Abstract: The multiple embodiments described herein comprise the genome of a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum bifidobacteria strain and genes encoded by the genome. Various novel Bifidobacterium longum are described.

Abstract: The multiple embodiments described herein comprise the genome of a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum bifidobacteria strain and genes encoded by the genome. Various novel Bifidobacterium longum are described.

Abstract: A method of generating a hyperpigmentation condition gene expression signature for use in identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with a skin pigmentation condition. The method includes providing a gene expression profile for a reference sample of human skin cells not affected with a pigmentation condition; generating a gene expression profile for a sample of human skin cells from a subject exhibiting the hyperpigmentation condition; comparing the expression profiles to determine a gene expression signature that includes a set of differentially expressed genes; assigning an identifier to each gene constituting the gene expression signature and ordering the identifiers according to the direction of differential expression to create one or more gene expression signature lists; and storing the one or more gene expression signature lists on at least one computer readable medium.

Abstract: A method of formulating a skin-lightening composition by identifying actives with a data architecture and incorporating the actives into a skin care composition. The data architecture can be used to identify connections between perturbagens and genes associated with skin tone. A gene expression profile for a control human cell is compared to the gene expression profile a cell exposed to perturbagen to identify the genes which are differentially expressed. The differentially expressed genes are analyzed and arranged into an ordered list of identifiers, which along with other instances create a data architecture.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying different types of periorbital dyschromia is disclosed. The method includes providing at least one of a predetermined imaging characteristic and a biological characteristic for each of three different types of periorbital dyschromia, and then measuring the appropriate characteristic on a person exhibiting periorbital dyschromia. The type of periorbital dyschromia exhibited by a person can then be determined by comparing the measured value to the predetermined value and selecting the corresponding type of periorbital dyschromia.

Abstract: A method of constructing a data architecture for use in identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with skin tone. The method includes providing a gene expression profile for a control cell, generating a gene expression profile for a cell exposed to a perturbagen, identifying genes differentially expressed in response to the perturbagen, creating an ordered list of identifiers, storing the ordered list as an instance on a computer readable medium, and constructing a data architecture of stored instances.

Abstract: Embodiments of screening methods for determining test agents effective for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin are provided. The screening method may comprise the steps of contacting a cell, a cell culture, or bulk cells with the test agent, wherein the cell, the cell culture, or the bulk cells comprise ADR?1 receptors, and determining based on the binding interaction of the test agent with the ADR?1 receptors whether the test agent is an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist suitable for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin, wherein a test agent is considered to be an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist when it defines a half maximal inhibitory concentration of less than about 1000 ppm.

Abstract: A method of identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent. The method includes determining the level of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), messenger RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 mRNA), and/or micro-RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 miRNA) present in the test sample, and identifying the test agent as a skin tone agent when there is no increase in HMGB1 level, a downregulation in transcription of HMGB1 mRNA, and/or an upregulation of HMGB1 miRNA. The method also includes identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent when the test agent inhibits or prevents an increase in melanocyte dendricity and/or body size caused by HMGB1.

Abstract: A method of making a skin composition that includes an effective amount of skin care agent selected to inhibit HMGB1 stimulation of human melanocytes. The method includes determining the level of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), messenger RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 mRNA), and/or micro-RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 miRNA) present in the test sample, and identifying the test agent as a skin tone agent when there is no increase in HMGB1 level, a downregulation in transcription of HMGB1 mRNA, and/or an upregulation of HMGB1 miRNA. The method also includes identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent when the test agent inhibits or prevents an increase in melanocyte dendricity and/or body size caused by HMGB1, and incorporating the skin tone agent in a dermatologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Oral care compositions having improved taste, said compositions comprising: a carrier material; from about 0.001 to about 10%, by weight of the composition, of an oral care component selected from metal salts, antimicrobial agents, bad breath reduction agents, bleaching agents, surfactants, or a combination thereof; and from about 0.

