Abstract: The present invention relates to membrane binding diastereomeric peptides comprising amino acid sequences corresponding to a fragment of a transmembrane proteins, wherein at least two amino acid residues of the diastereomeric peptides being in a D-isomer configuration. The diastereomeric peptides are useful in inhibiting fusion membrane protein events, including specifically viral replication and transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant polypeptides of the beta chain of the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR2 mutant) with enhanced affinity for IFN? as compared to the wild type protein for prolonging the effect of IFN? in vivo.

Abstract: A novel process of preparing allyl-containing asymmetric disulfides, and particularly therapeutically active allyl-containing asymmetric disulfides such as allylmercaptocaptopril (CPSSA) is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides IFN?2 mutants and active fragments, analogs, derivatives, and variants thereof that have improved specific agonist or antagonist activity as compared to wild-type IFN?2. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising IFN?2 mutants useful for treating or preventing cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases or disorders associated with increased expression of IFN?2.

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: Compositions and methods for modulation of the suppressive activity of CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (Treg) on CD4+CD25? effector T cells (Teff) are provided. An agent selected from: (i) dopamine; (ii) a dopamine precursor; (iii) a D1-R agonist; (iv) a D2-R antagonist; (v) a combination of (i) and (ii); or (vi) a combination of (i), (ii) or (iii) with (iv), down-regulates the suppressive activity of Treg and is useful for treatment of cancer. An agent selected from (i) a dopamine D2-R agonist, (ii) a dopamine D1-R antagonist, and (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), up-regulates the suppressive activity of Treg and is useful for treatment of an autoimmune disease or for controlling graft rejection in tissue/organ transplantation.

Abstract: Post-translational O-sulfonation of a serine or threonine residue of proteins is detected, optionally comparatively, wherein the detected O-sulfonation is detected under a first physiological condition, and is compared with a control O-sulfonation detected under a second physiological condition, and a difference between the detected and control O-sulfonations indicates a difference between the first and second physiological conditions. Predetermined changes in physiological conditions are used to infer specific changes in O-sulfonation. Proteins are modified by introducing a predetermined change in O-sulfonation at a serine or threonine residue of the protein, and optionally, detecting a resultant change in O-sulfonation. These methods include introducing or increasing O-sulfonation, eliminating or reducing O-sulfonation; and derivatizing or substituting O-sulfonation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel uses for peptide p277—positions 437-460 of human heat shock protein 60 (HSP60)—in modulation of immune responses and inflammatory diseases. The invention further provides novel uses for HSP60 and p277 in the treatment or prevention of hepatic disorders. The invention discloses methods for treating, preventing or ameliorating the symptoms of T cell mediated inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including hepatic disorders, which comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising as an active ingredient an effective quantity of a molecule selected from: HSP60, p277, fragments, analogs, homologs and derivatives thereof, and nucleic acids encoding same. Also disclosed are T cell vaccination methods for treating or preventing T cell mediated disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved vaccine compositions having enhanced immunogenicity and methods of using same. The compositions and methods include immunogenic conjugates containing peptide carriers derived from heat shock protein 60 (HSP60). The known synthetic peptide carrier, p458, provides significantly improved immunogenicity when provided as a multimeric conjugate comprising a plurality of peptide carrier units conjugated to each antigen. Cell vaccine compositions comprising antigen presenting cells loaded with multimeric p458 conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-angiogenic variants of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) comprising at least one altered phosphorylation site, polynucleotides encoding same and uses thereof. Particularly, the present invention provides variants of human PEDF comprising at least one amino acid substitution at serine residues (24), (114), and (227). The PEDF variants are potent anti-angiogenic factors, and thus useful in treating diseases or disorders associated with neovascularization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic plant comprising one or more plant cells transformed with exogenous nucleic acid encoding a Dunaliella salt-inducible or salt-responsive protein selected from the group consisting of elongation initiation factor 3 (eIF3), NADPH dependent quinone reductase (QOR), aldo-keto reductase (AKR), bifunctional aspartate kinase-homoserine reductase (AK-HSD) and mitochondrial import membrane translocase subunit (TIM9), or a fragment, homolog or variant thereof. The transgenic plant has increased tolerance to salt as compared to a corresponding non-transgenic plant.

