Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a photosynthetic scaffold that delivers oxygen and its uses for tissue engineering and the treatment of ischemia.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the development of a novel human mast cell line, USF-MC1. USF-MC1 is a mast cell precursor present in human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) that may be sustained in culture in the absence of exogenous cytokines to serve as a convenient experimental model of human mast cell activation. The SCF-independent human mast cell line USF-MC1 responds to IgE-mediated and IgE-independent stimuli in a way comparable to that of LAD2. USF-MC1 cells are useful for investigation of IgE-mediated activation mechanisms of human mast cells, contributing to the development of effective treatments for allergic disorders and other disorders. The subject invention provides a ready source of human mast cells for research, including pharmacological studies for the screening of various agents, and toxicologic, e.g., for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The mast cells can also be used as biofactories, for the large-scale production of biomolecules.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for strengthening spleen and stomach and a preparation method therefor. The method includes the step of mixing four substances listed below to obtain a mixture, wherein the mixture is the pharmaceutical composition for strengthening spleen and stomach, and the four substances are (A) ginseng ethanol extract, (B) volatile oil of largehead atractylodes rhizome and tangerine peels, (C) aqueous extract of Indian bread, yamaimo, lotus seeds, tangerine peels, liquorice root, hawthorn fruit, germinated barley, largehead atractylodes rhizome and rhizoma alismatis; (D) fermentation broth of fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide a glucan useful as water-soluble dietary fiber, its preparation and uses. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a branched ?-glucan, which is constructed by glucose molecules and characterized by methylation analysis as follows: (1) Ratio of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol to 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is in the range of 1:0.6 to 1:4; (2) Total content of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol and 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitolis 60% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; (3) Content of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher but less than 10% in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; and (4) Content of 2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,6-tetraacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; a novel ?-glucosyltransferase which forms the branched ?-glucan, processes for producing them, and their uses.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing the following tissue characteristics via environmental and chemical manipulation of the vegetative and fruiting phases of the Basidiomycete fungus Pycnoporus cinnabarinus: 1) Aerial vegetative mycelium pigmented with cinnabarinic acid; 2) Aerial vegetative mycelium without pigmentation; 3) A resupinate fruiting body pore surface pigmented with cinnabarinic acid; and 4) Thickened masses of vegetative aerial mycelium.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies includes: a common substrate formed from a flexible resilient polymeric material and having a plurality of wells formed therein; and a plurality of rigid cell carriers releasably connected to said common substrate, with said carriers arranged in the form of an array, and with each of the carriers resiliently received in one of the wells. A method of collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies with such an apparatus is carried out by depositing a liquid media carrying cells on the apparatus so that said cells settle on or adhere to said the carriers; and then (c) releasing at least one selected carrier having said cells thereon by gradual application of release energy to each carrier from the cavity in which it is received (e.g., by pushing with a probe).

Abstract: Selective enrichment media and methods for selectively growing and detecting Salmonella spp. The media comprise a carbon and nitrogen source, an inorganic salt, a fermentable sugar, one or more selective agents, and an efflux pump inhibitor. Various selective agents include sulfa drugs, surfactants, aminocoumarins, cycloheximide, supravital stains, ascorbic acid, bromobenzoic acid, myricetin, rifamycins, polyketides, and oxazolidinones. Various efflux pump inhibitors include arylpiperazines, such as 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine, and quinoline derivatives, such as 4-chloroquinoline. The selective agents and efflux pump inhibitors are provided in the media in combinations and amounts that inhibit growth of non-Salmonella microorganisms without substantially affecting growth and metabolism of Salmonella species. Methods of selectively growing and detecting Salmonella species are provided.

Abstract: A method is provided, including obtaining a population of isolated immature antigen-presenting cells; enriching a population of isolated stem/progenitor cells within a larger population of cells; activating the population of immature antigen-presenting cells; and following the activating, inducing at least one process selected from the group consisting of: differentiation, expansion, activation, secretion of a molecule, and expression of a marker, by exposing the enriched stem/progenitor cell population to the population of activated antigen-presenting cells. Inducing the at least one process includes generating a lineage specific precursor/progenitor population (LSP) from the enriched stem/progenitor cell population.

Abstract: A method for removing material from a vesicular object by securing the object, penetrating the object with a pipette, such pipette having a sealed distal tip and an aperture, advancing said pipette into the object in such a manner as to place the aperture directly adjacent to the material to be removed from the object, applying vacuum inside the pipette thereby drawing the material to be removed from the object into the pipette, and removing the pipette from the object in such a manner as to cut or otherwise separate the material in the pipette from the object thereby leaving the material removed from the object in the pipette while leaving the object undamaged.

