Abstract: The present invention provides solid formulations of hyaluronic acid (HA) that are resistant to degradation into low molecular weight species of HA and yet can be readily dissolved in water. The compositions comprise sodium hyaluronate, cyclo-dextrin, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate, wherein said composition is in powder form.

Abstract: A closed-loop insulin delivery system is described. More particularly, the presently disclosed insulin delivery system can comprise glucose-responsive vesicles that release insulin in response to hypoxia triggered by enzymatic reduction of glucose. In addition or as an alternative to insulin, the delivery system can release other diabetes treatment agents, such as non-insulin-based diabetes treatment agents. The vesicles can be prepared from a hypoxia sensitive polymer, such as a hypoxia-sensitive hyaluronic acid (HS-HA). The HS-HA can comprise hydrophobic groups that can be reduced in hypoxic environments to form hydrophilic groups. The vesicles can be loaded into microneedles and microneedle array patches for use in the treatment of diabetes or to otherwise regulate blood glucose levels in subjects in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for cell culture and cell recovery. The methods and apparatus simplify the process of cell separation from media, minimize potential damage to gas permeable devices during fluid handling, and allow closed system automated cell culture and cell recovery from gas permeable devices.

Abstract: Orally administered physiologically acceptable anti-biofilm compositions comprising enzymes and if desired additional components such as antimicrobials, antibiotics, antifungals, herbals, chelating agents, lactoferrin and related compounds, minerals, surfactants, binders, and fillers useful for the inhibition and treatment of gastrointestinal biofilms in humans. Physiologically acceptable anti-biofilm compositions containing these enzymes are useful in the inhibition, reduction and/or treatment of gastrointestinal biofilm infections, and associated systemic symptoms caused by biofilms associated microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract. Methods of identification, preparation and use of such physiologically acceptable anti-biofilm compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for measurement of peptidic degradation products of a proteolytic cascade in biological samples, especially blood samples, wherein the sample is incubated until a steady state equilibrium is reached for at least one peptidic degradation product involved in said proteolytic cascade and wherein said at least one peptidic degradation product in steady state equilibrium of the proteolytic cascade is quantified in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a composition for repairing human skin. Specifically, the composition has a DNA repair enzyme and at least one phycobiliprotein. The DNA repair enzyme is a photolyase, and the photolyase and/or the phycobiliprotein is encapsulated by liposomes. The composition is effective in repairing damage to human skin as a result of environment daily stress, sun exposure, or premature-aging.

Abstract: A method and a kit are provided to produce a biological clear specimen within a short time and with a wide variety of biological specimens. The method includes the following steps: (1) treating a material to be cleared with an aqueous fixing solution containing paraformaldehyde or the like, a nonionic surfactant, an alkali, and optionally a buffering agent; (2) treating the material from step (1) or a conventionally fixed material with an aqueous clearing accelerator solution containing a nonionic surfactant and an alkali; and (3) treating the material produced in step (1) or (2) with an aqueous preservation solution containing a nonionic surfactant and a polyhydric alcohol. In each of the steps, the nonionic surfactant is present at a concentration of 1% or more. The kit includes solutions used in each of the steps of the method.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition for the treatment of the symptoms of neurological and mental health disorders, such as Alzheimer's, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, and the method for preparing the therapeutic agents is disclosed. The therapeutic agent is a stable pharmaceutical preparation containing, but not limited to, digestive/pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic agent may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic agent may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using fecal chymotrypsin level as an indicator of the presence of neurological and mental health disorders, such as Alzheimer's, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, or the likelihood of an individual to develop these disorders is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exopolysaccharide derived from Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain CY01 (KCTC 12867BP) which is a novel strain living in the polar regions, and to a composition for cryoprotection of cells, which contains the exopolysaccharide. The exopolysaccharide of the present invention has an excellent ability to cryoprotect cells, and shows no cytotoxicity. Thus, the inventive exopolysaccharide can substitute for conventional cryoprotective agents that show cytotoxicity when used at high concentrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous planar cell capture system for use in determining the presence and/or amount of cells, for example, viable cells, in a liquid sample, and to methods of using such a cell capture system. The cell capture system contains a fluid permeable, planar membrane adopted to retain cells thereon, a fluid permeable support member that supports the membrane, and an optional register associated with the membrane.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting and/or classifying an anticoagulant at a therapeutically relevant amount or higher in a patient, including subjecting a sample of a control blood component (known not to contain the anticoagulant) to a clotting assay in the presence of a Factor Xa reagent to obtain a control clotting measurement; and subjecting a sample of a blood component from a patient suspected of having the anticoagulant to the clotting assay in the presence of the Factor Xa reagent to obtain a patient clotting measurement, wherein the patient clotting measurement sample greater than the control clotting measurement indicates the presence of the anticoagulant at a therapeutically relevant amount or higher in the patient. In some embodiments, the invention includes methods for classifying an anticoagulant as an anti-Factor Xa or a direct thrombin inhibitor anticoagulant using a clotting assay in the presence of an ecarin reagent.

Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide production method, system, and apparatus is provided for producing large volumes of hydrogen peroxide having concentrations up to and excess of 80% in one continuous cycle. In one aspect, the hydrogen peroxide production system can include an aqueous solution comprised of an NQO1 enzyme, an NQO1 activated compound or molecule, and an NADH or NADPH cofactor for producing hydrogen peroxide, a production chamber having a semi-permeable membrane for receiving the aqueous solution. Here, the membrane can further include one or more molecular weight barriers configured to diffuse the produced hydrogen peroxide there through. The system can also include a collection chamber for receiving the produced hydrogen peroxide, and one or more pumps for circulating the aqueous solution having the hydrogen peroxide to the collection chamber and back to the production chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid formulations of hyaluronic acid (HA) that are resistant to degradation into low molecular weight species of HA and yet can be readily dissolved in water. The compositions comprise sodium hyaluronate, cyclo-dextrin, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate, wherein said composition is in powder form.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester. Abnormal gene expression due to, for example, oxidative stress can be treated, improved, and/or prevented, and diseases caused by the abnormal gene expression can be treated, improved, and/or prevented. A gene expression regulating agent which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester as an effective ingredient; and a food and drink having an effect of regulating gene expression which includes astaxanthin and/or its ester are provided and are useful for treating, improving, and/or preventing the symptom caused by the abnormal gene expression, that is, excessive expression or suppression of expression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medium for producing glucosamine, including 25-500 g/L molasses, 0.01-100 g/L soybean hydrolysate or 0.25-100 g/L corn steep liquor, 0.1-2 g/L MgSO4.7H2O, 0.1-0.5 g/L Al(NO3)3, and 1-5 mL/L methanol. The invention also relates to a method for producing glucosamine, including providing microorganism being able to produce glucosamine, and fermenting the microorganism in the medium mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention claims a novel process for the production and purification of microbial collagenase (Microbial Collagenase EC 3.4.24.3) produced by the non-pathogenic aerobic bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus chemovar. iophagus (NCIMB Number: 11038, synonym LMG 3418, hereinafter called Vibrio alginolyticus), which said process provides high production levels of collagenase with a stable, reproducible, cheap fermentation process. The collagenase produced from Vibrio alginolyticus according to the process described herein also presents a specific activity superior to that of other microbial collagenases, is stable in aqueous solution, and can be frozen without significant damage.

Abstract: There is described a method for producing polymeric 3-hydroxypropionamide (3HP amide), the method comprising: culturing an Acetobacter lovaniensis-bacterium in a growth medium containing phosphate and ammonium, wherein culturing of the bacterium produces polymeric 3HP amide. The polymeric 3HP amide may then be hydrolysed to 3HP amide or converted to other compounds of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for analyzing a protamine sample for the presence or amount of at least one nucleotidic impurity. The invention also provides a method for the quantitation of peptides in a sample of protamine comprising four major peptides and at least one related impurity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bacterial counting method, comprising the following steps, S1: preparing a polyaniline/bacterial composite film on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode by electric polymerization; S2: drawing the standard curve of the polyaniline/bacterial composite film modified electrode; and S3: determining the bacterial concentration of the bacteria solution sample to be tested according to the standard curve obtained in step S2. The method does not require the cultivation of the bacteria in the implementation process, such that same takes a short time and is easy to operate; the method uses aniline as the main reagent, and the consumption of the solution to be tested is small, such that the testing cost is low and the equipment is simple; the method has the advantages of a good repeatability and a wide detection linear range; and the method is an easy to operate, short time-consuming, and low cost bacterial counting method.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing methyl lactate including the steps of: bringing an aqueous liquid comprising lactic acid, methanol, and at least 5 wt. % of a dissolved chloride salt selected from magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and zinc chloride to reaction conditions, thereby obtaining methyl lactate, wherein an extractant is provided to the reaction mixture before, during, and/or after formation of methyl lactate; subjecting the reaction mixture to a liquid-liquid separation step wherein an organic phase comprising methyl lactate and extractant is separated from an aqueous phase comprising dissolved chloride salt. The extractant preferably includes one or more compounds selected from C5+ ketones and C3-C10 ethers, in particular C5-C8 ketones, more in particular methyl isobutyl ketone. It has been found that the process according to the invention makes it possible to manufacture methyl lactate efficiently and in high yield.