Abstract: A method of diagnosing fibrosis in a subject is provided, comprising the steps of: determining a level of PCPE in a body fluid sample obtained from said subject; and detecting an increased level of PCPE in said body fluid sample relative to a normal control level of PCPE, wherein said increased level of PCPE relative to normal control is indicative of fibrosis in said subject. Furthermore, methods for evaluating the pharmacological efficacy of a drug or a drug candidate in treatment of fibrosis in a patient and for monitoring change of fibrosis in a subject are provided.

Abstract: A codeword is decoded by receiving a codeword representation that includes a plurality of soft bits and iteratively updating the soft bits. Whether each soft bit participates in at least some iterations is determined according to a selection criterion, e.g., probabilistically, or according to iteration number, or according to the soft bit's iteration history. For example, each soft bit might participate in some or all iterations with a probability that is a function of both the iteration number and a reliability measure of that soft bit. Preferably, the iterations are LDPC iterations in which variable nodes are addressed sequentially for exchanging messages with corresponding check nodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel isocyano derivatives of linear or cross-linked, natural or synthetic macromolecules, the derivatives being of the general formula P--O--Q--NC, wherein P is the macromolecular backbone, the oxygen atom is part of the hydroxy group, Q is a group --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --wherein n is an integer of at least 3 carbon atoms, and up to about 20 carbon atoms, or Q is an aralkyl group, to a process for preparing such derivatives and to a process of linking to same biologically active proteins and to the products thus obtained.