Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing hydrogels, such as alginate hydrogels. The hydrogels of the present invention is in particular useful for immobilization and preservation of biological material, such as cellular material, e.g. spermatozoa.

Abstract: An emulsion-derived particle comprises a lattice of polymeric strands cross-linked by means of a cross-linking agent, and interstitial openings adjacent and around the strands. Functional groups are provided on the lattice and proteins and/or modified proteins can react with these, thereby to be bonded to the lattice and hence immobilized.

Abstract: Immune function of an animal can be modulated by administration of a composition that includes algae meal or beta glucan. The algae meal can be made by growing Euglena using particular methods and conditions, including certain continuous, semi-continuous, fed-batch, and repeat batch methods in sterile fermenters. Euglena provides a form of beta glucan that is different from other organisms, where the beta glucan is predominantly unbranched beta-1,3-glucan. Use of algae meal and beta glucan produced by the disclosed processes can improve the wellbeing of an animal or human, and may augment or even replace the use of antibiotics in certain circumstances.

Abstract: A composition and method for generating reagents and the composition of these reagents for the stabilization and preservation of viability of cancer tissue which has been surgically excised and the suspension and/or termination of apoptosis (cell death) by significant modulation of cell metabolism by low molar concentrations of synergistic chemistries and hormonal growth enhancers while maintaining normal gene expression patterns of the surgically excised tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides constructs including a tubular biodegradable polyglycolic acid scaffold, wherein the scaffold may be coated with extracellular matrix proteins and substantially acellular. The constructs can be utilized as an arteriovenous graft, a coronary graft, a peripheral artery bypass conduit, or a urinary conduit. The present invention also provides methods of producing such constructs.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of detecting the presence of a pegylated enzyme, an enzyme-specific antibody (e.g., a neutralizing antibody or of a particular isotype), or a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-specific antibody in a sample, such as a bodily fluid or tissue of a patient. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), such as Anabaena variabilis (Av) PAL administered to the patient as part of an enzyme substitution therapy for diseases or disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), or cancer therapy.

Abstract: Bone grafts and constructs including stem cells are provided. Example bone grafts include osteogenic stem cells seeded on a scaffold of osteoconductive cortico-cancellous chips and/or osteoinductive demineralized bone. Example constructs include extracellular matrix on a synthetic scaffold, in which the ECM is secreted from MSCs seeded onto the synthetic scaffold. Also provided are methods of making the present bone grafts and scaffolds. Further provided are methods of promoting bone healing and treating wound healing, by administering the present bone grafts and constructs to a mammal in need thereof. Also provided are kits that include the present bone grafts and/or constructs, or components thereof.

Abstract: A method to treat biomass, e.g., lignocellulosic material, including: performing a pretreatment step on the biomass and discharging the pretreated biomass; in at least a first enzymatic hydrolysis reactor producing a liquefaction material, recirculating at least a portion of the liquefaction material from the at least first reactor to a location upstream of the addition of the enzymes as at least a portion of the coolant for the hot pretreated biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for preparing, storing, shipping and using skin equivalents made by organotypic culture. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for producing, transporting, storing and using skin equivalents produced by organotypic culture at reduced temperatures, preferably from 2-8 degrees Celsius to ambient temperature. The methods include sterile packaging of the grafts so that the sterility and integrity of the package is maintained until the time of use for grafting purposes.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous concentration of multiple toxins from large volumes of water. The method includes the steps of providing a disposable separation centrifuge bowl, the centrifuge bowl including a positively charged material at it's inner core. A large water sample contaminated with toxins from a group consisting of protozoa, bacteria, bacterial spores, and toxins is delivered to the centrifuge bowl. A centrifugal force is applied to the separation bowl. The water sample is concentrated to remove large particles of the toxins in the bowl due to the centrifugal forces. The concentrated water sample is passes through the positively charged inner core to capture any remaining concentrated targets by electrostatic forces and the concentrated targets are eluted.

Abstract: A process for converting biomass hydrolysate into biofuel, the process comprising the steps of: obtaining a biomass hydrolysate solution comprising monosaccharides; immobilizing Pachysolen tannophilus; contacting the solution with the immobilized Pachysolen tannophilus; and recovering a fermented biofuel.

