Abstract: Nucleoside and nucleotide analogues that can be used as cardioprotective agents are provided. The nucleosides and nucleotide analogues comprise tetrahydrofuranyl or tetrahydrothienyl moieties with quaternary stereogenic all-carbon centers at the 2? position and a phosphonate ester at the 5? position.

Abstract: Nucleoside analogues that can be used as anticancer or antiviral agents are presented. These compounds are nucleoside and/or nucleotide prodrugs. In particular, the subject matter relates to nucleoside analogues comprising a tetrahydrofuranyl, or tetrahydrothienyl moiety which: have a quaternary stereogenic all-carbon center at the 3? position and bear a phosphoryl group at either one of, or both of positions C5? and/or C3?; have a quaternary stereogenic all-carbon center at one of the 3? position, 2? position, or no quaternary stereogenic center at all, and bear a ?-blocked lipoate derivative attached through an amide bond to the primary amine of the nucleobase; or have a quaternary stereogenic all-carbon center at the 2? position and bear a phosphorylated prodrug at the C5?-position and a ?-blocked lipoate derivative attached through an amide bond to the primary amine of the nucleobase.

Abstract: Nucleotide vector comprising at least one gene or one complementary DNA coding for at least a portion of a virus, and a promoter providing for the expression of such gene in muscle cells. The gene may be the S gene of the hepatitis B virus. A vaccine preparation containing said bare DNA is injected into the host previously treated with a substance capable of inducing a coagulating necrosis of the muscle fibres.

Abstract: Nucleotide vector comprising at least one gene or one complementary DNA coding for at least a portion of a virus, and a promoter providing for the expression of such gene in muscle cells. The gene may be the S gene of the hepatitis B virus. A vaccine preparation containing said bare DNA is injected into the host previously treated with a substance capable of inducing a coagulating necrosis of the muscle fibres.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of inducing an immunogenic response in a subject that include administering a nucleotide plasmid vector that includes a gene coding for a surface antigen protein derived from hepatitis B virus and a promoter for the expression of the gene. The invention also relates to vaccine compositions for protecting against hepatitis B virus.

Abstract: A process to stabilize, deodorize, recover energy, reduce pollution potential, and add value to organic waste such as animal manure is described. The process involves the anaerobic digestion of animal manure at low temperatures in intermittently fed sequencing batch reactors. The process of the present application offers several advantages over the prior art processes including (1) the process works very well at low temperatures and therefore does not require pre-heating of the animal manure; (2) the process does not require continuous or daily feeding nor does it require continuous mixing; (3) the process makes use of existing handling and storage equipment at the farm and requires minimal supervision and skill by the operator; (4) the process is very efficient in retaining the slow growing microorganisms in the system and (5) the system is not affected by high concentrations of volatile acids and ammonia or nitrogen. Consequently, the process is low cost and does not interfere with regular farm operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of conjugated polyene sterol derivatives, the compounds obtained and to their use as fluorescent probes for cellular membranes. The fluorescent probes of the present invention resemble cholesterol both structurally and in amphipathic nature. The probes of the present invention have potential for use in determining cholesterol levels and cholesterol properties and cell membrane properties and can be applied to clinical assays and diagnoses involving cholesterol.