Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for determining and/or isolating cells. One aspect is generally directed to methods and devices for detecting, identifying, counting, and/or potentially sorting cells of interest in blood or other biological sample. In some embodiments, blood samples (or other biological fluids) may be treated with signaling entities, such as pH-sensitive entities, that change color or otherwise produce a signal in suitable internal environments. For example, certain cells, such as cancer or fetal cells, may have differences in intracellular pH compared to other cells, which can be detected using pH-sensitive entities. In certain embodiments, the cells may be sorted based on such signaling entities; for example, illumination of cells in a suitable machine for sorting cells (e.g., using fluorescent light) may allow determination of the cells, which may also be recovered or isolated for further manipulation in some cases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of microorganisms in a liquid sample. A vessel with an electrode disposed therein receives a volume of liquid to be tested. A second electrode is also provided, both electrodes in physical contact with the liquid sample. A time varying signal is applied to one electrode, and the other electrode is coupled to a phase sensitive signal detector. The phase sensitive signal detector determines a frequency at which an out of phase signal amplitude is zero. This zero-crossing frequency is used as a baseline, and changes in the zero-crossing frequency are an indication of microbial growth.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for bacterial cellulose production. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions involve or are made from distiller's grain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising (1) forming an aqueous mixture comprising a microbial composition and solid chitin, wherein said microbial composition comprises one or more microbes that produce chitin digesting enzymes; and (2) fermenting the mixture for a time sufficient to enzymatically digest all or part of the chitin to form a fermented mixture comprising chitosan and glucosamine. In some embodiments, the chitin is derived from the biodegradation of chitin containing marine Arthropods. In other embodiments, the chitin is obtained from chitin containing fungi, filamentous fungi and yeast which is extracted via a chemical process. In yet another embodiment, the chitin is obtained by the biodegradation of chitin containing fungi, filamentous fungi, yeast and/or insects, preferably using HQE for the digestion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture support comprising a substrate and a thermoresponsive polymeric blend layer, wherein the polymeric blend layer comprises 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 comprising: 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 comprise medium, to provide a cell culture complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved processes for culturing bacteria, in particular to processes for perfusion suspension culturing of bacteria in a fermenter, wherein the culture medium including the bacteria is circulated over a separation system in alternating tangential flow, wherein the separation system removes a filtrate containing inhibitory metabolites from the culture medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for subjecting adherent cells to at least one electric field, in which the electric field is generated by applying a voltage to at least two active electrodes 63, wherein at least three electrodes 63, 64 are provided, and wherein at least two electrodes 63, 64 are active electrodes 63 when the voltage is applied in order to generate a first electric field, and in which at least one second electric field is generated, wherein at least one of the two previously active electrodes 63 is a potential-free electrode 64 when the voltage is applied.

Abstract: The present invention concerns new compositions containing hyaluronic acid or the derivatives thereof in association with the proteolytic enzyme collagenase (and relative pharmaceutical formulations) for the preparation of a dressing for topical treatment of various kinds of wounds, burns of varying depth, pressure sores, vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers as well as for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars.

Abstract: A method of treatment for pulpitis and/or enhancement for dentinogenesis, includes using dental materials that include at least one of a protein having matrix metalloprotease 3 activities or matrix metalloprotease 3 precursor protein as an active ingredient. The dental materials can also contain a carrier having biocompatibility, and can contain at least one cell type among pulp cells, pulp stem cells, pulp progenitor cells, odontoblasts or cells that can differentiate into odontoblasts.

Abstract: Molds for making cell aggregation devices include upper and lower surfaces. Methods of aggregating cells include depositing cells on in a seeding chamber, incubating the cells and removing aggregated cells. Devices for encapsulating aggregates of cells include biocompatible, bio-sustainable substrates compartments and a coating of a biocompatible, bio-sustainable polymer that completely surrounds the substrate and cell-encapsulating compartments.

Abstract: The present invention provides constructs including a tubular biodegradable polyglycolic acid scaffold, wherein the scaffold may be coated with extracellular matrix proteins and substantially acellular. The constructs can be utilized as an arteriovenous graft, a coronary graft, a peripheral artery bypass conduit, or a urinary conduit. The present invention also provides methods of producing such constructs.

