Abstract: In the field of consumable materials for automatic analytical instruments, transparent plastic cuvettes having increased scratch resistance and a method for producing same includes contacting exclusively an outer surface of the transparent plastic cuvette with a liquid comprising at least one surfactant or with a triglyceride and subsequently drying the outer surface such that scattered-light optical properties of the transparent plastic are not adversely affected.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer brush constructs, for example, surfaces decorated with hyaluronan polymers, and methods of making the same. The constructs are useful as functional materials for numerous applications, e.g., as lubricants, implant coatings, bandages and other uses.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods by which the economics of the gas fermentation process are improved. The invention provides for the integration of a fermentation process, with an industrial process and an electrolyzer process. The invention provides for the intermittent supply of electrolyzer feedstock from the electrolyzer process to the bioreactor for fermentation. The electrolyzer feedstock may displace at least a portion of the C1 feedstock from the industrial process. The electrolyzer feedstock may supplement the C1 feedstock from the industrial process. Whether or not the electrolyzer feedstock supplements or displaces the C1 feedstock with electrolyzer feedstock may be based upon a function of the cost per unit of the C1 feedstock, the cost per unit of the electrolyzer feedstock, and the value per unit of the fermentation product.

Abstract: Described herein are efficient, low cost methods for making prebiotics that contain maltosyl-isomaltooligosaccharides (MIMOs), as well as compositions made by such methods.

Abstract: Methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood) include introducing a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability, surface characteristics (e.g., cell surface receptors or antigens and membrane permeability), or intracellular properties (e.g., expression of a particular enzyme).

Abstract: Useful probiotics have been selected among lactic acid bacteria strains of the genus L. acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. helveticus and L. jensenii for their ability to kill urogenital and/or gastrointestinal pathogens and their ability to inhibit internalization of urogenital and/or gastrointestinal pathogens within urogenital and/or gastrointestinal epithelial cells in humans. Probiotic compositions comprise at least one of the said lactic acid bacteria strains in combination with a suitable delivery system, such as a food product or a beverage, a food or beverage compositions, a food or beverage supplement or adjuvant.

Abstract: A method of extracting frustules from benthic pennate diatoms is disclosed. The method includes culturing benthic pennate diatoms in an industrial biofilm process, wherein in the industrial biofilm process the benthic pennate diatoms are growing on at least one surface in a water-containing compartment and wherein the benthic pennate diatoms forms a biofilm on the at least one surface; harvesting the benthic pennate diatoms from the at least one surface; and extracting the frustules by separating the frustules from organic biomass contained in the benthic pennate diatoms.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient culturing of algae in open ponds are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for making a biological material (such as a tissue or an organ of an animal) transparent at solid state. Also disclosed herein is a method for rendering a biomaterial transparent at solid state by the application of the present composition.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising bacterial strains for treating and preventing neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to glycolipid compositions, methods for making glycolipid compositions, and their uses thereof. Glycolipid compositions can be prepared via yeast-mediated catalyzed reaction, and exhibit excellent surfactant properties having high corrosion inhibition performance, good reducing surface tension efficiency. Processes of the present disclosure can provide glycolipid compositions having one or more of: a ratio of lactonic glycolipids to glycolipid acylic esters is from about 1:10 to about 10:1, a molecular weight of from about 400 g/mol to about 10,000 g/mol, a corrosion rate of carbon steel from about 0.5 MPY to about 100 MPY at room temperature and at pH 4-6. Furthermore, aqueous solutions of the glycolipid compositions of the present disclosure can have a surface tension of from about 20 mN/m to about 80 mN/m.

Abstract: This document provides materials and methods related to bacterial compositions containing at least one bacterial organism having tryptophan decarboxylase activity. For example, bacterial compositions containing at least one bacterial organism having tryptophan decarboxylase activity and methods for using such bacterial compositions to improve gastrointestinal epithelial function and/or to treat gastrointestinal disorders are provided.

Abstract: An anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine, a preparation method therefor, and uses thereof. This traditional Chinese medicine is prepared by leavening of Pleurotus sp. and Dioscorea bulbifera, pangolin scales, rhubarb, oyster, stiff silkworm, kelp, selfheal, Ligusticum wallichii, barbat skullcap, honeysuckle flower, Oldenlandia diffusa, Radix trichosanthis, Rhizoma anemarrhenae Scutellaria baicalensis, Angelica sinensis, Psoralea corylifolia, Lucid ganoderma, and coix seed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a secretagogue compound derived from oxalate degrading bacteria, for use in the treatment of an oxalate related disease and/or oxalate related imbalance in a subject, wherein the administration of the secretagogue results in a reduction of urinary oxalate and/or plasma oxalate in the subject. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a secretagogue compound, a method for treating a subject suffering from an oxalate related disease, and to a method for preparing a secretagogue.

Abstract: A bacterial strain of Rhodococcus biphenylivorans named Palladio 22 and registered at the BCCM-LMG Bacteria Collection under registration number LMG P-29520. A method is provided for the production of acrylamide following hydration of acrylonitrile using a biomass of the bacterial strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an additive or additive composition for improved production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass during enzymatic hydrolysis. More particularly, the present invention discloses petrochemical waste as an additive or an additive composition containing one or more ethylene glycol oligomers and one or more metal ions which are useful for improved production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass during enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: An evaluating method includes an evaluating step of evaluating a state of ketosis in postpartum dairy cows for a dairy cow using at least one value of concentration values of Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, BCAA, Cit, Cys, Glu, Gln, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, 3MeHis, Orn, Phe, Pro, Ser, Tau, Thr, Trp, Tyr, and Val and concentration values of ALB, ALT, AST, BHBA, BUN, Ca, gGTP, Glc, NEFA, T-Bil, TCHO, TG, and TP in blood of the dairy cow before parturition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to probiotic compositions, formulations and methods for promoting digestion and improving nutrition in birds, and probiotic compositions and formulations for increasing enzyme production and improving parameters and indications in birds.

Abstract: Process for the production of an organic acid from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The process is integrated with a pulp mill and comprises: a) pre-treating a lignocellulosic feedstock with an alkaline liquor from the pulp, thereby obtaining a pretreated cellulosic feed and a black liquor; b) subjecting the pretreated cellulosic feed from step a) to enzymatic hydrolysis, thereby obtaining a saccharide feed; c) subjecting the saccharide feed from step b) to microbial fermentation using calcium oxide from the pulp mill as a neutralising agent, thereby obtaining an organic acid calcium salt; d) treating the organic acid calcium salt with sulfuric acid, thereby obtaining the organic acid; e) optionally isolating lignin from the black liquor obtained in step a), thereby obtaining lignin and weak black liquor; and f) returning the black liquor from step a) and/or the weak black liquor from step e) to the pulp mill chemical recovery process.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of producing biosynthetic bacterial cellulose membranes having improved characteristics that are advantageous for use in various biological applications, including medicine.