Abstract: The present invention provides methods of classifying cluster of differentiation (CD) marker phenotype for hematopoietic cancer cells using multiple circulating cell-free CD markers in bodily fluid. In other aspects, treatment and disease progression of particular hematopoietic cancers can be monitored by measuring the levels of CD and other markers in bodily fluids of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, predicting and monitoring kidney disorders. In particular, the present invention relates to the diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of kidney disorders by detection of cytokines, cytokine-related compounds and chemokines in urine. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for assessing the efficacy of agents and interventions used to treat kidney disorders.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing secretion of oils from oil producing cells are described herein. In particular, secretion of oils is enhanced by treating the cells with herbicides. The oils generated according to the invention may be useful, for example, in the production of biofuels.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treatment of atopic dermatitis and infectious dermatitis with biological spa therapy. The method seeks to cure or alleviate symptoms of atopic dermatitis by bathing in a bathwater containing, as dominant bacteria, not less than 105 Bacillus bacteria per 1 mL of the bathwater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for activating mammalian sperm and a method for activating sperm by use of the activating agent. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sperm activating agent containing endo-?-galactosidase and/or FGF, which accelerate motility of mammalian sperm, for use in in-vitro fertilization and artificial insemination by husband and a sperm activating method by adding endo-?-galactosidase and/or FGF.

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: A bioartificial implant comprises a semipermeable barrier designed from one side to allow diffusion or prevent diffusion of predetermined substances/materials/molecules/cells/cell lines produced in the human body to the other opposite side of the barrier, and from said other opposite side to allow diffusion or prevent diffusion of predetermined substances which are the same as or different from the first mentioned substances/materials/molecules/cells/cell lines. The semipermeable barrier has a surface coating at least on said one side a bioactive metal, such as titanium, which surface coating is permeable to allow said diffusions. In a method for reducing the risk of formation/growth of connective tissue in connection with an implant which comprises a semipermeable barrier, the barrier is provided at least on one side with a permeable coating of bioactive metal. An example of the use of the implant is bioartificial pancreas.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed for identifying patients with an increased risk of experiencing an adverse cardiovascular event where the patient is undergoing aspirin antiplatelet therapy. A platelet-containing sample from the patient is evaluated for platelet hyperactivity and platelet hyperactivity in the sample is related to the patient's risk of an adverse cardiovascular event. In some embodiments the evaluation for platelet hyperactivity is carried out by assessing the function of platelets in the sample using a high shear platelet function test.

Abstract: Acceleration of botryococcenoids and growth by concomitant provision of appropriate light, minerals, and assimilable carbon. Specifically, methods, compositions and systems for the in vitro growth of hydrocarbons in photosynthetic organisms while maintaining a biologically exclusive monocultural environment, as for example, from Botryococcus species, is disclosed. Niche-nutrients can include about 200 ppm to about 3% nitrogen, and about 100 ppm to about 15% P2O5, and about 100 ppm to about 3.5% K2O. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the growth of the Chlorophyta such as Botryococcus sp. in a nutrient medium that includes up to 15% phosphates, at least 3 ppm soluble iron, and up to about 70 ppm soluble zinc. Also disclosed is a substantially pure culture of Botryococcus braunii var. Showa, strain Ninsei, having the ATCC Accession No. PTA-7441, its parts, and hydrocarbons produced therefrom.

Abstract: Processes of storing sorted and unsorted spermatozoa, in the form of a sperm dispersion, having reduced motility relative to endogenous ejaculated sperm are disclosed. The immotile spermatozoa of the dispersion tend to have a greater capacity for enduring the rigors associated with storage, transportation, and fertilization procedures. Processes for providing such sperm dispersions, for inseminating a female mammal with such sperm dispersions, as well as compositions and combinations comprising the sperm dispersions, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the intrinsic activity of an enzyme in a raw enzyme solution, the method comprising treating the raw enzyme solution with an effective amount of a purifying agent, most preferably, activated carbon, to effect the enhancement and provide an enzyme solution of enhanced activity. Preferred enzymes are amylase, glucoamylase, cellulase, xylanase, and all other group 3 hydrolases.

Abstract: Sperm cell suspensions comprising a motility inhibitor are disclosed. The cells contained in such suspensions tend to have a greater capacity for enduring the various process steps typically associated with the sorting of sperm cells into gender enriched populations, thereby resulting in post-sort compositions with an increased number of viable or motile sperm. Processes for forming such cell suspensions, as well as processes for staining sperm cells, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cryopreserving sperm that have been selected for a specific characteristic. In a preferred embodiment, the method is employed to freeze sex-selected sperm. Although the cryopreservation method of the invention can be used to freeze sperm selected by any number of selection methods, selection using flow cytometry is preferred. The present invention also provides a frozen sperm sample that has been selected for a particular characteristic, such as sex-type. In preferred embodiments, the frozen sperm sample includes mammalian sperm, such as, for example, human, bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, elk, or bison sperm. The frozen selected sperm sample can be used in a variety of applications. In particular, the sample can be thawed and used for fertilization. Accordingly, the invention also includes a method of using the frozen selected sperm sample for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for in vitro maturation of immature human oocytes. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for in vitro maturation of immature human oocytes, comprising the steps of: (a) inducing in a female human subject an increase in endogenous luteinizing hormone levels, said subject having not undergone an ovarian stimulation protocol prior to said inducing step; (b) obtaining from said subject an immature oocyte; and (c) culturing said oocyte until maturity.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient to repair or regenerate damaged tissues or organs in which synovium from a joint or omentum from the abdomen are harvested to provide explants, optionally separating cells from the synovium or omentum explants for culture or tissue specification, and introducting the explants or separated cells from the synovium or omentum into damaged tissues or organs to repair the damaged tissues or organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culturing cells which may be used in hair induction. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cultivation of hair inductive cells, comprising the step of culturing the hair inductive cells in a culture medium comprising a medium conditioned by conditioning cells, in which the conditioning cells are derived from non-epidermal tissue.

Abstract: Biomarkers relating to metabolic age are provided, as well as methods for using such biomarkers as biomarkers for determining metabolic age. In addition, methods for modulating the metabolic age of a subject are also provided. Also provided are suites of small molecule entities as biomarkers for metabolic age.

Abstract: A method of reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing blood glutamate levels thereby reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosis of pre-eclampsia which comprises measuring urate in a biological sample. The sample is preferably maternal saliva.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for killing biological agents utilizing lime sulfur in liquid or powder form.