Abstract: A skin dressing comprises a hydrated hydrogel material including a source of lactate ions and a supply of glucose, optionally also including a source of zinc ions and a source of iodide ions. The dressing has beneficial effects on skin.

Abstract: A skin dressing, particularly a wound dressing, comprises oxidoreductase enzyme and, optionally, peroxidase enzyme, wherein the enzyme(s) are present in hydrated condition, e.g. being present in one or more hydrated hydrogels. The dressing is used by being located on the skin of a human or animal e.g. over a wound. The oxidoreductase enzyme catalyses a reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide from an appropriate substrate, the substrate either being naturally present in body fluids and/or being supplied separately and/or being incorporated into the dressing. The currently preferred oxidoreductase enzyme is glucose oxidase. The catalyses reaction of ?-D-glucose substrate to give hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid. A mixture of oxidoreductase enzyme can undergo reaction (optionally catalysed by the peroxidase enzyme) to produce a variety of species including reactive oxygen intermediates that have antimicrobial properties and that can therefore assist in promoting wound healing.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilized in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reacts on in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: A protease detection product (1) for detecting a protease enzyme in a sample. The protease detection product (1) comprises a medium (2) providing a liquid flow path; a labelled component (6) located on the liquid flow path; a capture component (12) located downstream of the labelled component (6) and immobilisation means (8) for immobilising the intact labelled component. The labelled component (7) comprises a base element (8) connected to releasable element via a protease-sensitive linker peptide (9). The releasable element comprises a label (10). The capture component (12) is capable of binding the releasable element.

Abstract: An enzyme detection product (1) for detecting the presence of an enzyme in a sample. The product (1) comprises: a reaction zone (16) for receiving the sample; a visualization zone (10) for presenting a signal in response to the detection of the activity of the enzyme; and a membrane (11). The membrane (11) is interposable between the reaction zone (16) and the visualization zone (10) and prevents passage from the reaction zone (16) to the visualization zone (10) the components having a size greater than a threshold size. The reaction zone (16) comprises a reactant capable of reacting with the enzyme in order to generate a reaction product having a size less than a threshold size.

Abstract: A delivery system, e.g. a skin dressing, comprising an upper component, comprising hydrogen peroxide, and a lower component in hydrated condition, such that when the upper and lower components are placed in contact with each other, hydrogen peroxide migrates towards the lower component is provided.

Abstract: A binding assay product (1) for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising a labelling module (5), a label, a capture module (9) and a visualisation module (10). The labelling module (5) comprises a first binding component capable of binding the analyte. The label is connectable to the first binding component. The capture module (9) comprises a second binding component capable of binding the analyte. The visualisation module (10) is for detecting the first binding component connected to the label and bound to the second binding component via the analyte. The labelling module and the capture module comprise a fluid conducting medium in which the binding components are embedded. The labelling module (5), the capture module (9) and the visualisation module (10) together define a flow path along which the sample is capable of flowing.

Abstract: A method of detecting a protease in a sample. The method comprises providing an analyte degradable by the protease. The analyte is contacted with the sample. The degradation products of the analyte or the residual undegraded analyte is detected in a binding assay.

Abstract: A method of sterilising a protein in an aqueous environment, comprises exposing to ionising radiation an aqueous composition comprising the protein with a protective compound or combination of protective compounds having the following characteristics: (i) a rate of reaction with hydroxyl radicals greater than 5×108 L mol?1 s?1; and (ii) a non-polar region.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reacts on in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a specific target odour comprises: a detector unit adapted to have removably associated therewith a holding unit for housing at least one insect in a predetermined position; means for exposing an insect in a holding unit associated with the detector unit to a sample of gas to be tested; and means for enabling monitoring of a response of the insect to the sample thereby to detect a response indicative of the target odour. In use of the apparatus, a holding unit housing at lest one insect that responds in a detectable manner to the target odour is associated with the detector unit. A sample of gas to be tested is supplied to the apparatus, for exposure to the insect or insects in the holding unit. The insect is monitored for a response indicative of the target odour, thus enabling determination as to whether or not the target odour is present in the sample.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilized in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: Detergent composition comprising fusion protein comprising a cellulose binding domain and a domain having a high binding affinity for another ligand. Preferably, the domain having a high binding affinity is directed at a Benefit Agent.

Abstract: An insect holder for holding an insect, e.g. a forager honey bee, comprises a housing with a chamber adapted to receive the insect, an inlet to the chamber through which the insect can pass to enter the chamber, and a head opening to the chamber adapted to permit the head of the insect in the chamber to pass therethrough to the exterior of the housing while retaining the insect in the housing, with the head of the insect protruding through the head opening to the exterior of the housing. The insect is constrained to be unable to turn around in the chamber or withdraw its head into the chamber, so that observations can be made on the insect head, e.g. monitoring proboscis movement in known manner. When observations are finished, the insect is released unharmed and undamaged.

Abstract: Fusion protein comprising a cellulose binding domain and a domain having a high binding affinity for another ligand and detergent compositions comprising such fusion proteins.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.