Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a process for easily producing a glucan, which assures a high degree of safety and which does not generate an oxidation off-flavor, without using a hydroxide of an alkali metal such as sodium hydroxide. In a process of the present invention, a physically pulverized yeast is autolyzed with an intracellular enzyme thereof, in an electrolyzed alkaline water which is obtained by electrolyzing water.

Abstract: A porous material containing mesopores with immobilized glucose dehydrogenase is provided. The pore size is at least 10 nm.

Abstract: The present invention describes substantially pure cultures of three new species of fungi, Meira geulakonigae (CBS 110052), Meira argovae (CBS 110053) and Acaromyces ingoldii (CBS 110050) (all nom. prov.), wherein said cultures are biologically pure. The conditioned medium for all three new fungi species is also described, as well as their biologically active products. The biological product of the three new fungi species and their conditioned medium has miticidal and fungicidal activities. Thus, a composition for the control of mites and/or phytopathogenic fungi comprising a biocontrol agent derived from any one of the three new fungi species is also described, optionally comprising an agriculturally compatible carrier. Finally, the present invention describes a method for producing a fungicide and/or a miticide, wherein the active ingredient of said fungicide/miticide is any one of M. geulakonigae, M. argovae, or A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conjugate that includes a nucleic acid ligand bound to a controlled release polymer system, a pharmaceutical composition that contains the conjugate, and methods of treatment using the conjugate. The controlled release polymer system includes an agent such as a therapeutic, diagnostic, prognostic, or prophylactic agent. The nucleic acid ligand that is bound to the controlled release polymer system, binds selectively to a target, such as a cell surface antigen, and thereby delivers the controlled release polymer system to the target.

Abstract: The present invention includes sterilized hemostatic compositions that contain a continuous, biocompatible liquid phase having a solid phase of particles of a biocompatible polymer suitable for use in hemostasis and that is substantially insoluble in the liquid phase, and sterile thrombin, each of which is substantially homogenously dispersed throughout the continuous liquid phase, and methods for making such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical implant material comprising mammalian transglutaminase and a polymer, wherein the transglutaminase is provided in the absence of free divalent metal ions and wherein the polymer is associated with the transglutaminase binding protein. Preferably, the transglutaminase is a tissue transglutaminase, which is coated on, impregnated into or covalently linked to the polymer. The polymer may be naturally occuring or synthetic, and may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. The medical implant material may further comprise a reinforcing agent and/or one or more additional polymers. The invention further provides the use of a mammalian transglutaminase in a method for improving the biocompatibility of a medical implant material, the method comprising the steps of (i) providing a medical implant material comprising a polymer associated with a binding protein for binding the transglutaminase, and (ii) treating said material with a mammalian transglutaminase.

Abstract: Acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains or functional mutants thereof and methods of using acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains as forage additives are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a yeast usable in a fermentation test for evaluating malt on the laboratory scale whereby more reproducible test data can be obtained regardless of the operation conditions of a plant, etc.; and a medium to be used therein. A yeast for the fermentation test for evaluating malt is prepared by culturing a yeast in a liquid medium containing 0 to 2.5% by weight of glucose, 6.0 to 9.0% by weight of maltose, 0 to 2.5% by weight of sorbitol, 0 to 1.0% by weight of peptone and 0.3 to 1.0% by weight of yeast extract at 10 to 20° C. for 2 to 4 days under shaking (primary culture), then in the medium in an increased amount compared with the primary culture at 10 to 20° C. for 3 or 4 days under shaking (secondary culture), then in the medium in a further increased amount compared with the secondary culture at 8 to 9° C. for 7 to 9 days under stirring until the plats attains 3.0° P. or less (tertiary culture), allowing to stand in a cold room for 3 to 24 hours and then collecting the yeast.

Abstract: Provided are a nitrite-type nitrification carrier and a method for producing the same and a method and an apparatus for removing nitrogen using the same, in which the quantity of organic matter to be added can be substantially reduced to reduce running cost. A method for producing a nitrite-type nitrification carrier in which ammonia-oxidizing bacteria for nitrifying ammonium to nitrite is preferentially accumulated comprises the steps of: entrapping and immobilizing any sludge selected from sediment from a lake, a river or the sea, soil from the surface of the earth, or activated sludge from a sewage-treatment plant into a monomer or a prepolymer for immobilizing microorganisms; and then subjecting the entrapped and immobilized sludge to heat treatment at 30 to 80° C.

