Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: A ?-glucan-containing fat and oil composition contains ?-glucan of microorganism origin or basidiomycete origin. The ?-glucan-containing fat and oil composition has ?-glucan uniformly dispersed in a food without worsening the texture, taste etc. of the food. The novel microorganism can efficiently produce ?-glucan which has a high activity and favorable qualities as ?-glucan of microorganism origin as described above from less expensive saccharides such as sucrose at a high production speed.

Abstract: A simple and efficient method of producing mammalian reovirus is developed using HEK 293 cells. The method provides for fast production of reovirus in high yield. Furthermore, this method provides for a simpler purification procedure of the produced reovirus.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for recovering microorganisms from a sample that is rapid and provides microorganisms substantially free of adsorbents and other particles. The method includes mixing a sample comprising a medium, an adsorbent and microorganisms with a first solution in a first vessel; separating the adsorbent from the medium and the microorganisms and removing the microorganisms and a portion of the medium from the first vessel; mixing the microorganisms and the portion of the medium with a second solution in a second vessel to resuspend the microorganisms; and separating the microorganisms from the resulting mixture.

Abstract: A process for isolating at least one micro-organism from a medium including a) introducing a selected quantity of magnetic or magnetizable particles into a sample of the medium; b) incubating the particles and the medium for a time sufficient for the micro-organisms to develop and adhere to surfaces of the particles; c) separating the particles from the medium; d) spreading the particles on a support compatible with development of the micro-organisms; and e) incubating the particles on the support for a time sufficient for the development of colonies corresponding to the isolated micro-organism.

Abstract: Cell/organism is separated by using a hydrogel capable of selectively moving a cell in accordance with a difference in the concentration of a physiologically active substance. The invention provides a hydrogel capable of conducting separation (fractionation, differential separation, fractional collection) of cell/organism having a variety of taxes, which could not be attained in the prior art.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a process for conveniently producing phosphorylase at a high purity using a phosphorylase-producing microorganism. Namely, a process for producing phosphorylase characterized by culturing a phosphorylase-producing microorganism in a medium containing phosphoric acid or its salt at a concentration of 50 mM or above and collecting the phosphorylase thus produced in the medium.

Abstract: A composition comprising lactic acid bacteria that are selected from at least one of Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus lactis, and Lactobacillus brevis. The composition is suitable for administration to animals. Upon administration to an animal, the composition provides at least one of the following (a) improves performance in the animal and (b) reduces scours in animals. Also provided is a method of treating an animal in which the composition is administered to the animal. A method of forming a direct-fed microbial is also provided. A culture including the lactic acid bacteria is grown in a liquid nutrient broth. The lactic acid bacteria are separated from the liquid nutrient broth. The lactic acid bacteria can be freeze dried.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel micro-organism, Penicillium funiculosum, to new enzymes mixture obtained from it and nucleic acid sequences thereto.

Abstract: Magnetic particles are prepared containing a magnetic core coated with a glass layer having a substantially pore-free glass surface or having pores with a diameter of less than 10 nm. The particles are used for separating biological material such as nucleic acids. A preferred process of preparing the particles is by forming a mixture of magnetic cores with a sol formed from an alcohol and a metal alkoxide, spray-drying the mixture to coat the cores with a layer of gelled sol, and heating the coated cores to obtain the magnetic glass particles. Preferably, the particles have an average particle size of less than 100 ?m. The magnetic core may be a composite material containing a mica core and magnetite particles immobilized on the mica core, and the glass layer may contain boron oxide. Magnetic core materials include magnetite (Fe3O4) and Fe2O3.

Abstract: The culture of microorganisms endogenous to plants is a process for increasing the number of such microorganisms and collecting the enriched culture media for nutritional, pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. The process includes the steps of: (a) separating plant components (e.g., leaves, fruit, etc.) into smaller parts; (b) immersing the smaller plant parts in a culture medium of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and sucrose; (c) permitting the immersed parts to stand in the culture medium for between about 7-14 days; (d) removing the smaller plant parts from the culture medium; (e) dividing the culture medium into two portions; (f) diluting each of the portions 1:2 with water; (g) permitting the diluted portions to stand between about 7-14 days to ferment; (h) filtering the diluted portions; and (i) collecting the supernatant. Steps (e) through (g) may be repeated as often as desired. The process may also include maintaining the concentration of sucrose.

