Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons, includes at least the following steps: a) anaerobic fermentation of a fermentable raw material in order to produce volatile fatty acids, b) elongation of the volatile fatty acids produced in step a) by fermentation with at least one bacterium of the Megasphaera genus, extraction of the fatty acids produced from the fermentation broth, and c) production of hydrocarbons by subjecting the fatty acids produced in step b) to a Kolbe electrolysis.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in optimizing ethanol yield from agricultural products. The method includes imaging agricultural products to determine predicted ethanol yields for the agricultural products and assigning characterizations to the imaged agricultural products based on their predicted ethanol yields. An apparatus is provided for collecting, retaining, and/or transporting bulk quantities of agricultural products. The apparatus includes an analyzer configured to image the agricultural products for use in determining the predicted ethanol yields. And, a system is provided for tracking and/or monitoring agricultural products.

Abstract: Multi-stage, biological processes and systems for converting a C1 carbon source to desired end products are described. The processes comprise dividing a gaseous C1-containing substrate, in parallel, among multiple bioreactor stages. Liquid products are successively fed, in series, from a first bioreactor stage to downstream bioreactor stages. Operation can be simplified by avoiding the requirement for microorganism separation and recycle at each stage. In addition, overall vapor-liquid mass transfer for the combined stages is very favorable, leading to high end product productivity with comparably low byproduct metabolite productivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactobacillus plantarum capsule and use thereof, and belongs to the technical field of microbe feed additives. The Lactobacillus plantarum capsule consists of a wall material, Lactobacillus plantarum, a cryoprotectant, stachyose, and Morchella esculenta zymolytic powders; wherein the wall material is composed of zymolytic soybean protein isolate, chitosan, xanthan gum, carrageenin, glycerin and trehalose, and when formulated into a mixed solution, the above substances have concentrations of 7 to 10% zymolytic soybean protein isolate, 1 to 2% chitosan, 1 to 3% xanthan gum, 0.1 to 0.5% carrageenin, 0.3 to 1% glycerin, and 0.5 to 2% trehalose. The Lactobacillus plantarum capsule of the present invention enhances resistance of the capsule to gastric acid, has very good enteric solubility, besides, it can effectively inhibit the growth of pathogenic germs to improve immunity, decrease incidence of diseases in livestock and poultry, and improve the breeding quality and benefit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for scanning, detecting, and monitoring microorganisms on solid or semi-solid media using intrinsic fluorescence (IF) measurements. The methods are further directed to detection, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms on a solid or semi-solid media using intrinsic fluorescence (IF) measurements that are characteristic of said microorganisms.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a novel herbal and oil composition and methods for modulating fatty acid composition and metabolism in an animal. In one aspect, the subject matter involves a composition comprising rosemary extract, oregano extract, and a polyunsaturated oil. In a particular embodiment, the polyunsaturated oil is fish oil or a derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the present subject matter relates to methods for modulating essential dietary fatty acid composition of lipoprotein particles or cell membranes, modulating essential fatty acid metabolism, regulating the activity of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases, improving cardiovascular health, and/or inhibiting cell proliferation diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Thus, provided herein are pericyte progenitor cells (e.g., isolated pericyte progenitor cells), methods for generating pericyte progenitors in clinically relevant numbers for various applications applying macromolecular crowding during cell culture, and methods of using the pericyte progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising the probiotic strain Lactobacillus johnsonii CNCM I-1225 in combination with a polyphenol for use in the treatment or prevention of a cognitive and/or neurodegenerative disorder, in particular Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic multifunctional immature dental pulp stem cells (IDPSCs), and IDPSCs multi-lineage compositions. The invention is further directed to the use of IDPSCs and compositions to reduce the risk of and/or treat degenerative diseases or for other medicinal and aesthetic purposes.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a culturing medium for culturing a bacterium of genus Tepidimonas, including: a carbon source which is an organic acid, selected from a group consisting of acetate, lactate and butyrate; a nitrogen source selected from a group consisting of ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and urea; phosphate; magnesium chloride (MgCl2); yeast extract; and trace elements.

Abstract: A method for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is disclosed. The Method is applicable to adult mammalian cone cells, and more particularly human cone cells, and to healthy as well as pathological or otherwise altered cone cells. A kit for the isolation, storage and retrieval of mature retinal cells is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed the use of gelatin or deeply processed gelatin materials in the preparation of hair quality-improving compositions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the measuring toxicity, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of differentiated respiratory epithelial cells comprising: (a) providing a cell population comprising or consisting of precursor cells of respiratory epithelial cells; (b) culturing the cell population of (a) in culture medium to which keratinocyte growth factor has been added; wherein the cultured cell population is supplemented with a glucocorticoid, a cAMP analog and a cAMP elevating agent and wherein said supplementation is either simultaneously with the addition of keratinocyte growth factor in step (b) or prior or subsequently to the addition of keratinocyte growth factor in step (b), thereby differentiating said precursor cells into respiratory epithelial cells.

Abstract: Methods of making and using a magnetic ECM are disclosed. The ECM comprises positively and negatively charged nanoparticles, wherein one of said nanoparticles contains a magnetically responsive element. When the magnetic ECM is seeded with cells, the cells will be magnetized and can be levitated for 3-D cell culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sampling biological material on a reference surface, such as the surface of an agar medium, with the aid of a sampling tool, said method making it possible to steer the displacement of the sampling tool towards the reference surface, from a first position towards a second position, and/or of the reference surface towards the sampling tool, from a first position towards a second position, said second position being a contact position in which the sampling tool and the reference surface are in contact, said method comprising the following steps: a) illuminating the sampling tool in said first position in order to make the sampling tool visible and to project an image of the sampling tool onto the reference surface, b) acquiring an image of both the sampling tool and its image projected onto the reference surface, c) processing the image obtained in step b) in order to determine if, on the processed image, the gap between the sampling tool and its projected image is

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the interaction between at least one entity and a dielectric layer containing different electron levels in the energy band gap of the dielectric layer, the method comprising the following steps: a) depositing the entity on the dielectric layer; b) subjecting the dielectric layer and the entity deposited thereon to exciting electromagnetic radiation that does not give rise to observable luminescence in the entity itself under the conditions implemented in step c); and c) detecting the luminescence of the dielectric layer, in which the radiative and non-radiative electron transitions between the energy levels of the band gap have been influenced as a result of its interaction with the entity.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions, kits and systems for fixing biological samples. In one aspect, the method includes contacting the tissue sample with a fixing composition comprising about 20 to about 80% v/v DMSO. The solutions of the dehydration and clearing steps also include DMSO. Tissues fixed according to the methods described herein (and using the compositions herein described) may be fixed at a more rapid rate as compared to conventional procedures, but with comparable results.

Abstract: A bioreactor is provided that includes a main reactor having a configuration selected from the group consisting of stirred and unstirred tank reactor, trickle bed reactor (TBR), cocurrent contactor (CCC), moving bed bioreactor (MBBR), and a bubble column reactor. The bioreactor also includes a growth reactor continuous with the main reactor and having a configuration selected from the group consisting of stirred and unstirred tank reactor, trickle bed reactor (TBR), cocurrent contactor (CCC), moving bed bioreactor (MBBR), and a bubble column reactor. A method is also provided where acetogenic bacteria are contacted with syngas in a growth fermentor section of a reactor vessel that is continuous with a main fermentor section of a reactor vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for digesting atherosclerotic plaques in a patient in need thereof. The compositions include and the methods utilize a mixture of collagenases for digesting plaques and optionally may include or utilize additional agents such as cyclodextrins, chelating agents, and tissue plasminogen activator.