Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the immune function of leukocytes in a subject, which comprises the steps of: (a) isolating leukocytes from the subject; (b) treating the leukocytes obtained from step (a) with an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum calcium ion pump; and (c) administrating the treated leukocytes obtained from step (b) back to the subject. A pharmaceutical composition for enhancing the immune function of leukocytes in a subject and a method for preparing said pharmaceutical composition are also provided.

Abstract: A main object of the invention is to provide a new method for producing a cell culture substrate used to cause cells to adhere in a highly precise form onto a base material and then culture the cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemoenzymatic process for the preparation of (R)-GABOB and (R)-carnitine employing lipase-mediated resolution of 3-hydroxy-4-tosyloxybutanenitrile as the key step. The drawing accompanying this specification represents the preparation of racemic 3-hydroxy-4-tosyloxybutanenitrile, its lipase-mediated kinetic resolution and its successful application in the preparation of (R)-GABOB and (R)-carnitine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for the treatment of conditions, including pancreatic insufficiency. The compositions of the present invention comprise lipase, protease and amylase in a particular ratio that provides beneficial results in patients, such as those afflicted with pancreatic insufficiency. This invention also relates to methods using such compositions for the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency. The compositions specifically comprise crosslinked Burkholderia cepacia lipase crystals, Aspergillus melleus protease crystals and amorphous Aspergillus oryzae amylase in a ratio of about 1:1:0.15 USP units.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an acid of formula (I), as the individual (R) enantiomer or (S), or a salt thereof wherein R is a protected amino group; and the asterisk * denotes the stereogenic carbon atom, comprising contacting an ester of formula (II), as mixture of (R,S) enantiomers, or a salt thereof, wherein R1 is straight or branched C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted with phenyl; (the asterisk * and R defined above), with a lipase from Candida antarctica, under conditions effective to obtain a mixture comprising an acid of formula (I), as the individual (R) enantiomer, and an ester of formula (II), as the individual (S) enantiomer; the subsequent hydrolysis of the latter to obtain an acid of formula (I), as the individual (S) enantiomer; and, if desired, the conversion of an acid of formula (I), either as the (R) or (S) enantiomer, to a salt thereof.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a product by the enzymatic treatment of a soluble or particulate substrate with a particulate, immobilized enzyme, by treating a process liquor containing the substrate in a bioreactor to produce a slurry of effluent immobilized enzyme and the product in an effluent liquor. The slurry is subject to a non-immobilized enzyme damaging shear inducing effective separation process to provide effluent immobilized enzyme, and effluent liquor containing the product; and reusing the effluent immobilized enzyme in the enzymatic treatment. The process provides for the reclamation and reuse of the immobilized enzyme even when a further particulate solid is present in the effluent/product stream.

Abstract: A method for specifically removing or isolating plasmin(ogen) or plasmin in presence of fibrinogen from a mixture containing plasmin(ogen) or plasmin by contacting the mixture with a rigid amino acid wherein the amino group of the amino acid and the carboxylic group of the amino acid are about 6-8 Angstroms, preferably about 7 Angstroms apart and the rigid amino acid is covalently bound to the support via the amino group of the amino acid.

Abstract: A corneal storage solution which maintains cell density and cell viability of corneas stored in vitro for a period of greater than four days up to about two weeks is provided. The solution contains a buffered, balanced, nutrient and electrolyte aqueous solution, at least one colloidal osmotic agent, a phenolic antioxidant compound, a non-lactate-generating substrate, a thiol-containing compound, insulin, and at least one antibiotic. A method for in vitro storage and preservation of the viability of human corneal endothelial cells for subsequent use includes the steps of removing a cornea from an eye globe and placing the cornea in the above corneal storage solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing substantially enantiopure 3-hydroxy carboxylic acids or esters of the general formula (III) by reacting racemic oxetan-2-ones of the general formula (I) with compounds R3-OH of the general formula (II) in the presence of a lipase from Candida antartica or Burkholderia plantarii, and separating the resulting products of the formula (III) and (IV) from one another where the radicals have the following meaning: R1, R2, R3 independently of one another H; C1-C10-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or hetaryl, where R1 and R2 may not simultaneously have the same meaning.

Abstract: Polyglycerol, lactose, and a combination of polyglycerol and lactose are effective at preserving cells, tissues, and organs from damage due to hypothermic, ischemic, or other metabolic impairment, and a mixture of polyglycerol plus lactose is particularly useful for the hypothermic storage of cells, tissues, and organs. The mixture of polyglycerol and lactose can be further improved by the addition of chondroitin sulfate, chlorpromazine, calcium, citrate, glutathione, adenine, glucose, magnesium, and a pH buffer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pegylated red blood cells comprising a polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to a thiolated amino group on a membrane protein, and to compositions comprising the pegylated red blood cells. The invention also provides methods of preparing pegylated red blood cells comprising reacting red blood cells with a compound that produces a thiolated amino group on a red blood cell membrane protein, and reacting the thiolated red blood cell with a PEG. The invention further provides methods of treatment using pegylated red blood cells.

