Abstract: As a result of acquiring visible absorption spectra of red blood cells and analyses of the spectra, inventors of the present disclosure have discovered the fact that echinocytes show a characteristic spectrum pattern having an absorption peak in a wavelength region of 450 to 490 nm between Soret and Q bands. Then, the present disclosure provides a blood analysis apparatus having an analysis section for detecting the absorption peak of a visible absorption spectrum acquired for blood. In accordance with this blood analysis apparatus, on the basis of the absorption peak, it is possible to detect echinocytes contained in blood.

Abstract: A method of treating a cancer of the central nervous system in a subject in need thereof is provided. The method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which reduces blood glutamate levels and enhances brain to blood glutamate efflux to thereby treat the cancer of the central nervous system in the subject.

Abstract: The method of making a composite biomaterial employs a binding organism (a filamentous fungi that produce mycelium) based on the material physical properties required for the composite biomaterial and a modulating organism (bacteria, fungus or yeast) based on a desired effect of the modulating organism on the binding organism. The modulating organism is selected based on the desired effect on the binding organism.

Abstract: A highly tunable bioscaffold is provided, as well as a method of manufacture of the bioscaffold and methods of use of the bioscaffold, for example for drug testing, cell propagation and for optimizing growth of a cell type, for example corneal endothelial cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant, for example, a bacterial endotoxin or a glucan, in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a test cartridge useful in the practice of hemocyte lysate-based assays for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides methods of making and using such cartridges. In addition, the invention provides a rapid, sensitive, multi-step kinetic hemocyte lysate-based assay for the detection and/or quantification of a microbial contaminant in a sample. In addition, the invention provides a glucan-specific lysate that can be used in a variety of assay formats, including, for example, a test cartridge, optionally configured to perform a kinetic assay.

Abstract: This disclosure describes providing techniques to treat large-size solids obtained from a slurry or a mash in dextrin production process as can be used in an alcohol production process. This disclosure describes a process for separating a large-particles stream from a liquid stream containing small particles of a process stream using a first mechanical separation device. The process further includes adding water to the large-particles stream to create a lower-solids stream in a cook tank. In an embodiment, the process may grind the large particles from the large-particles stream. In another embodiment, the process may adjust conditions (temperature, pH, processing aids addition) of the lower-solids stream in the cook tank and incubating for a predetermined amount of time. The process further includes separating components from the lower-solids stream by using a second mechanical separation device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a three-dimensional artificial cardiac patch construct. In some embodiments, such method includes the steps of coating a substrate with an organic polymer; allowing the organic polymer coating to air dry; mounting anchors on the organic polymer coating; and sterilizing the organic polymer coating and the anchors. In further embodiments, the method includes the steps of forming a biodegradable gel-based support scaffold on top of the organic polymer coating and seeding the biodegradable gel-based support scaffold with neonatal cardiac cells. In yet further embodiments, the method comprises culturing the neonatal cardiac cells in vitro to form a real cardiac layer, under culture conditions that are suitable for the cells to self-organize into a monolayer and detach from the substrate to form the three-dimensional cardiac patch.

Abstract: Methods of identifying polypeptides have been developed using a de novo sequencing technique. Methods use photodissociation and low-energy fragmentation and the spectra of peptide ions obtained therefrom, such as obtained by post-source decay (PSD), have been developed. The methods include photodissociation and the spectra therefrom obtainable from treating ions with predetermined wavelengths of radiation in the vacuum ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The confidence of amino acid assignments based on x-type ions is evaluated by observing complementary y-, v- and w-type ions that provide additional constraints to sequence identification.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for determining a marker in a small volume of a sample of a bodily fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flow test element having a plurality of functional zones (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), the plurality of functional zones (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) being at least partially fluidly connected and comprising an application zone (3) and a testing zone (5) fluidly connected to the application zone (3) and configured for determination of a marker in a bodily fluid and/or a constituent of the bodily fluid, applying a small volume of a liquid sample to the sample application zone (3) of the flow test element, determining a correct test performance, wherein the step of determining correct test performance comprises the steps of measuring at least one optical parameter for one or more functional zones (3; 4; 5; 6; 7), comparing the at least one optical parameter measured to at least one predefined optical parameter assigned to the one or more functional zones (3; 4; 5; 6; 7), and, if the c

Abstract: Various implementations include systems and methods for automatically and continuously dissociating spheres of cells. In particular, one such system includes a peristaltic pump in fluid communication via tubing with a bioreactor in which cells are cultivated. A plurality of conduits are disposed within a portion of the tubing such that fluid flowing between the bioreactor and the pump passes through the conduits. The conduits have an inner diameter that is sized to provide a shear stress to the fluid of between about 5 to about 60 dynes/cm2, which is sufficient for dissociating the spheres of cells passing through the conduits. For example, each conduit may have an inner diameter of between about 50 and about 250 micrometers.

