Abstract: DNA having genetic information of a human plasma-type glutathione peroxidase h-p.multidot.GSHPx was identified and disclosed. The enzyme, h-p.multidot.GSHPx, is produced by the expression of said DNA genetic information by a transformant holding a vector into which said DNA is incorporated. The DNA and the transformant ensures efficient production of human plasma type h-p.multidot.GSHPx. The enzyme exhibits lipid peroxide extinction activity, and is considered to be useful for the treatment or the cure or the prevention of these diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel monoglygeride lipase at least capable of catalyzing an enzymatic reaction of the following equation (a) and as substrate specificity, capable of acting on monoglyceride but incapable of acting on diglyceride and triglyceride:Monoglyceride+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.Glycerol+Fatty acid (a)The monoglyceride lipase is produced by culturing a specific monoglyceride lipase producing microorganism of Bacillus and then collecting the monoglyceride lipase from the resulting culture. A method is also disclosed for the analysis of a monoglyceride-containing sample solution. The monoglyceride lipase is caused to act on the sample solution upon measurement of the monoglyceride in the sample solution. Either one of glycerol and the fatty acid formed in accordance with the equation (a) is then measured.

Abstract: A colony counting apparatus includes a reading unit with a visual sensor incorporated therein. The presence of a colony is detected at the end of that colony by moving the reading unit along lines selected at an appropriate pitch and by reading data on the individual points set along each line as logical high or low signals. The values obtained in the above-described counting operation are added and stored in an addition/storage device in a CPU, and the results of addition which are stored in the addition/storage device are output to a suitable display by an outputting device when the counting operation is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel monoglyceride lipase at least capable of catalyzing an enzymatic reaction of the following equation (a) and as substrate specificity, capable of acting on monoglyceride but incapable of acting on diglyceride and triglyceride:(a) Monoglyceride+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.Glycerol+Fatty acidThe monoglyceride lipase is produced by culturing a specific monoglyceride lipase producing microorganism of Bacillus and then collecting the monoglyceride lipase from the resulting culture. A method is also disclosed for the analysis of a monoglyceride-containing sample solution. The monoglyceride lipase is caused to act on the sample solution upon measurement of the monoglyceride in the sample solution. Either one of glycerol and the fatty acid formed in accordance with the equation (a) is then measured.

Abstract: 9-Dihydro-9-O-alkyldesmycosin derivatives and their salts are disclosed. The 9-dihydro-9-O-alkyldesmycosin derivatives are represented by the following formula (I), ##STR1## --wherein X represents an --O-- mycinose or a di-lower alkylamino group, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkanoyl group, R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group, a cycloalkyl-lower group, or phenyl-lower alkyl group which may have a substituent, and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group. The compounds and the salts are useful as an antimicrobial agent. Unlike known desmycosin derivatives, the compounds give a high blood concentration by oral administration.

Abstract: DNA having a base sequence encoding a specified amino acid sequence of a polypeptide constituting an L-.alpha.-glycerophosphate oxidase (GPO) is disclosed. A polypeptide having the specified amino acid sequence can be produced by inserting the DNA into a plasmid, culturing a transformant produced by introducing this plasmid into a host microorganism which is selected from microorganisms belonging to Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The GPO is useful for the quantitative analysis of triglyceride, glycerine, etc., and the determination of lipase activity, when used in combination with other enzymes such as lipase, glycerol kinase, or the like, or with an ATP reagent.

Abstract: 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-2-carboxamide derivatives represented by the following general formula [I] ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are either the same or different and mean individually a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group, Y denotes a specific phenyl-containing substituted amino group, and their salts. These compounds have excellent immuno-modulating activities.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions containing a water soluble absorption promoter having chelating activity, preferably in the presence of a salt at a concentration exhibiting higher osmotic pressure than isotonic sodium chloride solution, to promote absorption of the medicine through a gastrointestinal organ such as colon or rectum, and through the vagina.

Abstract: Method of breeding poultry for food wherein they are fed with specific feedstuff, particularly at their age of from 10 to 60 days, in order to improve the meat quality so that they have meager fat and much meat in the body; the feedstuff contains either protein which contains both iodide (i.e. sodium iodide) and iodate (i.e. sodium iodate) in combination, or protein with which iodine is combined; the ratio of the iodide-and-iodate-containing protein to the feedstuff is from 1 to 3500 ppm, and the ratio of iodine-combined protein to the feedstuff is from 1 to 350 ppm, respectively as iodine concentration.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active mercapto compound having asymmetrical centers having the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, C* represents an asymmetric carbon, n represents the value of 1 or 2, is disclosed. The process involves the reaction of a cultured microorganism having the ability of asymmetrically hydrolyzing ester bonds of the raw material, thus eliminating the need for protecting free mercapto groups which are unstable in the reaction conditions. The optically active mercapto compound is useful as a raw material for producing a compound having medicinal effects such as antihypertensive activity.

