Abstract: A Veress needle includes an outer needle having a shaft and a sharp distal point. The sharp distal point and a distal portion of the shaft are configured to penetrate tissue. A spring-loaded, inner cannula is disposed in the outer needle. The cannula has a dull tip and a gas exit aperture is formed near a distal end of the cannula. The outer needle has an outwardly expandable portion located on the distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting an altered susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer in a subject carrying a BRCA mutation, comprising determining the nucleic acid sequence of a polymorphism of a microRNA-related gene.

Abstract: A method of processing an image having a plurality of picture-elements is disclosed. The method comprises: preprocessing the image to selectively enhance contrast of some picture-elements of the image, and employing a companding procedure for the preprocessed image, thereby providing a processed image. The contrast enhancement optionally and preferably features a mapping function having a plateau region for diminishing image data with intensity levels below an intensity threshold, thereby providing a preprocessed image.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods useful for providing information useful in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal abnormalities as well as ingestible devices useful for providing information useful in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal abnormalities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for classification of kidney tumors through the analysis of the expression patterns of specific microRNAs and nucleic acid molecules relating thereto. Classification according to a microRNA expression framework allows optimization of treatment, and determination of specific therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods useful for providing information useful in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal abnormalities as well as ingestible devices useful for providing information useful in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal abnormalities.

Abstract: A prosthetic mitral valve with a frame comprises at least one arm shaped to deploy among a region of chordae tendineae of the native mitral valve to deflect these chords in order to pull the native valve leaflets around the frame to avoid paravalvular leaks. The frame may be made from two parts that are connected by sutures. The prosthetic valve may be deployed by a catherer comprising a deployment clamp attached to the valve frame where the deployment clamp is actuable to induce rotation of the frame.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an isolated peptide, which may for example optionally comprise a sequence comprising FNFDWY (SEQ ID NO: 5), or any cyclized version thereof, and methods of using same, including for treatment of or prevention of formation of microbial biofilms and against adhesion of a cell to a surface.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an isolated peptide, which may for example optionally comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of YDYNWY (SEQ ID NO: 1), YDYNLY (SEQ ID NO: 2), YDYSFY (SEQ ID NO: 63), FDYNFY (SEQ ID NO: 3), FDYNLY (SEQ ID NO: 4), FDYNWY (SEQ ID NO: 5), YDWNLY (SEQ ID NO: 6), YDWHLY (SEQ ID NO: 7) and WDYNLY (SEQ ID NO: 8), extracted from organisms such as aquatic organisms and moss or any other sequence described herein, and methods of using same, including for treatment of or prevention of formation of microbial biofilms and against adhesion of a cell to a surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences that are used for identification, classification and diagnosis of lung cancers. The present invention further provides microRNA molecules, as well as various nucleic acid molecules relating thereto or derived therefrom, associated with specific types of lung cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing, staging, prognosticating and treating melanoma based on evaluating the expression of specific patterns of oncogenic or suppressive microRNA (miR) molecules in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method for improving day photopic vision and/or cone-derived visual field and visual function in a subject suffering from a retinal disease or trauma including administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder. Also provided is a method for improving night vision and/or rod derived visual field in a subject suffering from a retinal disease including administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder. A pharmaceutical composition for improving day vision and/or visual field in a subject suffering from a retinal disease including crude Dunaliella powder is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for retrieving and processing medical diagnostic images are provided, comprising using picture analysis prioritization visualization and reporting system (“PAPVR system”) to determine whether each of one or more images from an image database or imaging device is of medical interest to a reviewing physician, determine whether one or more of the images is representative of the images, and provide the one or more images to a display and analysis system for review by a reviewing physician. The PAPVR system can provide the one or more images with a Key Image that is representative of the images. In addition, the PAPVR system can detect whether a patient suffers from a particular ailment, and provide a reviewing physician quantitative information that is relevant to the patient's condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices useful for imaging blood-containing tissue, for example for angiography, especially retinal angiography, whereby an image is generated by dividing pixels of an image acquired at some wavelength range by corresponding pixels of an image acquired at a different wavelength range. In some embodiments, a first wavelength range includes predominantly light having wavelengths between about 400 nm and about 620 nm and a second wavelength range includes predominantly light having wavelengths between about 620 nm and about 800 nm.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease associated with a cell population which proliferates abnormally in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one modulator capable of modulating in the cell population a level and/or activity of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 60 percent similar to SEQ ID NO: 5, as determined using the Standard protein-protein BLAST [blastp] software of the NCBI.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing brain MRI, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an input for receiving a first and a second MRI scans at the beginning and end of a predetermined time interval post contrast administration; a subtraction map former for forming a subtraction map from said first and said second MRI scans by analyzing said scans to distinguish between two primary populations, a slow population, in which contrast clearance from the tissue is slower than contrast accumulation, and a fast population in which clearance is faster than accumulation; and an output to provide an indication of distribution of said two primary populations, wherein said predetermined time period is at least twenty minutes.

Abstract: Isolated populations of fetal renal stem cells and progenitor cells are provided. Also provided are methods of generating and using these isolated populations of cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for classification of kidney tumors through the analysis of the expression patterns of specific microRNAs and nucleic acid molecules relating thereto. Classification according to a microRNA expression framework allows optimization of treatment, and determination of specific therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing, staging, prognosticating and treating melanoma based on evaluating the expression of specific patterns of oncogenic or suppressive microRNA (miR) molecules in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices comprising an elongated probe for the in vivo detection of meconium in amniotic fluid held in an amniotic sac based on detecting the presence of Zinc-coproporphyrin I (ZnCP). ZnCP is excited at approximately 405 nm and emits characteristic fluorescence, centered at about 580 nm and less intensely at 630 nm.