Abstract: This invention relates to characterisation of the biosynthetic gene cluster for the lantibiotic actagardine, identification of a novel variant of actagardine and its biosynthetic cluster, and methods of production and use of actagardine, a novel actagardine variant, herein referred to as actagardine B, and variants of both of these produced according to this invention, utilizing genes from the characterised biosynthetic gene clusters.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are GPCR agonists and are useful as for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and products for improved production of the lantibiotic mersacidin. There is provided a method of producing a mersacidin variant which comprises introducing into a cell which is a ?MrsA host cell an expression vector encoding said variant, and recovering said variant from the cell culture. Preferred variants include the novel variants of Table 1, e.g. mersacidin F3W, said mersacidin F3W optionally having a further one or more variations, e.g. mersacidin F3W G8A. Also provided is a Bacillus cell which is a SigH deficient strain of Bacillus sp. HIL Y-85,54728 (NCIMB Accession Number NCIMB 41211); this cell may also be used in the production of mersacidin and its variants. Further aspects of the invention include a DNA cassette which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding the mersacidin mrsA propeptide, and a method to transform a Bacillus HIL host cell with plasmid, which method includes the step of electroporation.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, exhibit 5-HT1A agonism in addition to noradrenaline reuptake inhibition and optionally also 5-HT reuptake inhibition are useful for the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: A portable closed wound drainage system that uses a pouch shaped dressing which is inserted into a wound. At least a portion of the outer surface of the pouch 1 is porous to allow exudates to enter. Exudates are removed from the pouch by flexible tubing which is secured inside the pouch at one end, and secured at the other end to a portable drain/suction unit. The pouch contains porous material, and may optionally contain beads and fillers which are antibacterial in nature. The tubing can have a single or multi-lumen structure with perforations in the side walls of the end of the tube that is inserted in the pouch to allow body fluids to enter laterally. The portable drain/suction unit is preferably a portable battery powered device. The pouch and the tube are sealed by a flexible sealing material which is applied to the outer surface of the skin around the periphery of the pouch and the tubing as it exits the pouch.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of a microbial infection of the lower intestine or colon in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a type-B lantibiotic. In particular, the invention provides methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of a Clostridium difficile infection. The type-B lantibiotics may include compounds selected from the group consisting of mersacidin, actagardine, plantaricin, planosporicin, ruminococcin, antibiotic 10789, michiganin and haloduracin, and derivatives and variants thereof.

Abstract: An instrument, and method for using the same, for treating and repairing a vertebral body, which includes a steerable shaft and a distal end portion. The steerable shaft defines a longitudinal axis and includes a proximate portion and a flexible portion along the length. The distal end portion extends from the steerable shaft with an initial diameter, in the collapsed state, and has one or more expanded diameters. After inserting the instrument into the vertebral body, the flexible portion permits the distal end portion of the steerable shaft to be steered away from the longitudinal axis toward a center region within the vertebral body. A cutting surface upon the distal end portion is used to ream cancellous bone within the vertebral body and to create a single void which is off-set form the initial access axis.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating tissue during a surgical procedure where a surgical access device, including a body member having walls with at least one conduit therein, is inserted into the patient. A chilled fluid is circulated through the at least one conduit such that the tissue that is located proximate the body member is cooled. Alternatively, the body member may be constructed from a highly thermally conductive material such that heat energy is transmitted through the body from the tissue located proximate the body member and into a heat sink. The surgical device may include a first or second blade portions constructed from an inner and an outer shell having walls. Ribs located on the inner shell sealingly coupled to the inner wall of the outer shell to create the at least one conduit within the walls of the blade portion.

Abstract: A portable closed wound drainage system that uses a pouch shaped dressing which is inserted into a wound. At least a portion of the outer surface of the pouch 1 is porous to allow exudates to enter. Exudates are removed from the pouch by flexible tubing which is secured inside the pouch at one end, and secured at the other end to a portable drain/suction unit. The pouch contains porous material, and may optionally contain beads and fillers which are antibacterial in nature. The tubing can have a single or multi-lumen structure with perforations in the side walls of the end of the tube that is inserted in the pouch to allow body fluids to enter laterally. The portable drain/suction unit is preferably a portable battery powered device. The pouch and the tube are sealed by a flexible sealing material which is applied to the outer surface of the skin around the periphery of the pouch and the tubing as it exits the pouch.

