Disclosed herein are ex-vivo cardiac perfusion systems that can support the metabolic function of an ex-vivo heart and also have the capacity to test the functions of the heart. For example, an ex-vivo heart can be placed within and connected to a cardiac perfusion system, as disclosed herein, resuscitated and supported medically, and also tested to determine cardiac recovery. Further, these systems can also be used for research purposes to study the pressure, work, and mechanical function of many types of hearts (e.g., failed hearts that are explanted at the time of heart transplant). Some embodiments include a detachable sub-system that includes a heart chamber and components for operating in a Langendorff mode while transporting an ex-vivo heart, and the sub-system can be coupled to a differential perfusion system to form a larger, full service system for supporting, recovering, testing the heart.

Provided is a gas fill fixture for use in lyophilization, a related system and method. The gas fill fixture includes a chassis, fill indicator and a lid, such that the chassis and lid together form a cavity for receiving a flexible lyophilization container. The system includes a lyophilization container, a lyophilizer and a gas fill fixture incorporating a chassis, a fill indicator and a lid. The method includes process steps for using the system to lyophilize a fluid.

The invention relates to a method for increasing the lifespan of animal sperm comprising contacting said sperm with an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel. The invention also relates to a use of an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel, for increasing the lifespan of animal sperm or motility of capacitated animal sperm, comprising contacting an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel with said sperm. Moreover, the invention relates to an artificial insemination instrument for use in artificial insemination of an animal, comprising animal sperm in contact with an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel. The invention also relates to a method for artificially inseminating an animal using said artificial insemination instrument. Eventually, the invention relates to a method for increasing the fertility of an animal, comprising contacting sperm of said animal with an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel; then artificially inseminating said animal with said sperm.

Methods are provided for extracting bone marrow cells from bone obtained from deceased donors, for preparing the bone marrow for cryopreservation and for obtaining desired cells from cryopreserved and fresh bone marrow.

An anti-freezing composition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one of a compound represented by Formula 1 and a compound represented by Formula 2. An anti-freezing composition according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a peptide consisting of amino acids having different chirality, thereby having an excellent effect of inhibiting ice formation or ice recrystallization.

An anti-freezing composition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one of a compound represented by Formula 1 and a compound represented by Formula 2. An anti-freezing composition according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a peptide consisting of amino acids having different chirality, thereby having an excellent effect of inhibiting ice formation or ice recrystallization.

A cryovial device is disclosed including a vial configured to hold a liquid sample and an inlet/outlet tube coupled to the vial. The inlet/outlet tube is constructed of a weldable polymer and has a filled configuration, a closed configuration, and a drained configuration.

Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

The present invention relates to a method of improving the viability of macrophages subjected to cryopreservation, particularly for macrophages which are to be used in therapy, wherein the method comprises a step of maintaining the macrophages at a temperature of 2-12° C. for at least 30 minutes during either freezing or thawing procedures. Following the holding step during cooling, a cooling rate of 1 to 5° C. is used until the macrophages in a medium are frozen. For thawing the macrophages, a warming rate of 1 to 5° C. per minute is used until a temperature of 35-37° C. is reached. The present invention further relates to the cryopreserved macrophages, and the thawed macrophages produced by such methods. The technique may provide macrophages that are GMP-compliant and have a viability of at least 60%.

Compositions and Methods for Stabilizing Circulating Tumor Cells Methods and compositions for stabilizing a biological sample for analysis, comprising the steps of obtaining in a sample collection device a biological sample from a subject, especially blood, the biological sample including at least one circulating tumor cell from the subject. The methods may include a step of contacting the biological sample with a protective agent composition that includes a preservative agent, an optional anticoagulant, and a quenching agent to form a mixture that includes the protective agent composition and the sample.