A protector assembly for handling, storing and transporting donor tissue in a transfer pipette includes a distal cap and a proximal plug that are respectively engageable with opposite ends of the pipette. Structurally, the pipette includes a distally tapered fluid chamber which is in fluid communication with an extension tube. The distal cap is dimensioned for friction engagement with the fluid chamber of the pipette and it is formed with a plurality of vents to establish fluid communication through the vents with the fluid chamber. On the other hand, the proximal plug is dimensioned for a friction engagement with the extension tube to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette when the proximal plug is engaged with the pipette. In combination, an engagement of the protector assembly with a pipette holding a donor tissue will protect and preserve the donor tissue during handling and transport.

The present invention relates to biobased glyceryl heptanoate compositions, and preferably glyceryl monoheptanoate compositions, methods of manufacturing the same, as well as applications thereof including the use of the inventive compositions in formulations for cosmetics and other personal care applications. The biobased monoglyceryl monoester (MGME) compositions include a mixture including one or more compounds of Formula (I):

##STR00001##

R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently —H or —C(O)—C.sub.6 alkyl. The composition comprises greater than about 60 wt % and less than about 98 wt % glyceryl monoheptanoate. The carbon present in the one or more compounds of Formula (I) is biobased. The composition has an ET.sub.50 value of >24 hr when tested as a 1% solution in water according to the EpiDerm Skin Irritation Test (OECD 439). The present invention also relates to microbiostatic concentrates (MBCs) including the disclosed composition.

Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and systems for treating skin damage or signs of aging in a subject including obtaining whole blood from the subject, collecting platelet rich plasma (PRP) from the whole blood, forming a first topical formulation having the PRP, providing the first topical formulation to the subject for application to an area of skin damage on the subject, providing a second topical formulation to the subject having an activator such that when the second topical formulation is applied to the area of skin damage on top of the first formulation, the PRP is activated and growth factors are released into the area of skin damage. Systems and kits useful in performing the methods are also disclosed.

A protector assembly for handling, storing and transporting donor tissue in a transfer pipette includes a distal cap and a proximal plug that are respectively engageable with opposite ends of the pipette. Structurally, the pipette includes a distally tapered fluid chamber which is in fluid communication with an extension tube. The distal cap is dimensioned for friction engagement with the fluid chamber of the pipette and it is formed with a plurality of vents to establish fluid communication through the vents with the fluid chamber. On the other hand, the proximal plug is dimensioned for a friction engagement with the extension tube to prevent leakage of solution from the fluid chamber of the pipette when the proximal plug is engaged with the pipette. In combination, an engagement of the protector assembly with a pipette holding a donor tissue will protect and preserve the donor tissue during handling and transport.

Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and systems for treating skin damage or signs of aging in a subject including obtaining whole blood from the subject, collecting platelet rich plasma (PRP) from the whole blood, forming a first topical formulation having the PRP, providing the first topical formulation to the subject for application to an area of skin damage on the subject, providing a second topical formulation to the subject having an activator such that when the second topical formulation is applied to the area of skin damage on top of the first formulation, the PRP is activated and growth factors are released into the area of skin damage. Systems and kits useful in performing the methods are also disclosed.

Methods for improving the functionality and/or fertility of sperm, for example, by enhancing motility and/or extending the lifespan of sperm by subjecting the isolated sperm to a starvation protocol and/or ionophore are provided. Such methods may be used in, for example, artificial insemination to reduce the number of sperm needed for insemination and to improve conception rates.

A blood storage system comprising: a collection vessel for red blood cells; an oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device; a storage vessel for red blood cells; tubing connecting the collection vessel to the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device and the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device to the storage vessel; and a gamma or X-ray irradiating device is used to irradiate red blood cells stored in the vessel, storing red blood cells under anaerobic conditions.

Methods for improving the functionality and/or fertility of sperm, for example, by enhancing motility and/or extending the lifespan of sperm by subjecting the isolated sperm to a starvation protocol and/or ionophore are provided. Such methods may be used in, for example, artificial insemination to reduce the number of sperm needed for insemination and to improve conception rates.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to processes, systems, and compositions useful in manipulating a ratio of viable X chromosome bearing sperm to viable Y chromosome bearing sperm in at least one sperm population and useful for preserving the resulting manipulated sperm population. In some embodiments a cryoprotectant may be incorporated into various medias used in manipulating the sperm sample, such as in a staining media, a sheath fluid, and a collection media.

A blood storage system comprising: a collection vessel for red blood cells; an oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device; a storage vessel for red blood cells; tubing connecting the collection vessel to the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device and the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion device to the storage vessel; and a gamma or X-ray irradiating device is used to irradiate red blood cells stored in the vessel, storing red blood cells under anaerobic conditions.