Abstract: Flush preservation solution for the preservation of cells in the absence of a blood supply comprising: v) water for injection; and vi) at least one saccharide such as a monosaccharide, disaccharide, trisaccharide, or polysaccharide and vii) at least one component with pH buffer properties; and viii) at least one component with calcium transport blocking properties or an anti-calcium action activity; method for the preparation thereof; use thereof in transplantation including organs from heart beating or non heart beating donors, in surgery including any situation of warm or cold ischaemia, cardioplegia or open heart surgery, whole limb or whole body preservation in experimentation on living tissues or in culturing and preserving engineered cells, tissues and organs, limbs or the whole body; method for flushing, preserving or flush preservation of cells; and a kit of parts comprising the solution components.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a new functional protein S assay and kit that is based on the ability of endogenous protein S to prolong clotting time. In the assay procedure, a test plasma sample is diluted with protein S deficient plasma, followed by the addition of purified or recombinant tissue factor (pTF or rTF), purified natural or synthetic phospholipid (pPL or sPL) and activated protein C (APC) or protein C activator (PCA). The clotting time is then measured and compared to a standard curve or a normal control.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides enzymatic methods for generating stereoisomerically pure products by resolving a racemic mixture of N-protected ?-lactams with a lipase from Candida antarctica with high stereospecificity. The presence of a carbamate protecting group, such as the tert-butoxycarbonyl group protecting group, on the ?-lactam enhances enzyme catalysis and stereoselectivity.

Abstract: Based on previous evidence suggesting positive effects of fever on in vivo hematopoiesis, the effect of hyperthermia on the expansion and differentiation of megakaryocytes (MKs) in ex vivo cultures of CB CD34-enriched cells has now been tested. Cells were cultured at 37° C. or 39° C. for 14 days in cytokine conditions optimized for MK development, and analyzed periodically by microscopy, flow cytometry and colony assays. Compared to 37° C., cultures maintained at 39° C. produced much more total cells (5×), MK progenitors (9×) and total MKs (7×), and showed accelerated (3-4 days) and enhanced MK maturation with increased yields of proplatelets and platelets (11.7×). The increased number of CD34+ cells and myeloid progenitors in the 39° C. cultures also suggested a general stimulatory effect of hyperthermia on the expansion of more primitive stem/progenitor cells and of cells of other lineages.

Abstract: A process is described for analyzing enzyme-catalyzed conversions of nonpolymeric substrates to nonpolymeric products with the aid of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, preferably in the presence of an internal standard on a specific carrier material.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a polymer which is scarcely eluted, has a high biocompatibility and is useful in a filter for selectively eliminating leucocytes. It is also intended to provide a filter for selectively eliminating leucocytes, a filtration apparatus for selectively eliminating leucocytes and a system for selectively eliminating leucocytes, each having the above-described polymer. The above objects can be achieved by providing a polymer which comprises from 8% by mol to 45% by mol of a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer having a polyalkylene oxide chain, from 30% by mol to 90% by mol of a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer having a hydrophobic group, and from 2% by mol to 50% by mol of a unit originating in polymerizable monomer having a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A storage solution to maintain and perfuse organs awaiting transplantation comprising (a) an isotonic balanced solution comprising a physiologically acceptable amount of potassium, mono acidic phosphate, biacidic phosphate, chloride, sodium and bicarbonate ions; (b) 50-250 mM glucose; (c) 0.2-20 mM of an alkanoyl L-carnitine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof; (d) 1-100 mM of L-carnitine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof; (e) water is described. The storage solution can also include other components such as anti-oxidants and/or chelating agents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying teicoplanin A2 comprising: (i) a primary pre-purification step of purifying a filtrate of fermentation broth of a strain using a synthetic adsorbent; (ii) a secondary pre-purification step of purifying the primary pre-purification solution using a cation exchange resin having a high cross-linkage, a catalytic resin or a chelate resin; (iii) a final purification step of purifying the secondary pre-purification solution using a reversed phase resin; and (iv) a powder-forming step. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain teicoplanin A2 with a higher purity through a relatively simple process without using an excessive amount of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method for in vitro determination of the digestibility of proteins in a nutritional product. The method utilized gastric and intestinal enzymes that are standardized for in vitro digestion process that mimics the in vivo digestive process. Further, specificity in digestion is determined by an amino acid profile.