Abstract: A method for identifying a risk factor for diseases, disorders or conditions, such as those caused by human immunodeficiency virus, using the polymerase chain reaction and specific primers. Methods for treating patients having these diseases, disorders or conditions by antimicrobial treatment of the risk factor by combined antiviral and antibacterial treatment or by sustaining or stimulating the subject's immune system. Methods for screening biological products including red blood cell preparations. Primers and methods for detecting nucleic acids or microbial agents associated with red blood cells, such as those associated with red blood cells in subjects infected with HIV and undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated traveler's diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microbial composition which is tailored based on the spectrum of microbes found more frequently from the intestine of non-secretor individuals than from the intestine of secretor individuals. The present invention further relates to a method of tailoring a microbial composition based on the spectrum of microbes found more frequently from the intestine of non-secretor individuals than from that of secretor blood group status. The present invention relates to use of the secretor status of an individual as a criterion for microbial supplementation tailored based on the differences in the spectra of microbes found between secretor and non-secretor individuals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-containing waste, such as drill mud and drill cuttings from oil and gas wellbores, drill waste deposit sites, oil spills, oil and gas production waste, and contaminated surfaces, using wood chips comprising microorganisms of mountain pine beetle.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel NAD+-independent myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase which converts myo-inositol into scyllo-inosose in the absence of NAD+; a novel enzyme scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase which stereospecifically reduces scyllo-inosose into scyllo-inositol in the presence of NADH or NADPH; and a novel microorganism which belongs to the genus Acetobacter or Burkholderia and can convert myo-inositol into scyllo-inositol. By using these enzymes or the microorganism, scyllo-inositol is produced. Furthermore, scyllo-inositol is purified by adding boric acid and a metal salt to a liquid mixture containing scyllo-inositol and a neutral saccharide other than scyllo-inositol to form a scyllo-inositol/boric acid complex, separating the complex from the liquid mixture, dissolving the thus separated complex in an acid to give an acidic solution or an acidic suspension and then purifying scyllo-inositol from the acidic solution or the acidic suspension.

Abstract: An anti-obesity agent or a glucose tolerance-ameliorating agent containing a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium as an active ingredient, wherein the bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium exhibits a conversion rate from linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid of not more than 10%. The present invention is able to provide an anti-obesity agent and a glucose tolerance-ameliorating agent that are effective for the prevention or treatment of obesity or the amelioration of glucose tolerance and also exhibit superior safety, as well as providing foods or beverages containing these agents. Further, the present invention is also able to provide a bacterium of the genus Bifidobacterium, and in particular a Bifidobacterium breve, that is effective for the prevention or treatment of obesity or the amelioration of glucose tolerance and also exhibits superior safety, as well as providing a pharmaceutical composition containing this bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel isolated leafhopper ecdysone receptor polypeptide. The invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid encoding the leafhopper ecdysone receptor polypeptide, to vectors comprising them and to their uses, in particular in methods for modulating gene expression in an ecdysone receptor-based gene expression modulation system and methods for identifying molecules that modulate leafhopper ecdysone receptor activity.

Abstract: A microorganism having an ability to oxidize sulfur even at high chloride ion concentration is provided. Specifically, a microorganism belonging to the genus Acidithiobacillus having the ability to oxidize sulfur even at high chloride ion concentration is provided. A method for bacterial leaching of copper sulfide ores and a method for improving alkaline soil using the microorganism are also provided.

Abstract: A milk raw material is fermented by using Lactococcus lactis not having cell wall-enveloped proteinase and a Bifidobacterium bacterium. The Lactococcus lactis is, for example, a Lactococcus lactis having a property that, when this bacterium and the Bifidobacterium bacterium are inoculated into a medium containing 1% (W/W) of glucose and 10% (W/W) of reduced skim milk powder in amounts of 5.0×106 to 2.0×108 CFU and 1.0×107 to 3.0×109 CFU per 1 ml of the medium, respectively, and cultured, and the medium is rapidly cooled to 10° C. from culture temperature when pH of the medium becomes 4.6 to 5.5, and stored at 10° C. for 2 weeks, survival rate of the Bafidobacterium bacterium is maintained to be 30% or more.

