Abstract: The present disclosure relates to engineered penicillin G acylase (PGA) enzymes having improved properties, polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, compositions including the enzymes, and methods of using the enzymes.

Abstract: Sequences of B12-dependent dehydratases with improved reaction kinetics are presented. Use of these B12-dependent dehydratases reduce the rate of the enzyme's suicide inactivation in the presence of glycerol and 1,3-propanediol. The enzymes were created using error-prone PCR and oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to target the DhaB1 gene, which encodes the ?-subunit of glycerol dehydratase. Mutants with improved reaction kinetics were rapidly identified using high throughput assays.

Abstract: Ready-to-use foamable pesticide compositions that contain a particulate pesticide suspended therein and applicators for dispensing such compositions. Methods for treating pests such as arthropods by contacting pests with such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of removing hair from skin, preferably facial skin, is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a hydrophobic protective composition to an area of skin, preferably facial skin, on which unwanted hair is growing, the hydrophobic protective composition being capable of reducing the penetration of thioglycolic acid by at least 45%, as measured using the Franz Cell Method; (b) applying a depilatory composition to the area of skin to which the hydrophobic protective composition has been applied, the depilatory composition comprising a keratin reducing agent.

Abstract: Biological method for conversion of a lignocellulosic hydrolysate into a desired biochemical product. Use of a plurality of substrate-selective cells allows different sugars in a complex mixture to be consumed concurrently and independently. The method can be readily extended to remove inhibitory compounds from hydrolysate.

Abstract: Methods for manipulating carbohydrate processing pathways in cells of interest are provided. Methods are directed at manipulating multiple pathways involved with the sialylation reaction by using recombinant DNA technology and substrate feeding approaches to enable the production of sialylated glycoproteins in cells of interest. These carbohydrate engineering efforts encompass the implementation of new carbohydrate bioassays, the examination of a selection of insect cell lines and the use of bioinformatics to identify gene sequences for critical processing enzymes. The compositions comprise cells of interest producing sialylated glycoproteins. The methods and compositions are useful for heterologous expression of glycoproteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having C4-dicarboxylic acid transporter activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, and methods of producing C4-dicarboxylic acids, such as malic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing C4-dicarboxylic acids, such as malic acid, comprising: (a) cultivating a host cell comprising a polynucleotide encoding a C4-dicarboxylic acid transporter; and (b) recovering the C4-dicarboxylic acid. The present invention also relates to methods for increasing C4-dicarboxylic acid production, as well as host cells comprising the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Compositions comprising disiloxane surfactant compositions comprising a silicone composition comprising a silicone having the formula: MM? where M=R1R2R3SiO1/2; M?=R4R5R6SiO1/2; with R1 selected from the group consisting of branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and R7, where R7 has the formula: R8R9R10SiR12 with R8, R9, and R10 each independently selected from the group of monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and monovalent aryl or alkaryl hydrocarbon radicals having from 6 to 13 carbon atoms and R12 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group of from 1 to 6 carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals or R1, with R4 an alkylpolyalkyleneoxide of the general formula: R13(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)cR14 where R13 is a divalent linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having the structure: —CH2—CH(R15)(R16)dO— where R15 is H or methyl; R16 is a divalent alkyl radical of

Abstract: The specification discloses a borate microemulsion product. In one embodiment, the borate microemulsion includes from about 24 to about 32 weight percent emulsified sodium pentaborate; and from about 24 to about 32 weight percent particulate boric acid suspended therein. The microemulsion has a density of about 9.5 to about 10.5 pounds per gallon at about room temperature. In certain embodiments, the microemulsion has a viscosity of about 1200 to about 1520 at a temperature of from about 66° F. to about 70° F. In certain other embodiments, microemulsion has a viscosity of about 1000 to about 3000 at a temperature of from about 70° F. to about 75° F.

