Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining the phenotype of hair follicles. More specifically, the invention relates to a new method of determining the phenotype of a hair follicle by determining the expression profile of the cellular material attached to a plucked hair.

Abstract: The invention in relates in part to a method for rejuvenating hair follicles, the method comprising the steps of: (1) obtaining androgen non-inhibited cells from hair follicle tissue; (2) culturing the androgen non-inhibited cells to produce an expanded population of androgen-non-inhibited cells; and (3) implanting the expanded population of androgen non-inhibited cells proximal to miniaturised and/or miniaturising hair follicles.

Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member, and a reinforced concrete base slab supporting the metal base can and the plurality of radial girders.

Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.

Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.

Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.

Abstract: A wind turbine foundation and method for making a wind turbine foundation. The wind turbine foundation preferably includes a core member including a substantially cylindrically-shaped main body, a first outer flange extending out from the main body along an upper section of the core member, and a second outer flange extending out from the main body along a lower section of the core member, and a plurality of radial girders connected to the first outer flange and the second outer flange and radiating out from the core member.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing carbon steel components of a subsea oilfield facility in a subsea environment by accelerating the corrosion of the carbon steel components in the surrounding seawater, by a passive and/or active impressed current method. In the passive method, the facility is connected to a cathodic metal of greater electrical potential, such as copper. In order to cause the maximum and uniform corrosion, it is preferred that a wire of the chosen cathodic metal be extended along the facility and through pipelines. In the active impressed current method, an external DC electrical supply is used to apply an electrical potential difference between the steel components of the facility and the cathodic metal.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing carbon steel components of a subsea oilfield facility in a subsea environment by accelerating the corrosion of the carbon steel components in the surrounding seawater, by a passive and/or active impressed current method. In the passive method, the facility is connected to a cathodic metal of greater electrical potential, such as copper. In order to cause the maximum and uniform corrosion, it is preferred that a wire of the chosen cathodic metal be extended along the facility and through pipelines. In the active impressed current method, an external DC electrical supply is used to apply an electrical potential difference between the steel components of the facility and the cathodic metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for tissue regeneration, particularly for treating skin lesions such as wounds. In one aspect, the invention provides a wound healing composition comprising living cells such as fibroblasts within a support matrix such as fibrin, in which the cells have a wound healing phenotype, and in which the composition is single layered and has been incubated for up to about 8 days to allow development of the wound healing phenotype. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful especially for assisting the process of wound healing, particularly chronic open lesions that are slow to heal or resistant to healing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a collagenous construct comprising (i) casting viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts in a support matrix comprising fibrin onto a support material, (ii) incubating in situ said support matrix with said viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts in a collagen-inducing medium thereby (a) inducing or enhancing collagen production by said viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts to form a collagenous construct, and (b) degrading said fibrin, (iii) rendering said collagenous construct free of said viable collagen-producing human dermal fibroblasts, and (iv) cross-linking said collagenous construct with a chemical or exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The invention relates to at least one novel neural cell differentiation medium for the production of neural cells from at least one precursor cell capable of lineage specific differentiation; a method for neural cell differentiation using said medium; the use of said medium and said method for lineage specific differentiation of at least one precursor cell towards a neural cell fate; and a kit of parts comprising said at least one said neural cell differentiation medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the repair of subcutaneous or dermal tissue in a subject, comprising in one aspect the injection of a suspension of allogeneic dermal fibroblasts into the subject. By injecting a suspension of allogeneic cells, the invention provides, for example, long-term augmentation of the subadjacent tissue without the disadvantages that accompany the preparation and/or use of presently available materials such as autologous fibroblasts cells or collagen. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the augmentation of subcutaneous or dermal tissue in a subject, which method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a suspension of allogeneic dermal fibroblasts; and (ii) injecting an effective volume of the suspension into tissue subadjacent to the subcutaneous or dermal tissue so that the tissue is augmented. The method is preferably cosmetic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for tissue regeneration, particularly for treating skin lesions such as wounds. In one aspect, the invention provides wound healing composition characterized by the higher expression levels of phenotypic marker genes such as apolipoprotein D, matrix metalloprotease (2), collagen 3a1 and smooth muscle actin than the housekeeping gene ribosomal protein L32. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful especially for assisting the process of wound healing, particularly chronic open lesions that are slow to heal or resistant to healing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for tissue regeneration, particularly for treating skin lesions such as wounds. In one aspect, the invention provides wound healing composition characterised by the higher expression levels of phenotypic marker genes such as apolipoprotein D, matrix metalloprotease (2), collagen 3a1 and smooth muscle actin than the housekeeping gene ribosomal protein L32. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful especially for assisting the process of wound healing, particularly chronic open lesions that are slow to heal or resistant to healing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for tissue regeneration, particularly for treating skin lesions such as wounds. In one aspect, the invention provides wound healing composition characterized by the higher expression levels of phenotypic marker genes such as apolipoprotein D, matrix metalloprotease (2), collagen 3a1 and smooth muscle actin than the housekeeping gene ribosomal protein L32. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful especially for assisting the process of wound healing, particularly chronic open lesions that are slow to heal or resistant to healing.

Abstract: A material blender and method for blending a plurality of ingredient materials to make a single heterogeneous material. The material blender may comprise a blending apparatus, a control system, and a pneumatic delivery system. The pneumatic delivery system may comprise a plurality of conduits each provided with a pneumatic flow therethrough to pneumatically convey one of the ingredient materials to the blending apparatus. The delivery system may also comprise one or more valves configured to independently vary the pneumatic flow through one of the conduits. The control system may be configured to provide signals to the valves, commanding the valves to oscillate between varying degrees of openness based on a desired percentage or ratio of each of the ingredient materials to be output to the blending apparatus. The control system may calculate signals to send to the valves based on stored calibration information.

Abstract: A material blender and method for blending a plurality of ingredient materials to make a single heterogeneous material. The material blender may comprise a blending apparatus, a control system, and a pneumatic delivery system. The pneumatic delivery system may comprise a plurality of conduits each provided with a pneumatic flow therethrough to pneumatically convey one of the ingredient materials to the blending apparatus. The delivery system may also comprise one or more valves configured to independently vary the pneumatic flow through one of the conduits. The control system may be configured to provide signals to the valves, commanding the valves to oscillate between varying degrees of openness based on a desired percentage or ratio of each of the ingredient materials to be output to the blending apparatus. The control system may calculate signals to send to the valves based on stored calibration information.

Abstract: Methods of forming soft connective tissue compositions such as skin equivalents, compositions made by the methods and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for improving the efficiency of hair formation by follicular cell implantation. The method includes the use of epidermal stimulation (ES) to stimulate keratinocytes in a subject's skin in order to make them more receptive to hair inductive signals originating from implanted follicular cells (e.g. dermal papilla cells, dermal sheath cells, and/or outer root sheath cells).