Abstract: Lactic acid produced by cells in culture is detected and used in a bioassay to determine cell growth and vitality. Lactic acid is detected by coupling the lactate dehydrogenase conversion of lactic acid to pyruvic acid to a reaction using micotinamide adenine dinucleotide in reduced form (NADH) to reduce a tetrazolium dye. The process can be used to serve as a bioassay for measuring biologically active compounds, particularly lymphokines.

Abstract: A method for the detection of the mutagen effect of a substance or composition by producing culture of a micro-organism harboring a recombinant of a sfi gene and of a gene coding for a dosable enzyme in the presence of said substance or composition and measuring the activity of the dosable enzyme induced under the control of the sfi gene. When the latter is activated due to the mutagen character of said substance or composition, measuring the activity of a distinct enzyme synthesized by the microorganism and coded by a gene not involved in the activation process of the sfi gene and measuring the variation of the ratio of the activity of the abovesaid dosable enzyme to the activity of said distinct enzyme. Then comparing the variation that of the ratio of the activities of the same enzyme in a culture of the same microorganism, but in the absence of the mutagen substance.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the rapid identification of fungal pathogens. In a preferred method, a sample of human body fluid is obtained and subjected to analysis comprising inoculating a nutritive medium, incubating said inoculum for such time and temperature as is necessary for visible fungal colony formation, thereafter plating a sample of said visible fungi on miniature culture plates for example having the dimensions of about 33.times.75.times.5 millimeters, said plates containing differential fungal media, and thereafter identifying fungal pathogens in a manner consistent with said medium selected.

Abstract: A storage stable single phase aqueous composition is provided which is useful in isolatin nucleic acids from cell or virus cultures.

Abstract: Assays, e.g. immunoassays, based on the chemiluminescent reaction between a peroxidase enzyme, e.g. horse radish peroxidase, a chemiluminescent 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione, e.g. luminol or isoluminol and an oxidant, e.g. hydrogen peroxide or a perborate, are improved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a 6-hydroxybenzothiazole, especially 6-hydroxybenzothiazole itself or firefly luciferin. Light emission from the reaction is significantly enhanced by the 6-hydroxybenzothiazole.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improvement in a method for distinguishing cells in a biological sample by staining with a dye, wherein the improvement comprises employing as the dye a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein G is O or S;R.sup.1, R.sup.3, and R.sup.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, amino, styryl, bis(diaryl)vinylene, and ##STR2## wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl;Z represents the elements necessary to complete a basic heterocyclic ring system of the type used in cyanine dyes;n is 0 or 1;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or, taken together with either R.sup.1 or R.sup.3, represents the elements needed to complete an aromatic or a carbocyclic ring system;R.sup.4 is hydrogen or, taken together with either R.sup.3 or R.sup.5, represents the elements needed to complete an aromatic or a carbocyclic ring system; andX.sup.- is an anion.

Abstract: A process for producing optically active dichloropropanol, which comprises cultivating an R-(+)-2,3-dichloro-1-propanol-assimilating strain belonging to the genus Pseudomonas in a culture medium containing racemate 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol, and recovering optical isomer S-(-)-2,3-dichloro-1-propanol from the culture broth, and a process for producing optically active epichlorohydrin, which comprises reacting the optical isomer S-(-)-2,3-dichloro-1-propanol obtained by the aforesaid process with an alkali.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus with improved fluid flow control for economical and efficient composting. The improved fluid flow control is provided by a lance having at least two separate fluid flow zones to provide a fluid flow profile in the compost. The flow zones are provided by an outer porous wall tube with a control insert tube therein having a plurality of openings along the length thereof and spaced from the wall by gaskets to form the flow zones. The lances can be coupled to a manifold for even fluid distribution throughout the compost. The manifold is designed to direct fluid flow to a portion of the lances while simultaneously removing fluid flow from the other portion of lances. This creates substantially uniform patterns of fluid injection and evacuation for uniform composting, reduced energy requirements and greater control of process conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus (A) and method for preserving living organs extracorporeally in vessel (V) having a hyperbaric chamber (C) therein. The organ (O) stored in chamber (C) is provided with perfusate (P) from a reservoir (R) which is open to the atmosphere and freely accessible for the user who may thereby change or add constituents to the perfusate (P) without depressurizing the apparatus (A).

Abstract: The present invention provides a prepared nutrient substrate carrier for the qualitative and quantitative determination of micro-organisms, comprising an object carrier coated with at least one nutrient substrate, which object carrier is firmly attached to a lid and, during storage and during incubation, is present in a transparent vessel which can be securely closed with a lid, wherein the coated object carrier is enclosed in an envelope during storage, said envelope being adapted to be easily removed before inoculation.

