Abstract: Compositions of HLA-G+ MSC and methods of using them, including methods of transplanting compositions of HLA-G+ MSC into human recipients, are provided. Also provided are methods of preparing compositions of HLA-G+ MSC, including by treatment with DNA methylation inhibitors.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods and apparatus for the production and purification of cell products, such as immunoglobulins. One aspect of the invention is an integrated cell culture and purification apparatus for the growth and maintenance of cells and the harvest and purification of cell products, such as immunoglobulins. Thus, the apparatus integrates a cell culture function with a purification function. Other aspects of the invention pertain to an automated method for producing immunogenic compositions such as vaccines.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing retinal ganglion cells by differentiation of stem into retinal ganglion cells, retinal ganglion cells differentiated by the method, a method of screening for a death inhibitor or a proliferation promoter of retinal ganglion cells using the retinal ganglion cells differentiated by the method, a kit of screening for the death inhibitor or the proliferation promoter of retinal ganglion cells including the retinal ganglion cells differentiated by the method, a pharmaceutical composition for treating glaucoma or optic neuropathy including the retinal ganglion cells, a method of treating glaucoma or optic neuropathy including the step of administering the retinal ganglion cells to a subject suspected of having glaucoma or optic neuropathy, and a method of preparing a mature retinal ganglion cell line.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for effective lysosomal targeting mediated by PCSK9. In particular, the compositions and methods provided by the invention may be used to treat lysosomal storage diseases such as Pompe Disease and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B, and they may be used for targeting lysosomal enzymes to the various muscles of the human body.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the biological conversion of pretreated or solubilized coal or waste coal into biofuels. Coal (10) may be pretreated perhaps in a pretreatment reactor (13). Pretreated coal or even solubilized coal may be introduced into a processing reactor such as a bioreactor (16) containing a plurality of microorganisms (9) such as oleaginous microorganisms which can convert at least some of the pretreated or solubilized coal into lipids (19) or biomass (18), which then may be used directly or as a precursor for various products such as biofuels, feedstock, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing compositions including embryonic proteins. The method includes culturing cells under hypoxic conditions on a biocompatible surface in vitro. The culturing method produces both soluble and non-soluble fractions, which may be used separately or in combination to obtain physiologically acceptable compositions useful in a variety of medical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method for breaking down a pallet of plastic, paper, cardboard, and organic material to produce bio-gas, fertilizer, and water includes a step of maintaining a negative pressure during the steps of removing, separating, recycling, feeding, and converting to clean odorous air. The step of maintaining the negative pressure is further defined as removing the odorous air generated during the steps of separating, recycling, feeding, and converting. The chamber of the biofilter is maintained at a predetermined humidity of at least 80% and a predetermined temperature of between 70° F. and 80° F. A biofilter for removing odorous air includes a filter media having a mixture of woodchips having hardwood chips being present between 30 wt. % and 50 wt. %, softwood chips being present between 50 wt. % and 70 wt. %, and microorganisms disposed therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to endogenous cardiac stem-progenitor cells (eCSCs). Provided herein are c-kitpos CD166pos eCSCs that are negative for the hematopoietic marker, CD45 and the mast cell marker, Tryptase. These single cell derived eCSCs can differentiate into a variety of specific cell types corresponding to the derivatives of the three germ layers. Also provided herein is a stage-specific TGF-P-Family/Wnt-Inhibitor cocktail for modulating in vitro myogenic specification and maturation of c-kitpos eCSCs. Also provided herein are methods of modulating eCSCs clonal expansion and differentiation. Also provided herein are screening assays for small organic molecules that modulate early cardiomyogenic progenitor cells. The invention further relates to the use of these modulated cells in prophylactic and therapeutic methods, including in pharmaceutical compositions of such cells, growth factors and/or small organic compounds.

Abstract: A method for assessment of neural function by establishing an analysis module is revealed. The first step of the method is to capture images of the cultured cells with a plurality of fluorescence labeling by a fluorescence microscopy system for image analysis. The cultured cells include neurons and non-neuronal cells. Then select neurons with neurites having fluorescence labeling and exclude non-neuronal cells according to an area and a fluorescence intensity of nucleus. Also calculate an area of the neuronal cell body, a length of the neurites and a number of processes and branches to verify outgrowth of the neurites of the neurons. Next calculate a number of synaptic puncta having fluorescence labeling on the area of the neurites having fluorescence labeling defined in Step 2 to verify formation of the synaptic puncta of the neurons for assessment of neural function.

