Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cosmetic and/or food supplement. More specifically, the present invention aims to provide the use of at least an ingredient containing chicoric acid and/or derivatives and a micro-organism and/or an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing chicoric acid and/or derivatives thereof to generate tartaric and/or caffeic acid, for improving skin tone and preventing and/or treating hyper-pigmentation of skin and/or skin color imperfections such as age-spots and other skin disorders characterized by abnormal pigments. Also, the present invention aims at providing a skin lightening agent.

Abstract: A temperature responsive sheet is disclosed that comprises a chemically modified water-soluble elastin obtained by N-acylating at least some of the primary amines and secondary amines contained in a high molecular weight water-soluble elastin molecule and coupling some or all of carboxyl groups contained in the molecule with a glycine alkyl ester. Also is disclosed a process for producing a cell sheet that comprises preparing above the temperature responsive sheet a film that functions as a scaffold for animal cells, culturing specific cells on the film so as to prepare a cell sheet, and subsequently separating the cell sheet and the temperature responsive sheet comprising the chemically modified water-soluble elastin under conditions of no greater than the culturing temperature for the cells.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the improvement of trabeculectomy surgery. The improvement more specifically resides in an extended lifetime of the sclera-corneal drainage channel created by trabeculectomy surgery. The improvement is obtained by post-surgical administration of a plasmin or active derivative thereof in the form of topical eye drops alone, by anterior chamber injection alone, or by any combination of these.

Abstract: A method for culturing hepatocytes, wherein hepatocytes embedded in an extracellular matrix is placed on a gas-permeable membrane and the hepatocytes are cultured while being supplied with oxygen from the gas-permeable membrane side. By this, the polarity in the hepatocytes can be induced and a bile canaliculus can be formed in a short period of time. Further, the formed polarity can be maintained for a longer period.

Abstract: A cleansing composition comprising surfactants comprising decyl glucoside and coco glucoside, wherein the decyl glucoside is present in an amount by weight that is 1.5 to 2.5 times the weight of coco glucoside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic mesoporous nanoparticle that includes a mesoporous silicate nanoparticle and iron oxide. The present invention also provides a method of using magnetic mesoporous nanoparticles to sequester microorganisms from a media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a subject with pulmonary disease including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide including at least one arginine residue susceptible to ADP-ribosylation and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). In some embodiments, the polypeptide and/or NAD is administered via inhalation. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition including at least one polypeptide (such as HNP-1) and NAD. The disclosure also provides in vitro methods of producing a polypeptide with altered activity, including contacting the polypeptide with NAD and an arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (for example, ART1) to produce a polypeptide including at least one ADP-ribosylated arginine residue, incubating the ADP-ribosylated polypeptide under conditions sufficient for conversion of at least one ADP-ribosylated arginine residue to ornithine, and isolating the ornithine-containing polypeptide.

Abstract: This document involves methods and materials related to inhibiting cyclin D polypeptide activity. For example, this document provides methods and materials that can be used to (1) identify mammals or cells in need of cyclin D polypeptide inhibition and (2) administer an agent capable of inhibiting cyclin D polypeptide activity.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a zinc oxide nanostructure electrode and a method of preparing a dye-sensitized solar cell using the same. The present invention relates to a use of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate or a derivative thereof for promoting the differentiation of keratinocytes into fibroblasts. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical or cosmetic use of a composition containing NAADP or a derivative thereof for regenerating and improving a skin barrier, or preventing, improving or treating stratum corneum disorders such as psoriasis or atopy, and a use for promoting the differentiation of separated keratinocytes.

Abstract: A method for washing platelets includes introducing anticoagulant into a platelet product container, drawing re-anticoagulated platelet product from the platelet product container, and introducing it into a centrifuge bowl. The centrifuge bowl separates the platelets from the supernatant in which they are suspended. The method then washes the platelets by introducing wash solution into the centrifuge bowl. As the wash solution is introduced into the bowl, it displaces the supernatant from the bowl and into a waste container. The method then introduces platelet additive solution into the centrifuge bowl, which displaces the wash solution from the centrifuge bowl and into the waste container and further wash the platelets. The method then repeatedly accelerates and decelerates the centrifuge bowl to resuspend the platelets in the platelet additive solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aqueous glucose solution from the starch components of Triticeae grains, for example from rye, triticale or in particular wheat grains. The invention also relates to a glucose-based fermentation method for manufacturing organic compounds in which the glucose manufactured for fermentation is produced from the starch components of Triticeae grains by way of a method according to the invention.

