Multi-phase release compositions, methods of using the compositions, and methods for manufacturing the compositions are provided. Multi-phase release compositions include ingredients useful in sports nutrition including ingredients useful in muscle building, energy output and weight loss. Sports nutrition ingredients are designed for immediate and extended release dependent on the particular sport nutrition motivated use. One sports nutrition ingredient that can be utilized in either or both the immediate release phase or the extended release phase is phosphatidic acid.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a bird's nest extract and the various extracts obtained from said method. In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a bird's nest extract, the extract comprising at least one molecule obtained from edible bird's nest (EBN), the method comprising the steps of: (a) washing raw EBN; (b) filtering the washed EBN; (c) extracting the molecule from the EBN; and (d) isolating the molecule.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a bird's nest extract and the various extracts obtained from said method. In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a bird's nest extract, the extract comprising at least one molecule obtained from edible bird's nest (EBN), the method comprising the steps of: (a) washing raw EBN; (b) filtering the washed EBN; (c) extracting the molecule from the EBN; and (d) isolating the molecule.

The present invention provides a hair regrowth promoter comprising an egg-yolk protein hydrolysate as an active ingredient. The egg-yolk protein hydrolysate is a safe ingredient produced from a natural source, and therefore can be widely used in daily consumable products, such as food and drink products, medicaments, animal feeds, and dietary supplements, or as a food additive, etc. The promoter etc. of the present invention can be orally administered and is thus very advantageous.

Methods are disclosed for forming bone and/or cartilage in an avian subject. The methods include administering to the avian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising avian mesenchymal stem cells and a hydrogel that supports the differentiation of the avian mesenchymal stem cells into cells of an osteogenic and/or condrogenic lineage. In some embodiments, methods are disclosed for repairing a bone defect and preventing infection, such as that associated bone fracture, in an avian subject. The methods include administering locally to the bone defect a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of avian mesenchymal stem cells and a hydrogel, such as a methacrylated gelatin hydrogel.

Methods are disclosed for forming bone and/or cartilage in an avian subject. The methods include administering to the avian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising avian mesenchymal stem cells and a hydrogel that supports the differentiation of the avian mesenchymal stem cells into cells of an osteogenic and/or condrogenic lineage. In some embodiments, methods are disclosed for repairing a bone defect and preventing infection, such as that associated bone fracture, in an avian subject. The methods include administering locally to the bone defect a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of avian mesenchymal stem cells and a hydrogel, such as a methacrylated gelatin hydrogel.

The present invention relates to a process for producing an egg yolk with a very high content of antisecretory factor (AF) proteins, in particular with a very high content of AF protein fragment consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ.ID.NO.1 (AF-16) and/or in SEQ.ID.NO.2 (AF-8), said process comprising for at least 4 weeks feeding a poultry, such as a hen, an AF-16 inducing pelleted feed for poultry comprising at least 0.14% free tryptophan, such as 1-2 g tryptophan/kg feed, and thereafter harvesting egg from said poultry, separating egg yolk from egg white, and alternatively spray-drying, grinding, leaching, extracting, evaporating, membrane filtrating, and/or or freeze-drying said egg yolk. The present invention further relates to said egg yolk with a very high content of antisecretory factor (AF) proteins, produced according to the herein described process, and to their use for the preparation of functional food products and pharmaceutical products for the treatment and prophylaxis of abnormal physiological conditions caused e.g. by exceptionally high levels of body fluid discharge. The invention also relates to food products and pharmaceutical products so prepared.

The present invention relates to a process for producing an egg yolk with a very high content of antisecretory factor (AF) proteins, in particular with a very high content of AF protein fragment consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ.ID.NO.1 (AF-16) and/or in SEQ.ID.NO.2 (AF-8), said process comprising for at least 4 weeks feeding a poultry, such as a hen, an AF-16 inducing pelleted feed for poultry comprising at least 0.14% free tryptophan, such as 1-2 g tryptophan/kg feed, and thereafter harvesting egg from said poultry, separating egg yolk from egg white, and alternatively spray-drying, grinding, leaching, extracting, evaporating, membrane filtrating, and/or or freeze-drying said egg yolk. The present invention further relates to said egg yolk with a very high content of antisecretory factor (AF) proteins, produced according to the herein described process, and to their use for the preparation of functional food products and pharmaceutical products for the treatment and prophylaxis of abnormal physiological conditions caused e.g. by exceptionally high levels of body fluid discharge. The invention also relates to food products and pharmaceutical products so prepared.

The invention provides a method for determining the efficacy of compositions used to treat articular joint conditions in mammals. The method includes measuring the change in levels of one or more cartilage degradation biomarkers in a mammal from before exercise and after exercise, then administering a composition used to treat articular joint conditions to the mammal, and measuring the change in levels of one or more cartilage degradation biomarkers in the mammal from before exercise and after exercise.

The invention provides a method for determining the efficacy of compositions used to treat articular joint conditions in mammals. The method includes measuring the change in levels of one or more cartilage degradation biomarkers in a mammal from before exercise and after exercise, then administering a composition used to treat articular joint conditions to the mammal, and measuring the change in levels of one or more cartilage degradation biomarkers in the mammal from before exercise and after exercise.