Abstract: A method of producing a fine fiber, including treating a cellulose raw material with an enzyme; and fibrillating the treated cellulose raw material; treating with the enzyme under a condition where at least a ratio of endo-glucanase activity to cellobiohydrolase activity that is 0.06 or greater. The cellulose raw material may be a plant fiber. The method efficiently produces a fine fiber from a cellulose raw material at low cost and with a low environmental burden, a fine fiber, and a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identification of microorganisms either after isolation from a culture or directly from a sample. The methods and systems are configured to identify microorganisms based on the characterization of proteins of the microorganisms via high-resolution/mass accuracy single-stage (MS) or multi-stage (MSn) mass spectrometry. Included herein are also discussion of targeted detection and evaluation of virulence factors, antibiotic resistance markers, antibiotic susceptibility markers, typing, or other characteristics using a method applicable to substantially all microorganisms and high-resolution/mass accuracy single-stage (MS) or multi-stage (MSn) mass spectrometry.

Abstract: To provide means for reducing reaction interference observed when AT III is subjected to limulus test, whereby the limulus test of antithrombin III can be carried out at high accuracy. Reaction interference observed when AT III is subjected to limulus test can be reduced by subjecting AT III to a protein inactivation treatment in the co-presence of a divalent metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods suitable for determining the presence or amount of Botulinum toxin (BoNT) in a test sample by means of a luminescence assay in which the substrate peptide is composed of: an amino acid sequence susceptible to proteolytic cleavage by BoNT, an amino acid sequence corresponding to a reporter domain encoding a fluorescent or bioluminescent polypeptide, and a tag suitable for attaching the substrate peptide to a suitable support, preferably by covalent bond.

Abstract: A formulation comprising platelet rich plasma (PRP) for treatment of patients who have experienced brain injury, consisting of a mixture of human autologous plasma, D5W, glutathione, methylcobalamin, and regular insulin. The formulation is infused directly adjacent to a patient's brain through the nostrils or nares of the nasal cavity. Treatment using the formulation may be supplemented with one or more therapies including hyperbaric oxidation therapy (HBOT), cranial osteopathic therapy, intravenous (IV) nutrition, electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback, low level laser therapy (LLLT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), adult stem cell treatments, and a ketogenic diet and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil therapy.

Abstract: Survival of, or axon regeneration in a lesioned mature central nervous system (CNS) neuron is promoted by (a) contacting the neuron with a therapeutically effective amount of an exogenous activator of protein translation; and (b) detecting the resultant promotion of the survival of, or axon regeneration in the neuron.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to a biomimetic apparatus configured to simulate physiological conditions by, in part, providing for both barrier and transport interfaces. The presently disclosed apparatus may be used to: test therapeutics for different diseases; to study transport; form a substrate for any organ tissue with a barrier and/or transport function; provide a closed loop assembly for fluid flow; mimic underlying and enveloped tissue; and model external environmental conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for generating multipotent mammary stem cells from isolated and cultured human breast luminal cells. The method comprises the steps: 1. isolating and growing normal differentiated cells in vitro; 2. treating the differentiated cells with either a conditioned medium from active fibroblasts or cytokine. The invention also relates to multipotent mammary stem cells, cultures of the multipotent stem cells, differentiated cells, tissues, organs derived from the culture multipotent stem cells isolated by the methods disclosed and therapeutic and other uses for those cells thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods of modulating the deacetylase activity of SIRT1 in one or more cell by modifying the binding affinity of lamin A to SIRT1 via one or more interaction modifying compound. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of screening SIRT1-activating/inhibiting compounds based on the interaction between lamin A and SIRT1 proteins and SIRT1-activating property of lamin A. In another embodiment, the present invention provides uses of SIRT1-activating compounds to treat patient(s) suffering from metabolic and/or aging-related degenerative diseases, and uses of SIRT1-inhibiting compounds to treat human malignancies.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for measuring the transport of analytes from living, biological cells through a cell barrier, which includes, but is not limited to, steps of providing the living, biological cells loaded with analytes, unloading at least a portion of said analytes from the cells through ion channels, removing unloaded analyte remaining in the cells, and measuring the analytes using x-ray fluorescence, specifically wherein the measurement uses an energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer equipped with a microfocus x-ray tube. These steps may be repeated so that multiple measurements can be obtained over a period of time.

