Abstract: The technology described herein relates to methods, assays, and compositions relating to causing a cell to assume a more pluripotent state, e.g. without introducing foreign genetic material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing and conditioning red blood cells are disclosed. The methods and systems may be used to make a readily transfusible red blood cell product with reduced plasma. In general, the plasma content of the supernatant of the red blood cell product is no greater than about 15%. The red blood cell products are prepared using the disclosed methods and systems remain transfusible for up to 42 days.

Abstract: Biochemical scaffolds for regulating mammalian cell function. The biochemical scaffolds include a base liquid medium, a bioenergetic platform and a vibrational platform. The bioenergetic platform includes at least one Krebs cycle modulator and/or neurotransmitter modulator. The vibrational platform includes at least one energy signature component, e.g., an herb. The biochemical scaffold is subjected to harmonic oscillation for a defined, predetermined period of time, wherein the energy signature of the energy signature component is imparted to, captured, replicated, and retained by the liquid medium, and, when the biochemical scaffolds are delivered to and, thus, in communication with biological tissue, the biochemical scaffolds induce specific biochemical activities via the resonant transfer of the retained energy signature to the biological tissue and, hence, endogenous cells thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, and devices for detecting heavy metals in dried blood (e.g., dried blood spots). For example, the present invention provides: 1) dried blood spot paper that is detectably free of heavy metals and methods of preparing such paper using organic acid; 2) dried blood extraction solutions optimized for heavy metal detection (e.g., extraction solutions containing acetic acid and/or gold); 3) methods for estimating venous blood volume from dried blood mass; and 4) kits and kit components optimized for heavy metal detection in dried blood (e.g., kits with paper detectably free of heavy metals, heavy metal free skin wipes, metal free collection case, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for production of ATP. This system is comprised of a support and one or more enzymes coupled to that support which are capable of collectively producing ATP from glucose or fructose metabolism. The present invention is additionally directed to a device, which includes the system, and to a method for carrying out a reaction involving the conversion of ATP to ADP using the system.

Abstract: A disposable sensor chip for biological component concentration measurement includes: a chip main body defining a cavity through which a body fluid is flowable; and a reagent located in the cavity such that the body fluid flowing through the cavity comes into contact with the reagent. The reagent comprises a 2-substituted benzothiazolyl-3-substituted phenyl-5-substituted sulfonated phenyl-2H-tetrazolium salt.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter comprises a device to collect and preserve cells comprising of: (1) a collection container comprised of a tube having an open end and a closed end, a closure in the open end of the tube, a vacuum drawn to a predetermined level inside the container; and (2) compounds including an anticoagulant agent and a fixative agent, wherein the compounds are in a sufficient amount to preserve said cells” original morphology and antigenic sites without significant dilution of said cells, and thereby allowing said cells to be directly analyzed by a flow cytometer without further treatment.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement containing fungal biomass having at least 100 mg/kg iron and processes for producing the nutritional supplement using filamentous fungi are described.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cyclic process for the production of vanillin, including (a) adding a solution of ferulic acid or a salt thereof, to a solid structure containing immobilized microorganisms of the Actinomycetales group, (b) incubating the solid structure to carry out the biotransformation process, (c) recovering the solution obtained in step (b), and (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) by feeding a fresh solution of ferulic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compositions comprising clarified limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), wherein the LAL is substantially free of coagulogen and methods of making such compositions. The invention further relates to a method of detecting an endotoxin in a sample using a chromogenic assay, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a reagent comprising clarified LAL and a chromogenic substrate; and (b) measuring a chromogenic effect resulting from a change in the chromogenic substrate in the presence of endotoxin in the sample, wherein the LAL is substantially free of coagulogen. The invention also relates to kits comprising clarified LAL substantially free of coagulogen, and methods of making such.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of chronic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disorders using umbilical cord blood cells.

