Abstract: Wet crystals of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester with low water content can be obtained with high efficiency by solid-liquid separation of an aqueous suspension of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester. The aqueous suspension is compressed at a final pressure of at least 20 kg/cm.sup.2 as a bearing pressure, and the wet crystals are dried after compression.

Abstract: Culturing an L-amino acid producing microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium or Corynebacterium and having a resistance to a peptide containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid gives L-amino acids in high yield.

Abstract: A composition for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in animals, containing sterilized cells of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, or Streptomyces, a cell homogenate of said sterilized cells, a cell wall component-containing fraction of said homogenate or mixtures thereof. These ingredients of the composition are admixed into an animal feed.

Abstract: Granules of .alpha.-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, containing IB crystals of the ester and having a grain size of from 100 to 1400 .mu.m have improved water solubility.

Abstract: A composition and method for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea in domesticated animals, comprising sterilized cells of aerobic bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, or Streptomyces, a cell homogenate of said sterilized cells, a cell wall component-containing fraction of said homogenate or mixtures thereof. In particular species of Corynebacterium glutamicum and Brevibacterium lactofermentum as well as strains thereof, such as A.T.C.C. 13060 and A.T.C.C. 13869, respectively, are useful in the treatment of diarrhea in domesticated animals.

Abstract: Culturing an L-amino acid producing microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium or corynebacterium and having a resistance to a dipeptide containing glutamic acid or aspartic acid gives L-amino acids in high yield.

Abstract: 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives of Formula 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein the substituents are disclosed herein and which are useful against tumor cells which have acquired resistance to one or more drugs used as chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: L-arginine is produced in high yields by culturing a microorganism of the genus Brevibacterium or the genus Cornyebacterium, which is resistant to a compound of the formula X-guanidine, wherein X is an aliphatic group or derivative thereof. The preferred microorganisms are Brevibacterium flavum FERM BP-2227 and Corynebacterium glutamicum FERM BP-2228.

Abstract: By irradiating a polyene antibiotic having a cis-type polyene structure with long wavelength ultraviolet light, it is possible to prepare the corresponding antibiotic having a trans-type polyene structure in high yield in a simple manner. Such antibiotics having a trans-type polyene structure exhibit strong antimicrobial activities and are useful as drugs for humans or animals.

Abstract: A cleavage promoting agent comprising as an effective ingredient at least one of the polypeptides BUF-3, BUF-4 and BUF-5 is useful for the treatment of fertilized or unfertilized ova in order to promote cell division and improve reproduction efficiency.

Abstract: The polypeptides BUF-4 and BUF-5 may be used to treat osteoporosis, cancer, and anemia, and pharmaceutical compositions containing BUF-4 and/or BUF-5 are disclosed.

Abstract: A new glucan derivative having at least one side chain branch of a compound selected from the group consisting of galactopyranose, L-arabinofuranose and oligomers thereof is disclosed. These glucan derivatives have high tumoricidal activity and are usable as a tumoricide.

Abstract: Low-calorie foods containing konjak mannan, such as meringues and mayonnaise-like foods, and processes for preparing such foods are disclosed.

Abstract: A complex of fibrous material and fungi is prepared by allowing fungi to grow in a medium containing a fibrous material.

Abstract: Optically active tryptophan is crystallized by a modification of a method of crystrallization of optically active tryptophan through neutralization by mixing an acidic or alkaline aqueous solution of optically active tryptophan, which is obtained by the removal of impurities from an acidic or alkaline aqueous solution of optically active tryptophan containing impurities which inhibit flocculation and crystallization of optically active tryptophan, with an alkali or an acid, by combining portions of an alkali or acid with portions of an acidic or alkaline aqueous solution of optically active tryptophan, from which the impurities have been removed, thereby neutralizing the aqueous solution containing optically active tryptophan such that the pH of the solution to be crystallized is kept in a range of 3 to 8, and simultaneously crystallizing optically active tryptophan as flocculated crystals.

Abstract: A treatment and composition for preventing in mammals the progressive exacerbation of symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders characterized by abnormal glutamate metabolism, elevated levels of peripheral glutamate or altered glutamate receptor characteristics. The treatment is comprised of the administration of compositions comprised of amino acids that are effective in retarding the development of symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders, presumably by activating the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. In the preferred embodiment, the branched chain amino acids L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine are disclosed as effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract: A container lid structure made essentially of plastics. The lid structure includes a lid frame and a lid plate. The lid plate includes an inner layer comprising a metal foil coated at the opposite sides by plastic layers and connected at the peripheral portion with the lid frame and a core made of a material which is not adhesive to or has a weak bonding power with the plastic material for the lid frame and for the plastic layer of the inner layer. The core is laid over the inner layer with the peripheral portion in an abutting relationship with the inner periphery of the lid frame. A holding member is formed on the core and bonded to the inner layer through apertures in the core. A pulling tab is also formed on the core and bonded to the inner layer through an aperture in the core.

Abstract: An automatic preparation apparatus has turntable means in which a plurality of test tubes can be disposed in radial direction, filter robot means which can move a releasable filter onto one of those test tubes, and probe robot means which can sample the liquid contained within one of the test tubes and inject a predetermined amount of liquid into another one of the test tubes and filter. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises control means for controlling those means in accordance with a predetermined sequence to effect a desired preparation. The probe robot means has a support arm member for supporting the filter.

Abstract: A new glucan derivative having at least one side chain branch of a compound selected from the group consisting of galactopyranose, L-arabinofuranose and oligomers thereof is disclosed. These glucan derivatives have high tumoricidal activity and are usuable as a tumoricide.

Abstract: A process for isolating and purifying an amino acid, which comprises subjecting an aqueous solution of said amino acid containing impurities composed mainly of at least one member selected from the group consisting of acidic amino acids, lysine, ornithine, citrulline, histidine, PCA, sulfate ions, chloride ions and pigments to ion-exclusion chromatography using a strongly acidic cation exchange resin.