Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an ?-isomaltosyl-transferring enzyme which forms a cyclotetrasaccharide having the structure of cyclo{?6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?6)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?3)-?-D-glucopyranosyl-(1?} from a saccharide having a glucose polymerization degree of at least three and having both the ?-1,6 glucosidic linkage as a linkage at the non-reducing end and the ?-1,4 glucosidic linkage other than the linkage at the non-reducing end; microorganisms which produce the enzyme; process for producing the enzyme; cyclotetrasaccharide or saccharide compositions comprising the same; and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral delivery system containing a bacteriophage associated lysin enzyme for the treatment of [Streptococcus pneumoniae and] Hemophilus influenzae sinus/nasal infections.

Abstract: Three enzymes degrading sulfated glucuronofucan; processes for producing these enzymes; activators for these enzymes; glucuronofucan sulfate and degradation products thereof; and a novel microorganism.

Abstract: It is to provide a method for producing hyaluronic acid or a hyaluronic acid derivative which is a simple preparation method as compared with a cockscomb extraction method or a fermentation method which has conventionally been employed industrially, and with which isolation and purification of the product from the reaction liquid is easy. It is a method for producing hyaluronic acid or a hyaluronic acid derivative, which comprises acting a hyaluronidase on an oxazoline derivative.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to newly isolated organisms from nature that produce L(+)-lactic acid high yield from hexose and pentose sugars found in biomass. Organisms and processes or methods for the production of lactic acid and other industrially important chemicals from cellulose and hemicellulose are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heteropolysaccharide (HP) characterized in that it can be obtained by fermentation of a medium comprising at least one strain of Pseudomonas sp I-2054 (or DSM 12295), one of the recombinants thereof or the mutants thereof and a source of carbon which can be assimilated by said strain, one of the recombinants thereof or one of the mutants thereof. The invention also relates to a method for the production and use of said heteropolysaccharide as a thickening agent and/or gelling agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and composition for the treatment of bacterial infections by the parenteral introduction of at least one lytic enzyme produced by a bacteria infected with a bacteriophage specific for that bacteria and an appropriate carrier for delivering the lytic enzyme into a patient. The injection can be done intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously.

Abstract: A glucan extracted by oxidation treatment of microorganism cells belonging to the genus Aspergillus under alkaline conditions; a glucan obtained by dissolving an aqueous solvent-insoluble fraction of the glucan in an aprotic polar solvent; a glucan obtained by dissolving the glucan in a urea solution; methods for obtaining the glucan; a method for measuring an amount of (1?3)-?-D-glucan in a sample using the glucan; and a (1?3)-?-D-glucan measuring kit containing the glucan.

Abstract: It has been discovered that fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a biochemical agent, such as bacteria, fungi, and/or enzymes. The biochemical agent may directly attack the VES itself, or some other component in the fluid that produces a by-product that then causes viscosity reduction. The biochemical agent may disaggregate or otherwise attack the micellar structure of the VES-gelled fluid. The biochemical agent may produce an enzyme that reduces viscosity by one of these mechanisms. A single biochemical agent may operate simultaneously by two different mechanisms, such as by degrading the VES directly, as well as another component, such as a glycol, the latter mechanism in turn producing a by-product (e.g. an alcohol) that causes viscosity reduction. Alternatively, two or more different biochemical agents may be used simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for classifying and counting nucleated bone marrow cells comprises the steps of: (1) mixing a sample of bone marrow fluid with an erythrocyte lysing agent to lyse erythrocytes in the sample and render leukocytic cells and erythroid cells in the sample suitable for staining, and staining the sample with a fluorescent dye for producing a difference in intensity of fluorescence between the leukocytic cells and the erythroid cells; (2) introducing the resulting sample to a flow cytometer to detect at least one kind of scattered light and at least one kind of fluorescence; (3) classifying and counting nucleated bone marrow cells, the leukocytic cells and the erythroid cells with use of a difference in the intensity of the fluorescence and the scattered light; (4) calculating the ratio of the nucleated bone marrow cells to the erythroid cells or leukocytic cells from the obtained erythroid cell count or leukocytic cell count and the obtained nucleated bone marrow cell count; and (5) calculating the ratio o

