Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of laminin-521 in obtaining retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells are cultured on plates coated with recombinant laminin-521 (laminin-11), in totally defined and xeno-free conditions. A first cell culture medium contains a growth factor, and a second cell culture medium does not contain growth factor. The stem cells are first exposed to the first cell culture medium, then exposed to the second cell culture medium for a longer time period. After a number of weeks, clinical grade RPE cells are obtained from the stem cells.

Abstract: An organ, a tissue or cells of a living body can be preserved stably at a non-freezing low temperature without damaging the organ, the tissue or the cells, by the method of preserving an organ, a tissue or cells of a living body by using the low temperature damage alleviating agent or the necrosis inhibitor comprising a coffee extract of the present invention, or a medium comprising a coffee extract.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to periostin compounds for use in the prevention and treatment of haematological complications, such as adverse events from therapy or haematological diseases. In context of the present invention a therapeutic was developed for enhancing haematopoiesis in patients and to support haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation (HSCT) by administration of periostin compounds to patients or stem cell donors, or by contacting HSC directly with periostin compounds, for example ex vivo, to improve a transplant HSC preparation. The present invention provides periostin derived compounds such as polypeptides, peptides, nucleic acids, and other periostin-derived agents, that are used both in therapeutic applications and for improving haematopoiesis, for example in stem cell donor subjects or to treat HSC in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, compositions and methods for CNS delivery of lysosomal enzymes for effective treatment of lysosomal storage diseases. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a stable formulation for direct CNS intrathecal administration comprising a heparan N-sulfatase (HNS) protein, salt, and a polysorbate surfactant for the treatment of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A.

Abstract: A method for preparing a stem cell-based, human derived composition containing conditioned cell culture medium is disclosed. The method comprises culturing cells of two or more eukaryotic cell lines to form conditioned culture media, separating the cultured cells from the conditioned culture media, and combining conditioned culture media to form a bioactive composition. This composition is used to treat citrus plants that have been infected by one or more insect-vectored bacterial and/or pathogenic infections such as Citrus Greening. This method consists of applying the conditioned media one or more times to the plant. Use of this treatment may have application to a variety of other agricultural conditions.

Abstract: Described herein are particles comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, and a compound of Formula (I), as well as compositions and methods of making and using the same. The particles may comprise a cell capable of expressing a therapeutic agent useful for the treatment of a disease, disorder, or condition described herein.

Abstract: An aldehyde fixative solution at a first temperature is caused to contact a tissue sample for a first time period, additionally an aldehyde fixative solution is caused to contact the tissue sample at a second temperature higher than the first temperature for a second time period. The first time period typically ranges from about 15 minutes up to about 4 hours, and the first temperature typically is from greater than 0° C. to at least 15° C. The second temperature typically is from greater than about 22° C. to about 55° C., and the second time period ranges from about 1 hour to about 4 hours. Using this process, improved tissue morphology and IHC staining as well as superior preservation of post-translation modification signals have been accomplished in approximately 4 hours compared to 24 hours for room temperature protocols, and more even morphology and antigen preservation are observed.

Abstract: Isolated cells of a mixed character, possessing a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and a muscle cell phenotype, as well as extracellular vesicles secreted from same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, and methods of treatment comprising administering same, are provided. Further, methods of increasing engrafiment of foreign cells by co-administering same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for cell lysis in a microfluidic device. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for rapid continuous flow pathogen cell lysis. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device comprises a microfluidic channel, a microporous structure within the channel, and an enzyme immobilized on the surface of the microporous structure configured to lyse pathogen cells in fluid flowing through the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating a subject following a small-volume ischemic stroke suffered by the subject and methods of treating a subject with a stroke-induced motor deficit. Disclosed also is a composition for treating small-volume ischemic stroke. In one aspect, the method of treating a subject following a small-volume ischemic stroke comprises administering, to a brain region surrounding a small-volume ischemic core of the subject, a therapeutically effective amount of cells, wherein the cells are descended from mesenchymal stem cells transiently-transfected by a polynucleotide encoding a Notch intracellular domain.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in reducing venous neointimal hyperplasia (VNH) of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft. For example, methods and materials for using stem cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells), extracellular matrix material, or a combination of stem cells and extracellular matrix material to reduce VNH of AVFs or grafts are provided.

