Abstract: Pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus are differentiated and identified by observing the selective inhibition of the microorganism which occurs when it is contacted with Alphazurine A dye.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for accurately determining settling data for the settling of erythrocyte cells from a plasma fluid in a test specimen of blood. The apparatus includes a settling tube, a sensing assembly movably mounted proximate the settling tube. Preferably an infrared emitter and detector are provided in the sensing assembly, and a control assembly is provided which senses data at a high rate and is responsive to the sensed data to sample or store the time at which sensed reflectivity exceeds a threshold level. When the threshold is reached, data is sampled and the tracking head is moved by a very small step. This process is repeated to enable tracking of the descent of the separation boundary between the erythrocyte cells and plasma fluid. The apparatus senses changes in reflectivity of the erythrocyte portion of the specimen below and up to the separation boundary.

Abstract: A homeostatic organ preservation system includes structure for defining a chamber for holding a donor organ, and a pump for providing a perfusion solution to the organ. A first conduit is coupled to the pump and is adapted to be coupled to the organ. The first conduit provides perfusion solution from the pump to the organ. A second conduit is coupled to the pump and to the organ chamber. The second conduit returns perfusion solution from the organ chamber to the pump. A pressure sensor is coupled to the first conduit to sense the pressure of the perfusion solution in the first conduit. The pressure sensor provides an output signal which is indicative of the vascular resistance of the organ. A pump control circuit is also included. The pump control circuit is responsive to the output signal of the pressure sensor to raise and lower the pump pulse rate respectively in response to a decrease and increase in the organ vascular resistance.

Abstract: A method for identifying soil microbial strains which may be bacterial degraders of pollutants comprising the steps of placing a concentration of a pollutant in a substantially closed container, placing the container in a sample of soil for a period of time ranging from one minute to several hours, retrieving the container, collecting the contents of the container, and microscopically determining the identity of the bacteria present. Different concentrations of the pollutant can be used to determine which bacteria respond to each concentration. The method can be used for characterizing a polluted site or for looking for naturally occurring biological degraders of the pollutant. Then bacteria identified as degraders of the pollutant and as chemotactically attracted to the pollutant are used to inoculate contaminated soil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the sensitivity of MAI to different antimicrobial agents and dosages thereof is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of test tubes adapted to contain an amount of an antimicrobial agent to be tested and MAI complex organisms to be assayed and a separate paraffin coated slide adapted for placement in each of the test tubes. The growth of the MAI complex organisms on the slide can be used to determine the concentration of the antimicrobial agent necessary to resist MAI complex organism growth on the slide. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In determining the effectiveness of parameters on cells, after treatment of the cells with one or more selected parameters, the results of the treatment can be quickly determined by measuring the number n.sub.0 of cells having a predetermined cell form, subsequently mechanically stressing the cells for a sufficient period of time t to change the cell form substantially, thereafter again measuring the number n of cells having the predetermined cell form, and determining the cell viability .tau.defined by .tau.=t/1n(n.sub.0 /n).

Abstract: A method of stimulating seedling growth which comprises applying a coal-derived oxidation product to the medium in which the seedling is growing. The product is in the form of a solution or a slurry having a pH in the range of 2 to 12 and has the following elemental and functional group analysis (on an air-dried basis):______________________________________ ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS Element Range (%) ______________________________________ Carbon 30-70 Hydrogen 2-6 Nitrogen 0.1-5 Sulphur 0.1-10 Oxygen 15-45 ______________________________________ FUNCTIONAL GROUP ANALYSIS Functional Group Range (meq/g) ______________________________________ Total acidity 3-13 Carboxylic groups 0.5-12 Phenolic groups 0.

Abstract: A rapid process for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in products for human consumption comprises contacting the microorganisms with a methylumbelliferone substrate. The substrate is hydrolyzed into methylumbelliferone by an enzyme given off by the microorganisms. Hydrolysis is accelerated by sodium lauryl sulfate, which renders the microorganisms more permeable to the substrate, the enzyme, or both. The methylumbelliferone is detected by its fluorescence, either in solution or on an agar medium supporting microcolonies formed from individual microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel enzymes, heparitinase T-I, heparitinase T-II, heparitinase T-III and heparitinase T-IV, which degrade heparan sulfate and/or heparin, a process for producing thereof by cultivating a novel Bacillus circulans HpT 298 having an ability of producing these enzymes and a novel Bacillus circulans HpT 298.

Abstract: The presence and a quantitative estimate of microorganisms in a sample is determined by monitoring the growth of vertical subsurface colonies in a soft agar medium. A culture cell containing the sample-agar mixture is positioned on a rotating circular index table and, at an inspection station, a video camera monitors colony growth with an image processor and computer processing the output of the video camera. Select output parameters include, but are not restricted to, colony counts and growth rates, morphological variations and identification criteria.