Abstract: A method to treat biomass, e.g., lignocellulosic material, including: performing a pretreatment step on the biomass and discharging the pretreated biomass; in at least a first enzymatic hydrolysis reactor producing a liquefaction material, recirculating at least a portion of the liquefaction material from the at least first reactor to a location upstream of the addition of the enzymes as at least a portion of the coolant for the hot pretreated biomass.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are disclosed that enhance crop production, increase plant defensive processes and/or decrease the level of plant pathogens. The compositions comprise a microbial composition and liquid fertilizer, preferably a liquid fertilizer that contains at least soluble nitrogen. The composition can be applied immediately to soil, foliage, seeds or seedlings. Alternatively, the composition may be activated by incubation for up to about seven days to form an activated composition. The incubation conditions influence the properties of the consortium after incubation. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise one or more lactic acid producing bacteria, one or more nitrogen fixing bacteria, and liquid fertilizer comprising soluble nitrogen. In preferred embodiments, there are multiple genera and/or species of lactic acid bacteria and nitrogen fixing bacteria. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprises HYTa in liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: To provide a method for raising plants that have great vitality and that are strongly resistant to pests and can successfully compete against weeds. The invention provides a method for raising plants with enhanced immunity and biological activity to external and internal stresses. The present invention is characterized by the following: the method includes a step of applying to the target plants a plant immunopotentiating composition containing an immunostimulatory substance produced by the cytolysis that accompanies spore formation in aerobic endospore-forming bacteria; the immunostimulatory substance is obtained by culturing the aerobic endospore-forming bacteria, causing the bacteria to form endospores by placing the resulting culture liquid in starvation conditions, and then removing impurities including the bacterial cells that are formed into endospores from the culture liquid; and the aerobic endospore-forming bacteria belong to the MRE symbiotic bacteria group.

Abstract: A method for reducing alpha-synuclein amyloid protein in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of trans-resveratrol, a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease associated with amyloid proteins comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of trans-resveratrol, and a method for treating Parkinson's Disease comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of carbidopa, levodopa, and trans-resveratrol are described. More particularly, the effect of trans-resveratrol on reducing the pharmaceutically effective dose of at least one of carbidopa and levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease is described. In addition, a method of improving cognition, speech and/or movement in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease comprising administering to the patient carbidopa, levodopa and trans-resveratrol is described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for detecting and monitoring proteolysis of protein matrices such as fibrin clots, extracellular matrix and collagen matrix. The apparatus and methods involve in general the measurement of diffusion-limited electrochemical currents generated by an electroactive species or elactomer in a synthetic protein matrix. The apparatus and methods are applied in various embodiments to detect and monitor the proteolytic activities of a sample, and more specifically fibrinolytic activities and collagenase activities of a sample. The apparatus and methods are utilized generally in the monitoring and diagnostics of cardiovascular, cerebralvascular, and oncology conditions.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of removing non-viable cells from a cell population, said method comprising contacting a cell population with a compound under conditions suitable to permit binding between the compound and any non-viable cells present in the cell culture and removing at least some of the compound from said cell population. The invention further provides compositions suitable for use in these methods, further uses of such compositions and various other systems and kits.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for producing native mammalian biological molecules by electromagnetically stimulating mammalian cells using an electromagnetic field. The mammalian cells can be grown in a chamber that is exposed to a time varying electromagnetic force. The biological molecules can be isolated from the cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of freezing stem cells comprising introducing the HSCs into a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs), thereby producing a stem cell culture, and slowly freezing the stem cell culture. In other aspects, the invention is directed to compositions comprising stem cells produced by the methods provided herein. In yet other aspects, the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the stem cells produced by the methods provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and compositions for treating a subject with a lysosomal storage disease such as gaucher disease, by administering to a subject with a lysosomal storage disease a therapeutically effective amount of composition comprising at least one of a protease or peptidase in an amount sufficient to ameliorate, reduce or improve at least one symptom of the disease. The invention also provides dietary supplements for subjects having lysosomal storage diseases.