Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for identifying and treating certain conditions and diseases. In certain instances, the general inventive concepts provide methods for determining rhTRAIL sensitivity of a sample and/or methods and compositions for inducing apoptosis to treat conditions and diseases with rhTRAIL.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating or preventing E. coli infections are provided. The compositions can be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions or as disinfectants, sanitizers, detergents or antiseptics, and can be used to eradicate or reduce E. coli populations and thereby treat or prevent infection by E. coli. The compositions include one or more digestive enzymes, e.g., one or more protease, lipases, and amylases. Methods of use of the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for anaerobically fermenting an organic solid waste, including: subjecting the organic solid waste to anaerobic fermentation under catalysis of a zirconium-based metal organic framework (MOF) material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the potency of a supernatant of a mammalian cell culture to be used in the treatment of an inflammatory condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of pitching yeast to fermentation reactors. More particularly, the present invention involves pitching yeast from one fermentation tank to at least one additional fermentation tank. Advantageously, yeast can be continuously pitched from fermentor to fermentor for as long as practically desirable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-fermented composition having the ability to increase the formation of butyric acid in the colon and comprising at least one cereal based fraction and at least one isolated probiotic strain of Lactobacillus as well as the use of said non-fermented composition as a synbiotic and for treatment of the metabolic syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The non-fermented composition of the invention is useful for the maintenance of a healthy gut-mucosa and/or for the provision of an increased barrier function of the gut-mucosa.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, are recombinant polypeptides comprising one or more homologous amino acid repeats; and, non-immunogenic bioconjugates comprising recombinant polypeptides comprising one or more homologous amino acid repeats and one or more therapeutic agents. Also, disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions including the recombinant polypeptides; and methods of administering the recombinant polypeptides to patients for the treatment of cancer or infections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are means for the detection and characterization of neurotoxins such as botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) or tetanus neurotoxin. The present disclosure provides methods for determining potency and activity of neurotoxins in vitro and in vivo. Also disclosed are polypeptides comprising N- and C-terminal fragments of a reporter protein that are split by a linker comprising a neurotoxin cleavage site. Cleavage of the linker by a neurotoxin decreases reporter protein activity, thereby indicating activity of the neurotoxin. Compositions and kits comprising the disclosed polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides, and cells expressing such polypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for detecting brain tumors and assessing the recurrence of such tumors by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and detecting the conversion of 5-ALA to protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) associated with brain-derived microparticles.

Abstract: Compositions and uses involving L. monocytogenes PssZ, as well as homologs, variants, and fragments thereof, are described.

Abstract: A method for growing probiotic organisms wherein the growth media includes prebiotics especially selected and prepared to be paired with the probiotic organisms being grown. The prebiotic formula is optimized to grow the desired probiotic organisms, as well as important byproducts of the growth process. Specialized freeze-drying buffers may also be paired with certain probiotic organisms for the freeze-drying process. Specific products may utilize selected probiotic organisms grown and supported with paired prebiotic formulas to promote and maintain physiological health in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions comprising Methylobacterium with anti-fungal activity, methods for controlling plant pathogenic fungi, and methods of making the compositions are provided.

Abstract: A construct for detecting cellular membrane potential includes a nanoparticle operable as an electron donor; a modular peptide attached to the nanoparticle, the peptide comprising a nanoparticle association domain, a motif configured to mediate peptide insertion into the plasma membrane, and at least one attachment point for an electron acceptor positioned at a controlled distance from the nanoparticle; and an electron acceptor. The nanoparticle can be a quantum dot and the electron acceptor can be C60 fullerene. Emission correlates with cellular membrane potential.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an enzyme preparation obtained from e-beam irradiated animal tissue, such as porcine pancreas. The present invention also pertains to methods for making such enzyme preparations, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such enzymes preparations, and methods for using such pharmaceutical compositions and enzyme preparations.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of preparing an osteogenic bone graft. The method includes introducing an anticoagulant compound into a volume of cellular material including a mononuclear cell population from the intramedullary canal of a long bone; collecting an effluent including the volume of cellular material containing the anticoagulant compound at a collection point; separating a concentrated cell fraction from the effluent, the concentrated cell fraction including the mononuclear cell population and the anticoagulant compound; and preparing an osteogenic bone graft from the concentrated cell fraction.

Abstract: A fungal strain of the genus Trichoderma with the designation HSA12 and compositions that contain said fungal strain or spores thereof is disclosed. The fungal strain or spores thereof are promoting stabilizing plant growth, increasing the yields of crops, inoculating soil, roots and/or above-ground plant parts with the fungal strain or spores with compositions containing said fungal strain or spores thereof, to increase the efficiency of nutrient intake and to improve the stress tolerance of crops as well as improving the structure and health of the soil or for decontaminating or remediating soil or a body of water and for stabilizing or reestablishing endangered or desired wild plant populations. Also disclosed is a set of primer pairs for amplifying microsatellite loci of the genome of the fungal strain in order to determine molecular markers and to identify the fungal strain. A method for determining the fungal strain is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing compositions including embryonic proteins. The method includes culturing cells under hypoxic conditions on a biocompatible surface in vitro. The culturing method produces both soluble and non-soluble fractions, which may be used separately or in combination to obtain physiologically acceptable compositions useful in a variety of medical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An improved system, method and interface for automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is disclosed which includes, in one aspect, a carrier population station comprising a workstation having a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI accepts information from a lab technologist, including information related to a scope of testing to be performed on a microorganism containing sample. The GUI controls intelligent assignment of microorganism containing samples to test panels in a manner that maximize utilization of the test carrier by grouping together samples of similar tests scopes and advantageously testing those samples using one multiplexed test panel. Customizing workflow in accordance with test scope to facilitate parallel processing of multiple samples advantageously reduces laboratory waste, decreases test latencies, increases AST system throughput and efficiency, and thus lowers the costs to the AST lab.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for culturing a buoyant target tissue. Embodiments include a first surface configured to culture a first layer of supporting cells, and a second surface configured to culture a second layer of supporting cells. The first layer of supporting cells may be formed on a portion of the first surface and the second layer of supporting cells may be formed on a portion of the second surface. The buoyant target tissue may be added to the first layer of supporting cells. The second layer of supporting cells may be placed on the first layer of supporting cells such that the buoyant target tissue is sandwiched between the first layer of supporting cells and second layer of supporting cells.

Abstract: Provided are methods for lyophilization of an aqueous thrombin solution, thrombin solutions for use in such lyophilization methods, and solid thrombin compositions produced by such methods.