Abstract: A composition for influencing biological growth including live cells, a fluid comprising dextrose, a protectant, and a first cytokine having a first concentration within the composition as described within the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an ?,?-alkanediol comprising the steps of a) reacting an alkanoic acid with an alkanol to give an ester, b) oxidizing at least one terminal carbon atom of the ester by contacting with a whole-cell catalyst, which expresses an alkane hydroxylase, in aqueous solution and in the presence of molecular oxygen, to give an oxidized ester, c) hydrogenating the oxidized ester to form the alkanediol and alkanol, and d) removing the alkanol by distillation, forming a reaction mixture depleted with respect to the alkanol, and recycling the alkanol in step b).

Abstract: Starch spherulites are produced by debranching of amylopectin-containing starch into short linear ?-1,4-linked glucans (e.g., short-chain amylose, SCA). The debranched linear glucans are directly converted into spherulites by heating the debranched starch mixture followed by cooling and crystallization to form well-developed spherulites. The spherulites exhibit controlled enzyme digestibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of stem cells. More specifically, the invention provides methods and compositions useful for forming three-dimensional human retinal tissue in vitro. In a specific embodiment, an in vitro method for differentiating hiPSCs into three-dimensional retinal tissue comprising functional photoreceptors comprises the steps of (a) culturing the hiPSCs to form aggregates; (b) transitioning the aggregates into a neural induction medium; (c) seeding the aggregates on to extracellular matrix coated cell culture substrates; (d) replacing NIM with a chemically-defined differentiation medium; (e) detaching NR domains; (f) culturing in suspension; and (g) adding animal serum or plasma component and retinoic acid.

Abstract: A method of measuring soluble or insoluble cell or tissue-associated collagenase activity. The substrate includes native collagen fibrils that were stained with COOMASSIE Brilliant Blue R-250. Incubation with collagenase can be observed in real-time by the generation of digested smaller fragments. The degraded blue fragments are obtained by filtration through class fibers, onto which intact collagen fibrils are retained. The filtrate containing the blue collagen fragments is incubated with a detergent in order to extract the blue dye, and the mixture is centrifuged in order to separate the dye in the supernatant from the pellet, which contains de-stained collagen fragments and other insoluble materials contained in the test samples (such as bacterial cells or tissues). The amount of dye extracted is quantified by measuring the amount of dye extracted from these fragments, i.e., the absorbance at 600 nm using a spectrophotometer or an ELISA reader.

Abstract: A composition for influencing biological growth includes a solution having a first volume and having low pH fluid base including dextrose, and albumin, wherein the concentration of albumin in the solution is between about 10 mg/ml and about 150 mg/ml.

Abstract: New, highly efficient enhancers for AFPs have now been discovered in the form of co-enzymes, and active fragments and mimetics thereof. These enhancer molecules do not have TH activity themselves, but can enhance the TH activity of AFPs by at least about 2-11 times. These molecules are so far the most effective enhancers for AFPs, and are characterized by containing coenzymes or fragments or mimetic thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials and methods of conjugating a water soluble polymer to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a therapeutic protein comprising contacting the oxidized carbohydrate moiety with an activated water soluble polymer under conditions that allow conjugation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the aforementioned materials and methods wherein the water soluble polymer contains an active aminooxy group and wherein an oxime or hydrazone linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the active aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer, and wherein the conjugation is carried out in the presence of a nucleophilic catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry transglutaminase composition, said composition is obtainable by lyophilizing or spray-drying an aqueous composition comprising a transglutaminase, a salt and at least one further component selected from the group consisting of a sugar, an amino acid, and a buffer, wherein the concentration of the salt in the aqueous composition is in the range from 5 to 100 mM. In further aspects, the present invention relates to a method of preparing said dry transglutaminase composition, a reconstituted solution, a pharmaceutical composition, and method of treatments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of increasing nitrogen fixation in a non-leguminous plant. The methods can comprise exposing the plant to a plurality of bacteria. Each member of the plurality comprises one or more genetic variations introduced into one or more genes or non-coding polynucleotides of the bacteria's nitrogen fixation or assimilation genetic regulatory network, such that the bacteria are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of exogenous nitrogen. The bacteria are not intergeneric microorganisms. Additionally, the bacteria, in planta, produce 1% or more of the fixed nitrogen in the plant.

