Abstract: A method of elucidating the identity of an unknown metabolite comprising measuring amounts of known and unknown metabolites in subjects; associating the unknown metabolite with a specific gene from a gene association study; determining a protein associated with the specific gene and analyzing information for the protein; associating the unknown metabolite with concentrations and/or ratios of other metabolites in subjects; obtaining chemical structural data for the unknown metabolite; and using the information obtained to elucidate the identity of the unknown metabolite.

Abstract: Semi-permeable particle can be used to facilitate chemical reactions such as catalytic reactions. The semi-permeable particles are permeable to molecules having a molar mass of 1000 Daltons or less and have a mode particle size of at least 1 ?m. The semi-permeable particles have multiple discrete cavities containing an aqueous solution or suspension of an organic catalytic material. The semi-permeable particles are also impermeable to the organic catalytic materials so they are retained within the multiple discrete cavities, and the semi-permeable particles can be reused multiple times for the same or different chemical reaction.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods of measuring cleaved von Willebrand factor (VWF) fragments. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of measuring the ability of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) to cleave VWF in vivo. The invention also relates to methods of using various animal models which demonstrate ADAMTS13 activity similar to that of a human. The invention further relates to methods of measuring the cleavage products of rVWF in mammals, particularly in humans and in human plasma.

Abstract: The present invention provides bicarbonate containing and/or bicarbonate-producing compositions and methods to induce lipid accumulation in an algae growth system, wherein the algae growth system is under light-dark cycling condition. By adding said compositions at a specific growth stage, said methods lead to much higher lipid accumulation and/or significantly reduced total time required for accumulating lipid in the algae growth system.

Abstract: A method of measuring acidic species generated by degradation of a Fab or Fab? component of a Fab-PEG or a Fab?-PEG is provided. The method involves: a) cleaving PEG and a linker from the Fab-PEG or Fab?-PEG with an enzyme; b) optionally separating the PEG and linker from the Fab or Fab? to provide isolated Fab or Fab?; and c) quantitatively analyzing acidic species associated with the cleaved Fab or Fab? and/or the cleaved PEG.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing lactic acid, which includes: obtaining D-lactic acid or L-lactic acid by carrying out lactic acid fermentation using a lactic acid-producing microorganism under a pressurized condition that exceeds normal pressure and is capable of maintaining lactic acid production activity of the lactic acid-producing microorganism.

Abstract: Methods for melanoma treatment and prevention with selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor compounds and related pharmaceutical compositions, alone or in conjunction with one or more other melanoma therapies.

Abstract: A qualitative and quantitative hydrolase detection method includes providing a caged coelenterazine molecule having a detection molecule bonded between a first bonding site or a second bonding site of a coelenterazine molecule and a steric caging group; activating an uncaged coelenterazine molecule by cleaving the detection molecule in the caged coelenterazine molecule with a hydrolase enzyme; determining a light emission from a coelenterazine-activated bioluminescent enzyme reacting with the uncaged coelenterazine molecule activated in the presence of the hydrolase enzyme; and correlating the light emission for quantitatively and qualitatively determining the presence of the hydrolase enzyme.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pancreatic islet transplantation technique that enables increase of graft survival rate of pancreatic islets after pancreatic islet transplantation, to maintain survival of pancreatic islets, and to reduce the number of transplanted pancreatic islets required for normalizing blood glucose level. When performing pancreatic islet transplantation, by transplanting pancreatic islets and adipose tissue-derived stem cells together, it is possible to significantly improve graft survival rate of transplanted pancreatic islets, and reduce by half the number of transplanted pancreatic islets required for normalizing blood glucose level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually confirming and verifying the presence of human tissue or blood in a tissue specimen collection bottle and includes a test pad that inserts into the undersurface of a lid of a specimen bottle which undergoes a chromogenic reaction confirming the presence of human tissue or blood in said specimen bottle.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and apparatus to convert biomass, including wood and agricultural residues, into low-ash biomass pellets for combustion, alone or in combination with another solid fuel. Some embodiments provide processes for producing low-ash biomass from cellulosic biomass, comprising providing an aqueous extraction solution with acetic acid; extracting the feedstock to produce an extract liquor containing soluble ash, hemicellulosic oligomers, acetic acid, dissolved lignin, and cellulose-rich solids; dewatering and drying the cellulose-rich, lignin-rich solids to produce a low-ash biomass; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers to produce hemicellulosic sugars, wherein additional acetic acid is generated; removing a vapor stream comprising vaporized acetic acid from the extract; and recycling the vapor or its condensate to provide some starting acetic acid for the extraction solution. The disclosed processes can produce clean power from biomass.

