Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming polymeric microparticles housing live microorganisms, the method using the steps of (a) providing a microbial solution comprising a crosslinkable polymeric material compatible with live microorganisms; a protective agent; a microbial population; and water; and a crosslinking agent solution comprising a crosslinking agent and water; and (b) subjecting the microbial and crosslinking agent solutions to spray-drying using a co-axial nozzle configured to spray at least three fluids independently, thereby producing microparticles of a crosslinked polymeric material housing live microorganisms where the microbial solution and crosslinking agent solution are each sprayed through one of the innermost two channels of the co-axial nozzle and an atomizing gas is sprayed through the outermost channel. In a specific embodiment, the polymeric material is alginate, and the microbial population is selected from one or more of probiotic bacteria and/or a live biotherapeutic.

Abstract: Methods for reducing at least one of the bioavailability and absorption of at least one of ingested fat, carbohydrates, and unwanted substances from foodstuff in a subject are disclosed. The methods described herein include administering an amount of a nanobiopolymer, or combinations of nanobiopolymers, sufficient to reduce at least one of the bioavailability and absorption of ingested fat, carbohydrates, and unwanted substances to a subject, such as a human subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating blood cells comprising the steps of: (a) lysing red blood cells of a blood sample and diluting said sample; (b) providing a microfluidic device comprising a spiral-shaped flow channel having at least a first end and a second end, wherein said flow channel has two inlet ports at or near said first end and at least two outlet ports at or near said second end, wherein one of the two inlet ports is located at the inner wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and the other inlet port is located at the outer wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and at least one of the outlet ports is connected to a container allowing the storage of blood cells; (c) introducing the sample of step (a) into the inlet port located at the outer wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and introducing a sheath fluid into the inlet port located at the inner wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel; (d) driving said sample and the sheath fluid through the spiral-shaped flow channel; and (e) re

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sustained release hollow core-shell microcapsule formulation for drug delivery comprising a hollow shell of one or more hydrophobic polymers, a drug containing hydrophilic or amphiphilic carrier matrix that is distributed over the inner surface of the hollow shell, a flotation agent, and an optional osmotic agent, wherein the microcapsule is capable of floating in a simulated digestive fluid for a period of from 24 to 96 hours. The microcapsules are prepared by a modified double emulsion (water/oil/water) solvent evaporation method. The microcapsule formulation may provide a sustained-release delivery system for treating chronic diseases such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes and tuberculosis, all of which require multiple drug combination therapies. The aim is to reduce dosing frequency and pill burden, thus improving patient medication compliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the presence of a microorganism in a sample using an electrochemically active reporter, wherein the method comprises (a) contacting the sample with an electrochemically active reporter, wherein the electrochemically active reporter is a conjugate comprising a sugar moiety and a redox active reporter moiety that are covalently linked such that the covalent bond can be enzymatically cleaved in the presence of the microorganism by an enzyme expressed by the microorganism, wherein the redox active reporter moiety is selected from the group consisting of resorufin and compounds of formula (I) as defined herein, under conditions that allow enzymatic cleavage of the covalent bond between the sugar moiety and the redox active reporter moiety and reduction of the redox active report moiety in the presence of the microorganism; (b) electrochemically determining the released redox active reporter moiety; and (c) determining the presence of the microorganism and, op

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating blood cells comprising the steps of: (a) lysing red blood cells of a blood sample and diluting said sample; (b) providing a microfluidic device comprising a spiral-shaped flow channel having at least a first end and a second end, wherein said flow channel has two inlet ports at or near said first end and at least two outlet ports at or near said second end, wherein one of the two inlet ports is located at the inner wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and the other inlet port is located at the outer wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and at least one of the outlet ports is connected to a container allowing the storage of blood cells; (c) introducing the sample of step (a) into the inlet port located at the outer wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel and introducing a sheath fluid into the inlet port located at the inner wall of the spiral-shaped flow channel; (d) driving said sample and the sheath fluid through the spiral-shaped flow channel; and (e) re

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the presence of a microorganism in a sample using an electrochemically active reporter, wherein the method comprises (a) contacting the sample with an electrochemically active reporter, wherein the electrochemically active reporter is a conjugate comprising a sugar moiety and a redox active reporter moiety that are covalently linked such that the covalent bond can be enzymatically cleaved in the presence of the microorganism by an enzyme expressed by the microorganism, wherein the redox active reporter moiety is selected from the group consisting of resorufin and compounds of formula (I) as defined herein, under conditions that allow enzymatic cleavage of the covalent bond between the sugar moiety and the redox active reporter moiety and reduction of the redox active report moiety in the presence of the microorganism; (b) electrochemically determining the released redox active reporter moiety; and (c) determining the presence of the microorganism and, op

