Abstract: Described herein are compositions composed of micronized placental components and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compositions have numerous medical applications. Methods for making and using the micronized compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for reagents and methods for rapidly isolating viable microbial cells, including S. pneumoniae, from positive blood culture samples. The resulting microbial pellet can be used for both identification and growth-based methods such as antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The buffers described herein may contain a base solution, non-ionic detergents, thiols, and optionally, ammonium chloride. The disclosed methods provide a process for rapidly isolating and concentrating viable microorganism(s) from PBC samples using only one sample preparation tube and centrifugation while removing cellular debris from the mammalian blood cells that may interfere with identification methods.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions composed of micronized placental components and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compositions have numerous medical applications. Methods for making and using the micronized compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cholesterol reducing probiotic strain, composition thereof and use thereof. The probiotic strain is Lactobacillus plantarum TCI507, which itself and its metabolites can effectively reduce the cholesterol content, enhance the gene expression level of SCARB1, APOA1, and LDLR to promote the effect of cholesterol metabolism, and can effectively reduce the total cholesterol and the low-density lipoprotein in human blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing body fat, comprising administering a composition comprising an effective amount of Lactobacillus paracasei or a metabolite thereof to a subject in need thereof. The Lactobacillus paracasei or the metabolite thereof can effectively convert the fatty acid into conjugated linoleic acid, inhibit the accumulation of fat and promote the decomposition of fat in fat cells, and can effectively reduce the percentage of body fat, waist circumference, and hip circumference, and simultaneously increase the muscle mass of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of thiosulfate to potentiate the anti-pathogenic effect of lactobacilli bacteria, the thiosulfate being in a quantity of at least 100 mg for 107 to 1010 CFU of lactobacilli. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition including at least 100 mg of thiosulfate per gram, in combination with a Lactobacillus crispatus strain, and to its use in the treatment of urogenital infections such as vaginosis, candidosis and urinary tract infections.

Abstract: There is provided a method for introducing a temperature-sensitive probe comprising a copolymer, which comprises a thermoresponsive unit and a fluorescent unit, into a cell, and the method using the copolymer further comprising a cationic unit as the temperature-sensitive probe, and the method comprising the step of mixing the copolymer with the cell in a solvent. The copolymer can be preferably used as a fluorescence temperature sensor which measures intracellular temperature since the copolymer has a cationic group and thus enters into a cell without using a special method.

Abstract: A food composition is disclosed which comprises the acid-resistant bacterial strain Lactobacillus acetotolerans LE36. The L. acetotolerans LE36 strain has anti-inflammatory properties. The food composition can be further provided as a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and transport system for conditioning micro algae grown in a commercial farm and transporting to a final destination while maintaining conditions that allow the microalgae to remain alive and healthy during transit.

Abstract: The application discloses methods, kits and a novel biomarker to detect and/or to prognose inflammation in patients. The diagnostic test is based on measuring the ratio of galactosylated and non-galactosylated specific N-glycans as obtained by enzymatic treatment of the total mixture of proteins present in a body fluid such as blood, serum or plasma.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing an orange peel ferment, an orange peel ferment obtained therefrom, and a method for reducing fat accumulation, sleep disturbance, and cancer risk. The orange peel ferment assists obese individuals to slim down via multiple mechanisms including reducing the fat content of adipocytes, promoting lysis of triglycerides in adipocytes, and enhancing the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism, and also reduces sleep disturbance through normalizing circadian rhythm and lowers cancer risk through suppressing expression of cancer risk genes.

Abstract: Process and systems are provided for anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic feedstock into biogas and co-products, such as fibrous humid cake and a fine-particles slurry. The feedstock (e.g., grass straw) is typically first ground or milled. The feedstock is subjected to pelletizing or extruding to generate pellets (e.g., cubes) or extrudates. The pellets or extrudates may be fed to a hydrolysis unit or a digester, in dry form or wet form. Various chemicals may be added to improve the mechanical disintegration of the lignocellulosic structure of the feedstock, before, during, or after formation of pellets or extrudates. The biogas may be stored, sold, used, or further treated, such as via purification to produce pipeline-quality cellulosic methane. The fibrous humid cake and the fine-solids slurry have many potential uses. Other potential co-products include lignin, biochar, energy (as heat and/or electricity), fertilizers, soil or land conditioners, ammonium sulfate, ammonium hydroxide, and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A composition for use in treating penile defects, including erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease, is provided. The composition includes adipose tissue and stem cells. The stem cells may be derived from adipose tissue. In embodiments the composition includes additional additives such as growth factors, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, compositions useful for wound healing, and collagenases. Also provided is a method of treating a penile defect in a patient. The method includes providing a composition containing adipose tissue and stem cells, and implanting that composition into a patient in need of treatment for a penile defect. In some embodiments the patient has Peyronie's disease. In other embodiments, the patient has erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for improving hemostasis in the treatment of bleeding disorders and reversal of anticoagulant activity. Effective ratios of prothrombin (FII) and activated factor X (FXa) for the treatment of bleeding disorders that are as efficacious as FEIBA®, but require a lower concentration of FII are described herein.

Abstract: Unglycosylated lysostaphin variant protein, nucleic acid molecule, vector and host cell, as well as a method for production of unglycosylated lysostaphin variant protein in a yeast expression system are provided. The proteins are produced in a Pichia pastoris expression system and have been shown to have activity equivalent to wild-type lysostaphin. The lysostaphin variant proteins can be used as therapeutic proteins for treatment of diseases such as Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Abstract: Tributyrin and/or tributyrin derivatives are used to selectively increase the levels of Bifidobacteria in the gut. In preferred methods, the tributyrin and/or tributyrin derivatives are orally administered alone or in combination with a food item or other nutritionally acceptable carrier, and may further include Bifidobacteria. Tributyrin-enhanced Bifidobacterium strains are also contemplated that include Bifidobacteria previously cultured in tributyrin and/or tributyrin derivatives.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are compositions and kits comprising a bacterial cell and a tumor penetrating agent. Also provided are methods of treating cancer in a subject including the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of a bacterial cell and a tumor penetrating agent. Provided are methods of stimulating an immune system in a subject. The methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of a bacterial cell and a tumor penetrating agent. Also provided are methods of enhancing delivery of an anti-cancer agent to a tumor cell including the step of contacting the tumor cell with a bacterial cell, a tumor penetrating agent and an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for detecting PNH Type II cell populations in biological samples as well as methods for determining whether a patient is at an increased risk for developing thrombocytopenia or thrombosis based on the percentage of PNH Type II cells in the patient's blood. The disclosure also features reagents and conjugates for use in the methods.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions composed of micronized placental components and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compositions have numerous medical applications. Methods for making and using the micronized compositions are also described herein.