Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preventing, lessening or treating pulmonary fibrosis in a subject. The methods comprise delivering an amount of a powdered extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived material to the respiratory system of the subject effective to prevent, lessen or treat pulmonary fibrosis in a subject. Also provided is an apparatus for delivering the powdered ECM-derived material to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting blood phosphorus level elevation, including administering to a patient in need thereof a composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium as an active ingredient. The method may further include encapsulating the composition comprising a lactic acid bacterium in a capsule. The inhibitor for blood phosphorus level elevation of the present invention is highly safe, is readily administrable, and can sufficiently inhibit a blood phosphorus level elevation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a probiotic bacterial strain in the manufacture of a medicament or therapeutic nutritional composition for improving the maturation of sleep patterns in infants, young children or young animals and/or for reducing sleep disturbances and/or improving sleep patterns in humans or animals at any age.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable material comprising a biocompatible matrix and cells which, when provided to a vascular access structure, can promote functionality generally. For example, implantable material of the present invention can enhance maturation of an arteriovenous native fistula as well as prolong the fistula in a mature, functional state suitable for dialysis. Additionally, the present invention can promote formation of a functional arteriovenous graft suitable for dialysis as well as promote formation of a functional peripheral bypass graft. Implantable material can be configured as a flexible planar form or a flowable composition with shape-retaining properties suitable for implantation at, adjacent or in the vicinity of an anastomoses or arteriovenous graft. According to the methods disclosed herein, the implantable material is provided to an exterior surface of a blood vessel. Certain embodiments of the flexible planar form define a slot.

Abstract: Provided are serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3, ascorbic acid, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture. The media may also comprise an IL6R/IL6 chimera, or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF); wherein the culture medium is capable of maintaining pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cell support. Also provided are cell cultures comprising pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using the same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems. Methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation are also provided.

Abstract: A method of increasing the rate of growth of an animal cell or cell culture include the use of ultrasound at a frequency greater than about 1 MHz.

Abstract: Cultures of Chlamydomonas are disclosed comprising greater than 340 mg/l triacylglycerols (TAG). The cultures can include buoyant Chlamydomonas. Methods of forming the cultures are also disclosed. In some embodiments, these methods comprise providing Chlamydomonas growing in log phase in a first culture medium comprising a nitrogen source and acetate, replacing the first culture medium with a second medium comprising acetate but no nitrogen source, and subsequently supplementing the second medium with additional acetate. In some embodiments, a culture can comprise at least 1,300 mg/l triacyglycerols. In some embodiments, cultures can be used to produce a biofuel such as biodiesel.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel methods and compositions utilizing adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells for treating fistulae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-animal soft capsule shell composition having improved disintegration stability and shell hardness. More particularly, the present invention relates to a non-animal soft capsule shell composition and to a method for preparing same, in which an antioxidant and a disintegration aid are added to the non-animal soft capsule shell composition that is typically made of starch or a starch derivative, gums, a plasticizer, a buffering agent, and purified water which inhibit starch retrogradation and thus inhibit an increase in disintegration stability and capsule shell hardness, thereby improving disintegration stability and shell hardness.

Abstract: An isolated expandable human neural stem or progenitor cell wherein the cell is a progenitor cells or stem cell, maintains its capability to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, maintains its ability to differentiate into oligodendrocyte lineage cells efficiently throughout subsequent passages, and the cell expresses at least cell surface antigens CD133 and CD140?. Also provided is a method of in vitro culturing an expandable neural progenitor or stem cell isolated from a mammalian central nervous system, and the culture itself, wherein said cell maintains its capability to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes and its ability to differentiate into oligodendrocyte-lineage cells efficiently. In addition, a method of treating a condition caused by a loss of myelin or a loss of oligodendrocytes is provided as is a composition comprising an isolated expandable neural stem cell or one cultured by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A demineralized bone matrix is produced by a process in which a bone body is placed in a first processing solution comprising an acid to demineralize the bone body. The bone body is periodically removed from the first solution at specific time intervals to perform at least one test, such as a compression test, on a mechanical property of the bone body. When the test yields a desired result, the bone body is exposed to a second processing solution that is less acidic than the first, thus minimizing the exposure of the bone body to the harsh acidic conditions of the demineralization phase of the process.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of formula (I) and/or salts thereof, of the class of substituted pyridines and pyrimidines, useful for inducing cardiomyogenesis, a process for producing cardiomyocyte-like cells from mammalian cells by culturing mammalian cells in the presence of the compound of formula (I), the pharmaceutical use of compounds of formula (I) for producing cardiomyocyte-like cells from omnipotent, pluripotent, or lineage committed mammalian cells, and the use of thus produced cardiomyocyte-like cells for treating disorders associated with impaired function of the heart.

Abstract: A method for preparing carbonate apatite from natural bones. The method includes obtaining cancellous bone particles; treating the bone particles with hot water and an organic solvent; repeating the treating step at least once; drying the bone particles; and heating the bone particles at 500° C. to 620° C. for 10 to 50 hours.

Abstract: A method and device for creating hanging drop cell aggregates. The method and device includes a plurality of pegs that allow for high throughput culture of aggregates. Also disclosed are means of transferring formed aggregates to various destinations, such as well plates, scaffolding, tissues, or wounds. Use of the device permits aggregates to be prepared or created in larger quantities than current methods, and allows for them to be transferred more efficiently.

Abstract: Biopharmaceutical process development with recombinant protein producing mammalian cells has realized a tremendous increase in both productivity and product yields in the past years. These achievements can be mainly attributed to the advancements in cell line development, media, and process optimization. Only recently, genome-scale technologies enable a system-level analysis to elucidate the complex biomolecular basis of protein production in mammalian cells promising an increased process understanding and the deduction of knowledge-based approaches for further process optimization. The present invention describes a method for a rational cell culturing process using such a knowledge-based approach.

Abstract: There is provided a process of growing a phototrophic biomass in a reaction zone. Gaseous exhaust material is produced with a gaseous exhaust material producing process, wherein the gaseous exhaust material includes carbon dioxide. A discharge of the gaseous exhaust material is supplied to the reaction zone and is modulated. A bypass gaseous exhaust material, being supplied to another unit operation, is also modulated.

Abstract: A method of increasing animal cell growth and monoclonal antibody production in an animal cell or cell culture includes the use of ultrasound at a frequency greater than about 1 MHz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a tissue matrix and its subsequent use in the replacement and/or repair of a damaged or defective meniscus. The invention also provides meniscal tissue that is substantially decellularised.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of isolation, pooling and further culturing of Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSC) for clinical application. Present invention also discloses the method of establishing Master Cell bank, followed by Working Cell Bank from which the final therapeutic composition referred to as Investigational Product/Investigational Medicinal Product comprising of allogenic bone marrow-derived MSC is formulated for clinical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cosmetic use of an effective amount of at least one probiotic microorganism and/or a fraction thereof and/or a metabolite thereof, as an agent for treating and/or preventing oily skin or skin with an oily tendency and the associated skin disorders.