Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for detecting and monitoring proteolysis of protein matrices such as fibrin clots, extracellular matrix and collagen matrix. The apparatus and methods involve in general the measurement of diffusion-limited electrochemical currents generated by an electroactive species or elactomer in a synthetic protein matrix. The apparatus and methods are applied in various embodiments to detect and monitor the proteolytic activities of a sample, and more specifically fibrinolytic activities and collagenase activities of a sample. The apparatus and methods are utilized generally in the monitoring and diagnostics of cardiovascular, cerebralvascular, and oncology conditions.

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: Provided herein are assays and in vitro methods to determine susceptibility to a drug effective against a pathogenic bacteria, for example, a pathogenic Mycobacteria, that has a beta-lactamase activity. An excitation wavelength is delivered to a biological sample obtained from a subject having an infection from the pathogenic bacteria in the presence of a beta-lactamase substrate. The intensity of a signal, such as a fluorescent, luminescent or colorimetric signal, at an emission wavelength of a product of the beta-lactamase on the subject is correlated to drug susceptibility. Also provided is an assay system for monitoring drug susceptibility of a pathogenic bacteria comprising color-producing substrates for a beta-lactamase of the pathogenic bacteria, an assay device for visibly detecting a product of the beta-lactamase on the substrate thereof and a reader configured to quantify the visibly detected product.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of removing non-viable cells from a cell population, said method comprising contacting a cell population with a compound under conditions suitable to permit binding between the compound and any non-viable cells present in the cell culture and removing at least some of the compound from said cell population. The invention further provides compositions suitable for use in these methods, further uses of such compositions and various other systems and kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of isolating and culturing autologous pluripotent stem (aPS) cells. The present invention also provides isolated aPS cells, populations of aPS cells and cultures of aPS cells. Further provided are culture media for expanding aPS cells and methods of culturing aPS cells. The invention also provides for the use of aPS cells, e.g., for diagnostics, drug evaluation and screening, and regenerative medicine.

Abstract: Described is a process for the conversion of halophytic plant biomass containing saline organic solids into biogas through anaerobic digestion. Operation of the process with saline (e.g., seawater) as liquid media under the method conditions taught leads to biological conversion of the organic matter into biogas. Additionally described is a method for pretreatment of the biomass under mild physicochemical conditions to increase the bioavailable fraction of the biomass for conversion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the overall oxidative status of a body fluid or a tissue of a patient by measuring the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the body fluid or tissue. The method has been found to be useful in the diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of patients who have suffered a trauma (such as a head injury), patients suspected of being critically-ill or who are critically ill, patients who have an infection, and patients suspected of having a myocardial infarction (MI) or who have had an MI. The method has also been found useful in monitoring and evaluating exercise performance in patients. In addition, the method has been found useful in monitoring and evaluating stored blood products and patients who will receive such a product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for obtaining uniform sized muscle fiber fragments for transplantation. These muscle fiber fragments are able to reconstitute into long fibers that are oriented along native muscle. The implanted muscle cells integrate with native vascular and neural network, as confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. This invention is particularly advantageous because autologous muscle can be harvested from a donor site, processed and injected into target sites in the operating room. The fragmented muscle fibers can be readily integrated within the host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing esters from fatty alcohols, in which fatty alcohols and fatty acids are reacted in the presence of an enzyme at a temperature in the range of 30 to 50° C., the water which forms is removed and the reaction is completed under reduced pressure at a temperature of 50 to 80° C.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for producing native mammalian biological molecules by electromagnetically stimulating mammalian cells using an electromagnetic field. The mammalian cells can be grown in a chamber that is exposed to a time varying electromagnetic force. The biological molecules can be isolated from the cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strain of Bifidobacterium bifidum or mutant or variant thereof showing at least an adhesion of about 10 bacterial cells per mm2 of epithelial cell monolayer or having at least an adhesion index of 1.5 and a strain of Bifidobacterium bifidum or mutant or variant thereof being Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75, deposited under deposit No. DSM 24514, or a mutant or variant thereof for use as probiotic, in foodstuff and/or as a medicament. Further provided is a probiotic for mulation, comprising any of the strains, mutants or variants mentioned above, uses of said probiotic formulation, strains, mutants and variants thereof and a method for producing said probiotic formulation.

Abstract: Described is a process for making a dry and stable hemostatic composition, said process comprising a) providing a first component comprising a dry preparation of a coagulation inducing agent, b) providing a second component comprising a dry preparation of a biocompatible polymer suitable for use in hemostasis, c) mixing said first component and said second component under conditions effective to form a wet paste while essentially preventing degradation of the second component by said first component in a final container or transferring said wet paste into a final container, d) freezing and lyophilizing said paste in said container thereby obtaining a dry and stable hemostatic composition comprising said first and said second component in lyophilized form, and e) finishing said dry and stable hemostatic composition in said final container to a storable pharmaceutical device containing said first component and said second component in a combined form as a dry and stable hemostatic composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of freezing stem cells comprising introducing the HSCs into a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs), thereby producing a stem cell culture, and slowly freezing the stem cell culture. In other aspects, the invention is directed to compositions comprising stem cells produced by the methods provided herein. In yet other aspects, the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the stem cells produced by the methods provided herein.

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 short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: An object of the present invention to provide an agent for promoting the self-renewal of the neural stem cells and a method of using the same. ECF-L contained in a culture supernatant of endothelial progenitor cells derived from bone marrow has an effect of promoting the self-renewal of neural stem cells. Accordingly, ECF-L can be used as an ingredient of an agent for promoting the self-renewal of the neural stem cells, a pharmaceutical composition for growing the neural stem cells, and a pharmaceutical composition for treating a disease associated with neural dysfunction.

Abstract: A strain of Candida sake, CAT H430, is provided. The methods of using CAT H430 for producing dicarboxylic acids are also provided.

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 short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and compositions for treating a subject with a lysosomal storage disease such as gaucher disease, by administering to a subject with a lysosomal storage disease a therapeutically effective amount of composition comprising at least one of a protease or peptidase in an amount sufficient to ameliorate, reduce or improve at least one symptom of the disease. The invention also provides dietary supplements for subjects having lysosomal storage diseases.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor system and membrane and method thereof for increased accuracy and effective life of electrochemical and enzyme sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the overall oxidative status of a body fluid or a tissue of a patient by measuring the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the body fluid or tissue. The method has been found to be useful in the diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of patients who have suffered a trauma (such as a head injury), patients suspected of being critically-ill, patients who have a viral infection, and patients suspected of having a myocardial infarction. The method has also been found useful in monitoring and evaluating exercise performance in patients. In addition, the method has been found useful in monitoring and evaluating stored blood products and patients who will receive such a product.