Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in vitro maturation of oocytes comprising the steps of: (a) culturing one or more GV oocytes in a culture medium, the culture medium comprising a nuclear maturation inhibiting substance and comprising one or more gonadotropins and/or one or more growth factors, the culturing taking place for a time period sufficient for cytoplasmatic maturation to occur; (b) washing the GV oocytes of step (a) to remove the nuclear maturation inhibiting substance; (c) culturing the washed oocytes of step (b) in a culture medium comprising one or more gonadotropins and/or one or more growth factors and/or MAS for a time period sufficient for nuclear maturation. The invention also relates to an oocyte culture medium comprising a nuclear maturation inhibiting substance and comprising one or more gonadotropins and/or one or more growth factors.

Abstract: Biocompatible bone graft material having a biocompatible, resorbable polymer and a biocompatible, resorbable inorganic material exhibiting macro, meso, and microporosities.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to enzymatic modification of lecithin and to hydrolyzed lecithin products obtained by such modification. One particular implementation provides methods for producing a hydrolyzed lecithin product containing hydrolyzed phospholipids, monoglycerides, and diglycerides. For example, such a method may include the steps of: (a) contacting a lecithin material, which includes a phospholipid component and a triglyceride component, in an aqueous or organic solvent medium, with a first enzyme effective to hydrolyze the phospholipid; and (b) subsequently contacting the product of step (a) with a second enzyme, effective to hydrolyze the triglyceride; under reaction conditions effective to inhibit esterification of the hydrolyzed phospholipid with released fatty acids.

Abstract: The invention rates to a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cDNA-based culture system capable of synthesis of infectious HCV in cell culture and cell-to-cell spread of the virus. The invention also relates to a method of measuring the level of HCV infection in a hepatocyte cell. A method for identifying a modulator of HCV activity is also presented, and a method for modulating HCV activity. The invention provides a reliable system for both genetic analysis of the viral genome and for the development of novel antiviral strategies.

Abstract: A method of immunotherapy to treat cancer or a synergistic anti-cancer treatment by administering an effective amount of a natural cytokine mixture (NCM), an effective amount of cyclophosphamide (CY), or an effective amount of indomethacin (INDO), wherein the NCM, CY, or INDO are administered singly or in combinations thereof. An anti-metastatic treatment method by promoting differentiation and maturation of immature dendritic cells in a lymph node; allowing presentation thereof; and preventing development of metastasis. A method of using an NCM as a diagnostic skin test for predicting treatment outcome. A method of pre-treating dendritic cells (DC) and a method of treating monocyte defects characterized by sinus histiocytosis or a negative NCM skin test. Compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response to endogenous or exogenous tumor antigens.

Abstract: Thermophilic microorganism Bacillus coagulans strain SIM-7 DSM 14043 for the production of L(+)-lactate from fermentable sugars, including dextrines and starch. The temperature of cultivation is 53–65° C. being the optimal. The final concentration of L(+)-lactate in fermentation is 12% with the yield of 95%. The cultivation of this strain of microorganism is possible without the high-temperature sterilization of equipment and media. Using cereal flour as the source of fermentable sugars, the need of the strain of the microorganism for mineral and nitrogen salts will be covered by the compounds present in the cereals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new eco-friendly process for the preparation of chiral alcohols by asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones in water using soked phaseolus aureus L (green grams).

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of filtering means comprising a housing (2) wherein are arranged parallel to one another a plurality of hollow fibers (3), whereof the porous wall (3a) of each defines an aperture (4), so that said means comprises a inner path and an outer path (B) corresponding to the volume available between the fibers and the disc separator for treating an initial sample with large volume comprising in diluted state a plurality of micro-organisms of different sizes. The invention is characterised in that during at least a concentration step, one single means of filtering is available, the atomic mass unit threshold of the porous wall (3a) of the fibers is determined so as to retain the smallest micro-organism of the initial sample, said means being used in frontal mode and discontinuously, thereby providing the output sample liquid, that is the concentrate.

Abstract: A solid medium having a 10 minute-average water absorption rate of at least 0.05 ml/minute, which is obtainable by a method for producing a solid medium comprising the steps of dissolving components of the solid medium other than solvent water into the solvent water, solidifying the obtained solution, and drying the solidified medium to remove water, wherein water is removed in such an amount that the solid medium after the removal of water should have the 10 minute-average water absorption rate of at least 0.05 ml/minute, and the amount of the solvent water is larger than a prescribed amount by an amount almost equal to the amount of the water to be removed. The solid medium does not cause growth inhibition of microorganisms due to drying, shows a superior water absorption rate to enable application of a larger amount of a sample in a short period of time, and is suitable for quick and accurate measurement tests of microbial numbers.

