Abstract: A method for forming neuromuscular junctions includes forming functional neuromuscular junctions between motoneurons and muscle cells by co-culturing one or more human motoneurons and one or more human muscle cells in a substantially serum-free medium. A synthetic mammalian neuromuscular junction includes a human motoneuron functionally linked to a human muscle cell in a substantially serum-free medium. An artificial substrate may be used to support the one or more neuromuscular junctions.

Abstract: This invention proposes a method comprising the steps of: (a) taking an air sample in an indoor environment, then (b) detecting Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) in the sample. The step (b) comprises searching for a chemical imprint comprising at least one target molecule that is an MVOC associated with an aspergillus metabolism. Thanks to the invention, detection of such target molecules is easier and faster than detection of aspergillus strains or soluble aspergillus metabolites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating functional disability and/or pain associated with joints, tendons or connective tissue diseases, disorders or injuries comprising oral administration of a composition comprising heterologous platelet-rich plasma. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and nutritional compositions comprising heterologous platelet-rich plasma and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mask pack sheet using bio-cellulose obtained from fermented ginseng extracts, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a cosmetic mask pack sheet, comprising injecting microbial strains into a culture medium containing ginseng extracts so as to ferment the ginseng extracts and prepare a bio-cellulose sheet, and dipping the sheet into a cosmetic liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids such as blood and bone marrow are disclosed. The systems and methods may utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide to generate a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and methods for utilizing multi color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cultivating photoautotrophic micro-organisms, comprising the following steps: provision of a photosynthesis layer, which contains a photosynthesis medium and photoautotrophic micro-organisms suspended therein, in a closed accommodation space having a gas-diffusion-inhibiting outer boundary, wherein the photosynthesis layer has an average thickness of no more than 10 mm; exposure of the photosynthesis layer without eddying or feeding through a gas in the photosynthesis medium while limiting the diffusive gas exchange of the accommodation space by the environment, wherein the supply of micro-organisms in the photosynthesis medium with hydrogen carbonate ions is maintained by storing hydrogen carbonate ions in the photosynthesis medium and/or providing a photosynthesis substrate in the form of carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate from a cell-free carbon storage medium outside the photosynthesis layer; and conducting a gas formed during photosynthesis out of the accommodatio

Abstract: A method and a combination for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells are provided, as well as a method for preparation of eukaryotic cells. The methods comprise providing a sample of eukaryotic cells to be cultured, applying said sample to a cell scaffold material; and maintaining said cell scaffold material having cells applied thereto under conditions suitable for cell culture. The combination comprises eukaryotic cells and a cell scaffold material. The cell scaffold material comprises a polymer of a spider silk protein.

Abstract: A process of growing a culture of cyanobacteria or algae using chitin or chitosan as a source of nitrogen for photosynthetic growth is described. This process can be used to remove pollutants from nitrogen-deficient natural waters or wastewaters. Biomass that results from photosynthetic growth on chitin can be used, either as whole cells or the isolated components of the cells, for a large variety of commercial purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inoculating at least one agar culture medium, contained in a Petri dish, with at least one sample likely to contain microorganisms. The method includes the steps of: providing at least one agar culture medium contained in a Petri dish; providing the sample likely to contain microorganisms in liquid form; performing at least one deposition of the liquid sample onto the lid of the Petri dish such that the liquid sample can be transferred from the lid to the agar culture medium; and spraying the liquid sample, initially deposited onto the cover, onto the agar culture medium by vibrating the Petri dish.

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: This invention provides a means for cell migration assays by regulating the cells adhered to a substrate so that they migrate to a given region, which is a substrate used for cell culture comprising: a base material comprising a conductive region and an insulating region provided thereon and cell-adhesive regions and non-cell-adhesive regions provided in the conductive region and the insulating region, respectively, wherein a cell-adhesive region is positioned adjacent to a non-cell-adhesive region in the conductive region, and a cell-adhesive region is positioned adjacent to a non-cell-adhesive region in the insulating region.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for measuring the transport of analytes through a cell. The method comprises the steps of providing one or more cells containing at least 10 picograms of an analyte within a volume defined by the area of an x-ray excitation beam and a depth of live times the 1/e attenuation, depth for at least one characteristic x-ray signal of the analyte as attenuated by water. The method further comprises the step of removing at least a of portion of the analyte from the cells. The method also comprises the steps of exciting at least a portion of the analyte that has been removed from the cells with an x-ray beam; and using an x-ray detector to measure x-ray fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold organ preservation composition for transplantation comprising a cold organ preservation solution and cardiotrophin-1 or a functionally equivalent variant thereof. The invention also relates to methods and kits for the preparation of said composition, the uses thereof for the cold organ protection and/or preservation for transplantation (particularly for kidney, lung and heart) and also to the cold preservation methods and cold-preserved isolated organs by these methods.

Abstract: A date-rape drug detector includes an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the shaft is bendable and includes a plurality of notches that grip the upper rim of a beverage container. Proximal the lower end is a chamber having a testing strip therein that is deployable to a perpendicular position relative to the shaft. Along the length of the strip are a plurality of reactive spots that change color in the presence of a date-rape drug. Each successive spot is covered with a progressively thicker layer of water-soluble material than a preceding spot so that each spot requires a different submersion time in order to be exposed. Therefore, a user can test a beverage for the presence of a date-rape drug at progressive intervals.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis method for quantitatively analyzing characteristic oligosaccharide present in enoxaparin sodium is provided in this invention. The method may be used for quantitatively determining the contents of disaccharides, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides and in particular oligosaccharides having a 1,6-anhydro ring, which are unique compounds for enoxaparin sodium, within an exhaustively digested enoxaparin sodium sample with a mixture of heparinase I, II, and III, so as to quantitatively determine the molar percentage of oligosaccharides having 1,6-anhydro ring in enoxaparin sodium. The method may be used for the pharmaceutical quality control of enoxaparin sodium during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Methods and therapeutic treatments of diseases such as viral infections are provided including applying peg-Arginase I. Methods are provided that treat inflammation mediated diseases with peg-Arginase I.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for isolation of microvesicles produced by mammalian cells. These microvesicles, known as extracellular microvesicles or circulating microvesicles, are isolated from sample materials such as body fluids, or from cell culture media that has been used to culture and maintain mammalian cells in vitro. The isolation of microvesicles as described herein results in purification and concentration of the microvesicles. The invention also provides related methods for producing blood serum and/or blood plasma that is free of detectable microvesicles, largely depleted of microvesicles, or has reduced concentration of microvesicles compared to the blood serum or blood plasma starting material (collectively termed “microvesicle-depleted”).

Abstract: The present relates to methods for detecting DNA damage in subjects treated with an ATR inhibitor. More specifically, this invention relates to a method for measuring changes in levels of ?H2AX and/or pChk1Ser345 in, e.g., surrogate tissue cells, following ex vivo stimulation with a DNA damaging agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting viable cells in a cell sample, using a membrane permeable fluorescent label that permeates both viable and non-viable cells and a membrane impermeant quencher that selectively permeates non-viable cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting viable cells in a cell sample, using a membrane permeable fluorescent label that permeates both viable and non-viable cells and a membrane impermeant quencher that selectively permeates non-viable cells.