Abstract: Specific peptides are provided, and derived ionization characteristics of those peptides, from the Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (cMET) protein. The peptides are particularly and surprisingly advantageous for quantifying by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry the cMET protein directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin, or what can also be termed as Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed where the biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including: formalin-fixed tissue/cells; formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells; FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks; and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and or paraffin embedded.

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 suitable 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: This disclosure provides methods of making a megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP), comprising differentiating a stem cell into a MEP in culture in the presence of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. In some embodiments the stem cell is a pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments the MEP co-expresses CD41 and CD235. In some embodiments the number of MEPs produced in the culture increases exponentially. Methods of making a red blood cell (RBC) by culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR agonist are also provided. Methods of making a megakaryocyte and/or a platelet, comprising culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR antagonist. This disclosure also provides compositions comprising at least 1 million MEPs per ml and compositions in which at least 50% of the cells are MEPs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a point of care sepsis assay comprising a disposable assay cartridge with a sample inlet for a blood sample, a filter to isolate blood plasma, a source of multivalent cations to cause a turbidity change in the plasma sample and a transparent window to measure the change in turbidity and the use of said assay in the diagnosis of sepsis.

Abstract: Method for isolating microorganism from a sample likely contaminated by microorganism, including: (a) device for isolating microorganisms including a bottom waterproof layer, a nutritional layer, which is placed on the bottom layer and includes a dehydrated culture medium, an isolation layer which is pervious to elements included in the nutritional layer and is capable of retaining the bacteria on the surface and covering all or part of the nutritional layer, and a top protective layer; (b) depositing a volume of the sample on the isolation layer; (c) isolating the microorganisms by impoverishing or layering the sample using an isolating device; (d) incubating the device for an amount of time at a temperature to enable growth of microorganisms, method including at least one step of rehydrating the culture medium using a volume of liquid before or with step b) and/or c) and/or d), before or simultaneously with step b) and/or c).

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass, the process comprising: providing a pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material containing cellulose; introducing the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material to a mechanical-treatment unit containing one or more decompression regions configured to release pressure; introducing a liquid solution containing cellulase enzymes to one or more decompression regions in the mechanical-treatment unit, wherein the liquid solution enters void spaces between fibers of the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material, to form enzyme-containing cellulose-rich solids; and retaining the enzyme-containing cellulose-rich solids under effective hydrolysis conditions to hydrolyze at least some of the cellulose to glucose. Various apparatus configurations are disclosed for the mechanical-treatment unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a coffee pulp treatment process comprising (a) Providing coffee pulp, obtainable from a production process for producing green coffee beans from coffee cherries; (b) extracting from the coffee pulp a pectin comprising extract, wherein extraction is performed under acid conditions or alkaline conditions, to provide the pectin comprising extract; (c) enzymatic treatment of the pectin comprising extract, wherein the enzymatic treatment comprises a treatment with one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of an esterase and a reductase, to provide a enzymatically treated pectin material; and (d) extraction of polyphenol functionalized coffee pectin extract from the enzymatically treated pectin material.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making a megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP), comprising differentiating a MEP precursor cell into a MEP in culture in the presence of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR antagonist. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR agonist. In some embodiments the methods comprise culturing MEP precursor cells in the presence of an AHR antagonist and then culturing MEP precursor cells in the presence of an AHR agonist. In some embodiments the stem cell is a pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments the MEP co-expresses CD41 and CD235. In some embodiments the number of MEPs produced in the culture increases exponentially. Methods of making a red blood cell (RBC) by culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided. Methods of making a megakaryocyte and/or a platelet, comprising culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided.

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: The invention relates to the preparation of thin tissue sections for mass spectrometric (MALDI) imaging, and proposes a method wherein a microcrystalline layer of the matrix material is produced on the surface of the thin tissue sections, and soluble analyte molecules are transported orthogonally through the thin tissue section to the matrix layer, without substantial lateral diffusion, by means of a solvent flow with alternating or constant direction, and are then deposited in the matrix layer and, if possible, embedded in the matrix crystals. A solvent flow which alternates in direction can be produced by successive, alternating phases of swelling and drying, brought about by periodic changes to the thin tissue section temperature and/or the partial pressures of the solvents. A continuous solvent flow can be generated by applying the thin tissue section onto a porous support which supplies solvent to the rear surface of the thin tissue section.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, methods and/or kits for determining the likelihood of a pregnant subject delivering at term, or developing a disorder associated with pregnancy. These compositions, methods and/or kits feature the measurement of the chemotactic activity of peripheral leukocytes, the measurement of ccl2 mRNA expression or the measurement of Fp or Otr protein expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for preparing, storing, shipping and using skin equivalents made by organotypic culture. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for producing, transporting, storing and using skin equivalents produced by organotypic culture at reduced temperatures, preferably from 2-8 degrees Celsius to ambient temperature. The methods include sterile packaging of the grafts so that the sterility and integrity of the package is maintained until the time of use for grafting purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparing dehydrated blood products, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hydrated blood product; (b) spray-drying the hydrated blood product to produce a dehydrated blood product, as well as dehydrated blood products made by the method. The present invention is directed to a method of treating a patient suffering from a blood-related disorder, comprising the steps of: (a) rehydrating a therapeutic amount of the dehydrated blood products to produce a rehydrated therapeutic composition; and (b) administering the rehydrated therapeutic composition to the patient. The present invention is directed to a bandage or surgical aid comprising the dehydrated blood products described above.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for strain-specific identification and assessment of susceptibility of microorganisms based on the response of sensors in a colorimetric sensor array to metabolic products of the microorganism.

Abstract: A 3D in vitro bi-phasic cartilage-bone organoid includes a layer of an artificial cartilage tissue, and a layer of an artificial bone tissue comprising a structure-giving scaffold and a bone marrow structure. The layer of the artificial cartilage tissue contacts at least one surface of the layer of the artificial bone tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for measuring coagulation of blood or plasma samples using viscoelastic tests (VET) wherein the measuring is performed in the presence of immobilized endothelial cells.

Abstract: A protocol for assessing the prognosis for a patient diagnosed with a neoplasm or suspected of having a neoplasm is provided herein. The protocol involves the steps of determining a mitotic cells to proliferating cells ratio (M:P ratio) in a neoplastic tissue sample obtained from the patient and producing a prognosis for the neoplasm based on the M:P ratio.

Abstract: A method for rapid mincing of adipose tissues to isolate live cells in vitro is disclosed to overcome the drawbacks of a lead procedure of isolating live cells by holding a knife to mince adipose tissues, which can only isolate a small number of live cells and obtain low cell viability. The method includes: providing an adipose tissue; mincing the adipose tissue homogeneously by a mincing device; adding a reagent into the minced adipose tissue to perform hydrolysis; performing centrifuge and isolation; and removing a supernatant to obtain a cell pellet. Therefore, the time of mincing adipose tissues can be shortened, and contaminations caused by repeated use of the knife can be avoided. The method can be used for isolating live cells of adipose tissues to improve the number of live cells per unit weight of adipose tissues without reducing the cell viability.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. The preparation method therefor is: extracting the crude product from the Isaria Fumosorosea Wize solid or liquid fermentation broth using ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, or a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol; separating the obtained extract using column chromatography on silica gel; and obtaining the target product. The inhibitor can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions for treating and preventing diabetes, obesity and cancers.

Abstract: This application discloses methods for treating an established myocardial infarction, including treatment with an epicardial construct containing stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissue which may be seeded onto a biocompatible substrate, which preserves microvascular function and LV contractile mechanisms.