Abstract: The present invention provides biomarkers for sensitive, specific, accurate and quantitative diagnosis and assessment of chronic hypoxia. In particular, the present invention provides 2-hydroxyglutarate as a biomarker that is differentially produced in chronic hypoxia. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention are able to differentiate between chronic and acute hypoxia. Assays for levels of 2-hydroxyglutarate may be used alone or in conjunction with additional biomarkers of hypoxia to increase the precision of analysis. In particular embodiments of the invention, the level of 2-hydroxyglutarate and at least one second biomarker may be assayed to generate a hypoxic profile that can be compared to a reference or control profile, thereby diagnosing a subject as normoxic, chronically hypoxic, or acutely hypoxic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical pharmaceutical preparation for treating an inflammatory skin condition, preferably a condition associated with ischemia, comprising a supernatant of a physiological solution obtainable by cultivating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or a subset thereof in a physiological solution free of PBMC-proliferating and PBMC-activating substances for at least 1 h.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a reaction and a reaction system are provided. The reaction system includes at least one vessel for the reaction medium, which is in fluid communication with an injection tube; at least one vessel for a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the reaction medium, which is in fluid communication with a reaction tube; the injection tube being mounted so as to lead into the reaction tube such that individual drops of the reaction medium can be injected into the reaction tube and into the immiscible carrier fluid, so as to form a train of reaction chambers; at least one detector for monitoring a reaction; a means for classifying the reaction chambers; and at least one means for recirculating reaction chambers in front of at least one detector for monitoring a reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anaerobic process for biogas upgrading and hydrogen utilization comprising the use of acidic waste as co-substrate. In this process, H2 and CO2 will be converted to CH4, which will result in lower CO2 content in the biogas. The invention relates to both in situ and ex situ methods of biogas upgrading. The invention further relates to a bioreactor comprising hollow fibre membranes.

Abstract: A device and method can be used for clinical virus inactivation treatment to automatically, continuously and cyclically treat plasma of a patient in a closed system. The disclosed plasma treatment device may be used for an anti-viral agent such as, for example, methylene blue photochemical plasma virus inactivation. The plasma treatment device can perform real-time treatment to the plasma in the closed system on the basis of the principle of plasma exchange and can realize real-time back-transfusion during treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater. This invention further relates to apparatus and methods for growing microbes on-site at a wastewater treatment facility, and for economically inoculating sufficient microbes to solve various treatment problems rapidly.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator device is provided. The device comprises a body, a plurality of test microorganisms, and an oxygen-modulated first fluorescent sensor. The body comprises a first layer attached to a second layer, forming at least one isolatable microchamber and at least one primary passageway that provides fluidic communication between ambience and the at least one microchamber. The microchamber has an isolated volume of about 0.5 microliters to about 9.5 microliters. The plurality of test microorganisms and the oxygen-modulated first fluorescent sensor are disposed in the microchamber. A method of using the device to determine the effectiveness of a sterilization process is also provided.

Abstract: Probiotic compositions that comprise one or more bacteria species in spore form, a thickener to form a stabilized suspension and to preferably act as a prebiotic, one or more acids or salts of acids, and optionally a water activity reducer. A system for delivering probiotic compositions by gravity feed or non-contact pump to a point of consumption by a plant or animal, preferably in conjunction with acidified drinking water, comprising a collapsible container with attachable tubing that prevent contamination of the probiotic composition within the container. Delivery may be actuated in response to a timer, motion detector, fluid level sensor, RFID tag, or other mechanism to periodically or continuously dispense a dosage of probiotic composition directly to the soil surrounding a plant or to the water or feed for an animal. A method for increasing beneficial bacteria in an animal's GIT comprises adding probiotics to acidified drinking water.

Abstract: Methods for culturing undifferentiated mammalian cells, such as stem and progenitor cells, are provided. The methods involve incubating the cell in the presence of a sustained release composition containing at least one growth factor, wherein the sustained release composition continuously releases the growth factor(s), and wherein the presence of the sustained level of growth factor maintains the cell in an undifferentiated state.