Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of transforming a cell by use of an acoustic transducer. In particular embodiments, the radiofrequency signal to the transducer can be tuned to provide optimal membrane disruption of the cell; and an agent, such as a nucleic acid, can then be delivered to the cell.

Abstract: A method of generating hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation is disclosed. The method comprising: (a) collecting hematopoietic stem cells; and (b) contacting the hematopoietic stem cells with an agent capable of decreasing an activity or expression of CD74 and/or of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), to thereby generate hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation, and wherein the hematopoietic stem cells are not transduced with a lentivirus. Methods of increasing mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and methods of treatment are also provided.

Abstract: Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), the gold-standard diagnostic that indicates whether an antimicrobial will be clinically effective, often suffer the slowest times-to-result for the most resistant pathogens. Here we introduce novel assays to be performed in parallel with standard AST assays that enable rapid, same-shift reporting of AST results for a plurality of pathogens. The assays developed here are further capable of detecting resistance to carbapenems, the most powerful class of beta-lactams commonly used as “last-resort” antimicrobials.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of making functional cortical organoids from somatic cells and stem cells and methods of using the functional organoids.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions for the preservation of bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbial test standard for use in infrared spectrometry which has at least two resealable vessels which are liquid-tight when closed, each of which contains a predefined amount of dried biomass of a microorganism. The microorganisms in the different vessels differ in at least one characteristic, which is selected in particular from the group comprising species, subspecies, strain, serovar, pathovar, toxivar and variety, and the difference manifests itself in a predefined intermicrobial spectral distance. The disclosure furthermore comprises a method of using the microbial test standard.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for irradiating a population of mammalian cells comprising at least one target mammalian cell with electron beams and/or X-rays, characterized in that: (i) a composition comprising a population of mammalian cells is irradiated in vitro with electron beams and/or X-rays, the population of mammalian cells containing at least one target mammalian cell and the dose rate being within the range from 5 Gy/sec to 107 Gy/sec, and (ii) optionally viable target mammalian cells are isolated or enriched from the population of mammalian cells, and to agents obtainable thereby and to uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods for producing platelets including the steps of providing a silk membrane about 2 ?m and 100 ?m thick, inclusive, contacting the silk membrane with a porogen to form a porous silk membrane comprising at least one silk wall defining a lumen, associating the porous silk membrane with stromal derived factor-1? and at least one functionalizing agent, forming a three dimensional silk matrix comprising interconnected pores wherein the pores have a diameter of between about 5 and 500 ?m, inclusive, wherein the silk matrix is formed around at least a portion of the porous silk membrane, introducing a plurality of megakaryocytes to the silk matrix such that the megakaryocytes are located at least partially within the porous silk matrix, and stimulating the plurality of megakaryocytes to produce platelets. Also provided are various new compositions and methods of making those compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a growth-factors containing platelet releasate from a fluid mammalian platelet concentrate, comprising the consecutive steps of subjecting the platelet concentrate to a pathogen reduction step to disrupt non-enveloped viruses; subjecting the platelet concentrate to an activation step to cause the platelets to release growth factors; recovering a fibrinogen depleted fluid platelet releasate; subjecting the fibrinogen depleted fluid platelet releasate to a second pathogen concentration reduction step to disrupt enveloped viruses; subjecting the platelet releasate to sterile filtering and recovering a filtrate liquid containing the growth factors. The platelet releasate obtained with the method of the present invention may be used as a therapeutic agent to enhance the proliferation of multi lineage cells in regenerative medicine and in the management of non healing wounds and resistant ulcers.

Abstract: Provided is Lactobacillus kefiri MSR101, having the accession member being CGMCC No. 17506. The strain has acid resistance, bile salt resistance, resistance to phenol, antibiotic resistance, antioxidant activity, cell surface hydrophobicity, adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, and a cholesterol-lowering function.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preparing and priming a tissue graft for an accelerated therapeutic effect are provided herein. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a tissue containing viable cells from a donor, wherein the viable cells are endogenous to the tissue and remain resident in the tissue; and priming the viable cells with one or more stimuli comprising simulated hypoxia to produce a primed tissue, wherein when grafted to a recipient the primed tissue provides a benefit compared to non-primed tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a method of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) comprising using an FAD-GDH. The FAD-GDH is capable of retaining initial activity over a certain period of time. Also provided is a method for screening for an FAD-GDH suitable for use in CGM as well as a CGM device comprising an FAD-GDH.

Abstract: Bone marrow containers are described herein. Separation systems for separating activated immune cells from other components are described herein. Methods of activating an immune cell are described herein.

Abstract: A process for production of biofuels from algae can include cultivating an oil-producing algae by promoting sequential photoautotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The method can further include producing oil by heterotrophic growth of algae wherein the heterotrophic algae growth is achieved by introducing a sugar feed to the oil-producing algae. An algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae, and can be converted to form biodiesel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and probiotic bacteria obtained by a process comprising the step of growing the bacteria in a medium comprising GOS, such composition having the effect of boosting the synbiotic effect of the probiotic bacteria with the GOS. Health benefits of the probiotic bacteria as obtained by such a fermentation process are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for modulation of the mucosal immune system. The compositions include foods fermented by the probiotic organism, Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 (International Depository Accession Number LMG P-24778). Alternatively the compositions can include L. paracasei CBA L74 and a physiologically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the L. paracasei CBA L74 can be non-replicating. The compositions can be administered to a subject having or at risk for gastrointestinal disorders related to immaturity of the immune system, infection or disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for targeted regulation of soil microbes to synchronize heavy metal/metalloid transformation and greenhouse gas emission reduction and use. The present disclosure discovers that by compounding methionine with an organic acid salt, the obtained formulation can significantly increase the ability of the soil microbes to promote arsenic methylation in a targeted mode, and meanwhile, and the methane production is effectively reduced in the presence of the methionine. In the present disclosure, the methionine/organic acid salt formulation is further loaded into a modified biochar material of a porous structure, so as to achieve the effect of slow release. The method of the present disclosure may effectively reduce absorption of inorganic arsenic by rice, achieve a significant reduction in the proportion of inorganic arsenic in the total arsenic in the rice and inhibit methane emission of the soils and reduce methane emission at the same time.

Abstract: Waste gas mixtures produced and used in industry may contain harmful sulphurous compounds. The present disclosure provides a method for treatment of gas mixtures contaminated with harmful sulphurous compounds by using microorganisms capable of degrading said harmful sulphurous compounds which involves controlling nitrate levels in the medium in which microbiological conversion of harmful sulphurous compounds takes place at high levels.

Abstract: An automated specimen preparation system for preparing a specimen from a sample in a sample container is provided. The automated specimen preparation system comprises a specimen transfer device configured for holding a specimen collector thereon and for being positioned within the sample container. The specimen transfer device comprises a central bore having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, a pressure monitoring port fluidly coupled to the central bore at the proximal end of the central bore, and a fluid waste evacuation port fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the central bore. The pressure monitoring port comprises a reduced diameter portion coupled directly to the central bore. The automated specimen preparation system further comprises a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the fluid waste evacuation port, and a pressure monitoring device fluidly coupled to the pressure monitoring port.