Abstract: A method for genetically modifying a turfgrass plant cell such that a plant, produced from said cell, is characterized as having modulated brassinolide activity as compared with a wild-type plant, said method comprising: introducing at least one exogenous BAS1 polynucleotide, homologue or functional fragment thereof, into a plant cell to obtain a transformed plant cell; and growing the transformed plant cell under conditions which permit expression of BAS1 gene product, homologue or functional fragment thereof, thereby producing a plant having modulated brassinolide activity, wherein the plant cell is a turf grass cell wherein said genetically modified plant further comprising a drought resistance, salt resistance, insect resistance and the like.

Abstract: A method for treating, preventing, controlling, or impeding a disease in a human and non human wherein said method comprises administering to said human a composition comprising a material selected from the group consisting of oxalate-degrading microbes and oxalate-degrading enzymes. A composition for treating, preventing, controlling, or impeding a disease in a human and non human wherein said composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of oxalate-degrading microbes and oxalate-degrading enzymes formulated in a food product for human oral consumption.