Abstract: The present invention relates to microparticles, methods of producing microparticles and microparticle precursor compositions. In particular, it relates to microparticles comprising a protective matrix and a protective matrix precursor composition comprising a blend of a denatured protein, a polyol plasticizer, trehalose and a carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacteriophage having a specific bactericidal activity against Salmonella, a composition for the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient, an antibiotic comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient, an animal feed or drinking water comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient, and a sanitizer or cleaner comprising the bacteriophage as an active ingredient. The bacteriophage of the present invention has a specific bactericidal activity against Salmonella choleraesuis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella derby, Salmonella infantis or Salmonella newport with no influences on beneficial bacteria, as well as excellent acid- and heat-resistance and desiccation tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a pharmaceutical preparation for use as an antibacterial agent, where the pharmaceutical preparation is prepared by a method comprising the steps of bringing a full blood sample taken from a patient in contact with a vessel or container and incubating the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a microbial detection device, microbial detection method, microbial detection kit and microbial detection device. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: defining a sampling portion and a reaction portion on a substrate. Fiber materials are disposed in the reaction portion and a surface of the reaction portion which contacts with the fiber materials comprises abundant hydroxyl groups. Reaction reagents are then added into the fiber materials. An acidic solution is applied to treat the fiber materials and the hydroxyl groups in the reaction portion.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions composed of micronized placental components and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compositions have numerous medical applications. Methods for making and using the micronized compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions composed of micronized placental components and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compositions have numerous medical applications. Methods for making and using the micronized compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide having a stem cell differentiation-inducing activity to induce differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into endodermal cells, a stem cell differentiation inducer having this peptide as an active ingredient, and a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells using these. The synthetic peptide provided by the present invention contains a stem cell differentiation-inducing peptide sequence, and this stem cell differentiation-inducing peptide sequence is selected from (1) an amino acid sequence constituting a signal peptide in any of amyloid precursor proteins (APP), amyloid precursor-like protein (APLP) 1 and APLP2, which are known as proteins belonging to the APP family, (2) a partial amino acid sequence constituting the signal peptide, or (3) a modified amino acid sequence formed by substitution, deletion and/or addition of 1, 2 or 3 amino acid residues in these amino acid sequences.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of wastewater, commonly known as nejayote, from the nixtamal, masa and tortilla industry, having an improved method for removing the insoluble fraction and a filtration system for separating and concentrating the fractions forming the nejayote is described. The method includes the steps of: (a) neutralizing the nejayote; (b) enzymatically hydrolyzing the starch granules; and (c) flocculating and separating the insoluble fraction. The system includes the steps of (a) microfiltration; (b) ultrafiltration for concentrating long-chain carbohydrates; (c) ultra/nano filtration for concentrating medium-size compounds; and (d) nanofiltration/reverse osmosis for concentrating small molecules and obtaining water of sufficient quality that it can be re-used or safely discharged into the environment.

Abstract: Methods are provided for in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes that include steps of (a) pre-culturing bovine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes in the presence of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and (b) subsequently culturing the oocytes of (a) for an extended duration in medium containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17?-estradiol (E2), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fetal bovine serum (FBS).

Abstract: Methods are provided for assaying whether a Bacillus composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain is capable of increasing the amount of sugar available from animal feed comprising non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in vivo when the Bacillus composition and animal feed are fed to an animal. Methods also are provided for increasing the amount of sugar available from animal feed comprising non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) when the animal feed is fed to an animal, comprising adding to the animal feed a Bacillus composition comprising at least one Bacillus strain, wherein the composition produces 120 hexose equivalents (?mol/ml) or more when measured by the method described herein.

Abstract: A microplate reader comprises a housing; at least one optical measuring/detection device; a microplate support; a moving unit; and an integrated lid holding apparatus. The lid holding apparatus is arranged to move the microplate lid and/or the microplate support is arranged to move the microplate in one respective, in an at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid away from the microplate. The lid holding apparatus is arranged inside the housing as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet, or at least three electromagnets, or at least one switchable permanent magnet. Each microplate lid to be moved away from the microplate comprises magnetizable material.

Abstract: A process for harvesting organic material recovers sugars, proteins, aromatics, organic acids and mixtures thereof, from the sapwood of trees or recently pruned sections, e.g. branches. The process involves drilling entry and exit ports to access the sapwood layer and the use of spiles, driven into the ports, to create fluid tight seals for the tubing, which delivers and recovers the solution, which solubilizes the harvested organic material and flows through the sapwood layer. The close proximity of entry and exit ports permits the flow of a pressurized solution. The recovered pumped solution or products therefrom, if desired, can be used in a fermentation medium to prepare products, e.g. alcohol, fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for assaying redox state of metabolically active cells and methods for assaying enzyme activity and/or metabolite level by coupling to redox defining co-factor NAD(P)/NAD(P)H measurement.

Abstract: A lateral circulator for generating agitation or circulation in a cultivation pond is disclosed. The circulator comprises at least a drive pulley and a secondary pulley, both oriented vertically and placed in the pond separated from one another along the length of the pond. The drive pulley is coupled to a motor, or to a drive train that is itself coupled to the motor. An endless belt is trained over the drive pulley and the secondary pulley. A plurality of cleats is provided along the exterior of the belt. The cleats are typically angled and serve to drive water as the belt rotates through the water. Typically, the belt would extend over much of the length of the cultivation pond, providing agitation and circulation over an extensive, continuous area of the cultivation pond.

Abstract: Cancellous bone material may be processed in a portable container apparatus to prepare a stromal vascular fraction concentrate. Cancellous bone material may be washed to remove non-bone material, digested and digested material centrifuged, with all operations being performed on cancellous bone material while disposed in the portable container apparatus. Uncultured stromal vascular fraction cells separated from enzyme-digested cancellous bone material, and which contain osteoblasts and osteoclasts, may be removed from the portable container and used without culturing for a variety of medical applications. Medical treatment compositions may be prepared including recovered stromal vascular fraction cells and scaffold material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions for use in treatment of a retinal degenerative disease, such as age related macular degeneration. The described compositions include agents for activating p38 and/or JNK signaling through the activation of TAK1 in the retinal pigment epithelium of a subject diagnosed with the disease. Methods of treatment of a retinal degenerative disease using the described compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.

Abstract: The current invention concerns a sample vial for receiving a liquid cell sample, to be used in conjunction with a digital holographic microscope (DHM), said sample vial comprises at least two compartments in fluid connection with one another, said compartments comprising at least one pair of screening surfaces, said screening surfaces are essentially flat; and characterized in that the distance between the pair of screening surfaces of the second compartment is smaller than the distance between the pair of screening surfaces of the first compartment. In a second and third aspect, the current invention pertains to a method and system for analyzing a liquid cell sample by DHM, employing the sample vial of the current invention.

Abstract: Oligosaccharides from bovine milk, whey and dairy products, and methods of producing bovine milk oligosaccharides are provided.

Abstract: A blood cell analyzer comprises a flow cell configured to flow a measurement specimen containing blood cells, a first light source configured to emit light having a first wavelength, a second light source configured to emit light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, a first light receiving portion configured to receive first scattered light obtained by irradiating the blood cells passing through the flow cell with light from the first light source, a second light receiving portion configured to receive second scattered light obtained by irradiating the blood cells passing through the flow cell with light from the second light source, and a control section configured to discriminate at least red blood cells from the blood cells contained in the measurement specimen based on detection signals output from the first light receiving portion and the second light receiving portion, respectively.