Abstract: Coronary sinus ring apparatus, including an elongated body for deployment in a coronary sinus, an aperture in a long side of the body, at least a partial lumen extending from one end of the elongated body to at least the aperture, and a guide within the elongated body positioned and shaped to guide an element inserted along the lumen to the aperture. Apparatus for treating a heart, including a delivery tube sized for and adapted for insertion into a body, a sharp tip adapted to be pushed through cardiac muscle, an elongate tensioning element, and a foldable anchor adapted to couple the elongate tension element to cardiac muscle tissue, wherein the delivery tube encloses one or both of the elongate tensioning element and the foldable anchor. Related apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assembly (10) including an optics assembly (12) including an inflatable member (14), and characterized by an extra-capsular-bag interface structure (16) for interfacing with ocular structure of an eye external to a capsular bag for implanting the AIOL (10) outside the capsular bag, the extra-capsular-bag interface structure (16) including a less-rigid portion (18) and a more-rigid portion (20) that define a volume therebetween which is at least partially filled with a fluid (22) and which is in fluid communication with the inflatable member (14) via at least one conduit (24), and wherein the less-rigid portion (18) is responsive to movement of the ocular structure to apply a pumping force on the fluid (22) to cause the fluid (22) to flow via the at least one conduit (24) to the inflatable member (14) so as to change the optical power of the optics assembly (12).

Abstract: The present invention reveals a strong correlation between FGL-2 prothrombinase activity levels and the presence of a malignant proliferative disorder in a subject. Thus, the present invention provides FGL-2 prothrombinase activity as a diagnostic tool for malignancy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for diagnosing, monitoring or prognosing Multiple Sclerosis at different stages as well as affording the prediction of disease activity and response to a treatment regimen, using at least one sensor comprising carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles, each coated with various organic coatings in conjunction with a pattern recognition algorithm.

Abstract: The current invention provides therapeutic methods which include inhibition of nuclear factor ?b pathway in a cell based on the discovery of an active fraction of a plant extract termed NUP or a composition which includes NUP. NUP is used in treating and managing different diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and virus infections.

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: A device (200) for implantation in or near an annulus of a tricuspid valve comprising at least one blood flow control element (202) adapted to capture a volume of blood therein. Optionally or alternatively, the blood flow control element is adapted to allow at least some volume of blood (406) to regurgitate through the annulus during at least some part of systole. Optionally or alternatively, the device comprises a relatively rigid annulus with an arc length of less than 300 degrees. Optionally or alternatively, the relatively rigid annulus comprises a plurality of tissue fixation elements positioned along no more than 300 degrees of a circumference of the annulus, for example to avoid damaging conduction pathways between an atria and a chamber.

Abstract: Inhibitors of cPLA2? expression are used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and for the treatment of cancer; the inhibitors are selected from cPLA2?-specific ribozymes, RNA sequences usable for RNA-interference of the cPLA2? gene, and antisense oligonucleotides directed against cPLA2?.

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: A method of treating a disease or condition in which up-regulating GAGs is therapeutically beneficial is disclosed, in particular osteoarthritis and skin diseases. The method comprises locally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of down-regulating activity or expression of a component of the renin-angiotensin system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for augmenting an atrioventricular valve leaflet is disclosed. A method according to an exemplary embodiment includes piercing a leaflet of the valve to at least a portion of the leaflet's thickness to form a pierced section; and extending the leaflet using said pierced section. A device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a catheter comprising: a longitudinal tube having a lumen; and a cutting element extendable from the lumen. The cutting element is adapted for forming a limited cut in an atrioventricular valve. A device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a catheter comprising a longitudinal tube having a lumen; a cutting element extendable from the lumen and adapted for forming a cut in a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve; and a frame, configured to attach to the leaflet and stay attached to the leaflet when the heart beats.

Abstract: A sterile injector comprises a body having a cavity, a hollow needle positionable at a distal end of the injector, a probe holder receivable within the needle, a probe connected to a distal end of the holder, and a driving element axially displaceable within the cavity, for causing relative motion between the probe and the needle upon displacement of the driving element. A sample is injected into a sealed container by displacing the driving element to a first position causing the probe to extend from the needle, applying the extended probe with a sample, displacing the driving element to a second position causing the sample laden probe to be retracted within the needle, piercing a seal of a sealed container with the needle, and displacing the driving element to a third position distally spaced from the first position, after which the probe is injected into the container interior.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of cancer diagnosis, specifically to the diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (CaP). More specifically, the invention provides simple, non-invasive urinary tests characterized by high sensitivity and specificity, wherein urinary levels of heat shock proteins and anti-inflammatory cytokines are used as biomarkers.

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: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method for monitoring or training in ultrasound guided procedures. There is also provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a pregnant woman simulator for simulating ultrasound guided procedures.

Abstract: A system for training practitioners in use of an ultrasound system including a unit for managing workflow of an ultrasound training session, a user interface for providing ultrasound training session instructions to a practitioner operating an ultrasound machine and for receiving input from a trainee, a unit for communication with the ultrasound machine, for collecting one or more ultrasound images produced during the training session from the ultrasound machine, a unit for image processing the ultrasound images, and a unit for assessing quality of the ultrasound images. A method for monitoring practitioner proficiency in use of an ultrasound system including providing the practitioner with an ultrasound task definition, collecting one or more ultrasound images produced by the practitioner during performance of the ultrasound task from an ultrasound machine, image processing the ultrasound images, and assessing quality of the ultrasound images. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method for repairing a perforation in a tympanic membrane comprising attaching a single patch to an undersurface of the tympanic membrane covering the perforation.

Abstract: A method of preventing and/or treating S. pneumoniae infection in mammalian subjects, wherein said method comprises administering to said subjects a composition comprising one or more agents that are capable of inhibiting the binding of the S. pneumoniae cell wall protein FBA to the respiratory tract cells of said subject.

Abstract: A method of analysis is disclosed. The method comprises: registering a target image to define a plurality of keypoints arranged in sets corresponding to polygons or linear segments in the target image; accessing a database of registered and annotated images, and employing a polygon-wise comparison between the target image and each database image; and using the comparison for projecting annotated locations from the database images into the target image.

Abstract: An ocular implant including a hydrophobic pseudo-endothelial implant and a binding agent applied thereto, the binding agent capable of bonding the implant to a posterior portion of a cornea such that the implant serves as a water barrier enabling dehydration of the cornea.