Abstract: This invention is related to a method of preparing a fermented crude extract having angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiting activity. The method comprises the following steps. A material is dried, milled, and then mixed with water in a weight ratio of 1:11 to form a mixture solution. 0.1 vol % ?-amylase is used to perform hydrolysis at 95° C. for 1 hour. 0.1 vol % glucoamylase is used to perform hydrolysis at 65° C. for 4 hours. A lactic acid bacterium is added in a culture medium containing the mixture solution to perform fermentation for 24 hours. The culture medium is centrifuged to take the supernatant thereof, and the supernatant is boiled for 20 minutes. The supernatant is filtered to obtain a fermented crude extract having angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiting activity.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising dextran that comprises (i) 87-93 wt % glucose linked at positions 1 and 6; (ii) 0.1-1.2 wt % glucose linked at positions 1 and 3; (iii) 0.1-0.7 wt % glucose linked at positions 1 and 4; (iv) 7.7-8.6 wt % glucose linked at positions 1, 3 and 6; and (v) about 0.4-1.7 wt % glucose linked at (a) positions 1, 2 and 6, or (b) positions 1, 4 and 6. Aqueous forms of this composition have enhanced viscosity profiles. Further disclosed are methods of using compositions comprising dextran, such as increasing the viscosity of an aqueous composition. Enzymatic reactions for producing dextran are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fermentation production of DHA, in particular a method for producing DHA through solid culture and liquid fermentation of Schizochytrium. The method comprises steps of activation of a strain, preparation of a suspension of the strain, preparation of a primary seed, preparation of a secondary solid seed, enlarging cultivation of the secondary solid seed in a fermentor, collection of cells after fermentation, and extraction of DHA oil. With the fermentation method, the seed preparation method is improved, the seed enlarging technology is simplified, the period of seed culture and fermentation is shortened, and therefore the investment is reduced and the cost is saved; in addition, the solid culture medium is of eutrophy and rich in a plurality of growth factors, and is more beneficial to the growth of the seed; cells are strong in viability and good in synchronism in solid culture medium.

Abstract: The invention refers to a composition standardized in heterologous embryo-peptides, used as a dietary supplement and to a process for its obtainment. The composition consists of heterologous embryonic extract, standardized in embryo-peptides, maltodextrin, selenium yeast, chromium yeast, zinc chelated in embryo-peptides, pyridoxine, mixture of cationic peptides, formed by enzymatic hydrolysis of vitellus and egg white remaining after chicken embryo harvesting, with antitrypsin and endocytosis promoting activity, sodium taurocholate, expanded silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, methylparaben and propylparaben.

Abstract: Object An object of the present invention is to provide a highly stable FVHO preparation and a low-hygroscopicity dried FVHO preparation. Means for achieving the object A method for producing a FVHO preparation comprising a step of allowing at least one member selected from phosphoric acid, casein peptone, D-glucosamine hydrochloride, melibiose, sorbose, lactose, fructose, melezitose, glucono-1,5-lactone, and ribitol; and a method for producing a dried FVHO preparation, comprising a step of allowing Bicine to coexist.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for preventing or delaying a chill injury response of a plant or plant part that exhibits a chill injury response. The methods comprise exposing the plant or plant part to one or more bacteria, one or more enzymes, and/or an enzymatic extract isolated from one or more bacteria. The one or more bacteria, one or more enzymes, and/or the enzymatic extract isolated from one or more bacteria are exposed to the plant or plant part in a quantity sufficient to prevent or delay the chill injury response of the plant or plant part.

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: Provided is the development of a convenient LA detection method in which even a sample derived from a patient who receives anticoagulant therapy of warfarin, heparin or the like, is not affected by the anticoagulant therapy, discrimination from the deficiency of blood coagulation factors is enabled, and healthy person's plasma is not used. The method for detecting lupus anticoagulant includes the following steps (A), (B) and (C): (A) a step of adding a buffer solution composition containing blood coagulation factors to each of a blood sample and a diluted sample of the blood sample before measurement or at the time of measurement of the blood coagulation time; (B) a step of measuring the blood coagulation times for the various samples of step (A); and (C) a step of comparing the blood coagulation times for the various samples obtained in step (B).

Abstract: A process for producing plasmid DNA E. coli cells comprises a pre-culture and fed-batch process. The culture media of the batch phase and the culture medium added during the feeding phase are chemically defined. The culture medium of the feeding phase contains a growth-limiting substrate and is added, for at least a fraction of the feeding phase, at a feeding rate that follows a pre-defined exponential function, thereby controlling the specific growth rate at a pre-defined value. The process results in high yield and homogeneity of plasmid DNA.

Abstract: Provided is a method of measuring blood coagulation time, the method being capable of LA detection easily and with high sensitivity as compared with the method recommended by the ISTH, without being affected by deficiency of blood coagulation factors even in a blood sample of a warfarin taker, a person who suffers from vitamin K deficiency, or a hepatic failure patient. Disclosed is a method of measuring the blood coagulation time to detect lupus anticoagulant, the method including adding a buffer solution composition containing blood coagulation factors to a blood sample before measurement or at the time of measurement of the blood coagulation time, and measuring the blood coagulation time.