Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating and separating only specific cells in cell samples is provided. The cell separation operation includes inserting a needle-shaped body, on which a substance that selectively binds to a marker substance within each target cell has been immobilized, into each of the cell samples on a substrate, thereby causing the marker substance within each target cell in the cell samples to bind to the needle-shaped body through the substance that selectively binds to the marker substance, and then, pulling up the needle-shaped body. The binding force between the needle-shaped body and each target cell when the marker substance within each target cell has bound to the needle-shaped body is made greater than an adhesion force of each of the cell samples to the substrate, so that only target cells each containing the marker substance are pulled up and separated from the substrate.

Abstract: An anaerobic organic substrate treatment system is provided which comprises digester tubes wherein an inner bag of the digester tube is used to collect the solids content of the waste and an outer bag of the digester tube is used to collect the liquid and gas leachate from waste slurry input into the digester tubes. The inner bag is permeable to both gas and liquid while the outer bag is impermeable to both gas and liquid and allows for collection of gas and liquid leachate in the outer bag. Collected gas and liquid leachate may then be drained and collected using a drainage and collection system. Following treatment, the outer bag may opened to retrieve the inner bag for retrieval of the treated solids substrate. The substrate may then be used as needed. In one variant, the outer bag is re-sealable and may be reused in further treatment operations. The anaerobic waste treatment system may be used to carry out such treatment operations as storage/hydrolysis, methanization, and/or digestate treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cryopreserving the pulp of a non-exfoliated deciduous tooth, comprising a step of making with a laser a hole into the tooth removed from its physiological seat on the tooth neck. After making the hole, the tooth is contacted with a cryopreserving agent and then cryofrozen. An object of the invention further consists in mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the pulp of a cryopreserved tooth according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for separating particulate analytes or aggregates of analytes from a fluid, after the separation medium of the device is saturated with the fluid. The endpoint indicating completion of the separation is determined by saturation; therefore, no precise metering of the fluid sample is necessary. The separated analyte of interest can be detected, quantitated or its migration measured in the separation medium. The measured property of the analyte can then be correlated with a parameter of interest. In some embodiments, the device can be marked to directly read the value of the parameter of interest. In one embodiment, the fluid is blood and the device includes a volumetric capillary reservoir for collecting the blood, a separation paper or indicator strip, and graduations for correlating the migration of red blood cells with hematocrit or hemoglobin concentration.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of the histological preparation of biological tissue comprising a method and means for preparing transparent biological specimens for examination under a light microscope.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the use of marrow adherent stem cells and their descendents; e.g., bone marrow-derived neural regenerating cells; in the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders. In certain embodiments, bone marrow-derived neural regenerating cells transplanted to sites of neural degeneration stimulate growth and/or survival of host neurons.

Abstract: A method of chemically treating partially de-ashed pulp and/or paper mill sludge to obtain products of value comprising taking a sample of primary sludge from a Kraft paper mill process, partially de-ashing the primary sludge by physical means, and further treating the primary sludge to obtain the products of value, including further treating the resulting sludge and using the resulting sludge as a substrate to produce cellulase in an efficient manner using the resulting sludge as the only carbon source and mixtures of inorganic salts as the primary nitrogen source, and including further treating the resulting sludge and using the resulting sludge to produce ethanol.

Abstract: Connective tissue regenerative compositions and methods of repairing and regenerating connective tissue using such compositions are provided. The compositions generally comprise a bioactive hydrogel matrix comprising a polypeptide, such as gelatin, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The hydrogel matrix may further include polar amino acids, as well as additional beneficial additives. Advantageously, the compositions include further components, such as osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials, medicaments, stem or progenitor cells, and three-dimensional structural frameworks. The compositions are useful for regenerating connective tissue, and can be administered to an area having injury to, or a loss of, connective tissue, such as bone, cartilage, tendon, and ligament.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for the covalent binding of a hydrogel to an extracellular matrix (ECM). Therapeutic applications include tissue repair and delivery of drugs or cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of expanding myeloid progenitor cells by culturing an initial population of cells in a medium comprising a mixture of cytokines and growth factors that promote growth and expansion of the myeloid progenitor cells. The expanded cell population provides a source of cells as therapeutic treatments for neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia arising in patients subjected to myeloablative therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Abstract: Maintenance of quiescent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) in culture without the addition of exogenous growth factors is an important aspect in clinical hematology. A recent report described the ability of Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin (FRIL) in the maintenance of cord blood (CB) derived progenitors in vitro. Since FRIL is a mannose binding lectin, the effectiveness of four such lectins of well-characterized specificities on the preservation of HSPC of CB origin have been examined. The HSPC preservation activity of lectins was assessed by in vitro colony forming unit (CFU) and long-term culture initiating cell (LTC-IC) assays. It was found that all four lectins had a HSPC preservation activity at least up to 30 days in culture without addition of exogenous growth factors. The results indicate that use of such lectins may provide a cost effective method of HSPC maintenance for clinical use.

