Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for adjusting the maturation state of mammalian sperm for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). A mammalian ejaculate is provided and incubated under controlled conditions. Aliquots of the ejaculate are assayed during incubation period at intervals to determine maturation state and changes in the maturation state by observing the percent positive cells in the aliquot. The assays are repeated with successive aliquots at intervals during incubation to observe real time changes in the maturation state. The ejaculate remaining is processed for the desired ART after the percentage of positive cells in the latest aliquot being assayed begins to decline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture medium additive comprising a xanthan polysaccharide and a mannan polysaccharide, such as a glucomannan or a galactomannan, that supports the growth of cells in suspension, and to a cell culture medium containing the additive. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a cell culture medium additive that supports the formation of multicellular bodies such as spheroids, and prevents sedimentation of cells without adversely affecting the physical properties of the cell culture medium.

Abstract: A method for producing aerobic-type single cell protein using the autolysis process, comprising the following steps: precipitation and concentration, centrifugal dewatering, drying, sterilization, smashing and packaging. The materials with moisture content of 78%˜85% after centrifugal dewatering are dried after the autolysis. The present invention and its products employ the autolysis process. During the autolysis, macromolecular nutrients and cell walls are decomposed by autolytic enzymes, to produce high content of free amino acids, free nucleotides; besides, cell wall polysaccharides are decomposed and the cells produce permeability to ensure an active material can flow out of the cell which can be directly absorbed by animals.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production. In particular, after saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, a sugar/carbohydrate stream is removed from a saccharified stream. The sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with the such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. Sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite microorganism enzyme, a method for preparing a plant nutrient solution by using the composite microorganism enzyme, and a fertilizer synergist. The method comprises the following steps: mixing fresh kelp pulp with a composite microorganism enzyme; and performing enzymolysis on the mixture of the fresh kelp pulp and the composite microorganism enzyme in an enzymolysis vessel to obtain the plant nutrient solution; the composite microorganism enzyme comprises more than one kind each of cellulase, pectinase, protease and amylase, the mass percentage of the cellulases and the pectinases being far greater than that of the proteases and the amylases. The present method for preparing a plant nutrient solution involves a simple enzymolysis process, mild reaction conditions, low costs and no other chemical compositions during the reaction processes, and maintains more of the active ingredients of the fresh kelp.

Abstract: Implementations herein relates to effect-directed identification of targeted and non-targeted androgen disruptors. The implementations include primary separation, androgenic activity testing, high throughput separation and preparation of toxicants, active component scanning based on high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry, targeted screening of suspicious androgenic substances, non-target identification of androgenic compounds combining mass spectrum, chromatography and toxicity characteristics and toxicity confirmation. The implementations perform separation using SPE and preparative separation in series to obtain high throughput separation fractions, utilize DMSO as a protective agent to optimize concentration of second fractions, utilize target databases to achieve target identification of key toxicants.

Abstract: Methods of treatment are provided herein, including administration of a population cells modified to enforce expression of an E-selectin and/or an L-selectin ligand, the modified cell population having a cell viability of at least 70% after a treatment to enforce such expression.

Abstract: A method for deep dehydration and desiccation of cyanobacteria includes steps of flocculation conditioning, high pressure diaphragm plate-frame pressure filtration, quartz glass box-type desiccation and negative pressure paddle drying.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for the prediction of tumor prognosis including the likelihood of formation of metastases or of relapse or local recurrence in tumor related diseases in a mammal and the provision of a therapy recommendation for a patient the enzyme activity of key enzymes of the energy metabolism is determined in fresh tumor tissue or fresh tumor cell mass after 24 hours incubation in a cell culture medium. Incubation reduces nutrition, drug and biopsy/surgery effects on the energy metabolism of the tissue slices or the cell mass. The quotients of enzyme activity of anaerobic enzymes are put in ratio to the enzyme activity of aerobic enzymes or vice versa. Said ratio can be taken into account for prognosis of metastasis and a therapy recommendation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the isotropy of the skin surface of a subject, and hence the degree of maturation of the said skin surface, by examining various parameters reflecting the cell organization. Methods for identifying active agents, raw materials and formulation are also provided.

