Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for measuring coagulation of blood or plasma samples using viscoelastic tests (VET) wherein the measuring is performed in the presence of immobilised endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present description relates to in vitro methods for culturing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) under mild hyperthermia conditions (e.g., between 38° C. and 40° C.) in the presence of a pyrimidoindole derivative agonist of hematopoietic stem cell expansion. The combined use of mild hyperthermia and the pyrimidoindole derivative act synergistically to promote expansion of CD34+ HSCs and/or differentiation into progenitor cells (e.g., megakaryocytic progenitors). The present description also relates to in vitro expanded cell populations of HSCs and/or progenitors, as well as uses thereof in therapy (e.g., transplantation).

Abstract: A method is described for predicting incipient diabetes, metabolic disorders or the metabolic syndrome by developing a personal temporal Phosphatase profile, which is generated by measuring phosphatase concentration in stool at a single time-point or multiple time-points. The phosphatase profile further can be used for diagnosing and determining prognosis of other incipient or overt diseases, such as the metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancers, other chronic or acute diseases or infectious diseases. Also described is a specific dose of phosphatase for therapeutic use in incipient diabetes and other incipient or overt diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for reducing a side effect of an anticancer drug, which comprises a thrombin-like enzyme.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising chitosan, glucosamine and amino acids, where the concentration of chitosan is greater than 1.5 wt % and glucosamine is greater than 1.5 wt %. In preferred embodiments the concentration of chitosan is from 2 to 2.5 wt % and glucosamine is 2 to 6 wt %. The composition can also include solid chitin. The composition can also include trace elements, protein and other polysaccharides. The composition is generally a liquid but may be a solid. In most embodiments, the solid can be reconstituted with water prior to use. In preferred embodiments, the composition comprises HYTd and at least one of, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. In other embodiments the composition comprises HYTd and two or more of, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. The composition can also comprise HYTd, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. In the disclosed processes soil, seed, seedling or plant foliage are contacted with HYTd or any of the above compositions.

Abstract: An electrochemical measuring method uses an electrochemical measuring device in which a measuring liquid is filled into a well. The electrochemical measuring method includes: a step of applying a measuring voltage to a working electrode and measuring a value of a first current flowing in the working electrode; a step of applying a non-measuring voltage to the working electrode; a step of introducing the biological sample into a container; and a step of applying the measuring voltage to the working electrode and measuring a value of a second current flowing in the working electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture support including a substrate and a thermoresponsive polymeric blend layer, wherein the polymeric blend layer includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one network forming adhesion promoter. The present invention further relates a method of making a cell culture complex including: providing a substrate; blending at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one network forming adhesion promoter to provide a polymeric blend; applying a thin film of said polymeric blend to the substrate to provide a polymeric blend layer on the substrate; curing the polymeric blend layer on the substrate to provide a cell culture support; and depositing cells onto said cell culture support, wherein the cells may optionally further include medium, to provide a cell culture complex.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making a megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell (MEP), comprising differentiating a stem cell into a MEP in culture in the presence of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist. In some embodiments the stem cell is a pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments the MEP co-expresses CD41 and CD235. In some embodiments the number of MEPs produced in the culture increases exponentially. Methods of making a red blood cell (RBC) by culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR agonist are also provided. Methods of making a megakaryocyte and/or a platelet, comprising culturing a MEP in the presence of an AhR modulator are also provided. In some embodiments the AhR modulator is an AhR antagonist. This disclosure also provides compositions comprising at least 1 million MEPs per ml and compositions in which at least 50% of the cells are MEPs.