Abstract: The present invention discloses in vitro methods for screening candidate therapeutic and/or chemotherapeutic agents for in vivo efficacy in a specific patient. The invention also includes methods for determining the optimal dosage of a therapeutic agent for a specific patient. The methods include the use of cohesive multicellular particulates of tissue, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, to prepare tissue culture monolayers representative of in vivo cell populations.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a kind of lactobacillus casei Bd-II, the accession number of the deposit of which is CGMCC NO.0849, and also disclosed a use of it for reducing blood lipid level. Further, a composition for reducing blood lipid level containing it and an acceptable carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be skimmed milk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of stable and reusable biosensing granules useful in the assessment of biodegradability of effluents. The biosensing granules are prepared by culturing active aerobic microbial consortia in synthetic medium, separating the active aerobic microbial consortia, immobilizing the microbial consortia using natural polymer to form biosensing granules, and dehydrating the immobilized biosensing granules to obtain stable biosensing granules having a moisture content of 5-30%.

Abstract: A bioreactor culture system and process for producing conifer somatic embryos comprise a closed vessel, a biomass immobilization matrix, a liquid culture medium recirculating equipment, and a gas control equipment. The biomass immobilization matrix is installed in a closed vessel, a liquid culture medium is introduced in the closed vessel, and the level of liquid culture medium in the closed vessel is kept lower than the biomass immobilization matrix. The liquid culture medium recirculating equipment sprays liquid culture medium from the closed vessel onto the biomass immobilization matrix to thereby irrigate the maturing immobilized biomass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process of neutralizing textile industrial wastewater by a bacterial strain isolated in India. The isolated bacterial strain is capable to bring down the pH of wastewater from 12.00 to 7.00 units within two hours. The neutralization of alkaline textile industrial wastewater by such biotechnological process is highly effective and economical as compared to conventional neutralization by chemical means. This biotechnological process may find wide commercial application in textile industries emanating alkaline wastewater.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of filtering means comprising a housing (2) wherein are arranged parallel to one another a plurality of hollow fibers (3), whereof the porous wall (3a) of each defines an aperture (4), so that said means comprises a inner path and an outer path (B) corresponding to the volume available between the fibers and the disc separator for treating an initial sample with large volume comprising in diluted state a plurality of micro-organisms of different sizes. The invention is characterised in that during at least a concentration step, one single means of filtering is available, the atomic mass unit threshold of the porous wall (3a) of the fibers is determined so as to retain the smallest micro-organism of the initial sample, said means being used in frontal mode and discontinuously, thereby providing the output sample liquid, that is the concentrate.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying. One particularly important tissue sample preparation technique is the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample. For assays concerning cancer treatment, a two-stage evaluation is contemplated in which both acute cytotoxic and longer term inhibitory effect of a given anti-cancer agent are investigated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a bacterial extract containing at least one expression products of the vrg genes of a strain of Bordetella chosen from B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, or B. bronchiseptica. The invention also relates to a method for producing the extract, comprising culturing the bacteria on blood medium to obtain isolated nonhemolytic colonies; inoculating cells of one or more colonies in liquid medium to give a suspension of cells; separating the cells from the liquid medium after culture; suspending the separated cells in a buffer comprising urea for at least an amount of time sufficient to form a bacterial lysate; and separating intact cells and insoluble material from soluble material, wherein the extract comprises the soluble material.

Abstract: A safe and effective live vaccine against Edwardsiella tarda in fish was created through the induction of rifampicin resistance in a native Edwardsiella tarda isolate. Single immersion exposure or injection of fish stimulated acquired immunity against virulent E. tarda infection.

Abstract: A simple and efficient method of producing mammalian reovirus is developed using HEK 293 cells. The method provides for fast production of reovirus in high yield. Furthermore, this method provides for a simpler purification procedure of the produced reovirus.

Abstract: An efficient method for therapeutic treatment of a leukemic patient is disclosed in which the patient's body fluid under external circulation is brought into direct contact with an adsorbent material capable of adsorbing the leukemic cells in the body fluid specifically and selectively. The leukemic cell-adsorbent material, which is used by filling a column to form an adsorbent bed, is a conjugate of a lectin protein extracted from, e.g., Dolichos beans or soybeans coupled with a physiologically inert carrier material such as a polysaccharide in the form of beads or a superparamagnetic material in the form of iron oxide-based magnetic beads.

Abstract: A process of flocculating microbial cell material from a suspending medium which contains cell material, comprising adding to the suspending medium a first polymeric material which is cationic and has intrinsic viscosity of not more than 2 dl/g, and subsequently or simultaneously adding to the suspending medium a second polymeric material which is cationic or substantially non-ionic and has intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g, and allowing the cell material to flocculate.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to efficiently produce a large amount of chlamydospores of Trichoderma harzianum SK-5-5 mycelia. This objective is achieved by chlamydospores characterized by having been obtained by inoculating a culture medium containing glucose, yeast extract and polypepton with Trichoderma harzianum SK-5-5 mycelia and culturing the same to thereby obtain chlamydospores containing conidiospores.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying. One particularly important tissue sample preparation technique is the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample. For assays concerning cancer treatment, a two-stage evaluation is contemplated in which both acute cytotoxic and longer term inhibitory effect of a given anti-cancer agent are investigated.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. The system includes the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation. Practical monolayers of cells may thus be formed to enable meaningful screening of a plurality of treatments and/or agents. By subjecting uniform samples of cells to a wide variety of active agents (and concentrations thereof), the most promising agent and concentration for treatment of a particular patient can be determined.

