Abstract: Method for manufacturing a tissue-engineered construct, such as a heart valve, comprising the steps of providing a-cell-seeded scaffold in a bioreactor chamber which bioreactor chamber is divided by the cell-seeded scaffold into a first compartment and a second compartment, subjecting the cell-seeded scaffold to a flow of nutrient medium within the bioreactor chamber for developing the cell-seeded scaffold to a tissue structure and next to the tissue construct, applying a dynamic pressure difference to the developing tissue structure by the flow of nutrient medium to induce dynamic strain on the tissue structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specially selected catalase enzymes and their use in reducing hydrogen peroxide in applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of immobilizing biocatalysts including protein and cells by co-precipitation with silicate or organosilicate matrices through the action of an organic template molecule. The organic template molecule is in general a polyamine such as polyethylenimine (PEI), or polypeptide compound bearing at least two or three basic residues selected from the group consisting of lysine, arginine, histidine, proline, hydroxyproline, N-methylhistidine, ornithine, taurine, ?-hydroxylysine, and ?-hydroxy-?-N,N,N trimethyllysine. The invention is also directed to a silica biocomposite comprising co-precipitates of active biocatalysts, silica or organosilicates, and an N-containing organic template molecule. Such silica biocomposites are useful in biocatalysis, and other applications requiring an immobilized biocatalyst. Preferred biocatalysts for this invention are enzymes and whole cells.

Abstract: A process for pretreating a lignocellulosic plant raw material in order to obtain a pretreated material that is capable of being hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol, includes the following successive steps: (i) destructuring the lignocellulosic plant raw material by placing it in the presence of a mixture containing formic acid and water, at a reaction temperature between 95° C. and 110° C.; (ii) then, at atmospheric pressure and prior to any hydrolysis then fermentation action, separating: on the one hand, the solid phase, mainly composed of the cellulose, constituting a first co-substrate, capable of then being hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol; and on the other hand, the liquid phase, containing, in particular in aqueous solution, the formic acid, the lignins, and the hemicelluloses, constituting a second co-substrate, capable of then being hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol.

Abstract: A three-dimensional biological scaffold. The scaffold includes at least three sets of polymer waveguides extending along at least three respective directions. The at least three sets of polymer waveguides interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a self-supporting structure. In some embodiments, the polymer waveguides may be bio-degradable. In still some embodiments, the three-dimensional biological scaffold may include one or more coating layers for covering surfaces of the polymer waveguides.

Abstract: A method of determining responsiveness to cancer treatment is disclosed. The method comprises analyzing a frequency of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) having a CD8+CD28?CD152? signature in a sample of the subject, wherein a frequency of TILs having the CD8+CD28?CD152? signature above a predetermined level is indicative of a positive responsiveness to cancer treatment. Other signatures reflecting responsiveness to cancer treatment are also disclosed. In addition, methods of treating cancer based on these signatures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process converts a gas input stream comprising CO, CO2, and H2 by contact with fermentation liquid into a liquid product that controls the concentration of CO and CO2 in the fermentation vessel. The process charges the feed gas stream and a recycle gas stream to the fermentation vessel and an off-gas stream collects above the fermentation liquid. The off-gas stream flows to a gas injector that uses a recycle liquid as the motive fluid to mix the off-gas with the recycle liquid into a gas-liquid dispersion. Contact of the recycle liquid with the off-gas absorbs CO2 to provide the recycle stream. A gas separation vessel separates the remainder of the off-gas into the recycle gas. Mixing the recycle gas with the gas input stream dilutes the concentration of CO to lower the CO concentration in the fermentation vessel. Separated recycle liquid flows to a CO2 stripper for removal of CO2.

Abstract: A granule with an allergenic component has reduced dust by including antifoam added during the production of the granule. The antifoam may be dispersed throughout the granule or added to one of the components of the granule. The granule with antifoam produces at least 30% less dust than a comparable granule produced according to a process in which no antifoam is added.

Abstract: A process for producing a substrate having an adhesive surface, which process comprises: (a) contacting the substrate with a carbene precursor, which carbene precursor is a compound of the following formula (1): whose substituent groups are defined herein, provided that when R is aryl or heteroaryl, said aryl or heteroaryl may be substituted by one, two, three, four or five groups, which groups are independently selected from various groups including -LB-WB; and (b) either: (i) when WA or WB comprises an adhesive functional group, generating a carbene reactive intermediate from the carbene precursor so that it reacts with the substrate to functionalise the surface, thereby yielding said substrate having an adhesive surface; or (ii) when WA or WB comprises a group which is a precursor of an adhesive functional group, generating a carbene reactive intermediate from the carbene precursor so that it reacts with the substrate to functionalise the surface, and (c) converting said group which is a precursor into an

Abstract: Specific nitroprotein biomarkers may be used as prognostic and diagnostic tools for COPD. Identification of certain specific nitroprotein biomarkers allows the development of targeted therapies aimed at prevention and treatment of COPD.

