Abstract: Disclosed are devices, kits, compositions, and methods for collecting, transporting, and detecting toxicants, pathogens, and biomarkers in a biological sample. The devices, kits, compositions and methods may be utilized to collect and transport dried blood samples from a skin prick and detect toxicants, pathogens, and biomarkers in the dried blood samples.

Abstract: In order to make available the health-promoting and healing properties of curcumin to the human or animal organism, also in combination with at least one further active substance, a solubilizate consists of or contains a content of curcumin equal to or smaller than 10 wt %, preferably equal to or smaller than 7.5 wt %, most preferably 6 wt %, and at least one emulsifier with an HLB value in a range below 18, preferably between 13 and 18, namely polysorbate 80 or polysorbate 20 or a mixture of polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80, with an average diameter of the curcumin-loaded micelles ranging from 5 nm to 40 nm, preferably from 6 nm to 20 nm, most preferably from 7 nm to 10 nm, for use in particular as a dietary supplement and/or pharmaceutical drug for treating and/or preventing diseases involving inflammation, cancer and other diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a topical composition, and related masks comprising the compositions disclosed herein, for applying to skin for treating acne or skin rejuvenation, the compositions comprising a light activated enzymatic extract; adaptogenic Baobab (Adansonia digitata) seed extract; adaptogenic wild indigo (Tephrosia purpurea) extract; pre- and/or pro-biotic extracts; and a carrier. The mask may be embodied in, or comprise, a hydrogel matrix or a biocellulose material or other fibrous material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, particularly baby food compositions, including living propionic acid-producing bacteria, preferably lactate-utilizing propionic acid-producing bacteria, their manufacture and use in the treatment of digestive diseases, particularly for treatment of infantile colic.

Abstract: An acoustophoretic device is disclosed. The acoustophoretic device includes an acoustic chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber emanating from a non-planar face of the piezoelectric material. A method for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid is also disclosed. The method includes flowing the mixture through an acoustophoretic device. A voltage signal is sent to drive the ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber such that the second fluid or particulate is continuously trapped in the standing wave, and then agglomerates, aggregates, clumps, or coalesces together, and subsequently rises or settles out of the host fluid due to buoyancy or gravity forces, and exits the acoustic chamber.

Abstract: A novel alga mutant having improved pigment productivity is provided. The mutant can be used to produce carotenoid-based pigments, particularly, xanthophyll by using a small amount of energy, and thus can effectively produce pigment on an industrial level. In addition, the mutant can be used as a source for foods, health functional foods, and medications which contain a pigment. Further, when account is taken of the physiological characteristics of the euryhaline microalgae Dunaliella and the geological characteristics of Korean, the three sides of which are in contact with the sea, sea-water can be used as a culture medium, with the expectation of reducing the cost and leading to the development of related industries.

Abstract: One or more light sources may apply stimuli to a colony of organisms. The stimuli may include visible and non-visible light. The stimuli, taken together, may tend to favor survival of organisms that are adapted to perform photosynthesis which involves absorbing energy from infrared or ultraviolet light. In some cases, the set of stimuli may include illuminating the entire colony of organisms with green light, illuminating only a first portion of the colony with pulsed ultraviolet light, and illuminating only a second portion of the colony with pulsed infrared light.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present specification is a skin whitening composition comprising a Pseudoalteromonas peptidolytica strain, a lysate thereof, a cultured product thereof or an extract of the strain, lysate or cultured product as an active ingredient. Disclosed in the present specification is a Pseudoalteromonas peptidolytica strain SNC 130, having an accession number of KCCM12050P, which has a skin whitening function.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the modulation of gut microbiota. Specifically, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for use in restoring gastrointestinal homeostasis and in alleviating gastrointestinal disorders and other conditions associated with imbalance of gut flora. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a fatty acid bile acid conjugate (FABAC).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel uses and methods for T cell based immunotherapies. Specifically, the invention relates to novel ligands, targets and nucleic acids and vectors encoding said targets that are useful for modulating T cell responses.

Abstract: A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

Abstract: Provided are Megamonas funiformis and applications thereof. Specifically, the Megamonas funiformis has the effects for preventing and/or treating inflammation-related diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (such as ulcerative enteritis, gastritis, and general enteritis) and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The apparatuses described herein relate to preparation of a meat product. Apparatuses, systems comprising the apparatuses, and methods of making and use the systems and apparatuses are described herein. These are useful for controlling one or more of growth on and separation of a meat product from an enclosed substrate. The apparatuses and systems are configured to receive fluid and grow the meat product and/or separate the meat product from the substrate in a scalable manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical oral formulation for use in the administration of at least two bacteria derived from fecal microbiota to mammals for the treatment and/or prevention of dysbiosis and associated pathologies. The pharmaceutical oral formulation is encapsulated mixture of at least two bacteria derived from fecal microbiota wherein the capsules are coated in a pH responsive polymer composition comprising: a. 50-70% poly(methyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) 7:3:1 by weight of dry polymer, b. 10-30% poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethyl acrylate) 1:1 by weight of dry polymer, c. at least one fatty acid mono-, di- or tri-glyceride ester, or mixtures thereof, d. at least one plasticizer, e. at least one non-ionic emulsifier. The pharmaceutical oral formulation is especially designed to be delivered principally in the ileum and colon and to maintain the sample bacterial viability and diversity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modulating dermal and sub-dermal properties of a subject. The present invention relates to methods comprising administering to a subject a spore-based probiotic composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dietary supplement that contains necessary ingredients for neurological protection and neurogenesis in one formulation. This dietary supplement comprises combinations of vitamins and substances that are naturally endogenous to the brain, are known to decline with age, injury and disease and are essential for membrane structure, mitochondrial respiration and stem cell differentiation.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides therapeutic as well as protective measures against colorectal cancer by utilizing genetically modified gut bacteria (101) in conjunction with an optimized diet high in cruciferous vegetable intake. According to the claimed system and method, engineered gut bacteria maximize the therapeutic value of the cruciferous vegetable diet to eradicate, offset or prophylactically prevent the onset of colorectal cancer. In the claimed invention gut bacteria Escherichia coli bind specifically to the heparan sulphate proteoglycan on colorectal cancer cells to secrete the enzyme myrosinase to transform host-ingested glucosinolates which are natural components of cruciferous vegetables to sulphoraphane, an organic small molecule with known anti-cancer activity.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel food material effective for recovering from fatigue and/or preventing fatigue accumulation. The present invention provides a composition for use in recovering from fatigue and/or preventing fatigue accumulation, comprising a Lactococcus bacterium as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and composition for control of plant pathogens. Isolated bacteria, deposited with ATCC under the Budapest Treaty, are effective to control plant pathogens.