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 gel composition that forms a three dimensional gel microenvironment that is formed of an adhesive protein, a maleimide-functionalized poly alkylene oxide, a linking agent and a nanoparticle, the components forming an interpenetrating network that exhibits improved mechanical and biochemical properties, as well as creates a favorable microenvironment for cellular growth and proliferation. The gel composition also creates a favorable microenvironment for testing various agents on normal or diseased cells, including chemotherapeutic agents on cancer cells or other diseased 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 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: 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: The invention relates to agriculture and can be used to restore soil fertility. A method for remediation of contaminated lands involves pouring and introducing a bioreagent to a depth into the soil prepared for purification. Remediation is carried out in 2 steps: in the first step, slit-like or round holes are made in the infected area to a depth of 25 cm, poured with water, afterwards, 5-6 hours later, this area is poured with a bioreagent in the form of a humus-containing suspension in an amount of up to 400 g per kg of soil containing strains: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus VKPM V-4883, Pseudomonas denitrificans VKPM-4884, Pseudomonas sp. “longa” VKPM V-4885, Rhodococcus erythropolis in an amount of (6-8)·109, (3-4)·109 (2-3)·109, (1-2)·109 cells per 1 L of solution, respectively, in the ratio, wt. % 4.8:2.4:1.7:1.0. In the second step, 8-10 days later, half the initial dose of the concentrate of the humus-containing suspension is introduced.

Abstract: The detergent product for cosmetic use, comprises: a base compound having a detergent action; spores of probiotic bacteria mixed with the base compound; bacteriophage elements mixed with the base compound and having bactericide activity on predetermined undesired bacterial species present, the bacteriophage elements, in cooperation with the spores of probiotic bacteria, being able to carry out a combined and synergic action against damaging micro-organisms. Use of the detergent product is also described, for cleansing of the skin, skin adnexa (hair, nails, body hair, beard), of the oral cavity, mucosa or the teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition having thrombolytic activity comprising ADAMTS13, and to methods for treating or preventing a disorder associated with the formation and/or the presence of one or more thrombus and to methods of disintegrating one or more thrombus in a patient in need thereof. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutically effective amount of ADAMTS13 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing a disorder associated with the formation or the presence of one or more thrombus and for disintegrating one or more thrombus in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising A) microcapsules comprising at least one fat-soluble active substance selected from a vitamin K compound or a provitamin or a prodrug of a vitamin K compound embedded in a matrix comprising a hydrocolloid and optionally one or more other matrix components, and B) at least one dietary mineral; as well as uses and products comprising such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a glycosylated oxalate decarboxylase. The oxalate decarboxylase is derived from edible basidiomycetes, the glycosylated oxalate decarboxylase has an enzyme activity at the pH value of 1.5-7.5, the activity at the pH value of 1.5-2.0 is 10% greater than the optimum activity, and a specific activity is more than 2 U/mg. The present invention also discloses preparation and application of the glycosylated oxalate decarboxylase. The glycosylated oxalate decarboxylase disclosed by the present invention can keep the activity under a low pH value, and can effectively prevent and treat kidney stones.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multiplier and modulator additive of the ruminal microbiota created from exogenous multienzyme compounds, integrating processes and devices for cultivating and harvesting biomass of selected fungal species, assembling active components of fungal origin and by mixing supplies according to specifications, forming thus a multiplier and modulator additive of the ruminal microbiota suitable for its application (as part of food or via distribution devices as a nutritional supplement) in the ruminant animal feed industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an embedded mammalian cell, comprising the steps of providing an alginate sulfate in aqueous solution; reacting the alginate sulfate to form a hydrogel in a gelation step, providing a precursor cell, and embedding the precursor cell in the sulfated alginate hydrogel in an embedding step, thus yielding an sulfated alginate hydrogel embedded cell. The invention further relates to sulfated alginate hydrogels, and cellular grafts comprising a mammalian cell embedded in sulfated alginate hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a use of an agent for the in vitro inhibition of coagulation in blood and a blood collection device provided for said method and use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and sequestering target analytes in a fluid sample. The system comprises a bulk specimen reservoir for receiving a liquid sample, along with paramagnetic materials operative to selectively bind to the target analyte of interest. A vertex is interconnected with the bulk specimen reservoir to define a specimen chamber assembly to which a magnetic chamber is deployed about the vertex portion thereof and operative to sequester the magnetic particles, as well as any analyte of interest bound thereto, within the interior of the vertex. Once sufficient time is allowed for mixing and allowing the magnetic capsule to sufficiently retain the magnetic particles within the vertex, the vertex is disconnected from the specimen reservoir and the paramagnetic materials retained therein analyzed to determine the presence of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: A method of isolating a pluripotent cell from human umbilical cord is described herein. The method involves collecting a sample of umbilical cord from fetal tissue obtained at less than 13 weeks of gestation, for example a first trimester umbilical cord. The sample is treated to obtain isolated umbilical cord cells, after which the isolated umbilical cord cells are incubated. Cells obtained in this way can be differentiated for use in treating conditions of cell damage, by supplanting the function of a damaged cell in a condition such as spinal cord injury, cardiovascular injury or heart disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method that is used to create three-dimensional synthetic vascular networks. Micromachining and molding techniques are used to create a template in a shape that mimics a biological network. Cellular material can be seeded around the template or a space created by the template and grown into an engineered tissue-construct.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological machine comprising a skeleton comprising at least one hydrogel strip and at least two hydrogel bases, and at least one bioactuator, the at least one bioactuator comprising at least one muscle ring, the muscle ring comprising skeletal muscle cells, wherein the muscle ring is tethered around the at least two pillars. The muscle ring can comprises skeletal muscle, and skeletal muscle innervated with motor neurons, allowing chemical control of muscle contraction. Methods of making the biological machine is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, from a liquid sample, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the pH of a liquid sample comprising extracellular vesicles to a preselected, binding pH; contacting the liquid sample with silicon carbide, wherein at the preselected, binding pH, the extracellular vesicles bind to the silicon carbide; and eluting the bound extracellular vesicles from the silicon carbide. The liquid samples can comprise bodily fluids. Further disclosed is a method for producing a liquid sample, substantially depleted of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes.