Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of yeasts to produce spiroketal fragrance materials. The preferred yeasts used in the method of the invention are Bensingtonia ciliate and Cryptococcus laurentii.

Abstract: Bone graft substitute compositions and methods of making the compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of making a composition includes contacting a mixing solution with a first mixture having calcium sulfate hemihydrate and a plasticizing material to form a second mixture; waiting a predetermined period of time after forming said second mixture; and then contacting demineralized bone with the second mixture to form the composition. A composition can be formed from a kit including a first mixture having calcium sulfate hemihydrate and a plasticizing substance, a second mixture having demineralized bone, and a mixing solution. The first and second mixtures and the mixing solution are unblended.

Abstract: Novel synthetic enzyme substrates, enhanced to have improved enzymatic specificity, are disclosed. These synthetic enzyme substrates consist of a substrate peptide that has had its specificity further improved by additional synthetic moieties, selected by combinatorial chemistry techniques, that act to sterically block non-target enzymes. These “steric restrictor” moieties may be labeled to produce a detectable signal upon enzymatic reaction. These novel substrates are particularly useful for improved enzyme substrate microarrays. Specific applications for improved protease substrate microarrays are discussed.

Abstract: A method for determining the distribution of glycation of erythrocytic membranes includes steps of bonding magnetic beads having a boric acid group with sugars on the surfaces of erythrocytic membranes, and moving the erythrocytes bonded with the boric acid-magnetic beads under an influence of an electromagnetic force. A device for determining the distribution of glycation of erythrocytic membranes includes a container as a cell for electromagnetic-phoresis, a cathode ray and an anode ray which are connected to a direct current power supply, and a magnetic sheet which is placed outside the bottom of the container. The container has an upper surface containing a cathode hole, an anode hole, a filling hole midway between the cathode hole and the anode hole for a specimen, and an excretory hole for releasing air bubbles. After physiological saline is poured into the container, the cathode ray and the anode ray are respectively inserted into the holes to be soaked in the saline.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery that nerve growth factor (NGF) is capable of preventing further demyelination of nervous tissue in pathologies characterized by the demyelination of nervous tissue (e.g. multiple sclerosis). In one embodiment, this invention provides a method for inhibiting demyelination in a subject having an inflammatory disease of a nervous tissue. The method involves administering an effective amount of NGF, an NGF analogue, or an active fragment of NGF where the effective amount is sufficient to downregulate the production of interferon ? by T cells infiltrating the central nervous system and/or to upregulate IL-10 production by glial cells.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for photo-processing of fluids, particularly complex fluids, such as blood products, pharmaceuticals, injectables and vaccines, are provided. The disclosed methods and systems employ non-laser light source(s) to generate monochromatic light energy, preferably in the range of 260 nm to 310 nm, for fluid treatment. Advantageous processing regimens and/or adjunct additives and/or agents may also be used to achieve desired and/or enhanced results, e.g., inactivation of pathogens, bacteria and/or viruses, modulation of immune response, and/or leukoreduction. Particularly preferred embodiments include specific wavelengths, novel temperature control systems and geometric/structural arrangements that provide enhanced processing results and/or efficiencies.

Abstract: A fluorescence based assay for compounds that modulate T-type calcium ion channels and that can be adapted to high throughput screening formats. Modulators of T-type channels are useful to correct functional abnormalities. These abnormalities are associated with epilepsy, pain, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, certain types of cancer, diabetes, infertility, sexual dysfunction and other undesirable conditions.

Abstract: By culturing Lysobacter sp. BMK333-48F3 (deposit number of FERM BP-7477), an antibiotic, tripropeptin Z, tripropeptin A, tripropeptin B, tripropeptin C or tripropeptin D represented by the general formula (I): wherein R is 7-methyl-octyl group, 8-methyl-nonyl group, 9-methyl-dodecyl group, 10-methyl-undecyl group or 11-methyl-dodecyl group, is obtained as antibiotics having excellent antibacterial activities against bacteria and having a novel molecular structure. These tripropeptins each have an excellent antibacterial activity against various bacteria and drug-resistant strains thereof, such as methicillin-resistant strains and vancomycin-resistant strains.

Abstract: A method of treating an autoimmune disease comprising administering to the subject a treatment effective amount of a histone hyperacetylating agent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Lipo-chito oligosaccharides (LCOs) are produced by culturing rhizobacteria cells in or on a culture medium comprising at least one of: jasmonic acid or a derivative thereof; linoleic acid or a derivative thereof; or linolenic acid or a derivative thereof. Preferably, the rhizobacteria cells are Bradyrhizobium japonicum cells having the identifying characteristics of B. japonicum strain USDA 3. Preferably, the derivative of jasmonic acid is an ester thereof, preferably methyl jasmonate. Also provided are methods for improving LCO production at low temperatures, particularly temperatures below 25° C.

