Abstract: The methods and reagents described in this invention are used to analyze circulating tumor cells, clusters, fragments, and debris. Analysis is performed with a number of platforms, including flow cytometry and the CELLSPOTTER® fluorescent microscopy imaging system. Analyzing damaged cells has shown to be important. However, there are two sources of damage: in vivo and in vitro. Damage in vivo occurs by apoptosis, necrosis, or immune response. Damage in vitro occurs during sample acquisition, handling, transport, processing, or analysis. It is therefore desirable to confine, reduce, eliminate, or at least qualify in vitro damage to prevent it from interfering in analysis. Described herein are methods to diagnose, monitor, and screen disease based on circulating rare cells, including malignancy as determined by CTC, clusters, fragments, and debris. Also provided are kits for assaying biological specimens using these methods.

Abstract: The immobilization of proteins at solid surfaces facilitated by incorporation of a polypeptide segment which is capable of adopting a folded structure is described. Materials comprising proteins so immobilized and uses thereof are also described.

Abstract: A vessel for conducting blood cell agglutination assays is disclosed. A barrier retains reactants in an upper chamber during incubation, then, in response to a force, permits reagents to enter a lower chamber containing a matrix for separating agglutination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an extracellular protein in a bacterium provided with an inner and an outer cell membrane, the method comprising: (a) providing a recombinant vector including a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence encoding the prepropeptide or part of the prepropeptide of a bacterial extracellular protease selected from the group consisting of Achromobacter lyticus protease I, Bacillus metalloproteases and Bacillus serine proteases preceding and operably connected to a DNA sequence encoding a desired protein, (b) transforming cells of a microorganism provided with an inner and outer cell membrane with the recombinant vector of step (a), (c) culturing the transformed cells of step (b) under conditions permitting expression of said DNA insert and leakage of the bacterial extracellular protease propeptide fused to the desired protein into the culture medium, and (d) recovering the resulting protein from the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterial microorganism, Ochrobactrum anthropi, having the ability to degrade or detoxify moniliformin or structurally related mycotoxins. The present invention further provides a method for detoxification of grain pre- or post-harvest using Ochrobactrum anthropi having the ability to degrade or detoxify moniliformin or derivatives or analogs of moniliformin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for enhanced bioremediation of hydrocarbons removed from a contaminated object comprising: (a) a basin for cleansing said hydrocarbon-contaminated object, said basin having a means for introducing a recycling bioremediating cleaning solution (NATURES WAY PC.TM.) for washing said object, a means for draining said solution from said basin into a biochamber reservoir and a means for screening particles from said solution upon entry into said reservoir; and (b) said reservoir having a means for temperature control between 90.degree. to 112.degree. F., means for aerating said solution, means for agitating said solution, an outlet means to a plurality of filters for filtering said solution, an inlet means from said filters and means for removing filtered sediments.

Abstract: A process for treating an animal waste in a waste holding facility to reduce sulfides and enhance efficient degradation of large amounts of organic matter with reduced odor. The process includes a first inoculation with sulfide-utilizing bacteria and a second inoculation with organic digesting bacteria and lytic enzymes. The second organic digesting inoculation is performed at a time when the sulfide content of the animal waste in the facility is adequately reduced to support organic digesting bacterial growth and efficient degradation of organic matter.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of textile printing using microorganisms with less limitation to dyes, with less damage on base materials, and with less blurring of color borders. The method is capable of producing a complex, fine pattern; capable of realizing colored discharge printing with brilliant colors; and capable of readily producing an ombre pattern. The invention also provides a microorganism for decolorization of azo-system dye and use in the textile printing method.

Abstract: A process for the production of arabinonucleotides of general formula I ##STR1## in which X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, is described, which is characterized in that an arabinonucleoside of general formula II ##STR2## in which X has the above-mentioned meaning, is fermented in the presence of an aryl phosphate of general formula III ##STR3## in which Y symbolizes a hydrogen atom or a nitro group andZ symbolizes two hydrogen atoms or two alkali metal atoms,with a microorganism that is capable of phosphorylating nucleosides.

Abstract: Improvements in the existing procedures and materials for conduct of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) are disclosed. Superior superparamagnetic particles, optionally coated with a polysaccharide or other, usually organic, materials can be prepared in uniform compositions with homogeneous magnetizations. The coating can conveniently be conjugated to a specific binding moiety complementary to a biological material whose purification or separation is desired. In addition, plastic coated matrices which form superior magnetic gradient-intensifying supports are disclosed, along with improved methods and apparatus to conduct HGMS.

