Surface modification of poly(L: -lactic acid) affects initial cell attachment, cell morphology, and cell growth.

The object of this study was to develop a highly porous scaffold to be used in regeneration of blood vessels, nerves, and other hollow tissues with small openings. Using the phase-inversion method and a mixture of water and methanol as a coagulating agent, we prepared highly porous flat membranes from poly(L: -lactic acid) (PLLA) with numerous pores both on the surface and in the interior of the membranes. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were cultured on the membranes to evaluate initial cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cell morphology.

Amino acid sequence of alpha-subunit in hen egg white ovomucin deduced from cloned cDNA.

The primary amino acid sequence of alpha-subunit in ovomucin (OVM) from hen thick egg white was determined. The 2087 amino acid residues with a relative molecular mass of 230.9 kDa along the full length of the alpha-subunit were represented.

Development of a novel polyimide hollow-fiber oxygenator.

We have developed a membrane oxygenator using a novel asymmetric polyimide hollow fiber. The hollow fibers are prepared using a dry/wet phase-inversion process. The gas transfer rates of O(2) and CO(2) through the hollow fibers are investigated in gas-gas and gas-liquid systems.

Alicyclobacillus acidiphilus sp. nov., a novel thermo-acidophilic, omega-alicyclic fatty acid-containing bacterium isolated from acidic beverages.

A novel thermo-acidophilic bacterium was isolated from an acidic beverage that had the odour of guaiacol. The cells are aerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming rods. The organism, strain TA-67T, grows at temperatures from 20 to 55 degrees C (optimum, 50 degrees C) and at pH values from 2.

Alicyclobacillus herbarius sp. nov., a novel bacterium containing omega-cycloheptane fatty acids, isolated from herbal tea.

A thermo-acidophilic gram-positive bacterium, strain CP-1T, which grows aerobically at 35-65 degrees C (optimum 55-60 degrees C) and at pH 3.5-6.0 (optimum pH 4.