Abstract: Cumulus cell (CC) gene expression is being explored as an additional method to morphological scoring to choose the embryo with the highest chance to pregnancy. The present invention relates to a novel method of identifying biomarker genes for evaluating the competence of a mammalian oocyte in giving rise to a viable pregnancy after fertilization, based on the use of live birth and embryonic development as endpoint criteria for the oocytes to be used in an exon level analysis of potential biomarker genes. The invention further provides CC-expressed biomarker genes thus identified, as well as prognostic models based on the biomarker genes identified using the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for identifying by mass spectrometry an unknown microorganism subgroup among a set of reference subgroups, including a step of constructing one knowledgebase and one classifying model per associated subgroup on the basis of the acquisition of at least one set of learning spectra of microorganisms identified as belonging to the subgroups of a group and including: constructing an adjusting model allowing mass-to-charge offsets of the acquired spectra to be corrected on the basis of reference masses-to-charges that are common to the various subgroups; adjusting the masses-to-charges of all of the lists of peaks of the learning spectra and constructing one classifying model per subgroup and the associated knowledgebase on the basis of the adjusted learning spectra.

Abstract: Nick-based methods, devices, and systems for nick-based data storage in a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence are disclosed. Digital information is encoded in a register of at least one copy of a double-stranded DNA sequence having a plurality of nickable positions. The data is translated into a sequence of values from a nick alphabet that is subsequently mapped to the plurality of nickable positions, and the DNA sequence is nicked according to the mapped values. Because the digital information is encoded as a series of nicked and non-nicked positions of a double-stranded DNA sequence, the nucleotide sequence of the DNA can be non-synthetic, or “native” DNA.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating disorders that relate to neurons that express the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of the non-cleavable conjugate comprising a molecule that is recognized and internalized by the NK-1R, and a molecule that is taken inside the cell to kill or temporarily alter the cell.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a plant pathogen, e.g. fungal and bacterial pathogens, on a plant, are described wherein an agricultural composition comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FCC1256 deposited as ATCC No. PTA-122162, a carrier, a surface-active agent and optionally a buffer, and a corresponding concentrate is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are bioprinted, three-dimensional, biological skin tissues comprising: a dermal layer comprising dermal fibroblasts; and an epidermal layer comprising keratinocytes, the epidermal layer in contact with the dermal layer to form the three-dimensional, engineered, biological skin tissue. Also disclosed are arrays of engineered skin tissues and methods of making engineered skin tissues.

Abstract: An isolated strain of Bifidobacterium longum NCIMB 42020 is useful for the treatment of viral infections, especially viral respiratory infections such as influenza, rhinovirus and RSV. Bifidobacterium longum NCIMB 42020 is also useful for clearing secondary bacterial infections.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying a diagnosis of a cancer condition for a somatic tumor specimen of a subject. The method receives sequencing information comprising analysis of a plurality of nucleic acids derived from the somatic tumor specimen. The method identifies a plurality of features from the sequencing information, including two or more of RNA, DNA, RNA splicing, viral, and copy number features. The method provides a first subset of features and a second subset of features from the identified plurality of features as inputs to a first classifier and a second classifier, respectively. The method generates, from two or more classifiers, two or more predictions of cancer condition based at least in part on the identified plurality of features. The method combines, at a final classifier, the two or more predictions to identify the diagnosis of the cancer condition for the somatic tumor specimen of the subject.

Abstract: To address the limitations deriving from the unspecific genomic cleavages of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and to identify variants with higher cleavage fidelity, the present invention describes a yeast-based assay which allows to simultaneously evaluate the on- and off-target activity towards two engineered genomic targets. The screening of SpCas9 variants obtained by random mutagenesis of the Red-II domain allowed the identification of hits with increased on/off ratios. The best performing nuclease, evoCas9, was isolated through the combination of the identified mutations within a single variant. Side by side analyses with previously reported rationally designed variants demonstrated a significant improvement in fidelity of evoCas9 of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention is a system for the production of biomass from photosynthesizing microorganisms that includes a photobioreactor comprising a transparent panel made from two transparent sheets with a separation between them, with top and bottom openings and with transparent, parallel subdivisions that form a panel of vertically arranged, transparent cells, where each transparent cell has a top opening and a bottom opening; a lower recirculation chamber in fluid contact with the bottom openings of the transparent panel; an upper recirculation chamber in fluid contact with the top openings of the transparent panel; a gas distribution tube externally arranged along the edge of said transparent panel; where said gas distribution tube comprises gas injectors arranged in fluid contact with the interior of a plurality of transparent cells; and a supporting structure that supports the transparent panel, the lower recirculation chamber, the upper recirculation chamber and the air distribution tube.