Abstract: Compositions and methods and apparatus for growth and maintenance of microorganisms and/or bioprocesses using one or more gases as electron donors, electron acceptors, carbon sources, or other nutrients, and for a bioprocess that converts hydrogen and carbon dioxide, or syngas, or producer gas into lipid products, bio-based oils, or other biochemical products.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides technologies for identifying, characterizing and/or sorting pellet-forming microorganisms such as bacteria and/or fungi (e.g., yeast) in liquid culture, and particularly under fermentation conditions. In some embodiments, the pellet-forming microorganisms produce one or more commercial products. For example, in some embodiments the pellet-forming microorganisms produce one or more organic acids, carotenoid compounds, essential fatty acids, industrial enzymes, active pharmaceuticals, extracellular carbohydrates, and insecticidal compounds, etc. In many embodiments, the organisms are sorted while in their pellet form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selectively inhibiting growth of non-target cells in a mixed population of target and non-target cells, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the mixed population with a selective agent which comprises a carrier moiety linked by a scissile linkage to a toxic moiety; wherein the selective agent is able to enter non-target cells in which the scissile linkage is cleaved, releasing the toxic moiety to exert a toxic effect on the non-target cells causing inhibition of the growth of the non-target cells, whereas the selective agent is unable to enter target cells and/or the scissile linkage is not cleaved in target cells and/or toxic moiety, if released from the selective agent, does not exert a toxic effect on the target cell; and (b) culturing the cells in conditions which allow for growth of non-inhibited cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating symptoms associated with lactose intolerance and for overall improvement in gastrointestinal health. Described herein are methods and compositions for improving overall gastrointestinal health or for decreasing symptoms of lactose intolerance by administering to subject in need thereof a prebiotic composition, optionally in combination with effective amount of a probiotic microbe or microbes.

Abstract: A biological purifier of the present invention includes chaff retaining sulfate-reducing bacteria. A biological purification system of the present invention includes a treatment container in which anaerobic conditions are maintained, and the above biological purifier is stored; a supply system for supplying the untreated waste water into the treatment container; and an discharge system for discharging treated water from which the heavy metal ions have been removed in the treatment container by the purifier, from the treatment container. In a biological purification method of the present invention, the biological purifier and the untreated waste water are brought into contact with each other under anaerobic conditions, thereby precipitating and removing the heavy metal ions as sulfide from the untreated waste water.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating symptoms associated with lactose intolerance and for overall improvement in gastrointestinal health. Described herein are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for improving overall gastrointestinal health or for decreasing symptoms of lactose intolerance by administering to subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prebiotic, optionally in combination with effective amount of a probiotic microbe or microbes.

Abstract: A method for cultivation of photosynthetic micro-organisms such as micro-algae, photobacteria, and similar organisms, through circulation within tubes made of transparent plastic material of the suspension of said organisms in an appropriate culture medium, envisages: carrying out agitation/mixing of said suspension in the culture medium in said tubes in a pulsed and non-continuous way; separating the biomass produced from the culture medium by means of sifting with a system of differential-inclination sieves; introducing C02 with total dissolution thereof inside the tubes in which the suspension of said micro-organisms in their own culture medium circulates, introducing also buffer solutions in said culture medium; extracting the oxygen produced in the photosynthesis in a natural way by means of skimmers distributed along the tubes traversed by the culture medium; controlling the temperature inside the tubes in order not to reach temperatures that are harmful to the growth of the photosynthetic micro-organis

Abstract: Novel bacteriocins produced by novel bacterial strains are used for at least reducing the levels of colonization by at least one target bacteria in animals, especially poultry.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a biofilm, comprising: inoculating an source bacteria sample to a substrate by directly dripping the source bacteria sample on the substrate, and culturing the source bacteria sample in a non-cyclic culture medium flow to form the biofilm sample on the substrate. The present disclosure also provides a device for the formation of a biofilm and uses of the biofilm in drug testing and screening. The device and method of the present disclosure saves culture time, reduces contamination, and can be used to form biofilm without anaerobic environment or pH adjustment in culture medium.

Abstract: A stable, pellet-frozen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture comprises at least one additive compound in a commercial relevant package. The pellet-frozen culture has at least 50 g frozen material and a content of viable bacteria of at least 109 colony forming units per gram of frozen material. The individual pellets of the frozen culture do not stick together and remain as individual pellets, when stored at about ?46° C., for at least 7 to 14 days.

Abstract: Whole-cell vaccines and methods for their use in producing protective immune responses in vertebrate hosts subsequently exposed to pathogenic bacteria. The present invention involves a method of enhancing antigen presentation by intracellular bacteria in a manner that improves vaccine efficacy. After identifying an enzyme that has an anti-apoptotic effect upon host cells infected by an intracellular microbe, the activity of the enzyme is reduced, thereby modifying the microbe so that it increases immunogenicity. Also, the present invention provides a method of incrementally modifying enzyme activity to produce incrementally attenuated mutants of the microbe from which an effective vaccine candidate can be selected.

