Abstract: Woody species, particularly poplar, are produced by transformation of shoot cultures with the foreign DNA and regeneration of plants from transformed cells, where the plants are capable of expression of the foreign gene. Particularly, poplar shoot cultures are employed and are transformed employing a manipulated Agrobacterium transformation system, followed by regeneration of the plant tissue into plants.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel expression control sequences that promote transcription of DNA. The novel sequences have been positioned for expression of structural genes encoding bovine growth hormone derivatives on recombinant DNA expression vectors. The novel expression control sequences function in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and can be constructed by either DNA synthesizing instruments or by conventional modified phosphotriester methodology.

Abstract: A probe and method for specific recognition or cleavage of single-stranded DNA or RNA at desired loci utilizing sequence-specific polynucleotide-chelator probes. The probe may also be utilized as a diagnostic agent when the metal ion is replaced with a radiolabelled, fluorescing, or otherwise detectable metal.

Abstract: Riboflavin is obtained directly from the culture in a high yield by cultivating a riboflavin-producing microorganism in a medium using a lower (C.sub.1 to C.sub.4) aliphatic compound, separating riboflavin contained in the culture in the form of heated aqueous solution from solid matters, and crystallizing riboflavin from the heated aqueous solution.Riboflavin is also prepared in a high yield by cultivating a riboflavin-producing yeast belonging to the genus Saccharomyces which has purine requirements and/or resistance to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole in a medium and collecting riboflavin formed and accumulated in the medium.Moreover, riboflavin is prepared in a high yield even in the presence of iron ions by preliminarily cultivating in liquid a riboflavin-producing yeast belonging to the genus Saccharomyces and then cultivating it in a riboflavin-producing medium containing zinc ions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new vinyl monomer capable of forming polymeric vesicles, micelles, monolayers, and side-chain liquid crystalline polymers. The vinyl monomer is of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is substituted or unsubstituted long chain alkyl or aryl and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, or aryl.The side-chain liquid crystalline polymers can be formed by free radical polymerization or by anionic polymerizations techniques. The different reaction methods give polymers of different configuration; the anionic technique results in a polymer having a nitrogen atom in the backbone. The polymers are useful in film and fiber formation and display good toughness.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the monitoring and control of a microbial population in a biotechnological system. The method involves the identification of at least one critical subpopulation and determining the optimal level for said subpopulation. A controlled variable is determined which can be adjusted to alter the level of the subpopulation. The method employs nucleic acid hybridization in the microbial population. This involves the preparation of a labelled probe from nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence substantially complementary to a nucleotide sequence in the nucleic acid in the subpopulation. A representative sample of the microbial population is obtained and treated to free nucleic acids and to denature double-stranded nucleic acids. The resulting sample nucleic acids are contacted with the labelled probe under appropriate conditions to form duplexes.

Abstract: To extract and purify of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, without cis-trans conversion, from naturally occurring oils, such as marine animal oil and various vegetable oils a mixture of free fatty acids is first extracted from the oil. The resulting mixture of pure fatty acids is then subjected to separation by means of urea complexing to remove saturated fatty acids and most mono-unsaturated fatty acids. Remaining solvent and urea are then removed from the filtrate which is then subjected to low temperature fractional crystallization in the presence of an organic solvent such as acetone. Substantially pure polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, can be separately precipitated by reducing the temperature of the filtrate in two steps. Alternatively, the volume of the filtrate is reduced in two steps and cooled to form precipitates, which are removed. The final product is a mixture of substantially pure DHA and EPA.

Abstract: The process relates to the recovering of essentially pure acetylene from the gaseous out-put stream from a coal to acetylene conversion process. A plasma arc generator or other high energy type reactor can be used for the conversion to coal. The gaseous out-put stream is initially treated in an acid gas removal stage by absorbing HCN and H.sub.2 S in an organic solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone and scrubbing with a caustic agent such as NaOH to remove CO.sub.2. In a second stage, the gaseous out-put stream is scrubbed with the organic solvent to provide a sweet gas treatment and remove essentially pure acetylene as a product. In a third stage, the second stage gases are first hydrogenated, then desulfurized and then methanated. The out-put from the third stage is recycled to the coal to acetylene conversion process. In a fourth stage, the organic solvent from said second stage is refined and recycled to the first stage and/or second stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the promotion of regeneration of differentiated plants from vegetable cells maintained in tissue cultures by adding inhibitors of ethylene production or ethylene action to the hormone-containing or hormone-free culture medium used for maintaining the tissue cultures. The process is equally suitable for the promotion of the regeneration of mono- and dicotyledons. As an inhibitor preferably silver nitrate or cobalt chloride is employed.

