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: A malignancy classification method and medium for diagnosing a region of lung tissue based on MRI data are disclosed. The classifying includes: setting time points T1 and T2 measured from injection of a contrast agent. T1 represents a wash-in time point for malignant lung tissue at which a first concentration value of the injected contrast agent is substantially equal to or near a peak for injected contrast agent concentration in the region of lung tissue. Patient concentration values of the contrast agent for the area of lung tissue at time points T1 and T2 are obtained, and a malignancy classification for the region of lung tissue is provided by comparing the obtained sample concentration values with a predetermined malignancy profile. A visual representation of the malignancy classification of the region of lung tissue is outputted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specific for human Beclin-1 protein phosphorylated at position Thr 119 and uses thereof. In particular, these antibodies are useful in diagnosing diseases associated with impaired autophagy including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The invention further relates to human Beclin-1 mutated at position 119 with a phospho-mimicking residue and uses thereof for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A method of identifying a combination of antibodies with a combined improved anti-tumor activity is provided. The method comprising: (a) identifying binding epitopes of anti ErbB-2 antibodies; and (b) selecting a combination of at least two antibodies of the anti ErbB-2 antibodies exhibiting binding to different epitopes on the ErbB-2, at least one of the different epitopes being localized to a dimerization site of the ErbB-2, the combination of antibodies being with the combined improved anti-tumor activity. Also provided are novel antibody combinations uncovered according to the present teachings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to truncated dockerin polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides and affinity systems comprising the truncated dockerin polypeptide, methods of generating same, and methods of use thereof to purify, isolate, and detect molecules of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel ruthenium based catalysts, and a process for preparing amines, by reacting a primary alcohol and ammonia in the presence of such catalysts, to generate the amine and water. According to the process of the invention, primary alcohols react directly with ammonia to produce primary amines and water in high yields and high turnover numbers. This reaction is catalyzed by novel ruthenium complexes, which are preferably composed of quinolinyl or acridinyl based pincer ligands.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that down regulation of the SlMYB12 transcription factor results in the colorless peel y phenotype in tomato fruit. The present invention provides polynucleotides encoding the tomato SlMYB12 transcription factor and genetic markers derived therefrom, useful in the breeding of tomato plants having the colorless peel phenotype and in the production of transgenic plants having altered flavonoid content.

Abstract: The present invention provides IFN?2 mutants and active fragments, analogs, derivatives, and variants thereof, nucleotide molecules encoding same, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods utilizing the same for treating cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to influenza vaccines for human and veterinary use. In particular, the present invention provides a vaccine able to effect long term and cross-strain protection by including at least two influenza virus epitopes expressed as a chimeric polypeptide wherein at least one epitope is influenza A virus matrix protein epitope and the second epitope is a haemagglutinin peptide epitope.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants transformed with exogenous nucleic acid encoding a Dunaliella salt-inducible or salt-responsive protein selected from the group consisting of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) subunit, 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 plants have increased tolerance to salt as compared to corresponding non-transgenic plants.

Abstract: An efficient broadband crystal for wavelength conversion, the crystal being a quasi-phase matched non-linear crystal, having an aperiodic poled structure, each period being tuned, and wherein said tuning varies adiabatically along a length of said crystal from a first end wherein said tuning is a strong negative mismatch to a second end wherein said tuning is a strong positive mismatch or vice versa. The crystal is able to provide efficient wavelength conversion over a range of frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device that is useful for topical treatment of various infections such as skin and nail, or vaginal infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for inhibiting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in a target cell. Particularly, the present invention relates to antisense polynucleotides complementary to a lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) mRNA and uses thereof for inhibiting tumor progression and tumor metastasis. The present invention further relates to uses of LEDGF/p75 polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding same for treating endothelial cell related conditions, particularly inflammation and edema.

Abstract: A method of monitoring amount of milk consumed by an infant being breastfed by a breast is disclosed. The method comprises: determining variations in electric capacitance of the breast during breastfeeding, and correlating the electric capacitance variations to an amount of milk consumed by the infant.

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: 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.