Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and methods for preparing antibodies to metabolites in the serotonin, tryptophan, kynurenine pathways. The prepared antibodies have low cross-reactivity to related metabolites, and are useful reagents for specific and sensitive immunoassays The present invention also provides stable derivatives of various metabolites and short chain fatty acids. The derivative can be conjugated to a biomolecule such as a carrier protein and combined with an adjuvant to stimulate an immune response. The derivatives can also be conjugated to other biomolecules.

Abstract: The invention provides measuring devices for managing the weight of animals and methods of using the measuring devices. In a general aspect, the measuring devices comprise a container having a first side with a cavity and a second opposing side having a cavity that is larger than the cavity of the first side. The first side cavity is sized to hold an amount of food that restricts calorie intake of an animal. The second side cavity is sized to hold an amount of food that provides daily requirement for weight management of an animal.

Abstract: A closure cap for a container having a spout is described. The closure cap includes a tubular base, a flexible cover, and a flow restriction member. The tubular base is positionable about and sealingly engageable with the spout. The flexible cover is extends over the tubular base and movable between a non-depressed position and a depressed position. The flow restriction member is detachably mounted to the tubular base such that the flow restriction member is in a spaced, coaxial relationship with the spout when the tubular base is engaged with the spout and when the flexible cover is in the non-depressed position and such that the flow restriction member is detached from the tubular base and positioned on and engaged with the spout of the container when the flexible cover is moved to the depressed position.

Abstract: An instant beverage tablet in the form of multilayer tablet for producing a layered beverage having one or more cream layer(s), coffee and/or cocoa layer(s) and optionally a foam upon reconstitution in a liquid comprising a dark component having sugar, coffee and/or cocoa particles for producing a dark layer; a white component having creamer and sugar for producing white layer; wherein the dark component has a density in the range of 0.5 to 0.7 g/cm3 and wherein the white component has a density in the range of 0.74 to 0.9 g/cm3 and wherein the dark component is compressed with a compaction pressure of at least 250 kPa and wherein the white component is compressed with a compaction pressure of at least 1250 kPa.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a freeze-dried, aerated fruit or vegetable composition comprising a fruit or vegetable ingredient and an emulsifier and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: A single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained therein. The capsule has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a side wall connecting the upper and lower walls, wherein the walls form an enclosure that contains the food substance. The capsule also has a sealed interface connecting the upper and lower walls and a liquid collecting cavity located between the side wall and sealed interface. The sealed interface is configured to open under a predetermined fluid pressure in the capsule to allow the food liquid to leave the capsule. Also, a method for preparing a food liquid from the capsule by passing water through the food substance using centrifugal forces for producing the food liquid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mixing device (1) having: —a whipper housing (2), a rotor (3) and a back wall (4), the whipper housing and the back wall forming a whipper chamber in which is lodged the rotor, —the whipper housing having a beverage inlet (11) and a beverage outlet (7), —a drive shaft (41) for driving the rotor, said drive shaft being supported by the back wall, —the rotor presenting a radial back surface (33) facing the whipper housing back wall (4) and a radial front surface (32) opposed to the radial back surface —the whipper housing having a front wall (21), said front wall facing at least a part of the radial front surface (32) of the rotor, and wherein the whipper housing front wall (21) presents bumps (5) elevating from the surface (211) of the front wall, the upper surface (51) of each bump being flat and the edges (52) of said upper surface being sharp.

Abstract: Flow control devices and methods using the flow control devices are provided. In a general embodiment, a cassette includes a housing having a constrictor, a tube attached to the housing and positioned through the constrictor, and a ball positioned inside the tube. The constrictor can be constructed and arranged to prevent the ball from moving through the tube at the location proximate the constrictor. The ball can prevent fluid flow in one position and be dislodged to allow fluid flow when the cassette is positioned inside a pumping device. As a result, the cassette is designed to prevent free flow of fluid when an enteral feeding tube set is not installed in a pumping device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for modulating the gut microbiota composition of a subject, preferably a human. In particular, the present invention provides an agent capable of reducing the proportion of Lachnospiraceae in the gut microbiota composition of a subject which agent is useful for promoting weight loss or preventing weight gain in a subject, preferably an obese or overweight subject. Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC 1.3724 is particularly preferred as the agent provided by and used in the present invention.

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different dimensions (da, ha; db, hb) comprises a seat (14,20) for receiving any of these cartridges (1a; 1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (20, 30, 33) and second part (12,13,14) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first delimiting part has a first member (30) and a second member (33) that are relatively movable between: —a first member position delimiting a cartridge cavity of a first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1a) having a first height (ha); and —a second member position in which the ca cartridge cavity has a second depth (Hb) different to the first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge (1b) having a second height (hb) different to the first height (ha).

