Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

About: Technion – Israel Institute of Technology is a education organization based out in Haifa, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Upper and lower bounds. The organization has 31714 authors who have published 79377 publications receiving 2603976 citations. The organization is also known as: Technion Israel Institute of Technology & Ṭekhniyon, Makhon ṭekhnologi le-Yiśraʼel.

Estimation and classification of polynomial-phase signals

Abstract: The measurement of the parameters of complex signals with constant amplitude and polynomial phase, measured in additive noise, is considered. A novel new integral transform that is adapted for signals of this type is introduced. This transform is used to derive estimation and classification algorithms that are simple to implement and that exhibit good performance. The algorithms are extended to constant amplitude and continuous nonpolynomial phase signals. >

Targeting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation eradicates therapy-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells

Abstract: Treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with imatinib mesylate and other second- and/or third-generation c-Abl-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has substantially extended patient survival. However, TKIs primarily target differentiated cells and do not eliminate leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Therefore, targeting minimal residual disease to prevent acquired resistance and/or disease relapse requires identification of new LSC-selective target(s) that can be exploited therapeutically. Considering that malignant transformation involves cellular metabolic changes, which may in turn render the transformed cells susceptible to specific assaults in a selective manner, we searched for such vulnerabilities in CML LSCs. We performed metabolic analyses on both stem cell-enriched (CD34+ and CD34+CD38-) and differentiated (CD34-) cells derived from individuals with CML, and we compared the signature of these cells with that of their normal counterparts. Through combination of stable isotope-assisted metabolomics with functional assays, we demonstrate that primitive CML cells rely on upregulated oxidative metabolism for their survival. We also show that combination treatment with imatinib and tigecycline, an antibiotic that inhibits mitochondrial protein translation, selectively eradicates CML LSCs both in vitro and in a xenotransplantation model of human CML. Our findings provide a strong rationale for investigation of the use of TKIs in combination with tigecycline to treat patients with CML with minimal residual disease.

Structural investigation of xenon-ion-beam-irradiated glassy carbon

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy have been used to monitor the ion-beam-induced transformation in glassy carbon irradiated with 320-keV Xe ions to doses between 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ and 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$ ions/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. It was found that (i) the ion beam amorphizes the glassy carbon structure; (ii) the amorphization is accompanied by a compaction of the glassy carbon from an initial density of 1.55 to 2.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$; and (iii) approximately 15% of the graphitelike bonds in glassy carbon are converted to diamondlike bonds in the amorphization process. The transformation of glassy carbon to an amorphous state occurs in two distinct stages as a function of ion dose. For damage levels up to 0.2 displacements per atom (dpa) the effect of the ion beam is to decrease the average graphitic crystallite size. Above 0.2 dpa, disorder in bond length and bond angle away from ideal graphitic threefold coordination occurs leading to complete amorphization at high doses. The amorphization, compaction, and presence of \ensuremath{\approxeq}15% ${\mathit{sp}}^{3}$ bonds in the implanted layer of glassy carbon results in a surface layer which is significantly more resistant to abrasion than as-grown glassy carbon.

Gene expression profiling of parkinsonian substantia nigra pars compacta; alterations in ubiquitin-proteasome, heat shock protein, iron and oxidative stress regulated proteins, cell adhesion/cellular matrix and vesicle trafficking genes

Abstract: Gene expression profiling of human substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, was examined employing high density microarrays. We identified alterations in the expression of 137 genes, with 68 down regulated and 69 up regulated. The down regulated genes belong to signal transduction, protein degradation (e.g. ubiquitin-proteasome subunits), dopaminergic transmission/metabolism, ion transport, protein modification/phosphorylation and energy pathways/glycolysis functional classes. Up-regulated genes, clustered mainly in biological processes involving cell adhesion/cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix components, cell cycle, protein modification/phosphorylation, protein metabolism, transcription and inflammation/stress (e.g. key iron and oxygen sensor EGLN1). One major finding in the present study is the particular decreased expression of SKP1A, a member of the SCF (E3) ligase complex specifically in the substantia nigra (SN) of sporadic parkinsonian patients, which may lead to a wide impairment in the function of an entire repertoire of proteins subjected to regulatory ubiquitination. These findings reveal novel players in the neurodegenerative scenario and provide potential targets for the development of novel drug compounds.

Overview of Microencapsulates for Use in Food Products or Processes and Methods to Make Them

Abstract: Encapsulation may be defined as a process to entrap one substance within another substance, thereby producing particles with diameters of a few nm to a few mm. The substance that is encapsulated may be called the core material, the active agent, fill, internal phase, or payload phase. The substance that is encapsulating may be called the coating, membrane, shell, carrier material, wall material, external phase, or matrix. The carrier material of encapsulates used in food products or processes should be food grade and able to form a barrier for the active agent and its surroundings. Please see Chap. 3 for more information on this.