Abstract: The release by trichomonads of a hydrolase that hydrolyzes a narrowly defined class of substrates at a low pH without interference from hydrolases that are unrelated to trichomoniasis is the basis for a selective diagnostic assay for trichomoniasis that measures hydrolysis of any of these substrates by vaginal fluid at a low pH. Selective assays for trichomoniasis are also obtained by removing particulate matter from a sample of vaginal fluid to extract a fraction devoid of particles greater than a selected size, and where desired, combining the extracted fraction with any of certain specified hydrolase inhibitors, then testing the fraction for enzymatic hydrolase activity. These qualities of trichomoniasis are the basis for a series of diagnostic tests and test devices that produce results that are detectable by visual and other means with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for preparing a purified lactic acid solution suitable for use in connection with a source of lactate material a pH within the range of 0.8 to 9.0. The process includes the steps of providing a source of lactate material which includes a calcium salt; acidulating the concentrated broth with sulfuric acid to form an acidulated solution which includes lactic acid and calcium sulfate; reducing an amount of calcium sulfate from the acidulated solution; extracting the acidulated solution with an amine extractant to form a loaded solvent; and back extracting the loaded solvent with an aqueous solvent to provide a purified solution of lactic acid. Optionally, the source of lactate material can be concentrated prior to the step of acidulating. Alternately, the amine extractant can include sulfate anion. The sulfuric anion in the amine extractant can be residual sulfuric acid from the acidulation step.

Abstract: Bio-affinity material containing at least one biologically active saccharide which is covalently bound via at least one spacer to a cross-linked matrix and that the material is autoclaved. Apparatus for contacting body fluids with the bio-affinity material is disclosed.

Abstract: A nasal spray for treating a streptococcal infection is disclosed. The spray comprises an effective amount of a lysin enzyme genetically coded for by a C1 bacteriophage capable of infecting a group C Streptococcal bacteria, and a nasal spray carrier for delivering said lysin enzyme to a mouth, throat, or nasal passage.

Abstract: There is provided a novel method for producing an optically active (4R)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid by allowing cells of a microorganism or a preparation obtained from cells of a microorganism having activity for stereoselectively hydrolyzing an optically active (4R)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid amide to act on a mixture of (4R)- and (4S)-enantiomers of a 1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid amide to produce the optically active (4R)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and separating the optically active (4R)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A method of determining the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in a blood sample is disclosed wherein at least one of the assay steps is performed electrochemically. The method includes determining the total amount of hemoglobin in a sample by electrochemically measuring, in an oxygen electroreduction reaction at a cathode, the amount of oxygen in the sample. Because the amount of oxygen dissolved in the sample is known, the total hemoglobin is determined by subtracting the amount of free oxygen from the total oxygen measured, recognizing the fast equilibrium Hb+O2?HbO2. This can be followed by determining the amount of glycated hemoglobin in the sample. The cathode reaction is accomplished by contacting the sample with an enzyme, the enzyme being a copper-containing enzyme having four copper ions per active unit. The family of these enzymes includes, for example, laccases and bilirubin oxidases.

Abstract: This invention provides a Dioscorea polysaccharide extract prepared by the method of this invention, which enhances the immunological activities by regulating the gene expression of cytokines. This invention further provides a Dioscorea polysaccharide extract, which has a synergistic effect with an oral vaccine and is capable of eliminating oral tolerance.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering soluble dietary fibers in a chewable tablet form which is palatable and demonstrates a high degree of consumer acceptability.

Abstract: A purified form of a gel-forming component of psyllium seed husks is disclosed, along with a process for obtaining the gel-forming fraction from psyllium seed husks. Methods of using this gel-forming fraction as a laxative and hypocholesterolemic agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to simplified synthesis, new carbohydrate-based products and practical use of different carbohydrate-based products. Examples of these are (Gal?1-3Gal), GlcNAc?1-3Gal, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, Gal?1-3Gal- containing tri-, or higher oligosaccharides, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, GlcNAc?1-3Gal containing tri-, tetra-, or higher oligosaccharides, and derivatives and/or ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, Gal?1-3GalGlcNAc?1-3Gal, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, Gal?1-3Gal?1-4GlcNAc?1-3Gal?1-4Glc, or other higher oligosaccharides containing the Gal?1-3Gal-structure, ?- or ?-glycosides thereof, modified carbohydrates, di-, tri-, oligo-, or polyfunctional products containing carbohydrate structures, and the use of the products for synthesis, affinity purification, diagnostic applications and therapy.