Abstract: The invention provides a process for the conversion of biomass into a biomass product which is suitable for use as a fuel. The biomass is of plant origin and comprises microorganisms naturally occurring in the biomass. The process comprises—preparing a slurry by dispersing the biomass comprising the naturally occurring microorganisms in an aqueous liquid, maintaining the slurry at conditions suitable for aerobic digestion by the microorganisms to obtain a slurry comprising the biomass product as a dispersed solid phase, and—recovering the biomass product. The recovering comprises washing and drying the biomass product. The invention also provides a combustion process.

Abstract: A solid, free-flowing composition adapted to deliver fragrance or malodor counteractant in a consumer product that is subjected to actual or potential malodorous influences, comprising: a delivery system consisting of a core material surrounded by a fragranced material comprising microdroplets of a dispersed fragrance in a fragrance-encapsulating material, optionally surrounded by a protective coating, and, an external absorbent material in which the fragrance delivery vehicle is dispersed. The invention is especially effective with respect to animal litters, especially those for cats.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the construction of prototrophic, cellulo lytic strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with tethered and secreted cellulases and selection-based improvement of growth on cellulose by these strains. In some embodiments, host cells of the invention are able to produce ethanol using crystalline cellulose as a sole carbon source.

Abstract: To provide a mixture, a dissolving solution and a pharmaceutical agent, which contain a thermophilic microorganism to make it possible to regulate a mucous membrane immune system gene cluster and metabolism-related gene clusters of the intestines and the liver. Each of them is prepared by fermentation of an organic material containing a thermophilic microorganism at a temperature of 50° C. or more and 90° C. or less. By being administered to the animal, it regulates at least one of a mucous membrane immune system gene cluster, a metabolism-related gene cluster in the intestines, and a metabolism-related gene cluster in the liver of the animal. The microorganism includes at least one species of the genus Bacillus, Oceanobacillus, Paenibacillus, Anoxybacillus, Lysinibacillus, Methanopyrus, Geogemma, Pyrolobus, Pyrodictium, Hyperthermus, Pyrococcus, Pyrobaculum, Thermococcus, Aeropyrum, Aquifex, Thermotoga, Thermodesulfobacterium, Thermus, Geobacillus, and Thermomyces.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting and quantifying bacterial spores on a surface. In accordance with the method: a matrix including lanthanide ions is provided on the surface containing the bacterial spores; functionalized aromatic molecules are released from the bacterial spores on the surface; a complex of the lanthanide ion and the aromatic molecule is formed on the surface; the complex of the lanthanide ion and the aromatic molecule is excited to generate a characteristic luminescence of the complex on the surface; and the bacterial spores exhibiting the luminescence of the complex on the surface are detected and quantified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removal of dead tissue from wounds or skin using topical nitric oxide donor devices and/or compositions. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a transdermal patch device that is designed to deliver nitric oxide. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to one or more devices and/or compositions that are designed to deliver nitric oxide and optionally one or more other compounds, where such devices/compositions include, without limitation, bandages, layered bandages, adhesive bandages, transdermal patches, creams, ointments, or a any combination of two or more thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides dietary formulations comprising polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The present invention further provides methods of treating various conditions, generally involving administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a subject dietary formulation.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for whitening teeth of a subject comprising administering one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial strains to an oral cavity of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culturing cells utilizing a matrix of microfibrillated thermoplastic polymeric materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of culturing cells. In addition, the invention relates to a biaxially oriented microfibrillated article for culturing cells dispersed in a cell culture medium. The matrix of thermoplastic polymeric materials for culturing cells of this invention finds use in tissue engineering and wound healing applications.

Abstract: The invention creates a support for cell culture and cell sheet detachment which has a substrate, whose surface is coated with a conjugate having a disulfide bond-containing amino acid as a spacer and a biopolymer enhancing cell attachment, migration or differentation. Unexpectedly, after being seeded on the support, the cells grow to form one or more layers of cell sheets and the cell sheets can be easily detached from the support by adding a reductant to cleave the disulfide bond. Accordingly, the invention provides a simple and non-toxic method for detachment of cell sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying and separating non-regulatory T-cells (conventional T-cells) from a mixture comprising regulatory T-cells by using of the CD154 molecule (CD40 ligand) through depletion of CD154+ T-cells from the mixture or in combination with additional positive selection of Treg using markers that are specific for regulatory T-cells, such as for example, CD25, GITR, CTLA4 or markers which are specific for activated regulatory T-cells, such as, for example, CD137, “latent TGF-beta (LAP)”, GARP (LRRC32), CD121a/b, thereby generating a cell composition of activated Treg cells. The invention relates also to a kit comprising an antibody for detecting CD154 and at least one additional antibody for detecting markers for activated or non-activated regulatory T-cells. The antibodies can be coupled to a fluorescent dye or magnetic microparticles.