Abstract: A method of making a composition for influencing biological growth includes obtaining a sample comprising human umbilical cord blood and having a first volume VUC, combining the sample with a quantity of PrepaCyte-CB or the equivalent having a volume VPC, wherein the ratio VUC/VPC is between about 0.60 and about 1.

Abstract: An automated cell-free protein production system comprises: a protein expression reaction unit comprising a reaction vessel that includes a plurality of dialysis tubes, each including a dialysis membrane and being open at its top; a reaction temperature control unit configured to heat or cool the reaction vessel; a pipette array comprising a plurality of pipettes and configured to suck or discharge solutions using the pipettes; a pipette array moving unit configured to move the pipette array in an upward and downward direction, a forward and backward direction or a left and right direction so as to move solutions; a protein purification unit including a magnetic field application device; and a multi-well plate mounting unit having mounted therein a multi-well plate kit configured to supply solutions that are used for protein production.

Abstract: In one form, a diagnostic element for determining at least one analyte is provided. In a further form, an analytical measuring device includes the diagnostic element. Still, other forms are related to methods for the determination of an analyte, correcting a signal generated by an analyte, and/or checking the detection optics of an analytical measuring device using the diagnostic element. Another form is related to a system for the controlled release of a reagent and the use of such a system as a circuit element. Other aspects include, but are not limited to, unique methods, techniques, products, systems and devices involving diagnostic elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proteinaceous construct comprising plasmatic or recombinant factor VIIa (FVIIa) or biologically active derivatives thereof, which are bound to a carbohydrate moiety comprising 1-4 sialic acid units, wherein the in vivo half-life of the proteinaceous construct is substantially prolonged in the blood of a mammal, as compared to the in vivo half-life of a FVIIa molecule not bound to a carbohydrate moiety. The invention also provides a method for controlling bleeding in a mammal having a bleeding disorder due to functional defects or deficiencies of FVIIa, FVIII, or FIX. The invention also provides a method for controlling bleeding in a mammal during surgery or trauma.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition for the treatment of lung diseases or disorders and diseases or disorders of the airway passages including pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome is based on the generation of a biocidal anion by an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by a peroxidase. The peroxide utilized by the peroxidase enzyme can be endogenous or can be generalized by the action of an oxidase enzyme on a suitable substrate.

Abstract: A method for performing a therapy in a subject includes providing a composition including a solution having a first volume and including a low pH fluid base including dextrose, and albumin, wherein the concentration of albumin in the solution is between about 10 mg/ml and about 150 mg/ml, and implanting within, near, or adjacent tissue of the subject an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioluminescent substrate suitably usable in a series of artificial luciferases (ALuc), and the invention provides a wavelength-shifted spectrum with a selective high intensity luminescence and high luminescence stability obtained by the use of the substrate together with ALuc. The luminescent substrate for ALuc obtained by the invention can be included together with a suitable luminescence solution in a luminescence kit. The bioluminescent substrate for ALuc of the invention can exhibit unprecedented excellent luminescence specificity and functionality in the conventional bioluminescence probe, two-hybrid assay, bioluminescent capsule, and reporter gene assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for enhancing engraftment of haematopoetic stem cells by an ex-vivo pretreatment comprising the steps of obtaining a sample containing haematopoetic stem cells and admixing a prostacyclin analog to obtain a mixture, incubating said mixture for a period of time sufficient to stimulate G alphas-signalling in said cells and optionally and isolating said stimulated cells. Further, a composition comprising a prostacyclin analog for use in the treatment of individuals undergoing haematopoetic stem cell transplantation is provided.

Abstract: Compositions of the present invention, comprising at least one digestive enzyme (e.g., pancrelipase) are useful for treating or preventing disorders associated with digestive enzyme deficiencies. The compositions of the present invention can comprise a plurality of coated particles, each of which is comprised of a core coated with an enteric coating comprising at least one enteric polymer and 4-10% of at least one alkalinizing agent, or have moisture contents of about 3% or less, water activities of about 0.6 or less, or exhibit a loss of activity of no more than about 15% after six months of accelerated stability testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the effectiveness of an active ingredient selected from C7 avocado sugars, also called avocado perseose, for preventing or treating a deficiency of the skin barrier, said method comprising the determination of the level of expression and/or activation of at least one biological marker, where said biological marker is selected from epidermal maturation markers, lipid barrier markers, hydric regulation markers and stratum granulosum regulation markers.