Abstract: A cell detachment method for detaching only a desired cell from a plurality of cells cultured on a substrate under predetermined culture environment conditions by using a scanning probe microscope having a probe, comprising: observing the plural cells; specifying the cell to be detached; moving the probe onto the specified cell; and pressing the prove against the specified cell with a predetermined force so as to detach the cell from the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods generally useful in medicine, cellular biology, nanotechnology, and cell culturing are discussed. In particular, at least in some embodiments, systems and methods for magnetic guidance and patterning of cells and materials are discussed. Some specific applications of these systems and methods may include levitated culturing of cells away from a surface, making and manipulating patterns of levitated cells, and patterning culturing of cells on a surface. Specifically, a method of culturing cells is presented. The method may comprise providing a plurality of cells, providing a magnetic field, and levitating at least some of the plurality of cells in the magnetic field, wherein the plurality of cells comprise magnetic nanoparticles. The method may also comprise maintaining the levitation for a time sufficient to permit cell growth to form an assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for decreasing the fermentation inhibition in a fermentation of cellulose-derived material in a fermentor, wherein fermentation inhibitory properties of the material subjected to fermentation is decreased by an addition of at least one reducing agent to the fermentor. Further, there is provided a method of increasing the fermentability of a fermentation process comprising the steps of measuring the fermentability of the fermentation process and if the fermentability is below a reference value, then adding at least one reducing agent to the fermentation process.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the harvesting of specific materials in multiple stages of filtration of bone graft materials from a Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) Device, specifics of interconnected stages, related filtration materials, and techniques. The harvesting process collects large material in a first stage, and other materials of a limited geometric size in at least a second stage of filtration. Such material captured in the second stage may contain plasma, cellular elements including stem cells as well as growth factors and other particulate matter of a specific geometrically limited size, using various filtration approaches including centrifugation in some embodiments. Further embodiments of the invention provide for an improved tubing interface and management approach to ease use in the operating room. Filtration materials may include collagen based filters and may allow direct implant of small scale and larger scale matter in specific portions within the collagen itself.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals and to methods of making same. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.

Abstract: Provided are novel biocompatible copolymers and compositions comprising the copolymers. The copolymers are non-toxic and typically have an LCST below 37° C. Compositions comprising the copolymers can be used for wound treatment, as a cellular growth matrix or niche and for injection into cardiac tissue to repair and mechanically support damaged tissue. The copolymers comprise numerous ester linkages so that the copolymers are erodeable in situ. Degradation products of the copolymers are soluble and non-toxic. The copolymers can be amine-reactive so that they can conjugate with proteins, such as collagen. Active ingredients, such as drugs, can be incorporated into compositions comprising the copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The invention further provides for spectroscopic interrogation of the separated microorganism sample to produce measurements of the microorganism and characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism in the sample using said spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The method may also be useful for the physical separation and/or enrichment of two or more different or individual microorganism species contained in a mixed test sample. The invention further provides for spectroscopic interrogation of the separated microorganism sample(s) to produce measurements of the microorganism and characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism(s) in the sample using said spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for culturing epithelial stem cells, isolated tissue fragments comprising the epithelial stem cells, or adenoma cells, and culturing the cells or fragments in the presence of a Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) inhibitor, a mitogenic growth factor, and a Wnt agonist when culturing epithelial stem cells and isolated tissue fragments. The invention further relates to a cell culture medium comprising a BMP inhibitor, a mitogenic growth factor, and a Wnt agonist, to the use of the culture medium, and to crypt-villus organoids, gastric organoids and pancreatic organoids that are formed in the culture medium.