Abstract: A method for intracellular delivery of single proteins or other cargo molecules by encapsulation within nanocapsules formed by interfacial polymerization of one or more types of monomers and selected protease cleavable cross-linkers is provided. The thin positively charged capsules are readily brought into the cytosol of target cells by endocytosis. The capsules are degraded by the action of endogenous proteases or co-delivered proteases on the cross-linkers releasing the functional cargo unaltered. The cross-linkers can be adapted to be cleavable by specific enzymes selected from available intracellular enzymes within the target cell or co-delivered or self-cleaving when the cargo itself is a protease. The nanocapsules produced by the methods have been shown to have long-term stability, high cell penetration capability, low toxicity and efficient protease-modulated specific degradability without affecting cargo protein function.

Abstract: System and methods for monitoring the growth of an aquatic plant culture and detecting real-time characteristics associated with the aquatic plant culture aquatic plants. The systems and methods may include a control unit configured to perform an analysis of at least one image of an aquatic plant culture. The analysis may include processing at least one collected image to determine at least one physical characteristic or state of an aquatic plant culture. Systems and methods for distributing aquatic plant cultures are also provided. The distribution systems and methods may track and control the distribution of an aquatic plant culture based on information received from various sources. Systems and methods for growing and harvesting aquatic plants in a controlled and compact environment are also provided. The systems may include a bioreactor having a plurality of vertically stacked modules designed to contain the aquatic plants and a liquid growth medium.

Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

Abstract: A method is described to separate, characterize and/or identify microorganisms in a test sample. Said method comprises the steps of (i) lysing non-microorganism cells that might be present in the sample, (ii) separating the microorganisms as a pellet in the sample post-lysing non-microorganism cells, (iii) interrogating the pellet containing microorganisms by mass spectrometry to produce mass spectra of microorganisms, and (iv) characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in the sample. The method may be used in characterizing/identifying microorganisms in complex samples, e.g., blood containing culture media.

Abstract: A method of functionalizing carbon nanotubes with metallic moieties is disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are first associated with one or more binding moieties to provide carbon nanotubes encapsulated by the binding moieties. The encapsulated carbon nanotubes are then contacted with a metal salt or a metal complex that binds to the binding moieties. Reduction of the metal salt or metal complex provides carbon nanotubes functionalized with metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for growing photosynthetic organisms lacking Photosystem II (PSII) function using externally supplied electrons shuttled into the organism using redox mediators to improve photosynthetic output and to produce and recover chemicals of interest. By removing PSII, all PAR photons are funneled toward Photosystem I, thereby significantly increasing the theoretical photon utilization efficiency for CO2 fixation, energy storage and the capacity to synthesize valuable chemicals. Additional genetic modification can be performed to insert or enhance specific metabolic pathways to generate products of commercial interest.

Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding method for concentration and washing of live mammalian cells, for preparation of human cell therapy products. Optimized parameters for a temperature regulated, completely closed, fully disposable and scalable counterflow centrifugation separation system having integrated disposables designed for both the input cells and output cells are provided.

Abstract: A streamlined method for purifying alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) from an AAT-containing protein mixture, such as Coh fraction IV precipitate, is provided. In the method of the invention, contaminating proteins are destabilized by cleavage of disulfide bonds with a reducing reagent, such as dithiol, which does not affect AAT. The destabilized proteins are then preferentially adsorbed on a solid protein-adsorbing material, without the addition of a salt as a precipitante. Spearation of the solid absorbent from the solution leaves a purified AAT solution that is directly suitabale for chromatographic purification, without the need for extensive desalting as in prior art processes. A process incorporating this method, which provides pharmaceutical grade AAT in high yield on a commercial scale, is also described.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for high throughput purification of particles. In some cases, methods and devices described herein can be used to remove erythrocytes and purify leukocytes and raise the quality of umbilical cord blood and other transplant grafts, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.

Abstract: A process is described for making acrylic acid from dextrose, which comprises fermenting dextrose; removing solids from the resulting fermentation broth; removing lactic acid from the clarified broth by extraction into an organic solvent; separating out the lactic acid-loaded organic solvent while recycling at least a portion of the remainder back to the fermentation step; reacting the lactic acid with ammonia to provide a dehydration feed comprising ammonium lactate while preferably recycling the organic solvent; carrying out a vapor phase dehydration of the ammonium lactate to produce a crude acrylic acid product; and purifying the crude acrylic acid by distillation followed by melt crystallization, chromatography or both melt crystallization and chromatography.