Abstract: This invention relates to the use of cortisol blockers (glucocorticoid receptor [GR] antagonists) for the prevention of addiction induced anxiety and withdrawal side effects as a therapeutic and in concert with a diagnostic. Such addictions could be, but are not limited to, alcohol, drugs, caffeine, sugar, food, nicotine, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer program for determining the optimum diet of an animal, determining what nutritional deficiencies exist in that diet, and formulating a supplement to correct those deficiencies. It allows the creation of a nutritionally complete and balanced diet with a sufficient but not excessive quantity of water, energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and vitamin-like nutrients. The specific compositions of supplements generated using the computer program are also claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus having within or as part of a housing; a sample port; a microarray port; a lysis module; a purification module for containing a solid phase for binding of oligonucleotides; a thermocycling module for containing a polymerase chain reaction; a fragmentation module; and a microarray module for holding a microarray and a liquid in contact with the microarray. The apparatus is configured to be coupled to a device for: pumping a liquid through, in order, the lysis, purification, thermocycling, fragmentation, and microarray modules; sonicating any contents of the lysis module; thermocycling the thermocycling module to perform the polymerase chain reaction; heating the fragmentation module to fragment any oligonucleotides contained therein; circulating a fluid over the surface of the microarray; and performing one or more washing or staining steps on the microarray.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for effective treatment of a lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) disease, in particular, Wolman's disease and Cholesteryl Ester Storage Disease (CESD). Among other things, the present invention provides a method of treating developmental impairment or malnutrition in an individual suffering from a lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) disease, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutic effective amount of a lysosomal acid lipase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening for a compound that enhances or inhibits the transport activity of OATP1B1, using dichlorofluorescein. The present invention also provides a use of dichlorofluorescein in measurement of the expression level of OATP1B1. The present invention further provides a method for measuring the expression level of OATP1B1 in test cells, using dichlorofluorescein. The present invention further provides a use of a kit including dichlorofluorescein and positive cells expressing OATP1B1 in measurement of the expression level of OATP1B1 in test cells.

Abstract: A method of operating a closed photobioreactor for cultivation of phototrophic microorganisms. The photobioreactor comprises a culture liquid and is partially or completely surrounded by water of a water body. A density difference between the culture liquid and the surrounding water is provided so that the position of the photobioreactor in the water body is controlled. A closed photobioreactor for cultivation of phototrophic microorganisms. The photobioreactor is adapted to comprise a culture liquid and to be partially or completely surrounded by water of a water body. The photobioreactor comprises means for determining the density difference between the culture liquid and the surrounding water.

Abstract: Processes are provided for starting up of anaerobic, deep tank fermentation systems used in the anaerobic bioconversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a gaseous substrate stream to oxygenated organic compounds such as ethanol. In the processes injectors using a motive liquid are used to introduce gas substrate into the deep tank fermentation reactor where at least one of: (i) adjusting the gas to liquid flow ratio through an injector, (ii) changing the rate of liquid flow through an injector, and (iii) adjusting the carbon monoxide mole fraction in the gas feed by admixture with at least one other gas, wherein the mass transfer of carbon monoxide to an aqueous menstruum in the reactor is controlled to obtain the robust growth of the microorganism while maintaining the carbon monoxide concentration below that amount which is unduly adverse to the microorganism.

Abstract: Provided are a use of a lipolytic enzyme for forming anti-fingerprint coating, a method of forming anti-fingerprint coating including treating a substrate with a composition comprising the lipolytic enzyme, a substrate including the anti-fingerprint coating formed by the same method, and a product including the same. The anti-fingerprint coating can reduce contamination of display devices, appearances of electronic devices or building materials by fingerprints.

Abstract: A method for identifying people involves breathing respired air into a collector unit, trapping condensate from the respired air in the collector unit, introduction of the condensate by a same introduction to a DNA sensor unit, analysis of the condensate after a cell disruption, comparison of the result the data from a databank and output of the comparison result with analysis of the identity of a person.