Abstract: An improved tissue graft construct comprising submucosa of a warm-blooded vertebrate and a preselected group of eukaryotic cells are described. The improved tissue graft constructs can be used in accordance with the present invention to enhance the repair of damaged or diseased tissues in vivo.

Abstract: A membranous enzyme not yet described in the state-of-the-art can be extracted from cellular membrane fractions of blood leukocytes or monocytes/macrophages. Also disclosed is the use of substrates of this enzyme to prepare medicaments that contain these substrates as pharmaceutical active substance. These medicaments are useful to direct pharmacologically active substances to target cells and to enrich target cells with said substances. Also disclosed are in-vitro research systems containing this enzyme used to detect other substrates of this enzyme.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating biologics within a hydrogel by using an aqueous solution of an isocyanate-functional hydrogel prepolymer which is mixed with an amount of biologics and an aqueous solution containing a dithiol crosslinking agent under physiological pH conditions. An additional bidentate crosslinking agent may be included. The product of such method may be a bioreactor or an assay device having a plurality or different biologics encapsulated at predetermined locations in a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for screening a single cell or a small group of cells for a desired biological activity. In particular, the present invention provides for delivering cell(s) to a plurality of cell isolation regions of a cell isolation device, transferring cell(s) to a plurality of wells of a cell expansion device and then detecting the potential desired biological activity of the cell(s). Each of the receptacles comprise a recess sized to isolate a single cell or small group of cells and each of the wells encompass a cavity that provides sufficient volume for cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of efficiently producing reduced coenzyme Q10 having excellent qualities which is useful as an ingredient in foods, functional nutritive foods, specific health foods, nutritional supplements, nutrients, animal drugs, drinks, feeds, cosmetics, medicines, remedies, preventive drugs, etc. This method is suitable for industrial production thereof. It is possible to handle reduced coenzyme Q10 in state of being protected from oxidation by molecular oxygen by bringing the reduced coenzyme Q10 in contact with a solvent containing a strong acid. Furthermore, when reduced coenzyme Q10 is crystallized in the presence of a strong acid, crystallization can be carried out while the formation of oxidized coenzyme Q10 as a by product is minimized, and, then high-quality crystals thereof can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for screening a single cell or a small group of cells for a desired biological activity. In particular, the present invention provides for delivering cell(s) to a plurality of cell isolation regions of a cell isolation device, transferring the cell(s) to a plurality of wells of a cell expansion device and detecting the potential desired biological activity of the cell(s). Each of the cell isolation regions comprise a bioaffinity region capable of binding a single cell or a small group of cell(s). This binding of cell(s) may be accomplished through the use of bioaffinity ligands immobilized in the bioaffinity regions of the cell isolation regions. Preferably, the wells of the cell expansion device encompass a cavity that provides sufficient volume for cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides both a method and means for regulating I?B? degradation, NF?B activity, and NF?B-dependent gene expression within living cells, tissues, and organs in-situ. The selective regulation is performed using native PR-39 peptide or one of its shorter-length homologs, for interaction with such I?B? and proteasomes as are present in the cytoplasm of viable cells. The result of PR-39 peptide interaction with I?B? is a selective alteration in the intracellular proteolytic activity of proteasomes, which in turn, causes a reduction of I?B?, a decrease of NF?B activity, and a down-regulation of NF?B-dependent gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides defined serum-free cell culture media useful in culturing fibroblasts, especially articular chondrocytes, that avoids problems inherent in the use of serum-containing media. The defined media comprise platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and chemically defined lipids, or combinations of these compounds. In another aspect, the present invention also provides tissue culture methods that comprise incubating chondrocytes in the defined serum free media. The methods enhance attachment and proliferative expansion of chondrocytes seeded at low density while maintaining their redifferentiation potential.

Abstract: This invention describes unique patterns of distribution of ganglioside GM1 in non-capacitated sperm and demonstrates that the pattern of distribution of GM1 undergoes changes that can be correlated with the process of capacitation and/or with acrosomal exocytosis. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a method for determining the ability of sperm to respond to capacitation and/or acrosomal exocytosis stimuli. The method comprises determination of distribution pattern for GM1. The method can be used for both diagnostic and predictive purposes when assessing male reproductive fitness, and can also be used to assess the effects on sperm of cryoprotective agents and protocols, and contraceptive agents.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a medium supplement for animal cell culture and an animal cell culture medium. The present invention relates to a medium supplement for animal cell culture comprising sericin or a sericin derivative and an animal cell culture medium comprising at least said medium supplement and a basal medium composition.

Abstract: Methods for clarification of cell samples using centrifugation in combination with depth filtration.