Abstract: A tubular membrane suitable for the delivery of a gaseous fluid to a surrounding medium has an irregular exterior surface to facilitate the diffusion of gas from the lumen to the exterior.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for predicting response of a tumor patient to therapy, and selecting appropriate therapy for malignant neoplasms such as breast, ovarian and gastrointestinal cancer. A sample of tumor cells is cultured in the presence of 10 .mu.g/ml estradiol, and inhibition of cell growth in the culture paradoxically indicates an estrogen dependent tumor that will respond to antiestrogenic therapy. Another sample of tumor cells is cultured in the presence of a chemotherapeutic agent which predicts response of the tumor to in vivo administration of a cytotoxic agent. The chemotherapeutic agent is preferably a cytotoxic drug, or a drug having both cytotoxic and antiestrogenic mechanisms of action. A particularly suitable substance having both mechanisms of action is: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 H, OH, OOC(CH.sub.2).sub.2 CO.sub.2 H or CH.sub.3 COO; R.sup.2 is C.sub.6 H.sub.4 OH, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 OCOCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 OOC(CH.sub.2)CO.sub.2 H, or C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ; and X is C.sub.6 H.sub.3 -2,4(NO.sub.2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system which can be used to culture a variety of different cells and tissues in vitro for prolonged periods of time. In accordance with the invention, cells derived from a desired tissue are inoculated and grown on a pre-established stromal support matrix. The stromal support matrix comprises stromal cells, such as fibroblasts actively growing on a three-dimensional matrix. Stromal cells may also include other cells found in loose connective tissue such as endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, adipocytes, pericytes, reticular cells found in bone marrow stroma, etc. The stromal matrix provides the support, growth factors, and regulatory factors necessary to sustain long-term active proliferation of cells in culture. When grown in this three-dimensional system, the proliferating cells mature and segregate properly to form components of adult tissues analogous to counterparts found in vivo.

Abstract: A cytotoxicity test method is provided which measures the effect of test substances or physical stimulation on cells. The method is both simple and sensitive and is useful for a wide variety of substances and stimulations.

Abstract: A method of testing a substance for its ability to promote, maintain, increase or arrest hair growth, or influence hair pigmentation comprise the steps of:i. isolating a viable hair follicle from skin, without damaging the hair bulb;ii. maintaining the isolated, viable hair follicle in a nutrient medium;iii. contacting the isolated hair follicle in said medium with a test substance, andiv. assessing the response of the hair follicle to said test substance.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and an apparatus for peroxidizing lipoproteins and introducing them into a person infected with a virus such as HIV to help that person fight the disease. Peroxidized low density lipoproteins are shown to preferentially kill HIV-infected cells as well as the HIV virus.

Abstract: A method for detecting biological activities in a specimen, for instance a blood sample, employing a sealable container with a culture medium, into which the sample is introduced, wherein metabolic processes are enhanced in the presence of microorganisms in the sample, thereby causing changes to take place in the concentrations of the substances subject to such processes. The concentration changes are measured by optodes that are in direct contact with the sample, and by an excitation and detection assembly assigned to these optodes, to which is connected an evaluation unit for determining concentration changes of the substances over time.

Abstract: A process for inducing cytochrome P-450 enzyme production in bacteria of the genus Streptomyces using inducers such as soybean flour, genistein or genistin is described. Uses for the cytochrome P-450 enzymes produced are also discussed as is a process for using genetically engineered Streptomyces to determine the mutagenicity of chemicals.

Abstract: A chromogenic .beta.-galactosidase substrate producing an insoluble precipitate of a first color when reacted upon by .beta.-galactosidase and a chromogenic .beta.-glucuronidase substrate producing an insoluble precipitate of a second, contrasting color when reacted upon by .beta.-glucuronidase are combined in a test medium for quantitatively identifying and differentiating general coliforms and E. coli. The .beta.-galactosidase substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-.beta.-D-galactopyranoside which produces an indigo blue precipitate when reacted upon by .beta.-galactosidase may be used with one of the novel compounds 6-chloroindolyl-.beta.-D-glucuronide, 4,6-dichloroindolyl-.beta.-D-glucuronide, 6,7-dichloroindolyl-.beta.-D-glucuronide, and 4,6,7-trichloroindolyl-.beta.-D-glucuronide, which produce mauve or magenta precipitates when reacted upon by .beta.-glucuronidase. The .beta.-glucuronidase substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-.beta.

Abstract: A rapid method for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of biocides or biocidal agents for use in various microbiological contaminated aqueous systems is disclosed. This rapid technique provides for an opportunity to determine the minimum amount of anti-microbial agents, or biocides either singularly or combination, to control microbiological growth in aqueous streams contaminated by microorganisms. The test involves the use of reduction oxidation indicator dye systems which react to enhanced microbiological activity producing reducing enzymes such as dehydrogenase enzymes. The technique provides an answer within a time period of from about 30 minutes to about 8-10 hours as opposed to normal testing procedure that can require up to 1-2 weeks.