Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial tissue growth guides comprising a core and an outer sleeve, which facilitates the regeneration of damaged tissues, such as nerves. The core is fixed to the sleeve at two attachment sites so that cells seeded within the core produce mechanical tension between the attachment sites. This tension aligns the cells and the fibres of the core and provides an improved substrate for tissue regeneration. Growth guides may be surgically implanted into an individual.

Abstract: A chemostat is described that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.

Abstract: A method of detection of cells, microorganisms, or molecules by the use of various combinations of fluorogens and a chromogens which yield fluorophores and chromophores when cleaved by specific enzymes and which can be viewed by UV and visible light. Included is the method of application of a family of compounds producing both insoluble fluorophores and chromophores identified as dual enzyme substrates.

Abstract: This invention provides novel nanofiber enhanced surface area substrates and structures comprising such substrates for use in various medical devices, as well as methods and uses for such substrates and medical devices. In one particular embodiment, methods for enhancing cellular functions on a surface of a medical device implant are disclosed which generally comprise providing a medical device implant comprising a plurality of nanofibers (e.g., nanowires) thereon and exposing the medical device implant to cells such as osteoblasts.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one strain of lactic acid bacteria and/or bifidobacteria having hydrophobic surface properties, for the preparation of a composition intended for the prevention or the treatment of endotoxin mediated and/or associated disorders and human or pet food compositions prepared thereof.

Abstract: A method using O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferases (AGT) is disclosed for transferring a label from a substrate to a fusion protein comprising the AGT. This allows the detection and/or manipulating of the fusion protein, both in vitro and in vivo, by attaching molecules to the fusion proteins that introduce a new physical or chemical property to the fusion protein. Examples of such molecules are, among others, spectroscopic probes or reporter molecules, affinity tags, molecules generating reactive radicals, cross-linkers, ligands mediating protein-protein interactions or molecules suitable for the immobilisation of the fusion protein.

Abstract: A method for screening statins in their open acid form to determine the susceptibility of each tested statin to metabolic glucuronidation is provided. Also provided is a method for determining if a non-statin pharmaceutical drug co-administered with a statin that is susceptible to metabolic glucuronidation in its open acid form, will inhibit the glucuronidation of the statin and thereby increase the risk of an adverse drug interaction.

Abstract: A novel method has led to the identification of novel mixed ester-amidates of PMPA for retroviral or hepadnaviral therapy, including compounds of structure (5a) having substituent groups as defined herein. Compositions of these novel compounds in pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and their use in therapy and prophylaxis are provided.

Abstract: An ethanol unit and anaerobic digestion/bio-fertilizer unit are integrated with a cattle feedlot (or dairy operation), wherein a continuous, balanced process yields a sanitary, low- to zero-pollution, and economically efficient production of “clean beef” (or milk), fuel ethanol, and bio-gas/bio-fertilizer. Fossil fuel consumption is substantially reduced, even eliminated, and 100% of the cattle waste is treated in digesters wherein it is converted into medium-BTU gas (bio-gas), organic fertilizer and bio-compost. The ethanol unit serves the purposes of ethanol production, grain pretreatment to produce feed for the cattle and production of a thin stillage which is fed to the digesters. The grain is first processed in the ethanol unit, where the starch portion is converted into ethanol and CO2.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating an obstructed biological conduit that include administering to the conduit an agent that can degrade extracellular matrix of obstructing tissue. Particular methods include delivery of an enzyme or a mixture of several enzymes to the area or region of obstruction wherein the enzyme(s) have the capability to degrade extracellular matrix components within the obstruction thereby restoring the normal flow of transported fluid through the conduit. The invention also includes prophylactically dilating a section of conduit to minimize the risk of obstruction formation.

Abstract: A process for forming a color and odor stable polycarboxylic acid or polyhydroxy acid is provided. The process is carried out by fermenting a mixture containing a substrate which can be converted by fermentation into a polycarboxylic acid or a polyhydroxy acid, an organism capable of transforming the substrate by fermentation in a fermentation medium containing a source of carbon and energy, a source of inorganic nitrogen, a source of phosphate, a metal, a biotin which is substantially free of particulate matter and bacteria.

Abstract: A lanthanide is combined with a medium to be tested for endospores. The dipicolinic acid released from the endospores binds the lanthanides, which have distinctive emission (i.e., luminescence) spectra, and are detected using photoluminescence. The concentration of spores is determined by preparing a calibration curve generated from photoluminescence spectra of lanthanide complex mixed with spores of a known concentration. A lanthanide complex is used as the analysis reagent, and is comprised of lanthanide ions bound to multidentate ligands that increase the dipicolinic acid binding constant through a cooperative binding effect with respect to lanthanide chloride. The resulting combined effect of increasing the binding constant and eliminating coordinated water and multiple equilibria increase the sensitivity of the endospore assay by an estimated three to four orders of magnitude over prior art of endospore detection based on lanthanide luminescence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining the drug sensitivity of a microbe which comprises pouring a microbial suspension into each of the compartments or wells at a position which is in the vicinity of an electrode for measuring dissolved oxygen concentration, measuring current from each electrode at a second time interval for a third time period, each time is obtained based upon each of the measured currents at which the maximum current is obtained, obtaining each current value within a fourth time period which starts from the time at which the maximum current is obtained, detecting drug sensitivity based upon the variation condition of each current value during the fourth time period. The method allows rapid drug susceptibility measurements.