Abstract: L-Lactic acid fermentation using non-edible biomass requires a lactic acid bacterium suitable for fermentation using a mixture comprising oligosaccharides or mixed saccharides produced by enzymatic treatment of cellulose and hemicellulose, so that simultaneous saccharification and fermentation are enabled. Further, it must be taken into consideration that use of pentoses such as xylose derived form non-edible biomass as the raw material provides lactic acid as well as equimolar acetic acid, which halves the molar yield of lactic acid, and high concentration L-lactic acid induces fermentation inhibition, which makes it difficult to produce L-lactic acid at high yield. The present invention provides a novel lactic acid bacterium that can solve these problems. With the lactic acid bacterium of the present invention, L-lactic acid showing a high optical purity of 99.

Abstract: A new thermotolerant Actinomadura sp., which is capable of degrading polyesters, is provided. Compositions comprising the species for use in degrading polyesters are also provided. The invention also relates to methods for degrading polyesters by using the strain and the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing heavy metal nanoparticles using a heavy metal-binding protein. More specifically, relates to a method for preparing heavy metal structures, comprising the steps of: culturing a microorganism transformed with a gene encoding a heavy metal-binding protein, in a heavy metal ion-containing medium, to produce heavy metal structures in the microorganism; and collecting the produced heavy metal structures, as well as nanoparticles of heavy metal structures prepared according to said method. Unlike prior methods of preparing quantum dots by physically binding metal materials, the quantum dots disclosed herein can be efficiently produced by expressing the heavy metal-binding protein in cells. In addition, the quantum dots are useful because they can solve an optical stability problem that is the shortcoming of organic fluorophores.

Abstract: A novel technique for improving the production by bacteria of amino acids that contain sulfur has been developed, and thereby a sulfur-containing amino acid-producing bacterium, and a method for producing a compound such as a sulfur-containing amino acid are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for isolating cells devoid of unwanted viral contaminants, and to methods for preparing a virus stock substantially devoid of viral contaminants. Virus stocks, cells, and immunogenic reagents produced using such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed compositions and methods related to bacterial cells that are physically associated with ceramide-like glycolipids for use as antigen carriers for heterologous antigens. The invention further relates to methods of incorporating ceramide-like glycolipid to bacterial cell walls. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel live attenuated isolate and sub-isolets thereof of a strain of the pathogen Edwardsiella ictaluri for protecting fish from ESC infection or disease, a vaccine composition comprising the isolet, a method of oral delivery of the vaccine and any vaccine, and an apparatus designed to effectively mix the vaccine with fish feed and deliver the vaccine to fish.

Abstract: The invention relates to control of pathogen caused diseases on leaves, fruits and ears in plants, such as apple scab (Venturia inaequalis by treatment of plant with an isolate of Cladosporium cladosporioides. The treatment is effective in both prevention and treatment of the fungal infection.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of inhibiting the activity of a virus or a bacterium comprising contacting a virus or bacterium with a polymer functionalized with at least one boronic acid moiety. Also described are methods of treatment using such functionalized polymers.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biologically pure culture of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE, as well as an antimicrobial agent isolated and/or purified from the culture having any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 64-66. The disclosure also provides compositions and articles of manufacture comprising an antimicrobial agent and/or the bacterial cell of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE. Further provided are methods of use, including methods of affecting microbial activity, methods of inhibiting growth and/or proliferation of a microbe, methods of treating a condition or disease associated with the presence of a microbe, and methods of treating a microbial infection in a subject comprising contacting a microbial cell with at least one active agent of SEQ ID NOs:1-3 and 64-66 and/or the bacterial cell Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, identified as OSY-SE. The disclosure also provides the biosynthetic machinery (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PM-A0087 deposited as NRRL accession number B-50523, Bifidobacterium longum PM-A0101 deposited as NRRL accession number B-50525, and Bifidobacterium bifidum PM-A0218 deposited as NRRL accession number B-50524.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of vaccinating a young animal against L. intracellularis infection comprising the step of administering to an animal an effective dose of L. intracellularis antigen. It also provides a method of vaccinating an animal, preferably a young animal, having anti-L. intracellularis antibodies or is exposed to anti-L. intracellularis antibodies. In particular, those anti-L.intracellularis antibodies are maternally derived antibodies.

Abstract: Methods for enriching microbial populations that are indigenous to oil reservoir fluids to obtain Shewanella-enriched populations and isolated Shewanella strains useful for enhancing oil recovery from an oil reservoir are presented. In addition, the enriched populations may contain bacteria belonging to the Arcobacter genus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bifidobacterium adolescentis SPMO212 having antiviral activity for hepatitis B virus, and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating hepatitis B comprising thereof. The bifidobacterium adolescentis SPMO212 or its fraction of the present invention shows antiviral activity for hepatitis B virus by blocking the production of antigen s of hepatitis B virus, and by inhibiting the expression of DNA, RNA and HBsAg of the HBV.

