Abstract: The invention provides methods for preventing and treating osteoarthritis, preventing and treating the degradation of articular cartilage, and promoting and maintaining joint health in an animal. The methods comprise administering DGLA to the animals, preferably in amounts of from about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg/day.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of preventing and/or treating inflammatory and infectious disorders, in particular by boosting the endogenous antimicrobial defenses. One embodiment of the present invention is the use of B. longum NCC2705 (deposit number CNCM 1-2618) for use in the treatment or prevention of disorders related to the immune system including infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cancer treatment compositions and methods for treating a specific cancer patient population. In particular, the application describes methods of treating a patient with cancer, such as a neuroblastoma, with a hybrid cell preparation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for using fatty acid alkanolamides for ameliorating one or more symptoms or conditions caused by stress, e.g., loss of appetite, or for maintaining and enhancing nutrient and caloric intake by an animal under stress or that has experienced stress. Generally, the fatty acid alkanolamides in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 1500 mg/kg/day before, during or after stress, preferably on a regular or daily basis as a component of a food composition or as a dietary supplement.

Abstract: Novel nasal rinse compositions are disclosed. The nasal rinse comprises a dried particulate composed of honey and a carrier. The composition may be a co-processed composition wherein the honey and carrier are combined while the honey is in liquid form and processed together to produce the dried particulate. Methods for producing the nasal rinse compositions are also provided, as well as methods of use of the nasal rinse compositions for the prevention or treatment of nasal infection, rhinitis, or sinusitis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nutritional compositions comprising a neurologic component, wherein, the neurologic component may promote brain and nervous system development and further provide neurological protection and repair. The neurologic component may include phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, cytidine diphosphate-choline, ceramide, uridine, at least one ganglioside, and mixtures thereof. The disclosure further relates to methods of promoting brain and nervous system health by providing said nutritional compositions to target subjects, which includes pediatric subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing pancreatic hormone production.

Abstract: A substance or a composition for preventing, delaying the onset of or treating one or more than one immune-mediated inflammatory disorder in an organism who is susceptible to developing the immune-mediated inflammatory disorder, who is developing the immune-mediated inflammatory disorder or who has the immune-mediated inflammatory disorder. A method of preventing, delaying the onset of or treating an organism who is susceptible to developing the immune-mediated inflammatory disorder, who is developing the immune-mediated inflammatory disorder or who has the immune-mediated inflammatory disorder.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising a block of an elastin pentapeptide and method of making and using the copolymer are provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises rugged, inexpensive, reliable, and sensitive laboratory assays of antibody-based viral neutralization activity and antibody-based viral adherence inhibition activity. The assays use inactivated, fluorescently-labeled virus, allowing the tests to be performed without extensive safety precautions. The interaction of the labeled virus with target cells is monitored using flow cytometric methods. A preferred embodiment uses simple and inexpensive flow cytometry methodologies and equipment, such as bead array readers used as simplified flow cytometers. The assays are rapid, taking no longer than a few hours and are readily conducted by a trained technician. The assays are sensitive because they use labeled viruses at low concentrations and determine neutralizing and blocking capacity of sera and antibody at low concentrations. The methods are appropriate for high-throughput screening of large panels of samples.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to materials fabricated from collagen and uses relates thereto. Typically, layers of collagen are stretched during a curing period and optionally coated or impregnated with an elastin like protein. In certain embodiments, these materials can be used in tissue repair or arranged into cylinders and utilized as a prosthetic vascular graft.

Abstract: A dry, stable and viable probiotic composition comprising, a probiotic microorganism and a dried plant powder, with the proviso that said composition is not a blended mixture of at least one biologically pure Pediococcus acidilactici probiotic culture and dried tomato powder at a weight ratio of 1:4 encapsulated in an effective amount in a gelatin capsule.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a biodegradable carrier with adjustable zeta potentials and particle sizes, a method for making the same, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. In such a method, a first solution comprising a first biodegradable macromolecule is prepared, and a second solution comprising a second biodegradable macromolecule is also prepared according to a desired zeta potential of a biodegradable carrier and further added into the first solution to form a mixture solution. The biodegradable carrier with the desired zeta potentials is formed by the attraction force between the different electric properties. Then, the mole number of the first biodegradable macromolecule and the second biodegradable macromolecule in the mixture solution are proportionally adjusted according to a desired particle size of the biodegradable carrier. Therefore, the zeta potential and the particle size of the biodegradable carrier are adjustable artificially.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agrochemically active microbial formulation comprising a combination of an agrochemically active microbe with a specified ester compound and a surfactant, the formulation exhibiting a stable pest controlling effect with no harmful effect on a plant and having highly stable viability of the agrochemically active microbe.

