Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for diagnosing fungal dysbiosis in the gut of a subject with cirrhosis that involves assaying a sample from the subject for bacterial taxa. These compositions and methods are based on the discovery that there is significant correlation between fungal and bacterial diversity in gut microbiota of cirrhotic patients. Therefore, disclosed herein is a method for treating a subject with liver cirrhosis that involves assaying a gut sample from the subject for bacterial taxa to generate a bacterial profile, comparing the bacterial profile to control profiles to predict fungal dysbiosis; and treating the subject for fungal dysbiosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to Blautia Strain A useful as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A Kurthia gibsonii strain EO-06 with Deposit Number of CGMCC No. 18436, a Clostridium kogasensis strain EO-08 with Deposit Number of CGMCC No. 18438 and a Clostridium acidisoli strain EO-09 with Deposit Number of CGMCC No. 18439 are provided. The above strains can be used to treat pollution, for example, to treat industrial gas or wastewater containing ethylene oxide, which greatly improves the decontamination disposal capacity of ethylene oxide in industrial production. The present disclosure also provides a degradation agent for degrading ethylene oxide and a method for biodegrading ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A process for fermenting syngas is provided which is effective for decreasing an amount of time needed to inoculate a main reactor. The process includes propagating a culture of acetogenic bacteria to provide an inoculum for a main reactor and fermenting syngas in the main reactor.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for use in therapy of lactose intolerance or conditions arising from lactase deficiency, wherein the composition is a non-dairy solid dosage form comprising: (a) a lactase; and (b) one or more lactase-producing and/or lactase containing microorganisms selected from Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus; wherein the lactase (a) is other than a lactase derived from the said one or more microorganisms (b); and wherein the one or more lactase-producing and/or lactase-containing microorganisms (b) are in dried form. Also provided are uncoated capsule and tablet compositions containing the lactase and the lactase-producing and/or lactase-containing microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel bacterial strain deposited with the CNCM under number 1-4969. This strain has properties that are useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The invention also relates to compositions and uses of said strain.

Abstract: An electrochemical device for diagnostic purposes, and particularly point-of-care diagnostic purposes, is capable of detecting quorum sensing molecules, such as AHL, within a biological sample with high precision. The device includes at least one reference electrode (RE), at least one counter electrode (CE), and two or more working electrodes (WEs). Each working electrode differs from the other working electrode(s) with respect to at least one of the following characteristics: surface area, size, material, and coating. The device also has a sample receiving area for receiving a biological sample, wherein the electrodes and the sample receiving area is fluidly connected, and a means for transferring the sample to the electrodes for measurement, and a means for displaying a result of the measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are substrates for cell delivery to target tissues requiring treatment for various diseases that induce cell death, damage or loss of function. The substrates are configured to provide seeded cells, including stem cells, with a structural support that allows interconnection with and transmission of biological signals between the cells and the target tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of maintaining the phenotype of differentiated cells. Generally, the natural environment of the body is replicated for the differentiated cell. The differentiated cell is plated on a cell culture substrate comprising a laminin, such as laminin-521 or laminin-511. The substrate may also contain a cadherin. This maintains the phenotype of the differentiated cell.

Abstract: Provided is a method for measuring tyrosine phosphatase and tyrosine kinase activity, as a high-sensitivity measuring method, which is suitable for high throughput and which uses a compound represented by general formula (I) (in the formula, A represents a conjugated ring; L represents a linker or the like having a labeling substance at an end; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; and R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or the like).

Abstract: A apparatus for detecting cells or particles in a fluid container includes a dispenser configured to dispense at least one cell or at least one particle into a defined sub-volume of a fluid with which the fluid container is at least partially filled, and a detection apparatus configured to, in a time-coordinated manner with dispensing the at least one cell or the at least one particle by the dispenser, perform a detection in the defined sub-volume and/or in one or several sub-volumes underneath the defined sub-volume in order to sense the at least one cell or the at least one particle when entering the fluid or immediately after entering the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods for regulating and detecting the cytosine methylation status of DNA. The invention is based upon identification of a novel and surprising catalytic activity for the family of TET proteins, namely TET1, TET2, TET3, and CXXC4. The novel activity is related to the enzymes being capable of converting the cytosine nucleotide 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine by hydroxylation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for identifying malignant cancer cells that produce anti-cancer compounds.

Abstract: A method for providing an increased expression of at least one of telomerase, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and an immune regulatory factor of a stem cell in a subject is provided. The method comprises simultaneously or separately administering to the subject an effective amount of (a) a phthalide and (b) a stem cell.

Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. Increasing evidence shows autoimmune mechanisms likely promote disease progression. Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) derived plasma is rich in cytokines and growth factors that are required for growth and survival of cells during hematopoiesis. hUCB plasma attenuated the hyperactive response (Group III) and potentiated the normal response in Group I ALS patients, but did not alter that of the non-responders to PHA (Group II). The elevated activity of caspase 3/7 observed in the MNCs from ALS patients was significantly reduced by hUCB plasma treatment. The ability of hUCB plasma to modulate the mitogen cell response and reduce caspase activity suggest that the use of hUCB plasma alone, or with stem cells, may prove useful as a therapeutic in ALS patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a cell culture medium comprising a mixture of blood products from two or more donors, comprising the steps of: a) providing at least a first blood product from a first donor; b) measuring the concentration of at least one quality factor in the first blood product; c) comparing the measured concentration of a quality factor to a concentration range predefined for the quality factor; d) selecting the first blood product for the cell culture medium if the concentration measured for the quality factor is in the predefined range and optionally converting the first selected blood product into a first processed blood product or else unselecting the first blood product.

Abstract: A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 1×1010 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

Abstract: Isolated Lactobacillus strains are useful in preventing or delaying the development of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). A probiotic composition comprising the Lactobacillus strains and use of the composition in T1D prevention are provided.

Abstract: An enzyme formulation includes an encapsulated fungal enzyme which is effective for degrading at least one material selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, vulcanized rubber, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, vulcanized polymers and perfluorinated compounds. A degradation method includes treating one of the above-mentioned materials with an encapsulated fungal enzyme to degrade the material.

Abstract: The invention provides cell potency assays for measuring, determining, identifying, confirming, or validating the therapeutic potential of a cell population. Cell potency assays may be performed with various types of cells, including stem or progenitor cells, such as, for example, hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. Cell potency assays may also be performed on stem or progenitor cells that have been treated with one or more agents to enhance therapeutic potential. Hematopoietic cells having therapeutic potential are useful in downstream clinical applications for increasing engraftment, reconstitution, homing, and proliferation in vivo.