Abstract: A liquid enzyme formulation, an enzyme granule formulation, methods for manufacturing enzyme granules using a fluid bed dryer, wherein the enzyme granules are thermostable without the need for a thermostable coating is provided. The enzyme granules are phytase granules used in the manufacturing of an animal feed, wherein the phytase granule is thermostable without the need for a thermostable coating and the phytase retains about 63% to about 134% of its activity after pelleting at 80° C.

Abstract: A culture medium for human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells includes a keratinocyte-SFM basal medium, L-Cysteine, FGF and SDF-1 is disclosed. The culture medium is effective for growing mesenchymal stem cells at a high proliferation rate while maintaining the purity, characterization and undifferentiated state of the cells.

Abstract: A consumer product for supplementing CO2 is provided with delayed activation control and multiple chambers formed by folding and clamping or with multiple clamps. A bag, having a top and a bottom seal and a filter, contains organisms and food substrate, each prepared under sterile laboratory conditions using aseptic techniques. The bag may be selectively clamped at various locations on its exterior. The mycelial mass having mycelia and food, or mycelia separate from the food may be sealed or partially sealed away from the air exchange portal by clamps or folds. With selective chamber isolation, the organisms are manipulated to delay optimized carbon dioxide generation. Utilizing the present invention will extend the product shelf-life, delaying the expiration of the product for storage and shipping. The fungi are utilized on-demand by removal of the clamp and carbon dioxide flows from the product. Consumers will place the product near indoor plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insoluble enzymatic reagent for detecting products derived from glucuronide metabolites in a sample, containing an enzyme with glucuronidase activity immobilized on a resin comprising a polysaccharide modified with chemical groups, and optionally a cationic polymer. Additionally, it provides methods for preparing said enzymatic reagent and for detecting derivatives of glucuronide metabolites in a sample, using said reagent.

Abstract: Provided is a method for screening drugs, more particularly, a method for screening drugs by measuring capacitance of an endothelial cell layer at a frequency region of 100 Hz to 5 kHz to screen a drug affecting paracellular permeability of the endothelial cell layer or a drug penetrating through a paracellular path.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel bacterium with improved properties, including improved ethanol production, ethanol productivity, CO uptake, specific growth rate, ethanol to acetate ratio, and alcohol tolerance. The bacterium may be derived from Clostridium autoethanogenum and/or may comprise at least one DNA or amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. In one embodiment, the bacterium is Clostridium autoethanogenum deposited under DSMZ accession number DSM23693 or a bacterium derived therefrom.

Abstract: A method for preparing low endotoxin collagen is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: providing an animal skin, removing residual adipose tissues and muscle tissues, swelling the animal skin by alkaline solution, peeling the upper and lower surfaces of the animal skin, hydrolyzing the animal skin by a solution including hydrolase, salting out the low endotoxin collagen by salt solutions, and washing the low endotoxin collagen by alcohols.

Abstract: Provided are methods for lyophilization of an aqueous thrombin solution, thrombin solutions for use in such lyophilization methods, and solid thrombin compositions produced by such methods.

Abstract: Producing a resin from an organic waste product includes assessing a weight percent of a first volatile fatty acid and a weight percent of a second volatile fatty acid in a liquid mixture having volatile fatty acids from the organic waste product. The weight percent of the volatile fatty acids is based on the total weight of the carboxylic acids in the liquid mixture, the total weight of volatile fatty acids in the liquid mixture, or the total weight of lactic acid and volatile fatty acids in the mixture. A ratio of the weight percent of the first volatile fatty acid to the weight percent of the second volatile fatty acid in the liquid mixture is adjusted to yield a modified liquid mixture. The modified liquid is combined with polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacteria to yield a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer; and the polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer is extracted from the polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacteria.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method and a system for separating suspended particles that have differing sedimentation velocities, comprising placing the particles inside a hollow device which upon rotation, spins the suspension into a thick film within which sedimentation of the particles occurs, rotating the hollow device at a speed and for a time that allows fast-sedimenting particles to sediment into a layer of more densely packed particles while some of the slow-sedimenting particles remain outside of the dense-particle-pack, and slowing the rotation of the hollow device in a manner to prevent remixing of the layer of dense-particle-pack with a layer containing some of the slow-sedimenting particles. This method may have application in many technologies including the rapid separation of bacteria from blood components.