THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150313986 | PRODUCTION OF HETEROLOGOUS POLYSACCHARIDES IN PLANTS - The invention relates to a novel method for producing bacterial or viral saccharides, such as capsular, immunogenic or membrane saccharides, in a plant cell. Also provided plants, plant cells, plant parts, and plant products comprising such a bacterial or viral saccharide. The invention is based upon the novel finding that bacterial enzymes can be used in a plant cell to produce bacterial or viral capsular, immunogenic and/or membrane saccharides. | 11-05-2015 |
20150309079 | POWER LINE MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Devices and methods for measuring an electrical characteristic, in particular, for measuring current are provided. The devices can use a pair of MEMS optical modulators as opposed to the more conventional coil and associated oil insulation arrangement. | 10-29-2015 |
20150252421 | METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING A NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE - The present invention relates to methods of assessing whether a subject has or is likely to develop a neurodegenerative disease comprising determining whether the subject has a mutation in the C9orf72 gene wherein said mutation prevents or disrupts C9orf72 expression relative to expression in a reference from subjects without the mutation. | 09-10-2015 |
20150231577 | Separation of Water Using a Membrane - This invention relates to uses of graphene oxide, and in particular graphene oxide on a porous support, and a membrane comprising these materials. This invention also relates to methods of dehydration, which include vapour phase separation and pervaporation. Pervaporation is a method of separating mixtures of liquids using a membrane. Pervaporation consists of two basic steps: permeation of the permeate through the membrane and evaporation of the permeate from the other side of the membrane. Pervaporation is a mild which can be used to separate components which would not survive the comparatively harsh conditions needed for distillation (high temp, and/or low pressure). | 08-20-2015 |
20150186748 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FITTING A DEFORMABLE SHAPE MODEL TO AN IMAGE USING RANDOM FOREST REGRESSION VOTING - One embodiment of the invention provides an image processing method for use in fitting a deformable shape model to an acquired image. The deformable shape model specifies a set of target points whose motion is governed by the model. The method comprises, for each target point, generating a corresponding response image by: providing a feature detector to locate a given target point within the acquired image, wherein said feature detector includes a random forest comprising one or more decision trees; scanning a patch image across the acquired image to define multiple sampling locations with respect to the acquired image; for each sampling location of the patch image with respect to the acquired image, performing regression voting using the random forest to produce one or more votes for the location of the given target point within the acquired image; and accumulating the regression votes for all of the multiple sampling locations to generate said response image corresponding to the given target point. The method further includes then performing an optimization to determine positions for the set of target points within the acquired image based on the corresponding response images and subject to constraint by the deformable shape model. | 07-02-2015 |
20150133537 | 3 - (1' - ADAMANTYL) - 1 - AMINOMETHYL - 3, 4 - DIHYDRO - 5, 6 - DIHYDROXY - 1H - 2 - BENZOPYRAN FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF A DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH BETA-AMYLOID INDUCED TOXICITY - The present invention relates to the new use of the compound 3-(1′-adamantyl)-1-aminomethyl-3,4-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy-1H-2-benzopyran for the treatment of diseases or conditions that are associated with β-amyloid induced toxicity, such as Alzheimer's disease. | 05-14-2015 |
20150098641 | Biomarker Method - Provided herein is a method for quantifying the spatial distribution of cells or sub-cellular structures comprising (a) receiving image data comprising a plurality of biomarkers, N, wherein the data represents a spatial map of the biomarkers; (b) processing the data to obtain a set of coordinates, wherein each coordinate denotes the location of a cell or sub-cellular structure represented by a biomarker or combination of biomarkers; and (c) processing the set of coordinates into a two-dimensional symmetric (2 | 04-09-2015 |
20150083206 | PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS - This invention relates to cells and devices for harvesting light. Specifically the cell comprises at least one electrode which comprises graphene or modified graphene and layer of a transition metal dichalcogenide in a vertical heterostructure. The cell may be part of a light harvesting device. The invention also relates to materials and methods for making such cells and devices. | 03-26-2015 |
20150030681 | METHOD OF MAKING A HYDROGEL - The present invention relates to a novel protocol for making a hydrogel, which shows increased stability compared to hydrogels of the art, and can be reliably reproduced. The hydrogels produced by the methods of the present invention are preferably three dimensional, and particularly suitable for the culture of stem cells. | 01-29-2015 |