Abstract: Compositions comprising L-carnitine or a salt thereof, acetyl L-carnitine or a salt thereof, vitamin B9 (folic Acid), vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), arginine, vitamin C, vitamin E (?-Tocopherol), selenium, zinc, copper, iron, vitamin D and N-acetyl cysteine, and optionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are provided. Dietary supplements comprising these compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of parenterally administering a composition, the method including parenterally administering to a person a composition including krill oil in an oil-in-water emulsion. A parenterally applicable pharmaceutical composition, including an oil-in-water emulsion including a phospholipid obtained from a marine crustacean.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte with a reagentless dry test strip includes a collector for collecting a blood sample from a user. The system additionally includes a mixer for receiving the collector and mixing the blood sample. The system additionally includes reagents, located in the mixer, for mixing with the blood sample. The system additionally includes a dry test strip for receiving the blood sample mixed with the reagents.

Abstract: Due to the size and complexity of tissues such as the spinal cord and articular cartilage, specialized constructs incorporating cells as well as smart materials may be a promising strategy for achieving functional recovery. Aspects of the present invention describe the use of an electroactive, or piezoelectric, material that will act as a scaffold for stem cell induced tissue repair. Embodiments of the inventive material can also act alone as an electroactive scaffold for repairing tissues. The piezoelectric material of the present invention acts as a highly sensitive mechanoelectrical transducer that will generate charges in response to minute vibrational forces.

Abstract: Improvements in biological conversion processes and associated apparatuses are disclosed for the generation of useful end products such as ethanol, through metabolic pathways of C1-fixing bacteria that utilize, as a nutrient, a C1-carbon source from a C1-containing substrate such as an industrial waste gas. Particular aspects of the disclosure relate to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol from bleed and permeate streams and more particularly to performing such recovery with improved efficiency that can advantageously reduce capital (e.g., equipment) and/or operating (e.g., utility) costs. Particular aspects related to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol using a low pressure separator having an internal divider.

Abstract: A measurement method for human pancreatic lipase activity in a sample, includes bringing a bile acid that makes a pH for giving a maximum value of human pancreatic lipase activity to be lower than 7.7, a diglyceride and a colipase into contact with the sample at pH 7.4 or lower; and detecting a signal amount varying in accordance with the human pancreatic lipase activity in the sample, and the bile acid is a bile acid containing: one of or two or more of a-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of GDCA, GCDCA, TDCA, TCDCA and salts thereof; and/or a combination of one of or two or more of b-1-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of GCA, GUDCA, TCA, TUDCA and salts thereof, and one of or two or more of b-2-type bile acids selected from the group consisting of DCA, CDCA and salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for the enumeration of mammalian cell micronuclei, while distinguishing micronuclei from the chromatin of dead and dying cells. The method utilizes differential staining of chromatin from dead and dying cells, to distinguish the chromatin from micronuclei and nuclei that can be detected based upon fluorescent emission and light scatter following exposure to an excitatory light source. Counting of micronuclei events relative to the number of nuclei can be used to assess the DNA-damaging potential of a chemical agent, the DNA-damaging potential of a physical agent, the effects of an agent which can modify endogenously-induced DNA damage, and the effects of an agent which can modify exogenously-induced DNA damage. Kits for practicing the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the hydrolysis of biomass as well as the saccharide-containing permeate product and the protein-containing product produced by this process. In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for the production of organic compounds from the saccharide-containing product. In an additional aspect the present invention is directed to the use of the protein-containing product for the production of a fermentation medium.

Abstract: A bacterial strain of Actinoplanes sp. and and the use thereof. The bacterial strain is named Actinoplanes sp. HS-16-20, whose preservation number is CGMCC (China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center) No. 7294. The bacterial strain can be used to generate Fidaxomicin or analogs thereof or compositions containing Fidaxomicin, such as by aerobically fermenting the strain in nutrient medium containing assimilable carbon and/or nitrogen sources. Fidaxomicin has an inhibitory effect on various gram positive bacteria pathogens, and in particular, on Clostridium difficile.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fish protein oligopeptide with low allergenicity and slight fishiness, and industrial preparation method and application thereof. The method comprises the following steps: 1) washing fresh fish flesh and/or fish wastes, crushing, and adding water to obtain a mixture; 2) performing thermal denaturation on the mixture to obtain a denaturized protein solution; 3) centrifuging the denaturized protein solution to obtain a precipitate, and adding water into the precipitate and grinding, to obtain a slurry; 4) adjusting the slurry to pH 6-9, and sequentially adding a neutral protease, a papain and an alkaline protease to conduct enzymolysis, and after enzyme inactivation, to obtain an enzymatic hydrolysate; 5) centrifuging the enzymatic hydrolysate, and performing membrane filtration on centrifuged supernatant, to obtain the fish protein oligopeptide with low allergenicity and slight fishiness.