Abstract: A method of protecting a biomolecule from substantial degradation while reducing the content of a pathogen or chemical toxin contained by a biologically derived composition is described. The method involves first providing a biologically derived composition containing a pathogen or chemical toxin and at least one biologically active molecule. Then, adding albumin to the composition to create a supplemented composition. Next, subjecting the supplemented composition to polychromatic pulsed light to degrade the pathogen or toxin. The polychromatic light includes at least one high-intensity, short duration pulse of incoherent polychromatic light in a broad spectrum. The light intensity is at least about 0.01 J/cm2, the pulse duration is 10 ns to 100 ms and the light wavelengths are between about 170 nm and about 2600 nm.

Abstract: A process of making a stable fixed dose oral pharmaceutical formulation is provided. The formulation contains at least one anti-infective agent and at least one microorganism. The process involves a step of first coating the agent and/or the microorganism to provide a protective barrier around it. Next, the process involves a step of combining the agent and the microorganism into a single pharmaceutical formulation in the form of a capsule or a tablet. The barrier protects the microorganism from the effect of the anti-infective agent to maintain the microorganism in a viable form for a period of at least three months. The agent can be an antibiotic such as amoxycillin and the microorganism can be Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Abstract: An &agr;-glucosidase inhibitor is described. It is comprised of an extract of Touchi selected from the group consisting of an extract of Touchi extracted with alcohol, an extract of Touchi extracted with a mixture of water and alcohol in a water to alcohol ratio of 1:5 to 5:1, and an extract of Touchi extracted with water at 100° C. to 140° C. The components in the extract which have a molecular weight of at least 3000 as determined by means of gel filtration or membrane filtration are at most 20% by weight and wherein the extract inhibits &agr;-glucosidase at least 90.4%.

Abstract: Haloperoxidases are used to selectively bind to and, in the presence of peroxide and halide, inhibit the growth of target microbes without eliminating desirable microbes or significantly damaging other components, such as host cells, in the environment of the target microbe. When a target microbe, e.g., a pathogenic microbe, has a binding capacity for haloperoxidase greater than that of a desired microbe, e.g., members of the normal flora, the target microbe selectively binds the haloperoxidase with little or no binding of the haloperoxidase by the desired microbe. In the presence of peroxide and halide, the target bound haloperoxidase catalyzes halide oxidation and facilitates the disproportionation of peroxide to singlet molecular oxygen at the surface of the target microbe. The lifetime of singlet molecular oxygen restricts damage to the surface resulting in selective killing of the target microbe with a minimum of collateral damage to the desired microbe or physiological medium.

Abstract: A beverage such as coffee, tea, cocoa or cola soda is described. The beverage contains caffeine or theobromine and between 0.5 and 30 mg of vinpocetine citrate per 100 ml of the beverage. The beverage is used to stimulate cerebral activity.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and method for the treatment of herpes simplex infections is disclosed. The composition contains a quaternary ammonium compound such as cetrimide or benzalkonium chloride and an antiviral agent such as acyclovir, bromoinyldesoxuridine, 3-fluorothymidine, idoxuridine, propyl gallate, proanthocyanides or glucosamine. The compound can also contain a plant extract such as camomile.

Abstract: Mediating the effects of alcohol consumption by orally administering an active dry yeast containing alcohol dehydrogenase to a person prior to or simultaneously with consumption of an alcohol-containing beverage to oxidize a portion of the alcohol while it is still in the stomach of the person is described.

Abstract: An isolated endo-fucoidan-lyase is described. The enzyme acts on fucoidan, has a pH optimum from 6 to 10, and has an optimum pH from 30 to 40° C. The enzyme can be isolated from Flavobacterium sp. FERM BP-5402. The enzyme is used to obtain sugar compounds which are useful in the study on carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention includes the method of treating an infestation of Varroa mites in a honeybee colony including the steps of: (a) mixing a culture of Hirsutella Thompsonii fungus with a spreadable carrier media so as to form a carrier suspension; and, (b) dispersing the carrier suspension into the brood comb of a honeybee hive.

Abstract: A method for regulating the morphological transition of dimorphic Candida in a patient is described. The method comprises administering orally or by injection a compound to a patient suffering from an infection caused by dimorphic Candida selected from the group consisting of Candida albicans, Candida stellatoidea, Candida tropicalis, Candida grabrata, and Candida parapsilosis.