Abstract: Materials and a method of their preparation are described, for use in immobilizing soluble, biologically active compounds. The material for immobilizing includes a hydrophobic, water insoluble substrate having a coating of a mixture of different amphiphilic lipoid compounds thereon. The lipoid compounds are oriented so that the hydrophilic portions are distal to the substrate and free to bond with water soluble proteins and carbohydrates.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting a medical device comprising the steps of immersing a medical device in a hydrogen peroxide solution for a time sufficient to disinfect said device, decomposing any residual hydrogen peroxide by use of a catalytically effective amount of a protein capable of decomposing hydrogen peroxide, said protein being immobilized on a composite article, said composite article comprising in sequence a support, a layer of protein immobilizer compound, and a biologically active protein. The surface modification treatment is a gelled network of inorganic oxide particles or a plasma treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus for isolating and identifying microorganisms in blood or the like which comprises a tubular collection vessel which is sealed at both ends but includes means at one end for permitting the removal of fluid therein by the application of vacuum when the seal at that end is broken, a multisection filtration unit comprising a first section provided with means for receiving said one end of the collection vessel, means in said section for breaking the seal in said one end of the vessel when it is received by said first section, a second section of said filtration unit nested against the bottom of the first section, a filter membrane positioned between the nested first and second sections of said filtration unit, said filter membrane being in open communication with said one end of the collection vessel which is received by said first section, a third section of said filtration unit nested against the second section on the opposite side of the filter membrane from the nested first and second sections, and m

Abstract: An improved and unique mixing technique particularly useful as part of the process for the clinical analysis of liquid biological samples is described. The sample is placed in a cuvette along with a reagent and a diluent. The top (opening) of the cuvette is squeezed (reduced in size) and an air jet is directed against the liquid surface formed in the cuvette adjacent the junction of the liquid surface with the wall of the cuvette to create a vortex to produce thorough mixing of the contents of the cuvette and substantially prevent any splashing of the liquid contents.

Abstract: A compound for detecting the presence of specific microorganisms wherein the compound is made of two molecule fragments connected with a peptide bond, one compound fragment being enzyme-specific in that the presence of an enzyme specific to the microorganisms being detected will cause the peptide bond to hydrolyze, and the other molecule fragment being 6-aminoquinalone, wherein the organism is detected by exposing the compound to fluid suspected to contain the microorganism and irradiating the thus-exposed compound with ultraviolet radiation whereby fluorescence is observed if the microorganism is present.

Abstract: A method of producing methane from the anaerobic fermentation of waste materials, such as municipal solid waste, in a series of cavities in the earth holding such solid waste material and covered with earth excavated from the next adjacent cavity. Various forms of apparatus for withdrawing the product gas of the anaerobic fermentation, separating the carbon dioxide from the methane in the product gas and injecting the thus separated carbon dioxide into an adjacent covered cavity to purge air therefrom and enhance the anaerobic fermentation of the waste material therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a chemical process or fermentation having a flow-through vial which includes a container having a specimen sampling opening and an inlet port and an outlet port defining an internal flow path through which liquid specimen is circulated from a chemical process. A self-sealing septum is adapted to seal off the sampling opening, and a cap having an orifice is engaged with the container, holding the septum in sealing relationship over the sampling opening. Specimen, which reflects current conditions within the chemical process, is periodically aspirated from the vial by extending a hollow needle through the orifice, septum and sampling opening and into the internal flow path.

Abstract: Bacteriophages are employed as agents for recognition and identification of molecules and cellular materials, using their ability to recognize their bacterial host, by coating them with antibodies or by selecting them to perform in a manner analogous to antibodies. Visibility for identification is effected by incorporating a fluorescent agent, a radioisotope, a metal, an enzyme, or other staining material. The bacteriophage are prepared so as to bind to the molecular or cellular material through either the tail or head segment of the bacteriophage.

Abstract: Ethanolamine in a sample can be assayed by treating the sample with ethanolamine oxidase, thereby to catalyze a reaction-consuming ethanolamine, oxygen and water, and forming glycolaldehyde, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. The amount of consumed oxygen or the amount of generated ammonia or hydrogen peroxide is then determined, as a measure of the ethanolamine that was originally the sample. The ethanolamine can appear in the sample as such, or can be liberated simultaneously with or prior to the catalysis reaction, from an ethanolamine derivative, e.g. phosphatidyl ethanolamine by the action of phospholipase D. Ethanolamine oxidase can be produced from Bacillus sp. B-0783 FERM-P No. 5798 in a conventional culture medium, preferably by submerged aeration liquid culturation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and device for fusing cells in which the cells are doped with magnetic particles and exposed to a nonhomogeneous magnetic field which permeates the fusion space in such a way that the doped cells collect close together, and then, in order to create the disruptions in the membrane structures of the adjacent cells, the cells are exposed either to the pulse of an electric field of at least the level of the breakdown voltage or to chemicals which cause the disruptions in the membrane structure such as polyethylene glycol, or to inactivated viruses which cause the disruptions in the membrane structure such as Sendai viruses.