Abstract: A polypeptide represented by the following general formula (I):X.sub.1 Ala Thr Lys Ala Val X.sub.2 Val Leu Lys Gly Asp Gly Pro Val Gln Gly Ile Ile Asn Phe Glu Gln Lys Glu Ser Asn Gly Pro Val Lys Val Trp Gly Ser Ile Lys Gly Leu Thr Glu Gly Leu His Gly Phe His Val His Glu Phe Gly Asp Asn Thr Ala Gly Cys Thr Ser Ala Gly Pro His Phe Asn Pro Leu Ser Arg Lys His Gly Gly Pro Lys Asp Glu Glu Arg His Val Gly Asp Leu Gly Asn Val Thr Ala Asp Lys Asp Gly Val Ala Asp Val Ser Ile Gle Asp Ser Val Ile Ser Leu Ser Gly Asp His X.sub.3 Ile Ile Gly Arg Thr Leu Val Val His Glu Lys Ala Asp Asp Leu Gly Lys Gly Gly Asn Glu Glu Ser Thr Lys Thr Gly Asn Ala Gly Ser Arg Leu Ala Cys Gly Val Ile Gly Ile Ala Gln (I)wherein X.sub.1 means a hydrogen atom, acetyl group or amino acid residue, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are either the same or different and mean individually an amino acid residue, and when X.sub.2 stands for Cys, X.sub.3 denotes an amino acid residue other than Cys.

Abstract: 20-O-Acyl-19,20-enolmacrolide antibiotic derivatives represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1##

Abstract: Thermostable bilirubin oxidase having substrate specificity to at least bilirubin and capable of catalyzing a reaction in which biliverdin and water are formed from bilirubin and oxygen. It can be produced by culturing a bilirubin oxidase producing micro-organism belonging to the genus Bacillus, for example, Bacillus licheniformis and then preparing the resultant bilirubin oxidase from the cultured broth.

Abstract: A physiologically-active novel substance "aldostatin" having an estimated molecular formula of C.sub.20 H.sub.20 N.sub.2 O.sub.8 is produced by culturing an aldostatin-producing microorganism of the Pseudeurotium, for example, the Pseudeurotium zonatum M4109 strain. Aldostatin inhibits the aldose reductase activity and as a consequence, avoids abnormal accumulation of sorbitol, galactitol, etc. It is therefore effective for the treatment of chronic complications such as cataract, retinopathy and neuropathy caused by diabetes renalis.

Abstract: A peptide represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein Y means a sulfur atom or methylene group, A stands for Asp or Asn, B denotes Val or Met and C is Asn or Ser, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-2-carboxamide derivatives represented by the following general formula [I] ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are either the same or different and mean individually a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl group, Y denotes a specific phenyl-containing substituted amino group, and their salts. These compounds have excellent immuno-modulating activities.

Abstract: A sustained release coating composition, comprising a mixture of from 0.5-10 parts by weight of a metallic soap per 100 parts by weight of a higher alcohol.

Abstract: A substance is provided which has strong enzyme inhibitory activity against thiol proteases such as papain, ficin, bromelain, etc. and which is represented by the following formula: ##STR1## (wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group), its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate.

Abstract: A porous gel containing an immobilized enzyme is prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of not lower than 95 mol% and an average polymerization degree of not lower than 1,000, with an enzyme or enzyme-producing cell, and activated carbon powder, pouring the mixture into a container of any desired form, gelating and molding the mixture by dehydrating it up to a dehydration ratio of not lower than 50%, immersing the resulting molding in water, and drying the immersed molding. Preferably, dehydrating is by leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature or a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. The enzyme or enzyme-producing cell may be mixed with or adsorbed on an inorganic or organic carrier. The dried molding may be granulated.

Abstract: Cephalosporins having a sulfur-containing functional group of the formula ##STR1## present at the carbon atom directly bonded to the thienyl or furyl group in the side chain of the 7-position of cephem derivatives. These compounds are useful as anti-bacterial agents against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.