Abstract: A method of inhibiting biofilm growth on a surface in an aqueous system comprising contacting a surface susceptible to biofilm growth with a solution comprising an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to inhibit biofilm growth. A method of removing biofilm from a surface in an aqueous system comprising contacting a surface having a biofilm with a solution containing an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to remove some or all of the biofilm from the surface.

Abstract: A method of improving dental health in a mammal in which a mammal drinks at least 0.5 liters of water per day for a majority of the days of a period of at least one month, the water having been contacted with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to improve dental health as evidenced by a reduction in the pocket depths of the teeth of the mammal. A method of improving dental health in a mammal in which the mammal's teeth are brushed using a toothpaste or rinsed with a mouthwash for a majority of the days of a period of at least one month, the toothpaste or mouthwash containing an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to improve dental health as evidenced by a reduction in the pocket depths of the teeth. A toothpaste or mouthwash containing an effective amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting biofilm growth on a surface in an aqueous system comprising contacting a surface susceptible to biofilm growth with a solution comprising an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to inhibit biofilm growth. A method of removing biofilm from a surface in an aqueous system comprising contacting a surface having a biofilm with a solution containing an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to remove some or all of the biofilm from the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting microorganism growth comprising contacting a substance susceptible to microorganism growth with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to inhibit microorganism growth, wherein the moss is selected from the group consisting of sphagnum papillosum, sphagnum cristatum, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A device for use in water comprising a carrier having an interior cavity and one or more openings allowing ingress to and egress from the interior cavity; and a moss contained within the interior cavity in which the carrier completely encloses the moss.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting microorganism growth comprising contacting a substance susceptible to microorganism growth with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to inhibit microorganism growth, wherein the moss is selected from the group consisting of sphagnum papillosum, sphagnum cristatum, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting biofilm growth on a surface in an aqueous system comprising contacting a surface susceptible to biofilm growth with a solution comprising an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to inhibit biofilm growth. A method of removing biofilm from a surface in an aqueous system comprising contacting a surface having a biofilm with a solution containing an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to remove some or all of the biofilm from the surface.

Abstract: A method of improving dental health in a mammal in which a mammal drinks at least 0.5 liters of water per day for a majority of the days of a period of at least one month, the water having been contacted with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to improve dental health as evidenced by a reduction in the pocket depths of the teeth of the mammal. A method of improving dental health in a mammal in which the mammal's teeth are brushed using a toothpaste or rinsed with a mouthwash for a majority of the days of a period of at least one month, the toothpaste or mouthwash containing an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to improve dental health as evidenced by a reduction in the pocket depths of the teeth. A toothpaste or mouthwash containing an effective amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract.

Abstract: A method of reducing disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants including contacting the water with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to reduce the level of disinfection by-products. A method of determining the effectiveness of a first method of reducing disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants, the first method including contacting the water with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to reduce the level of disinfection by-products, the method including determining the effectiveness of the first method by measuring the level of the disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants and contacted with the amount of non-decomposed moss.

Abstract: A method of reducing disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants including contacting the water with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to reduce the level of disinfection by-products. A method of determining the effectiveness of a first method of reducing disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants, the first method including contacting the water with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to reduce the level of disinfection by-products, the method including determining the effectiveness of the first method by measuring the level of the disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants and contacted with the amount of non-decomposed moss.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting microorganism growth comprising contacting a substance susceptible to microorganism growth with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to inhibit microorganism growth, wherein the moss is selected from the group consisting of sphagnum papillosum, sphagnum cristatum, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A tissue illumination system and a method for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The tissue illumination system includes a light catheter inserted into a lumen of the blood vessel section to illuminate the vessel section and vessel side branches with an intensity which is visible to the physician from an exterior of the vessel section and also includes a viewing element insertable into the lumen and capable of viewing the illuminated vessel section. The tissue illumination system also includes at least one tool insertable into the lumen and used to harvest the vessel section.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting microorganism growth comprising contacting a substance susceptible to microorganism growth with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to inhibit microorganism growth, wherein the moss is selected from the group consisting of sphagnum papillosum, sphagnum cristatum, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A tissue illumination system and a method for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The tissue illumination system includes a light catheter inserted into a lumen of the blood vessel section to illuminate the vessel section and vessel side branches with an intensity which is visible to the physician from an exterior of the vessel section and also includes a viewing element insertable into the lumen and capable of viewing the illuminated vessel section. The tissue illumination system also includes at least one tool insertable into the lumen and used to harvest the vessel section.

Abstract: A device for use in water comprising a carrier having an interior cavity and one or more openings allowing ingress to and egress from the interior cavity; and a moss contained within the interior cavity in which the carrier completely encloses the moss.

Abstract: A method of deriving isolated stem cells including: implanting a matrix in a wound site of a living organism; allowing cells to infiltrate the matrix; removing the matrix containing the infiltrated cells from the wound site; and removing the infiltrated cells from the matrix to provide isolated stem cells. Stem cells produced by this process, stem cells with certain characteristics, and methods for treating wounds using these stem cells are provided.

Abstract: A method of deriving isolated stem cells including: implanting a matrix in a wound site of a living organism; allowing cells to infiltrate the matrix; removing the matrix containing the infiltrated cells from the wound site; and removing the infiltrated cells from the matrix to provide isolated stem cells. Stem cells produced by this process, stem cells with certain characteristics, and methods for treating wounds using these stem cells are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting microorganism growth comprising contacting a substance susceptible to microorganism growth with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to inhibit microorganism growth, wherein the moss is selected from the group consisting of sphagnum papillosum, sphagnum cristatum, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A device for use in water comprising a carrier having an interior cavity and one or more openings allowing ingress to and egress from the interior cavity; and a moss contained within the interior cavity in which the carrier completely encloses the moss.

Abstract: A method of reducing disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants including contacting the water with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to reduce the level of disinfection by-products. A method of determining the effectiveness of a first method of reducing disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants, the first method including contacting the water with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to reduce the level of disinfection by-products, the method including determining the effectiveness of the first method by measuring the level of the disinfection by-products in water treated with disinfectants and contacted with the amount of non-decomposed moss.