Abstract: A DNA probe and method for detecting Campylobacter jejuni, which consists essentially of a DNA sequence that is:(a) derived from a chromosomal sequence of a bacterium of the species C. jejuni or C. coli but is less than the entire chromosomal sequence of that bacterium;(b) capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C. jejuni and/or C. coli; and(c) not capable of hybridizing to DNA of bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter. The method features detecting C. jejuni in a sample by providing at least one probe capable of selectively binding to C. jejuni but not bacteria that do not belong to the genus Campylobacter, contacting that DNA probe with bacteria in the sample under conditions that allow the probe to hybridize to C. jejuni in the sample thus forming hybrid DNA complexes, and detecting the hybrid complexes as an indication of C. jejuni in the sample.

Abstract: A very efficient microbiological method is proposed for the preparation of .gamma.-linolenic acid or a lipid rich in the content of .gamma.-linolenic acid, one of the essential fatty acids in the diet of mammals, e.g. human. The method comprises culturing a fungus of Mortierella genus including isabellina, vinacea, ramanniana, ramanniana var. angulispora and nana in a culture medium containing a carbohydrate, e.g. glucose, as the carbon source in an unusually high concentration of 60 to 400 g/liter to grow a fungal body containing a large amount of a lipid rich in the content of .gamma.-linolenic acid. A further improvement in the efficiency of culture and the content of the desired fatty acid in the fungal body is obtained by the addition of acetic acid or an alkali acetate to the culture medium.

Abstract: Isolation and characterization of a gene which activated nitrogen fixation genes of Rhizobium meliloti when that bacterium is in a symbiotic relationship with a plant is disclosed. This newly discovered gene, designated fix D, can activate the nifHD promoter. A method of making this inducible gene constitutive is presented. This is useful for making nifHD constitutive. The combination of the fixD promoter with heterologous structural genes is taught. Such combinations are useful for limiting expression of an encoded protein to rhizobia involved in a symbiotic relationship with a plant. Plasmids and methods useful in performance of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: .alpha.-Hydroxycarboxylic acids are continuously converted into the corresponding optically active .alpha.- aminocarboxylic acids. The conversion is carried out in a membrane reactor in the presence of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide increased in molecular weight by bonding to a water soluble high molecular weight material, a dehydrogenase specific for the .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a dehydrogenase specific for the corresponding .alpha.-amino-carboxylic acid and ammonium ions. There is continuously supplied to the membrane reactor an aqueous solution of the .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid to be reacted, a substantially lesser amount of the corresponding .alpha.-ketocarboxy lic acid, and an amount of ammonium ion at least equivalent to the .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid to be reacted. There is maintained over the membrane a difference in pressure 1 and 15 bar. Behind the membrane, there is continuously drawn off a filtrate stream containing the .alpha.-aminocarboxylic acid formed.

Abstract: A novel microorganism Torulopsis bombicola KSM-36 (FERM BP-799) isolated from cabbage leaves grown in a cabbage field located in Musashino-shi, Tokyo, has sophorose-producing activity.

Abstract: Gem-dihalo and gem-tetrahalo-1,12-diamino-4,9-diazadodecane derivatives useful as antiproliferative or antitumor agents.

Abstract: Ethylene and propylene oxide adducts of rosin amides are novel compositions of matter useful for the protection of metal from corrosiion and useful as surface active agents for the emulsification and demulsification of multi-phase liquid systems. These compounds are prepared by the addition of ethylene or propylene oxide (or mixture of the two) under moderate pressures and temperatures, with or without catalysts, to the starting rosin amides.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing unsaturated fatty acids comprises heating the fatty acids in the presence of a catalytic proportion of an unactivated clay and water. The product polymerizate is distilled to separate unreacted monomer acids which are separately polymerized under similar conditions. Higher overall polymer yields are obtained.

Abstract: A method for producing butanol by fermentation is provided. The method is carried out by culturing a butanol-producing microorganism in a culture medium containing a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of monofluorotrichloromethane, monofluorodichloromethane, monochloroheptafluoroethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane and mixtures thereof in an amount sufficient to increase butanol production, and by separating the butanol from the culture medium.

Abstract: For the selective enrichment with fatty acids, of which the first double bond is in the 6 position, of a starting material containing fatty acids of which the first double bond is in the 6 or 9 position, the starting material is treated with a saturated solution of urea in methanol with predetermined ratios of fatty acids to urea so as to separate the fatty acids, other than the .DELTA.6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the form of an insoluble inclusion complex.The enriched fractions obtained may be treated by high-performance liquid chromatography to isolate substantially pure .gamma.-linolenic acid.The enriched fractions, optionally recombined with glycerol, may be used in medicaments and in nutritive compositions or may even serve as starting product in the synthesis of dihomo-.gamma.-linolenic acid.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis employing polynucleotides having oligonucleotide sequences substantially homologous to a sequence of interest, where the presence or absence of hybridization at a predetermined stringency provides for the release of a label from a support. Particularly, various techniques are employed for binding a label to a support, whereupon cleavage of either a single or double strand, a label may be released from a support, where the release of the label can be detected as indicative of the presence of a particular oligonucleotide sequence in a sample. The method finds use in diagnosis of disease, genetic monitoring, and analyzing nucleic acid mixtures.