Abstract: Rare Earth downconverting compositions for optical encoding objects and related methods and apparatuses. The rare earth (RE) downconverting phosphor compositions are capable of generating a unique optical spectrum or unique optical signature from which an optical code or barcode can be derived. In one exemplary embodiment, the RE downconverting phosphor composition may contain two or more lanthanide materials each having a host and at least one downconverting emitter. Each lanthanide material emits a detectable electromagnetic radiation emission peak at an intensity, which is proportional to the amount of emitter present, upon excitation with an absorbable electromagnetic radiation, the emitted radiation comprising a lower energy, i.e., a longer wavelength than the absorbable radiation. One or more ratios of the intensities of the emitted detectable electromagnetic radiation may be used to uniquely identify the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeast strains autonomously producing, from a simple carbon source, steroids. The invention also relates to a method for producing steroids from such yeast strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeast strains autonomously producing, from a simple carbon source, steroids. The invention also relates to a method for producing steroids from such yeast strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of KshA protein or of KshB protein, encoded by nucleotides 499-1695 of SEQ ID NO:1 or by nucleotides 387-1427 of SEQ ID NO:2, respectively, and functional homologues thereof. The polynucleotides of the invention can be used to construct genetically modified microorganisms blocked in 3-ketosteroid 9?-hydroxylase activity, which are useful in the microbial degradation of steroids to accumulate certain steroid products.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide sequence comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of KshA protein or of KshB protein, encoded by nucleotides 499-1695 of SEQ ID NO:1 or by nucleotides 387-1427 of SEQ ID NO:2, respectively, and functional homologues thereof. The polynucleotides of the invention can be used to construct genetically modified microorganisms blocked in 3-ketosteroid 9?-hydroxylase activity, which are useful in the microbial degradation of steroids to accumulate certain steroid products.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel method for producing hydroxylated and/or acetylated steroid comprising steps which consist in: culturing yeasts on a medium comprising at least a precursor of such hydroxylated and/or acetylated steroids; then isolating the hydroxylated and/or acetylated steroids from the medium after bioconversion. Said method is characterized in that said yeasts are yeasts transformed so as to express the product of Cyp7b gene. The invention also concerns the modified yeast strains.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel process for the transformation of 17&agr;-hydroxy-6&agr;-methylpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 17-acetate (I) to 11&bgr;,17&agr;,21-trihydroxy-6&agr;-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione 21-acetate (VI)

Abstract: An expression cassette, operable in a recombinant host, comprising a heterologous DNA coding sequence encoding a protein, which is functional, alone or in cooperation with one or more additional proteins of catalyzing an oxidation step in the biological pathway, for conversion of cholesterol into hydrocortisone, which step is selected from the group consisting of: the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone; the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone; the conversion of progesterone to 17&agr;-hydroxyprogesterone; the conversion of 17&agr;-hydroxyprogesterone to cortexolone; the conversion of cortexolone to hydrocortisone, and the corresponding control sequences effective in that host.

Abstract: A face bow assembly including a face bow having a bite fork portion to carry an index trays to be positioned in a patient's mouth. The bow has outwardly extending wings to enable a dentist to support the bow. A vertical indicator rod mounted to the bow helps align the tray horizontally and the indicator rod vertically to the patient's mid-sagittal, while bite impression material on the tray hardens. The upper index tray is then mounted on a platform on a dental articulator. The platform has an incisal line for alignment with an incisal line(s) for adjustability on the upper index tray. The platform also has vertical or horizontal adjustability with a built-in scale.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates chromophore-containing polynucleotides having at least two donor chromophores operatively linked to the polynucleotide by linker arms, such that the chromophores are positioned by linkage along the length of the polynucleotide at a donor-donor transfer distance, and at least one fluorescing acceptor chromophore operatively linked to the polynucleotide by a linker arm, such that the fluorescing acceptor chromophore is positioned by linkage at a donor-acceptor transfer distance from at least one of the donor chromophores, to form a photonic structure for collecting photonic energy and transferring the energy to an acceptor chromophore, and methods using the photonic structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and starting materials for forming molecular-sized grids or nets, or other structures based on such grids and nets, by creating molecular links between elementary molecular modules constrained to move in only two directions on an interface or surface by adhesion or bonding to that interface or surface. In the methods of this invention, monomers are employed as the building blocks of grids and more complex structures. Monomers are introduced onto and allowed to adhere or bond to an interface. The connector groups of adjacent adhered monomers are then polymerized with each other to form a regular grid in two dimensions above the interface. Modules that are not bound or adhered to the interface are removed prior to reaction of the connector groups to avoid undesired three-dimensional cross-linking and the formation of non-grid structures.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates chromophore-containing polynucleotides having at least two donor chromophores operatively linked to the polynucleotide by linker arms, such that the chromophores are positioned by linkage along the length of the polynucleotide at a donor--donor transfer distance, and at least one fluorescing acceptor chromophore operatively linked to the polynucleotide by a linker arm, such that the fluorescing acceptor chromophore is positioned by linkage at a donor-acceptor transfer distance from at least one of the donor chromophores, to form a photonic structure for collecting photonic energy and transferring the energy to an acceptor chromophore, and methods using the photonic structures.

Abstract: Calcium channel (alpha).sub.1 -subunit and (alpha).sub.2 -subunit-encoding DNA, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: 20 -Methyl-5,7-pregnadiene-3.beta.,21-diol derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 means a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group andR.sub.2 means a lower alkyl group orR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent a tetramethylene group or a pentamethylene group and a process for their production are described.

