Abstract: New 9.alpha.-hydroxy-17-methylene steroids are prepared by the introduction of a substituted 17-methylene group in 9.alpha.-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione.The resulting compounds are useful starting compounds in the synthesis of corticosteroids.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided relating to yeasts capable of improved fermentation of sugars. Particularly, genes from the MAL locus are used for transformation of yeast hosts, where the genes are under the wild-type promoter or a strong promoter which provides for regulatable or constitive expression under the conditions of fermentation. Particularly, the yeast hosts find use in the leavening of dough.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides having Factor VIII activity are provided as well as compositions and methods for their preparation. The polypeptides comprise derivatives and fragments of Factor VIII and have sequences substantially similar to portions of naturally occuring Factor VIII. The polypeptides find use in treatment of Hemophilia A.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene encoding penicillin G acylase, the enzyme encoded by said gene and a method for the production of said enzyme by incorporating said gene in a host and bringing the same to expression. The gene is preferably obtained from a strain of the microorganism Alcaligenes faecalis.

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: 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: Novel lipolytic enzymes are provided having an optimum pH in the range of 8 and 10.5 which exhibit 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 compositions, premixes and enzymatic detergent additives. They are obtainable from bacteria strains selected from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomonas stutzeri and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Preferred strains are Ps. pseudoalcaligenes CBS 467.85, CBS 468.85, CBS 471.85, CBS 473.85 and ATCC 29625, Ps. stutzeri CBS 461.85 and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus CBS 460.85, and variants and mutants thereof.

Abstract: Immobilized water-insoluble biocatalysts in particulate form comprise living cells, particularly yeast, dispersed in a cross-linked gelling agent. An enzyme, particularly amyloglucosidase, may be co-immobilized in the particles. These particles are prepared by suspending the living cells in an aqueous solution of a gelling agent, dispersing this suspension in a water immiscible organic liquid to form a suspension in the liquid of aqueous particles comprising the living cells and gelling agent, gelling the gel and cross-linking the gelling agent. It is found that when living cells such as microbial cells and especially yeast are immobilized in this way, that surprisingly, not only is their viability retained, but the ability of yeast cells to produce ethanol under continuous fermentation conditions is significantly improved. Specific strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suitable for immobilization in this way, are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the anaerobic purification of waste water which comprises a fluidized-bed process in which granular sludge is applied.Moreover apparatus is disclosed for the purification of waste water using a fluidized-bed reactor wherein a liquid introduction device is present which is formed by one or more separate inlet pipes, the pipes delivering the liquid near the bottom of the reactor with an outlet velocity of 0.5-4 m/s, preferably 1-2 m/s.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of ibuprofen enriched in R isomer, which comprises subjecting an ester of ibuprofen, to the action of a micro-organism or substances derived thereof, that will stereoselectively hydrolyse the ester to form ibuprofen predominantly having R configuration.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for the enhanced production of secondary metabolites. Methods are provided for identifying sequences which when transformed into secondary metabolite producing hosts, enhance the production of secondary metabolite. The process is exemplified for penicillin. In addition, the P. chrysogenum acyltransferase gene is isolated and sequenced.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of 3-methylene and 3-halomethylene cepham derivatives via 3-phosphoniomethyl-3-cephem derivatives, which in turn can be prepared from 3-halomethyl-3-cephem derivatives. The preparation can be carried out with or without isolating the intermediate phosphonium cephem compounds. The 3-methylene and 3-halomethylene cepham derivatives and in particular the 1-oxo and 1,1-dioxo cepham compounds are also prepared by reducing a 3-halomethyl-3-cepham derivative with activated metal, preferably zinc or magnesium.

Abstract: A food-grade oxygen scavenger for removing oxygen from foods and beverages in containers is prepared by immobilizing dried yeast containing at least 92% dry matter in a solid material such as wax or paraffin. The solid material allows for very slow penetration of water and permits the yeast to contact only water that penetrates therethrough. The immobilized yeast is coated on an inside surface of a container or on a surface of a closure such as a stopper that is on the inside of the container when closed. After adding a food or beverage and closing the container, the immobilized yeast removes oxygen from the container. The closed container and its contents can be pasteurized and the yeast retain sufficient viability to remove oxygen.

Abstract: A wet granulate is provided for therapeutically useful substances having a water solubility 10 wt % or less and microcrystalline or microfine cellulose or a mixture of both, where substantial amounts of wet binders are avoided.Tableting mixtures with the new granulate possess a good flow pattern and may be compressed to tablets which show an excellent disintegration behavior.

Abstract: A biological denitrification is provided in which ammonium ion is used as an electron donor in the denitrification. The process may advantageously be used under conditions of high ammonium ion concentrations in waste water or to remove ammonium ion from manure, soil or surface water. Microorganisms are described which may be used in these processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for the enrichment in R isomer of an aryloxypropioic acid ester and for the stereoselective hydrolysis of an aryloxypropionic acid ester to form the corresponding aryloxypropionic acid in predominantly S configuration which comprises subjecting an aryloxypropionic acid ester of formula I ##STR1## wherein A is an ester residue and preferably an alkyl group, optionally substituted or branched, wherein R' is an optionally substituted aryl or heterocyclic ring system, containing in addition to carbon atoms one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring system being optionally substituted and wherein B and D are for example a hydrogen or a halogen atom, to the action of a microorganism or substance derived thereof capable of stereoselective hydrolysis of the COOA group to form the corresponding carboxylic acid predominantly is S configuration.

Abstract: A process for microencapsulating bioactive substances in biocompatible polymers according to the phase-separation principle, wherein an excess of an ethyl or isopropyl ester of a straight-chain fatty acid having 12-18 carbon atoms is used as the hardening liquid, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing the microcapsules prepared by this process. Isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate are preferred hardening liquids.

Abstract: 3-Exomethylenecepham sulfoxide derivatives and intermediates therefor, viz. 2-chlorosulfinylazetidin-4-ones are prepared in high yield and purity by reaction of a penam sulfoxide ester with a N-chloro halogenating agent in the presence of molecular sieves.

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: Infectious bronchitis (IB) vaccines for poultry derived from at least one novel virus strain of novel infectious bronchitis serotypes, selected from the group consisting of culture Nos. CNCTC A 07/80, CNCTC A 08/80, CNCTC A 09/80, CNCTC A 010/80, CNCTC A 011/80, CNCTC A 013/80, CNCTC A 014/80, CNCTC A 015/80 and CNCTC A 016/80 deposited at the Czechoslovak National Collection of Type Cultures of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Prague, Czechoslovakia and the novel viruses per se, combined virus vaccines and a novel method of protecting poultry from infectious bronchitis.