Abstract: A product comprising a C1-C3 aliphatic carboxylic acid or corresponding ester is produced by a process comprising carbonylating a C1-C3 aliphatic alcohol or a corresponding ester with carbon monoxide in the presence of a.zeolite catalyst having an 8-member ring channel which is interconnected with a channel defined by a ring with greater than or equal to 8 members, the 8-member ring having a window size of at least 2.5 Angstroms×at least 3.6 Angstroms and at least one Brønsted acid site and the zeolite having a silica:X2O3 ratio of at least 5, wherein X is selected from aluminium, boron, iron, gallium and mixtures thereof with the proviso that the zeolite is not mordenite or ferrierite.

Abstract: Immobilized nitronyl nitroxide active sites on the surface of a porous inorganic oxide support act as efficient and rapid oxidants for NO, reacting with >99% of the NO under flow conditions through a packed bed; and, in a parallel configuration with nitroxyl radical active sites, act to remove >99% of both NO and NO2 from a gas mixture, with >95% of the active sites participating in NOx trapping.

Abstract: A product comprising a lower alkyl ester of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid is produced by a process comprising reacting under substantially anhydrous conditions a lower alkyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst having an 8-member ring channel which is interconnected with a channel defined by a ring with greater than or equal to 8 members, the 8-member ring having a window size of at least 2.5 Angstroms×at least 3.6 Angstroms and at least one Brønsted acid site and the zeolite having a silica:X2O3 ratio of at least 5, wherein X is selected from aluminum, boron, iron, gallium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to HIV chimeric gene formed by the union of fragments of different genes of said virus, wherein said fragments contains epitopes for cytotoxic T cells (CTL) or HIV-1 auxiliary T cells, which are presented by a wide range of antigens of type Major Histocompatibility Complex (HLA-I). Recombinant poxviruses are obtained from said genes, which are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination against HIV/AIDS infections, are capable of generating a protective immune cell response in vaccinated laboratory animals and are recognized by the CTL lymphocytes of HIV/AIDS patients.

Abstract: A product comprising a C1-C3 aliphatic carboxylic acid or corresponding ester is produced by a process comprising carbonylating a C1-C3 aliphatic alcohol or a corresponding ester with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst having an 8-member ring channel which is interconnected with a channel defined by a ring with greater than or equal to 8 members, the 8-member ring having a window size of at least 2.5 Angstroms×at least 3.6 Angstroms and at least one Brønsted acid site and the zeolite having a silica:X2O3 ratio of at least 5, wherein X is selected from aluminium, boron, iron, gallium and mixtures thereof with the proviso that the zeolite is not mordenite or ferrierite.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the branch of medicine, particularly to the new formulations of vaccine antigens. The technical objective pursued with the present invention is, precisely, the development of formulations that are able to enhance the immune response to mucosally administered antigens, minimising the number of compounds in the formulation and generating strong mucosal and systemic responses through a synergic interaction between the antigens in the formulation. These formulations enable: a) to broaden the spectrum of the anti-hepatitis B immune response, containing as main compounds HBsAg and HBcAg, b) to enhance the response against HBsAg with a viral nucleocapsid c) to generate combined vaccines through the mucosal route with HBsAg as a central antigen. Stabilizers and preservatives can be introduced. The formulations of this invention can be applied in the pharmaceutical industry as human or veterinary vaccine formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to HIV chimeric gene formed by the union of fragments of different genes of said virus, wherein said fragments contains epitopes for cytotoxic T cells (CTL) or HIV-1 auxiliary T cells, which are presented by a wide range of antigens of type Major Histocompatibility Complex (HLA-I). Recombinant poxviruses are obtained from said genes, which are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination against HIV/AIDS infections, are capable of generating a protective immune cell response in vaccinated laboratory animals and are recognized by the CTL lymphocytes of HIV/AIDS patients.

Abstract: A product comprising a lower alkyl ester of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid is produced by a process comprising reacting a lower alkyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising mordenite and/or ferrierite, optionally including an additional framework metal such as gallium, boron and/or iron, under substantially anhydrous conditions. More specifically, methyl acetate is selectively produced by reaction of dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising mordenite or ferrierite, under substantially anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is related with the field of therapeutic vaccines against pathogens causing chronic diseases. It comprises the use in therapy of formulations containing the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as the main compound. The HBsAg is produced as a recombinant product in Picchia pastoris. The formulations of the present invention also comprise the combination of the Hepatitis B surface antigen and other coadministered antigens. The resulting formulations are able to generate potent lymphoprolipherative and cytotoxic responses apart from a remarkable response of specific antibodies, which make them very effective in the treatment of such diseases.