Abstract: A method of combating rheumatoid arthritis, comprising administering to a human subject in need thereof, an effective oral dose of a probiotic composition in an oral dose form including, as the only bacterial species therein, the bacterial species of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans, and Enterococcus faecium. The initial occurrence, and progress of remission of the rheumatoid arthritis condition incident to such probiotic therapy, may be established and monitored by assay of rheumatoid factor and/or anti-CCP antibodies present in a blood sample of the human subject.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an isolated regulatory sequence for Tctex-1 that is transcriptionally active in adult neural progenitor and stem cells, including Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 progenitors, as well as during development. The disclosure also relates to a method for selectively expressing a genetic sequence in neural progenitor cells. The disclosure of inserting and expressing a specific sequence in these cells allows marking, identification, sorting, tracking, and manipulating neural progenitor and stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the reduction of gastro-intestinal methanogenesis in ruminants with the aid of agents that compete for the hydrogen atoms required by methanogens during normal fermentation of ingested feed. The invention in one aspect resides in the findings that both nitrate reductive pathways as well as sulphate reductive pathways outcompete gastro-intestinal methanogenesis in ruminants and, that the methanogenesis reducing effects of nitrate and sulphate are completely additive. At the same time the combined administration of nitrate and sulphate was found to be fully effective to avoid or mitigate the potential problems of nitrite intoxication normally encountered when using nitrate alone, which effect is further enhanced, where necessary, by the addition of a nitrite reducing probiotic micoroorganism.

Abstract: A device, and method of making the device, capable of therapeutic treatment and/or for in vitro testing of human skin. The device may be used on skin wounds for burned, injured, or diseased skin, and provides structures and functions as in normal uninjured skin, such as barrier function, which is a definitive property of normal skin. The device contains cultured dermal and epidermal cells on a biocompatible, biodegradable reticulated matrix. All or part of the cells may be autologous, from the recipient of the cultured skin device, which advantageously eliminates concerns of tissue compatibility. The cells may also be modified genetically to provide one or more factors to facilitate healing of the engrafted skin replacement, such as an angiogenic factor to stimulate growth of blood vessels.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient with a neurodegenerative disease, such as ALS, using progenitor cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood. Non-invasive transplantation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH+) expressing progenitor cells provides cell replacement and protection of motor neurons.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a modified polypeptide comprising three contiguous segments N, L and C represented by the formula N-L-C and comprising: a N-helix region of gp41 (N), a C-helix region of gp41 (C), and a connecting loop comprising a synthetic linker (L) between the N and C-helices, the linker replacing amino acids 593-617 of gp41, the numbering scheme being based upon the prototypic isolate HIV-1 HxB2 Clade B strain, said polypeptide comprising the calveolin-1 neutralizing and 98.6 D epitopes, but not 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes, not the fusion peptide, the polypeptide having a minimal immunogenic cross-reactivity with human interleukin 2 (IL2).

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived cells, preferably myoblasts and muscle-derived stem cells, genetically engineered to contain and express one or more heterologous genes or functional segments of such genes, for delivery of the encoded gene products at or near sites of musculoskeletal, bone, ligament, meniscus, cartilage or genitourinary disease, injury, defect, or dysfunction. Ex vivo myoblast mediated gene delivery of human inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the resulting production of nitric oxide at and around the site of injury, are particularly provided by the invention as a treatment for lower genitourinary tract dysfunctions.

Abstract: A highly compression resistant matrix is provided for implantation at or near a target tissue site beneath the skin. The matrix comprises a polymer and a ceramic skeleton. The compression resistance provides retention of a volume that facilitates bone regeneration.

