Abstract: Provided herein are novel Lactobacillus fermentum strains, NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060, compositions containing the NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060 strains, and fermented dairy products and bioactive compounds prepared using the NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060 strains. Also provided are methods of modulating the immune system of a subject.

Abstract: Methods of developing and using cell lines, such as stem cell lines, for therapeutic or cosmetic use. In one embodiment, the cell lines are used to treat a wide range of degenerative and metabolic disorders including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac deficiency. Also described are methods of using such cell lines to screen for compounds that play a role in regulating a variety of processes.

Abstract: Biological indicators may be improperly activated. The disclosed subject matter is directed to methods of confirming that a biological indicator having an ampule containing a growth medium has been properly activated such that it may be assayed. The methods may include the steps of measuring a first fluorescence intensity of the biological indicator, heating the biological indicator; quenching the fluorescence intensity of the biological indicator from the first fluorescence intensity to a second fluorescence intensity, measuring the second fluorescence intensity; comparing the second fluorescence intensity and first fluorescence intensity to obtain a comparison value; and determining that the comparison value corresponds to a quenching metric of the liquid growth medium.

Abstract: The present invention features, inter alia, pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the preparation of a medicament (e.g., a medicament for inflammation, such as an inflammatory lung disease) or in a therapeutic regimen. The compositions can include at least two active agents: a first agent that inhibits PDE4 (e.g., roflumilast) and a second active agent that inhibits the expression or activity of one or more PDE4B variants (e.g., PDE4B2). The compositions and methods will attenuate an unwanted up-regulation of a PDE4B (e.g., PDE4B2) and may thereby improve treatment with the first agent (e.g., roflumilast). For example, the second agent may improve the efficacy of the first agent, decrease the effective dose of the first agent, ameliorate the tolerance to the first agent that would otherwise develop (e.g., in patients with COPD exacerbation), reduce unwanted side effects caused by the first agent, or otherwise improve treatment regimes including a PDE4 inhibitor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for in vivo production or biosynthesis of metabolites in foreign cells using the combination of (i) one or more ferredoxin dependent enzyme(s) and (ii) a ferredoxin (Fd)/ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR) system. The ferredoxin dependent enzymes and the Fd/FNR system are from the same species or from a different but matching species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing yeast. It relates in particular to a method for producing biological yeast, comprising the use of substrates of biological origin, in particular a biological substrate which makes it possible to supplement the nutritional requirements in the yeast in terms of phosphorus. The method of the present invention makes it possible to obtain biological yeast and biological yeast extracts in accordance with European Union Regulation (EC) 834/2007. According to the invention, the phosphorus-rich biological composition is obtained by hydrolysis and solubilization of at least one plant substrate of biological origin comprising from 2 to 18 g of phosphorus per kg of product, 60% to 80% of which is in the form of phytic acid. The preferred substrate according to the invention is wheat bran.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for producing a fermentation product from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The process comprises soaking a lignocellulosic feedstock in an aqueous solution to produce a soaked feedstock. The soaked feedstock is at least partially dewatered and the at least partially dewatered feedstock is subjected to pretreating. The pretreatment chemical is sulfur dioxide, sulfurous acid or a combination thereof and can be added to the process at any stage prior to and/or during pretreatment. The pretreated feedstock composition is fed to an enzymatic hydrolysis conducted at a temperature that is higher than 58° C. The cellulose in the pretreated feedstock composition is hydrolyzed with cellulase enzymes in the presence of the dissolved solids to produce glucose. The glucose is fermented to produce the fermentation product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating neuronal and muscular cells from pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: Described our medical compositions and methods including a particulate extracellular matrix tissue in admixture with sugar. Such medical compositions, in dried forms, can demonstrate enhanced rehydration properties. Medical compositions and products as described herein find particular use in treating diseased and/or damaged tissue, such as wound repair. Related methods of manufacture and use are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for enhancing hematopoietic reconstitution of a subject. One method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of Embigin to a recipient subject and can also optionally include administering hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to the subject. Another method involves administering an inhibitor of Embigin to a donor prior to harvest of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Pharmaceutical compositions relating to the methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting one or more pathogens in one or more biological samples. The biological sample may be a food sample, a sample of a body fluid, a cell suspension, water, or a combination thereof. The present invention relates also to methods of diagnosing or predicting a disease in an individual.

Abstract: A method of enhancing or initiating regeneration of an organ in a subject in need thereof comprising the administration of endothelial cells specific to said organ, or inductive endothelial cells specific to said organ, into the area of the body in which organ regeneration is desired in said subject.

Abstract: A method of forming a scaffold comprises the steps of: preparing a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) comprising an aqueous solution of: proteins selected from the group consisting of collagen and mixtures of collagen and chitosan; and a cross-linking agent; by addition of an immiscible solvent to the solution to form the HIPE; reducing the temperature of the HIPE to solidify the HIPE; removing water and solvent by vaporisation at a temperature above the melting point of the solvent to form a porous structure; and before or after removal of solvent, causing cross-linking of the protein with the cross-linking agent to form a crosslinked scaffold structure.

Abstract: Hair follicle bulge region/LLP region CD34(+) MeSCs can be isolated from mammalian skin bearing hair follicles. These cells are multipotent and retain the ability to differentiate into cells of neural crest lineage, including glia-like cells that express the glial marker Gfap, and are able to express myelin basic protein, and to remyelinate naked (unmyelinated or demyelinated) neuronal processes with a functional, dense myelin sheath. These cells of neural crest lineage can be used to produce a dense myelin sheath on neurons which lack myelin due to genetic defect, trauma, toxin, infection, or disease process. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide methods for preparing such cells, the cells themselves and compositions containing the cells, as well as methods for using the cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for generating biological tissues that are configured for folding into a pre-determined three-dimensional form. The present disclosure utilizes contractile cells for folding a biological tissue into a three-dimensional shape. The methods include disposing a pattern of contractile cells on a surface that includes fibers actuated by the contractile cells and folding of the surface by the action of the contractile cells on the fibers. Tissues generated using the methods and systems of the present disclosure are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing viable stromal and mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue that produces high quality and high counts of stem cells with a low risk of contamination. The apparatus provides ultrasonic waves through a constant temperature bath to the tissue held in a sterile sonication container such as a test tube or jar. No sonication probe touches the tissue or the cells during the process. The stem cells produced are ready to be administered to a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to maintain pH within a range conducive for cell growth in a bicarbonate-containing cell culture system without the addition of base. The method relies on the gas transfer characteristics of the bioreactor system to modulate the CO2 transfer to and from the cell culture such that the pH of the cell culture can be maintained within a desired range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to using high oil corn to make a biochemical such as ethanol. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of making a biochemical using relatively low temperature saccharification followed by fermentation or simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of high oil corn.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, kits, and methods for separating blood plasma or serum from whole blood. The present invention further provides systems, devices, and methods for separating a volume of blood plasma or serum from whole blood.

Abstract: To provide a cell culture kit including cultured living cells of various donors, and a manufacturing method thereof. The cell culture kit includes a culture plate and living cells cultured thereon. The culture plate includes a plurality of microchambers (33) and living cells derived from various donors are adhered to surfaces of the plurality of microchambers (33). Specifically, living cells D1, D2, and D3 derived from various donors are adhered to the plurality of microchambers (33). In each microchamber (33), living cells derived from one donor or living cells derived from various donors may be cultured. The living cells derived from various donors are adhered and cultured in the cell culture kit as a whole, which makes it possible to provide a cell culture kit to conduct a test using cells derived from various donors.