Abstract: A method for quantifying remnant-like lipoprotein cholesterol in a sample simply and accurately without requiring separation operations, and a kit therefor are disclosed. A method for quantifying cholesterol in a remnant-like lipoprotein in a sample containing different lipoproteins including the remnant-like lipoprotein comprises a step (1) of erasing cholesterol in lipoproteins other than the remnant-like lipoprotein; and a step (2) of quantifying cholesterol in the remaining remnant-like lipoprotein. The step (1) is carried out under an action of a cholesterol esterase having a molecular weight of more than 40 kDa and not having a subunit having a molecular weight of not more than 40 kDa; and the step (2) is carried out under an action of a cholesterol esterase having a molecular weight of not more than 40 kDa or a cholesterol esterase having a subunit having a molecular weight of not more than 40 kDa.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for treating red blood cell compositions with a pathogen-inactivating compound under conditions which provide suitable pathogen inactivation while maintaining cell vitality. Also provided methods of reducing dehydration in red blood cells, as well as treated red blood cell compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organotypic cultures of epidermal cells and the use thereof for the screening of pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents. Specifically, means for the improvement of the long-term stability of such cultures are disclosed. Thus, the present invention contemplates a skin equivalent comprising (a) a dermal equivalent comprising a matrix comprising nonwoven viscose fabric and fibroblasts and (b) keratinocytes. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a method for manufacturing the skin equivalent and a method for screening agents capable of influencing skin, such as a therapeutic or cosmetic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for culturing mesenchymal stem cells, and more particularly to a medium composition for culturing mesenchymal stem cells, which contains basal medium, L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, fetal bovine serum, basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), non-essential amino acids (NEAAs), insulin, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, calcium chloride, and hydrocortisone, and a method of culturing mesenchymal stem cells using the same. According to the present invention, a number of mesenchymal stem cells required for stem cell therapy can be obtained in a short time, and the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate is improved so that they are useful for stem cell therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing artificial skin, comprising: adding a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor and a heparanase inhibitor to an artificial skin formation culture medium comprising human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts, culturing the cells in the artificial skin formation culture medium, and forming artificial skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medicine and is used to evaluate conditions and to detect connective tissue pathology (and/or organ) by clonal analysis. The present invention relates to aesthetic medicine and is used for correction of aging skin changes. The method includes: cultivation of substrate-dependent cell colonies of analyzed tissue and/or organ, at conditions which provide formation of discrete colonies applicable for visualization, statistically reliable analysis of derived colonies, determination of at least one parameter which characterizes regenerative potential of population of substrate dependent cells, determination of at least one parameter which characterizes proliferative potential of population of substrate dependent cells, and processing of obtained results which allows to evaluate regenerative ability of patient's tissue and/or organ.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detaching cultured cells that can selectively detach cultured adhered cells. The scaffold to which the cells adhere is configured from at least a cell adhesion factor containing carbon nanotubes, and by means of radiating laser light in a spot shape on the scaffold in a region where cells are adhered, a shock wave is generated by the heat arising by means of the photothermal conversion of the carbon nanotubes, and by means of this shock wave, the cells are caused to be in a non-adhered state.

Abstract: It is provided an improved aqueous solution for the preservation of tissues and organs comprising carvedilol, tacrolimus, and trimetazidine. A synergistic effect is observed for this preservation solution which is particularly effective in marginal organs, such as steatotic livers.

Abstract: The present invention has objects to provide a glucan useful as water-soluble dietary fiber, its preparation and uses. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a branched ?-glucan, which is constructed by glucose molecules and characterized by methylation analysis as follows: (1) Ratio of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol to 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is in the range of 1:0.6 to 1:4; (2) Total content of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4,5-triacetyl-glucitol and 2,3,4-trimethyl-1,5,6-triacetyl-glucitol is 60% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; (3) Content of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher but less than 10% in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; and (4) Content of 2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5,6-tetraacetyl-glucitol is 0.5% or higher in the partially methylated glucitol acetates; a novel ?-glucosyltransferase which forms the branched ?-glucan, processes for producing them, and their uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a post-extraction process for preparing low acyl gellan gum having high solubility property, the process comprising the following steps: (1) enzyme treatment of fermentation broth; (2) flocculation of fermentation broth; (3) deacylation treatment; (4) clarification treatment of deacylated solution; (5) dehydration treatment of clarified and deacylated gellan gum solution; (6) ion exchange and decoloration treatment; and (7) drying and milling. The process according to the invention produces a product, which has largely improved solubility, largely improved quality, good appearance, high transparence, and high gel strength.

Abstract: A method of liquid nitrogen surface vitrification requiring an embryo washed in a rinsing medium, then incubated in a base medium and incubated in a hold medium before being washed in a vitrification medium and produced into a vitrification droplet (270). For forming the droplet, vitrification medium (210), an intermediary fluid such as air, followed by vitrification medium containing at least one embryo (250) are aspirated into the channel. The vitrification droplet consequently can contain an air bubble (220). The vitrification droplet can be produced from an instrument with a channel and dropped directly into liquid phase nitrogen producing a vitrified droplet. The vitrified droplet can be stored in cryo-vessels, and warmed for revitalization of biological function of vitrified biological cell mass or tissues, such as oocytes and/or embryos.