Abstract: An isolated composition obtained by extracting Lepidium meyenii roots is provided. The composition is substantially free of cellulose and comprises between about 5% and about 9% of benzyl isothiocyanate, between about 1% and about 3% of Lepidium sterol component, between about 20% and about 30% of Lepidium fatty acid component, and about 10% or more of macamide component. The composition is prepared by a process which comprises contacting Lepidium meyenii roots with a first aqueous solvent of about 90% vol-% or more water, then separating the residual Lepidium meyenii root material from the first contacted aqueous solvent, then contacting the residual Lepidium meyenii root material with a second aqueous solvent which comprises a mixture of an alcohol and water having about 90 vol-% alcohol or more to form a liquor, and then finally concentrating the liquor to obtain the composition. The composition can be used for treating cancer and sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: Composition, including pharmaceutical compositions, containing a combination of antiestrogenic compounds. Methods of treatment using extracts of the plant Cimicifuga, alone or in combination with at least one antiestrogenic compound, which avoid or diminish unwanted side-effects and provide increased therapeutic benefit.

Abstract: A process for isolating betulinic acid from Ziziphus jujuba is disclosed.

Abstract: Anti-microbial oxazolidinone antibiotics are provided having formula I and formula II wherein R1 is methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, or dichloromethyl; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or fluoro; R4 is ethyl or dichloromethyl. The oxazolidinone antibiotics have minimum inhibitory activity for monoamine oxidase. An assay for detecting such oxazolidinone antibiotics is carried out by incubating a potential oxazolidinone inhibitor with a monoamine oxidase, then adding 1-methyl-4-(1-methyl-2-pyrryl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and determining inhibitory activity of the antibiotic.

Abstract: An herbal composition which can help promote prostate health in men is prepared from saw palmetto, green tea, pumpkin seed oil, ginger, dual urtica root extracts, selenium, watermelon and rosemary. The composition contains therapeutically effective amounts of: supercritical extracts of saw palmetto, ginger, and rosemary, regular or supercritical extracts of green tea, pumpkin seed oil and urtica; selenium; and watermelon. In addition to promoting prostate health, the herbal composition of this invention normalizes urine flow and promotes healthy sexual function and performance. The composition also contains constituents which inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, thereby promoting normal prostate cell growth, and anti-aging constituents that inactivate free radicals, thereby providing antioxidant benefits. The composition is preferably administered orally or parenterally.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated phytase derived from a microorganism. The microorganism is preferably from the genus Monascus. The phytase has a Michaelis constant of 10 to 110 &mgr;M when phytic acid is used as a substrate. A process for producing the phytase also is provided, as is an animal feed comprising the phytase.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to reduce opioid-related symptoms in a human patient of an exorphin selected from the group consisting of a gluteomorphin and a caseomorphin, comprising a physiologically effective amount of a purified casomorphin inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a casomorphinase and a casomorphin ligand, a physiologically effective amount of a purified gluteomorphin inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a gluteomorphinase and a gluteomorphin ligand, and at least one of the group consisting of a physiologically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient, buffer and diluent. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods further comprise a physiologically effective amount of an enkephalin inhibitor, preferably an enkephalinase, and a physiologically effective amount of an endorphin inhibitor, preferably an endorphinase. Preferrably the caseomorphinase is dipeptidyl peptidase IV and the gluteomorphinase is tyrosinase or phenylalaninase.

Abstract: A perfumed product containing an antibacterial agent and a perfume material is prepared. The perfumed product can contain triclosan as the antibacterial agent and a mixture of perfume materials such as Amberlyn Super PM 577, clover leaf, dihydro myrcenol, phenyl propyl alcohol and terpineol alpha.

Abstract: A process is provided for inhibiting serine proteases in a sample. The process involves adding to the sample a compound such as cresol or 3-hydroxypyridine and then adding to the sample a sulfonic acid derivative or a fluorophosphonate, to derivative the serine proteases. The compounds such as cresol or 3-hydroxypyridine avoid nonspecific derivatization of proteins other than the serine proteases.

Abstract: Otitis externa is treated in dogs and cats by administering to the outer ear of the infected animal a dosage, effective to alleviate the symptoms of the infection, of a substantially non-aqueous, di-enzymatic therapeutic composition, in a liquid or gel fluid carrier. The composition contains an oxidizable substrate and an oxidoreductase enzyme specific to such substrate for producing hydrogen peroxide upon encountering the environment of the outer ear and further contains an iodide salt and and a peroxidatic peroxidase for interacting with the hydrogen peroxide to produce a hypoiodite biocidal agent. Any unbound water present in the composition is limited to an amount not more than about 1.0 wt. % to stabilize the composition against the production of hydrogen peroxide prior to aural application of the composition to enhance efficacy of treatment.