Abstract: Present invention relates to a device for controlled release of a bioactive agent. The device comprises a thin film located on the surface of the device, wherein said thin film comprises a bioactive agent-containing layer comprising a polymeric matrix and at least one bioactive agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for encapsulating particles of a water-insoluble material within a capsule of a water-insoluble polymer, comprising (a) dispersing particles of the water-insoluble material or a solution containing the water-insoluble material in a first aqueous phase containing a first surfactant to obtain a first dispersion; (b) collecting the particles of the water-insoluble material coated with the first surfactant; (c) washing the collected particles; (d) adding the washed surfactant-coated water-insoluble material particles to a polymer solution containing the water-insoluble polymer of the capsule to obtain a polymer mixture; and (e) dispersing the polymer mixture in a second aqueous phase containing a second surfactant to obtain a second dispersion comprising the particles of the water-insoluble material encapsulated within the capsule of the water-insoluble polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to capsules encapsulating particles loaded with one or more drugs, and in particular, to such capsules that are able to float. The capsules may be used for drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods for forming the capsules are also disclosed, and in particular, double emulsion methods are used in forming the capsules.

Abstract: The invention relates to capsules encapsulating particles loaded with one or more drugs, and in particular, to such capsules that are able to float. The capsules may be used for drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods for forming the capsules are also disclosed, and in particular, double emulsion methods are used in forming the capsules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex of a bisphosphonate compound, methods of preparing such complex and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for encapsulating particles of a water-insoluble material within a capsule of a water-insoluble polymer, comprising (a) dispersing particles of the water-insoluble material or a solution containing the water-insoluble material in a first aqueous phase containing a first surfactant to obtain a first dispersion; (b) collecting the particles of the water-insoluble material coated with the first surfactant; (c) washing the collected particles; (d) adding the washed surfactant-coated water-insoluble material particles to a polymer solution containing the water-insoluble polymer of the capsule to obtain a polymer mixture; and (e) dispersing the polymer mixture in a second aqueous phase containing a second surfactant to obtain a second dispersion comprising the particles of the water-insoluble material encapsulated within the capsule of the water-insoluble polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating particles with calcium phosphate (CaP), wherein the particles are negatively charged. The method includes contacting the particles with a first solution containing calcium ions, removing the first solution to obtain a precipitate, and contacting the precipitate with a second solution containing phosphate ions to obtain CaP-coated particles.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a device for controlled release of a bioactive agent. The device comprises a thin film located on the surface of the device, wherein said thin film comprises a bioactive agent-containing layer comprising a polymeric matrix and at least one bioactive agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a (process for preparation of a) carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer, wherein the matrix polymer has both a low molecular weight fraction as well as a high molecular weight fraction, as a result of which the level of conductivity of the resulting composite can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex of a bisphosphonate compound, methods of preparing such complex and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing multi-phase microparticles. The method comprises dissolving at least three different polymers in a volatile organic solvent to obtain a first solution. The first solution comprises at least two cloud points, wherein the second cloud point is higher than the first cloud point. Viscosity of the first solution and the first and second cloud point are selected such that the at least three different polymers are immiscible with each other in the first solution. The first solution is dispersed into an aqueous continuous phase which comprises a surfactant to obtain an emulsion. The volatile organic solvent is evaporated from the emulsion. The total concentration of the at least three different polymers together in the emulsion before evaporation is below the first cloud point, or is above the first cloud point and below the second cloud point or is above the second cloud point.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube reinforced polymers include a polymer and carbon nanotubes reinforcing the polymer. The carbon nanotube reinforced polymer exhibits a conductivity percolation threshold of less than 106 ?/cm at a carbon nanotube content of 1.5 wt. % and less. The polymer may be selected from a polyamide or a polystyrene based polymer. In certain embodiments, the carbon nanotube content is between 0.1 to 1.5 wt. %, and the reinforced polymer will have a percolation threshold at a carbon nanotube content of less than 0.5 wt. %.

Abstract: The scales that allow for the shear planes (first scale), the rock and/or crust geometry (second scale), and the change of the geometries as earthquake systematics (third scale) are the basis for prediction and reduction of intensity. Actions to generate mini-movements to reduce the intensity of earthquakes are then concentrated on those areas where the stress concentrations generate jerky movements to alter the rock geometry (third scale). Based on the scale, the large-scale areas that influence the local stress concentrations and are involved in the jerky movements are thus taken into consideration.