Abstract: A simple method was developed to extract adipose-derived stromal stem cells (ASCs) without using enzymatic digestion of the collagen in adipose tissue. The resulting ASCs isolated by the simple wash method have lower levels of CD34 expression, a hematopoietic stem cell marker, as compared to ASCs isolated using conventional enzymatic digestion using collagenase. This characteristic is consistent with non-enzymatically treated stem cells obtained from bone marrow aspirates, which are negative for CD34. Additionally, the washed ASCs have higher levels of CD44 expression, a hyaluronate receptor, and lower levels of contaminating hematopoietic cells, as evidenced by low CD45 expression, as compared to enzymatically digested cells. The cells produced by this simple method can be used therapeutically for allogenic or autologous tissue regeneration, and can be administered using any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are disclosed that enhance crop production, increase plant defensive processes and/or decrease the level of plant pathogens. The compositions comprise a microbial composition and liquid fertilizer, preferably a liquid fertilizer that contains at least soluble nitrogen. The composition can be applied immediately to soil, foliage, seeds or seedlings. Alternatively, the composition may be activated by incubation for up to about seven days to form an activated composition. The incubation conditions influence the properties of the consortium after incubation. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise one or more lactic acid producing bacteria, one or more nitrogen fixing bacteria, and liquid fertilizer comprising soluble nitrogen. In preferred embodiments, there are multiple genera and/or species of lactic acid bacteria and nitrogen fixing bacteria. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises HYTa in liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: To provide a method for raising plants that have great vitality and that are strongly resistant to pests and can successfully compete against weeds. The invention provides a method for raising plants with enhanced immunity and biological activity to external and internal stresses. The present invention is characterized by the following: the method includes a step of applying to the target plants a plant immunopotentiating composition containing an immunostimulatory substance produced by the cytolysis that accompanies spore formation in aerobic endospore-forming bacteria; the immunostimulatory substance is obtained by culturing the aerobic endospore-forming bacteria, causing the bacteria to form endospores by placing the resulting culture liquid in starvation conditions, and then removing impurities including the bacterial cells that are formed into endospores from the culture liquid; and the aerobic endospore-forming bacteria belong to the MRE symbiotic bacteria group.

Abstract: A method of treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals, by administering an effective amount of a microbial fermentation product, and regulating genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. A method of regulating cholesterol levels in a patient by administering an effective amount of a composition chosen from the group consisting of PAZ, specific components isolated from PAZ, chemically synthesized analogs of the components of PAZ, and regulating genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. A method of treating high cholesterol levels in an individual by administering an effective amount of a microbial fermentation product, up-regulating the expression of at least one of the genes that encode ABCA1, ApoA1, and SRB1, and down-regulating the gene that encodes CETP. A method of preventing the onset of high cholesterol levels and/or a deleterious lipoprotein profile in an individual.

Abstract: A method for reducing alpha-synuclein amyloid protein in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of trans-resveratrol, a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease associated with amyloid proteins comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of trans-resveratrol, and a method for treating Parkinson's Disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of carbidopa, levodopa, and trans-resveratrol are described. More particularly, the effect of trans-resveratrol on reducing the pharmaceutically effective dose of at least one of carbidopa and levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease is described. In addition, a method of improving cognition, speech and/or movement in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease comprising administering to the patient carbidopa, levodopa and trans-resveratrol is described.

Abstract: Bone grafts and constructs including stem cells are provided. Example bone grafts include osteogenic stem cells seeded on a scaffold of osteoconductive cortico-cancellous chips and/or osteoinductive demineralized bone. Example constructs include extracellular matrix on a synthetic scaffold, in which the ECM is secreted from MSCs seeded onto the synthetic scaffold. Also provided are methods of making the present bone grafts and scaffolds. Further provided are methods of promoting bone healing and treating wound healing, by administering the present bone grafts and constructs to a mammal in need thereof. Also provided are kits that include the present bone grafts and/or constructs, or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing one or more products for use as a transportation or heating fuel. In various embodiments the process comprises treating a cellulosic feedstock in one or more processing steps that release extractives from the feedstock. A solids-liquid separation is subsequently conducted on the process stream comprising the extractives and solids. An aqueous stream comprising one or more of the extractives may be fed to an anaerobic digester to produce crude biogas from which one or more impurities may optionally be removed. In various embodiments the process further comprises providing a solids stream to a thermal process. A product produced or derived from the thermal process may displace a product made from fossil fuel. One or more products obtained or derived from at least one of the foregoing process steps are provided for use as a transportation or heating fuel. In various embodiments the process enables advantaged fuel credit generation.

Abstract: Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The compositions mainly comprise glucosyl derivatives with superior taste characteristics and can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Provided herein are bone grafts and methods of making and using the same, as well as products and kits that include such bone grafts. In particular, bone grafts are provided that include collagen Type I and one or more different types of mineral compositions having different dissolution properties and/or sizes, to enhance bone regeneration throughout the bone healing phase.