Abstract: A lactase bulk powder and a lactase preparation both have improved storage stability. The stability of a lactase bulk powder is improved by regulating the acceptable amount of glucose and/or galactose, generated during manufacturing the lactase bulk powder, within a preset range. The lactase bulk powder includes lactase, galactose and/or glucose. The total amount of galactose and glucose is more than 0 ?mol and not more than 50 ?mol per 100,000 U of lactase. The lactase preparation has the lactase bulk powder as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Temporal variations in one or more characteristics measured from a cell-free DNA sample are used to estimate a gestational age of a fetus. Example characteristics include the methylation level measured from the cell-free DNA sample, size of DNA fragments measured from the cell-free DNA sample (e.g., proportion of fetal-derived DNA fragments longer than a specified size), and ending patterns of the DNA fragments align to a reference genome.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for a bioassay that is an in vitro mimic of peripheral nerve generation using the sensory neurons that innervate the peripheral nervous system. In some embodiments, the techniques may assist in detecting the bioactivity or potency of nerve grafts (e.g., processed, acellular human allografts) for fostering or supporting peripheral nerve regeneration. In various embodiments, techniques comprise affixing neurons (e.g., a DRG) to a nerve graft segment to form a test construct; culturing the test construct in a medium; analyzing the test construct to indicate the amount of outgrowing nerve structure; and determining the potency of the nerve graft from a metric derived from the analysis. In some embodiments, techniques and materials may be used to test the effect of a varied test condition on nerve growth.

Abstract: A biological inoculant having both fertilizing and fungicidal activity is disclosed. More particularly, a bio-inoculant having the said combined effects, comprising Bradyrhizobium japonicum and specific isolates from the Trichoderma genus is disclosed. The bio-inoculant is applied to soybean crops for preventing fungi borne diseases. More particularly, the bio-inoculant of the invention is useful for protecting soybean crops against infection by Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum sp., Cercospora sp., Sclerotinia sp. and Rhizoctonia sp.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for preventing progressive heart failure in subjects with persistent left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Such methods may also be used for treating or preventing progressive heart failure in subjects with a proximal left anterior descending (LAD) lesion and persistent left ventricular dysfunction.

Abstract: Methods of determining a haplotype or partial haplotype of a DNA sample containing high molecular weight segments of genomic DNA are disclosed. Such methods may include sequencing DNA in an enriched DNA sample to produce a plurality of sequence reads, where some of the sequence reads contain a first allele of the first haplotype and other of the sequence reads contain a second allele of the first haplotype. Some methods align the sequence reads to a reference genome to produce aligned reads, where aligned reads from the first high molecular weight segment tend to cluster into islands on the reference genome. Some methods further determine distances separating adjacent aligned reads on the reference genome and select a first group of the aligned reads having separation distances to adjacent aligned reads that are smaller than a cutoff value. Using alleles from the first group of aligned reads, the method may define a first haplotype or first partial haplotype.

Abstract: Provided is a method of promoting the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila, including contacting A. muciniphila with an effective amount of a prebiotic composition including a Musa ferment. Also provided is a prebiotic composition including a Musa ferment. The prebiotic composition promotes the growth of A. muciniphila in the intestine, and reduces the body weight, fat percentage, waist circumference, and hip circumference of obese individuals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a whey protein hydrolysate, the method comprising subjecting a whey protein-containing starting material having (a) a lipid content of less than 1 mass % and/or (b) a lactose content of less than 1 mass % to hydrolysis treatment. According to the present invention, a whey protein hydrolysate having excellent flavor with reduced odor is produced by reducing the problems involving rough taste, bitterness, or an unpleasant odor caused by hydrolysis of whey proteins. It is also possible to produce a whey protein hydrolysate that is not easily discolored, and that is prevented from being degraded in quality during the production process and storage thereof.

Abstract: A system and method may be provided to receive sample RNA reads from patients and generate lists of genes and their associated RNA expression levels in each patient. Some of the RNA reads may be matched to an RNA transcript or gene or gene family in terms of their match likelihood and other RNA reads may be matched to an RNA transcript or gene or gene family through the use of one or more machine learning classifiers. A machine learning classifier may be trained based on the plurality of the lists and a plurality of corresponding patients' clinical status data to identify gene patterns that recur with a high degree of frequency in the plurality of the lists. Those gene patterns can be capable of modifying a disease or treatment response and can be targeted for drug/treatment development.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enriching a biomass of a microalga of the species Tetraselmis chuii in superoxide dismutase (SOD) by placing said microalga under abiotic stress conditions. The invention also relates to a biomass enriched in SOD as well as to an extract of the microalga and to the uses thereof as a pharmaceutical composition, as a cosmetic or in foodstuff.