Abstract: The invention relates to new carbohydrate derivatives of paclitaxel and docetaxel with increased solubility in water as compared to the parent compounds, paclitaxel and docetaxel These derivatives are produced from naturally occurring precursor molecules which upon hydrolysis yield these natural precursors and the original paclitaxel and docetaxel molecules. The present invention also relates to the composition and the use of such derivatives for cancer therapy. These derivatives may also be used in antifungal or antiviral therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to new carbohydrate derivatives of paclitaxel and docetaxel with increased solubility in water as compared to the parent compounds, paclitaxel and docetaxel These derivatives are produced from naturally occurring precursor molecules which upon hydrolysis yield these natural precursors and the original paclitaxel and docetaxel molecules. The present invention also related to the composition and the use of such derivatives for cancer therapy. These derivatives may also be used in antifungal or antiviral therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to new paclitaxel derivatives showing a comparable cytotoxicity of the parent compound, and their uses in a drug targeting therapy. The present invention also relates to the composition and use of such derivative, composition and conjugates for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining different biologically pure cultures of bacteria isolated from different species of Taxus such as Taxus canadensis. T. brevifolia, T. baccata, T. cuspidata, and T. hunnewelliana, wherein the bacteria produce in vitro taxanes and paclitaxel, and wherein the bacteria are of the genus Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Pantoea or Curtobacterium. Also, the present invention relates to a method of a bacterial mass production of at least one taxane or paclitaxel. There is also disclosed a novel bacterial taxane. The present invention also relates to the use of different biologically pure cultures of bacteria isolated from different species of Taxus, wherein the bacteria are able to biotransform pro-taxanes. There is also provided a process for improving taxanes and paclitaxel production of taxanes and paclitaxel producing bacteria which include culturing bacteria in the presence of a mutagenic agent for a period a time sufficient to allow mutagenesis.

Abstract: Taxanes are purified by chromatographic separation using a phenylalkyl chromatographic resin, wherein the alkyl portion of the phenylalkyl is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 moiety. Taxanes such as paclitaxel, 10-deacetyltaxol, 7-epi-taxol, cephalomannine, baccatin III, baccatin V, 7-epi-DAB, 10-deactylbaccatin III ("DAB") and 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III ("DHB") and others may be purified. In accordance with the invention, taxanes are separated from each other and from other impurities common to crude taxane samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to new paclitaxel derivatives showing an increased solubility in water. More particularly, the invention relates to glutarylpaclitaxel, glutarylpaclitaxel 6-aminohexanol glucuronide and to different amino acid derivatives of the glutarylpaclitaxel, all of which possess the cytotoxicity activity of the parent compound, paclitaxel. Also disclosed are fluorescent derivatives of paclitaxel for determining a concentration of paclitaxel in a medium or for detecting apoptotic cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antitumor compounds of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein M is selected from the group consisting of an hydrogen atom, a peptide residue, and a protein residue linked to the carbon atom via the amino residue of .epsilon.-lysine present therein which can be an antibody used to target the anti-tumor agent to the malignant cells, and R can be an antitumor agent such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, or an epirublicin derivative.

Abstract: In an intercom system, electrical noise interference is alleviated by interconnecting the tranceivers and receivers with the control sets via fibre optic lines. Audio signals are applied to a multiplexer which drives an optical modulator. The output of the optical modulator feeds a fiber optic line. Conversely, optical signals are fed to an optical demodulator whose output feeds a demultiplexer. Audio outputs from the demultiplexers feed the receivers and tranceivers and control sets.

Abstract: Apparatus of all types for the separation of fluids which comprise at least one semi-permeable tubular membrane mounted on a porous support, the membrane being kept out of contact with adjacent parts of the apparatus by at least one thread-like element wound spirally around the membrane.

Abstract: Fluid fractionating membrane apparatus is described in which a jacket is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for introducing and extracting a first fluid to and from the jacket, at least one core extending within said jacket. A number of continuous porous tubular membrane support elements, having at least one longitudinal channel connected to the exterior of the jacket, are wound uniformly either spirally or helically around the core and they are each provided with a membrane which covers the exterior surface thereof.

Abstract: A flexible semi-permeable tubular assembly is provided which consists essentially of a cord comprising a textile sheath which carries a semi-permeable membrane, said sheath being composed of yarns, the external surface of the sheath being compressed and flattened, the internal surface of the sheath defining an axial channel which communicates with the exterior. This assembly is particularly suitable for the concentration, separation and purification of fluids by reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration and gas permeation. The assembly combines good tensile strength with good porosity.

Abstract: Fluid fractionating apparatus comprising a jacket, two side plates forming with said jacket a closed chamber, at least one aperture formed in each side plate, a cap located at least partly in each aperture, each cap having a cavity communicating with the interior of the chamber and an orifice communicating via its aperture with the exterior of the chamber, a plurality of cylindrical elements extending substantially axially in said chamber and each comprising a textile sheath forming at least one channel, and a membrane covering the textile sheath and being joined thereto at each of its ends in a leakproof manner, the cylindrical elements having an external diameter of between 1 and 10 mm, the two ends of the cylindrical elements each being located in a fluidtight manner in the cavity of one of said caps, and means for feeding a fluid to and from the chamber. The cylindrical elements are grouped in bundles, the ends of the elements of a bundle being located in the cavity of a single cap.

Abstract: A selectively-permeable tubular element is provided which comprises an essentially tubular sheath of uniform textile material, the whole of which has been heated to a uniform temperature such that the sheath can subsequently be bent in an arc of radius of curvature not exceeding about 10 cm while retaining substantially circular cross-section, with a selectively permeable membrane applied to the sheath.