The present invention relates to a modified neurotoxin single-chain polypeptide and a use thereof. The single-chain polypeptide contains a tagged protein, a linker short peptide, etc. The linker short peptide facilitates cleavage of the tagged protein, thereby improving purification of the single-chain polypeptide; in addition, the single-chain polypeptide has neurotoxicity when activated, but the single-chain polypeptide per se is only slightly toxic, such that the production safety is improved and the production process cost is reduced while the yield of the single-chain polypeptide is greatly increased.

Disclosed herein are devices for micronizing an aspirate. Also disclosed herein are systems for micronizing an aspirate. The devices and systems may include a liposuction syringe for liquefying fat and/or an incubator for expansion of cells. Devices and systems may also include a handpiece with a handle, a motor disposed within the handle, a blade positionable within a syringe barrel containing an aspirate, the blade rotationally coupled to the motor by a drive shaft, and an end cap positioned along the drive shaft between the blade and the handle, the end cap including an opening through which the drive shaft extends, the end cap configured to seal the syringe barrel.

The present invention is related to a novel process for production of retinyl acetate in a host cell, particularly oleaginous yeast such as e.g. Yarrowia, wherein the product purity could be increased with reduction of unwanted side-products. Particularly, the novel process comprises fermentation in the presence of ethanol, such as e.g. in a fed-batch fermentation process. Such process is especially useful in a biotechnological process for production of vitamin A.

A cellulose-containing article for treating an area of skin, wherein the articlecomprises BNC in an amount of at least 1% by weight and at most 15% by weight, comprises fluid in an amount of at least 85% by weight and at most 99% by weight, has an average thickness of at least 0.5 mm and at most 8 mm, wherein the BNC is of microbial origin.

The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise botulinum toxin from Clostridium botulinum. The pharmaceutical compositions of the instant invention are not only free of a mammalian derived proteinaceous stabilizing agent but are free of any stabilizing protein.

Apparatus and methods for separating blood components are disclosed in which an apparatus for separating blood generally includes a tube defining a channel and configured for receiving a quantity of blood and a float contained within the tube and having a density which is predefined so that the float is maintained at equilibrium between a first layer formed from a first fractional component of the blood and a second layer formed from a second fractional component of the blood. Upon completion of the centrifugation, the first layer may be removed from the tube while the float isolates the second layer from the first layer.

A cosmetic composition for skin whitening, wrinkle improvement or skin regeneration includes, as an active ingredient, exosomes derived from stem cells comprising proliferating stem cells.

A mesenchymal stem cell extract and its use are provided, wherein the mesenchymal stem cell extract comprises a trophic factor(s), such as bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-X-C chemokine receptor type-4 (CXCR4), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and/or interleukin-17 (IL-17), and wherein the extract is especially suitable for repairing skin aging.

The present invention relates to a novel alpha-1,3-glucanase, and more particularly, to a novel alpha-1,3-glucanase from Trichoderma harzianum, a gene encoding the same, a recombinant vector and recombinant microorganism comprising the gene, and a method of producing an alpha-1,3-glucanase using the recombinant microorganism. The novel alpha-1,3-glucanase according to the present invention can effectively degrade mutan, which is a component of a microbial biofilm, and thus it can be used in oral hygiene products and the medical field.

The present invention relates to the use of alpha-ionylideneethane as an aroma compound, and to the use of an alpha-ionylideneethane synthase in the production of one or more aroma compounds. The inventive method for preparing one or more aroma compounds comprises a) providing farnesyl diphosphate and an alpha-ionylideneethane synthase as defined herein, under conditions suitable for the alpha-ionylideneethane synthase to produce alpha-ionylideneethane, b) converting farnesyl diphosphate to alpha-ionylideneethane, in vitro or in a host cell, c) optionally, converting alpha-ionylideneethane to one or more further aroma compounds, d) isolating alpha-ionylideneethane and the optionally one or more further aroma compounds and, e) optionally, purifying alpha-ionylideneethane and the optionally one or more further aroma compounds. The invention pertains also to method for scenting a product, particularly for imparting and/or enhancing an odor or flavor, in which at least one alpha-ionylideneethane synthase is used. In addition, the invention provides an aroma compound or composition and/or fragrance composition and/or perfumed or fragranced product, comprising i) at least an alpha-ionylideneethane. Further encompassed by the invention is a perfumed or fragranced product comprising at least an alpha-ionylideneethane. The invention further relates to a method for producing alpha-ionone (4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one), comprising the steps in the following order: a) contacting farnesyl diphosphate with at least one alpha-ionylideneethane synthase, under conditions suitable to produce at least one alpha-ionylideneethane; b) producing the at least alpha-ionylideneethane; c) exposing the at least one alpha-ionylideneethane produced in step b) to conditions suitable for oxidative cleavage of alpha-ionylideneethane to produce alpha-ionone; and d) optionally, isolating the alpha-ionone produced in step c). The invention also relates to a host cell for producing alpha-ionone (4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one), wherein the host cell comprises farnesyl diphosphate and a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an alpha-ionylideneethane synthase, wherein the host cell is capable of oxidatively cleaving alpha-ionylideneethane to produce alpha-ionone. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a host cell comprising farnesyl diphosphate and a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an alpha-ionylideneethane synthase, for (i) producing alpha-ionylideneethane; (ii) producing alpha-ionone; (iii) producing vitamin A; (iv) converting alpha-ionylideneethane to alpha-ionone; (v) converting alpha-ionylideneethane to vitamin A; (vi) for heterologous reco