Abstract: A process for producing carboxylic acids, in particular furoic, 3-methylthio-propionic and 2-methyl-butyric acids, as well as other short-chained, linear and branched acids consisting of the oxidation, in essentially quantitative yields, of the corresponding alcohols or aldehydes using microorganisms of the genera Saccharomyces, Hansenula, Pichia, Candida or Kluyveromyces is disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment of ischemia and the attendant reperfusion injury entails the administration plasmin and plasmin-forming proteins, including lys-plasminogen and similar substances. Lys-plasminogen, which can be obtained from the proteolytic cleavage of glu-plasminogen, has been found to have a protective effect on tissue that has been injured by ischemic conditions. The administration of lys-plasminogen alone, in a dosage of about 10-1000 caseinolytic units/kg, can be used to treat subjects during the time of reperfusion and after reperfusion has already occurred. Lys-plasminogen also can be administered in conjunction with clot lysis therapies, such as those that employ tissue plasminogen activator and the like. Lys-plasminogen can also lessen cerebral edema which results from cerebral ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inactivating pathogens in a body fluid, such as plasma, red cells, platelets, leukocytes, and bone marrow. The present invention minimizes adverse effects caused by the photosensitive agents while retaining the disinfecting activity of such agents and processes. Pursuant to the present invention, prior to irradiating a body fluid including a photoactive drug, the extracellular fluid, which in the case of blood components includes plasma proteins is at least substantially reduced. Additionally, after the irradiation process, the resultant body fluid is prevented from contacting additional extracellular fluid, e.g., plasma proteins, for a predefined period.

Abstract: Psoralen compounds are synthesized which have substitutions on the 4, 4', 5', and 8 positions of the psoralen, which permit enhanced binding to nucleic acid of pathogens. Higher psoralen binding levels and lower mutagenicity are described, resulting in safer, more efficient, and reliable inactivation of pathogens in blood products. The invention contemplates inactivation methods using the new psoralens which do not compromise the function of blood products for transfusion.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes in a continuous reaction series is disclosed utilizing crude cellular methanol oxidase and catalase produced by an acceptable organism. The process maintains a steady-state aldehyde concentration whereby enzyme activity is promoted and side reactions are eliminated.In particular, the process has two reactors operating in series continuously producing a fermenter effluent containing growing, intact Candida boidinii cells at a cell concentration of about 0.5 to about 3% by weight of the effluent by continuous culture of the cells on a methanol carbon source, continuously introducing the effluent from the first reactor to the second reactor, adding an alcohol feed at about 0.2-10% w/w and oxygen to the second reactor, maintaining a steady-state aldehyde and alcohol concentration in the reaction mixture, the concentration of residual alcohol being about 0.1-9% w/w by controlling the rates of introduction of effluent and alcohol feed.

Abstract: A process for recovery of phytin with a higher purity comprises the steps of preparing LSW or CSL, inoculating a yeast into LSW or CSL, culturing the yeast therein to precipitate phytin and separating phytin by sedimentation. The method may comprise a further step of adding salt into CSL to accelerate the formation of phytin precipitate and increase the yield of phytin.

Abstract: This invention relates to the enantioselective biologically-catalyzed hydrolysis of certain racemic nitriles to the corresponding R- or S-amides, chemically or biologically-catalyzed hydrolysis of the amides to the corresponding R- or S-acids in a batch process or in a continuous process that employs racemization and recycling of enantiomeric nitrile intermediates, the racemic nitriles being selected from the group, A--C(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)CN, wherein A, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined in the text, as well as certain biological materials employed to catalyze the process.

Abstract: L-2-Amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid can be prepared by a racemate resolution in the presence of D-aminoacid and L-aminoacid transaminases by reaction with .alpha.-keto acids and amino-group donors. In particular, transaminases from Bacillus licheniformis and from Escherichia coli are used.

Abstract: A compound of formula ##STR1## in which X is hydrogen or a group of formula --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2 is reduced to the trans (4S,6S) form of the corresponding alcohol by an enzyme reduction system.

