Abstract: An apparatus for automatically transferring a desired one of bacterial colonies grown in a medium in a culture Petri dish onto a medium in a test Petri dish or a test tube by using a bacterial colony pick-up/transfer element of the disposable type or a bacterial colony pick-up/transfer element of the reuse type and by using various mechanisms controlled by a computer.

Abstract: A culture vessel has an agitator arranged to orbit about an upright axis while being hollow at least at one end. A filter is provided on said one end and a conduit communicates with the hollow portion of the agitator for withdrawing filtered fluid from the vessel as the agitator orbits.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring sterilization of biologically contaminated material from hospitals and the like. An autoclave sterilization unit heats biologically contaminated materials with steam for a time sufficient to kill the contaminants therein. A biological indicator probe provides for inserting a test vial into the central portion of the materials being treated. After sterilization, the probe is removed and the test vial is cultured to determine whether the spores of the Bacillus stearothermophilus, or the like (e.g. Bacillus sp.) present are still viable. If the test vial has been completely inactivated, it is an indication that decontamination of the other materials in the autoclave is complete. The test probe comprises a rod of heat resistant material having an end chamber closable by a rotatable sleeve. In a position aligning window openings in the chamber and in the sleeve, the test vial may be inserted. Rotation of the sleeve locks the test vial in place.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring the concentration of a component of a complex medium, including a dialyzer for separating at least a portion of the component into the dialysate from the complex medium, means for measuring the concentration of the component in the dialyzate, and valve means having a measurement position and calibration position for alternatingly directing the complex medium and a calibration solution, respectively, to the dialyzer so that a calibration of the measuring means can be achieved at intervals between measurements, with the dialyzer being in fluid communication with the measuring means so that the dialyzate from the dialyzer is directed to the measuring means for measuring the concentration of the component in the dialyzate. The device also preferably includes an enzyme reactor.

Abstract: There is described an enzyme immunoassay for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample wherein the substrate for the enzyme forms at least a part of the sample. In a particular embodiment the sample comprises or consists of a milk sample and the enzyme is an enzyme capable of clotting milk. An example given of such an enzyme is chymosin. The assay described may be used to measure the concentration of progestagens or oestrogens in milk using the techniques of heterogeneous or homogeneous enzyme immunoassay. The results of such an assay give an indication of the fertility of a milk producing domestic animal (e.g. a cow) and may be used to diagnose pregnancy of such an animal. Particular compounds for use in the assay are described, as is a kit of reagents for use in the assay.

Abstract: An incubator is provided with an inlet, a measurement station and an outlet for chemical analysis slides, and a number of levers or pushing devices for stepwisely circulating the slides through the apparatus. The device is useful for uniformly incubating a plurality of chemical analysis slides or the like according to a continuous, rather than batch, process.

Abstract: A device for culturing microorganisms is described comprising a body member comprising a self-supporting, water-proof substrate; a layer of adhesive coated on the substrate, the adhesive being non-inhibitory to the growth of microorganisms; and a cold-water-soluble powder adhered uniformly to the surface of the adhesive, the powder comprising a gelling agent and/or nutrients for growing microorganisms. Another device is described comprising a body member comprising a self-supporting, water-proof substrate; a coating coated directly on the substrate, the coating being substantially water-free and consisting essentially of a cold-water-reconstitutable material comprising a gelling agent and/or nutrients for growing microorganisms; and a cover sheet releasably adhered to the bottom member, the cover sheet being substantially impermeable to bacteria and water vapor. The devices are activated by the addition of water or an aqueous test sample.

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 cell culture device is disclosed for the cultivation of animal, plant, microbiological or artificial cells. The device involves a three-dimensional arrangement of fibers within a housing arranged to provide maximum exposed fiber surface flow channel diameter while also reducing the tortuosity of the flow path. Cells are bound to the fibers to allow them to contact nutrient fluid solution and thereby to remove any substances originating in said cells, such as viruses and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Improved process for cultivation of matrix-bound biologic cell systems on microcarrier particles within a replenishable nutrient medium including the step of providing controlled three dimensional displacement of a culture vessel and its contents to effect uniform cell exposure to available nutrient material.

Abstract: A method for the production of polypeptides utilizing a polymer of charged amino acids and an exopeptidase. A DNA sequence coding for the charged amino acid polymer is inserted adjacent to one end of the polypeptide gene. The polypeptide-charged amino acid polymer fusion product is removed from most contaminants by selecting for the charged amino acid polymer during a first isolation step. Next the charged amino acid polymer is hydrolyzed using an exopeptidase which leaves the polypeptide active. A second isolation step removes the polypeptide from any remaining contaminents. An example using polyarginine and carboxypeptidase B to produce urogastrone is included.