20140315241 | MICROSENSOR - The present invention relates to a miniature device for detecting, identifying and/or quantifying microorganisms in a sample. The device comprises a surface for contact with a sample to be analysed, said surface defining a pore and said pore comprising means for reporting the presence of a microorganism. The reporting means may comprise a solid or semi-solid substrate, a metabolic indicator; and a media and/or nutrients that support or encourage microbial growth. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314823 | ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES - The present invention provides novel therapeutic antimicrobial peptides that are bactericides and have an inhibitory effect on biofilms produced by biofilm-forming bacteria and especially biofilm-forming staphyloccocal bacteria. The invention includes the nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, methods of treating bacterial infections, medical devices or implants or prosthetics impregnated with, covered or coated in the polypeptides, and means of delivery of the peptide to the oral cavity. | 10-23-2014 |
20140248233 | BIOCOMPATIBLE COMPOSITE MATERIALS - An injectable composite material comprising a fibrous material comprised of a fir biocompatible low melting point polyester dispersed in a host medium comprised of second biocompatible low melting point polyester. | 09-04-2014 |
20140213779 | RIBOSWITCHES - The present invention relates to a system comprising a genetic construct a riboswitch operably linked to a regulatory sequence, and a second genetic construct a coding sequence whose expression is capable of being regulated by a gene product of the first construct. Also provided is a genetic construct comprising one or more riboswitches for regulation of gene expression, wherein preferably a spacer sequence is provided downstream of the riboswitch to enhance expression of a coding sequence which is operably linked to a riboswitch. Ligands, kits, methods, host cells and expression systems are also provided. | 07-31-2014 |
20140086977 | TIGHT JUNCTIONS MODULATORS - The present invention relates to a new therapy targeted at the restoration or improvement of tight junction function. Aberrant TJ function, is characteristic of many chronic skin diseases. The inventors demonstrated that plant polyphenols or flavonoids and Cis-urocanic acid modulates tight junction structure and function in mammalian keratinocytes and provided tight junction modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating impaired tight junction function in stratified mammalian epithelia. | 03-27-2014 |
20140061059 | PRODUCTION OF GRAPHENE - A method of producing graphene by the electrochemical insertion of alkylammonium cations in a solvent into graphite is disclosed. | 03-06-2014 |
20140038229 | SELECTION OF IMPROVED MICROBIAL STRAINS FOR PRODUCTION OF SUCCINIC ACID FROM GLYCEROL - Provided are methods for generating a microorganism with improved ability to convert glycerol to succinic acid. These methods comprise combining a microorganism with ability to convert glycerol to succinic acid and a medium containing glycerol to produce a fermentation mixture; allowing fermentation to occur such that succinic acid is produced; and assaying for an indication of glycerol metabolism. These latter two steps may be repeated as necessary. Also provided are microorganisms generated in this manner, particularly bacteria deposited at the NCIMB on 13 | 02-06-2014 |
20140008616 | TRANSISTOR DEVICE AND MATERIALS FOR MAKING - This application relates to graphene based heterostructures and transistor devices comprising graphene. The hetero-structures comprise i) a first graphene layer; ii) a spacer layer and iii) a third graphene. The transistors comprise (i) an electrode, the electrode comprising a graphene layer, and (ii) an insulating barrier layer. | 01-09-2014 |
20130345142 | DETECTING AND TREATING DEMENTIA - This document relates to methods and materials for detecting mutations that can be linked to dementia. For example, methods and materials for detecting one or more mutations within PGRN nucleic acid are provided. This document also provides methods and materials for detecting the level of progranulin expression. In addition, this document relates to methods and materials for treating mammals having a neurodegenerative disorder (e.g., dementia). For example, methods and materials for increasing PGRN polypeptide levels in mammals are provided, as are methods and materials for identifying agents that can be used to increase PGRN polypeptide levels in mammals. | 12-26-2013 |
20130320269 | PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS, COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USE - This invention relates to a novel process for preparing compounds comprising moieties of formula (I) and polymers comprising monomers of formula (II) or (III) as defined herein. The present invention also provides novel compounds of formula (I) and novel polymers comprising monomers of formula (II) or (III) as defined herein, as well as to the use of such compounds and polymers in organic semiconductor applications. Formulae (I), (II), (III) | 12-05-2013 |
