Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing surgical site infections (SSI) that have occurred at extremely high incidence rates at the time of surgical operations and particularly surgical operations on digestive system organs, and to provide a column to be used for the method. According to the present invention, a method is provided for suppressing surgical site infections, which comprises the steps of: (a) administering a chemotherapeutic drug for treating and/or preventing a surgical site infection; and (b) collecting blood from a surgical subject and removing leukocytes that comprise neutrophils from the blood during or within 24 hours after surgical operation, and then returning the blood from which the leukocytes have been removed to the surgical subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one strain of probiotic bacteria selected from Lactobacillus for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and/or prevention of a virus infection.

Abstract: The invention provides method for producing butanediol and specifically 2,3-butanediol by anaerobic fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO by a culture of at least one micro-organism. In accordance with particular methods of the invention, 2,3-butanediol is produced by anaerobic fermentation of substrates including carbohydrates and carbon monoxide. The invention further provides for the up-regulation of a native 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase gene in the at least one micro-organism. The 2,3-butanediol can be further converted to compounds such as butene(s), butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone. These compounds can be further converted to chemical products such as 2-butanol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a DHA phospholipid comprising an ?3 unsaturated fatty acid, particularly DHA, as a constituent lipid by using a microorganism in a simpler manner. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a phospholipid comprising an ?3 unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent lipid, which comprises the steps of: growing a microorganism capable of producing the ?3 unsaturated fatty acid in a culture medium containing a carbon source; and further culturing the grown microorganism in a culture medium without any carbon source. The method enables to produce a highly value-added phospholipid which comprises an ?3 unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent lipid by using a microorganism capable of producing the ?3 unsaturated fatty acid in a large quantity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for hypothermic collection of whole blood, and components thereof, which can extend the holding time of blood beyond the current useable limit. Additionally, blood can be drawn directly into a hypothermic preservation solution without the addition of standard anticoagulants. This is enabled by providing sustained cellular viability under hypothermic conditions using a nutrient matrix devoid of animal proteins and containing energy substrates, free-radical scavengers, and impermeants that is ionically balanced for storage of biologic materials at low temperatures to prevent cellular stress-induced apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a monolithic implant for use in tissue engineering, the process comprising the steps of plasticizing at least one biocompatible material into a paste, extruding the paste through a die, and drying the extruded material to eliminate an aqueous and/or non-aqueous component. The invention also relates to a monolithic implant as thereby manufactured, and the use of such an implant as a scaffold for tissue-engineering and as a transplant tissue in reconstructive or replacement surgery.

Abstract: The invention features methods of inducing hair follicle formation in a mammal by transplantation of skin-derived precursors (SKPs) and keratinocytes into the skin of the mammal. The invention also features compositions and kits including SKPs and keratinocytes. In other aspects, the invention features methods for producing dermal sheets from SKPs, methods for using such sheets and dermal sheets produced by SKPs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of benzoic acid and/or its sodium salt in combination with saccharide(s) as active components in the manufacture of a vaginal composition for modulating vaginal flora and vaginal acidity, thereby maintaining the pH value of vaginal secretion within a range from 3.5 to 4.5; and the present invention further relates to a vaginal composition and a method for modulating and maintaining normal vaginal flora and vaginal acidity.

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: A cardiovascular support composition is provided comprising red yeast rice, Coenzyme-Q10, and phytosterols. A method for maintaining cardiovascular health is also provided comprising administering the composition comprising red yeast rice, Coenzyme-Q10, and phytosterols in a predefined dosage to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the isomerization and fermentation of xylose and hexose sugars using an immobilized enzyme system capable of sustaining two different pH microenvironments in a single vessel are disclosed. Bilayer particles are dispersed in a mixture comprising an ionic borate source and xylose. The bilayer particles have an inner of a xylose isomerase having a pH of 6 or above, and an outer region having a second enzymatic activity at an acidic pH.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods directed to the cosmetic use of an effective amount of at least one probiotic microorganism especially from the genus Lactobacillus sp. and/or Bifidobacterium sp., of a fraction thereof and/or of a metabolite thereof, as an active agent for limiting, preventing or treating skin irritation and/or irritative skin disorders.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the manufacture of biogas and a solids fraction from an organic waste feedstock is provided. The process involves thermal hydrolysis of the organic waste feedstock at a temperature from about 100 to about 220° C., a pressure from about 5 to about 20 bars, for a period of time from about 15 minutes to 4 hours, to produce a hydrolysate. The hydrolysate undergoes anaerobic digestion at a temperature from about 25 to 60° C., for a period of time from about 1 to 35 days to produce a biogas stream, characterized as having a methane content from between 55 to 75% by volume and a digestate. The digestate is separated into a solids fraction and a liquid fraction, and a portion of the solids fraction is recycled for further anaerobic digestion.

Abstract: The present inventors discovered that microfiltration retentates of whey, and products obtained by treating whey using centrifugation and/or ammonium sulfate precipitation, have the activity of inhibiting rotavirus infection. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preventing rotavirus infection, comprising administering to a subject a composition that comprises a whey cream serum obtained by treating whey by centrifugation, or a dehydrated product thereof, wherein the antiviral activity of said composition is retained after heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of Bifidobacteria. In particular the present invention relates to the field of Bifidobacteria with a modulated stress resistance. One embodiment of the present invention is a Bifidobacterium with a constitutively modulated DnaK, DnaJ, GrpE and/or CIpB expression.

Abstract: The present technology relates to the use of at least one strain of probiotic bacteria selected from Lactobacillus for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and/or prevention of a virus infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) using a halobacterium belonging to the genus Halomonas, wherein the halobacterium can grow in a medium consisting of an inorganic salt and a single organic carbon source and having a pH of 8.8 to 11, and produce PHAs in an amount of 20 wt. % or more based on the dry cell weight, and the halobacterium is cultured in an alkaline medium containing an inorganic salt and one or more organic carbon sources to produce PHAs in an amount of 20 wt. % or more based on the dry cell weight; and the halobacterium belonging to the genus Halomonas, which can grow in a medium consisting an inorganic salt and a single organic carbon source and having a pH of 8.8 to 11, and produce PHAs in an amount of 20 wt. % or more based on the dry cell weight.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed.