Abstract: A process is disclosed for production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate that includes depolymerization of a post-consumer polyhydroxyalkanoate and utilization of the hydroxyalkanoate monomer thus produced as a carbon source for a microorganism capable of production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate. Methods can be utilized for true cyclic use of polyhydroxyalkanoates including polyhydroxybutyrates. Various aspects are described including simultaneous depolymerization and polymer production, utilization of purified de-polymerase enzymes and/or microorganisms that express a depolymerase in conjunction with a microorganism that produces polymer, utilization of microorganisms that produce both a depolymerase and a new polymer, and utilization of genetically modified organisms to produce natural or modified depolymerase enzymes.

Abstract: A bioreactor and process are disclosed for forming polyhydroxybutyrate directly from depolymerized polyhydroxybutyrate. In two bioreactor vessels, a microorganism product, such as one or more enzymes, are combined with the polyhydroxybutyrate-containing post-consumer product materials. The microorganism can naturally secrete the one or more enzymes or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The combination of enzymes is designed to facilitate a metabolic pathway that can depolymerize PHB, convert the resulting hydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyryl-CoA, and in turn polymerize it into PHB. Namely, a solution for the recycling of polyhydroxybutyrate to hydroxybutyrate and back to polyhydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for simultaneous degradation and decontamination of biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates are described. The enzymes encompass extremophilic enzymes that can be incorporated into a biodegradation process carried out at an environmental condition that is detrimental to a mesophilic pathogen. The materials, methods, and systems of the present disclosure are particularly directed to degrading and decontaminating used personal care products containing polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers using extremophilic and/or polyextremophilic depolymerase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of poly hydroxy alkanoate (PHA) containing post-consumer product, the method comprising contacting a post-consumer product with a polypeptide that can catalyze degradation of the PHA, the contact taking place at a temperature at least 40° C. and in the presence of salt at a concentration of 1 M or greater. In a specific embodiment, the polypeptide is a wild-type PHA depolymerase expressed by a halophilic microorganism or a modified PHA depolymerase that includes one or more single-site mutations as compared to the wild-type PHA depolymerase. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprising a modified poly hydroxy butyrate (PHB) depolymerase comprising one or more single-site mutations as compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the modified PHB depolymerase having a solubility of 10 mg/L or greater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing post-consumer product, the method comprising contacting a post-consumer product with a polypeptide that can catalyze degradation of the PHA, the contact taking place at a temperature at least 45° C. In a specific embodiment, the poly peptide is a wild-type PHA depolymerase expressed by a thermophilic microorganism or a modified PHA depolymerase that includes one or more single-site mutations as compared to the wild-type PHA depolymerase. In another specific embodiment, the polypeptide comprising a modified poly hydroxy butyrate (PHB) depolymerase comprising one or more single-site mutations as compared to SEQ ID NO: 1, and the modified PHB depolymerase having an optimum temperature of at least 45° C. The present invention also relates to a host cell transformed to express a polypeptide that catalyzes degradation of a PHA, the polypeptide having an optimum temperature for the degradation reaction of at least 45° C.

Abstract: Methods and consumer products for detecting a metabolite, the method comprising: testing a urine sample from a subject for a metabolite selected from the group consisting of androstenediol, oxtenedioate, digydrouracil, heptanoylglutamine, pregnenetriol, sulfate, heptenoylglutamine, hexanoylglutamine, guanine, methylhexanoylglutamine, hexanoylglycine, hexenoylglycine, spermidine, diacetylspermine, acisoga and combinations thereof; and producing a metabolic profile for the metabolite.

Abstract: Methods and consumer products for detecting a metabolite, the method comprising: testing a urine sample from a subject for a metabolite selected from the group consisting of ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, CEHC-sulfate, CEHC-taurine, CEHC-glucronide, pantoate, 5-amino valerate, galactonate, phenylacetylalanine, methylcatecholsulfate, phenylacetylglutamine, carboxysuccinate, carboxyethylvaline, arabinose, threonate, methylcrotonylglycine, glucuronate, carboxyethylisoleucine, glycoursodeoxycholate, leucylalanine, lithocholatesulfate, allo-threonine, cholic, glucuronide and combinations thereof; and producing a metabolic profile for the metabolite.

