Abstract: Using lung tissues as a source, mammalian lung progenitor cells lung spheroids and lung spheroid cells (LSCs) were prepared. In one embodiment mammalian LSCs were prepared by (i) culturing mammalian lung tissue explant cells under adherent culture conditions to form a first lung cell outgrowth culture; (ii) culturing the first lung cell outgrowth culture under low-adherence conditions to form lung spheroids; and (iii) culturing the lung spheroids under adherent culture conditions so as to form LSCs. The low-adherence conditions may be a cell culture or suspension. The lung spheroids or LSCs may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions. Uses such as treatment of lung diseases or diagnostics are also provided. Lung spheroids and LSCs represents a simple and highly reproducible method to generate therapeutic lung cells.

Abstract: Biochemical scaffolds for treating menopausal symptoms. The biochemical scaffolds include a base liquid medium, a bioenergetic platform and a vibrational platform. The bioenergetic platform includes at least one Krebs cycle modulator and/or neurotransmitter modulator and/or nuclear hormone receptor modulator. The vibrational platform includes at least one energy signature component, e.g., an herb. The biochemical scaffold is subjected to sequential harmonic oscillation for a defined, predetermined period of time, wherein the energy signature of the energy signature component is imparted to, captured, replicated, and retained by the liquid medium, and, when the biochemical scaffolds are delivered to and, thus, in communication with biological tissue, the biochemical scaffolds induce specific biochemical activities via the resonant transfer of the retained energy signature to the biological tissue and, hence, endogenous cells thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing maltitol includes at least: producing a maltose syrup, by hydrolysis of a granular starch, in a first stage of liquefaction of granular starch to form a liquefied starch, followed by a stage of saccharification of the liquefied starch to which an aqueous solution of beta-amylase has been added, to form the maltose syrup; hydrogenating the maltose syrup to form an aqueous maltitol composition; and recovering the maltitol composition. The aqueous solution of beta-amylase also includes potassium sorbate, glycerol, and sodium carbonate.

Abstract: Aerosol sprays are provided that include one or more bacterial species and at least one siloxane suitable for applying said one or more bacterial species to a surface or into the environment. Such sprays may also include a propellant under pressure. Such aerosol sprays may be used for restoring or maintaining a healthy skin microbiota.

Abstract: Agents, kits, and methods that utilize oxygenation to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and/or provide prophylaxis against exacerbation of IBD are provided. In several embodiments, the agents, kits, and methods according to several embodiments generate in, or carry to, oxygen in the intestinal lumen to treat IBD and provide prophylaxis against exacerbation of IBD, including those caused by the presence of anaerobic bacteria in the intestine. The agents, kits, and methods provided herein generate an aerobic environment within the intestine to alleviate intestinal inflammation.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of performing in-vitro liver, intestinal and/or expressed enzyme assays with selected ethnobotanical substances, for both humans and a variety of animal species, to produce an array of resulting chemical entities, such as metabolites, for the human and the animals. Comparisons are then made between the chemical entities from the human in-vitro studies and the animal in-vitro studies to determine the closest match. The animal with the closest match is then used for an in-vivo study. If a match is present between the animal in-vivo results and the human in-vitro results, the matched chemical entity is isolated or synthesized and then further tested to determine the suitability of the matched chemical entity as a treatment drug.

Abstract: Agents, kits, and methods that utilize oxygenation to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and/or provide prophylaxis against exacerbation of IBD are provided. In several embodiments, the agents, kits, and methods according to several embodiments generate in, or carry to, oxygen in the intestinal lumen to treat IBD and provide prophylaxis against exacerbation of IBD, including those caused by the presence of anaerobic bacteria in the intestine. The agents, kits, and methods provided herein generate an aerobic environment within the intestine to alleviate intestinal inflammation.

Abstract: Agents, kits, and methods that utilize oxygenation to prevent and/or treat infections caused by anaerobic microorganisms are provided. The agents, kits, and methods according to several embodiments utilize oxygenation in the intestinal lumen to prevent and/or treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. The agents, kits, and methods can be utilized to prevent and/or treat anaerobic bacterial infections of the intestinal lumen by enteric aerobization therapy.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for cell culture and cell recovery. The methods and apparatus simplify the process of cell separation from media, minimize potential damage to gas permeable devices during fluid handling, and allow closed system automated cell culture and cell recovery from gas permeable devices.

Abstract: Biochemical scaffolds for regulating mammalian cell function. The biochemical scaffolds include a base liquid medium, a bioenergetic platform and a vibrational platform. The bioenergetic platform includes at least one Krebs cycle modulator and/or neurotransmitter modulator. The vibrational platform includes at least one energy signature component, e.g., an herb. The biochemical scaffold is subjected to harmonic oscillation for a defined, predetermined period of time, wherein the energy signature of the energy signature component is imparted to, captured, replicated, and retained by the liquid medium, and, when the biochemical scaffolds are delivered to and, thus, in communication with biological tissue, the biochemical scaffolds induce specific biochemical activities via the resonant transfer of the retained energy signature to the biological tissue and, hence, endogenous cells thereof.

