Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting and monitoring treatment with a gastrointestinal implant (e.g., a gastrointestinal sleeve), including efficacy and complications associated therewith (e.g., complications attributed to the gastrointestinal implant or occurring concurrently with, but independent from, the gastrointestinal implant). Further provided are methods of determining a time point for removing a gastrointestinal implant (e.g., based on one or more biomarkers, e.g., biomarkers associated with safety and efficacy).

Abstract: Disclosed are products having animal tissue packed within the lumen of a device such as a needle cannula and being therein impregnated with a cryopreservation medium. The needle cannula or other device can be received in a capsule and/or other container, which in some forms can contain additional amounts of the cryopreservation medium occurring external of the lumen. Methods of use of the products are also described and can include ejecting the animal tissue from the lumen of device using pressurized liquid passed through the lumen, potentially to deliver the animal tissue directly into a patient. Methods of manufacture of the products are also described.

Abstract: Cells are grown in 3D culture and topological features obtained by photomicrography are correlated to cell viability and cell interactions.

Abstract: An antibacterial agent suppresses the growth of gram-positive contaminating bacteria. The antibacterial agent is selected from: a lactylate in accordance with the general formula (R—(O—CH(CH3)—CO)aO)bM; a glycerol ester in accordance with the general formula CH2OR1—CHOR2—CH2OR3; and, mixtures thereof. In the general formulae: R represents a C4-C18 acyl group, R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from H or a C4-C18 acyl group, the acyl group having an alkyl or alkenyl chain which may be branched or unbranched, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2 or R3 is H and at least one of R1, R2, or R3 is an acyl group; M represents a proton (H+) or a counter-cation chosen from the group Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe(II), Cu, Mn, Ag, ammonium or substituted ammonium having one or more (C1-4)alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl.

Abstract: A method for promoting hair growth is disclosed. The method comprises a step of administering Lactobacillus paracasei GMNL-653 to a subject who needs to increase hair volume at a dose of 1.25×108 to 5×108 cells/ml/day, and the Lactobacillus paracasei GMNL-653 was deposited at the China Center for Type Culture Collection located at Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 P.R. China on Apr. 25, 2016 under an accession number CCTCC NO. M 2016226.

Abstract: The present specification provides a semi-conducting biogenic hybrid catalyst capable of reducing CO2 into fuel precursors. Specifically, the present application involves a method for bio-assisted conversion of CO2 to fuel precursors using the semiconducting biogenic hybrid catalyst in a batch and a continuous mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel use of photosynthetic microorganisms to allow for the generation of micron-scale optical output mechanical sensors. In one preferred embodiment, the invention includes systems, methods and compositions for the use of photosynthetic microbes as biologically-based micron-scale tunable, light/chemical-mechanical energy transducers, sensors, and/or actuators.

Abstract: Provided herein are a vector, a genetically modified bacterium including the vector, methods of making the bacterium, methods of using the bacterium, and kits including the bacterium. The vector includes a coding region encoding at least one antimicrobial peptide, and the antimicrobial peptide includes at least one lysin.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular, it relates to methods for treating or preventing functional GI disorders comprising administering Bifidobacterium longum, such as Bifidobacterium longum ATCC BAA-999.

Abstract: A method of mimicking a phenotype of a first ruminating animal in a second ruminating animal is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the second ruminating animal a microbial composition comprising a plurality of microbes having a signature which is statistically significantly similar to the microbial signature of a rumen microbiome of the first ruminating animal, wherein the first and the second ruminating animal are of identical species, thereby mimicking the phenotype of the first ruminating animal in the second ruminating animal.

Abstract: The present algae extracts are used for biocontrol of insects. Specifically, the present extracts are obtained from Cystoseria muricatum using a polysolvent system. Once obtained, the extracts can be applied to plants to repel insects and/or to facilitate fertilization of the plants.

Abstract: A system for expressing a chloramphenicol split protein is disclosed. Uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifications of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g.

Abstract: A novel modified polypeptide having an isopropylmalate synthase activity, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a microorganism including the polypeptide, and a method of producing L-leucine by culturing the microorganism.

Abstract: An NADP(H) nanosensor has i) a nucleic acid sequence to which a regulator is capable of binding, wherein the oxidation state of the regulator depends on the NADP(H) availability; ii) a promoter sequence following the nucleic acid sequence i), to which an RNA polymerase is capable of binding, wherein the affinity of the RNA polymerase for the promoter sequence is influenced by the oxidation state of the regulator; iii) a nucleic acid sequence which is under the control of the promoter sequence ii) and which codes for an autofluorescent protein. The present invention also relates to a cell, a method for isolating genes which code for NADP(H)-dependent enzymes, and the use of an NADP(H) nanosensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an agent and a composition, respectively, comprising the following active ingredients: a) an aromatase inhibitor and/or a 5-?-reductase inhibitor, b) an antioxidant, and c) hyaluronic acid for cosmetic purposes.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern a bioremediation composition comprising microbial cells, at least one co-metabolism substrate to induce selected enzyme production by the microbial cells, and a bead or gel encapsulating the microbial cells, such as bacterial or fungi cells, and the at least one co-metabolism substrate. For certain embodiments, the substrate is a slow release compound, such as an orthosilicate that hydrolyzes to produce an alcohol growth substrate. Embodiments of a method for using the composition to transform contaminants of concern also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method of determining inhibitors of proteolytically active coagulation factors, referred to herein as anticoagulants, in a sample, in particular the qualitative detection of direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors in a sample. The method of the present invention allows a qualitative determination of the nature anticoagulants present in a sample. This can be achieved with only one coagulation-based test. The method can be used in a test kit, including a point-of-care (POC) system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising bacteria to increase the intestinal production of butyric acid, folic acid or niacin and/or to decrease the intestinal production of succinic acid. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of said composition for the treatment and/or prevention of an intestinal butyrate- and/or succinate-dependent pathological condition. In particular, for the treatment and/or the prevention of intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis or intestinal colopathies.

Abstract: Methods and materials for specific imaging of active enzyme in a live or intact cell are disclosed. The enzyme of interest tagged to reporter protein (donor) is exogenously expressed in a cell. The conversion of proenzyme to active enzyme (containing reporter protein) is achieved upon applying an appropriate stimulus to the target cells. The activated enzyme is labelled with an activity-based probe carrying a fluorophore (acceptor). The covalent labelling of active enzyme by the activity-based probe creates a FRET pair which provides the opportunity to exquisitely image the function of an “active enzyme”. This method is used for specific imaging of the function of active caspase-3,-7,-8,-9 and cathepsin-B and also for profiling of inhibitors of caspases and cathepsin B.