Abstract: A technique for sequencing nucleic acids in an automated or semi-automated manner is disclosed. Sample arrays of a multitude of nucleic acid sites are processed in multiple cycles to add nucleotides to the material to be sequenced, detect the nucleotides added to sites, and to de-block the added nucleotides of blocking agents and tags used to identify the last added nucleotide. Multiple parameters of the system are monitored to enable diagnosis and correction of problems as they occur during sequencing of the samples. Quality control routines are run during sequencing to determine quality of samples, and quality of the data collected.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for optimizing oligonucleotide hybridization probes for use in basic and clinical research. Specifically, the invention involves hybridizing serially diluted genomic sample to the oligonucleotide probes on the array, such that a signal intensity is produced for each of the probes; computationally identifying optimized probes which exhibit signal intensities that correspond to the serial dilutions of genomic sample and are reproducibly strong relative to non-optimized probes.

Abstract: The present invention provides gene expression information useful for predicting whether a cancer patient is likely to have a beneficial response to treatment with chemotherapy, comprising measuring, in a biological sample comprising a breast tumor sample obtained from the patient, the expression levels of gene subsets to obtain a risk score associated with a likelihood of a beneficial response to chemotherapy, wherein the score comprises at least one of the following variables: (i) Recurrence Score, (ii) ESRI Group Score; (iii) Invasion Group Score; (iv) Proliferation Group Score; and (v) the expression level of the RNA transcript of at least one of MYBL2 and SCUBE2, or the corresponding expression product. The invention further comprises a molecular assay-based algorithm to calculate the likelihood that the patient will have a beneficial response to chemotherapy based on the risk score.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a composition comprising Bacillus subtilis (DSM 17231) and Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 17236) with nematicidal effect against phytonematodes on plants and/or its habitat, to its use and process for its preparation, use of Bacillus subtilis (DSM 17231) and Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 17236), processes for controlling, combating and conferring specific resistance to phytonematodes, and a kit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing cells having at least one characteristic of human hepatocytes as well as to cells produced by said method and uses of these cells.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for analyzing data generated by probe arrays is described that comprises receiving user selections of two or more data files and an identification of one or more subsets of intensity values acquired from a biological probe array. The method includes iteratively opening each data file, identifying the selected subset of intensity values associated with each open data file, determining parameters for processing, storing the parameters and the identified intensity values, and closing the open data file prior to the subsequent iteration. The method then includes processing the stored intensity values using the parameters to identify one or more biological events.

Abstract: The disclosure includes: a coating composition, comprising a powdered cold-water-soluble gelling agent and surface-modified nanoparticles disposed in the powdered cold-water-soluble gelling agent; a coated film that includes a transparent film coated with the coating composition; and a device for growing microorganisms, including the coated film releasably attached to at least a portion of a body member that includes a self-supporting and water-proof substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for visual detection of hemolysis in a whole blood sample, comprising at least one visible detection compartment and a transfer passage connected to said visible detection compartment, said transfer passage being arranged to permit transfer of a volume of plasma from said sample to said detection compartment and wherein said transfer passage further is arranged with a separation device (4) for separating plasma from blood cells within said whole blood sample before said plasma reaches the detection compartment, wherein said device is arranged with subpressure means providing a subpressure inside said detection compartment for generating a force urging said volume of plasma to be transferred from said whole blood sample to said detection compartment through said transfer passage and via said separation device.

Abstract: Tissue array production method enables even roll-shaped tissue pieces having various diameters to be steadily fixed to a substrate block is provided. In a method in which roll-shaped tissue pieces formed by rolling sheet-like tissue pieces in the shape of a roll are arranged on a substrate in an array form, a tissue array is produced by placing a holding member which holds a plurality of roll-shaped tissue pieces so that their axis directions are vertically directed in a container into which a melted embedding medium is poured for its accumulation, to hold the respective roll-shaped tissue pieces in the holding member; pouring the embedding medium into the container, to form a substrate block constituted so that the plurality of roll-shaped tissue pieces is arranged in the array form; and slicing the substrate block so that the roll-shaped tissue pieces are ring-shaped.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cell disruption of microbes and the preparation of the microbe proteins for mass spectrometric analysis. The cells of microbes from microcolonies are disrupted by physical or chemical means directly on the nutrient medium. The released proteins are then transferred to sample supports by direct contact with their contact surfaces; electrophoresis can be used for assistance. Once the proteins are firmly adsorbed on the contact surfaces, they can be washed with water in order to remove substances which interfere with the ionization process. For analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI), the proteins are prepared on the contact surfaces of the sample supports with matrix substances to form MALDI samples; the sample supports are then introduced into a MALDI mass spectrometer for the acquisition of mass spectra. The microbes are identified by similarity comparisons between the mass spectra of the microbe proteins and similarly obtained reference spectra.