Abstract: Organ and tissue preservation solutions having improved stability are disclosed. The solutions are comprised of two separate solutions. The first solution, Solution A, is comprised of a balanced salt solution that is stable in solution at a pH of 7.0 or above. A second solution, Solution B, is comprised of an aqueous solution containing L-glutathione and/or cysteinylglycine, a sugar such as D-glucose, L-Arginine, a reducing agent such as ascorbic acid and water at a pH of below 7.0, preferably from about 3.0 to 5.0. The two Solutions are then mixed together at the point of use and the pH adjusted to about 7.3 resulting in the organ and tissue preservation solution having improved stability. Preferably, solution A has a pH of about 7.6 and solution B has a pH of about 5.0. The present invention is also comprised of kits 20 that contain the two Solutions in two separate containers 22, 24. In an alternate embodiment, the sugar can be in Solution A.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for guiding tumor movement, particularly in vivo for treatment of patients. The method may include implanting into a tissue site where tumor cells are present a device having one or more surface structures or substrates, such as aligned nanofibers, which provide physical guidance cues for directing the migration of the tumor cells from the first tissue location to a selected second location, for tumor cell extraction or death. The devices and systems may include a cytotoxic agent for contacting tumor cells migrated via the substrate. All or a portion of the at least one substrate may include one or more biochemical cues, such as a coating of laminin or another protein, which may be provided in a concentration gradient to facilitate uni-directional tumor cell migration.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomarkers for sensitive, specific, accurate and quantitative diagnosis and assessment of chronic hypoxia. In particular, the present invention provides 2-hydroxyglutarate as a biomarker that is differentially produced in chronic hypoxia. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention are able to differentiate between chronic and acute hypoxia. Assays for levels of 2-hydroxyglutarate may be used alone or in conjunction with additional biomarkers of hypoxia to increase the precision of analysis. In particular embodiments of the invention, the level of 2-hydroxyglutarate and at least one second biomarker may be assayed to generate a hypoxic profile that can be compared to a reference or control profile, thereby diagnosing a subject as normoxic, chronically hypoxic, or acutely hypoxic.

Abstract: Semen and sperm cell processing and preservation systems, and methods of producing a mammal and methods of producing mammalian embryos are disclosed. The present invention is directed to sperm cell preservation, fertilization, and insemination, maintaining or enhancing sperm quality and addressing one or more sperm cell characteristics, such as viability, motility, functionality, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates. Further, sperm cell characteristics may be addressed within the context of various collection, handling, separation, storage, transportation, usage, fertilization, or insemination techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical pharmaceutical preparation for treating an inflammatory skin condition, preferably a condition associated with ischemia, comprising a supernatant of a physiological solution obtainable by cultivating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or a subset thereof in a physiological solution free of PBMC-proliferating and PBMC-activating substances for at least 1 h.

Abstract: Semen and sperm cell processing and preservation systems, and methods of producing a mammal and methods of producing mammalian embryos are disclosed. The present invention is directed to sperm cell preservation, fertilization, and insemination, maintaining or enhancing sperm quality and addressing one or more sperm cell characteristics, such as viability, motility, functionality, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates. Further, sperm cell characteristics may be addressed within the context of various collection, handling, separation, storage, transportation, usage, fertilization, or insemination techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for aseptic material transfer from a storage container to a bioreactor. More precisely the invention relates to a method and system for aseptically transferring dry material, such as microcarriers for cell cultivation, to a bioreactor, comprising transferring microcarriers from a first container housing said microcarriers to a bioreactor for cell cultivation via r transfer tubing connecting the first container to the bioreactor, wherein the transfer is accomplished with pressurized air or gas supplied to the container.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a reaction and a reaction system are provided. The reaction system includes at least one vessel for the reaction medium, which is in fluid communication with an injection tube; at least one vessel for a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the reaction medium, which is in fluid communication with a reaction tube; the injection tube being mounted so as to lead into the reaction tube such that individual drops of the reaction medium can be injected into the reaction tube and into the immiscible carrier fluid, so as to form a train of reaction chambers; at least one detector for monitoring a reaction; a means for classifying the reaction chambers; and at least one means for recirculating reaction chambers in front of at least one detector for monitoring a reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anaerobic process for biogas upgrading and hydrogen utilization comprising the use of acidic waste as co-substrate. In this process, H2 and CO2 will be converted to CH4, which will result in lower CO2 content in the biogas. The invention relates to both in situ and ex situ methods of biogas upgrading. The invention further relates to a bioreactor comprising hollow fibre membranes.