Abstract: A bioreactor plug comprising a container having an outlet and an inlet and containing therein a substrate in the form of a sheet, the substrate including a non-woven fibrous matrix forming a physiologically acceptable three-dimensional network of fibers, the substrate supporting at least 5×106 stromal cells per cubic centimeter of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of expanding undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells to increase the number of the hemopoietic stem cells is provided. The method comprising: (a) obtaining the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells; and (b) culturing the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells in a medium containing a stromal cell conditioned medium, the stromal cell conditioned medium being derived from a stationary phase plug-flow bioreactor in which a three dimensional stromal cell culture has been established under continuous flow of a culture medium on a substrate in: the form of a sheet, the substrate including a non-woven fibrous matrix forming a physiologically acceptable three-dimensional network of fibers, thereby expanding the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of expanding/maintaining undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells by obtaining undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells; and either seeding the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells into a stationary phase plug-flow bioreactor in which a three-dimensional stromal cell culture has been pre-established on a substrate in the form of a sheet, the substrate including a non-woven fibrous matrix forming a physiologically acceptable three-dimensional network of fibers, thereby expanding/maintaining undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells, or culturing the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells in conditioned medium obtained from such a reactor.

Abstract: A compound having a general formula (II) wherein R1 is saturated or unsaturated alkyl, amino-alcohol, diamino, cycloalkyl, and C(?O)(CH2)nNR?R?, (CH2)nCHOHCH2NR?R?, wherein n is an integer, RQ, RT, R?, and R? are each independently a hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, saturated, unsaturated, aliphatic, or branched alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted (CH2)m-(hetero)aryl, and sulfonylamide; q and r are each an integer independently selected from 1-4; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and the new therapeutic uses thereof and similar compounds as defibrillating, and/or anti-fibrillatory, and/or anti-arrhythmic and/or anti-ischemic drugs.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is disclosed, which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and at least one electrode being in electrical contact with the first element, such that subjecting the first element to an electric potential via the at least one electrode results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element. Also disclosed is a piezooptic device which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and a light source, such that subjecting the first element to light originating from the light source results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus is provided for evaluating answers to respective query items considered to be represented by respective points within a region of feature space, and the apparatus comprises an input (10) which receives such a query item. The region is subdivided into subregions according to at least first and second subdivisions. A subregion identifying portion (20) identifies, for each such subdivision of the region, which subregion of the subdivision contains the point representing the received query item. A partial answer retrieval portion (30) has access when the apparatus is in use to a store (40) of precalculated partial answers for at least some the subregions of the subdivisions, and retrieves from the store the partial answers for the or each identified subregion that is present in the store. An answer calculation portion (50) calculates an answer to the received query item based on the retrieved partial answers, and an output (60) outputs the calculated answer.

Abstract: A method of identifying peptides originating from a particular cell type and being capable of binding to MHC molecules of a particular haplotype is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a cell type expressing a soluble and secreted form of the MHC molecules of the particular haplotype; collecting the soluble and secreted form of the MHC molecules of the particular haplotype; and analyzing peptides bound to the soluble and secreted form of the MHC molecules of the particular haplotype, thereby identifying the peptides originating from the particular cell type and being capable of binding to MHC molecules of the particular haplotype.

Abstract: An antibody fragment and methods of utilizing same are provided. The antibody fragment includes an antigen binding region capable of binding an extracellular portion of a P-glycoprotein thereby at least partially inhibiting drug efflux activity in multidrug resistant cells.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is disclosed, which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and at least one electrode being in electrical contact with the first element, such that subjecting the first element to an electric potential via the at least one electrode results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element. Also disclosed is a piezooptic device which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and a light source, such that subjecting the first element to light originating from the light source results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing tobacco smoke-associated injury in the aerodigestive tract of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antioxidant agent capable of preventing or reducing tobacco smoke-associated injury in the aerodigestive tract of a subject.

Abstract: A method of generating cultured chondrocytes/endochondral bone cells is disclosed. The method comprises isolating chondrocytes from mandibular condyle tissue, and culturing said isolated chondrocytes.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is disclosed, which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and at least one electrode being in electrical contact with the first element, such that subjecting the first element to an electric potential via the at least one electrode results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element. Also disclosed is a piezooptic device which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and a light source, such that subjecting the first element to light originating from the light source results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: The subject invention provides R(+)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing same. The subject invention also provides methods of treating a subject afflicted with Parkinson's disease, a memory disorder, dementia, depression, hyperactive syndrome, an effective illness, a neurodegenerative disease, a neurotoxic injury, stroke, brain ischemia, a head trauma injury, a spinal trauma injury, neurotrauma, schizophrenia, an attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis, or withdrawal symptoms, using R(+)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the subject invention. The subject invention further provides a method of preventing nerve damage in a subject. Finally, the subject invention provides methods of preparing R(+)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan, a salt thereof, and racemic N-propargyl-1-aminoindan.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of one or more alpha-olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, which comprises contacting the monomer or monomers in a polar or non-polar solvent under polymerization conditions with a homogeneous catalyst system including (a) a cationic form of a racemic mixture of a chiral octahedral transition metal complex or of a non chiral octahedral transition metal complex, comprising 1, 2 or 3 bidentate chelating ligands and no cyclopentadienyl ligands and having C1, C2, or C3 symmetry; and (b) an anion of a Lewis acid or a Brönsted acid; and adjusting the pressure so as to obtain either a highly stereoregular polymer or copolymer or an elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel VEGF protein product, and nucleic acid encoding the novel protein product, comprising exons 1-6 and 8 of the VEGF gene, and its use thereof in treating the cardiovascular system and its diseases through effects on anatomy, conduit function, and permeability. VEGF145 has been found to be an active mitogen for vascular endothelial cells and to function as an angiogenic factor in-vivo. VEGF145 has novel properties compared with previously characterized VEGF species with respect to cellular distribution, susceptibility to oxidative damage, and extra-cellular matrix (ECM) binding ability. The present invention provides methods of treating the cardiovascular system, enhancing endothelialization of diseased vessels, and enhancing drug permeation by providing the novel VEGF protein product. The invention also provides expression vectors, compositions, and kits for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel VEGF protein product, and nucleic acid encoding the novel protein product, comprising exons 1-6 and 8 of the VEGF gene, and its use thereof in treating the cardiovascular system and its diseases through effects on anatomy, conduit function, and permeability. VEGF145 has been found to be an active mitogen for vascular endothelial cells and to function as an angiogenic factor in-vivo. VEGF145 has novel properties compared with previously characterized VEGF species with respect to cellular distribution, susceptibility to oxidative damage, and extra-cellular matrix (ECM) binding ability. The present invention provides methods of treating the cardiovascular system, enhancing endothelialization of diseased vessels, and enhancing drug permeation by providing the novel VEGF protein product. The invention also provides expression vectors, compositions, and kits for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Intravascular apparatus and method for locally treating a patient's blood vessel, are provided. The apparatus includes an implanted carrier (2) for insertion into the vessel; and a biologically active agent (8) immobilized to the carrier (2), said biologically active agent (8) reacting with a first substance to produce a second substance. The second substance is preferably a therapeutic agent, such as nitric oxide, for locally treating the vessel. The biologically active agent (8) is preferably an enzyme such as nitrogen oxide synthase, and the first substance is preferably arginine introduced to the patient's body as part of a diet. According to another embodiment, the biologically active agent (8) is a catalytic antibody and the first substance is a prodrug. Alternatively, the biologically active agent (8) is a ribozyme.