20130316404 | COVALENTLY LINKED INTERLEUKIN-10 - The present invention relates to a polypeptide having interleukin-10 function, comprising two interleukin-10 monomer subunits covalently linked by a linker. The present invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide of the invention, a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, a non-human host transformed with the nucleic acid molecule or the vector of the invention as well as a method for the production of a recombinant polypeptide of the invention. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition as well as to the polypeptide, the nucleic acid molecule, the vector or the host or host cell of the invention for use in treating and/or preventing inflammatory diseases. | 11-28-2013 |
20130286352 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING A PROPERTY OF AN EYE OF A SUBJECT - According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring a property of an eye of a subject using an apparatus which is: arranged to provide a bleaching light, a background light ostensibly invisible to rods (e.g. substantially red, and/or having or being a wavelength greater than 580 nm) and a target light ostensibly visible to rods (e.g. substantially green, and/or having or being a wavelength less than 580 nm and greater than 400 nm, e.g. around 514 nm+/−50 nm), the background light and/or target light (together) being suitable for rod-dominated stimulation, the background light and target light being superimposable upon one another, and the target light being presentable to the subject such that the target light is incident on a parafoveal region of the subject's retina; the method comprising: a) stimulating the subject's retina with a low level bleach using the bleaching light; b) after the bleach has been undertaken, modulating a target light at an initial luminance at which modulation of the target light is not perceivable by the subject, whilst a background light remains substantially constant; c) increasing the luminance of the modulated target light; d) receiving an input from the subject when modulation of the target light is perceivable by the subject, thus indicating a rod-related threshold; e) after said input, decreasing the luminance of the modulated target light; and f) repeating parts c) to e) of the method to determine a series of rod-related thresholds over a period of time. | 10-31-2013 |
20130237486 | COLLAGEN - The present invention relates to a trimeric fusion protein comprising three polypeptide chains, wherein each polypeptide chain comprises a eukaryotic collagen or collagen-like domain and a prokaryotic or viral trimerisation domain (PVTD). Also provided is a fusion polypeptide comprising a eukaryotic collagen or collagen-like domain and a PVTD. A suitable PVTD of a fusion polypeptide or protein of the invention is preferably derived from a collagen-like protein sequence found in the genome of the | 09-12-2013 |
20130217617 | Pyruvamide Compounds as Inhibitors of Dust Mite Group 1 Peptidase Allergen and Their Use - The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain pyruvamide compounds of the following formula (for convenience, collectively referred to herein as “PVA compounds”), which, inter alia, inhibit a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen (e.g., Der p 1, Der f 1, Eur m 1). The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are mediated by a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen; that are ameliorated by the inhibition of a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen; asthma; rhinitis; allergic conjunctivitis; atopic dermatitis; an allergic condition which is triggered by dust mites; an allergic condition which is triggered by a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen; and canine atopy. | 08-22-2013 |
20130184724 | MEDICAL DEVICE - The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth scaffold including poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) and microgrooves on an inner surface of the scaffold, the scaffold being adapted for use in treatment of damaged peripheral nerves. The microgrooves are suitably arranged as a pattern or array and preferably comprise sloping side walls, which arrangement has been found to provide a favourably environment for nerve and Schwann cell growth and proliferation. Experimental results demonstrate directed and aligned growth, which suitably reduces the rate of formation of neuromas. Embodiments comprising a PCL-PLA blend of the sloping side wall and a groove width greater than the spacing between adjacent grooves has been found to be particularly effective for directed cell growth and proliferation. | 07-18-2013 |
20130122589 | TARGETED DIFFERENTIATION OF STEM CELLS - The invention provides a method of producing a mesodermal lineage progenitor cell, by 10 application of one or more factors selected from the group consisting of activin, Wnt, BMP, FGF, an inhibitor of activin, GDF and NT to a culture of undifferentiated stem cells for a period of time sufficient to differentiate a stem cell into a mesodermal lineage progenitor cell. The stem cell may be derived from a stem cell line, such as an embryonic stem cell line, for example HUES-1, HUES-7, HUES-8, MAN-1 or MAN-2. Also provided are cell 1 cultures, cells, matrices, kits and uses of the cell cultures and cells. | 05-16-2013 |
