Abstract: The present invention discloses that fractions of Asiasari Radix extract have the ability to induce neuroprotection against AMPA (-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid)-induced damages in brain cells as well as stimulation of memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neurochemical formulation comprising a supplement for improving function of neurons, improving memory and cognitive abilities, and reversing free radical damage caused by aging or neurodegenerative disease. The formulation comprises phosphoesters and antioxidants. Components may have antioxidant properties or enhance properties of other components. The synergistic combinations allow individual component dosages to be reduced, thereby minimizing potential toxicity.

Abstract: A process for inducing posterior vitreous detachment and for dissolving blood clots in the vitreous introduces a composition into the ocular cavity of an eye of a subject. The composition includes plasminogen and a plasminogen activator enzyme in amounts sufficient to induce substantially complete posterior vitreous detachment from the retina without causing inflammation of the retina and to dissolve blood clots in the vitreous. Suitable plasminogen activator enzymes include urokinase, streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone expressed by the following Formula 1 and more particularly, to a process that enables preparing optically pure (S)-3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone economically in large quantities, by: (a) Preparing &agr;-(1,4) linked oligosaccharide with adequate sugar distribution by reacting starch which is easily available from natural product with enzyme under a specific condition; and (b) Performing oxidation and cyclization sequentially under a specific condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition of the plant Withania Somnifera, and, more particularly to a high purity extract composition with advantageous levels of withanolide glycosides and oligosaccharides, a minimum of polysaccharides, and substantially low levels of free withaferin A and equivalents (withanolide aglycones), which composition provides enhanced cognition-enhancing effects for the user, and an extraction process for obtaining such composition, as well as pharmaceutical, nutritional and personal care use products thereof.

Abstract: Fucose and fucose analogs are synthesized enzymatically in a three step synthetic protocol. In the first step, L-fuculose-1-phosphate of analog thereof is produced by means of an aldolase catalyzed aldol addition reaction. In the second step, the fuculose-1-phosphate or analog thereof is dephosphorylated to form L-fuculose or an analog thereof using acid dephosphorylase as a catalyst. In the third step, the L-fuculose or analog thereof is converted to L-fucose or an analog thereof using L-fucose isomerase as a catalyst. The synthesis may be a one pot reaction involving the addition substrates and each of the above enzymes to a single reaction vessel. Alternatively, the synthesis may be carried out with purification steps after each reaction.

Abstract: A compound and method of using such compound is disclosed that, when administered to an animal, is capable of arresting the inflammatory response in affected tissues and facilitates the repair and maintenance of damaged tissues in the joints of vertebrates. The combination of natural physiological metabolites and herbal phytochemicals is used to treat connective tissue diseases, the composition preferably orally administered. One embodiment of the composition includes chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine that, when ingested by a vertebrate, suppresses the degradation of connective tissue by an autoimmune response. A preferred composition of the present invention includes a palatability agent, an herbal phytochemical, and a metabolic precursor that synergistically acts to increase blood circulation, thereby enhancing transport of the phytochemical and metabolic precursors to an affected site whereby deleterious inflammatory byproducts are removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing fermented extract to obtain composition that has inhibition action on bacteria infection. The fermented extract is prepared by symbiotic culture of yeast and lactic acid bacteria, removing microbial cells from the resultant culture solution and concentrating the prepared culture solution.

Abstract: Methods are provided for quenching undesired side reactions of pathogen inactivating compounds in biological materials. In a particular embodiment, methods are provided for quenching undesired side reactions of a pathogen inactivating compound that includes a functional group which is, or which is capable of forming, an electrophilic group. In this embodiment, the material is treated with the pathogen inactivating compound and a quencher, wherein the quencher comprises a nucleophilic functional group that is capable of covalently reacting with the electrophilic group. The electrophilic group on the pathogen inactivating compound is preferably a non-radical cationic group. In one embodiment, the pathogen inactivating compound includes a nucleic acid binding ligand and a mustard group, wherein the mustard group is capable of reacting in situ to form the electrophilic group. Preferred quenchers are thiols, such as glutathione.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing sialyloligosaccharides in situ in dairy sources and cheese processing waste streams, prior to, during, or after processing of the dairy source during the cheese manufacturing process. The methods of the present invention use the catalytic activity of &agr;(2-3) trans-sialidases to exploit the high concentrations of lactose and &agr;(2-3) sialosides which naturally occur in dairy sources and cheese processing waste streams to drive the enzymatic synthesis of &agr;(2-3) sialyllactose. &agr;(2-3) sialyloligosaccharides produced according to these methods are additionally encompassed by the present invention. The invention also provides for recovery of the sialyloligosaccharides produced by these methods. The invention further provides a method for producing &agr;(2-3) sialyllactose. The invention additionally provides a method of enriching for &agr;(2-3) sialyllactose in milk using transgenic mammals that express an &agr;(2-3) trans-sialidase transgene.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oral pharmaceutical composition which has excellent drug release-controlling ability in the mouth even 5 to 10 minutes after its administration and also has excellent drug releasing ability in the digestive tract without using capsules. It also relates to an oral pharmaceutical composition which comprises one or more drugs having a bitter taste, one or more solid proteins, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable polymer bases, wherein the proteins are present in the polymer bases preferably as particles.

