Abstract: The object of the present invention relates to the new and surprising use of sulfated hyaluronic acid (HAS) as regulator agent of the cytokine activity (pro- and anti-inflammatory) and consequently the use of HAS for the preparation of a new medicine for topic use in the prevention and treatment of pathologies associated with the activation and/or deficiency of cytokines of a pro- and anti-inflammatory nature. The Applicant has in fact discovered the exclusive capacity of HAS in modulating the activity of these particular proteins, it has studied the action mechanism and demonstrated the substantial difference between the different sulfated types known in the state of the art, but above all it has demonstrated an unexpectedly high activity of HAS vs different types and strains of Herpes virus, Cytomegalovirus and the virus of vesicular stomatitis. Finally, a further object of the present invention is the use of HAS as a skin absorption promoter of drugs of an anti-inflammatory nature.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a target nucleic acid polymer, comprising: bonding a probe nucleic acid polymer and a microparticle to form a probe nucleic acid polymer-bonded microparticle, adding a target nucleic acid polymer to the probe nucleic acid polymer contained within the probe nucleic acid polymer-bonded microparticle to form an addition microparticle, and energizing the microparticle contained within the addition microparticle into a high-energy state and then using energy transfer from this high-energy state microparticle to decompose the target nucleic acid polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of using an apparatus for biotechnical production. The method includes the receiving a flow of an amount of a raw material into a basin. The basin has a radius, and a circular or sectorial configuration. A speed of the flow is increased towards a center of the basin. Followed by, introducing a gas to the flow of the raw material at an active site of the basin to create predetermined conditions that take place in the active site. The location is adjacent the center. A reaction broth is created at the location by reacting the flow with the gas. The reaction broth is moved to and past the active site using a belt located in the basin. The belt has a first section angled upwardly toward the center of the basin.

Abstract: The system includes a simple system for CD4 and CD8 counting in point-of-care HIV staging within resource poor countries. Unlike previous approaches, no sample preparation is required with the sample added directly to a chip containing dried reagents by capillary flow. A large area image cytometer consisting of an LED module is used to excite the fluorochromes PerCP and APC labeled targets and a monochrome CCD camera with a combination of two macro lenses captures images of 40 mm2 of blood (approximately 1 micro liter). CD4 and CD8-T-lymphocyte counts correlate well with those obtained by flow cytometry. The cytometer system described in the present invention provides an affordable and easy-to-use technique for use in remote locations.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated Methanothermobacter microorganism that is (a) a microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561, (b) a variant thereof, or (c) a progeny thereof, as further described herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that employ various combinations of such factors as retinoic acid signaling inhibitors, antioxidants, BMP4, VEGF, prostaglandin E2 pathway stimulants, TPO, SCF, FLT-3, EPO, TGF?1, p38 MAPK inhibitors, beta adrenergic receptor agonists, cell cycle inhibitors, RXR agonists, Cripto, and chromatin remodelers to drive differentiation of pluripotent stem cells towards primitive blood cells. Uses of such primitive blood cells are provided.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, especially, xylose, which can then be chemically converted to furfural and furfural-derived products.

Abstract: Provided is an HDL comprising an agent selected from the group consisting of antiproteases, antioxidants, antimitotics, anti-apoptotic agents and agents involved in the iron metabolism for use in methods of reducing side effects associated with administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in subjects in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a fungal serine protease enzyme, which said enzyme has serine protease activity and comprises an amino acid sequence of Malbranchea ALKO4122 mature protease as defined in SEQ ID NO:18 or an amino acid sequence having at least 66% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:18. Also disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule, comprising a polynucleotide sequence which encodes a fungal serine protease enzyme, nucleic acid sequences encoding said protease, a host cell and a process of producing a polypeptide having serine protease activity. Said protease is useful as an enzyme preparation applicable in detergent compositions and for treating fibers, wool, hair, leather, or silk, for treating food or feed, or for any applications involving modification, degradation or removal of proteinaceous material.

Abstract: The invention provides a long range ordered, layered double hydroxide compound for use in modulating an immune response to an antigen, and an immune modulator composition comprising the layered double hydroxide and an interlayer anion A. The compound is [MII(1-x)MIIIx(OH)2]x+[An-x/n], in which MII is a divalent metal cation or a mixture of two or more divalent metal cations, MIII is a trivalent metal cation or a mixture of two or more trivalent meta cations, or a mixture of one or more trivalent metal cation with one or more quadravalent metal cation, x is from 2:1 to 1:4, and A is an interlayer anion having a charge n, wherein optionally some or all of the interlayer anion A may be replaced by one or biologically active agent and/or one or more antigen, and wherein A is selected from conjugate bases of acids having a pKa of ?4 or higher.

