Abstract: A method for treating a disease comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of immune-mediated disorders, immune-associated disorders, inflammatory diseases, coronary disease, insulin resistance and liver-related diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the Hoodia is Hoodia parviflora. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating the above diseases comprising an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia.

Abstract: The subject matter of the instant application relates to bioplastic compositions, nanocellulose material, nanocrystallme cellulose material, and/or nanofibers made from the cellulosic preparation that is obtained from wastewater effluent and methods and systems for producing these bioplastic compositions, nanocellulose material, nanocrystallme cellulose material, and/or nanofibers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of recycling and producing fibers from sewage sludge, such as streams of municipal, agricultural and industrial flowing wastes to be further processed. The present invention also relates to industrial means adapted for recycling the same. The present invention discloses environmentally friendly processes and means for recovering valuable fibers and especially cellulose fibers and the like from agricultural and/or urban sewage sludge, waste and/or industrial effluents to decrease its volume especially BOD and TSS, obtaining valuable raw materials and decreasing environmental damages.

Abstract: A drying device for feedstock production from fibers, comprising an inlet for allowing the fibers into the drying device, a rotation assembly configured to move the fibers, a heating assembly configured to provide heat to the fibers for drying thereof. The heating assembly may comprise at least one channel for flow of a heating medium therethrough. There may also be provided a system for feedstock production from flowing sewage, comprising an inlet for flow of the flowing sewage therein, the sewage comprising a solid portion and a liquid portion, the solid portion including fibers, a solid entrapping device for separating the solid portion from the liquid portion, and a drying device configured for drying and moving the solid portion, thereby producing a feedstock.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating a pathological condition associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation by providing an AQP-9 modulator. The modulator can be an AQP-9 inhibitor or an AQP-9 inducer. Also provided are methods for modulating osteoclast differentiation, methods for treating pathological conditions associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation, as well as pharmaceutical composition including such modulators.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of immune-mediated disorders, immune-associated disorders, inflammatory diseases, coronary disease, insulin resistance and liver-related diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the Hoodia is Hoodia parviflora. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating the above diseases comprising an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of an aquaprin-9 (AQP-9) modulator for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a pathological condition associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation. In accordance with one embodiment, the modulator is an AQP-9 inhibitor. An example of AQP-9 inhibitor is phloretin which has been shown to inhibit osteoclast differentiation, following induction of bone marrow cells with RANKL. The invention also concerns methods for modulating osteoclast differentiation, methods for prevention and treating pathological conditions associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation as well as pharmaceutical composition comprising such modulators.

Abstract: A cellulosic feedstock composition including an oil content of up to 15% of the composition, a cellulose content of 40-99% of the composition, a hemicellulose content of 2-20% of the composition, a lignin content of less than 15% of the composition, a nitrogen containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a protein containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a mineral content of less than 5% of the composition, a sand content of less than 5% of the composition, and a dirt content of less than 25% of the composition.

Abstract: A cellulosic feedstock composition including an oil content of up to 15% of the composition, a cellulose content of 40-99% of the composition, a hemicellulose content of 2-20% of the composition, a lignin content of less than 15% of the composition, a nitrogen containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a protein containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a mineral content of less than 5% of the composition, a sand content of less than 5% of the composition, and a dirt content of less than 25% of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of an aquaprin-9 (AQP-9) modulator for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a pathological condition associates with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation. In accordance with one embodiment, the modulator is an AQP-9 inhibitor. An example of an inhibitor is phloretin which was shown to inhibit osteoclast differentiation following induction of bone marrow cells with RANKL. The invention also concerns methods for modulating osteoclast differentiation, methods for treating pathological conditions associated with unbalanced osteoclast differentiation as well as pharmaceutical composition comprising such modulators.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of immune-mediated disorders, immune-associated disorders, inflammatory diseases, coronary disease, insulin resistance and liver-related diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the Hoodia is Hoodia parviflora. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating the above diseases comprising an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia.

Abstract: Provided is an extract of Hoodia Parviflora, as well as its use as an appetite suppressant.

Abstract: A cellulosic feedstock composition including an oil content of up to 15% of the composition, a cellulose content of 40-99% of the composition, a hemicellulose content of 2-20% of the composition, a lignin content of less than 15% of the composition, a nitrogen containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a protein containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a mineral content of less than 5% of the composition, a sand content of less than 5% of the composition, and a dirt content of less than 25% of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of recycling and producing fibers from sewage sludge, such as streams of municipal, agricultural and industrial flowing wastes to be further processed. The present invention also relates to industrial means adapted for recycling the same. The present invention discloses environmentally friendly processes and means for recovering valuable fibers and especially cellulose fibers and the like from agricultural and/or urban sewage sludge, waste and/or industrial effluents to decrease its volume especially BOD and TSS, obtaining valuable raw materials and decreasing environmental damages.

Abstract: The present invention presents a cost effective process for separating between liquids extracted from whole plants or plant parts and the solid plant residue, and performing concurrent sterilization of both substances. This novel method comprising fast deep-freezing said whole plant(s) or parts thereof; crushing the deep-frozen whole plant(s), or parts thereof, thereby obtaining a bioextract; defrosting said bioextract mixture so as to allow drainage of the liquids from the defrosted bioextract mixture; and, separating between the liquids and the solid substance of the defrosted bioextract mixture such that a sterile product is obtained. The present invention also discloses sterile cosmetic, food, beverage, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical compositions, which comprises a natural mineral-rich plant tissue(s) component(s) obtained by this process.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing mechanical pulp from vegetative matter. The process comprises using high pressure fluid jets to break apart the vegetative matter into small particles and to further reduce the size of the particles by causing them to pass through one or a series of screens or gratings. Each screen or grating in the series comprising successively smaller openings than those of the previous one. The process produces pulp that is suitable for many applications. The pulp attained may be delignified by the addition of further mechanical and/or biological steps.