Abstract: To provide a producibility improver for poultry, comprising a polymannose having a molecular weight distribution in which a polymannose having the molecular weights ranging from 1.8×103 to 1.8×105 accounts for 70% or more; the producibility improver for poultry further comprising a polyphenol compound; the producibility improver for poultry further comprising a delipidated rice bran; and a method of improving producibility for laying hens or edible chicken, using any one of the producibility improvers. According to the present invention, the improvement of producibility for poultry can be made at low costs.

Abstract: General methods for monitoring the activity of MurG, a GlcNAc transferase involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, is disclosed. More particularly, the synthesis of simplified substrate analogs of Lipid I (the natural substrate for MurG), which function as acceptors for UDP-GlcNAc in an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by MurG, is described. Assays using the substrate analogs of the invention are further disclosed, which are useful for identifying a variety of other substrates, including inhibitors of MurG activity, for facilitating mechanistic and/or structural studies of the enzyme and for other uses. High throughput assays are also described.

Abstract: A novel microorganism producing a nontoxic, non-antigenic exopolysaccharide is taught. The exopolysaccharide has neutral sugars migrating at the same rate as mannose, fucose, fructose and galactose, acidic sugars migrating at the same rate as fucose and amine sugars migrating at the same rate as glucose and fucose, and wherein the ratio of galactose:fucose:glucose:mannose is about 1:2:3:6. The microbe and the exopolysaccharide have uses as a biofilm in geologic applications and have several consumer uses as food and drug polymers and use as a plasma extender.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for lyophilizing eukaryotic cells and isolating intact nucleic acids from such cells, and related kits for using the same.

Abstract: A purified form of a gel-forming component of psyllium seed husks is disclosed, along with a process for obtaining the gel-forming fraction from psyllium seed husks. Methods of using this gel-forming fraction as a laxative and hypocholesterolemic agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing polysaccharides containing &agr;-1,4-glucan chains. According to the inventive method, a glucosyl group acceptor undergoes a chain prolongation reaction by reacting it with saccharose in the presence of an amylosaccharase. The amount of the glucosyl group acceptor in the reaction mixture is chosen in such a way that the mole ratio of the available ends of the glucosyl group acceptor to the saccharose is at least 1:1,000 and/or the weight ratio of the glucosyl group acceptor to the saccharose is at least 1:0.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for systemically or locally administering by implantation a beneficial agent to a subject are described, and include, for example, compositions having burst indices of 8 or less for systemic applications and systems releasing 10% or less of the total dose of beneficial agent in the first 24 hours after implantation for local applications. The compositions include a biocompatible polymer, a biocompatible solvent having low water miscibility that forms a viscous gel with the polymer and limits water uptake by the implant, and a beneficial agent.

Abstract: Dextrins are prepared by hydrolyzing starch with an enzyme that consists essentially of a beta-amylase enzyme. The product prepared thereby will include a dextrin, such as beta-limit dextrin. Upon ultrafiltration of this product, a dextrin-rich fraction may be recovered. If desired, the dextrin-rich fraction may be further purified via diafiltration. Retrograded amylose may be separated from the product of enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage-stable liquid formulation comprising a laccase comprising (i) a laccase, (ii) at least one polyalcohol, which formulation has a pH which is more alkaline than the pH optimum of the laccase. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method for improving the storage-stability of liquid formulations comprising a laccase and the use of said liquid formulations for a personal care application or for bleaching or for textile applications such as dyeing of fabrics.