Abstract: A composition for the treatment of wounds includes demineralized bone fibers (DBF) derived from allogeneic or xenogenic cortical bone and/or polymeric fibers made from resorbable and/or non-resorbable polymer, and the composition may also include an oxygen-generating material and/or an oxygen carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid-tolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain and use thereof. By using exogenously added malic acid as a stress, an acid-tolerant mutant S. cerevisiae strain MTPfo-4 is obtained by directed evolution screening in the laboratory, which tolerates a minimum pH of 2.44. The mutant strain MTPfo-4, tolerant to multiple organic acids, has an increased tolerance to exogenous malic acid of up to 86.6 g/L. The mutant strain MTPfo-4 obtained is further identified. The mutant strain grows stably and well, and can tolerate a variety of organic acids (lactic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, and tartaric acid). It also has a strong tolerance to inorganic acids (HCl and H3PO4). This is difficult to achieve in the existing research and reports of S. cerevisiae. The strain is intended to be used as an acid-tolerant chassis cell factory for producing various short-chain organic acids.

Abstract: A method for fixing a biological sample includes delivering energy through a biological sample that has been removed from a subject, while fixing the biological sample. A change in speed of the energy traveling through the biological sample is evaluated to monitor the progress of the fixation. A system for performing the method can include a transmitter that outputs the energy and a receiver configured to detect the transmitted energy. A computing device can evaluate the speed of the energy based on signals from the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition in powder form comprising probiotic bacteria and at least one iron source selected from ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate and mixtures thereof. Ferrous citrate, ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate monohydrate and mixtures thereof advantageously do not cause significant inhibition or reduction in the viability of the bacteria and thus these iron sources are advantageously used to fortify a composition in powder form comprising probiotic bacteria.

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: Apparatus and methods for use with a blood sample are described. The blood sample is stained with Hoechst stain and Acridine Orange stain. A plurality of images of the blood sample are acquired. An object is identified as being a white blood cell candidate. A first stained area, which is stained by the Hoechst stain and which is disposed within the white blood cell candidate, is identified. A second stained area, which is stained by the Acridine Orange stain and which is disposed within the white blood cell candidate, is identified. A white blood cell is detected by determining that structural features of the stained areas satisfy predetermined criteria associated with a white blood cell. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides method for preparing amnion tissue grafts, as well as the grafts themselves. In specific embodiments, the tissue graft comprises a single layer of dried amnion from an umbilical cord.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide plant-derived extracts as a replacement for traditional cryoprotectants used to freeze tissue and cells providing a method to decrease post-thaw damage as created by the cryoprotectant. For example, extracts from the genus Hippophae or other plant sources or compositions may be used as a cryoprotectant or may even be used to replace at least some of a traditional cryoprotectant.

Abstract: A waste peptone disposal system is provided, the system utilizing steam to increase the temperature of the waste peptone and provide active homogenous mixing inside a thermally insulated tank. Steam is introduced through a steam sparging system and directly applied to the waste peptone to reduce noxiousness, allowing the facility to dispose of the processed waste peptone through a wastewater system.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating Gaucher disease are described.

Abstract: A method for organ and tissue chimerization using bone marrow cellular treatment, which avoids rejection of transplanted organs and diminishes or suspends the use of immunosuppressant drugs in patients subjected to transplant procedures. The method comprises washing the organ in an electrolyte solution. A further step of washing the organ in a wash solution. The organ is then placed in a culture solution and incubated with bone marrow cells.

Abstract: Uncultured amniotic cell and protein fraction products derived from amniotic fluid and methods of preparing and using those compositions are provided. According to the methods of the present invention, uncultured amniotic cell and protein products may be derived from a large sample of amniotic fluid to provide a higher concentration of tissue regeneration components. Described are methods for separating uncultured amniotic cells or protein fractions from other components of amniotic fluid and the resulting uncultured amniotic cell and protein products. Furthermore, the present invention includes methods for delivering the uncultured amniotic cell and protein products to the skin and eye, including before, during, or after a treatment procedure.

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: 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: The present invention provides a solution for cryopreservation of animal cells or animal tissues which substantially includes a cryoprotectant that contains 0.5 w/v % to 6.0 w/v % of dextran or derivatives thereof or salts thereof and contains dimethyl sulfoxide, and includes a physiological aqueous solution; a cryopreserved product of animal cells or animal tissues which includes animal cells or animal tissues, and includes the above-described solution for cryopreservation of animal cells or animal tissues; and a cryopreservation method of animal cells or animal tissues, which is a method using the above-described solution for cryopreservation of animal cells or animal tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the cryopreservation of stem cells, such as stem-cell derived retinal pigment epithelial cells, that have been seeded onto and cultured on a substrate, such as a polymeric substrate. Such cryopreserved stem cells are useful for cell therapies, such as treatment of ocular damage or disease.

Abstract: A device to aid in the production and regeneration of tissues and organs, standing alone, or on or inside of the human body, with a method of fabrication of tissues and organs and use of the device.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) or a lipid containing a PUFA, a microbial cell containing a PUFA, and use of the microbial cell are provided. A method for producing a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) or a lipid containing a PUFA including culture of a microorganism capable of producing arachidonic acid (ARA) and/or dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) is provided, the method including at least one of the following steps: (a) adding an organic acid in an amount of 0.01 to 5 w/v % to a culture medium after the beginning of main culture; (b) increasing the pH of the culture medium to a range effective for culture after the beginning of the main culture; and (c) adding a metal sulfate in an amount of 0.01 to 0.5 w/w % to the main culture medium.

Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible bag assembly for cultivation of cells, comprising one or more bags forming a plurality of cultivation compartments, wherein a drain port in at least a first cultivation compartment is adapted to be fluidically connected with a second cultivation compartment upon opening of a valve means. It also discloses a bioreactor with the bag assembly mounted on a rocking tray and a method of cultivating cells in the assembly.