Abstract: To extract fetal cells from a sample of maternal blood or a fluid derived from maternal blood, sample liquid is moved over a collector surface bearing a ligand for the fetal cells. Chaotic advection in the liquid enhances the efficiency of cell collection.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. Specific method innovations such as tissue sample preparation techniques render this method practically as well as theoretically useful. One particularly important tissue sample preparation technique is the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating viable cells from cell suspensions using hydrocyclones, which method can, especially, be carried out continuously.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a target microorganism characterized in that an extrinsic environmental factor is added to a culture system where said target microorganism and other microbes coexist, said extrinsic environmental factor providing a desirable growth condition for the other microorganisms but an undesirable growth condition for the target microorganism, and said extrinsic environmental factor is typically an organic substance that is assimilable by the above other microorganisms but not by the target microorganism, and includes a sugar, an amino acid, an alkanol amine, an organic acid, and the like. In particular, the target microorganism is N16-1 strain of Burkholderia (FERM BP-5504) and the substance is D-serine.

Abstract: A substantially continuous filtration or separation system and related processes are disclosed. More specifically, a continuous perfusion cell culture system employing an external spin filtration system for the production of proteins is disclosed.

Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus and process is provided in which a support platform for vessels containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel. The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for separating cells from a liquid media, a method of fermentation using such a separation, and an apparatus for conducting such a separation or for facilitating a cellular reaction. In broadest terms, the separation process of the present invention is a process for separating cells from a liquid containing cells. The process comprises the steps of: (a) bringing the liquid containing the cells into contact with one or more microbial polysaccharide and a fibrous material so as to adsorb the cells onto the fibrous material; and (b) separating the liquid from the fibrous material so as to remove the cells from the liquid. The process of the present invention may be used to remove cells from any liquid, but such liquids typically will be aqueous solutions, such as growth media, biological fluids, diagnostic samples, aqueous test samples, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the propagation of lytic organisms which comprises the infection of the cells of a stable cell line within a hollow fibre bioreactor with a lytic organism, wherein after said infection, said organism multiplies within the cells and can be harvested, characteriscd in that the cell line can survive for at least ten days after said infection. The invention further provides a method as herein described wherein after harvest, the cell line is allowed to re-populate the bioreactor, and at least one subsequent harvest may be taken, with the cell line being able to repopulate the bioreactor after each harvest.

Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus (100) and process is provided in which a support platform (110) for vessels (12) containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform (110) may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser (14) for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel (12). The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibrin microbeads that are biologically active and comprise extensively cross-linked fibrin(ogen), and a method for preparing the fibrin microbeads. The present invention also provides a composition comprising cells bound to the fibrin microbeads, and methods for culturing and separating cells using the fibrin microbeads of the present invention. Finally, the present invention provides methods for transplanting cells and engineering tissue using the fibrin microbeads of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods of using high-density microparticles to bind and remove pathogens from biological fluids are disclosed. Pathogens include prions, viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

Abstract: A filtration assembly (10) for use in collecting a fluid sample possibly containing microorganisms, and capturing the microorganisms of interest in the sample such that the captured microorganisms can be subsequently detected. The filtration assembly includes a sample reservoir (20) for collecting and holding the fluid sample to be filtered, a fluid port (38) and a vent (70) in communication with the sample reservoir, a filter element (45) disposed in a flow path between the sample reservoir and fluid port, and a cover member (50) detachably covering the sample reservoir.

Abstract: Immobilized cell beads incorporating formulated microbial consortium comprising a synergistic mixture of the following bacterial strains namely, Enterobacter sakazaki, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas sobria selected from the following isolated bacterial strains namely, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aeromonas sobria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia liquefaciens, Enterobacter sakazaki, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloaca, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus are prepared, the formulated microbial consortium is immobilized in an appropriate immobilizing agent resulting in the formation of beads and the beads are used for instant BOD estimation using an electronic device and the formulated cell beads are reusable and are capable of assimilating most of the organic matter present in varied industrial effluents.