Abstract: Prosthetic apparatuses with probiotic microorganisms to control colonization of pathogenic bacteria are disclosed. The prosthetic apparatus may include a first portion having a first mating surface, a second portion having a second mating surface that conforms to the first mating surface, and at least one strain of probiotic microorganisms retained between the first and second mating surfaces prior to implantation of the prosthetic apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treatment of individuals having an immune-related disease, disorder or condition, for example, inflammatory bowel disease, graft-versus-host disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, diabetes, mycosis fungoides (Alibert-Bazin syndrome), or scleroderma using placental stem cells or umbilical cord stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses isolated peptides encoding an antigen or fragments thereof from the N-terminus of hemagglutinin protein of influenza, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof. The peptide can be used as a vaccine to generate an antibody response that neutralizes influenza infectivity against a variety of influenza strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel RNA picornavirus that is called Seneca Valley virus (“SVV”). The invention provides isolated SVV nucleic acids and proteins encoded by these nucleic acids. Further, the invention provides antibodies that are raised against the SVV proteins. Because SVV has the ability to selectively kill some types of tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV and SVV polypeptides to treat cancer. Because SVV specifically targets certain tumors, the invention provides methods of using SVV nucleic acids and proteins to detect cancer. Additionally, due to the information provided by the tumor-specific mechanisms of SVV, the invention provides methods of making new oncolytic virus derivatives and of altering viruses to have tumor-specific tropisms.

Abstract: An isolated Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-133 is disclosed, which was deposited in the China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) under the accession number of CCTCC M 2011331 is disclosed. The isolated Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-133 is used for preparing a composition for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis or other allergic diseases in an effective amount. And a composition for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis or other allergic diseases comprises an effective amount of the Lactobacillus paracasei strain GMNL-133 is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides targeting peptides and vectors containing a sequence that encodes targeting peptides that deliver agents to the brain.

Abstract: Macroporous 3-D tissue engineering scaffold are manufactured by contacting an article comprising multiple distinct macroparticulate porogens distributed within a polymer scaffold, wherein the porogens are selectively and sequentially dissolvable by corresponding biocompatible stimuli.

Abstract: A hybrid tissue scaffold is provided which comprises a porous primary scaffold having a plurality of pores and a porous secondary scaffold having a plurality of pores, wherein the secondary scaffold resides in the pores of the primary scaffold to provide a hybrid scaffold. The pores of the porous primary scaffold may have a pore size in a range of 0.50 mm to 5.0 mm, and the pores of the porous secondary scaffold may have a pore size in a range of 50 ?m to 600 ?m. The primary scaffold may provide 5% to 30% of a volume of the hybrid scaffold.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.

Abstract: A protein-rich nutritional food product composed of a probiotic and an edible isolated protein. The probiotic component may comprise Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Streptococcus Bifidobacteria, Saccharomyces or Leuconostoc. The isolated protein may comprise whey proteins, whey growth factor extract, glutamine peptide, egg albumen, soy proteins, or caseinates. This nutritional composition can be in the form of a food product, dietary supplement, or medical food which, upon ingestion, will promote a healthy intestinal microenvironment, provide a source of protein, and assist in the elimination of nitrogenous waste products that can build up in concentration in the circulating blood. Increased concentrations of the wastes are known to exert a negative impact on an individual's physiology and contribute to a decreased sense of well-being and general malaise. Methods for removing nitrogenous waste products from the blood and ameliorating renal failure using the nutritional product of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a chimeric alphavirus comprising a Sindbis virus cDNA fragment, an Eastern equine encephalitis virus cDNA fragment, a Western equine encephalitis virus cDNA fragment or a combination thereof. The present also discloses the use of this chimeric alphavirus as vaccines and in serological and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of using Chlorella protothecoides microalgal biomass in the treatment of individuals having impaired glucose metabolism. In some cases, the patient has impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or diabetes. In some methods, algal biomass is used to reduce blood glucose and/or body fat in a subject, or to increase the relative abundance of beneficial gut microflora in a subject. In preferred embodiments, the biomass is derived from Chlorella protothecoides cultures grown heterotrophically in which the algal cells comprise at least 15% algal oil by dry weight.