20130071464 | COMPOSITION COMPRISING PHOSPHONIC ACID POLYMER FOR USE AS TISSUE ENGINEERING FIBROUS SCAFFOLD - A fibrous tissue scaffold wherein fibres of the scaffold comprise a phosphonic acid polymer. The fibres preferably incorporate a vinylphosphonic acid—acrylic acid copolymer, and may further include polycaprolactone. There is further described medical implant coating comprising a phosphonic acid polymer, a biocompatible fibre comprising a phosphonic acid polymer and a biocompatible polymer comprising polycaprolactone and a phosphonic acid polymer. | 03-21-2013 |
20130046098 | KINASE INHIBITORS - The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein A=formula: (a) or formula: (b); X is oxygen or methylene; Y is C | 02-21-2013 |
20120322722 | Pyruvamide Compounds as Inhibitors of Dust Mite Group 1 Peptidase Allergen and Their Use - The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds and more specifically to certain pyruvamide compounds of the formula (X) (for convenience, collectively referred to herein as “PVA compounds”), which, inter alia, inhibit a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen (e.g., Der p 1, Der f 1, Eur m 1). The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are mediated by a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen; that are ameliorated by the inhibition of a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen; asthma; rhinitis; allergic conjunctivitis; atopic dermatitis; an allergic condition which is triggered by dust mites; an allergic condition which is triggered by a dust mite Group 1 peptidase allergen; and canine atopy. | 12-20-2012 |
20120288445 | RADIOLABELLING - Compounds of the formula (I) are disclosed: | 11-15-2012 |
20120220035 | TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE CO-POLYMERS AND USES THEREOF - This disclosure relates to temperature-responsive co-polymers, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-hydroxypropyl methacrylate-co-3-trimethoxysilypropyl methacrylate). The disclosure also relates to polymeric films formed from these co-polymers and particular applications of these polymeric films, particularly in the cell culture field. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the use of these polymeric films in the cell culture field to provide a means of controlling cellular adhesion to, and detachment from, the surface of a cell culture support substrate. | 08-30-2012 |
20120215504 | LUNG FUNCTION ANALYSIS METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for generating data indicative of lung function of a subject. The method comprises receiving first data which has been obtained from the subject, and inputting said first data to a model of lung function to generate said data indicative of lung function. The model of lung function comprises a first model component modelling transfer of gaseous oxygen from a gaseous space within the lung to biological material within the lung based upon quantitative data indicative of oxygen content in the inhaled gases and oxygen content in the biological material and a second model component modelling the transfer of oxygen from the lungs by oxygenation of venous blood to create oxygenated blood based upon quantitative data indicative of oxygen content in the venous blood. | 08-23-2012 |
20120190641 | Use of Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides - Use of a non-digestible oligosaccharide or salt thereof for producing an anti proliferative effect in a subject wherein the non-digestible oligosaccharide is of formulae (i) [A]-[B] | 07-26-2012 |
20120146870 | Wide Band Array Antenna - An antenna array including a plurality of elements, the elements including at least one element of a first type and at least four elements of a second type wherein the element of the first type comprises part of two balanced feeds with two elements of the second type and the element of the first type is capacitively coupled to two further elements of the second type. | 06-14-2012 |
20110303121 | FUNCTIONALIZED GRAPHENE AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The present invention relates to the novel material fluorographene (FG), methods of making fluorographene, and its applications in electronics and related fields. The fluorographene also finds use in improving the properties of composite materials by incorporating the fluorographene of the invention with one or more materials such as fluoropolymers (FP) and the like. Conventionally, FP inter-chain interactions are very weak but spread over the area of FG, FG is able to act as a very effective and compatible reinforcement. | 12-15-2011 |
20110225097 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VALUATION OF A RESOURCE - A computer-implemented method of valuing a resource using a computer comprising a processor and a memory storing processor readable instructions, the method comprising: storing in the memory a model representing a relationship between the economic value of the resource, a rate of extraction of the resource and a parameter indicative of a property of the resource; processing, by the processor, the model to generate an economic value of the resource, the model; wherein the model stored in the memory and processed by the processor represents variation of the property of the resource with respect to a parameter based upon a quantity of the resource. | 09-15-2011 |
