Abstract: A recombinant adenovirus in which the expression of a nucleic acid sequence coding for at least one homologous or heterologous gene of viral origin is placed under the control of an inducible promoter, is disclosed. The use of such recombinant adenoviruses for preparing AAVs, and a complementary cell line and preparation method therefor, are also disclosed. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compositions containing such an adenovirus are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel products of formula (I), their preparation, the pharmaceutical compositions which contain them and their use in the preparation of medicaments. ##STR1## In the formula (I), the following substituents are among the preferred: Ar represents a substituted or condensed phenyl radical or a polycyclic or heterocyclic aromatic radical, R represents a radical of general formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --X.sub.1 --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z in which X.sub.1 =single bond, O, S; m=0, 1; n=0, 1, 2; it being possible for the CH.sub.2 radicals to be substituted; Z represents carboxyl, COOR.sub.6 (R.sub.6 =alkyl), CON(R.sub.7)(R.sub.8) (R.sub.7 =hydrogen or alkyl and R.sub.8 =hydrogen, hydroxyl, arylsulphonyl, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted amino, optionally substituted alkyloxy or optionally substituted alkyl), PO(OR.sub.9).sub.2 (R.sub.9 =hydrogen or alkyl), an --NH--CO--T (T=hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl) radical, or else--a ##STR2## radical, R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol films are provided which are gelled, non-tacky, bubble-free and resistant to water at ambient temperatures. The polyvinyl alcohol film is obtained by plasticizing (fluxing) and melting granules of pure polyvinyl alcohol containing from 25 to 35% by weight of water at a temperature at least 100.degree. C. above the equilibrium melting point of the granules and less than or equal to 220.degree. C., and extruding the melted granules through a die at a temperature at least 5.degree. C. above the equilibrium melting point of the granules and less than or equal to 98.degree. C., optionally followed by monoaxial stretching or biaxial stretching of the unstretched film obtained. The stretched or unstretched film may be heat-treated to improve its properties. The polyvinyl alcohol film can be used to prepare with thermoplastic films composite films or sheets having a high gas impermeability.

Abstract: A method of preparing inocula of low water activity is disclosed. The inocula are prepared by admixing microorganisms with a polymer gel and lowering and maintaining the water activity below 0.3, preferably below 0.1. These inocula are useful in the treatment of plant disease, particularly crown gall and Dutch elm diseases, as well as in the biological control of insects.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol films are provided which are gelled, non-tacky, bubble-free and resistant to water at ambient temperatures. The polyvinyl alcohol film is obtained by plasticizing (fluxing) and melting granules of pure polyvinyl alcohol containing from 25 to 35% by weight of water at a temperature at least 100.degree. C. above the equilibrium melting point of the granules and less than or equal to 220.degree. C., and extruding the melted granules through a die at a temperature at least 5.degree. C. above the equilibrium melting point of the granules and less than or equal to 98.degree. C., optionally followed by monoaxial stretching or biaxial stretching of the unstretched film obtained. The stretched or unstretched film may be heat-treated to improve its properties. The polyvinyl alcohol film can be used to prepare with thermoplastic films composite films or sheets having a high gas impermeability.

Abstract: Automated apparatus for carrying out biological, biochemical or physicochemical determinations, which consists essentially of an automatic machine for the preparation of solutions intended for these determinations, and of a measuring apparatus, these being connected to a single computer. This apparatus is intended in particular for the determination of antibiotics by turbidimetry.

Abstract: Inocula having a long storage life and improved resistance to temperature and rehydration and a method of preparing them are disclosed. The method of the invention comprises admixing a culture medium containing microorganisms of the genus Rhizobium and at least one carbohydrate source in a polymer gel and then lowering the water activity of the resulting inoculum and maintaining the water activity at less than 0.1.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol films are provided which are gelled, non-tacky, bubble-free and resistant to water at ambient temperatures. The polyvinyl alcohol film is obtained by plasticizing (fluxing) and melting granules of pure polyvinyl alcohol containing from 25 to 35% by weight of water at a temperature at least 100.degree. C. above the equilibrium melting point of the granules and less than or equal to 220.degree. C., and extruding the melted granules through a die at a temperature at least 5.degree. C. above the equilibrium melting point of the granules and less than or equal to 98.degree. C., optionally followed by monoaxial stretching or biaxial stretching of the unstretched film obtained. The stretched or unstretched film may be heat-treated to improve its properties. The polyvinyl alcohol film can be used to prepare with thermoplastic films composite films or sheets having a high gas impermeability.

