Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of generating pacemaker cells for use in therapeutic strategies that address a heart that beats abnormally. In certain embodiments, one mixes cells with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation inhibitor in combination with a nucleic acid encoding a transcription factor such as a vector that encodes a transcription factor such as Tbx18 in operable combination with a eukaryotic promoter to produce pacemaker cells that are then transplanted into the heart.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating, in part, to the generation and isolation of human lung progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: Provided are an in vitro fibrosis model, a method of preparing the in vitro model, and use of the in vitro model, the in vitro model including a cell cluster differentiated from mesenchymal cells, wherein the cell cluster exhibits pathological characteristics of fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing parasympathetic neurons from neural crest cells or autonomic neural progenitor cells derived therefrom, comprising a step of culturing the neural crest cells or autonomic neural progenitor cells derived therefrom in the presence of a cAMP production promoter, a BDNF signaling pathway activator, a GDNF signaling pathway activator, an NGF signaling pathway activator, an NT-3 signaling pathway activator, vitamin C, a protein kinase C activator, and a retinoic acid receptor agonist.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to oligodendrocyte-biased glial progenitor cells and methods of making, isolating, and using such cells.

Abstract: The disclosure provides stem cells which express high levels of Angeopoetin-1 (Ang1) and methods for their production. Such stem cells may be used in a range of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Storage-stable compositions for generating antimicrobial activity are described. The compositions comprise an enzyme that is able to convert a substrate to release hydrogen peroxide, and an unrefined natural substance, such as a honey, that includes a substrate for the enzyme. In certain embodiments, the enzyme is a purified enzyme. In other embodiments, the substrate lacks catalase activity, and the enzyme is additional to any enzyme activity able to convert the substrate to release hydrogen peroxide that may be present in the unrefined natural substance. The storage-stable compositions do not include sufficient free water to allow the enzyme to convert the substrate. Use of the compositions to treat microbial infections and wounds is described, as well as methods for their production.

Abstract: Technologies for cryopreserving ungulate embryos for implantation into recipient females are described.

Abstract: A vital stain for observation under multiphoton laser microscopy, the vital stain comprising one or more edible dye compounds.

Abstract: A blood storage system comprising: a collection vessel for red blood cells; an oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device; a storage vessel for red blood cells; tubing connecting the collection vessel to the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device and the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device to the storage vessel; and a gamma or X-ray irradiating device is used to irradiate red blood cells stored in the vessel, storing red blood cells under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: Cell culture media are provided herein as are methods of using the media for cell culture and protein production from cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enhancing the potency of incretin-based drugs in subjects in need thereof. Through different animal models, the inventors identified that a specific gut microbiota signature impairs GLP-1-activated gut-brain axis which could be transferred to germ free mice. The dysbiotic gut microbiota induces enteric neuropathy, reduces GLP-1 receptor and nNOS mRNA concentration, GLP-1-induced nitric oxide production for the control of insulin secretion and gastric emptying. The frequency of Lactobacilli in the ileum microbiota was tightly correlated with nMOS mRNA concentration, which is a mode of action of GLP-1, of the enteric nervous system opening a novel route for the improvement of GLP-1 based therapies in type 2 diabetic patients. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of enhancing the potency of an incretin-based drug administered to a diabetic subject as part of a treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into neural precursor cells, comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cells in the presence of a small, molecule BMP inhibitor, and induced neural precursor cells prepared by this method.

Abstract: A method of promoting spheroid formation, including: a preparation step of preparing a mixture obtained by mixing a cell sample with a promoter; and a culture step of culturing, inside a spheroid formation-culture vessel, the mixture obtained in the preparation step, in which the promoter is a polymer in which one or more selected from the group consisting of D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine, D-glucuronic acid, L-iduronic acid, and D-galactose are polymerized.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for preparing a biomaterial scaffold said method comprising, (a) providing a hydrogel comprising a fibrin network and a polysaccharide network; (b) subjecting the hydrogel of step a) to a freeze-thawing process to physically crosslink the hydrogel; and (c) subjecting the physically cross-linked hydrogel obtained after conducting the step b), to a lyophilization. The invention also relates to the biomaterial scaffold obtainable by the process as defined above, as well said biomaterial scaffold for its use to partially or completely increase, restore or replace the functional activity of a diseased or damaged oral mucosa.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are milk compositions that comprise protein, lipid, and oligosaccharide components at concentrations that mimic and/or are substantially similar to human breast milk as produced by a lactating female. The milk compositions include one or more milk components produced in vitro and/or ex vivo from cultured mammary cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel Lactobacillus sp. strains, novel Bifidobacterium sp. strains, or lactic acid bacteria mixtures thereof, which are isolated from kimchi or human feces. A certain Lactobacillus sp. strain or certain Bifidobacterium sp. strain according to the present invention is isolated from kimchi or human feces, and thus is highly safe, and has various physiological activities such as antioxidant activity, ?-glucuronidase inhibitory activity, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) production inhibitory activity or tight junction protein expression-inducing activity. Accordingly, a certain Lactobacillus sp. strain, certain Bifidobacterium sp. strain or mixture thereof according to the present invention may be used as a functional food or medicinal material useful for the prevention, alleviation or treatment of intestinal damage, liver injury, allergic disease, inflammatory disease, or obesity.

Abstract: A process is described for the purification of HA, and pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional compositions containing HA thus purified.

Abstract: Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.

Abstract: An isolated human cell is disclosed comprising at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and secreting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), wherein a basal secretion of the BDNF is at least five times greater than a basal secretion of the BDNF in a mesenchymal stem cell. Methods of generating same and uses of same are also disclosed.