Abstract: The multiple embodiments described herein comprise the genome of a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum bifidobacteria strain and genes encoded by the genome. Various novel Bifidobacterium longum are described.

Abstract: A method of identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent. The method includes determining the level of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), messenger RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 mRNA), and/or micro-RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 miRNA) present in the test sample, and identifying the test agent as a skin tone agent when there is no increase in HMGB1 level, a downregulation in transcription of HMGB1 mRNA, and/or an upregulation of HMGB1 miRNA. The method also includes identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent when the test agent inhibits or prevents an increase in melanocyte dendricity and/or body size caused by HMGB1.

Abstract: A method of constructing a data architecture for use in identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with a type of periorbital dyschromia. The method includes providing a gene expression profile for a keratinocyte, fibroblast, melanocyte or melanoma cell, which has been exposed to at least one perturbagen, and comparing the gene expression profile to a control cell from the same cell line. Genes that are differentially expressed in response to the perturbagen are identified by comparing the gene expression profiles of the control cell and the test cell. An ordered list of identifiers representing the differentially expressed genes is created according to the differential expression of the genes. The ordered list is stored as an instance on a computer readable medium. The steps are then repeated to construct a data architecture of stored instances.

Abstract: A system for identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with a skin hyperpigmentation condition. The system includes a computer readable medium having a plurality of instances stored thereon, and a skin hyperpigmentation-relevant gene expression signature. Each instance includes an instance list of rank-ordered identifiers of differentially expressed genes, and the hyperpigmentation-relevant gene expression signature includes a gene expression signature list of identifiers representing differentially expressed genes associated with a hyperpigmentation condition or differentially expressed genes associated with a benchmark skin-lightening agent.

Abstract: A method of formulating a skin-lightening composition by identifying actives with a data architecture and incorporating the actives into a skin care composition. The data architecture can be used to identify connections between perturbagens and genes associated with skin tone. A gene expression profile for a control human cell is compared to the gene expression profile a cell exposed to perturbagen to identify the genes which are differentially expressed. The differentially expressed genes are analyzed and arranged into an ordered list of identifiers, which along with other instances create a data architecture.

Abstract: A method of constructing a data architecture for use in identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with skin tone. The method includes providing a gene expression profile for a control cell, generating a gene expression profile for a cell exposed to a perturbagen, identifying genes differentially expressed in response to the perturbagen, creating an ordered list of identifiers, storing the ordered list as an instance on a computer readable medium, and constructing a data architecture of stored instances.

Abstract: A method of generating a hyperpigmentation condition gene expression signature for use in identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with a skin pigmentation condition. The method includes providing a gene expression profile for a reference sample of human skin cells not affected with a pigmentation condition; generating a gene expression profile for a sample of human skin cells from a subject exhibiting the hyperpigmentation condition; comparing the expression profiles to determine a gene expression signature that includes a set of differentially expressed genes; assigning an identifier to each gene constituting the gene expression signature and ordering the identifiers according to the direction of differential expression to create one or more gene expression signature lists; and storing the one or more gene expression signature lists on at least one computer readable medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of screening methods for determining test agents effective for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin are provided. The screening method may comprise the steps of contacting a cell, a cell culture, or bulk cells with the test agent, wherein the cell, the cell culture, or the bulk cells comprise ADR?1 receptors, and determining based on the binding interaction of the test agent with the ADR?1 receptors whether the test agent is an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist suitable for modifying the appearance of pigmented skin, wherein a test agent is considered to be an effective ADR?1 receptor antagonist when it defines a half maximal inhibitory concentration of less than about 1000 ppm.

Abstract: Oral care compositions having improved taste, said compositions comprising: a carrier material; from about 0.001 to about 10%, by weight of the composition, of an oral care component selected from metal salts, antimicrobial agents, bad breath reduction agents, bleaching agents, surfactants, or a combination thereof; and from about 0.