Abstract: A two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. Attached to the dome is a cutting means. Depressing the dome by pushing downward on it lowers the cutting means so that either the lower layer only or both the upper and lower layer of the first compartment are cut by the cutting means, releasing the first component into the second compartment. The cutting means may be a simple puncturer, or in the case where the second compartment comprises a beverage container or the like, the cutting means may be part of a tubular wall surrounding the opening through which someone can drink the beverage.

Abstract: A two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. Attached to the dome is a cutting means. Depressing the dome by pushing downward on it lowers the cutting means so that both the upper and lower layer of the first compartment are cut by the cutting means, releasing the first component into the second compartment. The cutting means may be a simple puncturer, or in the case where the second compartment comprises a beverage container or the like, the cutting means may be part of a tubular wall surrounding the opening through which someone can drink the beverage.

Abstract: An additive tube containing a selected material, such as bacterial cells or other additive, for addition a liquid enteral nutrition product dispensed from an enteral bag or bottle. Additive tubes are separately packaged to reduce exposure of the additive that is within the additive tube to water and oxygen. Adapters on each end of the additive tube enable attachment of the additive tube to tubing of the enteral nutrition system (the delivery line, other tubes, and enteral bag or bottle) just prior to use with a patient.

Abstract: A two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. Attached to the dome is a cutting means. Depressing the dome by pushing downward on it lowers the cutting means so that either the lower layer only or both the upper and lower layer of the first compartment are cut by the cutting means, releasing the first component into the second compartment. The cutting means may be a simple puncturer, or in the case where the second compartment comprises a beverage container or the like, the cutting means may be part of a tubular wall surrounding the opening through which someone can drink the beverage.

Abstract: A two-part container in which a first compartment for a first component and having an upper and a lower layer is mounted either within or outside a second compartment, for a second component, at the location of a port on the second compartment. Cutting means are provided for cutting both the upper and lower layer and through the port, to release the first component into the second compartment.

Abstract: A two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. Attached to the dome is a cutting means. Depressing the dome by pushing downward on it lowers the cutting means so that both the upper and lower layer of the first compartment are cut by the cutting means, releasing the first component into the second compartment. The cutting means may be a simple puncturer, or in the case where the second compartment comprises a beverage container or the like, the cutting means may be part of a tubular wall surrounding the opening through which someone can drink the beverage.

Abstract: A dispensing tube containing a selected material, such as bacterial cells or other additive, on the inside of the tube. The tube is wrapped and sealed in an outer watertight envelope until time for usage. At the time of usage the outer envelope is taken away and when the tubular device penetrates a solution container such as a beverage or an enteral solution, the selected material is added to the solution while the solution flows through the tube.

Abstract: A two-part container in which a first compartment for a first component and having an upper and a lower layer is mounted either within or outside a second compartment, for a second component, at the location of a port on the second compartment. Cutting means are provided for cutting both the upper and lower layer and through the port, to release the first component into the second compartment.

Abstract: A two-part container in which a first compartment for a first component and having an upper and a lower layer is mounted either within or outside a second compartment, for a second component, at the location of a port on the second compartment. Cutting means are provided for cutting both the upper and lower layer and through the port, to release the first component into the second compartment.

Abstract: A two-part container in which a first compartment for a first component and having an upper and a lower layer is mounted either within or outside a second compartment, for a second component, at the location of a port on the second compartment. Cutting means are provided for cutting both the upper and lower layer and through the port, to release the first component into the second compartment.

Abstract: Live vaccines and methods for preparing the vaccines useful in protecting a host from infection by a pathogenic microorganism are provided. Vaccines are prepared from live Lactobacillus cells which have been transformed using DNA technology to express heterologous antigens of pathogenic microorganisms or other suitable biological material. Genes encoding antigenic determinants pathogenic in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract are inserted into expression cassettes and fused with genes encoding an aggregation factor and/or a mucin binding factor. The inserted genes are shown to transform L. reuteri cells. The aggregation enhancing and mucin binding genes have been isolated and sequenced. The vaccine can be ingested orally in a pharmaceutical carrier or in milk products.

Abstract: A device that may be used for adding a selected first component to a second component that is in a main package, which device keeps the first component from the second component until a selected time before use. The device includes a delivery package which is mountable on the outside surface of the main package, and has a delivery opening, a control opening, and a cavity extending between the delivery opening and the control opening. When there is a first component, a compartment that contains this component is mounted inside the cavity so that it seals the delivery opening with a puncturable seal. A puncturer controllable by a user through the control opening is used for cutting through the compartment, including the puncturable seal, and the package to which the delivery package is mounted to release the first component into the main package at the selected time.

Abstract: A therapeutic method of treating diarrhea of a patient, such as that caused by rotavirus in which a liquid suspension of one or more strains of Lactobacillus reuteni is administered to the patient. Preferably the L. reuteri is isolated from an animal of the same species as the animal to which the therapy is being given. Preferably at least about 10.sup.7 cells of L. reuteri, and most preferably, at least 10.sup.8 cells, are administrated per day, over a period of one to seven days, depending on the severity of the gastroenteritis. The result is a rapid, dramatic reduction in animal's diarrhea and vomiting, previously not found using other therapies.

Abstract: A method of reducing symptoms associated with cryptosporidia infection in mammals including humans in which L. reuteri cells are administered to the mammal in an amount sufficient to reduce diarrhea in the animal to a normal level. Daily administration as soon as cryptosporidia infection symptom are observed optimizes results. The L. reuteri cells may also be administered prophylactically to a mammal before exposure to cryptosporidia. The cells may be administered suspended in a liquid or in dry form.

Abstract: A method of improving animal health including selecting at least one L. reuteri strain, characterized by the production of .beta.-hydroxypropionaldehyde, and using the selected strain(s) along with the antibiotic, gentamycin, as an animal treatment, for example, for newly hatched poultry.

Abstract: A method of establishing direct feed microorganisms such as Lactobacillus reuteri in the gastrointestinal tract of avian organisms, in which the direct feed microorganisms are added to whey and fed in the form of pellets (compacted whey particles) to the organisms.

Abstract: A method of establishing direct feed microorganisms such as Lactobacillus reuteri in the gastrointestinal tract of avian organisms in which eggs are inoculated with living cells of the microorganism.