Abstract: An organ preservation and/or perfusion solution for an isolated tissue or organ is provided. The solution comprises dextran, glucose, calcium ions, a buffer, and water, has a pH of 6.6 to 7.8, and is sterile based on having been subjected to heat sterilization. A method of preparing the solution also is provided. The method comprises combining dextran, glucose, calcium ions, buffer, and water to obtain an initial solution, adjusting the pH of the initial solution to 7.0 to 7.8 if needed, and subjecting the initial solution to heat sterilization, thereby obtaining the organ preservation and/or perfusion solution. A method of preserving and/or perfusing an isolated tissue or organ also is provided. A method for flushing, storage, and/or transportation of an isolated lung after removal from a donor in preparation for eventual transplantation into a recipient also is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the effect of a drug on a mature cardiomyocyte. In some embodiments, the method comprises using transmembrane voltage and/or intracellular calcium data obtained from control immature cardiomyocytes and those that have been contacted with the drug to parameterize models of immature cardiomyocytes, then applying a maturation matrix to generate a mature cardiomyocyte model. The method is useful for, among other things, predicting whether a drug may have proarrhythmic properties and for determining whether a particular drug should be administered to a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for generating multipotent mammary stern cells from isolated and cultured human breast luminal cells. The method comprises the steps: 1. isolating and growing normal differentiated cells in vitro; 2. treating the differentiated cells with either a conditioned medium from active fibroblasts or cytokine. The invention also relates to multipotent mammary stem cells, cultures of the multipotent stem cells, differentiated cells, tissues, organs derived from the culture multipotent stem cells isolated by the methods disclosed and therapeutic and other uses for those cells thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the yield of virus, virus particles, or viral vectors from host cells in a bioreactor. The invention provides a reproducible and robust method and system of determining and controlling the optimal time of infection of host cells using a correlation of process air parameters including Air flow, O2 flow, and respective trends thereof resulting in increased virus yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, and devices for detecting heavy metals in dried blood (e.g., dried blood spots). For example, the present invention provides: 1) dried blood spot paper that is detectably free of heavy metals and methods of preparing such paper using organic acid; 2) dried blood extraction solutions optimized for heavy metal detection (e.g., extraction solutions containing acetic acid and/or gold); 3) methods for estimating venous blood volume from dried blood mass; and 4) kits and kit components optimized for heavy metal detection in dried blood (e.g., kits with paper detectably free of heavy metals, heavy metal free skin wipes, metal free collection case, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for production of ATP. This system is comprised of a support and one or more enzymes coupled to that support which are capable of collectively producing ATP from glucose or fructose metabolism. The present invention is additionally directed to a device, which includes the system, and to a method for carrying out a reaction involving the conversion of ATP to ADP using the system.

Abstract: A disposable sensor chip for biological component concentration measurement includes: a chip main body defining a cavity through which a body fluid is flowable; and a reagent located in the cavity such that the body fluid flowing through the cavity comes into contact with the reagent. The reagent comprises a 2-substituted benzothiazolyl-3-substituted phenyl-5-substituted sulfonated phenyl-2H-tetrazolium salt.

Abstract: Provided are a multilayer film having excellent gas permeability and excellent handling properties and hence is suited for forming a cell culture container, and a cell culture container formed by using the same. A multilayer film used for forming a cell culture container, comprising: a base material composed of a polyethylene-based resin having a density of 0.87 g/cm3 to 0.90 g/cm3; and an inner layer composed of a polyethylene-based resin having a density of 0.896 g/cm3 to 0.93 g/cm3 and forming a cell culture icy surface. A cell culture container is formed by using this multilayer film.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for determining male fertility status. The method comprises determining GM1 distribution patterns following induced sperm capacitation, identifying the frequency of distribution of various patterns, and determining if the frequency distribution of certain GM1 patterns in response to induced capacitation is altered. Based on the change in the frequency distribution patterns of certain patterns in response to induced capacitation, alone or in combination with other sperm attributes, male fertility status can be identified.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to protein extraction and, more generally, to bone protein extraction methods that do not require demineralization. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising: mixing a bone sample and a quantity of an extraction buffer comprising: ammonium phosphate dibasic; or ammonium phosphate dibasic and ammonium bicarbonate; or ammonium phosphate dibasic, ammonium bicarbonate, and guanidine HCl; or sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium bicarbonate; or sodium phosphate dibasic, sodium bicarbonate, and guanidine HCl; or potassium phosphate dibasic and potassium bicarbonate; or potassium phosphate dibasic, potassium bicarbonate, and guanidine HCl; and incubating the bone sample/extraction buffer mixture.