Abstract: The invention includes a method of conditioning fabrics, comprising contacting fabric with a liquid composition comprising an amino-functional silicone and a quaternary ammonium, and drying said fabric at 200 degrees F. or greater. The invention includes a method of conditioning fabrics, comprising washing fabric in a detergent having a wash pH of greater than 10, contacting fabric with a liquid composition comprising an amino-functional silicone and a quaternary ammonium, and drying said fabric at less than 200 degrees F. The invention further provides a method of conditioning fabrics wherein softness, anti-static, and anti-wrinkle properties are imparted to the fabric wherein the conditioned fabric resists yellowing in industrial and institutional conditions wherein the wash pH is greater than 9 and/or the fabric temperature is 200 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

Abstract: Described herein are fabric softening compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium compound, an edible-type tallow, isopropyl alcohol, and a plasticizer comprising an iso-methyl group. Methods of making and using the fabric softening compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning compositions and methods for cleaning fabrics to which stains are adhered. The cleaning composition contains a surfactant system comprising one or more anionic surfactants, a cleaning enzyme, and an organic acidulant having a calculated stability constant for Ca2+ ions of less than about 1.5 at a pH of about 4. The cleaning composition has a neat pH of from about 2 to about 6.

Abstract: A novel minimum boiling binary azeotrope of n-undecane and n-butyl-3-hydroxybutyrate is shown to have utility as a solvent for degreasing of both nonpolar and polar contaminants. The components of the azeotrope are stable against degradation and the composition is largely invariant with pressure, yielding a unique solvent that can be used in cold cleaning and in vapor degreasing at elevated temperatures and over a wide range of pressures.

Abstract: A direct-foam cleaning product comprising a foam having a compression force of about 2.4 gf*mm to about 4.3 gf*mm. Such direct-foam cleaning product provides good foaming properties and surface coverage when the composition is sprayed directly onto soiled dishware. This leads to efficient cleaning of soiled dishes via a direct-foam and rinse action, which avoids traditional methods of soaking soiled dishes in detergent baths and/or scrubbing soiled dishware with a sponge or cleaning implement.

Abstract: Aqueous hard surface cleaner compositions useful for removing permanent ink are disclosed. The compositions comprise 75 to 99 wt. % of water; 0.1 to 5 wt. % of a monoterpene; 0.1 to 5 wt. % of a C10-C17 fatty acid derivative; and 0.1 to 5 wt. % of one or more surfactants. The fatty acid derivative is selected from N,N-dialkyl amides, N,N-dialkyl esteramines, and N,N-dialkyl amidoamines. Preferably, a base such as sodium carbonate or monoethanolamine is also included. The invention includes concentrates comprising the non-aqueous components recited above, as well as other applications for the cleaners and concentrates such as graffiti removers and permanent ink erasers. The combination of a monoterpene and certain fatty acid derivatives, especially fatty N,N-dialkyl amides, unexpectedly enables even dilute aqueous compositions to rapidly decolorize black permanent marker from hard, non-porous surfaces.

Abstract: A composition useful for removing residue from a semiconductor substrate comprising in effective cleaning amounts: from about 55 to 80% by weight of water; from about 0.3 to about 5.0% by weight of EDTA; from about 10.0 to about 30.0% by weight of an amine compound wherein the amine compound is selected from the group consisting of a secondary amine, a tertiary amine, and mixtures thereof; from about 0.1 to about 5.0% by weight of a polyfunctional organic acid; from about 0.01 to about 8.0% by weight of a fluoride ion source; from about 0 to about 60% by weight of a water-miscible organic solvent; and from about 0 to about 15% by weight of a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fermented beverage having a modulated aromatic profile is provided as well as a fermented beverage produced thereby. The method includes preparing a fermentable mixture, such as juice, must, or wort and introducing ammonium sulphide into the fermentable mixture at a predetermined concentration. The fermentable mixture is then subjected to fermentation. A C6 aldehyde, C6 alcohol or a combination thereof may be added to the fermentable mixture in combination with ammonium sulphide to enhance its effect on the aromatic profile of the fermented beverage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidics device for culturing cells, such as cardiomyocytes or cardiomyocyte progenitors; and methods of culturing cells using the device. The device and culturing methods find use in drug screening methods, for methods of evaluating a drug under development, and for methods of predicting patient response to a given treatment regimen, which methods are also provided.

