Abstract: A deparaffinizing composition and method are provided for removing paraffin wax from biological samples. The deparaffinizing composition may include: a paraffin solvent that may be a first apolar paraffin solvent; a second apolar solvent that may be at least partially miscible with water; a first polar solvent that may be miscible with both water and apolar solvents; a second polar solvent that may be water; and a detergent. The deparaffinizing method may include the steps of: incubating the sample for a time period in a deparaffinizing composition; and rinsing the sample with an aqueous buffer. Preferably, the step of incubating the sample for a time period in the deparaffinizing composition may include heating the sample and the composition to between approximately 35 to 65 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A method is provided to measure modulation of phosphatidylcholine export transport and/or formation activity in hepatocyte or stable cell-line preparations by test agents including but not limited to drugs, drug candidates, biologicals, food components, herb or plant components, proteins, peptides, DNA, and RNA. Furthermore, the method is designed to determine modulation of phosphatidylcholine transport and/or formation activity not only by said test agents, but also their metabolites or biotransformed products formed in situ.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for detecting slow-VISA from clinical samples.

Abstract: Methods and devices for testing and monitoring L-phenylalanine in biological samples are provided.

Abstract: This application describes consortium between fungi and algae, where the algae are incorporated within hyphae of the fungi. The consortium is robust. The fungi and algae can symbiotically provide nutrients to each other, and are tolerant of environmental stresses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to dry cell culture media or feeds in pellet formats which can be reconstituted into liquid media for culturing cells in vitro. Each pellet composition may comprise the same or a different composition; for example, different vitamins, amino acids, buffers, trace salts, pH, iron chelators, etc. The invention also relates to methods of making dry cell culture media by altering ratios of different pellet compositions, or, methods of making modular dry cell culture media, or customizing media formulations for growing a cell type using pellets. According to the invention, media pellets may be easier to handle either before reconstitution, during shipping and handling; and/or during reconstitution. Media pellets may be used in any container like bags including sterile, single use bags for preparing media formulations. The invention also relates to kits and culture systems using media pellets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease or indication associated with accumulation of a bisretinoid, for example A2E. In many embodiments, the disclosed methods and compositions are useful in treating an eye disease, for example macular degeneration.

Abstract: The invention discloses a magnetic nanoparticle microbial composite material with a core-shell structure and a preparation method thereof as well as application of the magnetic nanoparticle microbial composite material in azo dye treatment. The preparation method comprises the following steps: putting ferroferric oxide into an ethanol solution with ferric trichloride and trimesic acid; carrying out layer-by-layer self-assembly and ultrasonic condition reaction in sequence to prepare modified ferroferric oxide nanoparticles; then loading the modified composite material on the surfaces of microorganisms. The composite material prepared by the preparation method disclosed by the invention has the advantages of high adsorption effects and capability of carrying out local enrichment on the dye; meanwhile, magnetic separation can be performed, and thereby the azo dye can be removed efficiently.

Abstract: Process for producing a rhamnolipid produced by Pseudomonas or Enterobacter using andiroba or murumuru seed waste, pertaining to the sector of compounds containing monosaccharide radicals, consists of producing rhamnolipids by a biotechnological process using andiroba or murumuru seed waste, following oil extraction, as a substrate for a Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter hormaechei or Enterobacter buriae line cultivated in a bioreactor with a non-dispersive aeration system for reducing foam, producing a rhamnolipid content of 10.5 g/L for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, in bioreactors carried out in a stirred tank with non-dispersive aeration using microporous membranes, particularly of silicone tubes, which allow oxygen to be supplied by diffusion.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis useful as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method for producing pancreatic endocrine cells, the method including introducing one or more genes of a GLIS family or one or more gene products thereof and a Neurogenin3 gene or one or more gene products thereof into somatic cells.

Abstract: A hybrid tissue engineered heart valve leaflet including a polyurethane core, such as a polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethane like carbothane. The polyurethane core is enclosed within one or more layer of a patient's cells and collagen. Also disclosed are hybrid tissue engineered heart valves, including a frame; and at least two leaflets attached thereto in a configuration of a heart valve, wherein the leaflets are hybrid tissue engineered heart valve leaflets, and methods of making a hybrid tissue engineered heart valve for deployment in a patient.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a human birth tissue material are provided. A placental construct for treatment of a disease or condition is also provided. A kit including at least one placental construct and at least one structural carrier is provided. A catheter for recovering amniotic fluid is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for determining plant-microbe interactions. In some embodiments, the device comprises: a root chamber configured to allow a root of a plant to grow, wherein the root chamber is connected with: an inlet channel for introducing a medium into the root chamber, an outlet channel for collecting plant exudates and metabolites, and a plant reservoir for the plant shoot of the plant to grow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for detecting a plant pathogen spore in soil or water. The present invention also relates to a method for detection of a plant pathogen spore. The device for detecting a plant pathogen spore in soil or water comprises a support member containing a plant pathogen chemoattractant; a filter having a plurality of pores; a culture medium containing a plant pathogen chemoattractant; and a detection means; wherein the support member is adjacent to the filter and the filter is adjacent to the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated method for selecting a microbial strain from within a microbial strain library which can degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate. An apparatus, device or system adapted to perform the method of the invention is further provided. The use of the method of the invention in a method for preparing a microbial inoculum suitable for use to degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate; in a method of treating an oil reservoir or environmental remediation; and in a method for producing a biosurfactant-like substance is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing branched aldehydes is proposed, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a culture of one or more fungi of the genus Conidiobolus and producing biomass containing branched carboxylic acids in free and/or bound form; (b) extracting the biomass from step (a) to produce a first intermediate containing free and/or bound carboxylic acids; (c) optionally chemically, enzymatically or microbially hydrolyzing the bound carboxylic acids from the first intermediate; (d) treating the first intermediate with a reducing agent of a chemical nature to convert the free and/or bound carboxylic acids into the corresponding alcohols and optionally separating one or more alcohols from interfering by-products and producing the chemically produced second intermediate containing these alcohols as a mixture or in enriched form; (e) treating the first intermediate with a reducing agent of a biological nature to convert the free and/or bound carboxylic acids into the corresponding aldehydes havin

Abstract: A method of quantitating of ions in the extracellular polymer substances area of a dental biofilm is an effective way of assessing efficacy of oral care compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are two bacterial strains, designated as KGS-2 and KGS-8 which have been shown to solubilize soil phosphorus and to enhance the growth of plants. In addition to promoting solubilisation of phosphate from sources such as dicalcium phosphate, manure and potassium phosphate, KGS-2 and KGS-8 also produce siderophore and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).

Abstract: The invention relates to microbiology, and more particularly to nutrient media used for cultivating bacteria for the subsequent study thereof. A nutrient medium comprising a pancreatic digest of casein, a peptic digest of meat, a heart pancreatic digest, yeast extract, starch and water is characterized in that it additionally contains violuric acid and beef infusion, wherein the ratio of ingredients is (wt %): 0.3-1.0 pancreatic digest of casein; 0.1-1.5 peptic digest of meat; 0.1-0.9 heart pancreatic digest; 0.1-2.0 yeast extract, 0.3-0.8 starch; 0.001-0.05 violuric acid; 2.0-15 beef infusion; the remainder water. The nutrient medium can additionally contain 0.3-2.5 wt % agar-agar and/or 1-20 wt % whole or hemolyzed sheep red blood cells and/or 1-20 wt % whole or hemolyzed human red blood cells and/or 1-15 wt % horse blood serum. This provides for the simultaneous growth of the maximum possible number of bacteria present in an inoculate.