Abstract: A simple and efficient method of producing mammalian reovirus is developed using HEK 293 cells. The method provides for fast production of reovirus in high yield. Furthermore, this method provides for a simpler purification procedure of the produced reovirus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solid state fermentation device that combines all of the operations of microorganism cultivation (sterilization, inoculation, cultivation, extraction, and post extraction treatment). This solid state fermentation device is modular in nature and operates in a contained manner so that the live microorganisms from the reactor cannot come into contact with the environment and pollute the environment and also so that the environment inside the bioreactor is aseptic. Another aspect of this invention allows fermentation of microorganisms without inhibiting the growth of the microorganism. Specifically, the bioreactor is designed to remove heat that accumulates inside the bioreactor during fermentation by conduction. Additionally, there is a mechanism to add fluid to the interior of the bioreactor that permits equal distribution and precise control of a variety of environmental parameters.

Abstract: A continuous, hybrid magnetic field gradient device for colloidal magnetic affinity separation having an axially-rotating horizontal glass tube, and a plurality of axially located repeating magnetic units. Each magnetic units consists of an alternating current solenoid that surrounds the chamber followed by computer-controlled electromagnets carrying a direct current. The on-off cycle of the electromagnets is used to control the residence time of target-bound magnetic particles in the chamber thereby allowing the separate collection of the particle and target rich fractions and the target-lean fractions without interrupting the feed flow. The azimuthally flowing alternating current in the solenoid introduces transient axial and radial forces as well as torque on the magnetic particles, promoting mixing.

Abstract: The growth of the bacterium, Burkholderia cepacia (ex Pseudomonas cepacia) CIP 1-2052 is substantially increased when it is supplied with tert-butanol (TBA) or tert-amyl alcohol (TAA) as the sole source of carbon and energy in the presence of at least one cobalt salt, at a concentration of 0.01 to 4 mg/l of medium. The bacterium is degraded to CO2 in the presence of oxygen. The inoculom produced by the process and the degradation process for these alcohols are useful for water treatment applications.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cell harvesting are disclosed. More particularly this invention relates to devices and methods for enabling the formation of a dispersion of cells from tissue for medical or research use. This invention provides a rapid method for cell isolation thereby reducing the time and costs associated with the production of autologous cells where required, for example, for tissue engineering in the operating theater or in research. Alternately this invention may be used to separate a cell dispersion containing cells of varying sizes or types from a predigested tissue dispersion. Also a kit is disclosed which provides the basic components of the device and instructions on how to accomplish the use of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed which facilitate immobilization of magnetically labelled particulate entities, e.g., cells, preferably in a defined pattern, on a collection surface via binding between specific binding pair members, as an aid to particle analysis.

Abstract: A method and device for collection and concentration of microbes via selectively attracting microbes to specific substrates chemically conjugated to a solid surface, such as a particle, are provided. Further, a method for selectively enriching for specific microorganisms using a device for collecting populations of microorganisms from an environmental sample comprising a solid support having a surface for attachment of an enrichment media is provided. The method for selectively enriching one or more populations of microorganisms from an in situ environment includes providing a device which has a container having a plurality of solid support particles in the container and a selective microbial enrichment media chemically attached thereto the particles. The container also has permeable openings for the microorganisms to provide entry of them therein so that the microbes will contact the enrichment media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolating cells from a sample which method comprises binding said cells to a solid support by means of a non-specific ligand immobilised on said solid support, particularly to a method of isolating microorganisms from a sample. Preferred ligands for use in such methods include carbohydrates and derivatives thereof. Also described is a kit for isolating microorganisms from a sample comprising: (a) a solid support having immobilised thereon a ligand which is capable of non-specific binding to microorganisms; (b) means for binding microorganisms to said solid support; optionally (c) means for lysing said cells; and optionally (d) means for binding nucleic acid released from said lysed cells to a solid support.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining a cell population enriched in microglial cells by contacting a composition containing microglial cells with immunoglobulin immobilized on a matrix such as a polystyrene matrix before or after contact with the cells, allowing the cells to bind to the with immunoglobulin, and removing non-adherent cells to obtain a cell population containing preferably at least 95% microglial cells. The immunoglobulin may be Fc domain-containing immunoglobulin G, and Fc receptors of the microglial cells bind to the Fc domain of immunoglobulin G. Purified Fc fragments from immunoglobulin G may be used in place of immunoglobulin G. The microglial cells may be from brain tissue, and from tissue of a normal animal or tissue of an animal having a neurological disorder.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for inoculating a biological reactor having a chamber. The chamber is configured to contain influent and biomass to degrade contaminants in the influent. A vessel is configured to receive influent and biomass from the chamber and to substantially isolate the received influent and biomass from that contained in the chamber. The vessel is also configured to deliver the isolated influent and biomass to the chamber, thereby facilitating inoculation of the biological reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of acquiring granular growth of a microorganism in a reactor containing a liquid medium. Surprisingly, according to the invention, aerobic microorganisms also can be induced to granular growth by maintaining specific culture conditions. During a first step an oxygen-containing gas is supplied and the reactor contents are kept in turbulence. In a second step, after a short settling period, the top part of the reactor medium is discharged.