Abstract: A method for treating a disease selected from diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, and a method for reducing triglycerides and/or increasing HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma of a subject. The method comprises administrating to a subject an effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder, optionally together with an activator of nuclear receptors.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying a trophoblast by detecting in cells of a biological sample, with the proviso that the biological sample does not comprise a placental tissue, expression of a trophoblast marker selected from the group consisting of an annexin IV, a cytokeratin-7, a cytokeratin-8 and a cytokeratin-19; and classifying cells exhibiting expression of the trophoblast marker as trophoblasts. Also provided are methods of detecting a pregnancy in a subject, isolating trophoblasts from biological samples and prenatally diagnosing a conceptus using the identified trophoblasts.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a blood-brain barrier of a subject is disclosed. A detectable dose of an MRI contrast agent is administered to the subject, and a plurality of magnetic resonance images of the subject's brain are acquired over a predetermined time-period. Two or more of the magnetic resonance images are compared thereamongst so as to determine variations in concentration of the contrast agent in the brain, and blood-brain barrier function is assessed based on the variations.

Abstract: A method of individually optimizing a treatment for an inflammation associated disease is provided. The method comprising contacting each of identical white blood cell samples of a subject in need thereof with a different pharmaceutical agent of a plurality of pharmaceutical agents for the inflammation associated disease, so as to allow elicitation of an anti-inflammatory activity in the white blood cell samples; assaying the anti-inflammatory activity in the white blood cell samples; and identifying a pharmaceutical agent of the plurality of pharmaceutical agents eliciting a strongest anti-inflammatory activity, the pharmaceutical agent being the individually optimized treatment for the inflammation associated disease, wherein when the inflammation associated disease is multiple sclerosis the white blood cell samples are inflamed white blood cell samples. Methods of treating an inflammation associated disease are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing stem/progenitor cells from human or animal origin. A population, from an embryonic, fetal or adult source, preferably from bone marrow, blood, fat, muscle, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, skin or neural tissues, that includes stem/progenitor cells, is treated with one or more first cytostatic or cytotoxic agents to which the stem/progenitor cells are less sensitive than the other cells of the population. Preferably, the agent(s) selectively deplete(s) from the population cells that are negative with respect to expressing a transporter gene of the first agent(s) while sparing cells that are positive with respect to expressing that gene. Preferably, the population also is treated with one or more cytokines and/or growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention is of the high association of the 5417T allele of the VKORC1 gene with high coumarin dose requirements and which can be used to determine the predisposition of an individual to coumarin resistance. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and kits for determining the predisposition of an individual to coumarin resistance and for predicting the responsiveness of an individual to coumarin treatment.

Abstract: Method and composition suitable for administering by direct convective interstitial infusion are disclosed. The method comprises: placing at least one direct convective interstitial infusion catheter in contact with the tissue, and pressuring the composition through the catheter. The composition is in a liquefied form having a viscosity above a predetermined value. The predetermined value is selected so as to improve infusion of the compositions into interstitial volumes of the tissue, while minimizing backflow of the compositions along an outer wall of the catheter or leakage into low resistance paths. It is demonstrated that high viscosity results in higher treatment efficiency.

Abstract: A method of monitoring heat damage to a tissue during a heat ablation procedure is disclosed. The method comprising: providing images of the tissue, extracting at least one parameter being indicative of a biological response to heat, and using the parameter(s) for determining the heat damage to the tissue.

Abstract: A method of monitoring heat damage to a tissue during a heat ablation procedure is disclosed. The method comprising: providing images of the tissue, extracting at least one parameter being indicative of a biological response to heat, and using the parameter(s) for determining the heat damage to the tissue.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease selected from diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, and a method for reducing triglycerides and/or increasing HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma of a subject. The method comprises administrating to a subject an effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder, optionally together with an activator of nuclear receptors.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease selected from diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, and a method for reducing triglycerides and/or increasing HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma of a subject. The method comprises administrating. to a subject an effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder, optionally together with an activator of nuclear receptors.