Abstract: A graftable animal cell or tissue of a donor species for use in medicine expresses, or is capable of being caused to express, increased amounts of endogenous complement regulatory molecules for preventing activation of complement in a recipient species. Such tissue or organs are useful for xenotransplantation. Porcine complement regulatory proteins CD59, DAF have been sequenced. Also disclosed are methods of inducing in an animal cell or tissue resistance protection against complement attack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a functional IL-6 molecule and a functional DS-sIL-6R molecule. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein, methods for producing the fusion protein and the use of the fusion protein in the treatment of infectious diseases and inflammatory and immunological disorders.

Abstract: A mixture or substance having a spheroid-forming activity is obtained by heat treating fetal calf serum at a temperature and for a period sufficient to impart spheroid-forming activity. Introduced into cell culture, the substance or mixture so obtained causes cells to grow in three-dimensional cultures as opposed to mono-layer. Also disclosed are kits for the production of said mixture or substance and further uses of said mixture or substance.

Abstract: An isolated, purified or recombinant nucleic acid sequence is disclosed, comprising: (a) a sequence that encodes both an angiogenic factor antagonist and a vascular endothelial structure regulator; (b) a sequence substantially homologous to or that hybridises to sequence (a) under stringent conditions; or (c) a sequence substantially homologous to or that hybridises under stringent conditions to the sequence (a) or (b) but for the degeneracy of the genetic code; or (d) an oligonucleotide specific for any of the sequences (a), (b) or (c). Particular oligonucleotides (d) are those encoding the vascular endothelial structure regulator. Also described are methods for preparing the recombinant polynucleotide, proteins encoded by such polynucleotides and their use in gene or protein therapy for the treatment of conditions such as cancer.

Abstract: An assay method for TSH-R autoantibodies or TSH comprises contacting a test sample, in the presence or absence of TSH, with cells from a clone expressing human TSH-R transfected with a reporter construct comprising cDNA of both (i) a reactant, such as an enzyme, capable of causing a measurable response when brought into contact with a corresponding substrate, such as a protein, and (ii) a promoter containing cyclic AMP (cAMP) response elements (CREs), whereby cAMP levels vary with expression of the reactant. Also disclosed are related kits, reporter constructs and related biological material.

Abstract: A tooth inclination apparatus for allowing assessment of the angle of inclination of an incisor tooth or cast thereof includes a plane element providing a flat datum surface for resting against e.g. the upper molars in the maxillary plane. From the underside of the plane element projects a protractor portion with a graduated angular scale which measures the angular deviation of an indicator pin pivoted to the plane member and moved to contact the tooth whose inclination is being measured. Other mechanical or electro-optic devices may be used to determine the inclination of the incisor relative to the datum surface.

Abstract: The use of a type V cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: A graftable animal cell or tissue of a donor species for use in medicine expresses, or is capable of being caused to express, increased amounts of endogenous complement regulatory molecules for preventing activation of complement in a recipient species. Such tissue or organs are useful for xenotransplantation. Porcine complement regulatory proteins CD59, DAF have been sequenced. Also disclosed are methods of inducing in an animal cell or tissue resistance protection against complement attack.

Abstract: A detection method for detecting a variation in GH1 effective to act as an indicator of GH dysfunction in an individual, comprises the steps of comparing a test sample comprising a nucleotide sequence of the human GH1 gene from the individual with a standard sequence known to be that of the human GH1 gene. A difference between the test sample sequence and the standard sequence indicates the presence of a variation effective to act as an indicator of GH dysfunction (hereinafter “variant of GH1”).

Abstract: The use of a type V cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: A method of treating cystic fibrosis in a patient comprising: administering to said patient an effective amount of a type V cyclic nucleotide phosphodisterase inhibitor, wherein said inhibitor is a compound of formula (I):  wherein A is a five- or six-membered ring containing one or more N atoms, X is a substituent of formula (II):  wherein R1 represents C1-4 alkyl, and X is positioned at either or both of the 2-position and/or the 8-position in (I).

