Abstract: Improving the balance of beneficial gut microbiota of an animal by providing a composition containing beta-casein, wherein at least 75% by weight of the beta-casein is a beta-casein variant that has a proline at position 67 of the beta-casein amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing an analyte using a detector such as a nanopore and an enzyme are provided. One aspect features methods for characterizing a double-stranded polynucleotide using a detector, e.g., without using a hairpin connecting a template and a complement of the double-stranded polynucleotide. Another aspect features methods for characterizing an analyte using a tag-modified nanopore with increased sensitivity and/or higher throughput. Compositions and systems including, e.g., adaptors for attachment to double-stranded polynucleotides and tag-modified nanopores, which can be used in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A sequence of polymer units in a polymer (3), eg. DNA, is estimated from at least one series of measurements related to the polymer, eg. ion current as a function of translocation through a nanopore (1), wherein the value of each measurement is dependent on a k-mer being a group of k polymer units (4). A probabilistic model, especially a hidden Markov model (HMM), is provided, comprising, for a set of possible k-mers: transition weightings representing the chances of transitions from origin k-mers to destination k-mers; and emission weightings in respect of each k-mer that represent the chances of observing given values of measurements for that k-mer. The series of measurements is analysed using an analytical technique, eg. Viterbi decoding, that refers to the model and estimates at least one estimated sequence of polymer units in the polymer based on the likelihood predicted by the model of the series of measurements being produced by sequences of polymer units.

Abstract: The use of a composition for preventing or reducing the risk of inflammation of the bowel in an animal, wherein the composition contains beta-casein and wherein the beta-casein comprises at least 50% by weight beta-casein A2.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of improving the cognitive function of an animal by providing a composition containing beta-casein, wherein at least 75% by weight of the beta-casein is a beta-casein variant that does not produce BCM-7 on digestion in the gut of the animal.

Abstract: Preventing or reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance in an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing (future exposure to lactose).

Abstract: Improving the antioxidant capacity in an animal by increasing the level of glutathione in the blood or tissue of the animal comprising providing a composition containing beta-casein to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight of one or more beta-caseins not capable of producing beta-casomorphin-7 on enzymatic digestion. Uses include as an oxidant, for treating or preventing the symptoms of cancer, inflammation, kwashiorkor (protein deficiency), seizure, autism, Down's syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, sickle cell anaemia, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, HIV, AIDS, infection, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, avoiding or reducing the effects of aging, promoting the recovery of tissue following physical exercise, and promoting fertility.

Abstract: The use of a composition for preventing or reducing the risk of inflammation of the bowel in an animal, wherein the composition contains beta-casein and wherein the beta-casein comprises at least 50% by weight beta-casein A2.

Abstract: Preventing or reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance in an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing (future exposure to lactose).

Abstract: Regulating the level of glucose in the blood of an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. Uses include managing the symptoms of hyperglycaemia and associated conditions including diabetes. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing.

Abstract: Regulating the level of glucose in the blood of an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. Uses include managing the symptoms of hyperglycaemia and associated conditions including diabetes. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing.

Abstract: Improving the balance of beneficial gut microbiota of an animal by providing a composition containing beta-casein, wherein at least 75% by weight of the beta-casein is a beta-casein variant that has a proline at position 67 of the beta-casein amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Improving the cognitive function of an animal by providing a composition containing beta-casein, wherein at least 75% by weight of the beta-casein is a beta-casein variant that does not produce BCM-7 on digestion in the gut of the animal.

Abstract: An infant formula composition containing one or more human beta-casomorphin peptides or precursor proteins thereof.

Abstract: Improving the antioxidant capacity in an animal by increasing the level of glutathione in the blood or tissue of the animal comprising providing a composition containing beta-casein to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight of one or more beta-caseins not capable of producing beta-casomorphin-7 on enzymatic digestion. Uses include as an oxidant, for treating or preventing the symptoms of cancer, inflammation, kwashiorkor (protein deficiency), seizure, autism, Down's syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, sickle cell anaemia, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, HIV, AIDS, infection, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, avoiding or reducing the effects of aging, promoting the recovery of tissue following physical exercise, and promoting fertility.

Abstract: Regulating the level of glucose in the blood of an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. Uses include managing the symptoms of hyperglycaemia and associated conditions including diabetes. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing.

Abstract: Preventing or reducing the symptoms of lactose intolerance in an animal comprising the consumption by the animal of a composition containing beta-casein, or providing the composition to the animal for consumption, where the beta-casein comprises at least 75% by weight beta-casein A2. The effect is both acute (post-exposure to the composition) and ongoing (future exposure to lactose).

Abstract: The use of a composition for preventing or reducing the risk of inflammation of the bowel in an animal, wherein the composition contains beta-casein and wherein the beta-casein comprises at least 50% by weight beta-casein A2.