Abstract: A biological process for predominantly producing an optically active .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid having a phenyl group directly from a racemic .alpha.-hydroxynitrile or a mixture of an aldehyde corresponding to the nitrile and prussic acid as a substrate is disclosed, comprising reacting a microorganism belonging to the genus Gordona with the substrate in a neutral to basic aqueous medium. A desired optically active .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid having a phenyl group can be obtained quantitatively at a high optical purity.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for enrichment of enantiomers of .alpha.-tertiary carboxylic acid esters from mixtures of corresponding esters using a biocatalyst comprising microbial cells, or partially or highly purified enzyme preparations. The enantiomeric ester products are useful as intermediates for the preparation of pharmaceutically and agriculturally active compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bacterial respiratory poultry disease and the identification of the causative agent Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale. A vaccine derived from this agent was effective in preventing the disease in chickens challenged with the virulent field strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzymatic process for the preparation of optically active tetrahydro-2-naphthoic acids from the corresponding racemic esters by reaction with a lipase.

Abstract: Described is a novel screening method for detecting an abnormal platelet condition in blood, and a kit for use in such a method. An initial screen for an abnormal platelet condition in blood applies to a non-interfering test surface a platelet rich plasma specimen from the blood and an aqueous reagent including a hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound (preferrably propyl gallate) and a metal ion, (such as Ni.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+, or Cu.sup.2+) in concentrations sufficient to cause platelet aggregation in a normal platelet rich plasma sample upon agitation, lightly agitating the platelet rich plasma specimen in contact with the reagent, and visually detecting for the presence of platelet aggregates in the specimen.

Abstract: A solution for the preservation or perfusion of organs contains sodium lactobionate, sodium dihydrogenphosphate, raffinose, glutathione, allopurinol, nafamostat mesilate (mesylate) and optionally cyclodextrin, preferably 100-120 mM, 2-25 mM, 25-35 mM, 2-4 mM, 1-2 mM and 0.5-1 mM, respectively. The solution may be used for perfusion and storage of organs. Also disclosed are methods of use of the solution to perfuse and store organs.

Abstract: A new method of inactivating enveloped viruses and preparations useful in accomplishing this inactivation are disclosed. The method is based on the discovery that paucilamellar lipid vesicles, preferably having non-phospholipids as their primary structural material, can fuse with enveloped virus and that the nucleic acid of the virus denatures shortly after the fusion. The method is useful for inactivating viruses such as orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, and retroviruses.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for the enzymatic esterification and transesterification of racemic carboxylic acids and alcohols in which the reaction products predominantly include the ester of the more reactive acid or alcohol enantiomer and the less reactive acid or alcohol enantiomer, wherein the reactions are effected, preferably in a solventless medium, and the by-product water or short-chain alcohol is removed as it is formed.

Abstract: A novel process comprises reducing a benzazepine or benzothiazepine at the 3-position in d-cis configuration by treatment with reductase-supplying microorganisms or enzymes derived therefrom. The process can be catalyzed in a single stage by growing microbial cultures or in a two-stage fermentation/transformation by resting cell-suspensions. The enzymes derived from the microorganisms can be used in free state or immobilized form. The microorganisms and enzymes catalyzes the specific reduction with 90 to 99% conversion efficiency to 99% or greater optical purity of the desired enantiomer.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of optically active D-homophenylalanine and its esters, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a reaction mixture containing an DL-homophenylalanine ester and a lipase or an acylase in an aqueous solution; (b) reacting the reaction mixture at temperatures between 4.degree. and 60.degree. C.; and (c) using an organic extractant to separate the reaction mixture into an upper layer, which contains an optically active D-homophenylalanine ester, and a lower layer, which contains L-homophenylalanine. The optically active D-homophenylalanine ester can be chemically hydrolyzed to obtain an optically active D-homophenylalanine. The lipase can be selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus niger lipase, Pseudomonas sp. lipase, Rhizopus sp. lipase, porvine pancreas lipase, wheat germ lipase, and hog pancreas lipase, and the acylase can be porcine kidney acylase. Many of these lipases or acylase provide an enantiometric excess of more than 95%.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic conversion of azobisnitriles to water soluble cyanoamide and diamide derivatives utilizing the enzymatic apparatus of nitrile hydratase contained in bacteria is disclosed.