Abstract: A novel method of synthesis for the manufacture of upstream products for the production of compounds with general formulas 8, 10, and 12 is described. In this synthesis, compounds with general formula 4,B are produced in a microbiological reaction.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for preparing monolayers of cells. The apparatus comprises a container (6) for a cryosubstitution system and an insert (1) for the container, the insert (1) having a surface (1a) and a plurality of orifices (3). An SCS (2) together with a cellular monolayer (20) is insertable into each of the orifices (3). The SCS (2) is thus arranged perpendicular to the surface (1a) of the insert (1).

Abstract: Methods for reducing surface adsorption of biological materials to the walls of microfluidic conduits in microscale devices are provided. In an example of the methods, one or more colloidal-size particles, such as colloidal silica particles, are flowed in a fluid within the microfluidic conduit in the presence of one or more adherent biological materials (such as one or more proteins, cells, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids and the like) to adsorb to the materials and prevent them from binding to the capillary walls of the microfluidic conduit. Other adsorption inhibition agents such as detergents and nonaqueous solvents can be used alone or in combination with colloidal particles to reduce surface adsorption in microfluidic conduits.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel phenalenone derivatives of formula (I) which are formed by the microorganism Penicillium herquei Bainer & Sartory, DSM 14142, during fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacteria inhibiting halitosis or oral malodor. In particular, the present invention relates to novel lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Weissella, which can inhibit the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria producing volatile sulfur compounds by interacting with them and generating hydrogen peroxide under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These lactic acid bacteria of the present invention are isolated from lactic acid bacteria naturally existing in the oral cavity of a person, and identified and deposited as Weissella cibaria CMU (Accession No.: KCTC 10650BP), Weissella cibaria CMS-1 (Accession No.: KCTC 10678BP), Weissella cibaria CMS-2 (Accession No.: KCTC 10679BP) and Weissella cibaria CMS-3 (Accession No.: KCTC 10680BP), respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to new keratinocytes which may be cultured in vitro and the advantageous use thereof for preparing a product which can be used to treat acute and chronic wounds.

Abstract: A reagent system is provided for substantially lysing red blood cells in a whole blood sample prior to leukocyte analysis, which system includes a first reagent for substantially lysing the red blood cells in the whole blood sample, and a second reagent for quenching the activity of the first reagent. The first reagent is formulated to include an autoclaved saponin compound and an acid selected from the group consisting of a halogenated carboxylic acid, a phosphoric acid and a combination thereof. The second reagent includes a base and has a pH value of about 8 to 12. Also provided is a method of lysing the red blood cells and stabilizing white blood cells present in a sample of whole blood.

Abstract: Proteins are incorporated into protein or polysaccharide matrices for use in tissue repair, regeneration and/or remodeling and/or drug delivery. The proteins can be incorporated so that they are released by degradation of the matrix, by enzymatic action and/or diffusion. As demonstrated by the examples, one method is to bind heparin to the matrix by either covalent or non-covalent methods, to form a heparin-matrix. The heparin then non-covalently binds heparin-binding growth factors to the protein matrix. Alternatively, a fusion protein can be constructed which contains a crosslinking region such as a factor XIIIa substrate and the native protein sequence. Incorporation of degradable linkages between the matrix and the bioactive factors can be particularly useful when long-term drug delivery is desired, for example in the case of nerve regeneration, where it is desirable to vary the rate of drug release spatially as a function of regeneration, e.g.

Abstract: Artificial dermis (1) obtained from plasma with platelets (2) and human fibroblasts. The plasma with platelets (2) is obtained from the fractionating of total blood (4) from the patient (8) by light centrifugation, and the human fibroblasts (3) from a skin biopsy (5). Clotting is obtained by adding calcium. This artificial dermis (1) provides for the rapid growth of the keratinocytes (6) seeded on its surface to build an artificial skin (7) which can easily be transplanted. Large areas of artificial dermis (1) are obtained from a small skin biopsy (5) and minimal quantities of plasma with platelets (2), which being enriched with cytokines and platelet growth factors, strengthens the proliferation of the cells seeded, both inside and on the surface. The artificial skin (7) obtained can be used to treat major burn treatments, chronic skin ulcers, etc., or be used, by employing genetically altered cells, as a vehicle for gene therapy.

Abstract: The strain of micro-organism Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 is a novel anti-microbial and anti-oxidative probiotic. It has a high anti-microbial effect on Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and moderate activity against Helicobacter pylori strains. The strain of micro-organism possesses Mn-superoxide dismutase and both its lysates and intact cells have high anti-oxidative activity, increasing the glutathione red-ox ratio in blood sera and able to capture toxic hydroxyl radicals. The strain of micro-organism could be used as a probiotic for the production of functional food (yoghurt, cheese) and non-comestibles (tablets, capsules) for the prophylaxis of intestinal and uroinfections, both for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, caused by prolonged oxidative stress.