Abstract: Compositions comprising cellulase and at least one poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound having a degree of substitution with an organic group of about 0.05-3.0 are disclosed. Such compositions can be dry or aqueous, the latter of which can have a viscosity of at least about 10 cPs. The disclosed composition can be in the form of a personal care product, household product, or industrial product, for example. Also disclosed are a method for preparing an aqueous composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, and a method of treating a material such as fabric by contacting it with this aqueous composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a covalently crosslinked hydrogel comprising the strain-promoted reaction product of an 8-member cycloalkyne functionalized polyalkylene glycol and a multi-arm glycerol exytholate triazide and methods for making them. Because the precursor materials can be manipulated without causing crosslinking, provided the strain threshold is not reached, these hydrogels permit mechanical control over when (and where) cross linking occurs and are easier to use than prior strain-activated or temperature-activated systems. These novel hydrogels do not require a catalyst to cross link, thus avoiding the biocompatibility problems common to many catalysts. Nor is the crosslinking process affected by the presence of catalysts or other substances, which have interfered with crosslinking in known strain induced hydrogels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solid glass matrix of polysaccharide, saccharides and polyols as delivery vehicles for preservation and post gastric administration of a probiotic. The delivery vehicle is capable of releasing the probiotic at their site of action. The present invention further includes methods of making and using the solid glass matrix delivery vehicle of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a robust viability stain for methods utilizing elemental analysis. A population of cells is contacted with an effective dose of a non-chelated biomacromolecule-reactive metal derivative, which selectively crosses the plasma membrane of non-viable cells, and which covalently modifies a biological macromolecule within the cell, for a period of time sufficient to permit entry into non-viable cells. The population of cells is then washed free of unbound viability reagent; and the presence of the metal within the cells is detected, wherein non-viable cells are selectively labeled with the viability reagent.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for enhancing engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using farnesyl compounds identified using a zebrafish model of hematopoietic cell engraftment. The compounds can be used to treat hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo prior to transplantation of the cells. Alternatively, the compounds can be administered to an individual undergoing cell transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers for use in preventing damage to the membranes of cells in fat grafts. Mixing of a triblock copolymer such as poloxymer P188 with adipocytes or adipose tissue to be transplanted into a subject is thought to stabilize the membranes of the cells leading to more successful fat transplantation in soft tissue reconstruction or augmentation. Such methods may also be used in the transplantation of adult stem cells or other cells derived from fat tissue. Other agents such as lipoic acid may also be added to the polymer/cell compositions for cell transplantation.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel biomarkers for the identification, prediction or monitoring of fibrotic pulmonary diseases (e.g. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)). The biomarkers provided herein may further be used for therapeutic treatment of IPF.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions and methods for the collection of stem cells from an organ, e.g., placenta. The invention provides a stem cell collection composition comprising an apoptosis inhibitor and, optionally, an enzyme such as a protease or mucolytic enzyme, vasodilator, necrosis inhibitor, oxygen-carrying perfluorocarbon, or an organ preserving compound. The invention provides methods of using the stem cell collection composition to collect stem cells and to preserve populations of stem cells.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cellulase and at least one poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound having a degree of substitution with a positively charged organic group of about 0.05-3.0 are disclosed. Such compositions can be dry or aqueous, the latter of which can have a viscosity of at least about 10 cPs. The disclosed composition can be in the form of a personal care product, household product, or industrial product, for example. Also disclosed are a method for preparing an aqueous composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, and a method of treating a material such as fabric by contacting it with this aqueous composition.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated aqueous enzymatic preparation obtained from the reaction of at least one oxidoreductase enzyme, preferably a laccase, and at least one natural or synthetic product, preferably a natural compound, said natural or synthetic product comprising, in the structure thereof, at least one phenol or alcohol group, which optionally has one or more hydrophobic chains, or at least one sterol group. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to the use of said isolated aqueous enzymatic preparation in the functionalization of the surface of paper or cellulosic substrates.

Abstract: Complexes of boron and alkyl ether terminated silane polyethers are described. Compositions incorporating such complexes are also described. In addition to the boron-silane polyether complex, such compositions include water and one or more enzymes. Compositions further containing actives and/or polyols are also described. Uses for such compositions include disinfection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for and methods of optically imaging tissues or cells using imaging agents having desirable in vivo properties that result in improved signal-to-background ratio.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent for the treatment of the symptoms of addiction and the method for preparing the therapeutic agent 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 of a biomarker, the presence of chymotrypsin in the gastrointestinal tract to determine the presence of symptoms of addiction, and the likelihood of relapsing into addiction is disclosed.

Abstract: A scalable and sustainable process for production of renewable chemicals and biofuel from seaweed in its own juices or in seawater without desalination of the seaweeds is provided herein. The process as disclosed in the preset invention is an eco-friendly process for production of renewable chemicals and biofuel with an easy method of disposing of the waste streams. Further, the process as disclosed in the present invention is cost effective, suitable since transporting and storing the raw material obtained in the form of slurry of the seaweeds because of its lesser bulk is easy, easier handling due to its free flowing nature and its direct use for further processing to obtain renewable chemicals and/or biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the visualization of acidic organelles based upon organelle enzyme activity. The organelle substrates of the invention are specific for enzyme activity of the organelle and label these organelles, such as lysosomes, rendering them visible and easily observed. Substrates of the present invention include substrates that produce a fluorescent signal. The fluorogenic acidic organelle enzyme substrates of this invention are designed to provide high fluorescence at low pH values and are derivatized to permit membrane permeation through both outer and organelle membranes of intact cells and can be used for staining cells at very low concentrations. They can be used for monitoring enzyme activity in cells at very low concentrations and are not toxic to living cells or tissues.

Abstract: Enzyme substrates and associated technology of the present invention are provided. An enzyme substrate of the invention may comprise a biologically functional fluorescent dye and an enzyme-specific substrate moiety attached in such a way that the functionality of the functional dye is diminished. An enzymatic reaction may cleave at least a portion of the substrate moiety from the enzyme substrate to provide a more functional product dye. This product dye may be nonfluorescent or weakly fluorescent, in general, and relatively fluorescent, in a particular condition, such as when bound to a partner biological molecule or an assembly of partner biological molecules. An enzyme substrate of the present invention may thus be useful in fluorescence detection, and/or in any of a variety of useful applications, such as the detection of enzymatic activity in a cell-free system or in a living cell, the screening of drugs, or the diagnosis of disease.

Abstract: Provided is a method for measuring cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) simply and accurately. A method for measuring cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein in a specimen, comprising reacting the specimen with i) a cholesterol ester hydrolase and a cholesterol oxidase, or ii) a cholesterol ester hydrolase, an oxidized coenzyme, and a cholesterol dehydrogenase, in an aqueous medium comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of pyridinium salts and quaternary ammonium salts each having a specific structure, and a polyanion to form hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme and measuring the formed hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which are conjugates of two or more moieties capable of serving as substrates of an enzyme with peroxidase activity and one or more labels. The conjugate molecules of the invention are useful for detection of molecular targets, e.g. biological or chemical molecules, molecular structures, etc, in samples using a host of experimental schemes for detecting and visualizing such targets, e.g. immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), ELISA, Southern, Northern, and Western blotting, etc. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the conjugate molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of H2S-reactive compounds, or compositions thereof, which can be used to determine the presence of H2S, and in some embodiments quantify H2S. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the H2S-reactive compounds. The methods can use colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or bioluminescent testing methods to determine the presence of and/or amount of H2S in a sample.

Abstract: Use of photochemically cleavable compounds in course of one or multi-photon irradiation experiments.