Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for preparing ubiquinated peptide conjugates comprising a ubiquitin peptide residue UR attached at its C-terminus to a substrate peptide via a native isopeptide bond, this process comprising combining Native Chemical Ligation (NCL) and solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Further are disclosed ubiquinated peptide conjugates containing a native isopeptide bond, as well as various uses thereof.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition for treatment of a body tissue which includes an aqueous solution of a cross-linked polymer being capable of: (i) maintaining a liquid state in storage at room temperature for at least 24 hours; and (ii) assuming a gel state following deposition within the body tissue. The therapeutic composition can be effectively administered into a damaged body tissue via injection or catheterization, thereby treating the damaged body tissue.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis of a hematological malignancy of a subject is provided. The method comprises obtaining a second derivative of an infrared (IR) spectrum of a population of mononuclear cells by analyzing the population of mononuclear cells by infrared spectroscopy, and based on the second derivative of the infrared spectrum, generating an output indicative of the presence of a hematological malignancy. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a formulation containing amorphous or microcrystalline calcium carbonate finely interspersed with organic matter in a ratio of 10 parts of the carbonate per 1 to 3 parts of the organic matter, wherein the organic matter consists of chitin and polypeptide. The formulation is efficient in treating various pathological conditions, including proliferative diseases, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding an insulin-like factor of the androgenic gland of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii). The present invention further relates to methods of silencing the expression of the insulin-like factor gene in decapod crustaceans order, particularly in M. rosenbergii, useful for producing male monosex populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to variants and peptides of the mitochondrial protein, voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and to polynucleotides encoding same. In particular, the present invention is directed to N-terminal truncated and mutated VDAC and specific amino acid and polynucleotide sequences thereof useful in inhibiting apoptosis, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising same useful in the treatment of diseases associated with excess apoptosis.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions and methods for protecting a mammalian subject against infection with S. pneumoniae are disclosed. The vaccines and methods comprise an effective amount of one or more Streptococcus pneumoniae cell wall and/or cell membrane proteins and/or immunogenically-active fragments, derivatives or modifications thereof, wherein the proteins are selected from a defined group of proteins associated with age-dependent immunological responses.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient suffering from a disease characterized by tissue necrosis by administering to the patient a necrosis inhibitor and/or a Humanin or a derivative of Humanin is provided. The invention further includes a method for prophylactically treating a patient at risk for a pathological condition that is precipitated at least in part by tissue necrosis by administering to the patient a necrosis inhibitor and/or a Humanin or a derivative of Humanin.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of the natural cytotoxicity receptor NKp46 for preventing and treating diabetes, including type I diabetes (TID) and type 2 diabetes. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising a fragment of the extracellular region of NKp46 for preventing the onset and progression of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of a Poly-ubiquitin chain, this process comprising ligating a Ubiquitin thioester Ubm-SR with a Ubiquitin Ubq. Further are disclosed poly-ubiquitin chains prepared according to this process, in particular poly-ubiquitin chains containing at least one unnatural amino acid.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and apparatus for monitoring soil hydraulic properties, and for collecting soil pore-water samples, in relatively undisturbed soil conditions, by means of a vadose zone probe (10) adapted to be mounted on an inflatable sleeve (18) for installation in a borehole (14) formed in the vadose zone, said vadose zone probe comprises a fluid cell (15) having one or more conduits (13a, 13b, 13c) connected thereto for externally accessing its interior, and a porous medium (11) installed in, or formed on, one of its walls for allowing passage of liquid between the interior of said fluid cell and the borehole soil, wherein said vadose zone probe is made from an elongated body having a front (10f) and rear (10r) sides, and wherein said rear side is substantially flat and said front side is made from a deformable and permeable material, or having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said borehole.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of nano- and mesosized particles consisting of a lipid layer comprising at least one amphiphile and a core of an inorganic compound and/or a metal, comprising: (i) dissolving in a common solvent at least one self-aggregating amphiphile with at least one inorganic, organometallic or metallorganic precursor of said inorganic compound or metal; and (ii) either injecting the resulting solution into an aqueous solution or drying the resulting solution and re-hydrating it, so as to form particles in which the precursor is encapsulated by the amphiphile(s) and is converted therein to said inorganic compound and/or metallic solid form.