20110191911 | METHOD FOR THE ALTERATION OF PLANTS USING CLE POLYPEPTIDES/PEPTIDES - The present invention relates to altering the biomass and/or structure of a plant, in order to maximise its potential as a source of feedstock or increase its potential as a feedstock for the paper industry. CLE41 and/or CLE42 are used to manipulate growth and structure of the vascular tissue of the plant. The present invention also provides plants in which the levels of CLE41 and/or CLE42 are increased compared to those of a native plant grown under identical conditions, and parts of such plants. Also provided are methods for using such plants or plant parts in the production of plant derived products such as paper or biofuels. | 08-04-2011 |
20110175245 | ENCAPSULATION - A method of encapsulation comprises the steps of: (a) treating microbial microcapsules with a material to be encapsulated in a substantially anhydrous liquid medium containing a polar aprotic solvent having a dielectric constant greater than 35 under conditions to permit encapsulation of the material, and (b) subjecting the product of step (a) to a substantially aqueous liquid. The preferred solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The method of the invention is useful for encapsulating hydrophobic and/or high molecular weight materials in yeast. | 07-21-2011 |
20110092453 | TREATMENTS AND PREVENTION OF HYDROCEPHALUS - The present invention relates to the prevention or treatment of hydrocephalus. In one embodiment, the invention includes the use of one or more bioavailable folate derivatives, or salts thereof, for the prevention or treatment of hydrocephalus. Examples of more bioavailable folate derivatives that may be used include any combination of: folinic acid, tetrahydrofolate, thymidine, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate or methyltetrahydrofolate, or salts thereof. The invention also relates to a composition comprising two or more bioavailable folate derivative(s); for example, folinic acid and tetrahydrofolate. | 04-21-2011 |
20110035198 | IMAGING TECHNIQUE - The present invention relates to a method of characterising tissue function in a subject in need of such characterisation. The method comprises performing an imaging technique, on a voxel defined within a tissue space of interest, wherein image data is generated over a time period during which the subject inhales gases with at least two different partial pressures of a paramagnetic gas. A compartmental model algorithm is applied to the image data generated for the voxel to provide information on metabolic function of the tissue. | 02-10-2011 |
20110030688 | Breathing System - Provided is a breathing system comprising a flexible reservoir bag ( | 02-10-2011 |
20110011640 | INSULATING MEDIUM AND ITS USE IN HIGH VOLTAGE DEVICES - An insulating composition for use in high voltage devices is formed from a soft dielectric casting compound, such as a silicone gel, comprising ferroelectric particles such as barium titanate dispersed within it. Low levels of particles, from 1% to 20% by volume of the insulating composition, are highly effective yet do not cause excessive thickening of the soft dielectric casting compound when it is in its liquid state. The insulating composition is particularly effective for coating, enrobing or encapsulating alternating high voltage devices such as power electronics devices in order to prevent electrical discharge. | 01-20-2011 |
20100331235 | Histidine and/or Histidine Derivative for the Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases - Histidine and/or a derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the histidine and/or a derivative thereof is used in maintaining and/or improving barrier function of the skin of a subject. In some embodiments, the histidine and/or a derivative thereof is used for the prevention and/or treatment of an inflammatory skin disease. | 12-30-2010 |
20100318070 | FLUID EXTRACTION OR FILTRATION DEVICE, ASSOCIATED MATERIALS AND METHODS - A fluid extraction or filtration device for removing fluid from a body, the device comprising an array of microneedles for contacting fluid in said body and an absorbent gel matrix in fluid communication with said array of microneedles. There is further provided a combined fluid extraction and sampling device and methods employing the device(s), for example in determining the level of a target species in a sample of fluid, transdermal dialysis and renal replacement therapy. There is further provided an absorbent gel matrix for use in the treatment of uraemia and a haemodialysis filter comprising an absorbent gel matrix. Use of such a matrix is described in the context of methods including haemodialysis, transdermal dialysis and gastrointestinal dialysis. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317846 | Production Of L-Iduronate Containing Polysaccharides - A process for the production of polysaccharide (20) from disaccharide (10) and saccharide (21), wherein R | 12-16-2010 |
20100304112 | MICROPOROUS POLYMER MATERIAL - The present invention relates to a microporous material which is a non-network polymer having a chain comprised of repeating units bonded to each other and each including a first generally planar species and a rigid linker, the linker having a point of contortion such that two adjacent first planar species connected by a rigid linker are held in a non-coplanar orientation, the rigid linker further being such that the polymer chain has a rigid contorted structure, and the polymer being such that said repeating units comprised of the first generally planar species and the rigid linker are bonded predominately to two other such repeating units. | 12-02-2010 |
20100215787 | Composition For The Treatment Of Gastrointestinal Diseases - The present invention relates to compositions (including medicaments and nutritional products) for use in the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Such compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of an alcohol soluble fraction derivable from potato juice. | 08-26-2010 |
20100215229 | METHOD FOR INDICATING A CHARACTERISTIC OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY - A method of generating an indication of at least one characteristic of a patient's bone mineral density. The method comprises obtaining at least one measurement of a width of a patient's inferior mandibular cortex and generating said indication based upon said at least one measurement. The at least one measurement is obtained at a location along the inferior mandibular cortex between the ante-gonion and a point on the inferior mandibular cortex defined with reference to the mental foramen. | 08-26-2010 |
20100213953 | METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATING TO FLUIDISED BEDS - A method and apparatus for producing particle density map images of fluidised particles by electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) in a fluidised bed apparatus allows for measuring online the liquid content of fluidised particles during the fluidisation process and for recalibration of the fluidised particle permittivity during fluidisation, allowing for online recalibration of an ECT system when the liquid content of particles changes, such as for fluidised bed drying or granulation processes. Recalibration measurements are made using reference electrodes positioned to measure the capacitance of the densely fluidised particles near the side walls of the fluidised bed. The electrodes of an ECT sensor array may be used to make the recalibration measurements which can be used to provide online liquid content measurement, such as moisture content, for the fluidised particles without stopping out stopping fluidisation. The liquid content information may be used for process control. The method may also be used to provide separate images for solids distribution and for total liquid distribution across a plane being imaged. | 08-26-2010 |
20100145186 | IMAGING TECHNIQUE - The present invention relates to a method of characterising lung function in a subject in need of such characterisation. The method comprises performing an imaging technique, on a voxel defined within a lung space of interest. Image data is generated over a time period during which the subject inhales gases with at least two different partial pressures of a paramagnetic gas. A compartmental model algorithm is applied to the image data generated for the voxel to provide information on ventilation, diffusion and perfusion of a lung. The paramagnetic gas is preferably Oxygen. The imaging technique is preferably Oxygen Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (OE-MRI). | 06-10-2010 |
20100135560 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A method for generating data indicating a degree of anatomical connectivity for each of a plurality of image elements, each image element representing a part of a body to be imaged. The method comprises for each of a plurality of image elements, that image element and others of said plurality of image elements; for each of said plurality of image elements, generating data indicating a degree of connectivity of that image element, said degree of connectivity being based upon said plurality of generated data sets. | 06-03-2010 |
20100088075 | CHEMICAL PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method of optimising apparatus utilised within a processing system includes defining a system model indicative of a predetermined range of apparatus options within a processing system, constraints indicative of feasible interconnections between each apparatus, and parameters indicative of performance criteria associated with each apparatus. The system model is analysed with respect to predetermined criteria to determine a preferred arrangement of apparatus within the processing system. A parameter relating to at least one apparatus is indicative of the availability and/or the reliability of the apparatus expressed as a function of time. | 04-08-2010 |
20100062084 | Treatment Of Gastrointestinal Diseases - The present invention relates to compositions (including medicaments and nutritional products) for use in the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Such compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a less than or equal to 4 kDa soluble fraction derivable from potato juice. | 03-11-2010 |