Abstract: A method is revealed for the quantitative determination of the proportion of the free form of a thyroid hormone ligand in a sample of a biological fluid in which the ligand is present partly in the free form and also partly in a form in which it is bound to physiological binding proteins. In the first step, a ligand derivative of the thyroid hormone with an immunoglobulin, a labelled specific binder, and a test tube whose walls are coated with an excess of a protein material are provided. In the second step, a sample of the biological fluid containing an unknown amount of the free thyroid hormone ligand, a solution containing a known amount of the ligand derivative, and a solution containing a known, less than stoichiometric amount of the labelled specific binder are added to the test tube to form a liquid reaction mixture.

Abstract: A mixed bacteria culture for biodegrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants includes Achromobacter sp. and Mycobacterium sp. which have been grown together and gradually acclimated to utilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a primary food source. The mixed bacteria culture can be utilized for in situ or ex situ bioremediation of contaminated soil, or in any of various conventional bioreactors to treat contaminated liquids such as landfill leachates, groundwater or industrial effluents. The bacteria, the nutrients used to sustain growth of the bacteria, and the products of the biodegradation of the polycyclic aromatic or other hydrocarbons are all substantially harmless to the environment. The mixed bacteria can be utilized in the presence of oxygen, or hydrogen peroxide can be used alone or in combination with oxygen as an effective alternative electron acceptor. The mixed bacteria culture of Achromobacter sp. and Mycobacterium sp.

Abstract: 6-Hydroxy nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents carboxy group, carbamoyl group, cyano group, formyl group, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 hydroxyalkyl group, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carboxyvinyl group, carboxymethyl group or oxime group, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen atom or carboxy group, and A represents carbon atom or nitrogen atom, can be prepared by reacting a nitrogen-containing 6-membered ring compounds of the following general formula (I): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and A are as defined in the general formula (II) above, with a microorganism or physico-chemically treated microorganism in an aqueous medium. Efficiency of the above reaction can be raised by conducting the reaction in the presence of phenazine methosulfate.

Abstract: Optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid can be obtained by treating 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid with an optionally treated microorganism capable of asymmetrically reducing the 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid to thereby asymmetrically reduce the same into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (s) -2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: A mixed bacteria culture for biodegrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants includes Achromobacter sp. and Mycobacterium sp. which have been grown together and gradually acclimated to utilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a primary food source. The mixed bacteria culture can be utilized for in situ or ex situ bioremediation of contaminated soil, or in any of various conventional bioreactors to treat contaminated liquids such as landfill leachates, groundwater or industrial effluents. The bacteria, the nutrients used to sustain growth of the bacteria, and the products of the biodegradation of the polycyclic aromatic or other hydrocarbons are all substantially harmless to the environment. The mixed bacteria can be utilized in the presence of oxygen, or hydrogen peroxide can be used alone or in combination with oxygen as an effective alternative electron acceptor. The mixed bacteria culture of Achromobacter sp. and Mycobacterium sp.

Abstract: Pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ) is microbiologically produced by culturing a bacterium in a medium containing methanol, methylamine or a mixture thereof as a carbon source and recovering PQQ from the culture medium. The bacteria are strains of Methylobacterium, Ancylobacter, Hyphomicrobium, Xanthobacter, Thiobacillus, Microcyclus and Achromobacter.

Abstract: Optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid can be obtained by treating 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid with an optionally treated microorganism capable of asymmetrically reducing the 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid to thereby asymmetrically reduce the same into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for solubilizing phosphate from phosphate containing ore by treatment with microorganisms which comprises forming an aqueous mixture of phosphate ore, microorganisms operable for solubilizing phosphate from the phosphate ore and maintaining the aqueous mixture for a period of time and under conditions operable to effect the microbial solubilization process. An aqueous solution containing soluble phosphorous can be separated from the reacted mixture by precipitation, solvent extraction, selective membrane, exchange resin or gravity methods to recover phosphate from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: 2-Oxo-4-phenylbutyric acid is treated with a microorganism, which has been optionally treated, capable of asymmetrically reducing 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyric acid into either (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid, and the (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid thus produced is recovered to thereby give optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid.The optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid is an important intermediate in the synthesis of various drugs such as a remedy for hypertension.