Abstract: A flat-hose assembly has a proximal end and a distal end adapted for use with a negative pressure wound drainage system. The flat-hose assembly comprises a top layer, a bottom layer, and a filter layer. The bottom layer forms an opening at the distal end of the flat-hose assembly to allow exudates of a wound to flow into the flat-hose assembly. The filter layer is disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The top and bottom layer form a seal area along a periphery of the top layer and the bottom layer to seal the filter layer therebetween.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for the transformation of soybean cells or tissue and regeneration of the soybean cells or tissue into transformed plants. The disclosed methods utilize an explant prepared from an immature soybean seedling which can be induced directly to form shoots that give rise to transgenic plants via organogenesis. The disclosed methods do not require germination and are rapid and efficient.

Abstract: Machinery and process for continuously making a compound filter rod include a tow transport for continuously delivering an expanded fiber tow while compressing the tow as it travels in a downstream direction. At least one rotating pocket wheel has a plurality of spaced apart pockets therein, and a filter media supply delivers media to the pockets. A vacuum source applied to the pockets of the rotating wheel operates to draw filter media into the pockets from the filter media supply. An air transport tube in alignment with the pockets of the rotating pocket wheel discharges the filter media from the pockets as they rotate past the transport tube. The discharged filter media is delivered to the tow transport into interior portions of the fiber tow. Subsequently, the rod is wrapped with filter paper.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer is inserted between vertebral members in a compact configuration and expanded post-insertion to contact the adjacent vertebral members. The intervertebral spacer comprises a first member and a second member movable with respect to the first member between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A device for spinal stabilization includes bone anchors, a metal cord, and a spacer. The materials of the cord and spacer are chosen to allow the physician to customize the stiffness of the stabilization device based on a particular patient's needs. Each bone anchor has a clamping mechanism for securing the cord to the bone anchor. In an assembled and implanted state of the device, the spacer is positioned between two neighboring bone anchors, thereby impeding the motion of the bone anchors toward each other; the cord is clamped to the bone anchors, thereby impeding the motion of the bone anchors away from each other. By increasing or decreasing the tension in the cord during implantation, the physician can create a stabilization device that is either relatively stiff or relatively flexible to accommodate the specific needs of the patient.

Abstract: A ladder attachment device having at least a substantially rigid and substantially planar first member which is connectable at or adjacent a first end to a substantially flat portion of a rung or a top member of a ladder. A substantially rigid and elongate second member pivotally is connected at or adjacent a second end of the first member. The device can be clamped to the rung or top member of a ladder to provide a storage area for tools or materials, and the elongate member provides additional support for the ladder. The first member sets the ladder back from a wall or structure meaning that a person working on the ladder tends to lean into the ladder when working, rather than leaning back which can cause a ladder to topple.

Abstract: A capsule is formed from a PVA composition by blow moulding. Such capsules can at last provide a viable alternative to gelatin for biodegradable capsules containing a pharmaceutical or consumable or other substance, for example, a detergent. The capsules may contain solid or liquid substances. Blow moulding apparatus suitable for forming such capsules is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling sperm comprising the step of contacting the sperm with an effective amount of copper silicate.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for stabilizing the facet joints of the spine. One aspect of the present invention is the stabilization of the facet joint by insertion of a facet implant through two opposing facet surfaces. The facet implant includes a proximal, distal and intermediate member. The distal member is inserted through the facet joint and into a facet surface. The intermediate member is then placed in the area between the facet surfaces. The proximal member then is brought closer to the distal member to deploy the intermediate member into the space between the facet surfaces. Once deployed, the intermediate member provides a cushioning or restoring force to the facet joint such as to stabilize movement of the joint.

Abstract: A fluid contamination analyzer has a sample cell containing a trapping medium capable of trapping contaminants suspended in the aqueous fluid flowing through the trapping medium, a light source for illuminating the trapping medium to cause the entrapped contaminants generate a secondary radiation indicative of the identity and quantity of the contaminants, and a photodetector for receiving the secondary radiation. The fluid contamination analyzer has a reflective shell in the form of an ellipsoid extending at least partially around the sample cell and the detector, the sample cell being positioned at one of the focal points of the ellipsoid, and the photodetector at the other point of the ellipsoid to receive the secondary radiation reflected by the reflective shell.