Abstract: The present invention discloses latent thioester functionalities attached to the C-terminus of a first polypeptide, or a first fragment thereof having a Cys residue at its N-terminus, and a process using this functionality for the preparation of polypeptide thioesters, in particular of ubiquitin thioesters, this process comprising preparing a polypeptide or a fragment thereof, being attached to a latent thioester functionality, which can then be ligated with a second polypeptide fragment, followed by selective activation of the latent thioester functionality group, to provide the requested polypeptide thioester. There are also provided the polypeptides obtained by this method, specific unnatural amino acids useful to be incorporated within the polypeptide thioesters, and kits for preparing them.

Abstract: The invention is a method of phase separation in liquid mixtures comprising two or more components. The method comprises the steps of inserting the liquid mixture between suitably shaped and positioned electrodes and applying a voltage to the electrodes in order to produce a non-uniform electric field between the electrodes. The phase separation takes place with essentially all electrode geometries and the phase separation is reversible. The method is characterized in that the liquid mixture must contain dissociated positive or negative ions. In this case the phase separation takes place when the applied voltage is a few volts or less and when the temperature is many degrees above the binodal (coexistence) temperature Tc. The invention has many practical applications including: electrical field controlled lubrication, influencing the kinetics and spatial dependence of chemical reactions in liquid environments, controlling the propagation of light, and controlling the opacity of a window.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interferometer apparatus comprising a matter-wave guide enclosing an area, wherein a flux of particles may be guided in the matter-wave guide in at least two opposite paths, the matter-wave guide is rotatable relative to an inertial frame of reference; a first beam splitter to split the first beam to at least second and third beams, each of the second and third beams is to be guided in another path of the two opposite paths; and a second beam splitter allowing particles of the second and third beams to exit the matter-wave guide in a first probability and to stay in the matter-wave guide in a second probability.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for trans-fetal membranes transport. A source of ultrasound sonication is used to deliver ultrasound sonication to fetal membranes to enhance the permeability of the fetal membranes of a gestational sac. In one embodiment, a device is used to collect substances transported from the interior of the gestational sac to the exterior of the gestational sac, such as amniotic or coelomic fluid. In another embodiment a device is used to deliver one or more substances, such as a drug, to an external surface of the fetal membranes.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for modifying particle size of powders in closed items, comprising the exposure of said items to external electric field of suitable parameters. The degree of agglomeration of the particles can be increased or decreased. Applications to neutralization of harmful powders in mails, to dry agglomeration and to volatilization of powders in food industry and in pharmacology are described.

Abstract: A memory cell with an internal supply feedback loop is provided herein. The memory cell includes a latch having two storage nodes Q and QB, and a supply node. A gating device couples the supply node of the latch to the supply voltage. The gating device is controlled by a feedback loop coming from storage node QB. Due to the aforementioned asymmetric topology, the writing of logic “1” and the writing of logic “0” are carried out differently. Contrary to standard SRAM cells, in the hold states, only the QB storage node presents a valid value of stored data. The feedback loop cuts off the supply voltage for the latch such that the latch is no longer an inverting latch. By cutting off the supply voltage at the stable hold states, while maintaining readability of the memory cell, leakage currents associated with the hold states are eliminated altogether.

Abstract: An SRAM memory cell with an internal supply feedback loop is provided herein. The memory cell includes a latch that has a storage node Q, a storage node QB, a supply node, and a ground node. The supply node is coupled via a gating device to a supply voltage and ground node is connected to ground. In addition, storage node Q is fed back via feedback loop into a control node of the gating device. In operation, writing into the memory cell may be carried out in a similar manner to dual port SRAM cells, utilizing one or two write circuitries and for writing into storage node Q and storage node QB respectively. Differently from standard SRAM cells, the feedback loop, by controlling the gating device is configured to weaken the write contention.

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.