Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable biomaterial and methods of producing same. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing an implantable biomaterial comprising (a) exposing a biomaterial to an alcohol-containing solution for at least 24 hours.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the field of protein production, and in particular to compositions and processes for controlling and limiting the heterogeneity of proteins expressed in host cells.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to low acidic species (AR) compositions comprising a protein, e.g., an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, and methods, e.g., cell culture and/or protein purification methods, for producing such low AR compositions. Methods for using such compositions to treat a disorder, e.g., a disorder in which TNF? is detrimental, are also provided.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to low acidic species (AR) compositions comprising a protein, e.g., an antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, and methods, e.g., cell culture and/or protein purification methods, for producing such low AR compositions. Methods for using such compositions to treat a disorder, e.g., a disorder in which TNF? is detrimental, are also provided.

Abstract: Hydrogel-bacterial cellulose nano-composite materials are created using a hydrogel and never dried bacterial cellulose fibers. Such materials are suitable for a broad range of soft tissue replacement applications. In addition controlled release of bioactive agents properties can be designed into medical devices fabricated from such composite materials.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an elongate instrument body and an optical fiber sensor is provided. The optical fiber sensor includes an elongate optical fiber that is coupled to the elongate instrument body, wherein a portion of the optical fiber is coupled to the elongate instrument body in a manner to provide slack in the fiber to allow for axial extension of the elongate instrument body relative to the optical fiber.

Abstract: Robotic medical instrument systems and associated methods utilizing an optical fiber sensors such as Bragg sensor optical fibers. In one configuration, an optical fiber is coupled to an elongate instrument body and includes a fiber core having one or more Bragg gratings. A controller is configured to initiate various actions in response thereto. For example, a controller may generate and display a graphical representation of the instrument body and depict one or more position and/or orientation variables thereof, or adjust motors of an instrument driver to reposition the catheter or another instrument. Optical fibers having Bragg gratings may also be utilized with other system components including a plurality of working instruments that are positioned within a sheath lumen, an instrument driver, localization sensors, and/or an image capture device, and may also be coupled to a patient's body or associated structure that stabilizes the body.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of immunoglobulins of IgG1 type, and more generally of ligands of the CD32 receptor, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and manifestations, in particular of allergies and auto-immune diseases, more particularly the treatment of allergic asthma, the immunoglobulins and ligands being administered via mucosal route, in particular via sublingual route.

Abstract: A method for treating an individual at risk for a complement-associated disorder is provided, including: (a) obtaining a sample of a body fluid from the individual; (b) measuring a complement activation level in the sample via a point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay; (c) correlating the complement activation level in the sample to a risk of a complement-associated disorder by comparing the complement activation level in the sample to a reference level in a control, wherein a deviation in complement activation level in the sample compared to the reference level in the control indicates the individual is at risk for a complement-associated disorder; (d) selecting a treatment for the individual, based on the correlating of step (c); and (e) treating the individual with the treatment selected in accordance with step (d). Lateral flow immunoassays and a method of monitoring an individual suffering from a complement-associated disorder are also provided herein.

Abstract: Methods of detecting complement activation including steps of detecting in a sample from a subject a level of iC3b wherein the detecting involves specific interaction between the iC3b and a non-cross-reactive antibody thereto, comparing the detected level with a reference level, which reference level is within a range of about 10 ng/ml to about 5,000 ng/ml, wherein determination that the detected level is above the reference level indicates that the subject is suffering from or susceptible to undesirable and/or pathologic complement activation, and administering treatment to treat undesired complement activation if the detected level is above the reference level. Other methods of detecting complement activation with or without measuring iC3b are also provided.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the field of protein production and purification, and in particular to compositions and processes for controlling the amount of acidic species expressed by host cells, as well as to compositions and processes for controlling the amount of acidic species present in purified preparations.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for prognostic classification of rheumatoid arthritis disease patients into subtypes, which subtypes are informative of the patient's need for therapy and responsiveness to a therapy of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating patients suffering from Contact dermatitis, Drug induced delayed type cutaneous allergic reactions, Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma, Bullous pemphigoid, Alopecia aereata, Vitiligo, Acne Rosacea, Prurigo nodularis, Scleroderma, Herpes simplex virus, or combination by administering an IL-31RA antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer, especially carcinomas, such as lung carcinoma. The invention discloses peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides that can be used to stimulate a CTL response against lung and other cancers.

Abstract: The disclosure provides culture devices and methods for a microorganism in a sample. The devices include a base member, a cover sheet, an adhesive layer coupled to the base member or the cover sheet, and a cold water-soluble gelling agent disposed on the base member; wherein the devices are substantially optically transmissive when the gelling agent is hydrated with a clear liquid. Methods of use include detecting or enumerating microorganisms. The methods further provide for detecting a microorganism by detecting the presence or size of an abiogenic gas bubble in a culture device.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions for the administration of chromium that include at least two components: a hydrophilic chromium complex and a lipophilic chromium complex, and methods of using the same. Also provided are compositions for the administration of chromium that include a first “fast-acting” chromium complex and a second “slow-acting” chromium complex, wherein the first chromium complex is absorbed more quickly than the slow-acting chromium complex, and methods of using the same. Also provided herein are methods for treating, preventing, and improving conditions associated with cardiometabolic syndrome, by identifying a subject in need of treatment, prevention, or improvement of a condition associated with cardiometabolic syndrome, and providing a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a fast-acting chromium complex and a slow-acting chromium complex, to the individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for determining the glycemic index values for various food products. The present invention provides an accurate and inexpensive in vitro method for determining the glycemic index of a wide variety of both food ingredients and finished food products.

Abstract: The present invention provides dendritic cells (DCs) having reduced inflammatory activity, a method for producing DCs capable of inducing regulatory T cells and regulatory T cells, and substances useful for such a method, wherein the DCs and regulatory T cells are useful for prevention and treatment of immune diseases. The present invention relates to a cereal plant-derived material fermented with a koji microorganism, which is obtained by fermentation thereof with a koji microorganism, or a processed product thereof. Preferably, the fermented product or a processed product thereof comprises 14-dehydroergosterol. According to the present invention, regulatory DCs and regulatory T cells can be induced and the proliferation of inflammatory T cells can be suppressed using plant-derived materials.

Abstract: To provide a method of efficiently delivering cells having an anti-tumor activity to tumor tissues to evoke a stronger anti-tumor reaction, and a method of providing a more effective tumor regression effect, both in a cellular immunotherapy for cancer utilizing cells having an anti-tumor activity or antigen presenting cells for activating cells capable of exhibiting an anti-tumor activity. Provided are: a method of treating head and neck cancer, comprising administering an anti-cancer cell composition containing NKT cells activated in vitro with an NKT cell ligand into the tumor-feeding artery, and administering an NKT cell-stimulating agent containing antigen presenting cells treated with an NKT cell ligand through the upper respiratory tract mucous membrane; a use, in anti-cancer treatment of head and neck region, of the anti-cancer cell composition and the NKT cell-stimulating agent; a kit comprising the anti-cancer cell composition and the NKT cell-stimulating agent; and the anti-cancer cell composition.

Abstract: An edible wafer containing nutritional supplement formulations suitable for specific enhancement of cell and mitochondrial function comprises enriched formulations of phospholipids or phospholipid chemical precursors containing inulin and specifically identified concentrations of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylcholine, and mitochondrial and cell membrane phospholipid molecules as well as other desirable constituents. These edible wafer lipid combinations can be used to treat mitochondrial disorders associated with medical pathologies, chronic illnesses and syndromes, or to maintain lipid balance for normal mitochondrial function, and can be administered in many different forms.