Abstract: The present invention provides medicaments for treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) abnormality in a corneal endothelium, wherein the medicaments comprise a TGF-beta signal inhibiting agent. More specifically, this disease, disorder, or condition is a disorder associated with Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. Such a disorder includes photophobia, blurred vision, vision disorder, eye pain, lacrimation, hyperemia, pain, bullous keratopathy, ophthalmic unpleasantness, a decrease in contrast, glare, edema in corneal stroma, bullous keratopathy, corneal opacity, and the like. A preferable TGF-beta signal inhibiting agent includes 4-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzamide.

Abstract: Multi-use biosensors are disclosed that include enzymes that have been modified to reduce the solubility thereof; the multi-use biosensors are used to detect analytes in fluidic biological samples, and the biosensors also maintain their enzyme activity after many uses. Multi-sensor arrays are disclosed that include multiple biosensors. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using these devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved culture methods for expanding epithelial stem cells and obtaining organoids, to culture media involved in said methods, and to uses of said organoids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for rapidly clearing a biological tissue. According to the present invention, provided is a method for clearing a biological tissue, including the steps of: infiltrating the biological tissue with water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers before, during or after fixing the biological tissue with a fixative, wherein the water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers include at least a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer having an ionically dissociable group; polymerizing the water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers to form a hydrogel in the fixed biological tissue; and removing a lipid from the fixed biological tissue.

Abstract: Beads with functionalized material applied to them are exposed to an acoustic field to trap, retain or pass the beads. The beads may include or be free of ferro magnetic material. The beads may be biocompatible or biodegradable for a host. The size of the beads may vary over a range, and/or be heterogenous or homogenous. The composition of the beads may include high, neutral or low acoustic contrast material. The chemistry of the functionalized material may be compatible with existing processes. The acoustic field may be generated, for example, in an acoustic angled wave device or in an acoustic fluidized bed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CJ14-6 strain isolated from traditional meju, a preparation method for soybean koji using the same, and a soybean koji prepared by the preparation method. The preparation method for soybean koji includes: soaking soybeans in water or adding waster to soybeans and steaming the soaked soybeans; and inoculating a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CJ14-6 strain into the steamed soybeans, fermenting the steamed soybeans, and drying the fermented soybeans to prepare a soybean koji.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for efficiently isolating collagen form a collagen source. The methods are inexpensive and do not require the use of proteolytic enzymes, decolorizing agents, antibacterial and antifungal agents, and the like. Further, the collagen produced by the methods described herein is substantially free of odor and discoloration. Still further, the collagen produced by the methods described herein is suitable to be used in cosmetics, food products, and pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements.

Abstract: A method of producing cannabinoids for use in medical treatments by growing cultured Cannabis sativa plant cells through tissue culture, the method of comprising the steps of: selecting Cannabis sativa leaf tissue for culture; and growing a tissue culture from the selected leaf tissue in a liquid based medium whilst controlling the light exposure of the tissue culture to control the cannabinoid content of the tissue culture. Control of the light exposure can enable the phytocannabinoid content of the grown tissue culture to be tailored to the use intended for the tissue culture. For example, the THC content of the tissue culture can be controlled to be maximised or minimized depending on the intended use. Use of tissue culture is beneficial as compared to prior art methods as it allows for genetic consistency and reduces the resources necessary to produce plant cells containing phytocannabinoids.

Abstract: A method for sterilising a platelet lysate in the liquid state comprising at least the endogenous growth factors TGF-beta 1, EGF, PDGF-AB, IGF-1, VEGF and bFGF. The method comprising freezing the liquid platelet lysate in order to obtain a frozen platelet lysate, and irradiating the frozen platelet lysate with ionising radiation in order to obtain a sterilised platelet lysate, the irradiation being adapted so as to preserve at least 80% of the concentration of at least one of the endogenous growth factors chosen from the group consisting of TGF-beta 1, EGF, PDGF-AB, IGF-1 and VEGF.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing killed lactic acid bacteria using a bioreactor including a culture device and a membrane filter, and to killed lactic acid bacteria prepared by the preparation method.

Abstract: An isolated human brown adipose tissue stem cell line. In one embodiment, the isolated human brown adipose tissue stem cell line expresses the markers CD9, SSEA4, CD44, CD90, CD166, CD73, but not CD14, CD34, CD45 or STRO-1. In another embodiment, the isolated human brown adipose tissue stem cell line expresses the genes UCP1, PPARGC1A, NRF1, FOXC2, CREB1, SIRT3, and WNT5A (REFX). In still another embodiment, the isolated human brown adipose tissue stem cell line is capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for culturing primary cells and tissues from a subject in the presence of the subject's own serum, ascites or pleural effusion fluid. Methods of treating cancer, and screening for the effectiveness or toxicity of drugs are also provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of biological samples is disclosed. In some embodiments, an automated biological sample staining system (100), comprising at least one microfluidic reagent applicator (118); at least one bulk fluid applicator (116); at least one fluid aspirator; at least one sample substrate holder; at least one relative motion system; and a control system (102) that is programmed to execute at least one staining protocol on a sample mounted on a substrate that is held in the at least one sample substrate holder.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a treatment of a subject having a musculoskeletal disorder is provided. The method includes measuring a first expression level of at least two biomarkers at a treatment site prior to the treatment and measuring a second expression level of the at least two biomarkers at the treatment site after the treatment begins. The method further includes comparing the first expression level of the at least two biomarkers prior to the treatment to the second expression level of the at least two biomarkers post treatment and continuing the treatment, altering the treatment or stopping the treatment based on the comparison. A method of treating a musculoskeletal disorder in a subject is also provided. The method includes removing a aggrecan-hyaluronan matrix from a treatment site in the subject.

Abstract: A marker for determining a mental disease is provided. The marker can be used in an objective diagnosis of such a mental disease. The marker contains one or more enterobacteria of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus reuteri subgroup, Lactobacillus sakei subgroup, Atopobium cluster, Bacteroides fragilis group, Enterococcus, Clostridium coccoides group, Clostridium leptum subgroup, Staphylococcus, Clostridium perfringens, and Enterobacteriaceae.

Abstract: Methods of standardizing a fermentation process may include obtaining a fluidic sample, measuring one or more physical parameters of the sample, comparing the measurement of the physical parameter of the material to a baseline value of the physical parameter for the fermentation process, and responsive to a deviation of the measurement of the physical parameter from the baseline value, determining a remediation action based on a correlation between the physical parameter and regulatory genes of a fermentation organism.

Abstract: Methods for decellularizing organs and tissues in vitro and in vivo are provided, as are methods of maintaining organ and tissue frameworks and methods of recellularizing organs and tissues, thereby providing an approach to needed organs or tissues.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method for preparing a skin substitute, a dermal substitute, to a skin substitute, to a dermal substitute and to a kit for implementing the method. Some other embodiments are directed to a graft that can consist of of a skin substitute and to the use thereof as treating a skin disorder and/or a loss of skin substance.

Abstract: Provided herein is a placental product comprising an immunocompatible chorionic membrane. Such placental products can be cryopreserved and contain viable therapeutic cells after thawing. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for promoting adhesion of a corneal endothelial cell, containing a Rho kinase inhibitor, as well as a culture medium for a corneal endothelial cell, a solution for preservation of cornea, and a method of producing a corneal endothelial preparation, which includes culturing the corneal endothelial cell using the aforementioned culture medium.