Provided are compositions including a CPNE4 protein or a polynucleotide encoding thereof, a pharmaceutical composition, a quasi-drug composition, a dietary supplement, and a health functional food composition. A method for preventing or treating dentin-dental disease or periodontal disease and a method and a method for promoting regeneration of hard tissue including dentin, bone and cementum, and/or pulp tissue are disclosed.

A novel peptide and a composition including the peptide are disclosed. The composition may be a pharmaceutical composition, a quasi-drug composition, a dietary supplement, or a food composition. A polynucleotide encoding the peptide and an expression vector including the polynucleotide are also disclosed. The peptide promotes regeneration of hard tissue and is useful for treating dentin-dental pulp diseases or periodontal diseases.

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of Lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one Lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated Lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of Lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one Lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated Lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing diseases and disorders caused by iron-dependent pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites, by applying a gallium compound to an affected area. In particular, the present invention provides methods for treating or preventing dental caries, vaginal infections, skin infections, and so forth. Gallium compounds can be formulated as toothpaste, mouthwash, cream, ointment, gel, solution, eye drops, suppository, and the like. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for controlling microbial growth on environmental surfaces, including those of toothbrush, denture, dental retainer, contact lens, catheter, food stuff, and so forth. In addition, the present invention provides animal feeds which contain gallium compounds that promote the animal growth and prevent the animals from infections as well as protect consumers from post processing infections.

The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing diseases and disorders caused by iron-dependent pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites, by applying a gallium compound to an affected area. In particular, the present invention provides methods for treating or preventing dental caries, vaginal infections, skin infections, and so forth. Gallium compounds can be formulated as toothpaste, mouthwash, cream, ointment, gel, solution, eye drops, suppository, and the like. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for controlling microbial growth on environmental surfaces, including those of toothbrush, denture, dental retainer, contact lens, catheter, food stuff, and so forth. In addition, the present invention provides animal feeds which contain gallium compounds that promote the animal growth and prevent the animals from infections as well as protect consumers from post processing infections.

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.