Abstract: A perfusion manifold assembly is described that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate. A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body.

Abstract: A container (2) has flexible walls surrounding a container interior (6). At least one electrical sensor (3, 3?, 3?, 3??, 3??) projects into the container interior (6) and has at least first and second electrically conductive plates (8, 8?, 9, 9?, 9??) for determining the conductivity or impedance of a medium that surrounds the plates (8, 8?, 9, 9?, 9??). The plates (8, 8?, 9, 9?, 9??) are connected via connecting lines (10, 11) to a control and regulating unit (4) outside the container interior (6). At least the first plate (8, 8?) is on a closed free end of a sheathing (5, 5?, 5??) and has a contact area exposed to the surrounding medium. The sheathing (5, 5?, 5??, 17, 17??) is a flexible hose (7) or bellows (19, 19??) through which the electrical connecting line (10, 11) of the plate (8, 8?, 9, 9?, 9??) is routed.

Abstract: A device for wetting at least one sample by means of an aerosol, the device has: side walls, a base region which is bounded by the side walls, the base region adapted for receiving or interacting with a positioning device for positioning the sample, a cover region, which sits vertically opposite the base region and is bounded by the side walls. The device forms an exposure chamber and an aerosolizing device for producing an aerosol, which is arranged in the vicinity of the cover region. The aerosolizing device is arranged above the base region in such a way that the aerosolizing device at least partially covers the base region in a vertical plan view. A method for wetting at least one sample by an aerosol is also provided that includes the steps of: providing at least one sample, producing a cloud above the at least one sample in a position which at least partially covers the base region in a vertical plan view, and allowing the cloud to descend in the direction of the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing electroporation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of recellularizing an organ or tissue matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cells in medium comprising a sufficient amount of GDF-8 to cause the differentiation of the pluripotent stem cells into cells expressing markers characteristic of the definitive endoderm lineage.

Abstract: Methods of generating cell lines with a sequence variation or copy number variation of a gene of interest, methods of use thereof, and cell lines with a sequence variation or copy number variation of a gene of interest are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a cell aggregate containing a ciliary marginal zone-like structure, including a step of culturing a cell aggregate containing a retinal tissue in which Chx10 positive cells are present in a proportion of 20% or more and 100% or less of the tissue in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium each containing a substance acting on the Wnt signal pathway and a substance inhibiting the FGF signal pathway for only a period before the appearance of a RPE65 gene expressing cell, followed by culturing the “cell aggregate in which a RPE65 gene-expressing cell does not appear” thus obtained in a serum-free medium or serum-containing medium each free of a substance acting on the Wnt signal pathway and so on. According to the production method of the present invention, a ciliary marginal zone-like structure can be produced with high efficiency.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for producing one or more immunoglobulins in an isolated cytotoxic B lymphocyte cell line. An isolated cell line includes an isolated B lymphocyte cell line capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated membrane immunoglobulin reactive to a first antigen and at least one endogenous secreted immunoglobulin reactive to a second antigen, and further capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated recombinant B cell receptor that signals for expression of cytotoxic effector molecules.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods to rapidly isolate and culture cells that are potent for use in adoptive immunotherapy. In one embodiment, the isolated cells of the invention are tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) that express CD137 (also known as 4-1BB and TNFSFR9).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell, which comprises the steps of (1) culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a WNT signaling activator and a PKC activator and (2) culturing the cell after the step (1) in a medium containing a WNT signaling inhibitor, a Src inhibitor, and an EGFR inhibitor.

