Abstract: The present disclosure provides solutions to various challenges in health, including health challenges related to high consumption of carbohydrate and/or low consumption of soluble fiber. The present disclosure provides, among other things, bacteria engineered for expression of a fiber-synthesizing enzyme, e.g., for expression of the enzyme in the gut (e.g., in the intestine). In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides bacteria engineered for expression of a fiber-synthesizing enzyme that consumes carbohydrate in the process of synthesizing fiber, e.g., in the gut. The present disclosure further includes formulations of isolated fiber-synthesizing enzymes for administration to subjects.

Abstract: A method of obtaining cell derived vesicles comprising an active wild-type p53 is disclosed. The method comprising: (i) isolating cell derived vesicles from a biological sample comprising cells; and (ii) treating the cell derived vesicles with a DNA damaging agent, or the method comprising: (i) treating cells with a DNA damaging agent; and (ii) isolating cell derived vesicles from a biological sample comprising the cells. A proteinaceous preparation comprising cell derived vesicles and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the proteinaceous preparation are also disclosed. Methods of treating a disease, disorder or condition associated with a mutant or a nonfunctional p53 protein and methods of inducing apoptosis of a target cell comprising a mutant or a nonfunctional p53 protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and products for treating capsular contractures of breast implants including (1) platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) fraction from a patient who exhibits capsular contracture of a breast implant; and (2) applying the PRF fraction to said capsular contracture, thereby relaxing the capsular contracture.

Abstract: According to the invention, a novel Bifidobacterial strain having an ability of assimilating two or more kinds of HMO is provided. The strain is selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (NITE BP-03068), Bifidobacterium bifidum (NITE BP-03058) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (NITE BP-03067).

Abstract: Novel strains of Lactobacillus plantarum GCWB1001 deposited as accession number KCCM12698P, Pediococcus acidilactici GCWB1085 deposited as accession number KCCM12699P, or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GCWB1156 deposited as accession number KCCM12700P are disclosed. The novel strains have the excellent effect of treating or alleviating respiratory diseases. Additionally, provided are a pharmaceutical composition, a health functional food composition, and probiotics, all of which have the effect of treating or alleviating inflammatory diseases or respiratory diseases, containing any one of the novel strains.

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 disclosure discloses Lactobacillus sp. BB1 enhancing memory ability, a fermented food and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of microorganisms. The Lactobacillus sp. BB1 disclosed by the disclosure can be used for preparing functional foods, health-care products and drugs that enhance the memory ability of a healthy individual and improve memory impairment. The disclosure further provides the fermented food. The fermented food is prepared by fermentation with Lactobacillus sp. BB1, comprises a solid food, a liquid food and a semisolid food, and has a wide application prospect.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of biodegradable scaffolds combined with mesenchymal stem cells and methods of use thereof for the regeneration of cranial sutures and treatment of craniosynostosis, which can help reverse increased intracranial pressure and skull and neurocognitive abnormalities.

Abstract: Provided herein are modified Archaeal family B polymerases derived from the Archaeal microorganism Pyrococcus-abyssi that exhibit improved incorporation of nucleotide analogues utilized in DNA sequencing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a system, device, and method for cell culturing. In certain embodiments, the system, device, and method may be used to encapsulate single cells in embryo-like, core-shell microcapsules. In some embodiments, microfluidic devices may be utilized to fabricate core-shell hydrogel microcapsules, which may be used to encapsulate individual cells. In some embodiments, the disclosed system and method are utilized to encapsulate cancer stem cells. The disclosed system, device, and method can be used to isolate and culture CSCs, to facilitate the understanding of cancer biology and etiology, and to advance the development of effective CSC-targeted cancer therapies.

Abstract: The present invention is related to modified sterol acyltransferase enzymes with improved activity and/or specificity towards acylation of the vitamin D3 precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to be used in biotechnological production of vitamin D3. The invention further relates to a host strain expressing said modified enzymes and their use in a process for production of vitamin D3 or derivatives and/or metabolites thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating a brain disease, comprising a stem cell-derived exosome surface-modified with a compound capable of binding to dopamine receptors or L-amino acid transporters as an active ingredient. The stem cell-derived exosome according to the present disclosure selectively binds to dopamine receptors (D2) overexpressed as autoreceptors in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra through surface modification. Thereby, local accumulation in dopaminergic neurons is possible. In addition, it was identified that the stem cell-derived exosome exhibited an excellent neuron protective effect and neuron death inhibitory effect. Accordingly, the surface-modified stem cell-derived exosome according to the present disclosure is expected to be usefully used as a composition for preventing or treating a brain disease including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are binding agents, conjugates, and extracellular vesicles that enhance penetration of the blood brain barrier. Uses thereof for delivery of agents, e.g., therapeutic agents, to the central nervous system are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are means, methods, and compositions of matter useful for treatment of oncological indications through stimulation of protective anti-cancer immunity. In one embodiment the invention discloses the unexpected effect of astrocytes to augment immune stimulating activities of dendritic cells. In one embodiment dendritic cells are pulsed with tumor lysates and subsequently co-cultured with astrocytes in the presence of toll-like receptor agonists.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel PH20 variants or fragments thereof with improved thermal stability and enzymatic activity of human hyaluronidase, which is an enzyme that hydrolyzes hyaluronic acid, and more particularly novel PH20 variants or fragments thereof including one or more amino acid residue substitutions in the variant having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, wherein one or more amino acid residues at the N-terminus and/or the C-terminus are optionally further deleted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a second use of mitochondria, which can cure a tendon injury-related disease and prevent a disease caused by a tendon injury. Specifically, the mitochondria disclosed in the present invention have the effect of repairing injured tendon cells and accelerating the healing of the tendon cells. Therefore, by administering a predetermined amount of mitochondria or a composition containing a predetermined amount of mitochondria to a part with a tendon injury, wound healing of the part with the tendon injury can be promoted, thus achieving the effect of repairing the injured tendon and further preventing a joint disease caused by the tendon injury or inflammation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides isolated Paenibacillus strains useful for fixing atmospheric nitrogen and enhancing crop yield, as well as inoculant compositions comprising one or more of the isolated strains, seeds that have been treated with one or more of the isolated strains, and methods of using the isolated strains to improve nitrogen content, crop yield, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems for isolating a high purity starch stream are provided. The methods provide an initial treatment step in advance of traditional grinding or fractionation operations (such as dry milling or wet milling operations) that facilitate separation of starch from other components of starch-based grains, for example facilitate separation of soft endosperm from other components of corn kernels including hard endosperm. The systems include a first treatment system for separating a high purity starch stream from other components of the grain stream, wherein the system can be configured as a bolt on for traditional milling operations such as wet milling and dry milling operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered Pseudomonas useful to relieve the metabolic bottleneck of 4-hydroxybenzoate transformation in a muconate accumulating strain on an engineered Pseudomonas by swapping its endogenous para-hydroxybenzoate-3-hydroxylase (PHBH), PobA, with a homolog, PraI, that has a broader cofactor preference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biocatalyst for organic synthesis, comprising a controlled porosity silica (CPS) as support material, wherein the pore diameter is between about 20 and about 100 nm, said support material comprising an amino-functionalized surface; and one or more catalytically active enzyme(s) immobilized on the support material. The invention also relates to uses of such biocatalysts and methods of manufacture thereof.