Abstract: An auto-biodegradable absorbent article formed at least in part from a biodegradable polymer is provided that includes an inactivated microorganism product. The absorbent article contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the absorbent article are particularly selected based upon their salt tolerance and enzyme production at certain salt concentrations.

Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for increasing the rate of degradation of biopolymers in a solid waste depository, such as a landfill. A microorganism product, which can be an encapsulated product, is combined with the waste materials. The product contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the product are particularly selected in order to thrive in a particular environmental condition where the solid waste is located.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating a bladder microbiome in a subject to improve bladder health are disclosed. The method can include providing a composition including a carrier and a bladder therapeutic agent. The bladder therapeutic agent can include isomaltulose, dextrin type 1, dextrin type 2, or combinations thereof. The method can further include administering the composition to a urogenital region of the subject. The method can include promoting a growth of Lactobacillus crispatus relative to Streptococcus anginosus within the bladder microbiome to modulate the bladder microbiome to improve bladder health.

Abstract: A group feed is displayed for a selected group by a private social network service. The group feed displays only threads with unviewed content along with a user actuatable display element that allows the user to switch to a feed that displays all content for the group.

Abstract: A group feed is displayed for a selected group by a private social network service. The group feed displays only threads with unviewed content along with a user actuatable display element that allows the user to switch to a feed that displays all content for the group.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malaria infection whereby providing a mouth cleansing product to a user then asking the user to blow or breathe onto or into a capture mechanism, wherein the capture mechanism may contain a thioether detection mechanism such as Michler's Hydrol; and analyzing whether a thioether detection mechanism displays any loss of the thioether detection mechanism. The invention also discloses a kit for indicating the presence of malaria by instructing the user to exhale through a capture mechanism after using a mouth cleansing product, wherein the kit includes a thioether detection mechanism such as Michler's Hydrol.

Abstract: Non-invasive systems for and methods of determining fluid characteristics within a fluid vessel are disclosed. The methods can include providing a sensor system comprising a single coil magnetic induction conductivity sensor, a processor, and a computing system configured to run an analytical coil-loss model. The method can include calibrating the sensor system to the vessel to provide a column calibration factor. The column calibration factor is dependent upon a cross-sectional area of the vessel and a wall thickness of the vessel. The single coil magnetic induction conductivity sensor can be placed near an external surface of the vessel at a portion of the vessel that is non-conductive. The method can include generating a coil loss measurement utilizing the single coil magnetic induction conductivity sensor and converting the coil loss measurement to a conductivity value of the fluid within the vessel.

Abstract: A group feed is displayed for a selected group by a private social network service. The group feed displays only threads with unviewed content along with a user actuatable display element that allows the user to switch to a feed that displays all content for the group.

Abstract: A group feed is displayed for a selected group by a private social network service. The group feed displays only threads with unviewed content along with a user actuatable display element that allows the user to switch to a feed that displays all content for the group.

Abstract: The invention provides inhibitors of chondrosarcoma cell growth that are useful as anti-cancer and anti-tumor agents. The inhibitors are peptides having sequences related to cleavage regions of the proenzyme forms of matrix metalloproteinases and that can inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases. The peptide inhibitors of the invention can be formulated into therapeutic compositions, lotions, creams and wound dressings.

Abstract: Disclosed are screening processes for identification of compounds that may inhibit complex formation between C-reactive protein and fibronectin. Compounds identified by the disclosed methods may be utilized to inhibit the target analytes that are known to occur during skin aging as well as during the course of several diseases. Accordingly, inhibitory compounds identified by the disclosed methods may be utilized to prevent and treat damaged tissue, inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular conditions, renal conditions, periodontal conditions and obesity, among other conditions. For example, the compounds identified by the disclosed methods may be utilized to treat tissue that has suffered trauma, e.g., burns or wounds, as well as tissue that is inflamed due to any of several causes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to binding agents having binding loops and a stable beta barrel conformation. The binding loops of these agents can easily be altered so that the binding agent can bind any selected target molecule. A variety of methods for generating binding agents with different binding loops are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to binding agents having binding loops and a stable beta barrel conformation. The binding loops of these agents can easily be altered so that the binding agent can bind any selected target molecule. A variety of methods for generating binding agents with different binding loops are also provided.