Abstract: The development and construction of implantable artificial organs, and a process for manufacturing three-dimensional polymer microscale and nanoscale structures for use as scaffolds in the growth of biological structures such as hollow organs, luminal structures, or other structures within the body are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified parvovirus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that do not functionally interact with wild-type large Rep proteins, synthetic Rep proteins that functionally interact with the modified ITRs, and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The modifications provide a novel Rep-ITR interaction that limits vector mobilization, increasing the safety of viral vectors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hand, foot, and mouth disease vaccines and immunogenic compositions having one or more antigens from at least one virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease in humans, and methods of manufacture, formulation, and testing, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A glucose oxidase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The amino acid sequence of the glucose oxidase is a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of glutamate at position 129 with proline, and/or a substitution of glutamine at position 243 with valine.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid or ketone. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid or ketone.

Abstract: A mutant Bacillus subtilis, which does not express a functional KASIIIA and/or KASIIIB, and method of making; a mutant Rhodospirillum rubrum, which does not express a functional PhaC1, PhaC2, and/or PhaC3, and method of making; method of characterizing substrate specificity of KASIII; method of making mutant KASIII with altered substrate specificity and/or altered level of activity and nucleic acid, vector, host cell/organism, and mutant KASIII; an in vitro, high-throughput spectrophotometric method of assaying KASIII activity; and materials and methods for using KASIII for production of bi-functional fatty acids and the materials so produced.

Abstract: A formulation comprising an ingestible carrier and an isolated strain of Bifidobacterium longum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic activity or hemicellulolytic activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

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 relates to engineered cyanuric acid hydrolase enzymes that are resistant to hypochlorite and compositions and devices comprising such enzymes. The present invention also relates to methods of using these enzymes, compositions and devices for the treatment of a liquid, such as water.

Abstract: Methods and compositions relating to the engineering of an improved protein with methionine-?-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-?-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a directionally modified glucosamine synthase mutant and its application. The amino acid sequence of the glucosamine synthase mutant is as shown in sequence list SEQ ID No. 1, and the nucleotide sequence is as shown in sequence list SEQ ID No. 2. The genetic engineering bacteria of glucosamine synthase is successfully constructed. In order to improve the tolerance of recombinant bacteria against glucosamine, the glucosamine synthase is directionally modified. A glucosamine synthase mutant is selected from the mutant library via high-throughput screening method, the amino acid changes in the mutant induces the spatial conformational change in the enzyme, so as enlarged the region where the enzyme and substrate combines, therefor the combination efficiency of the enzyme and the substrate is increased. The glucosamine synthase of the present invention has various advantages, such as rich in raw material of glucose, and a convenient subsequent extraction.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are provided for the rapid extraction of nucleic acids from a fixed paraffin embedded sample (e.g., a FFPET sample). In some embodiments, the methods comprise incubating one or more sections of said tissue sample in a lysis solution comprising a buffer sufficient to maintain the pH of said solution at a pH ranging from about pH 4 to about pH 9; a chaotropic agent; a chelating agent; and a detergent; where the incubating is at a temperature ranging from about 50 C to about 100 C; and recovering the nucleic acid from said lysis solution.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward methods and apparatuses for interacting a first liquid and a second liquid in one or more fluidic channels of a capillary structure. The methods and apparatuses can include providing at least one capillary barrier that positions a meniscus of the first liquid at a fluid-interface region using capillary forces within the capillary structure. Additionally, a path is provided along one of the channels for the second liquid to flow toward the fluid-interface region. Additionally, gas pressure is released, via a gas-outflow port, from the fluid-interface region while flow of the first liquid is arrested. Further, the first liquid and the second liquid contact in the fluid-interface region with the capillary barrier holding the first liquid at the fluid-interface region.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switchable aptamer having a high affinity for a selected target such as a virus, cell or antibody when in the presence of a binding ion and a low affinity for said target in the absence of said binding ion. The switchable aptamer may be isolated or selected from a pool comprising a mixture of aptamers by incubating the pool with the target ligand and a binding ion to form target-aptamer complexes; separating unbound aptamer molecules from the target-aptamer complexes; contacting the target-aptamer complexes with a chelating agent having affinity for the binding ion wherein a switchable aptamer specific to said target is released from the target-aptamer complexes; and isolating the switchable aptamer released in the preceding step.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of reducing adapter dimer formation comprising contacting a sample comprising target nucleic acid sequences with 5? and 3? adapters in the presence of one or more hairpin oligonucleotides. Also provided is a method of preparing a library of nucleic acid sequences comprising contacting first adapter oligonucleotides with a sample comprising target nucleic acid sequences under conditions to form first ligation products, contacting the sample with one or more hairpin oligonucleotides that binds to the first adapter oligonucleotides, and contacting the sample with second adapter oligonucleotides under conditions to bind to the first ligation products and form second ligation products, wherein the second ligation products form the library of nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the detection of a specific sequence of RNA in a cell or tissue sample. The invention also relates to methods to enzymatically manipulate the RNA in a crude cell lysate in a number of applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to exosomes, loaded with genetic material and methods of producing them and to the use of such exosomes for delivering genetic material in vivo, in particular the use of such exosomes in methods of gene therapy or gene silencing.

