Abstract: The present invention concerns the probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1 filed with the French Collection Nationale de Culture des Microorganismes (National Collection of Microorganism Cultures) under number I-2745, cells obtained by culturing said strain and a composition comprising cells obtained by culturing said strain, for the use thereof in the treatment and/or prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases, and in particular chronic inflammatory rheumatism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture support for cultivating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and/or hematopoietic progenitors (HPs), comprising a calcium biomaterial, osteoclasts, endothelial cells and mesenchymatous stem cells (MSCs) and/or osteoblasts and/or adipocytes. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing such a culture support, and an in vitro HSC and/or HP cultivation method. The use of such a culture support for studying cellular mechanisms involved in hematopoiesis and/or differentiation of HSC/HPs and/or for studying the efficacy and/or the toxicity of a medicament candidate is also described.

Abstract: A method of repairing diseased or dysfunctional pancreas or liver is provided. The method involves preparation of a suspension of stem cells and/or progenitor cells such as biliary tree stem cells, hepatic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells or their descendants, committed progenitor cells, from healthy tissue of the patient or of the biliary tree of a non-autologous donor and engrafting the cells into the wall of bile ducts near to the organ to be treated. The graft consists of stem cells or progenitors that are admixed with biomaterials and, optionally, with cytokines and/or native epithelial-mesenchymal cells appropriate for the maturational lineage stage of the cells to be engrafted.

Abstract: Methods and materials for making complex, living, vascularized tissues for organ and tissue replacement, especially complex and/or thick, structures, such as liver tissue is provided. Tissue lamina is made in a system comprising an apparatus having (a) a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds have means defining microchannels positioned toward the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds are fastened together; and (b) animal cells. Methods for producing complex, three-dimensional tissues or organs from tissue lamina are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving biological production of hydrogen from protein-containing wastewater comprising two stages: ultraviolet radiation pretreatment of protein-containing wastewater and biological production of hydrogen under a neutral pH condition and intermediate temperature condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro selection of at least one therapeutic cell subpopulation from an original cell population of eukaryotic cells, as well as to the therapeutic cell subpopulation selected by the method, which can be used for the treatment of diseases of tissues or organs. The selected cells are highly migrative and the method according to the invention provides for the selection of these highly migrative subpopulations from a sample comprising a mixture of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation, propagation and use of prenatal stem cells. The cells are CD105 negative. In certain embodiments the cells are also SSEA-4 positive or negative, and c-kit negative. The cells may be isolated from a prenatal sample, for instance third trimester amniotic fluid or placental membrane. The cells may be combined with a biologically compatible solution or a biologically compatible matrix and utilized to treat a human subject. The invention also contemplated enriched populations of prenatal stem cells. The enriched cell population may be propagated in the appropriate culture medium and the resulting progeny cells utilized therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Described herein are placental tissue grafts produced by chemical dehydration followed by freeze-drying the placental tissue to produce the tissue graft. The tissue grafts retain their biological properties preferably at the same level as the placental tissues before they are processed. The placental tissue grafts have numerous medical applications. Methods for making the tissue graft compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of: concentrating cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells; and causing the mesenchymal stem cells thus concentrated to grow with use of a particular factor while maintaining undifferentiated state of the mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel way to replenish the disc using retooled disc compositions to repair degenerative discs. There is no better source of proteoglycans than the actual disc material (6) itself. To this end, there has been developed a technique to remove the nucleus pulposus and retool the morphology of the nucleus pulposus to create a powder material (10) that is dry and can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time. This powder (10) can then be reconstituted with a variety of fluids, the most suitable being normal saline or lactated ringers to form a flowable mixture (20).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing reconstituted human skin and/or hair follicles in situ are provided. The method for producing the skin is unique in that tissue culture expanded cells including multipotent cells such as neonatal cells as well as cultured epidermal and dermal cells are immediately placed on a substrate such as a membrane and then the membrane with adherent cells is placed on a skin wound. Examples demonstrate formation of hair follicles in situ.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel way to replenish the disc using retooled disc compositions to repair degenerative discs. There is no better source of proteoglycans than the actual disc material (6) itself. To this end, there has been developed a technique to remove the nucleus pulposus and retool the morphology of the nucleus pulposus to create a powder material (10) that is dry and can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time. This powder (10) can then be reconstituted with a variety of fluids, the most suitable being normal saline or lactated ringers to form a flowable mixture (20).

Abstract: A human immature endocrine cell population and methods for making an immature endocrine cell population are provided. Specifically, immature beta cells and methods for production of immature beta cells are described. Immature beta cells co-express INS and NKX6.1 and are uni-potent and thereby develop into mature beta cells when implanted in vivo. The mature beta cells in vivo are capable of producing insulin in response to glucose stimulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of co-culturing mammalian muscle cells and mammalian motoneurons. The method comprises preparing one or more carriers coated with a covalently bonded monolayer of trimethoxysilylpropyl diethylenetriamine (DETA); suspending isolated fetal mammalian skeletal muscle cells in serum-free medium according to medium composition 1; suspending isolated fetal mammalian spinal motoneurons in serum-free medium according to medium composition 1; plating the suspended muscle cells onto the one or more carriers at a predetermined density and allowing the muscle cells to attach; plating the suspended motoneurons at a predetermined density onto the one or more carriers and allowing the motoneurons to attach; covering the one or more carriers with a mixture of medium composition 1 and medium composition 2; and incubating the carriers covered in the media mixture.

Abstract: Compositions and processes for the effective and efficient regeneration of spinal discs are provided. These compositions contain stem cells, donor cells, and platelet plasma compositions. By using these compositions, there is an increased likelihood of acceptance and proper cell differentiation.

Abstract: An automated system and method of preparing oocytes, embryos, or blastocysts for cryopreservation. The method entails delivering two or more solutions into a container holding oocytes, embryos, or blastocysts, and controlling the flow of the solutions to gradually change the concentration of cryoprotectants and dehydrating agents in the container to minimize shock to the oocytes, embryos or blastocysts.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.

Abstract: A vascular model includes at least one microchannel perfusable by at least one fluid and in a form of a hollow structure having a wall thickness in a range from 0.1 ?m to 1000 ?m, a concave inner surface with a cross-section which is circular in part and at least one pore having a diameter in a range from 1 nm to 100 ?m. The at least one microchannel has a width in a range from 0.01 ?m to 10 mm and a depth in a range from 0.01 ?m to 10 mm. At least one chamber is perfusable by a same and/or different fluid and surrounds the at least one microchannel over an entire length and width or over parts thereof. The at least one chamber adjoins the at least one microchannel. At least one connector is configured to receive and/or discharge the at least one fluid.

Abstract: Bone paste compositions are described, which promote bone healing and remodeling by stimulating bone marrow elements using a combination of hemopoietic agents, angiogenic agents and a bone molecular signaling material.

Abstract: This application provides methods of improving protein replacement therapy by combining protein replacement therapy with active site-specific chaperones (ASSC) to increase the stability and efficiency of the protein being administered. The application further provides stable compositions comprising the purified protein and an ASSC, and methods of treatment by administering the compositions.