Abstract: Apparatus/process for the withdrawal and return of liquid materials from a donor source, comprising means for withdrawing whole blood from a mammalian donor; a membranous blood filtration cell which includes a membrane separator/filter, a compartment downstream therefrom for receiving a blood plasma fraction and a compartment upstream thereof for receiving a blood cellular component fraction; conduit means for communicating the withdrawal means and an inlet end of the upstream compartment; a collection vessel; conduit means for communicating an outlet end of said upstream compartment and said collection vessel; means for determining the volume of liquid material withdrawn from the donor source during a withdrawal stage; means for back-filtering and returning liquid material from said collection vessel to the donor source; a second collection vessel; and conduit means for communicating an outlet end of the downstream compartment and the second collection vessel.

Abstract: Process/apparatus for the processing of body fluids, advantageously comprising plasmapheresis technique for the fractionation of whole blood, features (i) means, e.g.

Abstract: Process/apparatus for the processing of body fluids, advantageously comprising plasmapheresis technique for the fractionation of whole blood, features (i) means, e.g.

Abstract: Acidic aqueous phases comprising sulfate ion and particularly sulfuric acid values, titanium ion and particularly titanium (IV) values, and iron ion, particularly iron (II) values, and advantageously waste streams emanating from a sulfate process for the production of TiO.sub.2, are extracted with an initial organic phase which comprises at least one neutral organic extractant having the general formula: ##STR1## in which A and B, which may be the same or different, are the groups R.sub.1 or OR.sub.2, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl radicals, or halogen substituted such radicals; and R is either R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 as above-defined, with R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: 1,5-Dimethyl-hexa-1,5-dienylene compounds, and especially Vitamin A and derivatives thereof, are made by desuphonylating with a basic reagent a sulphone of the formula: ##STR1## in which the sulphonyl group --SO.sub.2 R replaces a hydrogen atom on carbon atom (a) or (b), R represents a phenyl or napthyl group, A is 2-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)ethenyl, and Q is --CH.sub.2 OH or an ether or ester thereof, CHO, or an acetal group.

Abstract: Semi-automatic device which makes it possible to produce cylindrical cavities, according to a given geometrical arrangement, in a layer of gelled material, the said device consisting of a set of several individual devices each of which, as shown in FIG. 1, consists of a cutter inside which a suction tube slides, it being possible for a pressure reduction to be created in the said suction tube.

Abstract: Sulphones useful for preparing polyenes have the formula: ##STR1## where the sulphonyl group replaces a hydrogen atom on carbon atom (a) or (b), R represents alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, optionally substituted, A and Q represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon of 5n+1 carbon atoms (n is 1-5), methyl, optionally substituted by halogen, sulphide or sulphone, CH.sub.2 OH (or an ether or ester thereof), CHO (optionally protected), COOH (or an acid chloride, ester or nitrile thereof), with the proviso that when A represents a 2-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl) ethenyl radical, Q cannot represent --COOH or an ester thereof.

Abstract: Sulphones useful for preparing polyenes have the formula: ##STR1## where the sulphonyl group replaces a hydrogen atom on carbon atom (a) or (b), R represents alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, optionally substituted, A and Q represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon of 5n+1 carbon atoms (n is 1-5), methyl, optionally substituted by halogen, sulphide or sulphone, CH.sub.2 OH (or an ether or ester thereof), CHO (optionally protected), COOH (or an acid chloride, ester or nitrile thereof), with the proviso that when A represents a 2-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl) ethenyl radical, Q cannot represent --COOH or an ester thereof.

Abstract: Naphthacene derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represents an oxygen atom or a group of the formula ##STR2## and R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, or an alkyl, alkanoyl, thioalkanoyl, aryl, aroyl, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, methylthiocarbamoyl or amidino group, these groups being optionally substituted, and R.sub.4 represents hydrogen, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent piperazin-1-yl which carries on the second nitrogen atom an optionally substituted alkyl group, particularly 4-methoxy-5,12-dioxo-6,9,11-trihydroxy-7-(2,3,6-0-tridesoxy-3-amino-1-L-ly xohexosyl)-9-(1-formylhydrazono-ethyl)-5,7,8,9,10,12-hexahydro-naphthacene, and non-toxic salts thereof, posses anti-tumour properties.

Abstract: Hollow fibre fluid fractionating apparatus in which the hollow fibres are twisted together to form cords which are assembled in a bundle in a fluid fractioning apparatus. The twists in the hollow fibres tend to break up boundary layers around the hollow fibres and improve the fractionating.

Abstract: Sulphones of the formula:RSO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CX.dbd.CYCH.sub.2 OR.sub.1where R is alkyl, aralkyl, alkylaryl or aryl, R.sub.1 is hydrogen or -COR.sub.2 where R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, and one of X and Y is methyl and the other is hydrogen are useful for converting terpene and carotenoid compounds into the immediately higher isoprenologue, useful as perfumes, foodstuff dyes, and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Separation apparatus useful particularly for ultrafiltration in which a series of membranes are mounted in superposed relationship with membrane supports, and, where appropriate, distribution plates therebetween, the membranes being mounted in subassemblies so that the flow of fluid through the individual chambers between the membranes of a particular sub-assembly is substantially in parallel. .Iadd.