Abstract: The invention aims at replacing animal experiments for determining acute toxicity (LD.sub.50 values) by utilizing stable perfusion-cultivated cell cultures and also at producing a cultivation chamber which is movable during operation, for determining various parameters.

Abstract: A permanent underground compost aeration system enables forward and reverse circulation of air through a compost pile by a single non-reversible blower and air pipe dampering arrangement. Adequate oxygenization of an entire compost pile is assured. Outside air in varying amounts can be introduced into the aeration system during its operation to provide fine control of oxygenation. A complete underground moisture drainage arrangement for the aeration system is provided to prevent flooding of the system. The aeration system is compatible with computer controls for air volume, temperature and moisture content. A pair of parallel elongated main header pipes are connected with two groups of smaller apertured air distribution pipes extending in opposite directions at right angles to the header pipes. All pipes of the aeration system have bottom moisture drain openings.

Abstract: Stabilized liquid suspensions of probiotic Lactobacilli are provided as a dispersion of the viable cells in sunflower seed oil for administration to animals. The viable cells prior to combining with the oil have been dried at a favorable pH and in the presence of stabilizing additives. The dried cells are further characterized by having a low water activity. The invention has particular utility in administering Lactobacillus acidophilus cells as a drench to domestic animals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating the growth interacting substance potency and growth ratio for the intersections of a scanning spot with a track of visible microbial colonies on an interaction plate. The potency is a measure of the weight of a growth interacting substance which is deposited on the interaction plate per unit volume of the growth culture medium. The growth ratio is a measure of the growth interacting substance effect on growth of colonies of microbes on the interaction plate along the path of interaction of the scanning spot with visible microbial colonies.

Abstract: A method for testing microbial interaction with growth affecting substances. A pattern of a microbe containing solution is applied on an interaction plate in a programmed concentration. A solution of a growth interacting substance is applied on the interaction plate in a programmed potency in a pattern which contacts the microbe containing solution to cause contact of the microbes with the growth interacting substance. The resultant plate is incubated for a time sufficient to produce visible microbial colonies on the interaction plate. The potency of a growth interacting substance is determined at any point of interest on the incubated interaction plate by correlating the position of the point of interest with the programmed volume of the growth interacting substance deposited at that point.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemical froth suppression in a fermenter comprises a vessel containing a chemical froth suppressor and communicating via a pressure pipe with the fermenter. The pressure pipe has arranged at a preselected level with respect to the froth height a nozzle intended to form a jet of froth suppressor which enters a chamber through an inlet port thereof. This chamber is accommodated inside the fermenter substantially above the level of froth therein. The jet of froth suppressor is reflected from the concave wall of the chamber to be conveyed along the discharge pipe by a pneumatic or suction pump into the vessel containing the froth suppressor. The discharge pipe is provided at tne end thereof inside the vessel with a nozzle intended to form a jet of the chemical froth suppressor flowing along this discharge pipe into the vessel.

Abstract: Ethanol is recovered from fermentation products by a countercurrent extraction process which employs diethyl ether as the extraction solvent to form a diethyl ether-ethanol mixture. The ethanol is salted out by adding calcium chloride to the mixture, and the diethyl ether layer is separated and recycled. The calcium chloride in ethanol solution is removed by adding sodium carbonate to form the solids calcium carbonate and sodium chloride which are removed by filtration. The ethanol is recovered as the filtrate.

Abstract: In a method for the enzymic-colorimetric determination of urea in clinical analyses, the improvement consisting in that the sample to be tested is admixed with a composite reagent composed by urease, a buffer, an alkali-metal salicylate and a nitroprusside and, after a short incubation, a hypochlorite is added, a short additional incubation is performed and the color is measured photometrically. By this method, two reagent systems are sufficient instead of the usual three.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is disclosed for the alternate filling and evacuation of all wells simultaneously of a multi-well microplate. The apparatus consists of a flat, horizontally disposed vacuum chamber having an upper plate and a lower plate, with a rectangular array of tubes passing through the latter such that two tubes are aligned with each well of a microplate, one for filling and the other for evacuation. The microplate is supported below the vacuum chamber with the tubes in proper alignment, and means are provided for bringing the microplate and the tubes in close proximity, for applying a vacuum to the vacuum chamber for evacuating the wells, and for supplying pressurized wash fluid to the filling tubes. The apparatus provides a faster washing process for microplates, and is more reliable and efficient than devices already known for the same or similar purposes.