Abstract: Use of allylmercaptocaptopril for treating or preventing obesity and/or an obesity related disease or disorder is disclosed.

Abstract: Catalytically treating groundwater (10), surface water, or above surface water, contaminated (12) with halogenated organic compounds being members of chlorotriazine, chloroacetanilide, or halogenated aliphatic, herbicide groups, and, halogen containing analogs and derivatives thereof. Method: exposing contaminated water to catalytic amount of electron transfer mediator (18) under reducing conditions, to decrease concentrations of halogenated organic compounds. System: at least one electron transfer mediator (18) contained in at least one (in-situ or/and ex-situ) unit (20), for exposing to contaminated water under reducing conditions. Exemplary electron transfer mediators are porphyrinogenic organometallic complexes, being metalloporphyrins, metallocorrins, or metallochlorins. Exemplary metalloporphyrins are a [TMPyP], [TP(OH)P], [TPP], or [TBSP], free base porphyrin complexed to a transition metal (cobalt, nickel, iron, zinc, or copper).

Abstract: A device is presented for assisting an insufficient aortic valve. The device is configured as an auxiliary valve and comprises a resilient deformable sleeve-like valve, deformation of the sleeve-like valve shifting the valve between its closed and opened positions.

Abstract: Peptides corresponding partially to positions 55-64 of the sequence of the complement component peptide C3a are capable of preventing and treating mast cell- and basophil-mediated disorders by inhibiting IgE- or IgG-mediated triggering and/or by inhibiting the Fc?RI- and/or Fc?R-induced secretory response, while obviating the anaphylatoxic response. These peptides are useful for prevention and/or treatment of allergic disorders where mucosal-type and/or serosal-type mast cells and/or basophils are involved such as asthma, allergic dermatosis, and gastrointestinal allergies.

Abstract: Anti-inflammatory peptides derived from naturally occurring digests of proteins including apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein A-II, fibrinogen ? chain, fibrinogen Aa, low-density lipoprotein receptor, ADAM 8, cadherin 4, and calcitonin receptor are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and methods of treating inflammatory diseases using same.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved vaccines comprising an isolated viral antigenic peptide and a synthetic peptide derived from a T cell epitope of HSP60. The invention includes mixtures where the peptide serves as an adjuvant as well as conjugates where the peptide is covalently linked to the viral antigen. The known synthetic peptide carrier, p458, provides significantly improved immunogenicity for synthetic viral epitopes and analogs. Ec27 is a novel peptide derived from HSP60 which increases the immunogenicity substantially of the viral antigen both as a mixture or a covalent conjugate. Some of the isolated viral epitopes are novel and are claimed for diagnostic as well as therapeutic or prophylactic uses.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of compartmentalized libraries of genetic elements and the selection of biologically active molecules and the genes encoding same from said libraries. The selection assay of the invention utilizes water-in-oil emulsions and is particularly advantageous in applications in the field of directed-evolution, as exemplified herein for selection of protein inhibitors of DNA nucleases.

Abstract: Compositions comprising nucleic acids encoding the ? chain of IL-2 receptor (IL-2Ra, CD25), homologs and fragment thereof, are effective in the treatment and prevention of T cell mediated pathologies. Methods are provided for enhancing anti-ergotypic T cell activity in a subject in need thereof, and for treating or preventing T cell mediated pathologies, such as autoimmune disease, inflammatory diseases and graft rejection.

Abstract: The osmoprotectants proline, 2-methyl-4-carboxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine (“THP(B)”, and 2-methyl-4-carboxy-5-hydroxy-3,4,5,6,-tetrahydropyrimidine (“THP(A)”) are capable of increasing the thermal stability of DNA polymerases at elevated temperatures. THP(B) is further effective in lowering the melting temperature of double-stranded DNA. Proline, THP(A) and THP(B) are thus useful in procedures involving melting of double-stranded DNA and/or polymerase-mediated DNA synthesis, such as in primer extension, in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and in DNA sequencing.