Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a mixture of modified starch and protein for encapsulating oxygen sensitive agents, wherein the modified starch is a starch derivative containing a hydrophobic group or both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic group which has been further enzymatically hydrolyzed by an exo-enzyme. The encapsulated materials have a high level of active agent and retention and provide excellent oxidation resistance. Further, the encapsulated materials are useful in a variety of products, including food products.

Abstract: A method for preparing optically active methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by reacting racemic methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate with an acylating agent in the presence of a lipase to give methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate and subsequently precipitating methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by adding sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compound of stemphones obtained by culturing microorganism belonging to genus Aspergillus and having ability to produce compound of stemphones selected from the group consisting of stemphone D substance, stemphone E substance, stemphone E1 substance, stemphone E2 substance, stemphone E3 substance and stemphone F substance, accumulating the compound of stemphones in the cultured mass, and isolating the compound of stemphones from the cultured mass. Since the obtained compound has enhancing activity for imipenem and activity for reducing cytotoxicity, it can be expected to be useful as lead compounds for combination remedy for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes novel methods for localized and controlled staining of intact corneal tissue surfaces to provide therapeutic benefits in ophthalmic applications, such as for example, the correction of iris defects, the correction of corneal tissue scarring, and the creation of a pupil in aniridia. A first method for staining tissue surfaces is directed to covalently bonding sulfonic acid dyes to deprotonated proteins in tissue. Another disclosed method is directed to staining corneal tissue surfaces with black sulfonic acid dye compositions, particularly for forming black rings on the corneal surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides solutions and methods for preserving biological material that enable organs, tissues and cells to be stored for extended periods of time with minimal loss of biological activity. The inventive solutions are substantially isotonic with the biological material to be preserved and are substantially free of univalent oxyanions and of iodide. The solutions comprise a first neutral solute having a molecular weight of at least about 335 and a solubility in water of at least about 0.3M, and a second neutral solute having a molecular weight of less than about 200 and having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. The inventive solutions preferably contain CaSO.sub.4, together with combinations of anions and cations from the protein-stabilizing ends of the Hofmeister series, such as K.sub.2 SO.sub.4. Solutions with raffinose or trehalose in combination with trimethyl amine oxide or betaine are particularly preferred.

Abstract: Isolated porcine pancreatic cells, isolated populations of such cells and methods for isolating and using the cells to treat subjects with diseases characterized by insufficient insulin activity are described. The porcine pancreatic cells are preferably non-insulin-secreting porcine pancreatic cell having the ability to differentiate into an insulin-secreting cell upon introduction into a xenogeneic subject, such as a human subject. Such cells include embryonic porcine pancreatic cells obtained from embryonic pigs between about day 31 and day 35 of gestation. The porcine pancreatic cells can be modified to be suitable for transplantation into a xenogeneic subject, for example, by altering an antigen (e.g., an MHC class I antigen) on the cell surface which is capable of stimulating an immune response against the cell in the subject (e.g., by contact with an anti-MHC class I antibody, or a fragment or derivative thereof).

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of organ and tissue perfusion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for preparing organs, such as the kidney and liver, for cryopreservation through the introduction of vitrifiable concentrations of cryoprotectant into them. To prepare the organ for cryopreservation, the donor human or animal, is treated in the usual manner and may also be treated with iloprost, or other vasodilators, and/or transforming growth factor .beta.1. Alternatively, or additionally, the organ which is to be cryopreserved can be administered iloprost, or other vasodilators, and/or transforming growth factor .beta.1 directly into its artery. The invention also relates to preparing organs for transplantation by a method for the removal of the cryoprotectant therefrom using low (such as raffinose, sucrose, mannitol, etc.

Abstract: A therapeutic product formed from a high concentration of white blood cells having a high degree of cell viability. The white blood cells are sequestered from their normal population presence in whole blood by placing the blood into a container and preventing coagulation of the blood, separating the blood into two components, one of which is extremely rich in white blood cells through the use of a reagent and centrifugation, sequestering the white cell concentration, and freezing the white cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic medium with PDGF, vitronectin, IL-1.beta. and BSA added to Eagle's minimum essential medium or medium with transferrin, insulin, progesterone and putrescine further added thereto. When cultivating the postnatal central neurons using the inventive medium, there are effects such that good attachment to substrate, extension of neuritic processes and maintenance of survival are achieved, that more stable sure cultivation becomes possible as well over the astrocyte-conditioned medium used hitherto, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel process for preparing N-acetyl-(L)-4-cyanophenylalanine by resolving the racemic compound N-acetyl-(D,L)-4-cyanophenylalanine ethyl ester, and a novel process to prepare a stereoisomer of Ac-(L)-pAph-Chg-PalMe(3)-NH.sub.2 by using the intermediate N-acetyl-(L)-4-cyanophenylalanine.

Abstract: Method of improving the quality of an egg from a female adult fowl comprising adding an effective egg improving amount of at least one tea polyphenol to a feed composition for the fowl and administering the composition to the fowl. Eggs produced by such method have a reduced crude fat content, a reduced peroxide content, an enhanced Haugh Unit value, an enhanced degree of transparency of egg white, an enhanced foam-forming ability and a pure white color in foam and egg white when the eggs are cooked. Also provided is an improved feed composition for improving the quality of an egg from a female adult fowl, wherein the improvement comprises the feed composition containing an effective egg improving amount of at least one tea polyphenol.

Abstract: The platelet preservation solution does not containing any plasma proteins but includes 5 to 100 mM of glycerol, from 5 to 15 mM of sodium citrate, from 10 to 30 mM of sodium acetate, from 10 to 50 mM of disodium hydrogen phosphate, up to 10 mM of citric acid, up to 50 mM of glucose and from 50 to 150 mM of electrolyte compounds in addition to the sodium acetate, disodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium citrate. The electrolyte compounds include sodium chloride. The artificial platelet preservation solution prevents adverse reactions caused by plasma components resulting in a greater platelet survival ratio during storage.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition for the lyophilization of mammalian red blood cells comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a carbohydrate, and an organic solvent; and a method of using the composition to lyophilize red blood cells comprising mixing red blood cells with the composition, freezing the mixture, and drying the mixture by removing water by sublimation. Also disclosed are red blood cells lyophilized according to this method for lyophilization, and a method for reconstituting the lyophilized red blood cells. In particular, the composition used to lyophilize the red blood cells comprises a mixture of a hydrophilic polymer ranging from 1,450-20,000 Daltons at 5-50% w/v, a mono- or disaccharide or a mixture thereof from 0.01-0.2M and an organic solvent such as a primary alcohol, a secondary alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide or combinations thereof at 0.5-20% v/v.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing several different bacteria including Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria is disclosed. The bacteria are present in the composition at a total concentration of 1×1011 to 1×1013 per gram. Further, methods of using the pharmaceutical are disclosed which include treatment of a gastrointestinal disorder and hypercholestermia. Also a method for modulating a host's immune response is disclosed.