Abstract: According to the present invention new isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum have been isolated and possess unique properties. These Bradyrhizobia are plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), possess superior tolerance/resistance to desiccation, and enhance the overall performance of leguminous plant growth.

Abstract: Strains of xylose utilizing Zymomonas with improved xylose utilization and ethanol production during fermentation in stress conditions were obtained using an adaptation method. The adaptation involved continuously growing xylose utilizing Zymomonas in media containing high sugars, acetic acid, ammonia, and ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising probiotic bacteria for the treatment of pathologies associated with alterations of the immune system. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of selected probiotic bacteria for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of allergies, such as atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel wild-type Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris bacteria strain with increased vitamin K2 production and mutants and variants thereof and methods for preparation of a fermented food or feed product enriched in vitamin K2 and a vitamin K enriched edible product for amelioration and/or prevention of vitamin K deficiency. The present invention also relates to the fermented food or feed product and the edible product obtainable by the methods herein and to the wild-type Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris bacteria strain for use in treatment and/or prevention of vitamin K deficiency in a mammal, such as a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the improvement of the survival rate of probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium ssp. by Lactobacillus strains that enhance the survival rate of probiotic strains in food or feed products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel wild-type Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris bacteria strain with increased vitamin K2 production and mutants and variants thereof and methods for preparation of a fermented food or feed product enriched in vitamin K2 and a vitamin K enriched edible product for amelioration and/or prevention of vitamin K deficiency. The present invention also relates to the fermented food or feed product and the edible product obtainable by the methods herein and to the wild-type Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris bacteria strain for use in treatment and/or prevention of vitamin K deficiency in a mammal, such as a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing monoterpenes, particularly tricyclene, by culturing microbial organisms that express a terpene synthase and optionally a prenyl transferase.

Abstract: A method for controlling Dipteran larvae or a method for inhibiting the development of larvicidal resistance, controlling resistant populations and reducing resistance levels in Diptera by introducing a larvicidally-effective amount of a combination of a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis and a strain of Bacillus sphaericus into an environment containing Dipteran larvae; and a composition of the combination are disclosed. Preferably both strains are non-genetically modified.

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphatase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands that modulate PP1 activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands to a cellular localization signal, epitope tag and/or a reporter. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to use sulphate-reducing thermophilic archaeobacteria for carrying out a method for degrading linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, when necessary sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes and processes. In particular, there is described an isolated polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence corresponding to Citrobacter freundii phytase or a homologue, a modified form, a functional equivalent or an effective fragment thereof. There is also described a host cell transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid encoding a bacterial phytase enzyme or a modified form as well as the use of such a phytase or modified form in food or animal feed.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to bacterial cell production of triacylglycerides from renewable biomass resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells that involves subjecting a sample containing minicells to density gradient centrifugation in a biologically compatible medium. The method optionally includes a preliminary differential centrifugation step and one or more filtration steps. The invention also provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells in which a sample containing minicells is subjected to a condition that induces parent bacterial cells to adopt a filamentous form, followed by filtration of the sample to separate minicells from parent bacterial cells. The inventive methods optionally include one or more steps to remove endotoxin from purified minicell preparations, and/or treatment of purified minicell preparations with an antibiotic. Additionally, the invention provides purified minicell preparations, prepared according to the foregoing methods, and containing fewer than about 1 contaminating parent bacterial cell per 107, 108, 109, 1010, or 1011 minicells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid having at least 20 carbon atoms (LC-PUFA) and cells, which composition has a thermal induction time (T.I.T.) of >24 hours at 40° C. The invention also relates to a process for drying a composition comprising cells and a LC-PUFA, the process comprising drying the composition at a temperature of below 40° C.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a technique to inhibit methanogens from producing methane. The use of Alcaligenes faecalis can inhibit methanogens from producing methane.

Abstract: A bacterial macromolecular complex produced by bacteria belonging to the Bifidobacterium longum strain deposited according to the treaty of Budapest under number CNCM I-3994 with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (CNCM) [National Collection of Microorganism Cultures], consisting of chains combining a lipoprotein and an oligosaccharide, wherein: the lipoprotein has a molecular weight of from 30 kDa to 60 kDa; the oligosaccharide has a molecular weight of less than 15 kDa, and preferably less than 10 kDa; the lipoprotein component, which consists of all the lipoproteins of each of the chains, represents from 75 to 99%, preferentially from 80 to 98%, more preferentially from 85 to 95% by weight of the total weight of the complex, and the oligosaccharide component, which consists of all the oligosaccharides combined with each of the chains, represents from 1 to 25%.