Abstract: The present invention relates to a amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnostic composition using acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and a method for detecting diagnostic markers and, more specifically, to a method and a composition for detecting markers for ALS, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample of a subject; (b) measuring the ASM expression level or the enzyme activation level in the sample; (c) determining that a subject, of which the ASM expression level or the enzyme activation level is increased compared to that of a normal person, has ALS. According to the investigation of the present inventors, the activity of ASM, among lipids and enzymes related to the sphingolipid metabolism, is specifically increased in a sample of an ALS patient compared to that of a normal person. ASM can be used as a marker for diagnosing ALS, thereby enabling the development of a novel and effective diagnostic reagent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a one-pot enzymatic approach which does not require removal of the enzyme and purification of the intermediate after deglycosylation step, and the Endo-S treatment is able to do both deglycosylation and transglycosylation. The one-pot strategy of the present invention enables chemoenzymatic synthesis of an azido-tagged N-glycoform of monocloncal antibodies which could be further modified through orthogonal chemical ligation for various applications.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface with nanoparticles for biological analysis of cells that includes the steps of cleaning the surface with an oxidizing acid, treating the surface with an organosilane, coating the surface with nanoparticles, and then growing cells on the surface coated with the nanoparticles. The surface may be a glass surface, a silica-based surface, a plastic-based surface or a polymer-based surface. The nanoparticles may be gold-based nanomaterials.

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 harbouring 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: 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 invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.

Abstract: An immobilized enzymatic reactor can include a wall defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a solid stationary phase covalently linked to an enzyme and disposed within the chamber; and a pressure modulator in fluid communication with the chamber and adapted to support continuous flow of a liquid sample comprising a polymer analyte through the inlet, over the solid stationary phase, and out of the outlet under a pressure between about 2,500 and 35,000 psi. In one example, the solid stationary phase includes inorganic/organic hybrid particles in an ultra performance liquid chromatography system, the enzyme is a protease, and the polymer analyte is a polypeptide. The immobilized enzymatic reactor can prepare an analyte for applications such as for hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting a microorganism in a test sample containing cells, including a step of adding the sample to a microorganism culture medium, a step of culturing the microorganism culture medium containing the sample, a step of sampling a part of the culture medium at a predetermined time, a step of acquiring the ATP level of the sampled culture medium, and a step of detecting the microorganism in the sample based on the change of the ATP level over time.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a subject. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin to a corrugator supercilii and/or a procerus muscle of the subject to cause paralysis of the corrugator supercilii and/or a procerus muscle in the subject, thereby treating PTSD. The neurotoxin can be Botulinum toxin A, such as at a dose of about 20 to about 50 units of Botulinum toxin A.

Abstract: A method for enzymatic preparation of fludarabine phosphate, comprising reaction of fludarabine with a high-energy phosphate compound under the action of deoxyribonucleic acid kinase. According to said method, acetate kinase and acetyl phosphate free acid or acetyl phosphate are also added. The technical problems present in the existing processes are successfully addressed by employing the enzymatic process to prepare the fludarabine phosphate. The usage of the high-energy phosphate compound is reduced by means of adding acetate kinase to recycle and regenerate a small amount of the high-energy phosphate compound, thereby reducing the generation of by-products having similar structures to the fludarabine phosphate, enhancing the operation convenience of purification steps in the industrial production of the fludarabine phosphate. The process is environment friendly, the reaction conditions are moderate, the cost is low, and the yield and the purity of the product obtained are high.

Abstract: Beads with functionalized material applied to them are exposed to an acoustic field to trap or pass the beads. The beads may include or be free of ferro magnetic material. The beads may be biocompatible or biodegradable for a host. The size of the beads may vary over a range, and/or be heterogenous or homogenous. The composition of the beads may include high, neutral or low acoustic contrast material. The chemistry of the functionalized material may be compatible with existing processes.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for monitoring administration of nitric oxide (NO) to ex vivo fluids. Examples of such fluids include blood in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits or perfusion fluids used for preserving ex vivo organs prior to transplanting in a recipient. The systems and methods described herein provide for administering nitric oxide to the fluid, monitoring nitric oxide or a nitric oxide marker in the fluid, and adjusting the nitric oxide administration.

Abstract: This invention provides for an improved method of stabilizing freeze dried bacterial extracts with a carbohydrate lyoprotectant such that the extracts can be for use in cell free protein synthesis. Also provided herein are formulations for stable, freeze dried bacterial extracts that when stored at room temperature retain at least about 70% protein synthesis activity compared to undried frozen bacterial extracts.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides glucose biosensors as well as compositions, devices, and methods comprising such biosensors.

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 river function, increasing LAL tissue concentration, and increasing LAL activity in a human patient suffering from LAL deficiency are also provided.

Abstract: High levels of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) can be produced from wastewater comprising Readily Biodegradable COD (RBCOD) using activated sludge comprising microorganisms capable of accumulating PHA by contacting the wastewater with the activated sludge in the presence of dissolved oxygen during a first period of time, to obtain PHA-loaded activated sludge, and then supplying elements essential for growth such as nitrogen and phosphorus and allowing up-take of these elements and limited growth during a second period of time, the supplied amount of at least of one of said essential elements compared to the amount of RBCOD supplied in step a) limiting the growth to an extent that not all PHA is used for growth, to obtain grown activated sludge; and removing or harvesting part of the PHA-loaded activated sludge and/or part of the grown activated sludge, so that the total average retention time of the sludge is less than 72 h.

Abstract: Provided herein are rapid, large-scale screening methods for identifying metal-biocide combinations that are synergistically effective to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Also provided herein are novel, synergistically antimicrobial metal-biocide combinations and uses of such compositions to curb or slow microbial growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a culture method of cells and/or tissues including culturing cells and/or tissues in a suspended state by using a medium composition wherein indeterminate structures are formed in a liquid medium, the structures are uniformly dispersed in the solution and substantially retain the cells and/or tissues without substantially increasing the viscosity of the solution, thus affording an effect of preventing sedimentation thereof, and the like.

Abstract: The invention concerns Lactobacillus reuteri for use in the prevention or treatment of microbiota dysbiosis, in particular, decreased levels of Actinobacteria and increased levels of Proteobacteria, in young mammals and in the prevention or treatment of disorders associated therewith. The microbiota dysbiosis may have been cause by numerous factors including being born by caesarean section, exposure to antibiotics in utero or after birth, or, parenteral feeding, hospitalizing, psychological stress or by gastrointestinal dysfunctions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for obtaining immobilized enzyme preparations, in particular to a preparation and application of a novel active conjugate of an enzyme with a polymer carrier. Said conjugate possesses the properties of the known Longidaza® drug and inhibits hyperplasia of connective tissue, and presents anti-inflammatory action, and can be used for manufacturing stable, active and safe in use long-acting drugs in the form of a suppository, ointment, injection, cosmetic cream, and for making veterinary drugs. These methods include conjugation of hyaluronidase with a water-soluble copolymer using the carbodiimide or azide conjugation method. The conjugation is carried out with the use of a copolymer N-oxide 1,4-ethylene piperazine, (N carboxymethyl)-1,4-ethylene piperazine or its hydrazide, and 1,4-ethylene piperazine of general formula: where n is from 40% to 90% of the total number of units; m is from 3% to 40% of the total number of units; and n+m+1=100%.