Abstract: Peroxidase can be recovered from seed hulls in an improved method using a freeze-thaw technique. First, the seed hulls are comminuted, placed into water and homogenized. Next, the homogenate is frozen then thawed. The enzyme is then recovered from the aqueous solution by conventional means. Soybean or rice seed hulls can be used in this process.

Abstract: Microorganisms from the genus Bacillus are used to convert chenodeoxycholic acid to 3-alpha-hydroxy-7-keto-5-beta-cholanic acid under aerobic conditions and alkaline pH. Preferred strains are Bacillus FERM BP-4390, Bacillus FERM BP-4391, Bacillus FERM BP-3651, Bacillus FERM BP-3393, Bacillus FERM BP-3398, Bacillus FERM BP-3395 and Bacillus FERM BP-3396. Microorganisms from the genus Bacillus are used to convert cholic acid to 3-alpha-hydroxy-7,12-diketo-5-beta-cholanic acid under aerobic conditions and alkaline pH. Preferred strains are Bacillus FERM BP-3393 and Bacillus FERM BP-3398. Microorganisms from the genus Bacillus are used to convert cholic acid to 3-alpha, 12-alpha-dihydroxy-7-keto-5-cholanic acid under aerobic conditions and alkaline PH. Preferred strains are Bacillus FERM BP-3395 and Bacillus FERM BP-4390.

Abstract: Cells are treated to preserve them in non-frozen hydrated form with minimal alterations to their antigens or nucleic acids. This makes the cells useful as quality control (QC) reagents for processes such as calibrating and standardizing flow cytometry equipment, for use as "unknown" test samples for QC testing programs, and to prepare patient specimens for archival storage. This method includes: (1) treating the cells to inhibit proteolysis, preferably using several protease inhibitors; (2) fixing the cells, either by contacting them with a crosslinking agent such as formalin or paraformaldehyde, or by exposure to microwave radiation, while the cells are being agitated to promote the formation of crosslinking bonds within a single cell while inhibiting the formation of cell clumps; and (3) if the cells are treated with a chemical crosslinking agent, removing the crosslinking agent and contacting the cells with a quenching agent. The cells should be stored in a solution containing protease inhibitors.

Abstract: A plurality of viable plant regenerants can be produced by culturing an intact plant seed of in the presence of cytokinin and/or auxin growth factors. The growth factor is preferably benzylaminopurine and thiadiziron. The plant seed is preferably a pea, bean, geranium, peanut, grass pea, chickpea or lentil seed.

Abstract: A process for the production of 17-oxosteroids by fermentative oxidation of 17.beta.-hydroxy steroids is described, which is characterized in that for the fermentation, a bacterial culture of the species Mycobacterium spec. NRRL B-3805, Mycobacterium spec. NRRL B-3683, Mycobacterium phlei NRRL B-8154 or Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8153 is used.

Abstract: Cis-dihydrodiol compounds of the formula ##STR1## where n is 0 or 1 (preferably 0) are produced by the microbial oxidation of a diphenylaceylene compound of the formula ##STR2## using a mutant of a Pseudomonas bacteria at 25.degree. to 35.degree. C. and pH 6-8. The cis-dihydrodiol compound is in turn treated with an aqueous solution of a base to produce a corresponding 3-hydroxydiphenylacetylene compound or with an aqueous solution of an acid to produce a corresponding 2-hydroxyacetylene compound. The mutant strain is preferably Pseudomonas ATCC 55272.

Abstract: Conifer somatic embryos can be desiccated to a moisture content below 50%. A moisture content as low as 10% can be produced. The desiccated somatic conifer embryos have greatly increased ability to store lipids and other nutrients as compared to the corresponding zygotic embryo. The embryos are desiccated using a method which requires the utilization of ABA and PEG.

Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof. The activity of an enzyme on a substrate can be improved by contacting the enzyme with a noble gas under specific temperatures and pressures. The preferred noble gases are krypton, neon, xenon, argon or mixtures of these gases. The enzymes whose activity can be improved are hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases.

Abstract: An essentially pure preparation of thermostable RNase H isolated from Thermus flavus is disclosed. In one preferable form of the invention, the RNase H is capable of biological activity after incubation at temperatures equal to or greater than 70.degree. C. for at least ten minutes. The present invention is also a method of digesting RNA polymers that are in duplex form with a DNA molecule. The method comprises exposing the duplex to the isolated thermostable RNase H. The present invention is also a genetic construct capable of expressing a thermostable RNase H.

Abstract: Biologically pure strains of bacteria and enzymes therefrom capable of degrading indigo and indigo carmine are disclosed. A preferred strain is bacteria strain ATCC 55396. A method for treating water polluted with indigo or indigo carmine and decolorization of products dyed with indigo and/or indigo carmine by bringing the water into contact with the bacteria or with enzymes extracted from the bacteria is also disclosed.

Abstract: 3-.alpha., 7-.alpha.-dihydroxy-12-keto-5-.beta.-cholanic acid is microbially produced from cholic acid by alkalophilic Bacillus strains. The preferred strains are Bacillus sp. FERM BP-3394 and Bacillus sp. FERM BP-3397.

