Abstract: Prosthetic valves are provided with a leaflet assembly having at least one leaflet (3) attached to a supporting element (2), which leaflet has a free margin that can move between a first position wherein the free margin is flexed away from a closure surface (700) to allow body fluid to flow through the valve, and a second position wherein the free margin abuts the closure surface to close the valve, and wherein the leaflet, without pulsatile load on the valve, can form a coaptation height H of more than 0.1 mm along the length of the free margin. Such prosthetic valve provides good performance during prolonged time, and can be made using various materials for the leaflets. The invention also relates to a leaflet assembly for use in a prosthetic valve, and to methods of making the prosthetic valve, including making the leaflet assembly.

Abstract: Bacteriophage Insensitive Mutants (BIMs) of three Streptococcus thermophilus parent strains were generated and characterized for phage sensitivity, sedimentation rate, cell chain length, phage adsorption and CRISPR loci alterations. Several BIMs showed an altered sedimentation phenotype as well as an increase cell chain length, reduced phage sensitivity, reduced phage adsorption and 100% identity in three CRISPR loci. The results show that the derived BIMs have become phage-resistant through a mechanism other than CRISPR.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of the combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (“25-OH D3”) and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories (ascorbic acid, vitamin E and at least one carotenoid) to make a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or food supplement which can ameliorate various problems observed in bovines connected cystic ovarian disease, or increasing 17-? estradiol levels. Feed and premixes containing the 25-OH D3 and antioxidants/anti-inflammatories and premixes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit suitable for detection of Streptococcus thermophilus infecting phages, said kit comprising: (a) a first primer pair suitable to generate an amplicon characteristic for a 987 phage; and (b) a second primer pair suitable to generate an amplicon characteristic for a 5093 phage. Further, the present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of Streptococcus thermophilus infecting phages in a sample.

Abstract: A lightweight laminate comprises: (a) a first outer layer; (b) at least one internal reinforcing layer; (c) optionally, one or more intervening film layers; and (d) a second outer layer, wherein the at least one internal reinforcing layer is disposed between first and second outer layers, and wherein the second outer layer is saturated, partially saturated and coated, or partially coated with a wet-out resin. Reinforcing layers can comprise unitape further comprising parallel monofilaments embedded in resin. An article of manufacture, such as MOLLE, a plate-carrier, or other military, law enforcement, or recreational apparel or gear comprises the light-weight laminate.

Abstract: An improved pasteurisation protocol for pasteurising microbial cells is disclosed. The protocol has three stages, a first heating stage, a second plateau stage at which the cells are held at a (maximum and) constant temperature, and a third cooling stage. Both the heating and the cooling stages are rapid, with the temperature of the cells passing through 40 to 80° C. in no more than 30 minutes in the heating stage. The heating rate is at least 0.5° C./minute and during cooling is at least ?0.5° C./minute. The plateau maximum temperature is from 70 to 85° C. By plotting the pasteurisation protocol on a time (t, minutes) versus temperature (T, ° C.) graph, one obtains a trapezium having an area less than 13,000° C. minute. Not only does this result in a smaller energy input (and so a reduction in costs), but a better quality (and less oxidized) oil results having a peroxide value (POV) of less than 1.5 and an anisidine value (AnV) of less than 1.0.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes, nucleic acids encoding them, antibodies that bind specifically to them, and methods for making and using them. Industrial methods and products comprising use of these phospholipases are also provided. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for hydration of non hydratable phospholipids (NHPs) within a lipid matrix. The methods enable migration of NHPs to an oil-water interface thereby allowing the NHPs to be reacted and/or removed from the lipids. In certain embodiments, provided is a method for removing NHPs, hydratable phospholipids, and lecithins from vegetable oils to produce a degummed oil or fat product that can be used for food production and/or non-food applications. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for hydration of NHPs followed by enzymatic treatment and removal of various phospholipids and lecithins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid construct comprising: a nucleic acid sequence encoding an ice structuring protein (ISP) comprising the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence at least 80% identical thereto or comprising the sequence set out in amino acids 21 to 261 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence at least 80% identical thereto; and, linked operably thereto, control sequences permitting expression of the nucleic acid sequence in a filamentous fungal host cell. The construct may be used in a method for the production of an ISP, wherein the ISP is expressed in a filamentous fungal host cell.

