Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing organic material, the method employing at least two reactors and including the steps of combining carbon dioxide or carbon-dioxide containing gas and ammonia or ammonia-containing material in a first reactor to form a buffer compound/buffer compounds, then feeding the buffer compound or buffer compounds formed in the first reactor into a second reactor, and performing bioconversion on organic material in the second reactor. In that case, the carbon dioxide of the mixed carbon dioxide gas reacts with the ammonia, forming a buffer compound, such as ammonium bicarbonate and/or ammonium carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test piece having a simple structure, by which HDL cholesterol can be measured easily using a small amount of specimen. A reagent layer (2) is formed on a support (1), and an enzyme reagent for measuring cholesterol, a first surfactant that makes a solubility of a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) higher than that of a lipoprotein other than the HDL, and a second surfactant that inhibits the lipoprotein other than the HDL from dissolving are contained in the reagent layer (2).

Abstract: A composition and method for the inhibition of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hyaluronic acid producing strain Streptococcus sp. KL0188 and a method for purifying hyaluronic acid, more particularly to a Streptococcus sp. KL0188 that does not express hyaluronidase and is non-hemolytic, and a method for purifying hyaluronic acid using an aromatic adsorption resin and an active carbon.

Abstract: Described are a plurality of risk factors that may be treated and conditions that may be prevented and treated by administering to a patient a preparation containing a licorice extract, which is water insoluble and free from glycyrrhizinic acid. Risk factors that may be lowered include hypertension, high blood glucose concentration, LDL susceptibility to retention, LDL susceptibility to aggregation, blood total cholesterol and LDL levels, and blood tryglicerides and VLDL concentration. Conditions and diseases that may be treated according to the invention include aterosclerotic diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal failure, carotid artery stenosis, coronary heart diseases, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia.

Abstract: A composition containing a thermolabile protein admixed with a liquor waste. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a composition which contains a protein with enhanced thermostability.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sintered compact having high density, and a sintered compact manufactured by the manufacturing method are provided. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of preparing hydroxyapatite powder, molding a green compact, shaping the green compact, and sintering the green compact. Further, a method for manufacturing a sintered compact having high light permeability, and a sintered compact manufactured by the manufacturing method are provided. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of preparing hydroxyapatite powder, molding a green compact, shaping the green compact, primary sintering, and secondary sintering. Furthermore, a cell culture base formed from the sintered compact described above is provided, by which affinity of various cells with bone can be properly determined. Moreover, a cell culture base by which affinity of various cells with bone can be properly determined is provided.

Abstract: A microbial consortium for the biodegradation of sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters having greater than 60 mol percent aromatic acid content based on the total acid content of the co-polyester, created by applying selective pressure. Methods to biodegrade sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters using microbial consortium SPDC-1 are provided.

Abstract: A method for collecting bacterial cells comprising the steps of: feeding water to be treated containing ammonium and nitrite to an anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to denitrify ammonium and nitrite by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria; and feeding the denitrified treated water to an acclimatization vessel or returning the water through the acclimatization vessel to the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to collect anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria in the treated water as immobilized microorganisms attached to an immobilizing material in the acclimatization vessel.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more pseudomycins is described including cultures of Pseudomonas syringae that produce one or more pseudomycins having general formula (I) where R is a lipophilic moiety.

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 subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a composite comprising an organic fluid-swellable, fibrous matrix, such as collagen, and a mineral phase, such as calcium carbonate or phosphate mineral phase, for use as a biomimetic of bone. In another aspect, the subject invention concerns a process for making a composite involving the inclusion of acidic polymers to a supersaturated mineralizing solution, in order to induce an amorphous liquid-phase precursor to the inorganic mineral, which is then absorbed (pulled by capillary action) into the organic matrix. Advantageously, once solidified, a high mineral content can be achieved, with the inorganic mineral crystals embedded within the collagen fibers (intrafibrillarly) and oriented such that they are aligned along the long axes of the fibers of the organic matrix, thereby closely mimicking the natural structure of bone.

Abstract: A porous glass composite material comprising at least one alkoxodisilane (precursor) having the general formula (or1)3Si-spacer-Si(OR2)3,wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and may be hydrogen; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and unbranched C1-20-Alkyls; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and unbranched C1-20-alkenyls; substituted and unsubstituted, branched and unbranched C1-20-alkynyls; substituted, unsubstituted, and multiple ring aryl groups; or combinations thereof; and water. Devices including he glass composite materials are also described. Examples include chromatographic and other separation media, drug delivery vehicles, and electric and mechanical actuators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising an antioxidant, and at least one of isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate in therapeutically effective dosage of each of the aforementioned compounds to treat cardiovascular diseases caused by nitric oxide (NO) insufficiency. The antioxidant is a hydralazine compound.

Abstract: Neo-cartilage constructs for growth and surface coating for the de novo formation of a superficial cartilage layer. A method for generation of the neo-cartilage and the neo-cartilage construct. A method for repair and restoration of the injured, damaged, diseased or aged cartilage into its full functionality and for treatment of injured or diseased cartilage by implanting the neo-cartilage construct between two layers of biologically acceptable sealants.

Abstract: A method of expanding undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells to increase the number of the hemopoietic stem cells is provided. The method comprising: (a) obtaining the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells; and (b) culturing the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells in a medium containing a stromal cell conditioned medium, the stromal cell conditioned medium being derived from a stationary phase plug-flow bioreactor in which a three dimensional stromal cell culture has been established under continuous flow of a culture medium 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 the undifferentiated hemopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: A method for cleavage of the ether-linkage of polyethoxylates is described. A novel pure microbial culture, Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 (Depository No.: BCRC910228), is used under aerobic condition to cleave the ether-linkage adjacent to the carboxylated terminus or ethoxyl terminus. This method is useful to cleave sequentially ether-linkage of polyethoxylates in an aqueous buffer solution with an initial concentration of the polyethoxylates between 0.05% and 20%. This method is also effective for the cleavage of the ether-linkages in short-chain polyethoxylates with one to three ethoxyl units.

Abstract: Immobilization of malate dehydrogenase on a substrate using a glycerol solution containing malate dehydrogenase is achieved through dropping a mixed solution obtained by adding at least one selected from malic acid and malate to the glycerol containing malate dehydrogenase on the substrate, and drying it thereon. It is preferable to prepare the mixed solution by adding the malate to the glycerol solution containing malate dehydrogenase. The malate is preferably at least one selected from potassium malate and sodium malate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for hydrolyzing an oil or fat by mixing and feeding an oil-phase substrate and a water-phase substrate to a packed layer with an immobilized enzyme packed therein. The oil or fat is subjected to a hydrolytic reaction under feeding conditions such that a shear stress factor (?w), which is applied to a surface of said immobilized enzyme and is expressed by the following formula (1): ?w=(?P/L)×dp×?/(1??)??(1) wherein ?P represents a maximum pressure loss [MPa] through said packed layer during said hydrolytic reaction, L represents a thickness [m] of said packed layer, dp represents a weight-basis average particle size [m] of particles of said packed, immobilized enzyme, and ? represents a void volume [?] of said packed layer, remains within a range of from 1×10?4 to 1.4×10?3 MPa.