Abstract: Provided are an Akkermansia muciniphila strain and use thereof in preventing and treating metabolic diseases. This strain is named Akkermansia muciniphila SSYD-3 and the accession number thereof is CGMCC No. 14764. This strain is more ideal than the existing Akkermansia strain ATCC BAA835 in respect of fermentation performance, storage stability, acid and bile resistance, and the effect on treating metabolic diseases.

Abstract: A mutant of a trichoderma filamentous fungus has a mutation that results in lost or lowered function of a beta-adaptin large subunit, or a mutation in an amino acid sequence that forms the beta-adaptin large subunit. A method produces a protein while maintaining a low viscosity in a culture solution during culturing by using the mutant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) fusion protein comprising from N-terminus to C-terminus: (i) a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) comprising VH and VL, wherein scFv binds to human PLAP (placental alkaline phosphatase), (ii) a transmembrane domain, (iii) a co-stimulatory domain of CD28, OX-40, GITR, or 4-1BB, and (iv) CD3 an activating domain. The present invention is also directed to T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, or macrophages, modified to express the CAR of the present invention. The present invention is further directed to a method for treating PLAP-positive cancer cells by administering PLAP-CAR-T cells, PLAP-CAR-NK cells, or PLAP-CAR-macrophages to the patients.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preventing or reducing symptoms or disease associated with Xylella fastidiosa or Xanthomonas axonopodis in a plant. The invention provides novel bacteriophages virulent to Xylella fastidiosa or Xanthomonas axonopodis, including XfaMija and XfaMijo, and further provides methods for treating or preventing Pierce's Disease or Citrus Canker in plants.

Abstract: Methods and kits for quantifying adenosine-containing molecules within an aqueous composition. Particularly, the methods utilize a competitive fluorescence-polarization and FRET-based assays that directly measure the production of adenosine-containing compounds, particularly S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) compounds produced by MTases. The generation of AdoHcy can be quantified by displacing a novel fluorescent probe comprising a 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine fluorophore covalently bound to an adenosine scaffold from a catalytically inert 5?-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase (MTAN) variant. One or more of the reaction materials can be pre-loaded into wells within multi-well reaction plates as a kit, which can be used to determine the enzymatic activity of MTases or conduct drug screening for potential inhibitors in a high-throughput format.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a magnetic mixing apparatus that mixes a sample contained in a mixing chamber using a stir bar, while minimizing the amount of contact between the stir bar and walls of the mixing chamber. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a ferromagnetic stir bar contained in the mixing chamber, and a driving magnet and a driven magnet located on opposite sides of the mixing chamber. The driving magnet, the driven magnet, and the ferromagnetic stir bar are each capable of rotating about a respective axis. The driving magnet, the driven magnet, and the ferromagnetic stir bar are magnetically coupled such that rotation of the driving magnet induces rotation of the driven magnet and rotation of the driving magnet and the driven magnet induce rotation of the ferromagnetic stir bar. In some embodiments, rotation of the ferromagnetic stir bar within the mixing chamber mixes the sample contained within the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for isolating and purifying Lactobacillus rhamnosus ZFM216 bacteriocin, the method including the following steps: preparing L. rhamnosus ZFM216 fermentation supernatant; treating the fermentation supernatant with macroporous adsorption resin method to obtain a crude protein extract; isolating the crude protein extract by gel chromatography to obtain a preliminary purified protein solution; and then performing purification by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to obtain an L. rhamnosus ZFM216 bacteriocin solution. The present disclosure further provides use of the L. rhamnosus bacteriocin in anti-Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered lipase polypeptides and compositions thereof. The engineered lipase polypeptides have been optimized to provide improved thermostability, protease stability, and stability under a range of pH conditions, including acidic (pH<7) and basic (pH>7) conditions. The invention also relates to the use of the compositions comprising the engineered lipase polypeptides for therapeutic and/or nutritional purposes. The present invention also provides polynucleotides encoding the engineered lipase polypeptides, as well as methods for making the engineered polynucleotides and lipase polypeptides.

