Abstract: A method of detecting subclinical ketosis in a dairy animal comprises the steps of: obtaining a sample from the dairy animal, the sample containing one of a serum sample or a milk sample; incubating a mixture of the sample and a reactant containing NAD+-functionalized quantum dots to produce an incubated mixture; irradiating the incubated mixture with optical radiation of a first wavelength so as to emit fluorescent radiation of a second wavelength from the incubated mixture; irradiating a photodetector with the fluorescent radiation so as to generate an electrical signal; and performing data acquisition using the photodetector electrical signal to determine a BHBA concentration for the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for filtering sequence clusters during a process of merging a newly generated nucleotide or amino acid sequence with a set of previously clustered sequences. In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for assigning newly generated nucleotide or amino acid sequences to presumptive species called operational taxonomic units. In yet another embodiment, the sequences are derived from the cytochrome c oxidase I gene.

Abstract: An essentially glutamine-free medium comprising a whole-cell glutamine biosensor, comprising a glutamine auxotrophic E. coli and a Lux reporter gene, for detecting glutamine in an analyte. The medium is useful in methods to detecting, screening, identifying and selecting nitrogen-fixing microbes and in methods of determining the nitrogen state of plants, plant products and soil.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel soilless pre-vegetated mats comprising a carrier mat comprised of a material that does not degrade under exterior growing conditions, and vegetation whose roots intertwine within and under the carrier mat. The present application also relates to processes for production of the soilless pre-vegetated mats.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel dairy product comprising naturally secreted mammalian milk which comprises at least about 0.3% long chain omega-3 fatty acids/g of total milk fatty acids. A method of obtaining the milk is also provided which includes feeding a supplement to a mammal comprising a source of long chain omega-3 fatty acids that comprises at least about 2-10% long chain omega-3 fatty acids wt/wt and a protectant that protects against fatty acid biodehydrogenation.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inflammatory diseases and uses thereof, and methods of screening for, diagnosing, identifying susceptibility to or detecting a risk of developing an inflammatory disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of at least one SNP identified in a gene associated with inflammatory disease.

Abstract: A high level replication fowl adenovirus (FAdV) isolate capable of reaching a viral titer of at least 3 log 10 is described. Said FAdV is a non-pathogenic strain of fowl adenovirus serotype 4, identified as FAdV-4 ON1. Additionally, the present disclosure also provides a viral vector comprising the fowl adenovirus, which has inserted an exogenous nucleotide sequence coding for at least one antigenic site of a disease of concern, as well as a method for obtaining said viral vector and an immunogenic composition comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of increasing tolerance to high temperature or heat stress in a plant, plant part, or plant cell, the method comprising introducing one or more nucleic acids encoding (i) a glutamine synthetase 1;2 (GS 1;2), (ii) a glutamate decarboxylase 3 (GAD3), (iii) a class I glutamine amidotransferase (GAT1), (iv) a MYB55 polypeptide or any combination thereof into a plant, plant part or plant cell. Also provided are methods of increasing amino acid content in a plant, plant part, or plant cell, the method comprising introducing one or more nucleic acids encoding (i) a GS1;2, (ii) a GAD3, (iii) a GAT1, (iv) a MYB55 polypeptide or any combination thereof into a plant, plant part or plant cell.

Abstract: Vaccines comprising TRAP polypeptides and Salmonella enteritidis vectors comprising TRAP polypeptides are provided. The vaccines may also include a CD 154polypeptide capable of binding to CD40. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response against Apicomplexan parasites and methods of reducing morbidity associated with infection with Apicomplexan parasites.

Abstract: The invention provides MYB55 promoter sequences that can advantageously be used to express a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant, plant part or plant cell. Also provided are methods of increasing the expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant, plant part or plant cell in response to high temperature, abscisic acid, salicylic acid and/or methyl jasmonate. Further provided are methods of increasing the tolerance of a plant, plant part or plant cell to heat stress using the promoter sequences as described herein.

Abstract: Vaccines comprising TRAP polypeptides and Salmonella enteritidis vectors comprising TRAP polypeptides are provided. The vaccines may also include a CD154 polypeptide capable of binding to CD40. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response against Apicomplexan parasites and methods of reducing morbidity associated with infection with Apicomplexan parasites.

Abstract: There are provided novel synthetic stool preparations comprising bacteria isolated from a fecal sample from a healthy donor. The synthetic stool preparations are used for treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including dysbiosis, Clostridium difficile infection and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, prevention of recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection, treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticular disease, and treatment of food poisoning such as salmonella. Methods of preparation and methods of use of the synthetic stool preparations are also provided.

Abstract: A media supplement for culturing anaerobic bacteria is provided which comprises a filtrate of effluent from a chemostat vessel in which a target bacterial ecosystem has been cultured. Methods of using the supplement for culturing or isolating anaerobic microbial strains or communities, particularly anaerobic bacteria from the human gut, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of constructing a VHH library from an immunized camelid, using whole venom or an extract thereof. There is also provided VHH antibody fragments isolated from a library produced in hyperimmunized llama. These VHH antibody fragments were sequenced, and specifically bind ?-cobratoxin.

Abstract: The invention features thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) polypeptides (e.g., 3TSR-Fc fusion proteins), nucleic acid molecules encoding the TSP-1 polypeptides, and compositions thereof. The invention also features methods of making and using the TSP-1 polypeptides of the invention (e.g., using 3TSR-Fc fusion proteins to treat a subject having a disorder associated with pathological angiogenesis, e.g., cancer, e.g., epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)).

Abstract: The invention provides 1,3-DAGs with melting point ranges of from about 32° C. to about 37° C. for use in a variety of hard fat applications and in particular for the preparation of a cocoa butter substitute for confectionery use. The invention contemplates novel 1,3-DAGs, cocoa butter substitute incorporating such 1,3-DAG compounds, confectionery products and shortenings containing both and methods of making such.

Abstract: Novel soy/milk gels are provided useful for making cheese-type and yoghurt type products. Method for preparing such products are also disclosed herein. In particular, the invention relates to a soy/milk cheese-type product which is a blend of soy milk and milk and to a method for the preparation thereof. In further aspects, is a soy/milk yoghurt-type product and a method for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleotide sequences that can be used in operable association with a promoter to express a polynucleotide sequence of interest in a plant, plant part or plant cell at particular stages of development and/or in specific tissues. and methods for directing developmental stage specific and/or tissue specific expression of a polynucleotide of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-interesterified fully hydrogenated oil:oil:emulsifier composition crystallized to beta polymorphic structure having less than 5% trans-fats. The shortening composition can be used as a shortening and as a roll-in shortening for manufacture of laminated dough products such as croissants and Danishes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nitrogen-regulated GATA transcription factor gene required for sugar sensing and the modulation of the expression of this gene to modulate a characteristic in a plant. The GATA transcription factor of the present invention is involved in regulating sugar sensing in plants and its expression is influenced by nitrogen status. Increased expression of this or substantially similar genes can produce plants with improved nitrogen utilization and increased yield.