Abstract: An apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, includes a vessel (1) having a reservoir (2) wherein the vessel has a channel (3) formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction (4) dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to treatments of cognitive disorders e.g. Mild Cognitive Disorder comprising the use of agents which are capable of lowering homocysteine levels in a subject, preferably a human subject. Aspects of the invention relate to a method of treating such disorders comprising administering one or more B vitamins e.g. folic acid, Vitamin B6 and/or Vitamin B12 or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting and/or confirming the neurogenesis effect of cholesterol and/or oxysterol utilizing adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Further provided are methods of promoting neurogenesis in ADSCs. Also provided are methods for the use of cholesterol and/or oxysterol for the production of a neurologic component that may be incorporated into a nutritional composition for promoting neurogenesis in a pediatric subject.

Abstract: Described herein is a three-dimensional cell culture scaffold composition comprising an absorbent rigid (AR) component, and in some embodiments, further comprises a gel component. The absorbent rigid component preferably comprises a glass fiber material. It is a surprising finding of the present invention that an AR component having a void volume of between approximately 70% and 95% results in a three-dimensional cell culture composition that allows for robust, high-throughput screening and high-content screening accessible tissue models with preserved cell morphology, heterogeneity of cell types and cell populations, extracellular matrix constituents, functional cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions and signaling with sufficient specificities to tissue physiology and pathology.

Abstract: The object of the invention is the use of Candida saitoana or an active ingredient that is obtained from Candida saitoana as a cosmetic active ingredient, in particular for the detoxification of skin cells. The invention also relates to an active ingredient that is obtained from Candida saitoana, to a production process, as well as to cosmetic compositions that contain this active ingredient, and to a cosmetic personal care process for improving the surface condition of dull and intoxicated skin.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient suffering from a condition with an active compound comprising the steps of (a) treating the patient intranasally with an effective amount of MMP-9 or a functionally equivalent fragment, wherein the tight junctions of the patient's nasal epithelial cells are modulated or wherein the basal lamina of the patient is partially digested and type IV collagen of the patient is degraded or wherein access to the patient's perineural, perivascular, or lymphatic compartment spaces is facilitated and (b) treating the patient intranasally with an active compound is disclosed.

Abstract: The described invention provides an ex vivo dynamic multiple myeloma (MM) cancer niche contained in a microfluidic device. The dynamic MM cancer niche includes (a) a three-dimensional tissue construct containing a dynamic ex vivo bone marrow (BM) niche, which contains a mineralized bone-like tissue containing viable osteoblasts self-organized into cohesive multiple cell layers and an extracellular matrix secreted by the viable adherent osteoblasts; and a microenvironment dynamically perfused by nutrients and dissolved gas molecules; and (b) human myeloma cells seeded from a biospecimen composition comprising mononuclear cells and the multiple myeloma cells. The human myeloma cells are in contact with osteoblasts of the BM niche, and the viability of the human myeloma cells is maintained by the MM cancer niche.

Abstract: A method of measuring the combined activity of both and only coagulation factors II and X for the purpose of monitoring anticoagulant therapy, and kits for using the method. The method involves mixing of test plasma from a human to be tested with specially prepared plasma deficient in both and only coagulation factors II and X but with normal levels of other factors (referred to herein as Fiix-deficient plasma or Fiix plasma), in order to correct for any possible deficiency in other coagulation factors than FII and FX in the test sample. By adding a coagulation reagent and calcium, the generation of thrombin or fibrin can be measured. Kits of the invention comprise a coagulation reagent, calcium and specially made plasma that is deficient in both and only factor II and factor FX.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique whereby the flavor of products such as fermented milk that use the Bifidobacterium bacteria can be improved while maintaining the effect of the Rubus suavissimus S. Lee for improving the viability of the Bifidobacterium bacteria. Provided is a fermented food that includes: a Rubus suavissimus S. Lee essence obtained as a concentrate through electrodialyzing a Rubus suavissimus S. Lee extract added with an inorganic salt; and bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. Also provided is a method for producing such fermented foods.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous process for the preparation of a protein isolate and a hydrolyzed protein concentrate from an oilseed meal, comprising: 1) mixing an oilseed meal with an aqueous solvent to form a slurry; 1a) optionally treating the slurry with phytase; 2) separating the slurry with a solid/liquid separation to form a liquid phase comprising the aqueous solvent, soluble protein and oil; and a solid phase comprising insoluble protein; 3) separating the liquid phase to form an oil phase and an aqueous protein phase; 4) subjecting the aqueous protein phase to membrane filtration to obtain a protein solution and drying the protein solution to obtain the protein isolate, subjecting the insoluble protein to enzymatic hydrolysis, and 5) subjecting the hydrolyzed protein to membrane filtration to obtain an amino acid and peptide solution; and drying the amino acid and peptide solution to obtain the hydrolyzed protein concentrate.