Abstract: Enzyme-catalysed preparation of an .alpha.-substituted optically active carboxylic acid, using enantioselective hydrolysis of a mixture of the enantiomers of the corresponding amide, an Ochrobactrum anthropi or an Klebsiella sp. being used as the enzyme. During the hydrolysis both the L-carboxylic acid and the remaining D-carboxylic acid amide are obtained with high optical purity and high yield, while the activity of the micro-organism is high. A large number of .alpha.-substituted carboxylic acid amides with a remarkable structural variety can be hydrolysed in this manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DNA sequence containing a DNA segment coding for Achromobacter protease I (API) or variants thereof (referred to as T-API); a recombinant DNA constructed by introducing the DNA sequence in an expression vector so as to express the T-API; a transformant bearing the recombinant DNA; a process for producing the API which comprises cultivating the transformant, accumulating the T-API in a culture product, and recovering the same: and a protein of T-API. The cells transfected or transformed with the DNA sequence of the present invention allow for the production of a large amount of precursor protein of the T-API or the mature peptide.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing optically active 3-phenylglycidic acid ester compound, which comprises permitting a culture broth, cells or treated cells of a microorganism having an ability of stereoselectively hydrolyzing a (2R, 3S)-3-phenylglycidic acid ester compound to act on a racemic 3-phenylglycidic acid ester compound which may also have a substituent on the phenyl group, thereby hydrolyzing the (2R, 3S) optically active isomer and separating and collecting the (2S, 3R) antipode from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Optically active 2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid can be obtained by treating 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid with an optionally treated microorganism capable of asymmetrically reducing the 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid to thereby asymmetrically reduce the same into (R)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid or (S)-2-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: Process for the production of L-carnitine utilizing a microorganism. The microorganism is cultivated with crotonobetaine and/or .gamma.-butyrobetaine in the presence of a growth substrate. The enriched L-carnitine is isolated. The microorganisms used are those which are capable of producing L-carnitine while not catabolizing it from crotonobetaine and/or .gamma.-butyrobetaine. The microorganisms can be obtained by the following selection method. Microorganisms which grow with betaine, .gamma.-butyrobetaine, crotonobetaine and L-carnitine as the C- and N-source are mutated in the conventional manner. From the culture obtained by cultivating of the mutated microorganisms, those microorganisms are selected which are stable, do not catabolize L-carnitine and do not grow on L-carnitine, crotonobetaine and .gamma.-butyrobetaine, but grow with betaine.

Abstract: A process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid from nicotinic acid by means of enzymatic hydroxylation in the presence of microorganisms of the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus or Achromobacter. By maintaining a specific concentration range during the addition of nicotinic acid, the biomass formation can take place in the same process step as the product formation, without product losses occurring by further decomposition.

Abstract: An optically active monoester of the formula of ##STR1## where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.15 alkyl is disclosed. The monoester is produced by transesterification of cis-endo-bicyclo [2,2,2] oct-5-ene-2,3-dimethanol with a fatty acid alkyl or vinyl ester, or triglyceride by using an esterase.

Abstract: Process for the production of 6-hydroxynicotinic acid from nicotinic acid. The hydroxylation is carried out enzymatically in the presence of a microorganism of the species Pseudomonas, Bacillus or Achromobacter, for example, Achromobacter xylosoxydans. Preferably the enzymatic hydroxylation is carried out at 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and a pH of 5.5 to 9.0 under aerobic conditions. Also, preferably a 0.1 percent by weight solution up to a saturated (preferably a 0.5 to 10 percent by weight) nicotine acid solution is used.

Abstract: An efficient process of optical resolution is provided for producing an L-amino acid represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CO.sub.2 H or ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process comprises an optical resolution of an N-substituted carbonyl-D,L-amino acid represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## (wherein R is the same as defined above and R.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process by which a gas containing nitric oxide is contacted with an anaerobic microbial culture of denitrifying bacteria to effect the chemical reduction of the nitric oxide to elemental nitrogen. The process is particularly suited to the removal of nitric oxide from flue gas streams and gas streams from nitric acid plants. Thiobacillus dentrificians as well as other bacteria are disclosed for use in the process.

Abstract: A water soluble and ethanol insoluble extract of microbial product obtained by the cultivation of Achromobacter stenohalis is used to combat viral diseases.

Abstract: A water-soluble complex which is isolable from acid-precipitable material recovered from cultures of the bacterium, Achromobacter xerosis, and which is effective in inducing a variety of therapeutic responses commonly associated with biological responses modifiers and anti-inflammatory agents and which exhibits significant therapeutic activity in higher vertebrates at a dosage ranging from about 0.1 to about 25.0 mg/kg of body weight. Also disclosed are compositions containing such complexes, methods of preparation with such complexes and methods of treatment with compositions having such complexes.

Abstract: The present invention teaches restriction endonuclease Asp 718 which cleaves DNA in the palindromic recognition sequence at the sites indicated by the arrow: ##STR1## The endonuclease, obtained from Achromobacter species 718, DSM 2969, is useful in obtaining DNA fragments, e.g., for determining nucleotide sequences and other types of analysis of DNA.

Abstract: Process for the continuous production of L-carnitine by the microbiological method. A microorganism of the strain DSM No. 3225 (HK 1331b) type is cultivated in a bioreactor with crotonobetaine and/or .gamma.-butyrobetaine in the presence of a growth substrate. The culture fluid passes outside of the bioreactor in a circulation in which a separation of the cell is carried out. A quantity of cell-free solution, which is as large as the amount fed to the bioreactor as a substrate, is withdrawn from the bioreactor. The L-carnitine is separated from the cell-free solution.

