Abstract: The use of an alkanoyl L-carnitine for preparing a medicament for treating the erectile dysfunction is described.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a combination of lactic acid bacteria comprising: (a) a first component consisting of at least one strain of H2O2-producing lactic acid bacteria; and (b) a second component consisting of at least one strain of arginine-utilizing lactic acid bacteria. The disclosure is also of the use of this combination for making a food supplement, a hygiene product or a pharmaceutical preparation for the prevention and/or treatment of infections and inflammatory conditions caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, especially in the mouth, vagina, urethra, nose, eyes and ears.

Abstract: The presence of a vaginal affection is determined in a subject using an identifiable indicator and, if the indication is positive, a gynecological composition comprising one or more Lactobacillus strains is administered locally in an amount effective to treat the vaginal affection. Also described are packages or kits including a probe or tool such as a glove bearing a reporter substance for indicating the presence of a vaginal infection packaged together with a gynecological composition for treating the vaginal infection, if it is found to be present.

Abstract: The use of sphingomyelinase to increase the levels of skin and mucosal ceramides, as well as dermatological and cosmetic compositions containing same which are suitable for topical application are disclosed.

Abstract: The use of sphingomyelinase to increase the levels of skin and mucosal ceramides, as well as dermatological and cosmetic compositions containing same which are suitable for topical application are disclosed.

Abstract: An orally or parenterally administrable composition which comprises the following components: (a) L-carnitine inner salt or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, (b) acetyl L-carnitine inner salt or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof; (c) ?-lipoic acid; (d) coenzyme Q10; (e) Vitamin E: and (i) selenomethionine, suitable for counteracting oxidative stress and use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition which, depending on the user, may be taken as a nutritional, dietetic or strictly therapeutic preparation, comprising as its active substance alkaline sphingomyelinase which is capable of preventing or treating various pathological conditions including cancerous processes, inflammatory processes of the intestine, hypercholesterolaemia and infections with Helicobacter pylori.

Abstract: An orally or parenterally administrable composition which comprises the following components: (a) L-carnitine inner salt or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, (b) acetyl L-carnitine inner salt or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof; (c) ?-lipoic acid; (4) coenzyme Q10; (e) Vitamin E; and (f) selenomethionine, suitable for counteracting oxidative stress and use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: An orally or parenterally administrable composition which comprises the following components: (a) L-carnitine inner salt or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof; (b) acetyl L-carnitine inner salt or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof; (c) ?-lipoic acid; (d) coenzyme Q10; (e) Vitamin E; and (f) selenomethionine, suitable for counteracting oxidative stress and use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical fluorometric method and a kit for use in such method are disclosed for assessing the presence of alkaline sphingomyelinase (SMase) in the stools of a patient in need of such an assessment since alkaline SMase is a marker of serious pathological states, such as colon cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition which, depending on the user, may be taken as a nutritional, dietetic or strictly therapeutic preparation, comprising as its active substance alkaline sphingomyelinase which is capable of preventing or treating various pathological conditions including cancerous processes, inflammatory processes of the intestine, hypercholesterolaemia and infections with Helicobacter pylori.

Abstract: Strains of bacteria characterized by exhibiting: (a) a 7&agr;-dehydroxylase activity of less than 50%, and (b) a bile acid deconjugation activity of less than 50%, and descendants, mutants and derivatives thereof preserving activities (a) and (b); and a pharmaceutical composition using one or more of such strains and use of same for preventing and treating diseases associated with or caused by an altered metabolism of bile acids.

Abstract: Describes a new strain of Streptococcus thermophilus ssp. Salivarius (deposited on 4 Dec. 2001 at the DSMZ—Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany, with accession No. DSM 14667) and edible compositions, drugs and veterinary products containing it. The use of the said strain is particularly effective in the prevention/treatment of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and in nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis.

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria containing unmethylated cytosine-guanine (CpG) dinucleotide are used to positively affect the immune response in a subject having or at risk of having an inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharides.

Abstract: The presence of a vaginal affection is determined in a subject using an identifiable indicator and, if the indication is positive, a gynecological composition comprising one or more Lactobacillus strains is administered locally in an amount effective to treat the vaginal affection. Also described are packages or kits including a probe or tool such as a glove bearing a reporter substance for indicating the presence of a vaginal infection packaged together with a gynecological composition for treating the vaginal infection, if it is found to be present.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of bacteria endowed with arginine deiminase to induce apoptosis and/or reduce an inflammatory reaction, and pharmaceutical or dietetic compositions containing such bacteria. Also disclosed is a strain of Lactobacillus brevis highly endowed with arginine deiminase.

Abstract: The use of sphingomyelinase to increase the levels of skin and mucosal ceramides, as well as dermatological and cosmetic compositions containing same which are suitable for topical application are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of bacteria endowed with arginine deiminase to induce apoptosis and/or reduce an inflammatory reaction, and pharmaceutical or dietetic compositions containing such bacteria. Also included is a strain of Lactobacillus brevis highly endowed with arginine deiminase.

Abstract: This invention provides materials and procedures for the delivery of selected strains of bacteria and/or oxalate-degrading enzymes to the intestinal tracts of persons who are at increased risk for oxalate related disease because they have lost, or have inadequate concentrations of these bacteria. The administration of these bacteria and/or the relevant enzyme removes oxalate from the intestinal tract and thus reduces the amount of oxalate available for absorption and reduces the risk for oxalate related disease.

Abstract: The use of sphingomyelinase to increase the levels of skin and mucosal ceramides, as well as dermatolgical and cosmetic compositions containing game which are suitable for topical application are disclosed.