Abstract: The invention provides a cross-linkable composition comprising a saccharide-siloxane copolymer according to a specified structural formula, a crosslinking agent, and, optionally, solvent. Cross-linked polymeric networks, cured coatings, and articles of manufacture formed from the inventive compositions are also provided, as well as processes and methods of manufacturing the inventive cross-linkable compositions and applications thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are kits for use in cryopreserving mammalian sperm including a composition that comprises a cryoprotectant; a membrane protectant that stabilizes or assists in stabilization of membranes of sperm; and monothioglycerol.

Abstract: Substantially homogenous cells populations which co-express CD49c, CD90 and telomerase are made. In one embodiment, humans suffering from a degenerative, traumatic, acute injury, cardiac or neurological condition are treated with the substantially homogenous cells populations which co-express CD49c, CD90 and telomerase. In another embodiment, committed progenitor cells are made are made by selecting from a cultured source of a cell population which co-express CD49c and CD90 and modifying the cell population. The committed progenitor cells can be employed to treat a human suffering from a degenerative, traumatic, acute injury, cardiac or neurological condition and formulate pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising at least one collagenolytic active enzyme with enzymatic activity at acidic pH for drilless enzymatic caries removal. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process of producing this collagenolytic active enzyme comprising composition and to processes of removing caries. The invention also relates to the use of collagenolytic active enzyme comprising compositions for producing a treatment agent for dental applications.

Abstract: The invention discloses the discovery that a pharmaceutical composition containing complex carbohydrates with or without natural or synthetic essential oils can work effectively as a topical, oral or mucosal pharmaceutical composition. Such pharmaceutical compositions reduce inflammation, assist in wound healing, protect against bruising, relieve itching, relieve pain and swelling and treat topical bacterial infections such as acne and decubitus ulcers and prevent and treat numerous other conditions and diseases. Such pharmaceutical compositions can be administered to mammals including humans. Also included in this invention are methods to deliver topically applied macromolecules into the tissue of mammals and methods of blocking the adhesion, metastatic and coronary cascades.

Abstract: Methods for treating xenogenic tissue for implantation into a human body including in-situ polymerization of a hydrogel polymer in tissue, and tissue treated according to those methods, where the polymerization takes place in tissue that has not been fixed with glutaraldehyde. The polymerization may only fill the tissue, bind the polymer to the tissue, or cross-link the tissue through the polymer, depending on the embodiment. One method includes free radical polymerization of a first vinylic compound, and can include cross-linking through use of a second compound having at least two vinyl groups. Another method utilizes nucleophilic addition polymerization of two compounds, one of which can include PEG and can further include hydrolytically degradable regions. In one embodiment, applicants believe the in-situ polymerization inhibits calcification, and that the polymerization of tissue un-fixed by glutaraldehyde allows for improved penetration of the polymer.

Abstract: Activated polymeric bicine derivatives such as as well as conjugates made therewith are disclosed. Methods of making and using the bicine derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and device for the creation of vaccines using ultrasonic waves, comprised of an ultrasound generator and a transducer to produce ultrasonic waves, is disclosed. The transducer has a specific ultrasound tip depending upon the type of delivery method utilized and depending on the shape of the vial containing the solution of the virus, bacterium, or other infectious agent. The apparatus delivers ultrasonic waves to solution either directly through the insertion of the ultrasound tip into the solution, through a coupling medium adjacent to the vial or near the vial, or through an air or gas medium. The ultrasound waves have the effect of destroying the viable virus, bacterium, or other infectious agent and of releasing the appropriate antigens, thus resulting in a vaccine for that virus, bacterium, or other infectious agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for efficiently converting methotrexate polyglutamates to methotrexate in a cellular extract by contacting the cellular extract with gamma glutamyl hydrolase under conditions suitable for efficient conversion of methotrexate polyglutamates to methotrexate.

Abstract: Conductive nanowires, as are available from a range of bacteria species, methods of use and related device structures.

