Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the enantioselective N-acylation of aminoalkylphenols, and to a method for producing enantiomer-pure compounds of formulae (I-S) and/or (I-R).

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: Cell membrane maintenance of red blood cells and platelet concentrates is improved by the addition of 1 mM-10 mM L-carnitine and derivatives. This improvement allows extension of the period of viability of packed red blood cells and platelet concentrations beyond current periods. Additionally, the materials so treated exhibit extended circulation half life upon transfusion to a patient. Improvements in membrane maintenance achieved by this method permit irradiation of sealed containers of blood products so as to substantially sterilize and destroy leukocytes in the same.

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 invention relates to a method for determining the concentration of thrombin inhibitors in a non-turbid body liquid or a non-turbid extract from a body liquid. It comprises the following steps. The body liquid is taken from a living body, and the body liquid is subjected to a separation from the turbid matter, if necessary. To the non-turbid body liquid thus obtained are added a coagulation-inhibiting substance not interfering in the transformation prothrombin/active meizothrombin or Mtdesfg1, resp., a chromogenic or fluorogenic substrate not dissociable by active meizothrombin or Mtdesfg1, resp., and a substance dissociating prothrombin into meizothrombin or Mtdesfg1, resp., and as an option prothrombin. The thus obtained solution or mixture, resp., is subjected to a wavelength-selective light absorption or light emission measurement as a function of the time.

Abstract: A method for racemizing optically active secondary alcohols by incubating these alcohols with at least one alcohol dehydrogenase of the E.C. 1.1.1. class.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active (1S)-3-chloro-1-(2-thienyl)propan-1-ol of the formula I by, in a medium comprising 3-chloro-1-(2-thienyl)propan-1-one of the formula II reducing this compound to the compound of the formula I by means of an alcohol dehydrogenase from the Thermoanaerobacter genus, and isolating the product formed in substantially enantiomerically pure form.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for mechanical stimulation in vitro of tissue, wherein tissue patches (1) are retained in a tissue carrier (2), thereby presenting first surfaces (3) to be stimulated in a plane (X) and wherein a roller (4) having a second surface (5) arranged at its periphery is moved parallel to said plane (X), thereby imposing selected forces on said first surfaces (3) by said second surface (5) for stimulating the tissue patches (1). By presenting the surfaces (3) to be stimulated in a common plane (X) and by moving the roller (4) parallel to said common plane (X) of the first surfaces (3), serving several tissue carriers (2) with one roller (4) is made easy, thus integration into an industrial production is made practicable.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a tissue preservation solution that has excellent tissue-preserving ability and is useful in the field of medicine, medical experiment, etc. Thus, the invention relates to a tissue preservation solution including oxygen nanobubbles.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures, preferably after hypothermic organ flushing for organ transport and/or storage. The method can be practiced with prior or subsequent static or perfusion hypothermic exposure of the organ. Organ viability is restored by restoring high energy nucleotide (e.g., ATP) levels by perfusing the organ with a medical fluid, such as an oxygenated cross-linked hemoglobin-based bicarbonate medical fluid, at normothermic temperatures. During the period in which the organ is preserved and/or maintained, various drug research and development may be performed on and/or with the organ.

Abstract: A method for preparing a scaffold material for use in the prosthesis therapy is disclosed. The method comprises (a) lyophilizing a segment of native soft tissue of mammalian origin, heating the lyophilized tissue at a temperature of 100-200° C., and incubating the tissue with elastase to selectively remove elastin leaving the extracellular components mainly comprised of collagen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous carrier solutions for cryoprotectants that are useful for a variety of cryoprotectant solutions for use with cells, tissues, and whole organs, said aqueous carrier solutions permitting antinucleators to be fully effective in vitrification solutions, thereby allowing vitrification solutions to attain extreme effectiveness, and compatible vitrification solution compositions for use with these carrier solutions. The carrier solutions comprise lactose, mannitol or trehalose, and glucose in combination with other beneficial ingredients.

Abstract: There are provided methods and compositions for the storage of red blood cells. The compositions are metabolic supplements that are preferably added to refrigerated red blood cells suspended in an additive solution. Red blood cells are preferably stored under conditions of oxygen-depletion. Metabolic compositions comprises pyruvate, inosine, adenine, and optionally dibasic sodium phosphate and/or monobasic sodium phosphate.

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 method for treating an open wound, such as a surgical wound, may include preparing a first composition including a platelet poor plasma (PPP), and preparing a second composition including a platelet rich plasma (PRP). A layer of the first composition may be applied within the open wound, and a layer of the second composition may be applied within the open wound over the layer of the first composition.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a process for simply producing an optically active 3-hydroxypropionic ester derivative useful as a medicament intermediate from an inexpensive material. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a process for producing an optically active 3-hydroxypropionic ester derivative comprising reacting an acetic ester derivative available at low cost with a base and a formic ester, thereby converting the acetic ester derivative into a 2-formylacetic ester derivative, and thereafter, stereospecifically reducing the formyl group of the derivative by use of an enzymatic source capable of stereoselectively reducing the formyl group of the derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of disinfecting biological materials. In particular, a novel process is provided for removing detergent and/or solvent added to biological materials for the inactivation of viral contaminants. Safe, efficient, and economical methods for removing virucidal agents such as solvent-detergent from virus-inactivated pooled plasma by hydrophobic interaction chromatography are provided. Methods for clearing solvent-detergent from virus-inactivated biological materials in a single step are also provided.

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: The present invention provides a platelet-containing composition prepared by contacting platelets with a medium for preserving. The medium comprises anticoagulant, cryoprecipitate and thrombin. The present invention also provides a method for long-term preservation of platelets, comprising the steps of: (a) adding an anticoagulant, cryoprecipitate, thrombin in normal saline; (b) adding a platelet-containing medium into the solution formed in step (a); and (c) lyophilizing the platelet-containing solution formed in step (b). Moreover, the present invention yet provides a medium for preserving non-nucleus cells.