes. The viral infection may be HIV and the disease may be AIDS. The invention also provides a method of monitoring the cellular viral, parasitic or bacterial reservoir of a patient with a viral or bacterial infection by the steps described above.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for mammals and, more particularly, to a pharmaceutical composition which enhances the action of an anaesthetic used in both human and veterinary applications, which, at least partly, reduces the risk of respiratory depression and enhances pulmonary perfusion. The pharmaceutical composition is characterised in that it contains a serotonergic ligand or any pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof which acts on at least one member of the 5-HT family of serotonergic receptors, preferably on one or more of the 5-HTiA, 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 serotonergic receptors. In an example the ligand is the 8-OH-DPAT ligand. The composition can be used in conjunction with or include an anaesthetic, preferably an opioid anaesthetic, to induce a state of anaesthesia in mammals and it can be used to immobilise wile or non-domestic mammals.

Abstract: A spark gap protection device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of spark gaps and a plurality of windings. Each spark gap is connected to at least one winding which is inductively coupled to an associated winding connected to another spark gap so that, in use, a surge current flowing across a spark gap and through a winding connected to the spark gap induces a voltage in the associated inductively coupled winding connected to another spark gap. This forces the other spark gap to trigger, thereby distributing the surge current between the spark gaps.

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 a composition for stimulating de novo bone induction in a mammal, to the use of this composition in stimulating de novo bone induction in a mammal and to a method of treating a mammal to stimulate de novo bone induction. The use and method involve introducing the composition, preferably by local injection, into the mammal at a site where de novo bone induction is desired. The composition consists of a combination of a bone morphogenetic protein and a reconstituted basement membrane which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention is Matrigel®. The Matrigel® serves, at least partly, to retain the bone morphogenetic protein at the site of introduction for a period sufficient to trigger a bone differentiation cascade.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing carbon nanotubes which includes supplying a continuous fluidized feed of a catalyst and at least one hydrocarbon to a reactor operating under conditions suitable to produce carbon nanotubes. The fluid is made to flow though the reactor with a swirling motion which ensures that the internal surfaces of the reactor are cleaned of deposits.