Abstract: A process for the preparation of metoprolol in a stereospecific form or a non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof and/or a stereospecific form of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether which comprises subjecting 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl allyl ether to the action of a microorganism having the ability for stereoselective epoxidation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl allyl ether into 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether having at least 80% by weight the S configuration, at least partly separating 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether and/or reacting 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether with isopropylamine and at least partly separating metoprolol and/or converting metoprolol into its non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt.

Abstract: A process for producing an effective anti-ulcer preparation in the form of a dry powder by spray-drying a colloidal solution comprising bismuth citrate, ammonia and a polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical tablet containing an amphoteric beta-lactam antibiotic, microcrystalline or micro fine cellulose or a mixture of both and a second disintegrant, being low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, which fully disintegrates in water within 60 seconds. When swallowed it shows a bioavailability as good as a pharmacy prepared suspension of the antibiotic. The tablet is compressed from a mixture containing a new granulate which is prepared from the antibiotic substance, microcrystalline and/or micro fine cellulose and water only. Such tablets can also be prepared by using other known tablet disintegrants as the second disintegrant.

Abstract: The presence or absence of residues of an antibiotic such as penicillin is rapidly determined in a sample such as milk or meat. The sample is added to a test vessel containing a solidified agar medium containing spores of a microorganism which has high sensitivity for the antibiotic being determined. After addition of nutrients and incubation, presence or absence of the antibiotic is indicated by the extent of growth of the microorganism. The nutrients may be in the form of a tablet which may be placed on the surface of the solidified agar medium prior to use. The tablet may be coated with a layer preventing moisture transport from the medium into the tablet during storage, but allowing nutrient transport under test conditions. The extent of microorganism growth may be determined visually or indicated by an indicator present in the solidified agar medium or the nutrient tablet. The test vessel preferably has a cross-section of 3 to 20 mm and a height of 3 to 30 mm.

Abstract: Novel lipolytic enzymes having an optimum pH in the range of 8 and 10.5 which exhibits effective lipase activity in an aqueous solution containing a detergent at a concentration of up to about 10 g/l under washing conditions at a temperature of 60.degree. C. or below and at a pH between 7 and 11. These lipases are useful in washing compsitions, premixes and enzymatic detergent additives. They are obtainable from bacteria strains selected from Psedomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomanas stutzeri and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Preferred strains are Pxs. pseudoalcaligenes CBS 467.85, CBS 468.85, CBS 471.85, CBS 473.85 and ATCC 29625, Ps. stutzeri CBS 461.85 and Acimetobacter calcoaceticus CBS 460.85, and variants and mutants thereof.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 7.beta.-amino-3-substituted methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid derivatives, new intermediates comprising 7.beta.-(cyclo)alkylideneammonio-3-halomethyl-3-cephem-4-carbox ylic acid derivatives and 7.beta.-amino/ammonio-3-bromomethyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid derivatives and the processes for the preparation of these intermediates.

Abstract: N-(sulfonylmethyl)formamides are obtained by reacting a sulfinic acid, formaldehyde and formamide in the presence of a second acid and a controlled amount of water. The formamides can be converted to the corresponding sulfonylmethylisocyanides.

Abstract: 9(11)-dehydroandrostanes and 9(11)-dehydropregnanes are prepared by dehydrating the corresponding 9-alpha-hydroxy steroid in the presence of a Lewis acid. The corresponding 8(9)-dehydro-isomer was not detectable. The resulting products are valuable intermediates in steroid synthesis especially in the preparation of corticosteroids.

Abstract: Trans-.beta.-lactams are prepared in a nearly quantitative yield by a condensation reaction of a new intermediate metal enolate and an appropriate imine. Certain new metal enolates are provided as intermediates.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, like an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt or a pivaloyl ester, wherein R.sub.1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group such as a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or represents a heteroaromatic ring system containing in addition to carbon atoms one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring system being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.

Abstract: A new cloning system is described capable of expressing genetic material derived from recombinant DNA material, which comprises a yeast of the genus Kluyveromyces as a host. Suitable vectors are e.g. vectors containing autonomously replicating sequences (ARS) and vectors containing homologous Kluyveromyces DNA acting as a site for recombination with the host chromosome. New and preferred vectors are those containing ARS sequences originating from Kluyveromyces (KARS vectors). The genetically engineered new strains of Kluyveromyces produce, inter alia, lactase and chymosin.

Abstract: A new solid bismuth containing composition which is colloidally soluble in water is obtained by spray drying an aqueous ammoniacal colloidal solution of bismuth citrate. The new composition is effective for the treatment of peptic ulcers.

Abstract: Novel tablets comprising (a) 80 to 98% by weight of a mixture of trimethoprim and/or an acid addition salt thereof and a sulfonamide and/or a salt thereof in a weight ratio of 1:20 to 20:1 and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic ion exchange resin having improved disintegration times and other properties and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: Infectious bronchitis vaccines for poultry derived from at least a virus strain of a novel serotype of the infectious-bronchitis virus (IBV), identified by the internal indication Gelderland. 901 and Brabant. 802, which have been deposited at the Czechoslovak National Collection of Type Cultures of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemoilogy under the numbers CNCTC AO 17/81 and CNCTC AO18/82 and at the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes d'Institut Pasteur, under Nos. I-168 and I-202 and combined infectious-bronchitis vaccines derived from the IBV H. 120 or the IBV H. 52 of the Massachusetts type strain together with the novel before-mentioned virus strain; the infectious-bronchitis virus strain itself, and a process for preventing infectious-bronchitis in poultry by vaccination with a vaccine derived from the before-mentioned strains. Preferably, live infectious bronchitis vaccines are prepared, which contain a virus content of at least 10.sup.4.0 EID.sub.

Abstract: Waste water containing sulfate and organic material is purified by anaerobic biological waste water treatment where at least 80% of the sulfate is converted into hydrogen sulfide in an acidification process and at least 70% of the resulting hydrogen sulfide is removed from the waste water.

Abstract: Novel tablets comprising (a) 80 to 98% by weight of a mixture of trimethoprim and/or an acid addition salt thereof and a sulfonamide and/or a salt thereof in a weight ratio of 1:20 to 20:1 and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic ion exchange resin having improved disintegration times and other properties and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: Novel sebum synthesis inhibiting compositions comprising a sebum inhibiting effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acyl of an organic carboxylic acid free of additional carboxyl group and their non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts and an inert pharmaceutical carrier and to a novel method of inhibiting sebum synthesis in warm-blooded animals and novel 1H-imidazol-1-ethanol esters.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms are immobilized on a plastic carrier in an aqueous nutrient medium to which a minor amount of a water-immiscible hydrocarbon substrate has been added. The water-immiscible hydrocarbon is preferably hexadecane or dodecylcyclohexane and the plastic carrier is preferably polytetrafluoroethylene. Presence of the water-immiscible hydrocarbon substrate results in increased loading of microorganisms on the carrier.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 7.beta.-acylamino-3-substituted-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid compounds comprising reacting at -70.degree. C. to 0.degree. C. in an inert organic solvent phosphorus pentachloride with a cephalosporin compound in the presence of an olefinic compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond having not more than three hydrogen atoms attached thereto capable of removing chlorine at least in part by addition to a carbon-carbon double bond.

Abstract: In apparatus for the anaerobic purification of waste water the invention aims at improving the structure and the operation. In known apparatus of this kind there is a reactor tank with one or more aftersettling compartments in the upper part thereof, with inlet and outlet openings for water and sludge into and from the aftersettling compartments from and into the reactor tank respectively.