Abstract: The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Abstract: The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Abstract: The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Abstract: The application concerns means for predicting whether a subject infected with one or more HCVs has a high probability of responding to an anti-HCV treatment which will comprise the administration of interferon and of ribavirin or whether, in contrast, that subject has a high probability of not responding to that anti-HCV treatment. The means of the invention in particular involve assaying the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: at least one gene from among MBL2, LGALS3BP and IL8, and at least one gene from among G1P2, CCL21 and CXCL10, and optionally, at least one gene from among AFP, CRP, CXCL11, CXCL6, CXCL9, FGF7, MDK, MMP2, SFN, TGFB2 and VEGFD.

Abstract: The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Abstract: The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Abstract: The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Abstract: The application concerns means for predicting whether a subject infected with one or more HCVs has a high probability of responding to an anti-HCV treatment which will comprise the administration of interferon and of ribavirin or whether, in contrast, that subject has a high probability of not responding to that anti-HCV treatment. The means of the invention in particular involve assaying the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: at least one gene from among MBL2, LGALS3BP and IL8, and at least one gene from among G1P2, CCL21 and CXCL10, and optionally, at least one gene from among AFP, CRP, CXCL11, CXCL6, CXCL9, FGF7, MDK, MMP2, SFN, TGFB2 and VEGFD.

Abstract: A method for defining a binding site in a biological macromolecule based on a two-sphere grid and a method for determining the free energy of a ligand:RNA structure based on pseudo-energy values. These methods can be use in docking and also in high-throughput in silico screening of ligand libraries against an RNA structure of interest.

Abstract: A method for defining a binding site in a biological macromolecule based on a two-sphere grid and a method for determining the free energy of a ligand:RNA structure based on pseudo-energy values. These methods can be use in docking and also in high-throughput in silico screening of ligand libraries against an RNA structure of interest.

Abstract: A model structure of sub-domain IIId of the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site has been elucidated. The invention provides an in silico method for identifying a compound that interacts with sub-domain IIId, comprising the steps of: (a) providing atomic co-ordinates of said sub-domain IIId in a storage medium on a Computer; and (b) using said computer to apply molecular modelling techniques to said co-ordinates. Suitable methods include de novo compound design, use of a pharmacophore, and automated docking algorithms.

Abstract: A hand-held grinding device 1, 50, 60 for sharpening the cutting edge 3 of a chisel 4 comprises a housing 5 in which a grinding wheel 6 is mounted and a handle member 7 defining a guide channel 20 for directing the cutting edge 3 to the wheel 6. The grinding wheel 6 is mounted on a shaft 10 with a free end 8 for mounting in the chuck 9 of a power tool 19. The guide channel 20 has a rear end entry 22 and an end exit 21 adjacent to the grinding surface of the wheel 6. The cutting edge 3 of a chisel 4 to be sharpened is urged against the grinding wheel 6 by spring biassing elements 25, 26 extending into the guide channel 20. A forward bridge 30 is provided above the exit 21 and a rearward bridge member 35 is provided above the end entry 22.

Abstract: A hand held grinding device for sharpening drill bits comprises a pair of bearing members which rotatably support a grinding wheel fast on a shaft. Portion of the shaft is engagable with the chuck of a drill. A guide plate with grooves for various size ranges of drill bits is hingedly connected to the bearing members by a plastics hinge. The grooves direct the drill bit to the grinding wheel at an angle of 59.degree.. By pivoting the guide plate relative to the bearing members, the trailing portion of the cutting edge of the drill bit is relieved.