Abstract: The invention describes the manufacture and use of secretory cell containing bead structures that are coated with agarose. The beads, which are preferably 4 mm-12 mm in diameter, and which preferably contain islets, are made of a particular agarose, i.eagarose which has a sulfate content of less than 0.2 wt % but greater than zero, a pyruvate content of 0-0.1 wt %, and a Kjeldahl nitrogen content of 0-0.04 wt %. The gels found from the agarose exhibit a gel strength of at least 1200 g/cm2 (1.0 wt % concentration), substantial absence of DNA binding in 0.07 M or less tris acetate buffer, and an EEO at 1.0 wt % agarose concentration of 0.05 or less.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for using microfluidics to generate bubbles and using the generated bubbles to construct scaffolds and cell-holding structures for culturing biological samples or analytes. In one implementation, a scaffold for growing cells is provided to include a matrix of interconnected cavities formed from mixing a gas and a liquid containing a cross linkable material to produce a matrix of gas bubbles of substantially the same size and cross linking the cross linkable material to form a structure in which cells are grown. In another implementation, a scaffold apparatus for growing cells includes a ball of a cross linked material forming an exterior shell that encloses to form a hollow interior inside the ball and biological samples embedded in the external shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers for use in preventing damage to the membranes of cells in fat grafts. Mixing of a triblock copolymer such as poloxymer P188 with adipocytes or adipose tissue to be transplanted into a subject is thought to stabilize the membranes of the cells leading to more successful fat transplantation in soft tissue reconstruction or augmentation. Such methods may also be used in the transplantation of adult stem cells or other cells derived from fat tissue. Other agents such as lipoic acid may also be added to the polymer/cell compositions for cell transplantation.

Abstract: A method for in situ formation of a medical device on biological tissue includes attaching a plurality of reactive members of a primary specific binding pair to a surface of the biological tissue, and providing a plurality of fibers having attached thereto a plurality of complementary reactive members of the primary specific binding pair, wherein upon contact of the reactive members on the surface of the biological tissue with the complimentary reactive members on the fibers, covalent bonds are formed between the reactive members and the complementary reactive members, thus adhering the fibers to the tissue. The fibers can incorporate functionalities which may cause them to bind to one another.

Abstract: Sorption reinforced catalytic coating system for the degradation of threat agents including a synzyme coating about a material configured for the degradation of the threat agents, the synzyme coating including bucket-shaped molecules configured for the sorption of the threat agents A binding agent is configured for synzyme immobilization to maximize loading and retention of the synzyme coating on the material.

Abstract: Sorption reinforced catalytic coating system for the degradation of threat agents including a synzyme coating about a material, the synzyme coating having bucket-shaped molecules for the sorption and degradation of the threat agents. A binding agent is configured for synzyme immobilization to maximize loading and retention of the synzyme coating on the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated method and system for the simultaneous production of biodiesel from free fatty acids (via esterification) and from triglycerides (via transesterification) within the same reaction chamber. More specifically, one preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method and system for the production of biodiesel using an electrodeionization stack, wherein an ion exchange resin matrix acts as a heterogeneous catalyst for simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions between a feedstock and a lower alcohol to produce biodiesel, wherein the feedstock contains significant levels of free fatty acid. In addition, because of the use of a heterogeneous catalyst, the glycerol and biodiesel have much lower salt concentrations than raw biodiesel produced by conventional transesterification processes. The present invention makes it much easier to purify glycerol and biodiesel.

Abstract: A heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having a hydrolytically degradable linkage, a first terminus comprising an acrylate group, and a second terminus comprising a target such as a protein or pharmaceutical agent or a reactive moiety capable of coupling to a target. Hydrogels can be prepared. The hydrogels can be used as a carrier for a protein or a pharmaceutical agent that can be readily released in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting adhesion of apposing human body tissue layers includes a scaffold having a designated mean pore size, relative density, and degradation half-life. The scaffold may be operably positioned between apposing tissue layers, such as proximate adhesiogenic layers at a wound site, so as to permit remesothelialization of the tissue without formation of fibrous adhesions. The scaffold device of the invention inhibits adhesion formation by promoting contractile cell migration away from the wound site for a predetermined period of time. The invention further relates to device and methods for promoting internal tissue regeneration, and for provision and/or dispensation of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents in vivo.

Abstract: A method for producing an immobilized enzyme which includes the steps of immobilizing an enzyme used for hydrolyzing fats and oils on a immobilization carrier by adsorption, bringing the immobilized enzyme into contact with an organic solvent in which fat-soluble fatty acids or the derivatives thereof have been dissolved, and adjusting the moisture content of the immobilized enzyme from 1 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the carrier.