Abstract: Hydrogels based on gelatin crosslinked with N,N?-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) are disclosed. The hydrogels according to the invention are useful for cell culture, growth and proliferation, for the controlled release of bioactive molecules, and to promote tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for reducing blood glucose levels in a mammal, such as canines and humans. The composition includes bran, cinnamon, yeast, gelatin, and optionally, wheat germ oil, octacosanol, and/or flavor. The method includes administering the composition to the mammal and, if the composition lacks wheat germ oil, also administering wheat germ oil to the mammal.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A particle is disclosed. The particle comprising: (i) at least one inner core which comprises a solid matrix of nutrients for microorganism growth; (ii) an inner membrane being fabricated from a water-soluble polymer, the inner membrane surrounding the inner core and a population of dried microorganisms; and (iii) an outer porous membrane surrounding the inner membrane, the outer porous membrane being insoluble in water. Methods of generating same, propagating microorganisms within and uses of same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems are described for administration to at least one biological tissue of at least one device including at least one altered microorganism. In an embodiment, the altered microorganism includes at least one nucleic acid construct encoding at least one therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The presently described technology relates to the modulation of specific immune responses to create a protective immunity in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and diseases requiring the transplantation of tissue. In particular, the present technology relates to the suppression of immune responses in a targeted fashion, by increasing the functional concentration of the CEACAM1 protein in a target tissue to create a localized protective immunity for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and diseases requiring the transplantation of tissue.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing a variety of diseases and conditions that are amenable to immunotherapy and, in one particular embodiment, compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing cancer in an animal are described. Specifically improvements related to the use of a yeast-based vaccine comprising a yeast vehicle and an antigen that is selected to elicit an antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune response in an animal, for use in prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination and the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of modulating the phagocytic activity of at least one phagocyte in a subject. The present invention also includes a method of providing a composition resistant to phagocytosis to a subject. The present invention further includes a method of treating, ameliorating or preventing an inflammatory disease in a subject.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to methods for inducing an immunologic response to a tumor in a patient using mature dendritic cells transfected with a nucleic acid composition encoding one or more tumor antigens and loaded with a corresponding tumor antigen composition.

Abstract: A biocompatible capsule comprising a biological material encapsulated by a covalently stabilized coating and a method of making the same are disclosed. The biological material can be a material selected from the group consisting of cells, such as islets of Langerhans, pharmaceuticals, and biological agents. The coating can be formed by reacting an alginate-[polyalkylene glycol (PAG)-X1]n, and a multi-functional PAG-X2, to form covalent bonds, wherein n is an integer greater than 0, a first one of X1 and X2 is N3, and a second one of X1 and X2 is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R1=CH3, CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, R2=N(CH3)2, OCH3, OH, CH3, H, F, Cl, Br or NO2, and R3=OCH3, CH3, H, F, Cl or NO2.

Abstract: Disclosed are uses of immunotherapeutic compositions in combination with Standard of Care (SOC), or interferon therapy combined with anti-viral therapy, for the improved treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and related conditions, including liver function. The compositions, kits and uses of the invention, as compared to the use of SOC therapy alone: improves the rate of early response to therapy as measured by early virologic markers (e.g., RVR and EVR), enlarges the pool of patients who will have sustained responses to therapy over the long term, offers shortened courses of therapy for certain patients, enables “rescue” of patients who are non-responders or intolerant to SOC therapy, improves liver function and/or reduces liver damage in patients, and enables the personalization of HCV therapy for a patient, which can result in dose sparing, improved patient compliance, reduced side effects, and improved long term therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of embryonic stem cells into muscle cells or vascular endothelial cells. The invention also includes cells, cell lines, testing models and culture systems used in the methods of the present invention and differentiated cells produced therefrom. The present invention also provides methods of using the differentiated cells of the present invention for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borrelia, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.

Abstract: Methods for treating Alzheimer's disease, or the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, are provided. Some embodiments are to methods for treatment comprising administering cells obtained from human umbilical cord tissue, or administering pharmaceutical compositions comprising such cells or prepared from such cells, such as cell derivatives. Some embodiments are to methods for treatment comprising hUTC. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the inventive methods, as well as kits for practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The use of mesenchymal stem cells cultured in the presence of HS-2 for the treatment of bone fracture. Repair of bone fracture using such cells is enhanced compared with the treatment of bone fracture using mesenchymal cells cultured without HS-2. These mesenchymal stem cells may be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition and injected directly into tissues surrounding the fracture or used in a biocompatible implant or prosthesis.