Abstract: Compositions comprising disiloxane surfactant compositions comprising a silicone composition comprising a silicone having the formula: MM? where M=R1R2R3SiO1/2; M?=R4R5R6SiO1/2; with R1 selected from the group consisting of branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and R7, where R7 has the formula: R8R9R10SiR12 with R8, R9, and R10 each independently selected from the group of monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and monovalent aryl or alkaryl hydrocarbon radicals having from 6 to 13 carbon atoms and R12 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group of from 1 to 6 carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals or R1, with R4 an alkylpolyalkyleneoxide of the general formula: R13(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)cR14 where R13 is a divalent linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having the structure: —CH2—CH(R15)(R16)dO— where R15 is H or methyl; R16 is a divalent alkyl radical of

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing optically active amino acids from 5-substituted hydantoin by isolating a hydantoinase gene and an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene involved in an ability to convert 5-substituted hydantoin or N-carbamylamino acid into optically active amino acids from a microorganism of the genus Microbacterium having the above ability and by improving gene amplification and transcriptional and translational activities thereby preparing a recombinant wherein the amount of the desired enzymes produced is increased. The hydantoinase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having a hydantoinase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. The N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase gene is, for example, a DNA encoding for a protein having an N-carbamyl-L-amino acid hydrolase activity, which has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: A process for the selective binding of an aggregating abnormal form of a protein in the presence of the nonaggregating normal form of the protein, including contacting under selective binding conditions a material containing both the abnormal and normal forms with a binding agent which is a polyionic material having a binding avidity for the aggregating form of the protein as present in the sample.

Abstract: Sequences of B12-dependent dehydratases with improved reaction kinetics are presented. Use of these B12-dependent dehydratases reduce the rate of the enzyme's suicide inactivation in the presence of glycerol and 1,3-propanediol. The enzymes were created using error-prone PCR and oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to target the DhaB1 gene, which encodes the ?-subunit of glycerol dehydratase. Mutants with improved reaction kinetics were rapidly identified using high throughput assays.

Abstract: A composition containing a herbicide compound in acid form and an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, wherein the composition contains less than 2.0% free un-reacted alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying at least two groups of microorganisms expressing the same enzymatic activity, comprising the following steps: a) incubating said groups of microorganisms in a reaction medium comprising a first enzyme substrate and a second enzyme substrate, said first and second enzyme substrates being metabolized by the same enzymatic activity; b) identifying said groups of microorganisms.

Abstract: A small diameter flexible electrode designed for subcutaneous in vivo amperometric monitoring of glucose is described. The electrode is designed to allow “one-point” in vivo calibration, i.e., to have zero output current at zero glucose concentration, even in the presence of other electroreactive species of serum or blood. The electrode is preferably layered, with the layers serially deposited within a recess upon the tip of a polyamide insulated gold wire. A first glucose concentration-to-current transducing layer can be overcoated with an electrically insulating and glucose flux limiting layer (second layer) on which, optionally, an immobilized interference-eliminating horseradish peroxidase based film is deposited. An outer layer is preferably biocompatible.

Abstract: Improved process for the isolation of laidlomycin from a fermentation broth includes increasing the pH of the fermentation broth and centrifuging the pH adjusted fermentation broth, resulting in an aqueous layer and a wet solid layer containing laidlomycin. After the aqueous layer is removed, the wet solid layer containing laidlomycin is dried. The process provides an efficient and high yielding method.

Abstract: A small diameter flexible electrode designed for subcutaneous in vivo amperometric monitoring of glucose is described. The electrode is designed to allow “one-point” in vivo calibration, i.e., to have zero output current at zero glucose concentration, even in the presence of other electroreactive species of serum or blood. The electrode is preferably layered, with the layers serially deposited within a recess upon the tip of a polyamide insulated gold wire. A first glucose concentration-to-current transducing layer can be overcoated with an electrically insulating and glucose flux limiting layer (second layer) on which, optionally, an immobilized interference-eliminating horseradish peroxidase based film is deposited. An outer layer is preferably biocompatible.

Abstract: A method for assessing prognosis in an individual suffering from liver failure, which method comprises detecting endotoxin in the individual, for example by determining the neutrophil function in the individual. The method can be used to determine whether there is an increased risk of infection in the individual, an increased risk of organ failure in the individual, an increased risk of mortality in the individual and/or an increased risk that the individual will not respond positively to treatment with an immunosuppressive agent, a steroid or an antibiotic.