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.

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 biofuel production. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process), with such sugar stream being available for biofuel 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, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition including plant-derived recombinant human serum albumin, lipids, and plant protein hydrolysates as active ingredients for cryopreservation of stem cells or primary cells, and use thereof, more particularly, to a composition including plant-derived recombinant human serum albumin, lipids, and plant protein hydrolysates as active ingredients for cryopreservation of stem cells or primary cells, in which the albumin, lipids, and plant protein hydrolysates are present in sufficient quantities to reduce cell death caused by freezing while maintaining animal-free and xeno-free conditions during long-term preservation of stem cells or primary cells; and to a method for cryopreservation of stem cells or primary cells using the composition.

Abstract: This invention provides novel strains of the genus Lactobacillus which can be used to produce pharmaceutical products with probiotic properties for human or veterinary use. The strains of this invention possess metabolic features that are particularly suitable for treatment of disorders related to lactose malabsorption and intolerance, fructose malabsorption and intolerance, and bloating.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and using the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of a biological sample are provided. The system generally includes a test strip and a readout device for determining the ORP. The measured ORP is then used to determine characteristics relating to the fertility of the sample or the subject from which the sample was derived. Some characteristics that can be determined include the quality of a sperm sample, an oocyte or a fertilized egg. The measured ORP value can also be used to determine the specific characteristics of a spermatozoa sample, such as the morphology of the spermatozoa, the motility of the spermatozoa, the number of cells in the sample and the concentration of the cells in the sample. Knowledge of such characteristics and fertility potential can be used to identify individuals that might benefit from specific fertility treatments.

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: This invention relates a structure and system for growth factor incorporation which can improve the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs, for potential bone regeneration and bone growth applications or used alone for bone repair or growth applications. The system comprises a biodegradable polyester, a hydrophilic polymer, a growth factor and optionally a bioceramic.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting or reducing tumor metabolism and growth are disclosed. A composition containing oxygen scavenging membrane fragments is administered within a tumor to create a hypoxic environment. This interferes with tumor growth and metabolism, and can lead to tumor death.

Abstract: Provided herein are photochemical crosslinkers and photocleavable crosslinkers and their uses in methods for cell selection from cell cultures. The photochemical crosslinkers comprise a fluorescent dye and a radical generator. The photocleavable crosslinkers comprise a photocleavable linker linking two electrophilic groups to each other. Also provided are systems for imaging cells comprising a plurality of cells crosslinked to extracellular matrix proteins using a crosslinker as described, an imaging apparatus, an illuminating apparatus, and software for image processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel Lactobacillus strains isolated from sourdough. Also encompassed is a composition comprising at least one of said Lactobacillus strains with optionally additional other microorganisms such as bacteria and/or yeasts. The invention further relates to the use of said Lactobacillus strains or compositions for the manufacture of human food products and food supplement products or animal feed products. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the Lactobacillus strains or the composition of Lactobacillus strains in human or veterinary medicine or in cosmetics.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the general field of microbiology, and more specifically to transfer, inoculation and/or streaking of micro-organisms, e.g. for the purpose of obtaining individual colonies. Provided is a method for transferring a microbial sample from a first carrier to a second carrier, comprising the steps of: a) contacting at least one ferromagnetic particle with at least part of the sample associated with the first carrier, wherein the particle is a composite bead having a surface roughness (Ra) in the range of 0.1 to 25 ?m, a diameter between 2 to 88 mm and a density below 7 g/cm3, and b) applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle to said second carrier, such that at least part of the sample is streaked onto the second carrier. Also provided is an apparatus for inoculating petri dishes with the sample according to the method and also inoculating slides and/or tubes with a portion of the sample.

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: Provided is a microorganism detection method which is highly versatile and applicable to both the test for the detection of specified microorganisms and the microbial enumeration test under the same test conditions for Kampo extract preparations and crude drugs containing a variety of antimicrobial substances, is able to effectively reduce the influence of antimicrobial substances in a test sample, and may detect target microorganisms with high precision. This method is a microorganism detection method in a test sample having antimicrobial activity, including a step of preparing a sample liquid containing a test sample having antimicrobial activity and a step of culturing a target microorganism in a culture medium, the method including allowing a (meth)acrylic acid ester-based synthetic adsorbent to act on the sample liquid and/or the culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres comprising protein signal precursor molecules, or a carrier protein bonded to signal precursor molecules, wherein said signal precursor molecules are activatable to generate a detectable signal while remaining bonded to the carrier protein. Also disclosed is a method of making such microspheres comprising the steps of mixing protein molecules with a matrix former in solution; adding a reducing reagent to the mixture; removing the reducing reagent; and removing the matrix former to leave microspheres of protein molecules. Also disclosed are bioassay methods using the microspheres to provide signal amplification, including an amplification cycling procedure.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing hydrogels, such as alginate hydrogels. The hydrogels of the present invention is in particular useful for immobilization and preservation of biological material, such as cellular material, e.g. spermatozoa.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the overall oxidative status of a body fluid or a tissue of a patient by measuring the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the body fluid or tissue. The method has been found to be useful in the diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of patients who have suffered a trauma (such as a head injury), patients suspected of being critically-ill or who are critically ill, patients who have an infection, and patients suspected of having a myocardial infarction (MI) or who have had an MI. The method has also been found useful in monitoring and evaluating exercise performance in patients. In addition, the method has been found useful in monitoring and evaluating stored blood products and patients who will receive such a product.

Abstract: A tissue construct comprising includes a self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregate. The cell aggregate includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and degradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregate. The nanoparticles and/or microparticles act as a bulking agent and/or provide bioactive agents or signals within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate and/or regulate cell function within the aggregate allowing the cell aggregate to be readily manipulated and formed into tissue constructs with defined architectures and potential tissue specific functionality.

Abstract: Bone grafts and constructs including stem cells are provided. Example bone grafts include osteogenic stem cells seeded on a scaffold of osteoconductive cortico-cancellous chips and/or osteoinductive demineralized bone. Example constructs include extracellular matrix on a synthetic scaffold, in which the ECM is secreted from MSCs seeded onto the synthetic scaffold. Also provided are methods of making the present bone grafts and scaffolds. Further provided are methods of promoting bone healing and treating wound healing, by administering the present bone grafts and constructs to a mammal in need thereof. Also provided are kits that include the present bone grafts and/or constructs, or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein production accelerating agent that has enabled to largely increase the produced amount of a desired protein by adding polysaccharides to a medium for animal cells containing a serum or serum alternative, and a production method of a protein using a medium containing the protein production accelerating agent.