Abstract: A modified bioluminescent protein responds to different physical, chemical, biochemical or biological conditions to product light or radiation of altered characteristics when the bioluminescent reaction is initiated. The modified bioluminescent protein may respond to modification thereof, e.g. by covalent modification. The protein may include signal peptides to “target” it. DNA coding for the bioluminescent protein may be altered to include tissue specific promoter or enhancer genes so that the altered DNA acts as reporter gene.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for introducing agents into the cytosol and/or plasma membrane of a cell. The method comprises the steps of: (a) coating at least a portion of a tip of a transferring means with a lipid; (b) bringing the lipid-coated tip of the transferring means into contact with the cell; and (c) transferring the contents of the transferring means into the cytosol and/or plasma membrane of the cell without entering the cytoplasm. Also disclosed is a transferring means for injecting agents into the cytosol and/or plasma membrane of the cell and a method of coating a tip of a transferring means with a lipid. A suitable packaging and a method for preparing the transferring means for use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modified bioluminescent protein responds to different physical, chemical, biochemical or biological conditions to produce light or radiation of altered characteristics when the bioluminescent reaction is initiated. The modified bioluminescent protein may respond to modification thereof, e.g. by covalent modification. The protein may inlcude signal peptides to “target” it. DNA coding for the bioluminescent protein may be altered to include tissue specific promoter or enhancer genes so that the altered DNA acts as reported gene.

Abstract: A modified bioluminescent protein responds to different physical, chemical, biochemical or biological conditions to product light or radiation of altered characteristics when the bioluminescent reaction is initiated. The modified bioluminescent protein may respond to modification thereof, e.g. by covalent modification. The protein may include signal peptides to “target” it. DNA coding for the bioluminescent protein may be altered to include tissue specific promoter or enhancer genes so that the altered DNA acts as reporter gene.

Abstract: A compound for use as a chemiluminescent label in immunoassay comprises an aryl acridinium ester linked to an N-succinimidyl moiety. The compound is conveniently linked to a monoclonal antibody or other protein and is used in a two-site immunoassay for the quantitation of an antigen of interest, by initiation of the luminescent reaction and subsequent measurement of the photonic emission of the immune complex formed during the immunological reaction.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or onset of capillary leakage includes introducing into the blood stream of the subject a first low dosage of a low molecular weight macromolecular material and determining the volume of distribution thereof (an apparent volume of distribution). The determined value of volume of distribution is influenced not only by extravasation through the capillary wall but also by binding of smaller molecules to pores or receptor binding sites in the wall which occurs much faster than extravasation and is an important indicator of the onset of capillary leakage. The process is repeated with a high dose of high molecular weight macromolecular material to determine a further volume of distribution (the true circulating plasma volume). The two values are compared to determine the presence or onset of capillary leakage.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for measuring the anorectal angle comprises an outer rubber-like sheath (12), which may be a suitably modified catheter, within which is disposed an elongate angular deflection detector (14) which provides on display (16) a read-out of the angular deflection of the apparatus. The sheath (12) may include pressure ports with associated pressure lines back to the proximal end of the sheath to allow the pressure to be read at different points along the anal canal.

Abstract: An inhalation apparatus, which supplies appropriate volumes of oxygen to a closed breathing system, to replace the oxygen used by a patient. A variable volume enclosure is situated within a container, which has an inlet connected to a ventilator for the supply of oxygen into the container. The interior of the variable volume enclosure is in communication with the breathing system, and the interior of the container is also in communication with the breathing system, via a one-way valve, which opens to replenish the oxygen in the breathing system, when the pressure in the breathing system is lower than that within the container.

Abstract: A nucleotide sequence, specifically a CTG triplet repeat, is shown to be expanded in individuals affected with myotonic dystrophy and can be identified in a sample obtained from an individual. Individuals in whom the CTG triplet repeat is present in normal copy number are likely to be minimally affected and individuals in whom the CTG triplet repeat occurs in abnormally high copy number are likely to be more severely affected.