Abstract: Improved catalytic enzyme preparations are provided which effectively catalyze reactions carried out in organic solvents. The preparations comprise nanoscale solid support particles (e.g., fumed silica or alumina) having enzyme molecules electrostatically adhered to the surfaces of the particles. The preparations are prepared by mixing together solid support particles and enzyme molecules in an aqueous system under pH conditions establishing opposite charges on the support particles and enzyme molecules, respectively. The water is then removed from the system, preferably by pre-freezing followed by lyophilization to yield free-flowing, particulate catalyst particles which can be used in liquid organic reactions or in packed bed reactors.

Abstract: A porous matrix, preparation thereof, and methods of using the same. The porous matrix of calcium alginate is prepared using a plurality of particles containing a multivalent cation, admixing the particles with ionic cross-linked polysaccharides and water to form a mixture, introducing a cross linker to solidify the mixture, dissolving the particles of the mixture in an acid to form a porous structure, and neutralizing and cross-linking the porous structure.

Abstract: Acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains or functional mutants thereof and methods of using acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains as forage additives are disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a cell-filled device that is suitable for use in, for example, an implantable or circulation type hybrid artificial organ. In a cell-filled device including hollow fiber membranes whose hollow portions are filled with cells, the hollow fiber membranes have modified cross sections, and a cell aggregate provided in each of the hollow portions has cells formed into two or more layers in arbitrary directions, provided that the distance from an arbitrary point of the cell aggregate to the nearest inner wall of hollow fiber membrane is less than 75 ?m. This cell-filled device enables effective use of cells without the necrosis thereof. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the cell-filled device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel substrate for use in growing cells and for the study of mechanobiology. The membrane of the present invention comprises appropriate microtopography and surface chemical modifications to facilitate the production of adherent and oriented cells that phenotypically resemble cells in vivo.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stromal cell conditioned medium useful in expanding undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells to increase the number of the hemopoietic stem cells is provided. The method comprising: (a) establishing a stromal cell culture in a stationary phase plug-flow bioreactor under continuous flow on a substrate in the form of a sheet, the substrate including a non-woven fibrous matrix forming a physiologically acceptable three-dimensional network of fibers, thereby expanding undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells; and (b) when a desired stromal cell density has been achieved, collecting medium from the stationary phase plug-flow bioreactor, thereby obtaining the stromal cell conditioned medium useful in expanding the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention, therapy and/or treatment of several disease states. The methods comprise the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including krill extract and conjugated linoleic acid. In addition, the present invention provides new and improved therapeutic compositions including krill extracts and conjugated linoleic acid.

Abstract: A Lactobacillus paracasei-containing product used for inhibiting dental diseases caused by bacteria is provided, which comprises a plurality of Lactobacillus paracasei for inhibiting the growth of bacteria of dental diseases. Particularly, foods, oral hygiene products or oral treatment medicine containing the Lactobacillus paracasei when being administered or applied to a user can inhibit or reduce the number of pathogens of dental caries and periodontal diseases in oral cavity of the user, thereby achieving the efficacy of preventing dental diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases.

Abstract: A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod, and appears to be most closely related to Bacillus spp. Also disclosed are methods for controlling mammalian fungal diseases and of using the disclosed compositions for controlling plant fungal diseases or for bioremediation.

Abstract: Provided are a nitrite-type nitrification carrier and a method for producing the same and a method and an apparatus for removing nitrogen using the same, in which the quantity of organic matter to be added can be substantially reduced to reduce running cost. A method for producing a nitrite-type nitrification carrier in which ammonia-oxidizing bacteria for nitrifying ammonium to nitrite is preferentially accumulated comprises the steps of: entrapping and immobilizing any sludge selected from sediment from a lake, a river or the sea, soil from the surface of the earth, or activated sludge from a sewage-treatment plant into a monomer or a prepolymer for immobilizing microorganisms; and then subjecting the entrapped and immobilized sludge to heat treatment at 30 to 80° C.

Abstract: A purified heparinase I, II and III free of lyase activity and each having a molecular weight of 42,800 84,100, 70,800, respectively, are produced by culturing Flavobacterium heparinum. The kinetic properties of the heparinases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability.