Abstract: The present invention provides new ceramide analogs indicated as the compounds of formula (II). These novel analogs exhibit a significant anti cancerous effect and are therefore provided as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cell proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolism-associated conditions, infectious diseases, and immune-related disorders. The invention further provides combined compositions and kits combining the novel ceramide analogs of formula (II) with an additional therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a joint of a mammal by administering into a cavity of the joint a composition of liposomes that are multilamellar vesicles (MLV) dispersed in a fluid medium, the liposomes having a mean diameter of between about 0.8 ?m to about 10 ?m and including membranes of at least one glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two C12-C16 hydrocarbon chains which are the same or different. These membranes have a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. and being lower than the temperature of the joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for maintaining and propagating undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells (SC) in suspension. The methods comprise culturing such SC in a non-adherent culture dish under conditions comprising a basic serum free medium and one or more of a basic medium, a serum replacement, an extra cellular matrix component and a factor supporting expansion of said SC. A specific and preferred culture condition comprise supplementing Neurobasal™ medium with KO serum replacement (KOSR). These conditions allowed for large scale and long term propagation of undifferentiated pluripotent SC. The culture system comprising suspended undifferentiated pluripotent SC were found to have many applications including in methods for directed as well as spontaneous differentiation of the SC into somatic cells. Also disclosed herein is a method of deriving SC, preferably human embryonic SC from human embryos via the formation of cell clusters.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.

Abstract: Provided is a method for directing differentiation of neural progenitors with a caudal and ventral specification into motor neurons including culturing neural progenitors in a culturing medium including a basic medium supplemented by at least one inhibitor of the Notch signaling pathway whereby the neural progenitors differentiate into postmitotic motor neurons. The resulting motor neurons may be used for drug development, as carriers, e.g. for gene therapy of protein delivery as well as for transplantation for the purpose of treating a motor neuron disease.

Abstract: Provided is a device for iontophoretic delivery of a drug to or into a tissue, including an arrangement that prevents operation of the device at a current density that is higher than a predetermined value, the arrangement including first means responsive to a first data item, indicative of the surface area through which the current is to pass, as to set the maximal current allowed at the surface area indicated by the data item. Also provided is a method for iontophorectivally administering drug to or into a tissue, including determining a maximal allowed level of current density and preventing application of current density above the maximal allowed level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for iontophoretic delivery of a drug to on into a tissue, comprising an arrangement that prevents operation of the device at a current density that is higher than a predetermined value, the arrangement including first means responsive to a first data item, indicative of the surface area through which the current is to pass, as to set the maximal current allowed at the surface area indicated by the data item. The present invention also provides a method for iontophorectivally administering drug to or into a tissue, comprising determination of a maximal allowed level of current density and preventing application of current density above the maximal allowed level.

Abstract: The present invention concerns isolated PAR1 cytoplasmic tail (c-tail) peptides and isolated PAR2 cytoplasmic tail (c-tail) peptides, as well as compositions comprising these peptides, uses thereof and methods of treating various diseases, in particular cancer.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods expanding SCs in an undifferentiated state, the methods comprising incubating undifferentiated SCs in suspension within a culture system comprising basic medium and knockout serum replacement (KOSR). The methods may also be applicable for selective spontaneous or directed differentiation of SCs into a selected population of somatic cells from a culture system of SCs in suspension, the method further comprising incubating said undifferentiated SCs in culture system that support respectively, spontaneous or directed differentiation of SCs into the selected population of somatic cells. The present application also discloses a culture system for expansion of stem cells (SCs) comprising a suspension of undifferentiated stem cells within basic medium and knockout serum replacement (KOSR). The methods and culture system of the invention may be used for large scale production of differentiated cells.

Abstract: Provided is a method including providing a population of cells including a target type of differentiated cells having a pre-identified cytoskeletal profile and at least one cell selected from undifferentiated cells, differentiating cells and differentiated cells being different from the target type of differentiated cells; and incubating the population of cells with a cytotoxic agent, in an amount and for a time period effective to form a modified population of cells including predominantly or consisting essentially of the target type of differentiated cells. The pre-identified cytoskeletal profile can include the presence of class III ?-tubulin on neuronal cells and the population of cells includes neural cells and neuronal cells.

Abstract: A particle including at least one aliphatic polymer having anti-microbially active quaternary ammonium groups chemically bound thereto, is provided. The particle may be used to inhibit populations of microorganisms and biofilms. Also provided are methods for the preparation of such particles and uses thereof for the inhibition of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for maintaining and propagating undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells (SC) in suspension. The methods comprise culturing such SC in a non-adherent culture dish under conditions comprising a basic serum free medium and one or more of a basic medium, a serum replacement, an extra cellular matrix component and a factor supporting expansion of said SC. A specific and preferred culture condition comprise supplementing Neurobasal™ medium with KO serum replacement (KOSR). These conditions allowed for large scale and long term propagation of undifferentiated pluripotent SC. The culture system comprising suspended undifferentiated pluripotent SC were found to have many applications including in methods for directed as well as spontaneous differentiation of the SC into somatic cells. Also disclosed herein is a method of deriving SC, preferably human embryonic SC from human embryos via the formation of cell clusters.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that antibodies raised against a fragment of PAR1-released peptide may be used to detect in a bodily fluid sample from a subject a marker associated with cancer state, if said subject has cancer.

Abstract: Provided is radiolabeled ammonium salts and uses thereof as myocardial perfusion agents in molecular imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor and a process for producing spin enriched hydrogen and/or deuterium gas.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of immune-mediated disorders, immune-associated disorders, inflammatory diseases, coronary disease, insulin resistance and liver-related diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the Hoodia is Hoodia parviflora. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating the above diseases comprising an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for providing human cell cultures. Further provided are cultures of feeder cells for use in stem cell technology, as well as cultures, culture systems and methods for maintenance and propagating of stem cells in an undifferentiated state as well as for the development of somatic cells cultures from stem cells, the somatic cell cultures being free of extraembryonic cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directing differentiation of neural progenitors with a caudal and ventral specification into motor neurons comprising culturing neural progenitors in a culturing medium comprising a basic medium supplemented by at least one inhibitor of the Notch signaling pathway whereby said neural progenitors differentiate into postmitotic motor neurons. The resulting motor neurons may be used for drug development, as carriers, e.g. for gene therapy of protein delivery as well as for transplantation for the purpose of treating a motor neuron disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for diagnosing a maculopathy. Specifically, the methods are based on determination of a level of at least one biological marker of a maculopathy in a bodily fluid sample of an individual (e.g. blood sample) and comparing the level of the assayed biological marker with the level of prior determined cut off standards. The level of the biological marker provides information regarding the state of the individual, such as whether the individual has the assayed maculopathy, is predisposed to develop said maculopathy, is responsive to treatment, and others.

Abstract: Provided is the use of an amphipathic weak base having defined characteristics for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. The amphipathic weak base can be encapsulated in a liposome. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations and methods of use thereof for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. A specific and amphipathic weak base is tempamine (TMN). Further, tempamine can be loaded in sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL-TMN).