Abstract: An additive for controlling the growth of spores of a fungi growth which is adapted to be added to an aqueous system comprising a salt of formic acid. The salt of formic acid is a metal salt or an organic salt. Additive comprises a salt of formic acid and a different second salt of formic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is focused on a revolutionary, low-cost (highly-scaleable) approach for the mass production of three-dimensional microcomponents: the biological reproduction of naturally-derived, biocatalytically-derived, and/or genetically-tailored three-dimensional microtemplates (e.g., frustules of diatoms, microskeletons of radiolarians, shells of mollusks) with desired dimensional features, followed by reactive conversion of such microtemplates into microcomponents with desired compositions that differ from the starting microtemplate and with dimensional features that are similar to those of the starting microtemplate. Because the shapes of such microcomponents may be tailored through genetic engineering of the shapes of the microtemplates, such microcomposites are considered to be Genetically-Engineered Materials (GEMs).

Abstract: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons are found in contaminated soils and groundwater and are a large class of compounds for which treatment by bioremediation is sought. Accordingly, indigenous organisms that can degrade polyaromatic hydrocarbon are needed. Presented are strains of the Paenibacillus genus that degrade low molecule weight polyaromatic, and, in the presence of phenanthrene, high molecular weight polyaromatic hydrocarbons. These bacteria strains are unique among PAH-degrading bacterial strains because they form endospores and therefore can survive adverse environmental conditions. Among the strains presented are several from “P. naphthalenovorans”, a newly described species and also P. validus. Also presented are compositions for bioremediation comprising the bacterial strains of the invention and a method for isolating the strains and a method for using the strains for bioremediation.

Abstract: A signaling pathway is identified that involves the activation of phospholipase A2 and protein kinase C in human cells, which in turn confers x-ray induction of the tumor necrosis factor &agr; (TNF) gene. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 abolishes radiation-mediated arachidonate production, as well as the subsequent activation of protein kinase C and TNF gene expression. These phospholipase A2 inhibitors may be used to ameliorate the adverse-effects of radiotherapy associated with TNF production.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a culture medium for neurons prepared by adding albumin to a culture supernatant obtained from a culture of primary astroglial cells in a trophic medium supplemented with insulin and transferrin. The culture medium of the present invention makes it possible to culture central nerve cells consistently. When nerve cells are cultured at a low cell density, excellent neurite extension is obtained, and synapses are formed rapidly. On the other hand, when nerve cells are cultured at a high cell density, long-term stability of cells that have formed neuronetworks can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and/or paints containing hydrolytic enzyme(s), microorganism(s), or mixtures of the hydrolytic enzyme(s) and microorganism(s), wherein the microorganism or hydrolytic enzyme remove undesired growth from a surface. Such compositions and/or paints may contain a catalytically effective amount of an inorganic salt. Also disclosed are articles coated with the composition and/or paint. Finally, methods are disclosed for reducing fouling of a marine surface, for reducing marine corrosion, for limiting absorption of water by a marine surface, for reducing the coefficient of drag of a marine surface, removing marine growth from a marine surface, and for reducing mildew fungus on a marine surface.

Abstract: A material for culture media comprises a fiber layer; a polymeric compound layer A free of a color former and a selecting agent; and a polymeric compound layer B containing a color former and/or a selecting agent, which are put in layers in this order. The material permits the precise and rapid microbial test of subjects having a curvature or unevenness to some extent. In addition, the material can save space required for the test and can reduce the amount of waste generated after the practical use thereof.

Abstract: A physiologically functional food having brain function-improving, learning ability-enhancing and memory-enhancing functions, which comprises as an active ingredient a lactic acid bacterium fermented milk, a lactic acid bacterium and yeast co-fermented milk, or a treated product thereof, or a mixture thereof, optionally also including a pharmaceutically or nutritionally acceptable carrier or diluent.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising known verotoxins, particularly, verotoxin 1, have been found to be useful in the treatment of mammalian neoplasia, particularly, ovarian cancer and skin cancer. Surprisingly, although verotoxin 1 has previously been shown to have anti-neoplastic activity in vitro, non-lethal doses of verotoxin 1 have been shown to be therapeutically anti-neoplastic in vivo.

Abstract: A novel cell seeded hollow fiber bioreactor is described as a potential bioartificial kidney. Endothelial cells along with pericyte, vascular smooth muscle, and/or mesangial cells or any mesenchymally derived support cells are seeded along a hollow fiber in a perfused bioreactor to reproduce the ultrafiltration function and transport function of the kidney. Maintenance of tissue specific function and ultrastructure suggest that this bioreactor provides an economical device for treating renal failure.