Abstract: Process for the production of a biogas containing methane from an organic matter amenable to anaerobic digestion comprising feeding an anaerobic digester with the organic matter, said anaerobic digester containing a digestion medium comprising microorganisms capable of digesting said organic matter, wherein the total inorganic carbon concentration of the digestion medium is maintained above 9000 mg of equivalent CaCO3/l and the buffering capacity is maintained above 200 mmol/l by the addition of a buffering reagent comprising sodium bicarbonate to the digestion medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a system for algal cell lysis. The system may include at least one algal cell, a plurality of metal nanoparticles, and an electromagnetic radiation generator. The generator may be able to generate radio frequency or microwave radiation that excites the plurality of metal nanoparticles, resulting in lysis of the algal cell. The disclosure also provides a system for recovery of a lipid from an algal cell similar to the above system but also including a separator. The disclosure further provides a method of recovering a lipid from an algal cell by supplying a plurality of metal nanoparticles to at least one algal cell, exciting the plurality of metal nanoparticles with radio frequency or microwave electromagnetic radiation, lysing the algal cell to release the lipid, and separating the lipid from the lysed algal cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition containing an extract of flowers of Camellia Japonica Alba Plena, as well as the cosmetic use thereof, for moisturizing and/or protecting human skin against drying. It also relates to an extract of flowers of Camellia Japonica Alba Plena, characterized in that it can be obtained by extraction of flowers by at least one alcoholic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are an agent for promoting proliferation of lactic acid bacteria, a preservative, and others, all of which do not deteriorate the flavor of food products. Specifically disclosed is a powdery malted rice extract composition obtained by inoculating lactic acid bacteria in a liquid prepared from a water extract of malted rice so that its Brix degree is 0.01 to 10, culturing the bacteria in the liquid, followed by drying the resulting culture.

Abstract: A process that generates sulfide in production of liquid products from syngas and a system for syngas fermentation including a sulfide generation process to convert feed gas to liquid product, the process including: partially oxidizing high-temperature gas, input gas, and molten sulfur to generate sulfide gas, the high-temperature gas containing oxygen, the input gas containing carbonaceous fuel and the sulfide gas containing hydrogen sulfide, CO, CO2, and H2; mixing the sulfide gas with the feed gas to generate mixed gas having a predetermined hydrogen sulfide concentration; providing at least a portion of the mixed gas to a production fermentor containing microorganisms; and converting the mixed gas to the liquid product by contact with the microorganisms.

Abstract: Methods of controlling plant diseases mediated by bacterial or fungal plant pathogens. The method comprises providing Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72 or an isolated protein or polypeptide comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:1 and applying the Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72 or the isolated protein or polypeptide comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:1 to plants or plant seeds under conditions effective to treat plant diseases mediated by bacterial or fungal plant pathogens. Also disclosed is a plant or plant seed treated by this method, a planting composition, and a method of enhancing growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a viral-safe platelet extract, to its preparation and use. The extract comprises a mixture of biologically active platelet derived factors. Advantageously, the extract comprises a balanced proportion of the factors and is non-clottable.

Abstract: Microorganisms such as microalgae are collected and separated from a host medium such as water. Cellular walls and membranes of the microorganisms are then ruptured to release their lipids using a lipid extraction unit. Thereafter, the lipids from the host medium are collected and separated using a lipid collection and separation unit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Described are embodiments that employ ultrasonic energy to selectively lyse larger adipose cells in a suspension containing adipose cells of different sizes resulting in a suspension in which the only viable cells are the small adipose cells and stem cells. Embodiments provide for generating an acoustic standing wave field of sufficient intensity and proper geometry, that high shear stress is induced on the cell membranes of cells larger than a predetermined size. The remaining small adipose cells can be physically separated from the suspension after the suspension is subjected to the acoustic standing wave field.