Enhanced exopolysaccharide production by Cordyceps militaris using repeated batch cultivation.

Cordyceps militaris exo-polysaccharides (EPS) have been reported to possess many benefits, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study, the production of EPS via cultivation in a bioreactor was investigated. Glucose and yeast extract were determined to be the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for EPS production.

Kinetic analysis on precursors for iturin A production from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BPD1.

In this study, the precursor effect for iturin A production was quantitatively analyzed. A strain identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BPD1 (Ba-BPD1) was selected due to its ability to produce iturin A. The enhancement of iturin A production in a submerged culture was tested using various additives, including palmitic acid, oils, and complex amino acids.

Production of D-hydantoinase via surface display and self-cleavage system.

In this study, the cell surface expression system was the first time used to directly produce extracellular enzyme. In the plasmid construction, the truncated ice nucleation protein (INP) was fused with intein (INT) and target protein, D-hydantoinase (DHTase), to form the INP-INT-DHTase gene. The plasmid containing this gene was transformed into Escherichia coli ER2566 cells.

Taser blunt probe dart-to-heart distance causing ventricular fibrillation in pigs.

The maximum distance between the heart and a model Taser stimulation dart, called the dart-to-heart distance, at which the Taser can directly cause ventricular fibrillation (VF), was measured in pigs. A 9-mm-long blunt probe was advanced snugly through the surrounding tissues toward the heart. Five animals [pig mass=61.

Ventricular fibrillation time constant for swine.

The strength-duration curve for cardiac excitation can be modeled by a parallel resistor-capacitor circuit that has a time constant. Experiments on six pigs were performed by delivering current from the X26 Taser dart at a distance from the heart to cause ventricular fibrillation (VF). The X26 Taser is an electromuscular incapacitation device (EMD), which generates about 50 kV and delivers a pulse train of about 15-19 pulses s(-1) with a pulse duration of about 150 micros and peak current about 2 A.

Taser dart-to-heart distance that causes ventricular fibrillation in pigs.

Electromuscular incapacitating devices (EMDs), such as Tasers, deliver high current, short duration pulses that cause muscular contractions and temporarily incapacitate the human subject. Some reports suggest that EMDs can kill. To help answer the question, "Can the EMD directly cause ventricular fibrillation (VF)?", ten tests were conducted to measure the dart-to-heart distance that causes VF in anesthetized pigs [mass = 64 kg +/- 6.