Abstract: A receptacle holding unit for a beverage preparation device includes a first part and a second part cooperating with the first part; a cavity for receiving a receptacle containing an ingredient; and a driving device for relatively moving the second part towards the first part into a closed position for securing such receptacle in the cavity and relatively apart from the first part into an open position for inserting of the receptacle into the cavity. The driving device has an actuator and a transmission that has a helicoidal ramp arrangement cooperating with a connector member for converting a translational movement into a rotational movement or vice versa. When the actuator actuates the transmission, the first and second parts are driven together or apart by the ramp arrangement cooperating with the connector member.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cell encapsulation device comprising an internal chamber suitable for holding biological agents, wherein the internal chamber is disposed between a first semipermeable layer and a second semi-permeable layer, and the first and second semi-permeable layers are mounted on a supporting frame surrounding a perimeter of the internal chamber; wherein the supporting frame comprises a first frame element and a second frame element, and the first and second frame elements co-operate to position the first and second semipermeable layers at a predetermined separation distance between the layers.

Abstract: A nutritional composition for infants at risk of developing obesity later in life comprises a protein source, a lipid source and a carbohydrate source and has a protein content of less than 1.8 g/100 kcal and an energy density of less than 650 kcal/liter.

Abstract: A preparation includes N-acetyl-lactosamine and/or an oligosaccharide containing N-acetyl-lactosamine and a probiotic Lactobacillus sp. In other aspects, a nutritional composition includes such a preparation, and the preparation is used in the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections of the gastro-intestinal and upper respiratory tracts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nutritional compositions containing a fiber blend that includes soluble fibers that are fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), acacia gum and inulin and also includes insoluble fibers that are outer pea fibers. In an embodiment, the fiber blend includes about 50% soluble fibers and about 50% insoluble fibers, and the soluble fibers are FOS in an amount of about 41% by weight of the soluble fibers, acacia gum in an amount of about 41% by weight of the soluble fibers, and inulin in an amount of about 18% by weight of the soluble fibers. In such an embodiment, the insoluble fibers are outer pea fibers. The present disclosure also relates to methods that include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a fiber blend that includes FOS, acacia gum, inulin and outer pea fibers to a patient after antibiotic treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dispenser (1) comprising: —a housing (2) defining an internal space (3), —a beverage preparation unit housed in the internal space, said beverage preparation unit being connected to an electric supply, —a door (4) to get access to the internal space of the housing, said door being assembled to the housing (2) by means of at least one hinge (5), said door comprising one element erecting from the internal surface of the door, said door being configured for switching off the electric supply of the beverage preparation unit when it opens, the switching off being due to the release of a mechanical and electric contact by the at least one erecting element, wherein the dispenser comprises a slider (6), said slider comprising: —a first part (61) configured for switching on the electric supply of the beverage preparation unit when the slider is translated from a first rest position to a second operative position, and —a second part (62) configured for engaging with a locking device (7) when th

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) has: a beverage preparation module (2) comprising a module interface (21?, 25, 26) and an auxiliary device (10) comprising a device interface (15, 16). The module and device interfaces being arranged for assembling the module (2) and the device (10) together. At least one of the module and device interfaces (15, 16, 21?, 25, 26) comprises one or more dampening members (21?) so arranged that the module (2) and the device (10) are in direct contact only via the dampening member(s) (21?) when the module (2) and device (10) are assembled together via the interfaces (15, 16, 21?, 25, 26).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising: a reservoir (2) for a fluid, a brewing head (3) adapted to receive at least one ingredient capsule (100) comprising at least one beverage preparation ingredient (104), a pump (6) for pumping a predetermined volume of said fluid from said reservoir (2) to said brewing head (3), such that said fluid can be injected into said capsule (100), when said capsule (100) is received by said brewing head (3), to mix with said ingredient (104) under pressure and produce a predetermined volume of beverage, wherein the reservoir (2), the pump (6), and an inserted ingredient capsule (100) in use are in fluidic communication and form a fluid system (800), and wherein the beverage preparation machine (1) further comprises a pressure sensor (301; 302; 303; 304) adapted to measure internal pressure (P) within an ingredient capsule (100) inserted inside said brewing head (3), and a locking mechanism (401) adapted to prevent disconnection of the inserte

Abstract: Container for a foodstuff or beverage preparation machine are disclosed that contain beverage or foodstuff preparation material and include a code encoding preparation information. Beverage or foodstuff preparation machines and systems that can be utilized with the container are also disclosed. Methods of producing and using the containers, machines, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a shelf-stable concentrate cooking aid comprising a reduced amount of natural MSG, IMP and GMP between 10 and 20% in weight of natural food derived acids and sugars and between 20 and 45% of naturally derived macromolecules.