Abstract: A process for preparing D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids by subjecting 5-substituted hydantoins to the action of a cultured broth, cells or treated cells of microorganisms having an ability in asymmetrically hydrolyzing the hydantoin ring in an aqueous medium of pH 7 to 10. The process is suited for the industrial manufacture of D-N-carbamoyl-.alpha.-amino acids which are useful intermediates for the preparation of medicines.

Abstract: Valuable steroid intermediates, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17.beta.-ol-3-one (9.alpha.-OH testosterone), 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-ol (9.alpha.-OH BN alcohol) and 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-oic methyl ester (9.alpha.-OH BN acid methyl ester), prepared by microbiological conversion of steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of 8 to 10 carbons.

Abstract: Valuable steroid intermediates, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17.beta.-ol-3-one (9.alpha.-OH testosterone), 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-ol (9.alpha.-OH BN alcohol) and 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-oic methyl ester (9.alpha.-OH BN acid methyl ester), prepared by microbiological conversion of steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of 8 to 10 carbons.

Abstract: Novel biological assay method for determining the presence of a specific organic material by employing a modified enzyme for amplification. By employing receptors specific for one or a group of materials (hereinafter referred to as "ligands") and binding an enzyme to the ligand or ligand counterfeit to provide an "enzyme-bound-ligand", an extremely sensitive method is provided for assaying for ligands. The receptor when bound to the enzyme-bound-ligand substantially inhibits enzymatic activity, providing for different catalytic efficiencies of enzyme-bound-ligand and enzyme-bound-ligand combined with receptor.The receptor, ligand and enzyme-bound-ligand are combined in an arbitrary order and the effect of the presence of ligand on enzymatic activity determined. Various protocols may be used for assaying for enzymatic activity and relating the result to the amount of ligand present.

Abstract: A liquid feeder comprises a liquid suction and delivery pump which withdraws a liquid such as a culture solution, buffer solution, enzyme solution or the like which is retained in a liquid storage container as refrigerated or at a reduced temperature and delivers it through a flexible tube for injection into a culture vessel located within an incubator. The tube is inserted into an inner pipe and is sealingly secured thereto. The inner pipe is detachably and hermetically mounted in an outer pipe which extends through and is secured to a wall forming an environment isolating layer of the incubator. An eccentric crankpin which is driven by a motor is connected through a link with another crankpin having a greater eccentricity, the latter crankpin being driven for rotation to cause a reciprocatory rotating motion of a driven shaft about its own axis through an angular extent of less than 180.degree..