A cognitive function-improving agent containing one or both of Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-11175 and a culture of Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-11175 as an active ingredient for administration to a subject who has not developed dementia is provided.

Stress is any demand placed on the brain or physical body, thereby leading to anxiety and depression and it is a common phenomenon experienced by humans and animals. Stress, anxiety and depression often leads to serious mental ill health. People with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread and display physical signs such as a pounding heart and sweating. Often, people lose their willpower, concentration and interest in day to day activities, are drained of energy and can even become devoid of any emotion.

It is documented that low activity of certain neurotransmitters can result in anxiety, chronic stress, depression, difficulty in concentrating, memory problems, muscle pain, headaches, insomnia and sleep problems. Therefore, if the level of these neurotransmitters is raised, the problem of stress, anxiety and depression can be cured. The invention describes a formulation to naturally increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the body, thereby reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

Stress is any demand placed on the brain or physical body, thereby leading to anxiety and depression and it is a common phenomenon experienced by humans and animals. Stress, anxiety and depression often leads to serious mental ill health. People with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread and display physical signs such as a pounding heart and sweating. Often, people lose their willpower, concentration and interest in day to day activities, are drained of energy and can even become devoid of any emotion.

It is documented that low activity of certain neurotransmitters can result in anxiety, chronic stress, depression, difficulty in concentrating, memory problems, muscle pain, headaches, insomnia and sleep problems. Therefore, if the level of these neurotransmitters is raised, the problem of stress, anxiety and depression can be cured. The invention describes a formulation to naturally increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the body, thereby reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

Bifidobacterium longum strains and cell wall fractions isolated from Bifidobacterium longum strains are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of a respiratory viral infection in a subject. They are also useful in the prophylaxis of a secondary bacterial infection associated with a respiratory viral infection in a subject, especially a subject who is susceptible to respiratory infections.

Bifidobacterium longum strains and cell wall fractions isolated from Bifidobacterium longum strains are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of a respiratory viral infection in a subject. They are also useful in the prophylaxis of a secondary bacterial infection associated with a respiratory viral infection in a subject, especially a subject who is susceptible to respiratory infections.

Described herein are methods and compositions for using microbial agents (probiotics) and agents that promote growth of certain microbes (prebiotics) for management (including prevention and treatment) of musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoporosis, osteopenia, Paget's disease, stunting, osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis, and delayed or non-union fractures.

Serpin protein producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum and compositions thereof for use in inhibiting gluten digestion. Compositions comprising the serpin protein producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum may be used to mitigate the effects of hidden gluten in individuals following a gluten free diet.

Serpin protein producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum and compositions thereof for use in inhibiting gluten digestion. Compositions comprising the serpin protein producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum may be used to mitigate the effects of hidden gluten in individuals following a gluten free diet.

Serpin protein producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum and compositions thereof for use in inhibiting gluten digestion. Compositions comprising the serpin protein producing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum may be used to mitigate the effects of hidden gluten in individuals following a gluten free diet.

Provided herein are methods of treating graft-versus-host disease in a subject by administering pharmaceutical compositions containing bacterial strains of the Clostridia class. Also described herein are exemplary human-derived bacteria belonging to the Clostridia class, combinations of which have been shown to induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon and suppress immune functions, and are therefore useful for mitigating pathological immune responses. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these and/or related bacteria can be used to prevent and treat immune-mediated diseases such as graft-versus-host disease.