Abstract: It has been established that optimizing cell seeding onto tissue engineering vascular grafts (TEVG) is associated with reduced inflammatory responses and reduced post-operative stenosis of TEVG. Cell seeding increased TEVG patency in a dose dependent manner, and TEVG patency improved when more cells were seeded, however duration of incubation time showed minimal effect on TEVG patency. Methods of engineering patient specific TEVG including optimal numbers of cells to maintain graft patency and reduce post-operative stenosis are provided. Closed, single-use customizable systems for seeding TEVG are also provided. Preferably the systems are custom-designed based on morphology of the patient specific graft, to enhance the efficacy of cell seeding.

Abstract: Compositions and Methods for Stabilizing Circulating Tumor Cells Methods and compositions for stabilizing a biological sample for analysis, comprising the steps of obtaining in a sample collection device a biological sample from a subject, especially blood, the biological sample including at least one circulating tumor cell from the subject. The methods may include a step of contacting the biological sample with a protective agent composition that includes a preservative agent, an optional anticoagulant, and a quenching agent to form a mixture that includes the protective agent composition and the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is a placental product comprising an immunocompatible chorionic membrane. Such placental products can be cryopreserved and contain viable therapeutic cells after thawing. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.

Abstract: A method for preparing a leukocyte preparation from a leukocyte fraction and a correspondingly prepared or obtainable leukocyte preparation and its use. The methods include: a) sedimenting the leukocyte fraction removing leukocyte supernatant from the sediment, wherein the leukocyte supernatant is collected or remains in a leukocyte container, b) sedimenting the leukocytes in the leukocyte container, c) washing the sediment in the leukocyte container with a saline solution, and d) resuspending the sediment in the leukocyte container in a storage solution.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for providing an in vitro intestinal model system, e.g., using primary cells instead of cell lines and/or cancerous cells.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preventing or treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, including administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition including a fraction of polysaccharide isolated from Antrodia cinnamomea cultured in the presence of zinc sulfate and a carrier thereof, wherein the polysaccharide includes glucose and fucose. Also provided are a method for preparing the composition and a composition including the polysaccharide fraction obtained therefrom.

Abstract: Described herein are cells, cell culture methods, and cell culture media compositions useful for producing and maintaining iPSC-derided cell lines that are of higher purity and maintain cell type integrity better than current iPSC-derived cell lines. Also disclosed are methods of using the described cells and media, such as therapeutic methods of use for the described cells. The described cells include iPSC-derived mesodermal precursor cells (MPC), which itself may differentiate into at least four different cell types. When cultured under appropriate conditions, the mesodermal precursor cells can be used to produce hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), smooth muscle cells (SMC), or unlimited functional endothelial cells (UFEC). One characteristic that makes the described cells desirable is that they can be maintained in culture for a number of days, or passages, without changing phenotype through differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of preparing airway cells. In one aspect, an epithelial airway cell derived from an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell characterized by expression of airway cell surface markers and an ability to proliferate is described. In another aspect, methods of differentiating an iPS into an epithelial airway cell is provided. Engineered lungs, methods of making such engineered lungs comprising the epithelial airway cells and treating respiratory disorders are also disclosed.

Abstract: Protein-rich nutrient supplements and animal feed supplements derived from an anaerobic bacterial process are generated through a myriad of cell rupturing and protein fractionation/purification processes. Bacterial fermentation systems and methods of obtaining one or more protein-containing portions from a fermentation process using carbon monoxide-containing gaseous substrates increasing protein product yield from bacterial cells are provided. The invention further provides compositions of protein-rich nutrient supplements with useful applications for intake by a variety of different animals and humans.