Abstract: 9.alpha.-hydroxy-17-keto steroids are prepared by fermenting steroids having a C-17-side chain of 5-10 carbon atoms inclusive, with the novel Mycobacterium species CBS 482.86. Starting from various substrates containing a 5-10 C carbon chain on C-17, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 7.alpha.,9.alpha.,12.alpha.-trihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione or 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4,11-diene-3,17-dione is obtained in high yield. The resulting compounds are useful intermediates in the synthesis of therapeutically important steroids, particularly corticosteroids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of quantifying molecules in biological substances, comprising:a. selecting a biological host in which radioisotopes are present in concentrations equal to or less than those in the ambient biosphere,b. preparing a long-lived radioisotope labeled reactive chemical specie,c. administering said chemical specie to said biological host in doses sufficiently low to avoid significant overt damage to the biological system thereof,d. allowing a period of time to elapse sufficient for dissemination and interaction of said chemical specie with said host throughout said biological system of said host,e. isolating a reacted fraction of the biological substance from said host in a manner sufficient to avoid contamination of said substance from extraneous sources,f. converting said fraction of biological substance by suitable means to a material which efficiently produces charged ions in at least one of several possible ion sources without introduction of significant isotopic fractionation, and,g.

Abstract: Novel 7.beta.-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione derivatives are disclosed.The group of these compounds has possibility of being utilized as an intermediate for the synthesis of progesterone derivatives having ovulation-inhibiting activity. These compounds themselves have also cell differentiation activity for M1 cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of 9.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione from natural sterols of plant or animal origin or from mixtures thereof by the submerged aerobic fermentation of an enzyme-deficient, sterol-de-grading microorganism in a nutrient medium containing utilizable carbon and nitrogen sources as well as mineral salts, and by isolating the product formed, which comprises transforming the sterol or sterol mixture with the culture of a 1,2-steroid-dehydrogenase deficient strain of new Mycobacterium roseum species which is able to degrade the side-chain of natural sterols, preferably with Mycobacterium roseum sp. nov. 1108/1 deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary under the number NCAIM B (P) 000339, and by isolating and purifying the 9.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione obtained.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for screening for and isolating spontaneously occurring or induced cellulose II-producing microorganisms. The process comprises a series of steps in various embodiments. Initially, cellulose-producing microorganisms from a first culture are plated out on a nutrient agar plate. The nutrient agar plate is then incubated to facilitate formation of colonies from single microorganisms. Samples of liquid nutrient medium are then inoculated with microorganisms from colonies having a smooth configuration, as compared to the usual rough colony configuration. The inoculated samples are then aerobically incubated to facilitate microorganism proliferation and pellicle formation. From these incubated samples are selected microorganisms, which, after a cultivation period, have proliferated but not formed a pellicle. Said selected microorganisms produce cellulose II instead of the cellulose I produced by pellicle-forming organisms.

Abstract: Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium nodulate legumes and are responsible for nitrogen fixation. The energetics of this process are improved if hydrogen uptake ability (Hup) is imparted to the bacteria to "recycle" some of the hydrogen lost during the nitrogen fixation. Such Hup is observed in a naturally occurring strain of Rhizobium leguminosarum but it was not known how to transfer it to other strains. The present invention provides recombinant plasmids pIJ1008 and pIJ1007 which enable it to be transferred. These plasmids are formed from a transmissible plasmid, synthesized to include a drug-resistance marker, and a plasmid of the naturally occurring strain. Cultures containing the plasmids have been deposited in a culture collection and can be used, after appropriate further crosses as described, to impart Hup to other strains of Rhizobium.

Abstract: A biocatalyst contains microorganisms, e.g., of the species Arthrobacter simplex, Aspergillus ochraceus, Bacillus sphaericus, Curvularia lunata, Flavobacterium dehydrogenans, Mycobacterium spec., or Saccharaomyces uvarum, immobilized on a copolymer of acrolein and 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, crosslinked by reaction with an alkylenedioxydiamine of the formulaH.sub.2 NO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n ONH.sub.2wherein n is a number of 2 to 12. The preparation of steroids is also disclosed.

Abstract: Microbiological conversions of cyclodextrins are intensified by adding to the reaction mixture 0.2 to 3 moles of .alpha.-, .beta.- or .gamma.-cyclodextrin or an optical mixture thereof pro mole of the steroid substrate, before, at the beginning or during the conversion. The cyclodextrin if desired, can be removed after the reaction. In this way the reaction velocity can be increased, the reaction time is reduced, the substrate concentration in the solution, i.e. its solubility is increased or the so called product inhibition may be avoided. In certain cases of more alternatives the desired reaction can be catalyzed and in this manner the selectivity is increased.

Abstract: An improved gene splicing and recombinant plasmid transformation method is described. The method includes mechanical fragmenting of chromosomal DNA followed by conventional digestion with a restriction enzyme and gene splicing into a vector to provide recombinant plasmids in a bank of at least about 100 different plasmids. The plasmids in the bank are provided for transformation into a suitable host, particularly a plasmid free bacterium of the same species from which the chromosomal DNA or the vector is derived. The method provides high transformation frequencies because of the presence of multiple "super coiled" or closed coiled recombinant plasmids in the bank. The method also allows for the direct selection of many different phenotypic traits in a pool of the transformed hosts. The selected hosts are useful for the production of various gene products.

Abstract: A process for the production of useful steroids obtained by side chain degradation of sterol source materials through the use of microorganisms is described.

Abstract: Valuable steroid intermediates, 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17.beta.-ol-3-one (9.alpha.-OH testosterone), 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-ol (9.alpha.-OH BN alcohol) and 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-ketobisnorchol-4-en-22-oic methyl ester (9.alpha.-OH BN acid methyl ester), prepared by microbiological conversion of steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of 8 to 10 carbons.