Abstract: A method of providing a pet with a benefit relating to effective assimilation of a lipid is described wherein the pet is administered, as a part of, or in addition to its regular diet, an edible composition that contains an ingredient that maintains, promotes or enhances the capacity of the pet to digest lipid efficiently. The invention extends to compositions for use in promoting lipid assimilation in pets, particularly senior or elderly pets. The compositions include pancreatic, liver and intestinal mucosa function-promoters. In embodiments, the liver function-promoter may be selected from taurine, emulsifiers, vitamins, minerals, glutathione and glutathione promoters.

Abstract: A method of providing a pet with a benefit relating to effective assimilation of a lipid is described wherein the pet is administered, as a part of, or in addition to its regular diet, an edible composition that contains an ingredient that maintains, promotes or enhances the capacity of the pet to digest lipid efficiently. The invention extends to compositions for use in promoting lipid assimilation in pets, particularly senior or elderly pets. The compositions include pancreatic, liver and intestinal mucosa function-promoters. In embodiments, the liver function-promoter may be selected from taurine, emulsifiers, vitamins, minerals, glutathione and glutathione promoters.

Abstract: A method of providing a pet with a benefit relating to effective assimilation of a lipid is described wherein the pet is administered, as a part of, or in addition to its regular diet, an edible composition that contains an ingredient that maintains, promotes or enhances the capacity of the pet to digest lipid efficiently. The invention extends to compositions for use in promoting lipid assimilation in pets, particularly senior or elderly pets. The compositions include pancreatic, liver and intestinal mucosa function-promoters. In embodiments, the liver function-promoter may be selected from taurine, emulsifiers, vitamins, minerals, glutathione and glutathione promoters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cosmetic and/or dermatological topical composition, of particular use for the preventional and/or treatment of sensitive and/or dry skin, comprising an effective amount of at least one particularly probiotic microorganism and/or a fraction or metabolite thereof in combination with an effective amount of at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid and/or polyunsaturated fatty acid ester and/or a salt or derivative thereof in a physiologically-acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: Nutritional compositions capable of reducing the risk of cancer are provided. The nutritional compositions combine the added effects of both a probiotic source and a phytochemical(s) capable of inducing enzymatic activity in mammals to reduce the incidence of cancer. The probiotic and phytochemical source can be derived from a single plant material, such as chicory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cosmetic and/or dermatological topical composition, of particular use for the prevention al and/or treatment of sensitive and/or dry skin, comprising an effective amount of at least one particularly probiotic microorganism and/or a fraction or metabolite thereof in combination with an effective amount of at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid and/or polyunsaturated fatty acid ester and/or a salt or derivative thereof in a physiologically-acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: Orally administratable cosmetic compositions, notably formulated as food supplements, useful for the prevention and/or treatment of functional disorders of the pilosebaceous structural unit of mammals, in particular by combating the cutaneous activation of the androgens over time, and especially for the treatment of oily and/or hyper-seborrheic skin and/or scalp, thin hair, hypertrichosis and/or alopecia in humans, comprise thus effective amounts of immixture of polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids and stilbenes, formulated into orally administratable, physiologically acceptable media therefor.

Abstract: A method of providing a pet with a benefit relating to effective assimilation of a lipid is described wherein the pet is administered, as a part of, or in addition to its regular diet, an edible composition that contains an ingredient that maintains, promotes or enhances the capacity of the pet to digest lipid efficiently. The invention extends to compositions for use in promoting lipid assimilation in pets, particularly senior or elderly pets. The compositions include pancreatic, liver and intestinal mucosa function-promoters. In embodiments, the liver function-promoter may be selected from taurine, emulsifiers, vitamins, minerals, glutathione and glutathione promoters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved continuous (immortalized) cell lines, in particular keratinocytes and melanocytes derived from normal human skin tissue. The present invention also relates to novel serum-free media for isolating, producing and maintaining said improved continuous keratinocyte and melanocyte cell lines. The present invention also relates to methods for producing primary melanocytes and keratinocytes under serum-free conditions without any feeder cells.

Abstract: A method of providing a pet with a benefit relating to effective assimilation of a lipid is described wherein the pet is administered, as a part of, or in addition to its regular diet, an edible composition that contains intestinal mucosa function-promoters in an effective amount to maintain, improve or enhance the capacity of the pet to digest lipid efficiently. The invention extends to compositions for use in promoting lipid assimilation in pets, particularly senior or elderly pets. The compositions preferably include pancreatic, liver and intestinal mucosa function-promoters.

