Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving the ability of plants to resistance diseases, comprising using a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and a Bidens plant extract; and the Bidens plant extract enhances the ability of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to inhibit the growth of the Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, increases the metabolic activity of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, increases the amount of the biofilm formation of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and maintains the alive number of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Abstract: Disulfide-Isomerase A4 (PDIA4) inhibitors and use thereof for inhibiting pancreatic ?-cell pathogenesis and treating diabetes are disclosed. Drug candidates that inhibit PDIA4 with IC50 values ranging from 4 ?M to 300 nM are identified. The compounds are highly active in augmenting insulin secretion from pancreatic ?-cells. The representative compound No. 8 (4,5-dimethoxy-2-propiolamidobenzoic acid), alone or in combination with metformin, is effective in preserving pancreatic ?-cell function, treating and/or reversing, returning blood glucose concentration to a normal level in a diabetic.

Abstract: A system for use in a poultry house includes a control server, a network gateway disposed in the poultry house and equipping with a wireless communication capability; a movable sensor module disposed in the poultry house, wherein the movable sensor module is movable within the poultry house for obtaining a plurality of environmental parameters associated with specific locations within the poultry house, and a sampling machine disposed in the poultry house for obtaining a sample of poultry waste on the ground of the poultry house. The movable sensor module transmits the environmental parameters to the network gateway, and the network gateway transmits the environmental parameters to the control server for processing the environmental parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-coccidial phytogenic formulations. Specifically, anti-coccidial compositions and use thereof are disclosed. An anti-coccidial composition comprises (a) an effective amount of Artemisia indica extract; and (b) an effective amount of Bidens pilosa extract. The composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, excipient, or carrier, and/or an animal feed. The anti-coccidial compositions may be used in the manufacture of a medicament for killing coccidian oocysts, inhibiting oocyst sporulation, reducing sporozoite invasion, and lessening bloody stools, or for alleviating or treating coccidiosis, in a subject in need thereof. In another aspect, the invention relates to use of an anti-coccidial formulation comprising an effective amount of Artemisia indica extract, and a pharmaceutical acceptable vehicle in the manufacture of a medicament for killing coccidian oocysts and inhibiting coccidian oocyst sporulation, and sporozoite invasion.

Abstract: The invention relates to LAMA2, PLXDC2 and MLL4 as novel biomarkers for prediabetes and diabetes. Specifically, use of a set of probes with specific binding affinities to prediabetes and diabetes protein markers comprising MLL4, LAMA2 and PLXDC2 for screening prediabetes and diabetes for care and/or treatment is disclosed. The set of probes comprises a first probe, a second probe and a third probe having specific binding affinities to the MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2, respectively. A diagnostic kit device/apparatus comprising a set of probes is disclosed. A method for detecting and identifying prediabetes and/or diabetes in a subject in need thereof is also disclosed. The subject in need thereof identified as having prediabetes or diabetes is subject to a care and/or a treatment regime for the prediabetes or diabetes. Also disclosed is a method for identifying prediabetes and/or diabetes protein markers.

Abstract: A composition comprising Bidens pilosa or an active compound isolated from the Bidens pilosa for use in treating, inhibiting and/or decreasing the presence of pathogenic gut microbiota in an animal in need thereof is disclosed. The pathogenic gut microbiota are at least one selected from the group consisting of Brachyspira, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV) and Rotavirus (RV). The composition is also for use in treating, inhibiting and/or decreasing occurrence of swine diarrhea, swine dysentery, swine viral infection and increasing the percentage of swine carcass and bone weight. In one embodiment, the composition is for use in treating, inhibiting and/or decreasing occurrence of swine dysentery associated with Brachyspira.

