Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to the use of compositions to increase output of acetate and lactate while reducing pH and the levels of pathogenic bacteria and inflammation in the gut of a nursing infant mammal including humans. These compositions generally comprise one or more bacterial strains selected for their growth on mammalian milk oligosaccharides, a source of mammalian milk oligosaccharides, and, optionally, nutritive components required for the growth of that infant mammal.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to compositions comprising bioactive proteins including, but not limited to, enzymes and antimicrobial proteins. Such bioactive protein compositions may be present alone or in a mammalian milk or soy-based nutritional product to increase colonization of desired commensal organisms, reduce potential pathogens, restore microbiome function, and/or otherwise improve health in a mammal consuming same.

Abstract: This disclosure describes compositions of one or more components including milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) complexes, milk fat globules (MFG), commensal organisms, SlgA, recombinant SlgA (rSlgA), triglycerides or oils, and mammalian milk oligosaccharides (MMO) and the use of such compositions. The reconstituted MFGM component of the disclosed invention may come from an animal source, particularly from a mammalian source, including from the processing of buttermilk.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to the use of compositions to increase output of acetate and lactate while reducing pH and the levels of pathogenic bacteria and inflammation in the gut of a nursing infant mammal including humans. These compositions generally comprise one or more bacterial strains selected for their growth on mammalian milk oligosaccharides, a source of mammalian milk oligosaccharides, and, optionally, nutritive components required for the growth of that infant mammal.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to the use of compositions to increase output of particular metabolites in the gut of a nursing infant mammal including humans. These compositions generally comprise one or more bacterial strains selected for their growth on mammalian milk oligosaccharides, a source of mammalian milk oligosaccharides, and, optionally, nutritive components required for the growth of that infant mammal.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to the methods for monitoring the health of the mammalian gut by checking for whether dysbiotic parameters exceed a threshold level or not. In particular, this invention is directed to the use of parameters which correlate with the level of bifidobacteria, especially Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis in the mammalian colon.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions of oligosaccharides, their preparation, and their use to facilitate the growth of certain beneficial gut bacteria over other gut bacteria in a mammal in order to prevent gastrointestinal distress associated with a major change in gut microflora, such as that which occurs when an infant is weaned from its mother's milk to alternative food sources, or during the recovery of the gut microbiome after a course of oral antibiotics, hospitalization, therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation treatments, or conditions where a deficiency in dietary fiber is observed. Novel compositions of oligosaccharides, oligosaccharides and bacteria, foods comprising those compositions, and methods of preparation and use of those compositions are described.

Abstract: Compositions comprising at least two non-pathogenic microbes are described herein. The non-pathogenic microbes may be from a first species capable of internalizing and/or metabolizing dietary glycans and/or from a second species capable of consuming and metabolizing free sugar monomers. Methods of making and use in treating and/or preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in mammals are also described herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a composition and method for treating dysbiosis in infants. The composition may include a mixture of activated bifidobacteria and a complex oligosaccharide wherein the complex oligosaccharide may be derived from a human or non-human source.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to administering compounds to promote mucosal healing in mammals in need thereof including, but not limited to humans. The compounds may include bifidobacteria and mammalian milk oligosaccharides.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to the use of compositions to increase output of acetate and lactate while reducing pH and the levels of pathogenic bacteria and inflammation in the gut of a nursing infant mammal including humans. These compositions generally comprise one or more bacterial strains selected for their growth on mammalian milk oligosaccharides, a source of mammalian milk oligosaccharides, and, optionally, nutritive components required for the growth of that infant mammal.

Abstract: The inventions described herein relate generally to digestive healthcare, and more particularly, to the feeding of mammals, particularly human infants, who are making a transition from a microbiome with lower diversity to a microbiome with higher diversity. These inventions relate to certain foods comprising a fermentable nutritional component and a probiotic component, where the probiotic component is selected, based on genetic and/or metabolic criteria, to specifically metabolize any Free Sugar Monomers (FSMs) and Free Amino Acids (FAAs) or peptides that accumulate as a result of the fermentable nutritional component in the lower intestine, where they otherwise might be left in the environment to be fermented and metabolized by less adapted/opportunistic bacteria, creating blooms of deleterious intestinal bacteria and shifting the microbiome to a potentially dysbiotic state.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering non-pathogenic, intestinally beneficial bacteria to a patient having a feeding tube. Examples of non-pathogenic, intestinally beneficial bacteria that could be used include Bifidobacterium species and Lactobacillus species. In one embodiment, the bacteria is contained in a bacteria infusion device that comprises: (a) an internal chamber; (b) an outlet in communication with the internal chamber; and (c) the non-pathogenic, intestinally beneficial bacteria contained in the internal chamber. Another embodiment is a feeding tube comprising a flexible tubing and coating on the outer surface of the flexible tubing. The coating comprises an antimicrobial agent. Also disclosed are methods of administering a non-pathogenic, intestinally beneficial bacteria to a patient.

Abstract: Compositions comprising at least two non-pathogenic microbes are described herein. The non-pathogenic microbes may be from a first species capable of internalizing and/or metabolizing dietary glycans and/or from a second species capable of consuming and metabolizing free sugar monomers. Methods of making and use in treating and/or preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in mammals are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides galacto-oligosaccharide compositions that preferentially stimulate growth of specific Bifidobacterium species and subspecies.