Abstract: A method of transforming red microalgae is provided. The method is effected by: (i) culturing red microalgae cells under predetermined light/dilution conditions to thereby generate competent red microalgae cells; and (ii) introducing at least one exogenous polynucleotide into said competent red microalgae cells, thereby transforming the red microalgae.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides against cPLA2 are provided, which are capable of inhibiting cPLA2 expression as well as superoxide production, especially in phagocytes. These antisense oligonucleotides are powerful agents for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, in particular arthritis, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases. The antisense oligonucleotides or compositions comprising the same may be used in methods of treatment of such diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a suspension of de-agglomerated carbon nanotubes, comprising mixing agglomerated carbon nanotubes with a block copolymer. Further, a powder of de-agglomerated carbon nanotubes is provided, that can be easily redispersed to obtain a suspension of untangled carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to the use of the provided materials in the preparation of composites, and in electronics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new hydrogel functionalized with a polymerizable moiety, the polymerized hydrogels, films and gels comprising the same and their use for cells, proteins, DNA or other molecules encapsulation, including use as biosensors or bioreactors.

Abstract: The present invention provides orally-administrable compositions comprising stable amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). The compositions are preferably prepared as solid dosage forms such as tablets, capsules and powders. The present invention further provides methods for supplementing oral calcium intake in subjects and as well as methods for treating osteoporosis, osteomalacia and related diseases.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel composition from vegetable and/or animal oil comprises feeding the oil to a tubular reaction unit containing a catalyst comprising an acidic component and a metal component, feeding effluent from the tubular reaction unit to a vapor-liquid separator, and feeding a vapor phase separated from the effluent from the tubular reaction unit to an adiabatic reaction unit comprising the same catalyst as in the tubular reaction unit comprising an acidic component and a metal component. The produced fuel composition has acceptable lubricity and comprises a mixture of C12 to C18 or C14 to C18 paraffins having a ratio of iso to normal paraffins of 2 to 8 and less than 5 ppm sulfur.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to specific NCR-derived peptides capable of binding to membrane-associated biomolecules of the tumor cells, said biomolecules comprising at least one sulfated polysaccharide. Preferred peptides are about 7 to about 120 amino acids in length and are derived from NKp-44, NKp30 or NKp46.

Abstract: The invention is directed to tissue-engineered biografts, methods for preparing the biografts of the invention, and methods for repairing a damaged myocardium in a mammal. The methods of the invention can include providing a three-dimensional porous polysaccharide matrix; introducing mammalian cells into said matrix; growing said cells in said matrix in vitro, until a tissue-engineered biograft is formed; and transplanting the tissue-engineered biograft onto myocardial tissue or myocardial scar tissue of said mammal. The tissue-engineered biograft of the invention can form a contracting tissue. The methods of the invention can optionally include removing scar tissue or dead tissue from the site of implantation prior to transplanting the biograft.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of 2,2,3,3 tetramethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid derivative compounds for the preparation of a medicament for treating a psychiatric disorder preferably a bipolar disorder. The invention additionally relates to the use of the compounds for the preparation of an inhibitor of MIP synthase and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds for treating a psychiatric disorder. A method for treating a psychiatric disorder preferably a bipolar disorder and a method for inhibiting an enzyme having MIP synthase activity is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for introducing a three-dimensional configuration of micron to sub-micron size in a polymeric substrate comprising applying a catalyst for the selective removal of sub-unit parts of the polymer to at least one predetermined area of the polymer substrate via a pipette with a nano-sized orifice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the transmission quality of a free space optical bus between circuitry elements in high speed computing, communication and signal processing systems. Use is made of an adaptive algorithm that learns the transmission properties of the bus, and selects or adjusts transmission paths or characteristics to provide optimum bus performance. Each transmitter on the bus transmits a signal which is generally measured by all of the receivers on the bus, and the measured signals are used to generate a matrix which maps desired transmission along information links, and cross-link interference.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel composition from vegetable and/or animal oil comprises hydrodeoxygenating and hydroisomerizing the oil in a single step. The fuel composition has acceptable lubricity and comprises a mixture of C14 to C18 paraffins having a ratio of iso to normal paraffins of 2 to 8 and less than 5 ppm sulfur.

Abstract: The invention provides a colorimetric and/or fluorescent detector, which is a solid organic matrix, most preferably in the form of a gel, comprising polydiacetylene(s) and one or more lipids. Processes for preparing the detector and methods for using the same, including for the detection of microorganism suspected to be present in food products, are also provided.

Abstract: Specific PON1 and ACHE alleles segregate in linkage, forming an haplotype which directly correlates with higher susceptibility to develop Parkinson's Disease (PD). This PD-susceptibility haplotype is herein presented as a tool for predicting the risk of developing Parkinson's Disease and its severity, both for an individual and for the population in general. Thus, the present invention provides the use of said PD-susceptibility haplotype in diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: An amphiphilic compound is provided capable of forming vesicles or liposomes, said amphiphilic compound having at least one headgroup containing a selectively cleavable group or moiety such as a residue of a choline or phenylalanine derivative, and at least one hydrogen-bonding group located either within said headgroup and/or in close proximity thereto. The cleavable group or moiety is cleaved under selective conditions including change of chemical, physical or biological environment and is preferably cleaved enzymatically in a biological environment such as the brain or the blood. Vesicles or liposomes made from said amphiphilic compounds are suitable for delivery of a therapeutic substance or a diagnostic agent specifically to a target organ or tissue, or for delivery of a nucleic acid for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of matter comprising molecular iodine and tetraglycol.

Abstract: The invention provides a transdermal delivery system for treating diabetes and other pathologic systemic conditions, comprising an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of peptides and proteins having an S—S bond and mixtures thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of iodine, povidine-iodine and sources thereof, said system being essentially free of reducing agents and said oxidizing agent enabling and facilitating the penetration of said active ingredient through the skin layers and into the blood stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocontrol agent against larvae of mosquitoes and blackflies comprising transgenic Anabaena PCC 7120 carrying a synergistic combination of the endotoxin genes CryIVA and CryIVD of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis.

Abstract: Modular apparatus for regulating the harmonics of current drawn from power lines by electric equipment, comprising a first rectifier circuit module, consisting of an array of rectifying diodes; a second Switch and Controller Assembly (SCA) module, which comprises a power switch and controller and their interconnections; an input inductor for filtering the current drawn from the rectifier module; and an output capacitor, for filtering the output voltage ripple at the load. The inlet of the rectifier is connected to the power line and an outlet of the rectifier module is connected to the SCA. The inlet of said SCA is connected to the rectifier, via an inductor and the outlet of said SCA is connected to the output capacitor. The inlet of the inductor is connected to the rectifier, the outlet of the inductor is connected to the inlet of said SCA, and the capacitor is connected in parallel with the load.

Abstract: An optical filter including at least one multiport optical coupler formed on a gallium arsenide substrate, one connection port of the at least one multiport optical coupler receiving an input output signal, and another connection port of the at least one multiport optical coupler outputting a filtered optical signal and at least one electrically tunable optical resonator, formed on the gallium arsenide substrate and connected to at least one of the at least multiport optical coupler.