Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for growing and expanding MSC while maintaining their undifferentiated phenotype, self-renewal ability, and/or multi-lineage potential. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises i) seeding freshly isolated MSC on a planar surface or a 3-D scaffold and growing the cells under physiological or low O2 tension for a period of time sufficient to support formation of 3-D ECM network; ii) decellularizing the planar surface or 3-D scaffold; and iii) reseeding the decellularized planar surface or 3-D scaffold with MSCs, whereby the reseeded MSCs can be grown on the scaffold and maintain an undifferentiated phenotype. In one embodiment, the 3-D scaffold comprises or is composed of PET. In one embodiment, the MSC are human MSC (hMSC).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removing antigens from tissues by sequentially destabilizing and/or depolymerizing cytoskeletal components and removing and/or reducing water-soluble antigens and lipid-soluble antigens. The invention further relates to tissue scaffolding and decellularized extracellular matrix produced by such methods.

Abstract: Decellularized tissue-derived extracellular matrices (ECM) and methods of generating and using same are provided. The method of generating a decellularized matrix includes the steps of: (a) subjecting the tissue to washes and a hypertonic buffer; (b) subjecting the tissue to an enzymatic proteolytic digestion with an enzyme such as trypsin; and (c) removing all cellular components from the tissue using a detergent solution which includes Triton-X-100 and ammonium hydroxide. Specifically, there is provided a decellularized myocardium-derived matrix which is completely devoid of all cellular components and hence non-immunogenic in a subject, exhibits suitable structural and mechanical properties for cardiac tissue engineering or replacement therapy of damaged cardiac tissue, and is capable of remodeling upon seeding of cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition suitable for use in the prevention of opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals comprising a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium breve or Bifidobacterium longum and a fucosylated oligosaccharide selected from the group comprising 2?-fucosyllactose, 3?fucosyllactose, difucosyllactose, lacto-N-fucopentaose, lacto-N-fucohexaose, fucosyllacto-N-hexaose and fucosyllacto-N-neohexaose. The invention further extends to the use of such a composition in the prevention of opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. The invention further provides methods and compositions for distinguishing acute ischemic stroke from other forms of stroke and TIAs and “stroke mimic” events. Moreover, methods and compositions are provided to facilitate the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of lactic acid bacteria, for use in modifying the enteric nervous system and more particularly in treating and/or preventing intestinal disorders such as constipation and/or irritable bowel disease.

Abstract: An artifact for osseous repair includes a bioresorbable porous cage defining an internal space, and a biocompatible composite which includes a plurality of mineralized collagen-mimic fibrils filled in the internal space of the bioresorbable porous cage.

Abstract: A composition and method which improves blood lipid profiles and optionally reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL) per-oxidation in humans by administering a therapeutic amount of a composition comprising krill oil in combination with astaxanthin or a mixture of fish oil derived, choline based, phospholipid bound omega-3 fatty acid mixture including phospholipid bound polyunsaturated EPA and DHA. In one embodiment, the krill oil is derived from Euphasia spp., comprising Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in the form of triacylglycerides and phospholipids. The krill oil includes at least 10% EPA and 5% DHA, of which greater than 50% are in the form of phospholipids and the 1-4000 mg of krill oil per daily dose is delivered.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with a bone substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes obtaining tissue having MSCs together with unwanted cells. The tissue is digested to form a cell suspension having MSCs and unwanted cells. The cell suspension is added to the substrate and the MSCs are allowed to adhere. The substrate is rinsed to remove unwanted cells. In an embodiment, there is disclosed an allograft product including a combination of MSCs with a bone substrate made according to the described method. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid medium of Antrodia cinnamomea comprises 20 to 50 wt % soybean; 30 to 50 wt % coixseed; and 20 to 50 wt % sorghum. A culturing method of Antrodia cinnamomea, comprises providing a solid medium comprising soybean, coixseed and sorghum; preparing a solution of Antrodia cinnamomea, inoculating the solution of Antrodia cinnamomea on the solid medium in a concentration of 1×103 to 1×106 cfu on per 100 g of solid medium, and statically culturing the solution of Antrodia cinnamomea on the solid medium till obtaining hyphae adhered on the solid medium; and culturing the solution of Antrodia cinnamomea by intermittent shaking in a frequency of every 5 to 7 days shaking 5 to 10 minutes, with a period of the culturing by intermittent shaking being more than 40 days.