Abstract: A process for producing bioethanol includes the steps of pretreatment (consisting in destructuring the lignocellulosic vegetable raw material by placing it in the presence of a mixture containing formic acid, acetic acid and water, then in separating cellulose), of enzymatic hydrolysis and of alcoholic fermentation, characterized in that it includes, prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis, a step of partial elimination of the lignins so as to obtain a residual overall level of lignins (T), expressed as percentage by weight, which is non-zero and which is included in a range determined by a lower limit, and an upper limit Bsup, respectively equal to 0.30% and 4%. In order to obtain conditions of acidification before the enzymatic hydrolysis step, the process includes a step for re-acidification of the mixture, which is carried out with an acid, or of a mixture of acids, of determined pKa, and preferably with weak organic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating an amyloid ?-caused disease, which comprises as an active ingredient a NIa (nuclear inclusion a) protease or a gene carrier containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the NIa protease. The pharmaceutical composition of this invention is very effective to treat a variety of diseases or disorders, inter alia, Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: This invention is a method and kit for preparing a Tumor in Dish model for use in screening anti-cancer agents and analyzing cancer growth and development.

Abstract: The invention relates to a methods and compositions for treating a surface, suspension or solution contaminated with a PrPSc prion protein or a surrogate thereof. The methods and compositions employ a combination of one or more enzymes effective to cleave a prion protein to fragments having a non-infective molecular weight, and one or more agents selected to favor conformational unfolding of the PrPSc prion protein while not denaturing the one or more enzymes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting and quantifying bacterial spores on a surface. In accordance with the method: bacterial spores are transferred from a place of origin to a test surface, the test surface comprises lanthanide ions. Aromatic molecules are released from the bacterial spores; a complex of the lanthanide ions and aromatic molecules is formed on the test surface, the complex is excited to generate a characteristic luminescence on the test surface; the luminescence on the test surface is detected and quantified.

Abstract: Significant research is being done to develop and improve delivery mechanisms for biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, including pulmonary (inhalation), nasal, transdermal, and oral alternatives. Market projections indicate that the delivery of proteins and vaccines by inhalation and oral formulation has become and will continue to be increasingly important. These delivery mechanisms, to be effective, will require better stabilization of the biologicals so that they can maintain potency and effectiveness at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time. The novel Preservation by Vaporization (PBV) Technology described herein provides cost-effective and efficient industrial scale stabilization of proteins, viruses, bacteria, and other sensitive biologicals, thereby allowing a production of products that are not possible to be produced by existing methods. The suggested new PBV process comprises primary drying under vacuum from a partially frozen state (i.e.

Abstract: A combination composition comprising as active ingredients L-carnitine or propionyl L-carnitine, troxerutine, diosmine and hesperidine, useful for the prevention and/or treatment of chronic venous diseases.

Abstract: Provided is a device having one or more lipid multilayer arrays of lipid multilayer structures on a substrate. Each lipid multilayer structure encapsulates an encapsulated material that may be delivered to a cell that is in contact with the lipid multilayer structure to determine the cellular response of the cell to the encapsulated material.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, and benign process to pretreat lignocellulose biomass for the economical production of biofuel and extraction of organic chemicals. Lignocellulose solids are mixed or blended with ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate and heated within a pressure reactor. At elevated temperature (e.g., >35° C.), the ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate dissociates into ammonia and carbon dioxide gases and water vapor, thereby causing a rise in pressure within the pressure reactor. Rapid release of the gases from the pressure reactor then ruptures biomass cell wall structures, which facilitates conversion of the cellulose and hemicellulose in the pretreated biomass to sugars that are fermentable into ethanol or other liquid fuels. Optionally, ammonia bicarbonate/carbonate can be reconstituted by cooling and precipitating the carbon dioxide and ammonia gases released from the pressure reactor for further use in the pretreatment process or sequestered as an end product.