Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for repair of a region within an ear via a natural orifice, the device comprising a body. The body comprises a first port for visibly identifying the region to be sealed, the region being inside the ear; and a second port through which a seal can be introduced into the ear through the device. The region comprises a perforation of a tympanic membrane of the ear and the device is a speculum. The present invention also relates to method for repairing a perforation in a tympanic membrane using the same device.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing food products, particularly juice beverages, with reduced sugar content enriched with dietary fibers and the food products produced. The processed food products are low in calories while preserving the palatable test of the starting material, and contain beneficial amount of dietary fibers. The processed food product further contains sorbitol and gluconic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating food, in particular for curing meat, comprising adding to the food a compound of Formula III, which is a derivative of S-nitroso-cysteine. Use of the compound of Formula III as food preservative and compositions for curing meat are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: An optical switching device (20) includes a substrate (39) and first and second optical waveguides (23, 25) having respective first and second tapered ends (62, 64), which are fixed on the substrate in mutual proximity one to another. A pair of electrodes (36, 38) is disposed on the substrate with a gap therebetween. A cantilever beam (32) is disposed on the substrate within the gap and configured to deflect transversely between first and second positions within the gap in response to a potential applied between the electrodes. A third optical waveguide (21) is mounted on the cantilever beam and has a third tapered end (60) disposed between the first and second tapered ends of the first and second waveguides, so that the third tapered end is in proximity with the first tapered end when the cantilever beam is in the first position and is in proximity with the second tapered end when the cantilever beam is in the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides comprising amino acid residues of the dimer interface of human B7-1 and B7-2 and compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, a cell culture medium supplement comprising at least one plant protein homologue of a serum protein, a cell culture medium comprising a serum-free base medium and one or more plant based proteins, and methods of growing cells in vitro and of producing cultured meat using the cell culture medium.

Abstract: A method for generating reactive species in a medium in which light irradiates the medium including a nanoparticle. A photoinitiator composed of semiconductor nanoparticles for photo-polymerization and 2D and 3D printing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for lubricating one or more surfaces, comprising applying gel-phase liposomes onto said one or more surfaces, wherein the temperature of said surface(s) at the time of lubrication is below the phase transition temperature Tm of said liposomes. The method can be used for lubricating non-biological surfaces, and also for lubricating the surfaces of a biological tissue in a mammalian subject, e.g., for treating joint dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention provides antimicrobial matrices comprising a water-insoluble polymer and a mixture comprising a plurality of synthetic peptides attached thereto via a linker, the peptides comprise cationic amino acid residues, hydrophobic amino acid residues, or combinations thereof, in random sequences. The invention further provides uses of the antimicrobial matrices for eliminating microorganisms, particularly pathogenic bacteria, from liquid or semi solid media including edible products or beverages.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, a cell culture medium comprising a serum-free medium and one or more fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activators, a kit comprising the cell culture medium and instructions for use, methods of growing cells in vitro and of producing a cultured meat using the cell culture medium, and a cultured meat so produced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, a receptacle for filtering a liquid. The receptacle comprises a plurality of hollow fibers extending the length of the receptacle and at least one solid absorbent material occupying a space between the plurality of hollow fibers. Each hollow fiber comprises at least one opening and a lumen defined by the walls thereof, allowing the liquid to flow through. The hollow fiber walls have a porosity profile selective to passage of waste materials contained in the liquid from the lumen to the solid absorbent material(s), thereby filtering the liquid. Also provided is a system as well as a method for filtering and recycling a cell culture medium.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the weight loss and/or preserving the natural gloss of post-harvest edible plant matter, and methods for applying the compositions to the surface of the plant matter. The compositions include an edible wax having a melting temperature below 70° C.; a hydrocolloid; a fatty acid; an emulsifier; and water, wherein the edible wax is present in a weight percent ranging from about 10% to about 25% of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing food products, particularly juice beverages, with reduced sugar content enriched with dietary fibers and the food products produced. The processed food products are low in calories while preserving the palatable test of the starting material, and contain beneficial amount of dietary fibers. The processed food product further contains sorbitol and gluconic acid.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides of CD44 are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. Also provided is an isolated end-capping modified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-3, wherein the modified polypeptide comprises an anti-inflammatory activity. Also provided are compositions of matter, fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for lubricating one or more surfaces, comprising applying gel-phase liposomes onto said one or more surfaces, wherein the temperature of said surface(s) at the time of lubrication is below the phase transition temperature Tm of said liposomes. The method can be used for lubricating non-biological surfaces, and also for lubricating the surfaces of a biological tissue in a mammalian subject, e.g., for treating joint dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a protective coating on a plant tissue following the consecutives steps of: (a) providing a plant having an external surface, wherein a portion of the external surface includes an exposed surface; (b) applying a first aqueous solution that contains a crosslinking agent to the external surface of the plant; and (c) applying to the external surface of the plant a second aqueous solution that contains a polysaccharide which is susceptible to crosslinking by the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a protective coating on the exposed surface of the plant. Further provided is a postharvest plant matter that includes a first segment covered by natural skin, and a second segment having an exposed surface that is coated by a protective coating that contains a polysaccharide with the first segment being essentially free of the protective coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of pomegranate oil and fractions thereof for preventing and treating neurodegenarative diseases. Particularly, the present invention relates to emulsions of the pomegranate oil or fractions thereof for the prevention and treatment of brain diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Abstract: Methods of treating a disease characterized by mRNA instability or nonsense-mediated decay of an mRNA of a disease-associated gene in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one agent that decreases FTO expression, function or both are provided. Kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an agent that decreases FTO expression, function or both and a read-through promoting agent are also provided, as are methods of determining suitability of a subject to be treated with an agent that decreases FTO expression, function or both.

Abstract: A digital droplet PCR method of analyzing the methylation status of methylation sites of a double-stranded DNA molecule which comprises at least two methylation sites per single strand of the double-stranded DNA molecule is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inhibiting binding of systemically administered drugs to a target in the skin by topically administering materials prior to or concomitantly with administration of the systemic drugs.