Abstract: An approach for preparing a vaccine using ultraviolet radiation is described. Aspects of this approach involve multiple iterations of inactivation of the vaccine using an ultraviolet radiation source at a set of different wavelengths and dosages. A recognition test of the vaccine using the set of different wavelengths and dosages is performed after the multiple iterations of inactivation. A controller compares results from the inactivation test and the recognition test to determine an area of acceptable radiation dosages and wavelengths generated from the ultraviolet radiation source that irradiate the live organisms without affecting efficacy and safety of the vaccine. The area of acceptable ultraviolet radiation dosages and wavelengths is representative of a difference between an ultraviolet radiation dosage that is required for inactivation and an ultraviolet radiation dosage that leads to a loss of recognition.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of hydrocarbons substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom, comprising the process steps A) reaction of a carbon source comprising at least one selected from CO2 and CO to give acetate and/or ethanol with a first microorganism, B) separating off of the acetate from the first microorganism, C) reaction of the acetate to give a hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom with a second microorganism and optionally D) purification of the hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom.

Abstract: A microbe-specific medium, containing specific chromogenic substrates, for the detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a biological sample, whereby both the detection and identification of vancomycin-resistant enterococci at the species level is achieved utilizing one sample and one test.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of recovering oil from microorganisms. The methods are useful, for example, in obtaining nutritional oils and/or lipid biofuels. The methods of recovering oil described herein include contacting a population of microorganisms with one or more enzymes under conditions that cause disruption of the microorganisms, concentrating the disrupted microorganisms, and extracting lipids from the disrupted microorganisms at high temperature in the presence of a salt and in the absence of solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising hydrogels from functionalized hyaluronic acid derivatives, said hydrogels loaded with exogenous enzymes selected in the group consisting of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) and endoprotease (EP) intended for the oral treatment of celiac disease. Specifically, this invention concerns a one-pot methodology useful to prepare methacrylic derivatives of hyaluronic acid, through the formation of a specific active group on hydroxyl groups of hyaluronic acid, the subsequent substitution of the inserted active group with ethylenediamine and finally, the reaction with methacrylic anhydride. The obtained methacrylic hyaluronic acid derivatives are used to prepare hydrogels through irradiation and loaded with exogenous enzymes selected in the group consisting of prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) and endoprotease (EP). The ability of prepared hydrogels to allow the enzyme release, as active form in simulated gastrointestinal fluids is proved.

Abstract: A method for detecting sickle-cell disease in an individual. A blood sample from an individual is brought into contact with an agent for inducing the sickling of red blood cells suitable for placing the red blood cells in a hypoxic condition. The blood sample is filtered through a porous membrane of which the pore size is determined to retain the sickled red blood cells, and allow the non-sickled red blood cells to pass through. The possible presence of a residue on the membrane is detected, during and/or after the filtering step. The presence indicating that the individual is suffering from sickle-cell disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro blood vessel model for investigation of drug induced vascular injury and other vascular pathologies. The in vitro blood vessel model provides two channels separated by a porous membrane that is coated on one side by an endothelial cell layer and is coated on the other side by a smooth muscle cell layer, wherein said model is susceptible to the extravasation of red blood cells across said porous membrane due to drug induced vascular injury.

Abstract: A single dissolving compound forms plural azeotropes, which can be azeotropically vaporized off at various stages of the treatment process, thus maintaining predictable concentrations of the chemicals present. The treatment process can be performed in the absence of formalin or related compounds which can interfere with the preservation of genetic material. A process for preserving a specimen includes using a dissolving compound that can form a plural number of azeotropes, at least one azeotrope being formed between one or more components of the dissolving compound and specimen-supplied water, and at least one azeotrope being formed between different components of the dissolving compound; successively and azeotropically vaporizing off formed azeotropes; and impregnating the specimen with a support medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a yeast hydrolysate comprising less than 100 ppm gluten and at least 1 ppm gluten based on salt-free yeast dry matter.

Abstract: Methods for treating tissue matrices and tissue matrices produced according to the methods are provided. The methods can include treating select portions of a tissue matrix with a cross-linking agent and/or a proteolytic enzyme to produce a tissue matrix with variable mechanical and/or biological properties.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel probiotic compositions that increase nitrate- and nitrite-reduction in animals such as ruminants. The present invention thus provides compositions and methods for reducing nitrate/nitrite toxicity in such animals, or prophylactically protecting such animals from the effects of toxicity, such as methemoglobinemia. A novel strain of an unspeciated bacterial strain related to Paenibacillus species with nitrate- and nitrite-reducing capabilities is described. In conjunction with nitrate-supplemented diets, the probiotics of the present invention can also be utilized to reduce methanogenesis in livestock. Furthermore, the probiotic compositions of the present invention can be used to reduce the number and kind of food-borne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni.

Abstract: A method for providing semen optimized for use in artificial insemination is described. Methods involve monitoring sperm cell metabolism by assays that produce results in real time, while sperm are still being processed into doses for use in insemination. Processing is modified in response to assay results, to optimize sperm performance.

Abstract: A single dissolving compound forms plural azeotropes, which can be azeotropically vaporized off at various stages of the treatment process, thus maintaining predictable concentrations of the chemicals present. The treatment process can be performed in the absence of formalin or related compounds which can interfere with the preservation of genetic material. A process for preserving a specimen includes using a dissolving compound that can form a plural number of azeotropes, at least one azeotrope being formed between one or more components of the dissolving compound and specimen-supplied water, and at least one azeotrope being formed between different components of the dissolving compound; successively and azeotropically vaporizing off formed azeotropes; and impregnating the specimen with a support medium.

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: Tissue products lacking a desired percentage of immunogenic epitopes, such as galactose alpha-1,3 galactose epitopes, are provided. Methods of making and using the tissue products are also provided.

Abstract: A method of delivering a compound of interest to the lungs of a subject by the intravenous injection of Sertoli cells loaded with a plurality of chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the compound of interest is provided. Testis-derived rat Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with or without the drug curcumin, pre-labeled with a fluorescent cell marker and then injected intravenously into the control or asthmatic mouse model host. Intact pre-loaded, pre-labeled Sertoli cells were present in the lungs at 15 minutes post-injection, appeared entrapped in the pulmonary pre-capillary vascular bed around alveolar sacs but were not present one hour post-injection although Sertoli cell label and cellular debris was. Most of the injected nanoparticle load (70%) and curcumin load (80%) was present in the lungs 15 minutes post-injection, and remained at 70% and 80%, respectively, one hour post-injection.

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 present invention is directed to methods and compositions regarding the preparation of an cell concentrate, such as, for example, an osteogenic cell concentrate, from a physiological solution, such as bone marrow aspirate, blood, or a mixture thereof. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods and compositions utilizing two physiological solution-processing techniques, particularly in a point of care environment, wherein centrifugation is not employed.

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.

Abstract: Some embodiments include bacterial species for use in treatment of one or more autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and/or schizophrenia symptoms in a subject in need thereof. The bacterial species can include Bacteroides (e.g., B. fragilis, B. thetaiomtaomicron, and/or B. vulgatus), and/or Enterococcus (e.g., E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. hirae, E. avium, E. durans, E. gallinarum, or E. casseliflavus). Upon treatment, one or more ASD-related behaviors can be improved in the subject.