Abstract: High performance polyethylene (HPPE) members include at least 5 wt-% of a radiopaque component. The HPPE members are biocompatible and the radiopaque component is a particulate at least partially arranged inside a HPPE filament of the HPPE members. The radiopaque component may have a particle size of at most 1 ?m, preferably at most 0.5 ?m. Methods of making the HPPE members and various medical devices and repair products which include the HPPE members are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel selective 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11?-HSD1) inhibitors and the use thereof to prevent age-induced skin structure and function defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alkyd resin comprising the condensation product of at least the following components (A) a polybasic acid, (B) a polyhydric alcohol, and (C) a linear C12-C60 hydrocarbo monocarboxylic acid, and optionally (D) at least one component other than any of components A to C characterized in that at least a part of the polybasic acid (A) is a (optionally hydrogenated) Diels Alder adduct of citraconic acid with C4-C14 conjugated diene, a (optionally hydrogenated) Diels Alder adduct of citraconic anhydride with C4-C14 conjugated diene, a half ester of such a Diels Alder adduct and/or a diester of such a Diels Alder adduct.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from one or more microbial cells by lysing the cells to form a lysed cell composition and then recovering the oil from the lysed cell composition. Further disclosed is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described.

Abstract: Use of genistein for the treatment and prevention of dry eye syndrome or LKC and corresponding compositions containing it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the degree of glycosylation of a composition comprising steviol glycosides, which method comprises: a. contacting said composition comprising steviol glycosides with a recombinant microorganism, a cell free extract derived from such a microorganism or an enzyme preparation derived from either thereof; and b. thereby to increase the degree of glycosylation of the composition comprising steviol glycosides, wherein the recombinant microorganism comprises one or more nucleotide sequence(s) encoding: a polypeptide having ent-copalyl pyrophosphate synthase activity; a polypeptide having ent-Kaurene synthase activity; a polypeptide having ent-Kaurene oxidase activity; a polypeptide having kaurenoic acid 13-hydroxylase activity; and one or more polypeptides having UDP-glucosyltransferase activity whereby expression of the nucleotide sequence(s) confer(s) on the microorganism the ability to produce at least one steviol glycoside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing (fat-soluble) active ingredients and/or colorants in a matrix based on modified plant gums, i.e. plant gums that have been submitted to hydrolysis to degrade either the protein portion and/or where appropriate, the polysaccharide, and to a process for preparing these compositions as well as to modified plant gums, whose protein part is hydrolyzed up to a degree of about 30%, preferably to a degree of from about 0.05 to about 30%, and/or whose polysaccharide part is hydrolyzed up to a degree of about 50%, a process for the manufacture thereof and such modified plant gums themselves. The present invention further relates to the use of the compositions of this invention for the enrichment, fortification and/or for the coloration of food, beverages, animal feed, cosmetics and pharmaceutical compositions and to such food, beverages, animal feed, cosmetics and pharmaceutical compositions themselves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel acetyl transferases, nucleic acid sequences coding therefore, expression constructs and vectors comprising these sequences, microorganisms transformed therewith and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical compositions comprising 10-hydroxystearic acid or a salt thereof in combination with 12-hydroxystearic acid or a salt thereof. The present invention also relates to a method to retard or inhibit the recrystallization of 10-hydroxystearic acid or a salt thereof in a topical composition, said method comprising formulating 10-hydroxystearic acid or a salt thereof in the presence of 12-hydroxystearic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for recycling a carpet product, the carpet product comprising a fibrous sheet comprising polymer yarns, wherein at least one surface of the sheet is provided with a layer of polymer adhesive, wherein the carpet product is a substantially pure polyester carpet product, wherein the polymer yarns comprise polyester having a molecular weight above 50,000 g/mol and a melting point between 180 and 300° C., the adhesive is a polyester adhesive having a crystallinity between 5% and 35% and a viscosity of 5-55 Pa·s at 150° C., the method comprising homogenising the carpet product by extrusion. The invention also pertains to recycled polymer obtainable by this method, to fibres comprising this recycled polymer material, to fibrous products comprising these fibres and to polyester adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide having phospholipase C activity, selected from the group consisting of i. a polypeptide comprising a mature polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; ii. a polypeptide that has least 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to the mature polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; iii. a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that hybridizes under medium stringency, preferably under high stringency conditions to the complementary strand of the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; iv. a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that has at least 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous polymer emulsion comprising at least 30 wt. % of a vinyl copolymer (A), said vinyl copolymer comprising: (I) from 10 to 90 wt. % of 2-octyl acrylate monomer; (II) from 10 to 90 wt. % of at least one itaconate ester monomer according to formula (1) in which A and B may be different or the same and A and B are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group; and (III) from 0 to 80 wt. % of ethylenically unsaturated monomer other than (I) and (II); whereby the summed amount of (I), (II) and (III) is 100 wt. % and whereby the amount of vinyl copolymer (A) is given relative to the total weight amount of the polymers present in the emulsion.