Abstract: A method for mimicking the effects of caloric restriction by administration of a food substrate having carnitine or a carnitine derivative and an antioxidant. The food substrate is capable of modulating gene expression in a way similar to caloric restriction.

Abstract: Compositions capable of reducing a risk of inflammation in a mammal(s) are provided. The compositions contain a therapeutically effective amount of a thermally processed (e.g., extruded) plant material that includes &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone (&agr;-MGBL) and/or several structurally related parent phytochemicals capable of inhibiting enzymatic and/or transcriptional activity in the mammal, which is believed to treat and/or prevent inflammation. In this regard, the risk of incidence of other disease or ailments which are believed to be caused by inflammation (e.g., chronic inflammation) may be reduced. The phytochemical source can be derived from a single plant material, such as chicory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food composition intended to prevent or restore age-related functional deficits in mammals, which comprises a combination being able to mimic the effects of caloric restriction on gene expression. The combination contains at least one molecule that stimulates energy metabolism of the cell and at least one antioxidant. Also, methods of treating age-related functional deficits in mammals by administering the combination or a food composition containing the same.

Abstract: Nutritional compositions capable of reducing the risk of cancer are provided. The nutritional compositions combine the added effects of both a prebiotic source and a phytochemical(s) capable of inducing enzymatic activity in mammals to reduce the incidence of cancer. The prebiotic and phytochemical source can be derived from a single plant material, such as chicory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved continuous (immortalized) cell lines, in particular keratinocytes and melanocytes derived from normal human skin tissue. The present invention also relates to novel serum-free media for isolating, producing and maintaining said improved continuous keratinocyte and melanocyte cell lines. The present invention also relates to methods for producing primary melanocytes and keratinocytes under serum-free conditions without any feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved continuous (immortalized) cell lines, in particular keratinocytes and melanocytes derived from normal human skin tissue. The present invention also relates to novel serum-free media for isolating, producing and maintaining said improved continuous keratinocyte and melanocyte cell lines. The present invention also relates to methods for producing primary melanocytes and keratinocytes under serum-free conditions without any feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved continuous (immortalized) cell lines, in particular keratinocytes and melanocytes derived from normal human skin tissue. The present invention also relates to novel serum-free media for isolating, producing and maintaining said improved continuous keratinocyte and melanocyte cell lines. The present invention also relates to methods for producing primary melanocytes and keratinocytes under serum-free conditions without any feeder cells.

Abstract: A milk having a formulated lipid composition wherein the lipids are lipids of lactic and vegetable origin which are, by weight, (i) from 30% to 40% milk fat lipids, (ii) from 30% to 40% of a first oil substance which have an oleic acid content in an amount greater than 60%, and (iii) from 1% to 30% of oil substance which provide n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and so that triglyceride fatty acids of the lipids comprise 20% to 40% saturated fatty acids of lactic origin, 35% to 60% monounsaturated fatty acids, and 15% to 30% of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated in a ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids of from 5:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: Oil mixtures, which provide lipid compositions for restraining skin degeneration, contain, by weight, 30% to 50% rice bran oil and 15% to 25% sesame oil and also contain additional oil, which includes in particular, oil from among maize oil, wheat germ oil and sunflower oil, so that the composition contains linoleic acid and contains vitamin E for protecting the composition against oxidation, the composition being prepared from oils containing gum, color and odor which are subjected to degumming, decoloring and deodorizing, the deodorizing being carried out under conditions of temperature and vacuum so that the composition has at least 2% by weight unsaponifiable oil matter and particularly from 2% to 3% unsaponifiable oil matter.

Abstract: A lipid composition for preparation of cosmetic compositions is provided by a mixture of, by weight based upon a weight of the lipid composition, from 40% to 60% apricot kernel oil, from 10% to 20% of an oil containing palmitoleic acid, from 15% to 25% of olive oil and from 20% to 30% of rice bran oil or sesame oil or combinations thereof. Cosmetic compositions containing the lipid mixture may be anhydrous or contain water. The preparation of the lipid composition may include treating the mixture of oils with steam at a temperature of about 180.degree. C. for about 3 hours at a rate of about 1% per hour and under a vacuum of about 1 mbar to 2 mbar for deodorizing the oils.