Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that altered abundance of fungal species in the gut and feces of both fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) donors and recipients may influence the outcome of FMT treatment. Thus, novel methods are provided for identifying subjects as suitable donor or recipients for FMT, for assessing the likelihood of FMT treatment success, and for enhancing FMT treatment efficacy. Also provided are kits and compositions for FMT with enhanced efficacy.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating metabolic diseases by way of modulating recipients' gastrointestinal tract microorganism profile such as by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) treatment. Also provided are methods for assessing a patient's risk of developing obesity and/or related metabolic diseases. Further provided are kits and compositions for use in these methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating COVID-19 patients to facilitate their recovery from the disease as well as for prognosis of severity of COVID-19 among patients who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2. Also provided are kits and compositions for use in these methods.

Abstract: Certain microorganism species in a composition for use in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), including fecal material obtained from an FMT donor, can affect the outcome of FMT treatment such as regulating the bodyweight and cholesterol level in FMT recipients. Thus, methods are provided for identifying subjects as suitable donor to optimize FMT outcome and for pretreating donors and/or recipients for optimized FMT outcome. Also provided are kits and compositions for improving FMT outcome, including for bodyweight and/or cholesterol reduction.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that abundance and diversity of viral species in the fecal matter from a donor used in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) treatment can influence the outcome of the FMT treatment. Thus, novel methods are provided for identifying subjects as suitable donors for FMT, for assessing the likelihood of FMT treatment success, and for enhancing FMT treatment efficacy. Also provided are kits and compositions for FMT with enhanced efficacy.

Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying subjects as suitable donor or recipients for FMT, for assessing the likelihood of FMT treatment success, and for enhancing FMT treatment efficacy. Also provided are kits and compositions for FMT with enhanced efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that abundance and diversity of viral species in the fecal matter from a donor used in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) treatment can influence the outcome of the FMT treatment. Thus, novel methods are provided for identifying subjects as suitable donors for FMT, for assessing the likelihood of FMT treatment success, and for enhancing FMT treatment efficacy. Also provided are kits and compositions for FMT with enhanced efficacy.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a cancer in a subject comprising administering a FOXP3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding a FOXP3 protein, or an inducing compound which induces FOXP3 protein expression. Methods of altering a phenotype of a cancer cell or tumor cell, methods of inhibiting growth of such cells, and methods of inducing apoptosis of these cells are also provided herein. These methods comprise contacting the cell with a FOXP3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding a FOXP3 protein, or an inducing compound which induces FOXP3 protein expression. Further provided herein are diagnostic methods, comprising comparing the expression or structure of a FOXP3 protein or FOXP3 gene in a test sample to that of a normal or prior sample. A method of screening a test compound for anti-cancer activity comprising administering to cells the test compound and measuring FOXP3 protein or FOXP3 gene expression is moreover provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a cancer in a subject comprising administering a FOXP3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding a FOXP3 protein, or an inducing compound which induces FOXP3 protein expression. Methods of altering a phenotype of a cancer cell or tumor cell, methods of inhibiting growth of such cells, and methods of inducing apoptosis of these cells are also provided herein. These methods comprise contacting the cell with a FOXP3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding a FOXP3 protein, or an inducing compound which induces FOXP3 protein expression. Further provided herein are diagnostic methods, comprising comparing the expression or structure of a FOXP3 protein or FOXP3 gene in a test sample to that of a normal or prior sample. A method of screening a test compound for anti-cancer activity comprising administering to cells the test compound and measuring FOXP3 protein or FOXP3 gene expression is moreover provided herein.

Abstract: This invention concerns particulate reinforced Al-based composites, and the near net shape forming process of their components. The average size of the reinforced particle in the invented composites is 0.1–3.5 ?m and the volume percentage is 10–40%, and a good interfacial bonding between the reinforced particulate and the matrix is formed with the reinforced particles uniformly distributed. The production method of its billet is to have the reinforced particles and Al-base alloy powder receive variable-speed high-energy ball-milling in the balling drum. Then, with addition of a liquid surfactant, the ball-mill proceeds to carry on ball-milling. After the ball-milling, the produced composite powder undergoes cold isostatic pressing and the subsequent vacuum sintering or vacuum hot-pressing to be shaped into a hot compressed billet, which in turn undergoes semisolid thixotropic forming and may be shaped into complex-shaped components. These components can be used in various fields.

Abstract: This invention concerns particulate reinforced Al-based composites, and the near net shape forming process of their components. The average size of the reinforced particle in the invented composites is 0.1˜3.5 &mgr;m and the volume percentage is 10˜40%, and a good interfacial bonding between the reinforced particulate and the matrix is formed with the reinforced particles uniformly distributed. The production method of its billet is to have the reinforced particles and Al-base alloy powder receive variable-speed high-energy ball-milling in the balling drum. Then, with addition of a liquid surfactant, the ball-mill proceeds to carry on ball-milling. After the ball-milling, the produced composite powder undergoes cold isostatic pressing and the subsequent vacuum sintering or vacuum hot-pressing to be shaped into a hot compressed billet, which in turn undergoes semisolid thixotropic forming and may be shaped into complex-shaped components. These components can be used in various fields.