Abstract: Process for preparing a heteropolysaccharide from strain NCIB 11883 and use of the latter e.g. as viscosity modifier in an aqueous system such as completion fluids, work over fluids, stimulation fluids, and preferably in drilling fluids and use in connection with well-treatments, and enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: Glycosylation or transglycosylation of a specified guanine derivative, namely 9-substituted or non-substituted guanine of formula [I] with a 3-deoxyribose donor such as 3'-deoxyadenosine in the presence of a nucleoside phosphorylase source such as of microorganism origin is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel protease is described. The enzyme has the following characteristics: molecular weight: 30,000 (a gel filtration method using Sephadex G-75); isoelectric point, 5.3; pH reactivity: the optimum pH for its esterase activity is at pH 8.5 and the optimum pH for its amidase activity is at pH 9.0 respectively; substrate reactivity: it selectively and specifically hydrolyzes the ester bond and the amide bond derived from the carboxyl group of L-lysine; inhibitor: it is inhibited by diisopropyl phosphofluoride, tosyl-L-lysine chloro-methyl ketone and phenylmethylsulfonyl chloride. The protease is preferably produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Achromobacter.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a fungus-lytic activity of .beta.-1,3-D-glucanase which comprises using said glucanase in the presence of one or more of the activators selected from the group consisting of sodium lauroylsarcosinate, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylenealkyl ether, benzalkonium chloride, ammonium chloride, chlorhexidine glucuronate, methylparaben, propylparaben, trypsin, Pronase.RTM. and Alcalase.RTM..A method of enhancing a fungus-lytic activity of .beta.-1,3-D-glucanase which comprises using two .beta.-1,3-D-glucanases of different origins is also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing B30-threonine-insulin which comprising reacting a des-B30-insulin with an excess amount of threonine derivative in the presence of an enzyme specifically acting on a lysine carbonyl in peptide bondings and produced by Achromobacter lyticus M 497-1.

Abstract: A process for preparing a B30-threonine-insulin which comprising reacting a des-B30-insulin with an excess amount of threonine derivative in the presence of an enzyme specifically acting on the basic-amino-acid carbonyl in peptide bondings.

Abstract: The enzyme cholesterol esterase is produced by cultivating a strain of the Achromobacter delicatulus type, isolated from vegetable debris and identified by the symbol NRRL B-12115. Under the described culture conditions, the enzyme is exocellular and therefore does not require extraction from the cells.In addition, the micro-organism has a duplication time less than that of moulds and Actinomycetes. Cholesterol esters of fatty acids can be hydrolysed by adding them to the culture medium before inoculating the strain.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically active acylated cephalosporin analogs which are useful as antibacterial agents and methods for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A process for preparing a B30-threonine-insulin which comprising reacting a des-B30-insulin with an excess amount of threonine derivative in the presence of an enzyme specifically acting on a lysine carbonyl in peptide bondings and produced by Achromobacter lyticus M 497-1.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically active cephalosporin analogs which are produced by optically selective deacylation of an optically inactive acylated analog. The compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of optically active acylated antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Optically active cephalosporin analogs are produced by optically selective deacylation of an optically inactive acylated analog. The compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of optically active acylated antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: A process for removing melamine from liquids containing melamine by biological means. The aqueous solution or suspension of melamine is brought into contact with microorganisms or enzyme preparations having melaminase activity, and the resulting mixture is maintained under anaerobic conditions whereby at least a portion of the melamine is biodegraded.

Abstract: A method of packaging, and the package so produced, for maintaining living organisms viable for a long period of time. The living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, etc., are mixed with a carrier, such as peat. The organism-carrier mixture is then disposed in a package, such as a heat-sealable plastic envelope, and a gaseous atmosphere is provided in the package effective to induce and maintain substantial nonvegatative state formation of the organisms. Some organisms will form cysts, others spores, but whatever nonvegetative state is assumed, the organisms will be much less susceptible to heat, cold, starvation, and other adverse environmental factors. Suitable gaseous atmospheres include nitrogen, helium, and argon gases. The package is then sealed to prevent contamination of the atmosphere therein.

Abstract: An insolubilized antibody suitable for an enzyme immuno assay or radio immuno assay, which has characteristic infrared absorptions at around 1,040 cm.sup.-1, 1,540 cm.sup.-1 and 1,640 cm.sup.-1 and is prepared by chemically binding an antibody to cell wall debris of bacteria or yeasts whose shape is globular or rod-like. There is further disclosed an enzyme immuno assay or radio immuno assay using the insolubilized antibody and a kit containing the insolubilized antibody.