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for the separation of viruses, including retroviruses and vital vectors, from preparations are disclosed. Sulfated oligosaccharides with at least about 6 .mu.moles sulfate per gram of oligosaccharide are provided. In one aspect, a sulfated oligosaccharide of the present invention may be used in the purification of a virus, such as a lipid envelope virus. The present invention also discloses methods for the removal of a contaminating virus from a preparation, such as biologic therapeutics.

Abstract: Methods are provided to prepare a variety of tissues in a pathology-stable form for microscopic examination by preserving the tissue with an aqueous solution of C.sub.2-6 dialdehyde and/or dialdehyde addition products, including glyoxal and/or glutaraldehyde in an amount sufficient to prevent autolysis and other degradative changes. The solution may further contain alcohols, chelating agents, buffers and acids. In one embodiment,-the aqueous solution contains glyoxal or glyoxal in the form of a bisulfite, hydrate or alcohol addition product and an osmotic controlling ionic and/or nonionic chemical. This solution prevents degradation of tissue without substantial cross-linking.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides having at least ten nucleosides, at least two of which are selected from the group consisting of A, T, C and G, and at least one nucleoside being a universal nucleoside of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: each R.sub.n is H, OH, F or OCH.sub.3 ;Z is a member of the group consisting of O, S and CH.sub.2 ; andB is a five-membered, heterocyclic base having at least two double bonds, and further having an electron withdrawing group bonded thereto, said base with electron withdrawing group being represented by the formula: ##STR2## wherein: said base with electron withdrawing group is bonded at X.sub.4 to the sugar portion of the nucleoside;X.sub.1, X.sub.3 and X.sub.5 are each members of the group consisting of N, O, C, S and Se;X.sub.2 and X.sub.4 are each members of the group consisting of N and C; andW is a member of the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, O, S, OH, SH, NH.sub.2, NO.sub.2, C(O)H, C(O)NHOH, C(S)NHOH, NO, C(NOCH.sub.3)NH.sub.2, OCH.sub.3, SCH.sub.3, SeCH.sub.3, ONH.sub.2, NHOCH.sub.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for producing a single cell oil containing gamma-linolenic acid characterized in that at least one microorganism of the order Mucorales preferably of the genus Mortierella, Actinomucor, Mucor, Rhizomucor or Rhizopus is cultured in a growth medium which is substantially starch and sugar free and which contains, as a carbon source material, at least one monocarboxylic acid of 2 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably acetic acid and recovering the oil from the resultant cultured microorganism biomass. The invention also relates to a method of treating the organic acid stream of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process to remove organic material therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Monascus anka 732Y3 (KCCM 10014 induced from Monascus anka ATCC 16360 (=IFO 4478, KFCC 11832), and more particularly is concerned with Monascus anka 732Y3 (KCCM 10014), which was induced from Monascus anka ATCC 16360 (=IFO 4478, KFCC 11832) by ultra-violet light irradiation and produces higher amounts of pigments than Monascus anka ATCC 16360.

Abstract: Two new Bacillus thuringienses strains, LMG P-14025 and LMG P-14026, produce insecticidal components that are toxic to Coleoptera, more particularly toxic to Diabrotica spp. The strains themselves, their sporulated cultures, or their insecticidally effective components can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Coleoptera, more specifically Diabrotica species.

Abstract: Blood coagulation is accelerated by contacting blood with an accelerator of hydrolase activity. The activation of the precursors of serine protease including Factor XII and the enzyme activity of serine protease is accelerated. The accelerator is a metal complex containing a ligand which is a cyclic compound having a five- or six-membered ring containing carbonyl groups adjacent to each other. Examples of such ligands are oxidized alkylgallate, partially or totally oxidized ellagic acid, partially or completely oxidized 1,4- di(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) 2,3-dimethylbutane, 1,2,3-triketohydroindene and isatin. The metal of the complex is preferably Fe, Co, Ni, or Al. The complex may be combined with a hydrolase as a co-accelerator of coagulation, an organic acid having an amino salt and/or a quaternary nitrogen or an antifibrinolysis agent and/or an anti-plasmin agent.

Abstract: There are described novel glycosides of catechol estrogen, a method of preparing the same, and a medicament comprising one of the glycosides as an active ingredient. The glycosides are shown by the formula of ##STR1## wherein X is carbonyl group or ##STR2## R.sub.10 is hydroxyl group or glycosyloxy group, and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or ethynyl group; R.sub.11 is a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, or glycosyloxy group; R.sub.12 is hydroxyl group or glycosyloxy group; and R.sub.13 is hydroxyl group or glycosyloxy group,in which glycosyloxy group is selected from the group consisting of glucosyloxy, galactosyloxy, mannosyloxy, arabinosyloxy, ribosyloxy, xylosyloxy, fructosyloxy, rhamnosyloxy, fucosyloxy, maltosyloxy, cellobiosyloxy, lactosyloxy, sucrosyloxy, maltotriosyloxy, maltotetraosyloxy, maltopentaosyloxy, maltohexaosyloxy, maltoheptaosyloxy, and sialosyloxy, and in this case, at least one of R.sub.10, R.sub.11, R.sub.12, and R.sub.13 is glycosyloxy group as defined above.

Abstract: A cell line obtained from Heliothis subflexa, designated BCIRL-HS-AM1, and an in vitro process using the cell line to produce viral agents including viruses, viral particles, and/or occlusion bodies. The cell line is particularly useful in the production of baculoviruses and occlusion bodies of baculoviruses.