Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an anucleated cell-based platforms for encapsulation and delivery of agricultural compounds. Disclosed herein are compositions for the stable and targeted delivery of agricultural compounds within achromosomal and/or anucleated cells. The present disclosure also provides methods of improving encapsulation and retention of agricultural compounds in achromosomal and/or anucleated cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns the improvement of metabolic and digestive health of humans by providing diagnostic methods for enterometabolic disorders such as IBS and IBD and/or the treatment of IBS and IBD by compositions comprising enzyme rich malt extract (ERME).

Abstract: Described herein are enhanced compositions and methods for storing biomaterials. In certain aspects, these biomaterials include natural and engineered eukaryotic tissues. The methods described herein include storing these biomaterials in such a manner that reduces or prevents the loss of biomaterial properties (e.g., extracellular matrix integrity, cell viability, or a combination thereof) occurring either during storage or after removal of the biomaterial from storage. In certain aspects, these biomaterials will be stored in animal product-free solutions containing an agent that prevents or reduces the loss of extracellular matrix integrity.

Abstract: Soluble, self-assembling collagens derived from tissues are extensively characterized such that one can predict and customize the final collagen-fibril matrix with respect to fibril microstructure (i.e., fibril density, interfibril branching), viscoelasticity and proteolytic degradability. As shown herein these matrices template and direct the deposition of mesoporous silica at the level of individual collagen fibrils. The fibril density, silicic acid concentration, and time of exposure to silicifying solution were varied and the resulting hybrid materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and rheology. Microstructural properties of the collagen-fibril template are preserved in the silica surface of hybrid materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-naturally-occurring microorganisms for the production of N-acetylneuraminic acid, a method for the production of N-acetylneuraminic acid by fermentation of the non-naturally-occurring microorganisms, and nutritional compositions containing N-acetylneuraminic acid which has been produced by fermentation of the non-naturally-occurring microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for large scale preparation of sterile stable liquid thrombin composition comprised of glycerol; stable liquid thrombin compositions; and hemostatic composition and kits. The present invention further provides hemostatic compositions comprised of liquid thrombin, glycerol and gelatin. Further provided herein is a method for the large-scale production of a sterile liquid thrombin composition comprised of glycerol.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for reducing biofilm present on a surface comprising contacting the surface with a composition under conditions wherein the presence of the biofilm on the surface is reduced and antibiotic activity is increased, wherein the composition comprises at least two glycoside hydrolases and an antibiotic.

Abstract: This invention discloses new krill oil compositions characterized by having high amounts of phospholipids, astaxanthin esters and/or omega-3 contents. The krill oils are obtained from krill meal using supercritical fluid extraction in a two stage process. Stage 1 removes the neutral lipid by extracting with neat supercritical CO2 or CO2 plus approximately 5% of a co-solvent. Stage 2 extracts the actual krill oils by using supercritical CO2 in combination with approximately 20% ethanol. The krill oil materials obtained are compared with commercially available krill oil and found to be more bioeffective in a number of areas such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant effects, improving insulin resistances and improving blood lipid profile.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to method for drying hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, the method comprising providing a hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, providing polyethylene glycol, providing trehalose, mixing the hydrogel, the polyethylene glycol and the trehalose to obtain a mixture, and freeze drying the mixture to obtain a dried hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose. The present disclosure relates to a freeze-dryable hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, to a freeze-dried hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose, and to a medical hydrogel comprising nanofibrillar cellulose and one or more therapeutic agent(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simply diagnosing the progress of disease condition of a Parkinson's disease patient. Provided are a method for determining Parkinson's disease using the number of one or more intestinal bacteria selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides fragilis group, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus plantarum subgroup and/or the total number of intestinal bacteria as a marker, and a method for determining Parkinson's disease using the blood LPS level and/or the blood LBP level of a Parkinson's disease patient as an indicator.

Abstract: There is provided a method of analyzing a biological sample component that allows easy and accurate quantification and counting of any of a plasma component and a blood cell component in a trace and unknown amount of a whole blood sample collected from a finger, for example. The method of the present invention is a method of analyzing a biological sample component in a trace amount of blood, comprising analyzing a diluent buffer into which the blood has been mixed and an internal standard substance and/or an external standard substance contained in the diluent buffer, calculating a dilution ratio, and analyzing a biological component in a plasma or serum component in the blood.

Abstract: There is provided a method of analyzing a biological sample component that allows easy and accurate quantification and counting of any of a plasma component and a blood cell component in a trace and unknown amount of a whole blood sample collected from a finger, for example. The method of the present invention is a method of analyzing a biological sample component in a trace amount of blood, comprising analyzing a diluent buffer into which the blood has been mixed and an internal standard substance and/or an external standard substance contained in the diluent buffer, calculating a dilution ratio, and analyzing a biological component in a plasma or serum component in the blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical implant material for assisted repair of muscle mechanics and a method of preparing the same. The surgical implant material for assisted repair of muscle mechanics comprises a collagen compound within a net-like bacterial cellulose base material. A bacterial cellulose base material is placed into solution of collagen, treated via vortex shaking, dried at room temperature; and then immersed in an aqueous solution of an aldehyde compound under vacuum to react for 10 to 30 minutes, thereby producing the surgical implant material for assisted repair of muscle mechanics. The surgical implant material of the present invention can effectively improve the biocompability, and maintain the flexibility, smoothness and fitness of the base material to reduce the damage to surrounding tissues, thereby reducing the bleeding and inflammatory response.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mucoadhesive sustained-release vaginal tablet including at least one probiotic strain of the genus Lactobacillus compressed with an excipient suitable for conferring upon the tablet the properties of vaginal wall mucoadhesion and sustained release.

Abstract: A microorganism of the present invention is Dirkmeia churashimaensis (NITE BP-03054), Papiliotrema flavescens (NITE BP-03051), Papiliotrema flavescens (NITE BP-03052), or Apiotrichum porosum (NITE BP-03053).

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a tissue slice selection method and an embedded block-preparing cassette which are capable of suppressing occurrence of errors in inspection results. The present invention makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of errors in inspection results by including: an embedded block-preparing process of preparing an embedded block by embedding both a biological tissue fragment and a standard substance in the same embedding agent; an embedded tissue slice preparing step of slicing the embedded block to prepare a sheet-like embedded tissue slice having a tissue slice and standard substance slices appearing on a surface thereof; and a tissue slice selecting step of selecting the tissue slice to be inspected, based on a light signal from the standard substance slice.

Abstract: Methods for determining the toxicity of fresh-water and marine sediments and sediment pore water containing indigenous or introduced toxicants from each as a one-time analysis and/or for analysis over a period of time are provided. The present disclosure further provides kits assembled for the afore-mentioned determination. The methods and kits can be used for analyzing sediment and pore water samples from, among other locations, all environments where species having a dormant life stage may exist including, for example, natural zooplankton.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing single cell protein, wherein a thermophilic fungus is grown a fermentable carbon-rich feedstock at a high temperature and at an acidic pH. This allows for a cost effective fermentation process that can to be run under non-sterile conditions and without additional cooling requirements. The process can be used to convert by-products or waste from agriculture or food production, or organic fractions of municipal solid waste into valuable single cell protein that can be applied as dietary source of protein or protein supplement in human food or animal feed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an anucleated cell-based platforms for encapsulation and delivery of agricultural compounds. Disclosed herein are compositions for the stable and targeted delivery of agricultural compounds within achromosomal and/or anucleated cells. The present disclosure also provides methods of improving encapsulation and retention of agricultural compounds in achromosomal and/or anucleated cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved liver health and lipid metabolism later in life upon ingestion of synbiotics early in life.