Abstract: A Pdia4 inhibitor for use in preventing, alleviating and/or treating diabetes and/or diabetes-related complications in a subject in need thereof is disclosed, wherein the Pdia4 inhibitor does not comprise cytopiloyene. A Pdia4 inhibitor and one other anti-diabetic agent for use in combination therapy in preventing, alleviating, treating diabetes and diabetes-related complications, and/or reversing diabetes in a subject in need thereof is also disclosed, wherein the Pdia4 inhibitors for use in combination therapy may comprise cytopiloyene. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing, treating and monitoring diabetes, and methods of screening for a Pdia4 inhibitor and/or an anti-diabetic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving the ability of plants to resistance diseases, comprising using a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and a Bidens plant extract; and the Bidens plant extract enhances the ability of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to inhibit the growth of the Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, increases the metabolic activity of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, increases the amount of the biofilm formation of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and maintains the alive number of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Abstract: A composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Bidens pilosa extract, or an active compound isolated from the Bidens pilosa extract for use in treating obesity, reducing body weight or body weight gain, and/or gaining muscle mass or muscle content in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The composition is useful for reducing fat cell size and/or fat accumulation in the fat cell in a subject in need thereof. The composition may further comprises an animal feed. A polyacetylenic compound for use in treating obesity, gaining muscle mass or muscle content, and/or increasing lean tissue protein content in a subject in need thereof is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the polyacetylenic compound is cytopiloyne.

Abstract: A composition for use in prevention, inhibition and/or treatment of coccidiosis in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprises an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, an active constituent thereof, or an active compound isolated therefrom. In another aspect, a composition for use in enhancing growth in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprising an animal feed and an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, or an isolated active constituent comprising a polyacetylenic compound.

Abstract: A composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Bidens pilosa extract, or an active compound isolated from the Bidens pilosa extract for use in treating obesity, reducing body weight or body weight gain, and/or gaining muscle mass or muscle content in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The composition is useful for reducing fat cell size and/or fat accumulation in the fat cell in a subject in need thereof. The composition may further comprises an animal feed. A polyacetylenic compound for use in treating obesity, gaining muscle mass or muscle content, and/or increasing lean tissue protein content in a subject in need thereof is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the polyacetylenic compound is cytopiloyne.

Abstract: Beneficial effects of Bidens pilosa on gut microflora and animal health. A composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Bidens pilosa extract or an active compound isolated from the Bidens pilosa extract for use in promoting beneficial gut microbiota and/or inhibiting pathogenic gut microbiota in an animal in need thereof is disclosed. In one embodiment, the composition is for use in promoting growth performance or increasing body weight in an animal in need thereof. In another embodiment, the composition is for use in an animal that is not afflicted with coccidiosis.

Abstract: A composition for use in prevention, inhibition and/or treatment of coccidiosis in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprises an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, an active constituent thereof, or an active compound isolated therefrom. In another aspect, a composition for use in enhancing growth in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprising an animal feed and an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, or an isolated active constituent comprising a polyacetylenic compound.

Abstract: A Pdia4 inhibitor for use in preventing, alleviating and/or treating diabetes and/or diabetes-related complications in a subject in need thereof is disclosed, wherein the Pdia4 inhibitor does not comprise cytopiloyene. A Pdia4 inhibitor and one other anti-diabetic agent for use in combination therapy in preventing, alleviating, treating diabetes and diabetes-related complications, and/or reversing diabetes in a subject in need thereof is also disclosed, wherein the Pdia4 inhibitors for use in combination therapy may comprise cytopiloyene. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing, treating and monitoring diabetes, and methods of screening for a Pdia4 inhibitor and/or an anti-diabetic agent.

Abstract: A composition for use in prevention, inhibition and/or treatment of coccidiosis in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprises an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, an active constituent thereof, or an active compound isolated therefrom.

Abstract: A composition for use in prevention, inhibition and/or treatment of coccidiosis in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprises an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, an active constituent thereof, or an active compound isolated therefrom. In another aspect, a composition for use in preventing and/or treating coccidiosis, and/or enhancing growth in an animal is disclosed, the composition comprising an animal feed and an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, or an isolated active constituent comprising a polyacetylenic compound.

Abstract: A composition for use in prevention, inhibition and/or treatment of coccidiosis in an animal is disclosed. The composition comprises an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, an active constituent thereof, or an active compound isolated therefrom. In another aspect, a composition for use in preventing and/or treating coccidiosis, and/or enhancing growth in an animal is disclosed, the composition comprising an animal feed and an effective amount of Bidens pilosa, or an isolated active constituent comprising a polyacetylenic compound.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for protecting against atrophy of pancreatic islets in a human with metabolic syndromes are disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having a chemical structure of formula (I) in an effective amount and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier: wherein R is H or COCH2COOH; m=3 or 4; n=0 or 1; o=2; and p=1 or 2.