Abstract: There is provided a method for easily determining an undifferentiated state of pluripotent stem cells without relying on the judgment of a skilled technician. The method includes: a step of evaluating an undifferentiated state of pluripotent stem cells based on a time-dependent change in a variation value of an extracellular metabolite contained in a culture medium in which the pluripotent stem cells are cultured, wherein the extracellular metabolite is at least one selected from a group consisting of L-glutamic acid, L-alanine and ammonia.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, microbial compositions and methods of using the same. The microbial compositions provided include, inter alia, therapeutically effective amounts of Lactobacillus johnsonii, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, Myxococcus xanthus and Pediococcus pentosaceus and are particularly useful for methods of treating and preventing inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of medical technology, which provides methods and apparatuses for identifying red blood cells infected by plasmodium. The methods may include: obtaining a forward-scattered light signal, a side-scattered light signal and an optional fluorescence signal from cells in a blood sample; obtaining a first two-dimensional scattergram according to the forward-scattered light signal and the side-scattered light signal, or obtaining a three-dimensional scattergram according to the forward-scattered light signal, the side-scattered light signal and the fluorescence signal; and identifying cells located in a predetermined area of the first two-dimensional scattergram or the three-dimensional scattergram as the red blood cells infected by plasmodium. The apparatuses perform the methods. The methods and apparatuses can have better identification accuracy.

Abstract: Methods of preparing ovarian tissue for primordial follicle growth are presented comprising the steps: providing an ovarian tissue sample comprising cortical tissue and stromal tissue; removing damaged tissue from the ovarian tissue sample where present; removing excess stromal tissue from the ovarian tissue sample where present; and then mechanically stretching the ovarian tissue sample along at least one dimension of the ovarian tissue sample, such that the size of the ovarian tissue sample along the at least one dimension is increased by at least 10%. Methods of growing viable oocyte in vitro, and methods of preparing individual ovarian follicles for growth are also presented.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

Abstract: A method for metastasis diagnosis, including adhering a plurality of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) on an array of electrodes patterned on a substrate to cover the array of electrodes by HUVECs, measuring an initial electrical signal from each electrode of the array of electrodes, introducing a metastatic-suspicious sample onto the substrate and measuring a set of time-lapse electrical signals from the array of electrodes. Each electrode has an On/Off two-state, including an On state for an entirely-covered electrode by a HUVEC and an Off state for a partially-covered electrode by a HUVEC. Diagnosing metastasis responsive to detecting a state change from On to Off for at least one electrode of the array of electrodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a phage-based matrix for inducing stem cell differentiation and a method for preparing the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a composition for inducing differentiation of stem cells, which includes a phage-based matrix in which a gradient of stiffness is controlled by crosslinking a recombinant phage with a polymer, and a method for preparing a phage-based matrix for stem cell differentiation. According to the present invention, the method of the present disclosure provides a physical and mechanical niche environment created by the formation of a nanofibrous structure of the phage whose stiffness is controlled, thereby promoting the differentiation of stem cells into target cells. Therefore, it can be applied to a tissue matrix platform as a variety of conventional tissue engineering materials.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method which can be used for producing an organic substance effectively from a synthesis gas obtained from a waste incinerator. The apparatus 1 for producing an organic substance from waste, comprises a synthesis gas generation furnace 11, a fermenter 13, and a nutrient feeder. The synthesis gas generation furnace 11 generates a synthesis gas by partial oxidation of waste. The fermenter 13 contains a microorganism which produces an organic substance from the synthesis gas. The nutrient feeder 12 feeds a solid or liquid nutrient to the fermenter 13 when an amount of the synthesis gas supplied to the fermenter 13 is insufficient.

Abstract: An electrochemical method for detecting effect of an anticancer drug on cancer cells, including: culturing a plurality of cancer cells to form cultured cells, attaching the cultured cells onto an array of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) electrodes, measuring a first electrochemical response of the attached cells onto the array of electrodes, adding an anticancer drug to the attached cells onto the array of electrodes to form drug-treated cells, measuring a second electrochemical response of the drug-treated cells, and determining the effect of the anticancer drug on the cancer cells based on a comparison of the first and the second electrochemical responses.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for detecting luciferase in biological samples. The methods and reagents of the present invention allow detecting fungal luciferase or a functional analog thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bacteriophage ?CJ28 (KCCM11466P) and a composition containing the same as an active ingredient. Further, the present invention relates to a method for preventing and/or treating infective diseases caused by enterotoxic Escherichia coli (ETEC) of animals excluding humans by using the composition.

Abstract: Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. By improving the population of biological agents, the modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. In particular, modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations of biological agents can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the diseases they cause promoting plant growth. Therefore, the present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant.

Abstract: A method for expanding a population of ?? T-cells is provided in which isolated activated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are cultured in a medium comprising transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?) under conditions in which the production of effector ?? T-cells having therapeutic activity against malignant disease is favored. The use of TGF-? in the production of effector cells in particular V?9V?2 T-cells is also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for altering expression of target gene sequences and related gene products. Provided are structural information on the Cas protein of the CRISPR-Cas system, use of this information in generating modified components of the CRISPR complex, vectors and vector systems which encode one or more components or modified components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors and components. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system. In particular the present invention comprehends optimized functional CRISPR-Cas enzyme systems.

Abstract: A cell isolation method includes: a cell trapping step of allowing a test liquid to pass through a cell trapping filter which has a plurality of through-holes in the thickness direction, thereby trapping isolation target cells contained in the test liquid on one surface of the cell trapping filter; a gel embedding step of introducing a stimulus-responsive hydrogel onto the one surface of the cell trapping filter on which the cells have been trapped in the cell trapping step, thereby embedding the cells in the stimulus-responsive hydrogel; a gel hardening step of applying a stimulus to the stimulus-responsive hydrogel in which the cells are embedded, thereby hardening the stimulus-responsive hydrogel; and a detachment step of detaching the stimulus-responsive hydrogel that was hardened in the gel hardening step from the cell trapping filter.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to p-phenylene ethynylene compounds as bioactive and detection agents. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inducing germination of microbial spores including contacting the microbial spores with a p-phenylene ethynylene compound. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method for detecting an enzyme, a method of protein analysis, or a method of detecting a chemical agent, including introducing a p-phenylene ethynylene compound to a composition including an enzyme substrate, and analyzing the fluorescence of the p-phenylene ethynylene compound. Various embodiments provide sensors that include a p-phenylene ethynylene compound and an enzyme substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recellurization of blood vessels. This method is particularly useful for producing an allogeneic vein, wherein a donor vein is decellularized and then recellularized using whole blood or bone marrow stem cells. The allogeneic veins produced by the methods disclosed herein are particularly advantageous for implantation or transplantation into patients with vascular diseases.