Abstract: A product comprising a lower alkyl ester of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid is produced by a process comprising reacting under substantially anhydrous conditions a lower alkyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst having an 8-member ring channel which is interconnected with a channel defined by a ring with greater than or equal to 8 members, the 8-member ring having a window size of at least 2.5 Angstroms×at least 3.6 Angstroms and at least one Brønsted acid site and the zeolite having a silica:X2O3 ratio of at least 5, wherein X is selected from aluminum, boron, iron, gallium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of hydrocarbons comprises contacting the hydrocarbon with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a microporous solid support, preferably a zeolite, having from 8- to 12-ring open windows and comprising non-framework metal cations selected from manganese, iron, cobalt, vanadium, chromium, copper, nickel, and ruthenium, and mixtures thereof, providing that the oxygen-containing gas does not contain significant amounts of added hydrogen. The catalyst is novel and forms part of the invention. The process may be used for oxidation of alkanes, cycloalkanes, benzene and alkylbenzenes, and is suitable for use in regioselective terminal oxidation of straight chain alkanes and for selective oxidation/separation of p-dialkylbenzenes from an alkylbenzene mixture, for example, p-xylene from an isomeric mixture of xylenes.

Abstract: A product comprising a lower alkyl ester of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid is produced by a process comprising reacting a lower alkyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising mordenite and/or ferrierite, optionally including an additional framework metal such as gallium, boron and/or iron, under substantially anhydrous conditions. More specifically, methyl acetate is selectively produced by reaction of dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising mordenite or ferrierite, under substantially anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: A product comprising a lower alkyl ester of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid is produced by a process comprising reacting a lower alkyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising mordenite and/or ferrierite, under substantially anhydrous conditions. More specifically, methyl acetate is selectively produced by reaction of dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising mordenite or ferrierite, under substantially anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: Immobilized calixarenes and calixarene-related compounds are produced by a process comprising either: (a) contacting the calixarene or calixarene-related compound with a substrate containing one or more metallic or non-metallic oxides that has been surface modified by reaction with one or more polyhalides and/or polyalkoxides of an element capable of forming a stable aryloxide species with the substrate, or (b) reaction of such a substrate with a calixarene or calixarene-related compound that has been previously modified or derivatized by reaction with said polyhalides and/or polyalkoxides.

Abstract: Feeds comprising methanol, dimethyl ether or a mixture of the two are oxidized by contacting the feed with an oxygen-containing gas and a supported heteropolyacid catalyst containing molybdenum or molybdenum and vanadium. The primary products are methylal (dimethoxymethane) and methyl formate. Production of dimethyl ether from methanol can be inhibited by partial deactivation of acid sites on the Keggin catalyst.

Abstract: Immobilized calixarenes and calixarene-related compounds are produced by a process comprising either: (a) contacting the calixarene or calixarene-related compound with a substrate containing one or more metallic or non-metallic oxides that has been surface modified by reaction with one or more polyhalides and/or polyalkoxides of an element capable of forming a stable aryloxide species with the substrate, or (b) reaction of such a substrate with a calixarene or calixarene-related compound that has been previously modified or derivatized by reaction with said polyhalides and/or polyalkoxides.

Abstract: Feeds comprising methanol, dimethyl ether or a mixture of the two are oxidized by contacting the feed with an oxygen-containing gas and a supported heteropolyacid catalyst containing molybdenum or molybdenum and vanadium. The primary products are methylal (dimethoxymethane) and methyl formate. Production of dimethyl ether from methanol can be inhibited by partial deactivation of acid sites on the Keggin catalyst.

Abstract: A process for oxidation of methanol, ethanol, or a mixture of methanol and ethanol comprising contacting the methanol and/or ethanol with an oxygen-containing gas and a supported catalyst comprising one or more platinum group oxides. The process conditions and/or catalyst may be selected to as to selectively produce methyl formate from methanol or diethoxyethane from ethanol. The invention also includes certain novel supported platinum group metal oxide catalysts. Preferred catalysts include one or more ruthenium oxides.

Abstract: Dimethyl ether is converted to formaldehyde using a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides. The surface density of the oxide(s) ranges from greater than that for the isolated monomeric oxides upwards, so long as there is a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide(s). Conversion and selectivity to formaldehyde are improved as compared to data reported for known catalysts. Also disclosed is a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides wherein the support comprises one or more reducible metal oxides, preferably a layer or layers of one or more reducible metal oxides disposed on the surface of a particulate alumina or zirconia support.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for optimally operating a three phase slurry bubble column. The constituents of the three phases, gas, liquid, and solids, are determined by the chemical reaction in the column. The method includes injecting the gas phase into the column with an appropriate velocity so that the solid phase is fluidized while still maintaining “plug flow” over the column length.