20100010369 | NERVOUS SYSTEM MONITORING METHOD - A method for monitoring the response of a nervous system of a body to a stimulus. The method comprises collecting a set of voltage measurements between selected areas on a surface of the body whilst current is being passed between selected regions of the surface of the body. The set of voltage measurements is collected over a predetermined measurement period, the predetermined measurement period is based upon a time after application of the stimulus, and the collected voltage measurements are compared with reference measurements to determine normal or abnormal response of the nervous system. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010266 | Resin cross-linking - A method of effecting cross-linking of a resin comprises generating vinyl sulfonyl moieties in situ with the resin, said sulfonyl moieties then undergoing a reaction which effects cross-linking of the resin. The vinyl sulfonyl moieties may be generated as a result of a loss of a liquid carrier for the resin to be cross-linked. The cross-linking reaction may result from reaction of the vinyl sulfonyl moieties with nucleophilic groups in the resin composition. The resin may be a co-polymer of a compound of formula (IV) with other olefinically unsaturated monomers. | 01-14-2010 |
20100003496 | ELECTRO-LUMINANT FABRIC STRUCTURES - Luminant fabrics are disclosed in which an electro-luminescent material is activated by electrodes within the fabric. A yarn for use in such a fabric has a conductive core with an electro-luminescent layer coated thereon. A protective coating may be added. A plurality of such yarns may be used in contact with each other, with the respective cores connected to a source of alternating electric current. Application of the current creates an electric field which causes luminescence of the electro-luminescent layer. | 01-07-2010 |
20090263429 | Method of Preparing a Hydrogel - A method of preparing a hydrogel comprises: (i) reacting a first molecule comprising a carboxylic acid group and second molecule comprising an amine group or an alcohol group with a hydrolase enzyme to form a product comprising an amide bond or ester bond, wherein the hydrolase enzyme would normally catalyse the production of an amine or an alcohol from an amide or an ester under physiological conditions; and (ii) maintaining the product comprising an amide or ester bond under conditions suitable to allow hydrogel formation. | 10-22-2009 |
20090155222 | CELL CULTURE - There is provided a method of retarding differentiation of a biological cell, the method comprising culturing the cell in the presence of an inhibitor of E-cadherin activity. The method is particularly advantageous in retarding the differentiation of stem or progenitor cells, and allows suspension culture of such cells in a manner that enables large scale expansion of cell populations. There is also provided a stem or progenitor cell comprising a construct encoding an inhibitor of E-cadherin activity; and a cell culture medium, for use in the retardation of biological cell differentiation, comprising an inhibitor of E-cadherin activity. | 06-18-2009 |
20090137792 | Production Of L-Iduronate Containing Polysaccharides - The present invention provides processes for the production of polysaccharides containing the L-iduronate subunit, for example, heparin-type polysaccharides. New intermediate compounds and processes developed during the production of said polysaccharides are also presented. | 05-28-2009 |
20090130192 | CLASS III SLRP AGONISTS FOR THE REDUCTION OF BLOOD VESSEL FORMATION - The invention relates to the use of an agent that promotes class III SLRP activity in the manufacture of a medicament for the inhibition of blood vessel formation. In addition the invention relates to the use of an agent that promotes class III SLRP activity in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of conditions characterised by excessive activity and/or migration of monocytes and/or macrophages. Suitable agents may include class III SLRPs such as opticin. Methods of treatment using agents able to promote class III SLRP activity are also provided. | 05-21-2009 |
20090116749 | METHOD OF LOCATING FEATURES OF AN OBJECT - A method of locating features of an object, of a class of objects, of a class of objects, within a target image. The method comprises initialising a set of feature points within the target image, each feature point corresponding to a predetermined feature for objects of the class of objects; deriving a set of template detectors, from the set of feature points, using a statistical model of the class of objects, each template detector comprising an area of image located about the location of a feature point for an object of the class of objects; comparing the set of template detectors with the target image; and updating the set of feature points within the target image in response to the result of the comparison. | 05-07-2009 |
20080260952 | Ceramic Coating - The present invention relates to a green ceramic coating composition, the composition comprises nano-sized particles dispersed within a carrier medium together with preformed particles. The composition optionally comprises an infiltration medium. | 10-23-2008 |
20080254133 | Microgel Particle - The present invention relates to compositions comprising a pH-responsive microgel particle, wherein the particle is adapted to undergo a conformational change in response to a variation in pH. The compositions may be used as medicaments for treating a disease characterised by damaged or degenerated soft tissues (e.g. intervertebral discs). | 10-16-2008 |