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 for improving the performance of a subject or for improving digestibility of a raw material in a feed (e.g. nutrient digestibility, such as amino acid digestibility), or for improving nitrogen retention, or for improving dietary phosphorus absorption and retention, or for improving the efficacy of the phytase, or for improving the subject's resistance to necrotic enteritis or for improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) or for improving weight gain in a subject or for improving feed efficiency in a subject or for modulating (e.g. improving) the immune response of the subject or for reducing populations of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, or for reducing nutrient excretion in manure, which method comprising administering to a subject at least one direct fed microbial in combination with a phytase, wherein the phytase is administered to the subject at a dosage of more than about 1500 FTU/kg feed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating weight related conditions and metabolic disorders by altering microbiota in a subject. One aspect provides methods and compositions to alter microbiota in a subject by administering to the subject a composition that includes a substantially purified microbiota from phyla such as Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia or orders such as Bacteroidales, Verrucomicrobiales, Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales or genera such as Alistipes, Clostridium, Escherichia, and Akkermansia. Another aspect includes a pharmaceutical composition for altering microbiota that includes a therapeutically effective amount of substantially purified microbiota and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another aspect includes methods for treating a disorder, such as obesity, in a subject in need of such treatment by changing relative abundance of microbiota in a gastrointestinal tract of the subject without or in addition to a surgical procedure.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are described directed to a method and system for loading and distributing cells in a bioreactor of a cell expansion system. Accordingly, embodiments include methods and systems that may provide for adding a plurality of cells to a fluid within a bioreactor of the cell expansion system. A first percentage of the plurality of cells is allowed to settle in the bioreactor and a second percentage of the plurality of cells is allowed to settle outside of the bioreactor. The first percentage of cells is then expanded in the bioreactor. The second percentage of cells is wasted.

Abstract: A method for the augmentation of immune function is described. The invention comprises a combination of ?-1,3 (4)-endoglucanohydrolase, ?-1,3 (4)-glucan, diatomaceous earth, mineral clay and glucomannan, which is fed to or consumed by mammalian or avian species in amounts sufficient to augment immune function. The invention described may be admixed with feeds or foods, incorporated into pelleted feeds or foods or administered orally to mammalian and avian species.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and methods for enhancing biological processes, such as plant growth or bioremediation. For example, the present invention comprises compositions and methods for effectively remediating chemical and organic wastes and reducing the environmental risk from manure, septic, sewage, oil pollution, and other contaminants.

Abstract: Artificial dermis (1) obtained from plasma with platelets (2) and human fibroblasts. The plasma with platelets (2) is obtained from the fractionating of total blood (4) from the patient (8) by light centrifugation, and the human fibroblasts (3) from a skin biopsy, (5). Clotting is obtained by adding calcium. This artificial dermis (1) permits rapid growth of the keratinocytes (6) seeded on its surface to build an artificial skin (7) which can easily be transplanted. Large areas of artificial dermis (1) are obtained from small amounts of starting materials and can be enriched with cytokines and platelet growth factors, to strengthen proliferation of the cells seeded. The artificial skin (7) obtained can be used to treat major burn treatments, chronic skin ulcers, etc., or be used, by employing genetically altered cells, as a vehicle for gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to separation of desired target products from biological, plant, and waste-type material, wherein the desired target products include renewable fuels such as ethanol, biobutanol, and biodiesel, wherein the separation is conducted with a cross-flow filtration system having the ability to separate desired products from both non-viscous and viscous medium.

Abstract: Flowable matrix compositions and methods of their use and manufacture are provided. Exemplary compositions may include a flowable, syringeable, putty-like form of acellular human dermal matrix. In some cases, compositions may include a moldable acellular collagen extracellular matrix. In use, the matrix compositions can be used to fill or treat skin voids, channel wounds, and other soft tissue deficiencies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are probiotic compositions comprising a mixture of at least two probiotic bacteria, including Streptococcus salivarius K12® (BLIS K12®) and at least a Lactobacillus bacteria. The Streptococcus salivarius K12® (BLIS K12®) may comprise Streptococcus salivarius K12® (BLIS K12®) BAA1024. The Lactobacillus bacteria may be selected from those known to be suitable for oral administration, for example from those known to improve recipient health, particularly recipient oral health.