Abstract: A pegylated, circularly permuted construct of the CapD enzyme (a gamma glutamyl transferase enzyme acting as a hydrolase specific to poly-?-D-glutamic acid) is used to treat anthrax and other bacterial infections, including but not limited to infection with strains that are resistant to available antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for treating colorectal cancer or for reducing the risk of developing the disease in an individual. More specifically, compositions comprising an effective amount of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactococcus lactis, and Carnobacterium maltaromaticum are provided for the purpose of treating colorectal cancer in a person or for the purpose of reducing a person's risk of later developing colorectal cancer. Corresponding kits and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition comprising (a) botulinum toxin and (b) non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and its use of the treatment or prevention of dystonia, spasticity and/or wrinkles. Further, the present invention relates to a method for cosmetically smoothing or preventing wrinkles comprising the step of administering the present composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having pentosidine oxidase activity, a method for measuring pentosidine comprising: contacting the protein with a specimen; and detecting a change caused by the contact, and the like.

Abstract: Modified probiotics, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of modulating and treating disorders are disclosed.

Abstract: A method against Salmonella typhimurium infection includes using a composition containing cultures of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH10 which is deposited at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen (DSMZ) GmbH under an accession number DSM 32786, Lactobacillus paracasei LPC12 which is deposited at the DSMZ GmbH under an accession number DSM 32785, Lactobacillus fermentum LF26 which is deposited at the DSMZ GmbH under an accession number DSM 32784, Streptococcus thermophilus ST30 which is deposited at the DSMZ GmbH under an accession number DSM 32788, and Lactobacillus helveticus LH43 which is deposited at the DSMZ GmbH under an accession number DSM 32787.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to nutritional formulas and uses for treating or preventing a gastrointestinal condition and/or motor-planning speech and/or coordinator difficulties. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to a nutritional formula comprising medium chain fatty acids, or esters thereof (such as and tri-, di-, mono-glycerides, or alkyl esters), unsaturated fatty acids, and a vitamin E and optionally other nutrients. In certain embodiments, any of the compounds or nutrients may be in alternative salt forms.

Abstract: A method of forming a substrate includes mapping a three dimensional spatial distribution of at least one structural protein fiber of extracellular matrix of biological material of interest, designing a fiber assembly pattern based on an intrinsic pattern of the at least one structural protein fiber of the extracellular matrix of the biological material, and assembling fibers based on the fiber assembly pattern to form the substrate.

Abstract: An algal biomass and supernatant derived from at least one species of algae exhibits the ability to maintain general health in humans and non-human animals and promote a healthy immune system in them. Food, feed and nutritional supplements comprising an algal biomass or supernatant derived from at least one species of algae are described. Methods of maintaining general health or promoting a healthy immune system in humans and non-human animals comprises administering to the animal in need thereof an algal biomass or supernatant derived from at least one species of algae, or an extract, derivative or homeopathic compound derived from the algae species, biomass or supernatant, or a composition thereof.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the field of cosmetic biotechnology, and specifically relates to an Enterobacter that degrades hyaluronic acid and a cultivation method and application thereof. The Enterobacter sp. CGJ001 of the present invention was deposited in the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center on Oct. 10, 2019, and the preservation number is CGMCC NO. 18661. The Enterobacter strain can efficiently produce hyaluronidase, and can be used in the process of preparing low molecular hyaluronic acid and oligomeric hyaluronic acid from high molecular hyaluronic acid. The enzyme has high specificity towards hyaluronic acid, excellent thermal stability and pH stability, and is suitable for large-scale industrial application. Thus, it can replace the traditional hyaluronidase extracted from expensive animal tissues. There should be broad application prospects in the fields of medicine and cosmetics.

Abstract: Synthetic compositions comprising a plant element and at least one fungal endophyte are described. The fungal endophyte is capable of improving plant tolerance to biotic stress as compared to a reference plant element not further comprising the endophyte. Examples of biotic stress include the biotic stress caused by a nematode, an aphid, a fleahopper, a lygus bug, a stink bug, a soy looper, a cabbage looper, or a fungus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein having a targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member and an enzyme having serine protease activity, wherein the enzyme having serine protease activity is from Bacillus firmus or is a variant of such enzyme. The present invention also provides a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member that expresses such fusion protein and exosporium fragments derived from such recombinant Bacillus cereus family member. Methods of using such recombinant Bacillus cereus family members or exosporium fragments derived therefrom for nematode control are also provided.