Abstract: An adjuvant for rapid proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro is provided to overcome the problem of low cell amplification efficiency of human mesenchymal stem cells in a culture process. The adjuvant added for the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells includes at least one antioxidant, and a basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). The adjuvant is added into a medium containing the human mesenchymal stem cells, and the culture takes place in a normal oxygen environment (21% oxygen tension), and the cells are divided rapidly, and the cell cycle at synthesis phase (S phase) percentage is increased to reduce ageing and improve differentiation potential. The adjuvant not only amplifies human mesenchymal stem cells rapidly to harvest the growth factor, but also maintains the characteristics of the multifunction of stem cells for the purposes of culturing and amplifying the human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns rhodamine based fluorescent probes which have use in detecting coagulase-producing bacterial strains. In particular, wherein the bacterial strain is MRSA or MSSA.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provides an in vitro co-culture system comprising a population of cancer responder cells and a population of non-tumor cells wherein the cancer responder cells can convert to a malignant state and exhibit hallmark malignant phenotype when the cells are placed in a tumor supportive environment. The system is useful for prognosis evaluation of cancer recurrence, malignancy development, cancer drug screening and surveillance for resistance to cancer drug therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a panel of bacteriophage, wherein the panel comprise any one or more bacteriophage selected from the group consisting of:—NCTC 12081404, NCTC 12081405, NCTC 12081406, NCTC 12081407, NCTC 12081408, NCTC 12081409 and NCTC 12081410. The invention also relates to the use of such panels for treating C. difficile infection, or for prophylactic treatment of subjects not yet colonized by C. difficile or that have been colonized but the colonization has not yet progressed to infection.

Abstract: This invention provides devices and methods that enable co-incubation of microorganisms. Also provided are methods of making such devices for co-incubation of microorganisms, and various applications of such devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the assessment of lung cancer. It discloses the use of protein ASC in the assessment of lung cancer. It also relates to a method for assessing lung cancer in vitro using a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring ASC in the sample. Measurement of ASC can, e.g., be used in the early detection or in the follow-up of patients with lung cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical methods, apparatus, systems and kits for the detection or monitoring of proteolysis of proteinaceous matrices such as fibrin clots. The methods, apparatus, systems and kits generally include the use of voltammetric techniques to measure the changes in current that result from diffusion of an electroactive species towards an electrode on proteolysis of a proteinaceous matrix.

Abstract: A composition useful for cell capture, the composition comprising a solid substrate on which is affixed a patterned polymer, and a cell-targeting agent attached to said patterned polymer, wherein said cell-targeting agent is exposed. Also described is a method for the preparation of the cell capturing composition, as well as flow through devices in which the cell capturing composition is incorporated. Further described is a method of capturing cells by contacting the cell-capturing composition with a liquid or gaseous sample containing cells. The method for capturing cells may also be a method for testing for the presence of one or more classes or species of cells or cellular organisms in a liquid or gaseous sample.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. A method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the method, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10 s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting, analyzing, and identifying biomolecules used to identifying patient with dengue-like symptom who are at risk of DHF. The inventive method comprises detecting in a sample from a subject dengue infected patient one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of IL-10, fibrinogen, C4A, immunoglobulin, tropomyosin, and three isoforms of albumin, and which are used in a predictive MARS model to detect patients with risk of developing DHF.

Abstract: A method for preserving erythrocytes comprising the steps of obtaining an erythrocyte concentrate; subjecting the erythrocyte concentrate to a gas system that includes 65% to 100% by volume and optionally one or more ballast gases from 0% to 35% by volume; and, maintaining the erythrocyte concentrate that has been subjected to the gas system at a temperature that is above the freezing point of the erythrocyte concentrate and up to a temperature of about 30° C.

Abstract: Provided is a method for reducing apoptosis in nucleated cells. The method entails holding nucleated cells in a container and adding a gas containing xenon to the container so that the pressure inside the container reaches between 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure; holding the container at between 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure for a period of time during which the temperature in the container is between 22° C. and 37° C.; lowering the temperature in the container to between 0.1° C. and 10° C. while maintaining the pressure of 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure and holding the container for a period of time; and reducing the pressure in the container to ambient pressure and increasing the temperature to 22° C.-37° C. By performing these steps, the cells undergo less apoptosis than a reference.