Abstract: The present invention provides T-cells expressing at least two different chimeric antigen receptors, wherein one of the CARs binds specifically to CD138 and another CAR binds specifically to CD38. In particular, the present invention provides T-cells expressing two different CARs, when one CAR comprises anti-CD138 sc Fv and the second CAR anti-CD138 sc Fv. Further, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising these dual CAR T-cells and their use in treatment of cancer, in particular multiple myeloma, and methods for preparation of these cells.

Abstract: Proxies for physiological states of tissue are provided. Accordingly, there are provided methods of determining host AMP landscape, establishing a profile indicative of tissue status, and identifying proxies for tissue status in AMP profiles of samples of secretions, exudates and/or excretions of the tissue. Also provided are methods for determination of disease severity and chronology.

Abstract: Methods of culturing T cells are provided. Accordingly there is provided a method of culturing T cells comprising culturing T cells in the presence of a T cell stimulator, an exogenous CCL21 and an exogenous ICAM1, thereby culturing the T cells. Also provided are cell cultures, isolated T cells and uses of same.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid encoding a CYP76AD6 or related gene and their use for producing L-DOPA from tyrosine. The invention also provides recombinant polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid encoding a CYP76AD1 and/or CYP76AD6, a nucleic acid encoding a DOPA 4,5-dioxygenase (DOD) enzyme, such as Beta vulgaris DODA1, and, in some cases, a nucleic acid encoding betalain related glucosyltransferase, such as Mirabilis. jalapa gene cyclo-DOPA 5-O-glucosyltransferase (cDOPA5GT), and their use for producing betalains. Finally, the invention provides chimeric polypeptides, expression vectors, cells, compositions, and organisms, including plants, and their uses in various methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method of inducing multinucleated myotube formation is provided. The method comprising contacting myogenic precursor cells from a farmed animal with an Extracellular Regulated Signaling Kinase (ERK1/2) inhibitor and/or an upregulator of intracellular Ca 2+ and/or RXR/RAR agonists, enhancing fusion and myogenic maturation.

Abstract: A culture medium is disclosed which comprises STAT3 activator, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and an Axin stabilizer, and optionally also a PKC inhibitor. Cell cultures comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ex-vivo culture systems are provided. Accordingly there is provided a culture system comprising a culture medium and a precision-cut tissue slice placed on a tissue culture insert, wherein the precision-cut tissue slice is maintained in a highly oxygenated atmosphere containing at least 50% oxygen and wherein said culture is rotationally agitated facilitating intermittent submersion of the tissue slice in the culture medium. Also provided are methods of culturing a tissue and methods of using the culture system for selecting a drug for the treatment of a disease.

Abstract: A method of treating a psychiatric disorder in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and a therapeutically effective amount of a KCNQ channel activator. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an NMDA receptor antagonist and a KCNQ channel activator are also disclosed.

Abstract: Given an input image, an image enhancement task, and no external examples available to train on, an Image-Specific Deep Network is constructed tailored to solve the task for this specific image. Since there are no external examples available to train on, the network is trained on examples extracted directly from the input image itself. The current solution solves the problem of Super-Resolution (SR), whereas the framework is more general and is not restricted to SR.

Abstract: The present specification discloses modified anti-PD-L1 antibodies that abolishes Fc-related effector function and enhances clearance rate while maintaining therapeutic efficacy for neurodegenerative disease modification. The present specification also discloses nucleic acid sequences and expression constructs encoding such modified anti-PD-L1 antibodies as well as methods of making such modified anti-PD-L1 antibodies. In addition, the present specification discloses methods of treatment and uses that employ an administration regime of the disclosed anti-PD-L1 antibodies that ensures the antibodies are present for only a specific period of time and then are sufficiently cleared from the body to ensure treatment efficacy is maintained.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an aromatic material based free-standing film, a hybrid of organic crystalline materials and inorganic carbon nanomaterials, process of preparation and uses thereof. The film, which comprises a fibrous organic nanocrystals of an aromatic material, is mechanically and thermally stable. This film is optionally reinforced by hybridization with a reinforcement material, such as carbon nanotube, carbon material, a polysaccharide, a nanoclay a metal, metal alloy, or an organic polymer. The hybrid film of organic nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes (ONC/CNT) has high conductivity and high thermal stability. The films or hybrids of this invention are used as microfiltration membranes for various materials, in electrodes or perovskite solar cells.

Abstract: A method for recovery of platinum group metals from a spent catalyst is described. The method includes crushing the spent catalyst to obtain a catalyst particulate material including particles having a predetermined grain size. The method includes subjecting the catalyst particulate material to a chlorinating treatment in the reaction zone at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period by putting the catalyst particulate material in contact with the chlorine containing gas. The method also includes applying an electromagnetic field to the chlorine-containing gas in the reaction zone to provide ionization of chlorine; thereby to cause a chemical reaction between platinum group metals and chlorine ions and provide a volatile platinum group metal-containing chloride product in the reaction zone. Following this, the volatile platinum group metal-containing chloride product is cooled to convert the product into solid phase platinum group metal-containing materials.

Abstract: An Agrin peptide which induces proliferation of cardiomyocytes for treating a heart disease is provided.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a sample is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of photon detectors, scanning the sample with an excitation beam over a predetermined time period, the detectors receiving photons emitted by the sample due to the excitation during the time period. A plurality of intensity images associated with each of the detectors are generated, each being proportional to the mean number of photons detected per unit time. A plurality of correlation images associated with each combination of two of the detectors are generated, each of the correlation images being proportional to the variance of the distribution of detected photons per unit time. The image of the sample is generated using joint sparse recovery from the plurality of intensity and correlation images, wherein the intensity and correlation images have common support.

Abstract: Formulations (e.g., solutions) comprising one or more water-soluble polymer(s), liposomes, and an aqueous carrier, are provided. The provided solutions are useful for rinsing, and/or immersing therein, a contact lens and/or in the treatment of ocular discomfort, for example, an ocular discomfort associated with a contact lens. Also provided are kits comprising the solution and a contact lens; articles-of-manufacturing comprising the solution and configured for dispending the solution; and methods utilizing the solution.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active agent that causes reduction of the level of systemic immunosuppression in an individual for use in treating a disease, disorder, condition or injury of the CNS that does not include the autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is provided. The pharmaceutical composition is for administration by a dosage regimen comprising at least two courses of therapy, each course of therapy comprising in sequence a treatment session followed by an interval session of non-treatment.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an active agent that causes reduction of the level of systemic immunosuppression in an individual for use in treating a disease, disorder, condition or injury of the CNS that does not include the autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is provided. The pharmaceutical composition is for administration by a dosage regimen comprising at least two courses of therapy, each course of therapy comprising in sequence a treatment session followed by an interval session.

Abstract: Agents binding modified antigen dependent peptides and use of same are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an agent capable of specifically binding an MHC presented peptide comprising a post translational modification (PTM), wherein the agent does not bind a peptide having the same amino acid sequence as said peptide but does not comprise said modification. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the agent, cells expressing same and methods of use thereof. Also provided is a computer implemented method for generating a dataset of PTM on MHC bound peptides.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ex-utero mouse embryonic development are provided. Accordingly, there is provided a method of ex-utero culturing a mouse embryo at a zygote stage under conditions that allow developments of the embryo to organogenesis or any developmental stage therein-between. Also provided a fetal incubation system, and methods of using same.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a synthetic miR-135 molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence of a miR-135b as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37, and a complementary strand as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40 is disclosed. A conjugate comprising a composition of matter comprising a synthetic miR-135 molecule and a cell-targeting moiety is also disclosed.