Abstract: This invention generally relates to natural gas and methylotrophic energy generation, bio-generated fuels and microbiology. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis, or “methylotrophic” conversion. Additionally, the invention provides methods to develop nutrient amendments and microbial compositions that are both specifically optimized to stimulate methanogenesis in a given reservoir. The invention also provides methods for the evaluation of potentially damaging biomass formation and scale precipitation resulting from the addition of nutrient amendments. In another embodiment, the invention provides methods for simulating biogas in sub-surface conditions using a computational model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for remediating one or more impurities (e.g., diacetyl) that are present in manufacturing an alcohol (e.g., ethanol) from cellulosic biomass. The methods and systems include reacting the one or more impurities with at least one treatment compound (e.g., an oxidizing agent, an alkali compound, or a mixture thereof) to form a reaction product that can be separated from the alcohol.

Abstract: Improved matrix or hydrogel that is formed by enzymatic crosslinking of polymers wherein the crosslinking enzyme molecules have been modified for the purpose of improving the crosslinking density, mechanical properties, or other properties of the matrix, and/or to provide improved control over the rate and/or extent of crosslinking, wherein the enzyme molecules are modified to alter the perceived volume of the enzyme molecules in the crosslinked matrix being formed. Methods of production and of use are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immobilized proline-specific endoprotease, wherein the proline-specific endoprotease is immobilized on a carrier comprising methacrylate which has been functionalized with amino dimethylene, and wherein the carrier has a particle size range of 100 to 400 ?m. The invention also relates to a process for producing beer comprising the steps of preparing a mash, fermenting the beer, and stabilizing the beer, wherein the beer is incubated with the immobilized proline-specific endoprotease.

Abstract: Reagents, methods, and kits for assaying enzymes associated with lysosomal storage diseases MPS-I, MPS-II, MPS-IIIA, MPS-IIIB, MPS-IV A, MPS-VI, and MPS VII. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for assaying one or more enzymes associated with a lysosomal storage disease. In a first embodiment, the method includes: (a) contacting a sample with a first solution to provide a solution comprising one or more lysosomal enzymes; (b) contacting the one or more lysosomal enzymes in solution with an enzyme substrate for each lysosomal enzyme to be analyzed and incubating the substrates with the enzymes for a time sufficient to provide a solution comprising an enzyme product for each lysosomal enzyme present in the sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing an acellular organic tissue for revitalisation by means of the reimplantation of living cells, said method involving the following stages: preparing the acellular tissue on an essentially flat surface, creating a plurality of holes on the surface of the tissue, distributed all over said surface and positioned so that they penetrate at least through a portion of the thickness of said tissue. The holes are suitable for containing the living cells when they are reimplanted.

Abstract: A monocyte subpopulation having a low relative amount, or substantially devoid, of CD3+ cells, CD19+ cells, CD56+ cells and optionally CD16+ cells is provided, wherein the monocyte subpopulation is for use in inhibition of neuronal degeneration, protection of neurons from glutamate toxicity or promotion of nerve regeneration in the retina or optic nerve, wherein the retina or optic nerve is damaged by a disease, disorder or condition of the eye, or for treatment of an inflammatory disease, disorder or condition of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating LAL deficiency comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of lysosomal acid lipase with an effective dosage frequency. Methods of improving growth and liver function, increasing LAL tissue concentration, and increasing LAL activity in a human patient suffering from LAL deficiency are also provided.

Abstract: The present technology relates to methods for extracting carotenoids like ?-carotene or lutein from oil obtained from/as a by-product derived from a feedstock material like starch-containing material in a processes for producing fermentation products by-products derived from a fermentative production process, in particular from an ethanol fermentation process, wherein the by-product is selected from the group consisting of distillers' wet grain (DWG), distillers' dried grains (DDG), distillers' solubles (DS), distillers' dried solubles (DDS), distillers' dried grain with solubles (DDGS), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods of preparing a population of cardiomyocytes by aligning undifferentiated pluripotent cells on a nanosacale textured surface.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of Bacillus strains and methods for using such compositions to inhibit the activity and/or growth of fungal pathogens of plants. In one embodiment, this invention provides a composition comprising Bacillus bacteria selected from the group consisting of Brevibacillus laterosporus strain CM-3, Brevibacillus laterosporus strain CM-33, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BCM-CM5, Bacillus licheniformis ATCC-11946, Bacillus mojavensis BCM-01, Bacillus pumilus NRRL-1875, Bacillus subtilis 10 DSM-10, Bacillus subtilis NRRL-1650, Bacillus megaterium BCM-07, Paenibacillus polymyxa DSM-36, Paenibacillus chitinolyticus DSM-11030, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, this invention provides a method for preparing a bacterial composition comprising one or more Bacillus strains by growing Bacillus strain bacteria until the bacteria form spores, collecting said spores, and formulating said composition.

