Abstract: There is provided a method for quantifying a subject substance, of which typical examples are amino acids. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps: the step of allowing an enzyme that can generate pyrophosphate by using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a substrate with converting the subject substance to act on the subject substance to generate pyrophosphate; the step of allowing pyruvate pyrophosphate dikinase (PPDK) to act on the generated pyrophosphate in the presence of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to generate ATP, phosphoric acid, and pyruvate; and the step of quantifying the generated pyruvate, and amount of the subject substance is determined on the basis of the obtained amount of pyruvate. According to the present invention, an amino acid in a biological sample containing a lot of various kinds of contaminants such as inorganic phosphoric acid and urea can be conveniently and quickly quantified without being influenced by the contaminants.

Abstract: A method of producing protein nanoparticles from waste chicken feathers by enzymatic hydrolysis followed by ultrasonic treatment is disclosed. The process includes pretreatment of the chicken feathers. Then feather fibers are hydrolyzed enzymatically. The effects of enzyme concentration, hydrolysis time, and substrate concentration on particle mean size are analyzed to optimize the best condition in order to attain the smallest particles by a Box-Behnken Design. A minimum particle size is obtained by using 5 g/l feather and 3.6% enzyme with a hydrolysis time of 243 h. The hydrolyzed particles are then subjected to ultrasonic treatment to produce nanoparticles. The produced protein particles have high potential to be used in nanocomposites and adsorbents.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and supplement for preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress, including ulcer conditions, in animals are disclosed. The supplement comprises mastic gum and lecithin. The supplement may also comprise B vitamins, one or more prebiotics or probiotics, and one or more minerals as well as, pH buffers and flavoring. A disclosed method of preventing and/or treating gastrointestinal distress comprises orally dosing an animal with the supplement at least one daily.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fenestrated bone wrap graft and a method of preparing cortical bone in thin sheets then fully demineralizing it to give it formed flexibility and then creating fenestrations in the cortical bone in a fashion similar to, but not identical to, skin grafts.

Abstract: Provided is an assay method using an encoded particle-based platform. In the assay method, first, a plurality of encoded particles having codes distinguishable from one another according to kinds of included target materials are prepared. The plurality of encoded particles are provided onto a plate including a plurality of wells by pipetting, and disposed in the plurality of wells by a self-assembly method. An analyte is provided into the plurality of wells. The codes of the plurality of encoded particles disposed in the plurality of wells are decoded. The target materials of the plurality of encoded particles are released to cause a reaction between the target materials and the analyte.

Abstract: Surfactin is produced from Bacillus subtilis ssp. containing sfp gene (lipopeptide biosurfactants produced by fermentation). Production of surfactin at present is mainly by liquid fermentation, but the production costs are high due to difficulty in purification resulted from addition of the defoaming agent during the production process. Therefore, present invention conducts physical or chemical mutation on Bacillus subtilis subsp. isolated from Thailand seawater shrimp ponds and screens for the mutant strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. based on sfp gene expression and then produces surfactin from the mutant strain by semi-solid state fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic reagent or assay for assessing the activity of a protease in vivo or in vitro and methods of detecting the presence of a cancerous or precancerous cell. The assays are comprised of two particles linked via an oligopeptide linkage that comprises a consensus sequence specific for the target protease. Cleavage of the sequence by the target protease can be detected visually or using various sensors, and the diagnostic results can be correlated with cancer prognosis.

Abstract: An aqueous multi-phase system for diagnosis of sickle cell disease is described, including two or more phase-separated phases including: a first aqueous phase including a first phase component and having a first density between about 1.025 g/cm3 and about 1.095 g/cm3; and a second aqueous phase including a second phase component and having a second density between about 1.100 g/cm3 and about 1.140 g/cm3; wherein the first density is lower than the second density; and each of the first and second phase components include at least one polymer.

Abstract: A process for the use of peracid compositions to eliminate and/or control the growth of undesirable bacteria, including contaminating bacteria, in the fermentation production of alcohol is disclosed. Beneficially, the peracid compositions and methods of use of the same do not interfere or inhibit the growth or replication of yeast and have low or no adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting and quantifying succinate in a sample. Also provided are methods for detecting and quantifying 2-oxoglutarate oxygenase enzyme and/or 2-oxoglutarate oxygenase activity in a sample and methods for screening for modulators of 2-oxoglutarate oxygenase activity.

Abstract: Methods of using WIPI-1 to impart anti-aging benefits to the skin and/or improve skin conditions resulting from reduced autophagy activity.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of abnormal glycan accumulation or a disorder associated with abnormal glycan accumulation.

Abstract: Test elements are disclosed for detecting at least one analyte concentration in a sample. The test elements are used for detecting one or more analytes such as metabolites in body fluids, especially glucose. The test elements correct for an interfering variable such as temperature and or hematocrit in a test element system via a correction factor based upon diffusion of at least one diffusable label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include compositions for controlling plant parasitic nematodes. Compositions according to certain embodiments include a carbon skeleton energy compound, a chelating agent, macronutrients, micronutrients, an ionophore, exotic micronutrients and a plant parasitic nematode antagonist. Methods for using the compositions of the invention to control plant parasitic nematodes and kits having one or more compositions for controlling plant parasitic nematodes are also described.

Abstract: Methods and kits for characterizing liver damage in an individual are provided. The methods employ the use of immune analytes as biomarkers for detecting liver damage and predicting the likelihood that an individual suffering from liver damage will experience life-threatening liver failure. Concentration values for serum albumin and other identified immune analytes are obtained or determined from a blood sample taken from the individual. The obtained concentration values are then compared to corresponding concentrations from individuals having a healthy liver. By comparing the concentrations, an individual's likelihood of developing life-threatening liver failure and needing a liver transplant within a given time period (e.g., 6 months) can be identified.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate having toxicity reduced or removed and being used for fermentation by microorganisms, comprising the steps of: pretreating, hydrolyzing, and using an electrochemical detoxification method.

Abstract: The invention relates to dose escalation enzyme replacement therapy using acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) for the treatment of human subjects having acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), and, in particular, patients with non-neurological manifestations of Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD), and in certain embodiments, NPD type B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for evaluating in vitro at least one active agent capable of preserving the functionality of epithelial stem cells, in particular of maintaining or stimulating the growth and/or the density and/or the renewal of a keratin material, consisting in determining the ability of the active agent(s) to mimic a hypoxic state in the keratin material, the active agent(s) being capable of increasing the expression of at least carbonic anhydrase IX as biological marker of hypoxia, in the keratin material treated with the active agent(s) compared with the keratin material not treated with the active agent(s). It also relates to the use of such a process.

Abstract: Blood is treated externally to a human or animal body, the blood having been extracted from a first human or animal body for delivery to a second human or animal body. The temperature and/or composition of the blood are controlled.