Abstract: An assay and a method for identifying a prebiotic to treat a subject in need thereof to promote intestinal barrier integrity or to blunt an inflammatory response are provided.

Abstract: An assay and a method for identifying a prebiotic to treat a subject in need thereof to promote intestinal barrier integrity or to blunt an inflammatory response are provided.

Abstract: An assay and a method for identifying a prebiotic to treat a subject in need thereof to promote intestinal barrier integrity or to blunt an inflammatory response are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosing, monitoring, prognosticating, analyzing, etc., polymicrobial diseases. The present invention also relates to the microbial community present in the digestive tract and lumen in normal subjects, and subjects with digestive tract diseases, especially diseases of the colon, such as inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's syndrome, and pouchitis. The present invention especially relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing and prognosticating the mentioned diseases and conditions, e.g., to determine the presence of the disease in a subject, to determine a therapeutic regimen, to determine the onset of active disease, to determine the predisposition to the disease, etc.

Abstract: An assay and a method for identifying a prebiotic to treat a subject in need thereof to promote intestinal barrier integrity or to blunt an inflammatory response are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosing, monitoring, prognosticating, analyzing, etc., polymicrobial diseases. The present invention also relates to the microbial community present in the digestive tract and lumen in normal subjects, and subjects with digestive tract diseases, especially diseases of the colon, such as inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's syndrome, and pouchitis. The present invention especially relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing and prognosticating the mentioned diseases and conditions, e.g., to determine the presence of the disease in a subject, to determine a therapeutic regimen, to determine the onset of active disease, to determine the predisposition to the disease, etc.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a method for improving bowel health by increasing short chain fatty acid concentration in the colon of a mammal including administering to the mammal a composition having from about 0.1 grams to about 50 grams of a treated bran product. After administration, the treated bran product results in an increased short chain fatty acid production during fermentation in the colon as compared to untreated bran fermented in the colon.

Abstract: A method of treating constipation is disclosed. The method includes administering starch-entrapped microbeads.

Abstract: Compositions which provide slowly digestible starch and a source of fermentable dietary fiber. Microparticles in which starch is entrapped in a crosslinked matrix to provide dietary benefit. Such microparticles are used to deliver glucose to targeted regions in the small intestine for beneficial physiological effects, and fermentable dietary fiber to the colon to improve colon health and to treat diseases of the colon. Microparticles can be employed to selectively deliver fermentable dietary fiber to targeted portions of the colon.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject at risk of developing or having a neurodegenerative disorder is provided. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject and assaying a level of a marker of intestinal permeability in the sample. The method further includes comparing the subject's level to a control level for the marker of intestinal integrity and identifying the subject having an increased intestinal permeability relative to the control intestinal permeability as having an increased risk of developing or having a neurodegenerative disorder. A method of monitoring the efficacy of a treatment for a neurodegenerative disorder is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions which provide slowly digestible starch and a source of fermentable dietary fiber. Microparticles in which starch is entrapped in a crosslinked matrix to provide dietary benefit. Such microparticles are used to deliver glucose to targeted regions in the small intestine for beneficial physiological effects, and fermentable dietary fiber to the colon to improve colon health and to treat diseases of the colon. Microparticles can be employed to selectively deliver fermentable dietary fiber to targeted portions of the colon. A method for making the microparticles is provided as well as methods for using the microparticles for controlled digestion of starch on ingestion in the small intestine and methods for using the microparticles to deliver dietary fiber. The microparticles with entrapped starch provide a low glycemic index and extended glucose release in food products and food ingredients.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a method for improving bowel health by increasing short chain fatty acid concentration in the colon of a mammal including administering to the mammal a composition having from about 0.1 grams to about 50 grams of a treated bran product. After administration, the treated bran product results in an increased short chain fatty acid production during fermentation in the colon as compared to untreated bran fermented in the colon.

Abstract: Compositions which provide slowly digestible starch and a source of fermentable dietary fiber. Microparticles in which starch is entrapped in a crosslinked matrix to provide dietary benefit. Such microparticles are used to deliver glucose to targeted regions in the small intestine for beneficial physiological effects, and fermentable dietary fiber to the colon to improve colon health and to treat diseases of the colon. Microparticles can be employed to selectively deliver fermentable dietary fiber to targeted portions of the colon. A method for making the microparticles is provided as well as methods for using the microparticles for controlled digestion of starch on ingestion in the small intestine and methods for using the microparticles to deliver dietary fiber. The microparticles with entrapped starch provide a low glycemic index and extended glucose release in food products and food ingredients.

Abstract: The presence of oxidative stress in a patient is determined by immobilizing tissue proteins onto a support, derivatizing any oxidized or nitrated proteins with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), contacting the derivatized tissue proteins with anti-DNPH antibody or anti-nitrotyrosine antibody, then measuring the amount of immunocomplex formed.

Abstract: The presence of oxidative stress in a patient is determined by immobilizing plasma proteins onto a support, derivatizing any oxidized proteins with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), contacting the derivatized plasma proteins with anti-DNPH antibody, then measuring the amount of immunocomplex formed. In a preferred embodiment, the plasma proteins are bound to a membrane, derivatized with DNPH, contacted with anti-DNPH antibody, with the amount of immunocomplex formed being determined by contacting the immunocomplex with a second antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase in conjunction with chemiluminescence.