Abstract: Presented herein are kits for the detection of specific beta-lactamases, including class A serine carbapenemases, metallo-beta-lactamases, AmpC beta-lactamases, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The kits presented herein include kits that permit the detection of the presence of specific beta-lactamases in bacterial samples within as few as 2 to 10 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treatment of mesenchymal stem cells, preferably from adipose origin, comprising mainly two stages, firstly the collection and isolation of mesenchymal stem cells, and secondly, a period of growth and specific treatment of cells in a conditioning or treatment medium with an oxidizing agent. The invention also comprises the cells obtained directly through the method and its use in treating diseases caused by or associated with oxidative stress.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of isotopically labeled citrulline for gnosing the presence or absence of a bacterial infection in the lungs of a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic biocomposite for bone regeneration, having a pH range of between 6.5 and 8.5, with an initial plasticity that allows the biocomposite to be easily moulded in situ and to set after 7 minutes, meaning that it can remain at the indicated location during the healing process. In addition, the biocomposite has demonstrated an ability to stimulate bone formation in hard-to-heal wounds. The material can act alone or in combination with other types of bone graft such as autografts, homografts or xenografts which act as a vehicle, as a binding material for endosseous prostheses or as a covering for endosseous implants or prostheses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating elastin fiber injuries. In additional preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of validating candidate compounds for use in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory asthma, and other related diseases. Examples of such methods include determining if the candidate compound decreases the degradation of elastic fiber in a patient administered the candidate compound by measuring, using mass spectrometry employing an internal standard, a marker of elastic fiber degradation in a sample of a body fluid or a tissue of the patient. The invention provides that a decrease in the presence of the marker compared to a control validates that the candidate compound is effective to treat, prevent, or ameliorate the disease.

Abstract: Methods for treating blood. The methods comprise obtaining whole blood from a donor, mixing the whole blood with a red blood cell enhancement composition, and incubating the mixture of whole blood and red blood cell enhancement composition. The method can be performed at a time proximate to the time of obtaining blood from the donor, or after the blood has been stored for a period of time. The method rejuvenates red blood cells.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for quantitation of metabolites of vitamin D by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The systems, kits, and methods described herein stabilize and/or promote the formation of the protonated molecular ion ([M+H]+) for the vitamin D metabolites in the ionization source (e.g., electrospray ionization (“ESI”)). Formation of the molecular ion does not involve loss of a water molecule from the parent molecule. Subsequent fragmentation of the [M+H]+ ion yields product ions that are specific to each molecular ion. The systems, kits, and methods described herein provide for no compromise in specificity and provide for a significant increase in sensitivity relative to previously described methods.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition comprising a cell line callus culture of grape berry cells grown in vitro, whereby the cell line callus culture of grape berry cells is derived from one or more of grape-berry cross section, grape-berry skin, grape-berry flesh, grape seed, grape embryo of seeded or seedless cultivars or grape seed coat.

Abstract: A reference control for cell by cell analysis on flow cytometric analyzers contains cellular analogs made of permeated blood cells containing therein aggregated intracellular proteins and preserved antigenic sites thereof, having cellular membrane permeable to antibodies and a suspension medium. The reference control is frozen after being prepared and thawed prior to use. The cellular analogs further contain a fluorescence marker therein. Further disclosed are a method of making the reference control and a method using the reference control, as an internal or stand-alone control, for measurements of cellular hemoglobin and cellular hemoglobin variant of a blood sample.