Abstract: A reagent composition for a biosensor sensor strip is disclosed that provides for rapid rehydration after drying. The composition includes porous particles and is preferably formed as a colloidal suspension. The dried reagent composition including porous particles may provide analytically useful output from the sensor strip in a shorter time period than observed from dried reagent compositions using solid particles. The output signal from the porous particle compositions may be correlated to the analyte concentration of a sample within about two seconds. In this manner, an accurate concentration determination of an analyte concentration in a sample may be obtained in less time than from sensor strips including conventional compositions. The reagent composition including the porous particles also may allow for the redox reaction between the reagents and the analyte to reach a maximum kinetic performance in a shorter time period than observed from conventional sensor strips.

Abstract: Methods are described for the isolation and selection of a heterogeneous bone marrow cell population, called NCS-01, that is effective at treating neurodegeneration. For example, NCS-01 cells are shown to treat neurodegeneration caused by ischemia. In vivo studies demonstrate that selected NCS-01 cell populations treat neurodegeneration in a standard rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model under conditions of transient or permanent total arterial occlusion. These studies also disclose that when the neurodegeneration is caused by ischemic stroke, combining the administration of a selected NCS-01 cell population with thrombolytic agents and/or mechanical methods of clot removal leads to a decrease in the volume of infarction caused by acute onset neurodegeneration. The disclosed cell therapy promises to make a significant clinical impact on patient survival after stroke.

Abstract: Systems, techniques and methods for estimating the metabolic state or flux, e.g., the body energy state (“BES”) of a patient, are disclosed. The BES provides a deep insight into the nutritional needs of the patient, thus allowing for a sort of exquisite glycemic control with regard to the patient. The invention discloses systems and methods for estimating fractional gluconeogenesis. The invention also discloses systems and methods for estimating and targeting patient blood lactate concentration, both as a target itself and as an intermediate step to estimating and targeting patient fractional gluconeogenesis glucose production. Nutritional support methods and formulations are also disclosed. The invention is suitable for any sort of patient, including those who are injured, such as with traumatic brain injury, ill, or have other conditions that stress the metabolic system.

Abstract: A method, for the identification of bacterial isolates suitable for use in bacteriotherapy, the method comprising: (i) preparing a suspension of material collected from a host harboring microbiota; (ii) addition of an activator of bacterial spores sufficient to allow growth of bacteria from spores present in the suspension; (iii) culturing the suspension; and (iv) identification of at least one bacterial species within the culture.

Abstract: The group of inventions relates to the field of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive cosmetology/medicine, and more particularly to meso threads used for remedying aesthetic and age-related changes to the skin, and to methods for producing such threads. Proposed is a multicomponent meso thread consisting of a core and a shell. The core is realized in the form of a fibroin thread, and the shell contains hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof or a polyelectrolyte complex of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and chitosan or a salt thereof. Also proposed are a variant of the thread having a plastifying agent in the shell, and methods for producing the proposed meso threads.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a commensal gut production platform for ex vivo production of human gut commensal microbiota. Another embodiment provides devices, systems and methods for ex vivo culturing of gut microflora in a system that mimics the human gut environment. The culturing of the commensal microbiota in the disclosed systems produces gut microbiota having defined characteristics and properties that can be exploited to treat various conditions in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides nutritional compositions that are employed as oral supplementation to the human diet. The compositions of the present invention provide for supplementation to the diet of the cancer patient, as well as preventative dietary supplementation aimed at supporting the human immune system for those not currently suffering from cancer. The present invention is comprised of specific combinations of selected forms of unique sets of certain vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates and phytochemicals.

Abstract: Methods and devices for use in reducing the appearance of dimpled skin or other undesirable appearance of skin in a cellulitic region of a patient are provided. The methods include the steps of disrupting fibrous septae located beneath the skin of a cellulitic region and introducing a composition beneath the skin, the composition being effective to reduce or prevent regrowth of the fibrous septae.

Abstract: Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.