Abstract: The invention provides a microRNA inhibitor that has two or more sequences complementary to the sequence of microRNA to be the target of inhibition, which two or more complementary sequences are linked via one or more linker residues.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods relating to a ribozyme-based gene regulation system that functions in mammalian cells. In certain specific embodiments, the disclosure relates to schistosome self-cleaving RNA mutant motifs.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agent capable of inhibiting the expression of a target gene. The sense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least one thermally destabilizing nucleotide, and at least one said thermally destabilizing nucleotide occurring at a site opposite to the seed region (positions 2-8) of the antisense strand; and the antisense strand of the dsRNA agent comprises at least two modified nucleotides that provide the nucleotide a steric bulk that is less than or equal to the steric bulk of a 2?-OMe modification, wherein said modified nucleotides are separated by 11 nucleotides in length. Other aspects of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these dsRNA agents suitable for therapeutic use, and methods of inhibiting the expression of a target gene by administering these dsRNA agents, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions.

Abstract: Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for TTR.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for selectively reducing the expression of a gene product from a desired target gene in a cell, as well as for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene. More particularly, the invention is directed to compositions that contain double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”), and methods for preparing them, that are capable of reducing the expression of target genes in eukaryotic cells. The dsRNA has a first oligonucleotide sequence that is between 25 and about 30 nucleotides in length and a second oligonucleotide sequence that anneals to the first sequence under biological conditions. In addition, a region of one of the sequences of the dsRNA having a sequence length of at least 19 nucleotides is sufficiently complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the RNA produced from the target gene to trigger the destruction of the target RNA by the RNAi machinery.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to gene expression and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting the expression of a target gene and to constructs suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting one or more EGLN genes, EGLN1, EGLN2 and/or EGLN3 and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of these genes.

Abstract: Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide vectors for high expression of heterologous genes. Some vectors further comprise novel transposons and transposases that further improve expression. Further disclosed are vectors that can be used in a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acids into the DNA of a cell. The gene transfer systems can be used in methods, for example, gene expression, bioprocessing, gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, or gene discovery.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying regenerated transformed plants and differentiated transformed plant parts, obtained without subjecting plant cells to selective conditions prior to regenerating the cells to obtain differentiated tissues. In particular embodiments, the plant cells are corn plant cells. Methods for growing and handling plants, including identifying plants that demonstrate specific traits of interest are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of gene stacking are described herein. The methods can be used to repeatedly add genes into a chosen locus in a precise manner, which ensures co-segregation of all introduced genes and contributes to the stabilization of gene expression. In addition, methods of removing any additional foreign DNA elements such as selectable markers are provided. Seed stocks or cell lines comprising a gene stacking site, vectors containing an insert flanked by target sites for a site-specific DNA recombinase for use in the methods and kits for carrying out the methods are also provided herein.