Abstract: 2,5-dihydroxytetrahydro-2-furancarboxylic acid represented by the following formula [I], its optically active substance or salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to pharmaceutical composition comprising cyclodextrin and a pharmaceutically active agent or prodrug, wherein the cyclodextrin is present at less than 75% equimolar amounts of the above agent or prodrug. The present invention is further drawn to a method of extending the shelf-life of a pharmaceutically active agent or prodrug by adding one or more cyclodextrins a less than 75% equimolar amounts to said pharmaceutically active agent or prodrug.

Abstract: An anionic surface active agent such as the monoglyceride of succinic acid is incorporated into an aqueous solution of a fatty ester of sucrose to prepare an aqueous solution of a fatty ester of sucrose having a reduced viscosity. A process for reducing the viscosity of an aqueous solution of a fatty ester of sucrose is disclosed, which comprises incorporating an anionic surface active agent in an aqueous solution containing from 8 to 50% by weight of a fatty ester of sucrose having an HLB of from 5 to 20 in an amount of from 1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the fatty ester of sucrose. A novel process is also provided, which comprises the use of an aqueous solution of a fatty ester of sucrose having a viscosity thus reduced as an emulsifying agent for dispersing a sparingly water- soluble particulate inorganic compound or cosmetic material therein.

Abstract: There is herein disclosed a process for preparing a carboxypolysaccharide by oxidizing a polysaccharide with a combination of a transition metal compound and an oxidizing agent, said process comprising the step of separating the transition metal from a reaction mixture with a chelating agent. According to the present invention, the transition metal can be removed to a low concentration of less than 100 ppm from an aqueous solution including the transition metal and the tricarboxypolysaccharide. The process of the present invention is important to reduce the loss of a transition metal catalyst such as the ruthenium catalyst and to industrially manufacture a purified tricarboxypolysaccharide.

Abstract: A phospholipidic composition provides resistance against rancidity and the development of undesirable odors. The composition includes at least one phospholipid and a stabilizer. The stabilizer is ground parts and/or an extract of a grain. The composition is prepared by simple and reliable methods of production.

Abstract: Insulin preparations of superior physical stability, comprising dissolved and/or precipitated human insulin or an analogue or derivative thereof, and a water-soluble reduced or non-reducing carbohydrate containing at least 4 carbon atoms in the main carbohydrate structure, or a water-soluble non-reducing ester and/or ether derivative of a carbohydrate or reduced carbohydrate containing at least 4 carbon atoms in the main carbohydrate structure, or mixtures thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing acetaldehyde hydrogenates acetic acid in the presence of an iron oxide catalyst containing between 2.5 and 90 wt % Pd, more preferably 10 and 80 wt % Pd and most preferably 20 and 60 wt % Pd. The catalyst has a specific surface area of less than 150 m.sup.2 /g. Hydrogen and acetic acid are fed to a reactor in a hydrogen to acetic acid ratio of 2:1 to 25:1, more preferably in a hydrogen to acetic acid ratio of 3:1 to 15:1 and most preferably in a hydrogen to acetic acid ratio of 4:1 to 12:1. The hydrogenation is performed at a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C., more preferably about 270.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. and most preferably about 280.degree. C. to 325.degree. C. The hydrogenation of acetic acid produces a partially gaseous product, and acetaldehyde is absorbed from the partially gaseous product with a solvent containing acetic acid. The gas remaining after the absorption step contains hydrogen, and this gas is recycled for the hydrogenation of acetic acid.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is --OH and B forms with the 10-carbon a carbon--carbon double bond or A and B together form a carbonate or a carbamate, --OZ is selected from the group consisting of --OH, etherified hydroxy or esterified hydroxy and its non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the neutralization of shiga-like toxins (SLT) associated with enteric E. coli infection which methods inhibit progression of this infection into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Abstract: A new procedure for producing block fractions from alginate, mainly G block alginate or M block alginate, by selective fractionated release of the M block fraction from the solid phase. MG block fractions can also be isolated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical or veterinary composition comprising, a carrier and an active ingredient being a compound of the following formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen, halogen or methoxy, as well as salts of the compound of formula I.Further provided by the invention is a method of treatment of fungal infection, comprising administering to a patient in need, an effective amount of the compound of said formula I.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the isolation and bioactive characterization of compounds isolated from the clam Spisula polynyma. These compounds include three sphingoid-type bases, spisulosines 285, 299 and 313 (1-3), each of which shows unique cytotoxicity against L1210 murine lymphocytic leukemia cells. In addition, sphingosine (also referred to as 4-sphingenine or octadeca-4-shpingenine, 4) and two related compounds, nonadeca-4-sphingenine (a one carbon longer homolog, 5) and sphinga-4,10-diene (a dehydrosphingosine deravitive, 6) were also obtained, These compounds also contribute to the cytotoxicity of the Spisula polynyma extracts, but did not cause the morphology changes observed with compounds 1-3.

Abstract: The Invention pertains to a process for the amidation of a material having at least one carboxyl-containing polysaccharide. The provided process involves a first step in which the carboxyl groups are reacted with an ammonium donor of the general formula >NH to form the corresponding polysaccharide carboxyl ammonium salt, and a second step in which the polysaccharide carboxyl ammonium salt is heated so as to convert the ammonium groups into the corresponding amido groups. The invention also pertains to fatty amide modified carboxyl-containing polysaccharides, and particularly to fatty amide modified carboxymethyl cellulose. The products in accordance with the invention can be widely employed, e.g. in the field of biodegradable plastics, as anti-redeposition agents for synthetic fibers, as polymeric emulsifiers, as pigment dispersing agents, in cosmetic applications, as thickeners, as oil drilling fluids, as superabsorbers, and in mineral processing.

Abstract: Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists of formula I: ##STR1## and their use in treating psychiatric disorders and neurological diseases, anxiety-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, supranuclear palsy and feeding disorders as well as treatment of immunological, cardiovascular or heart-related diseases and colonic hypersensitivity associated with psychopathological disturbance and stress in mammals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of sugars and sugar mixtures from the group consisting of isomaltulose, trehalulose, maltulose, leucrose and lactulose to sugar alcohols or sugar alcohol mixtures wherein the sugars or sugar mixtures are hydrogenated with hydrogen in an aqueous solution at elevated temperature and elevated pressure, using a nickel-containing catalyst attached to a carrier.

Abstract: Reaction at the interface of an organic solution containing an acidic reactant and an aqueous alkaline solution containing nonreducing carbohydrates such as sucrose, sugar alcohols, cyclodextrins, and polysaccharides imparts a specificity to the reaction for one or more of the primary alcohol groups of the carbohydrate reactant. The resulting activated, nonreducing carbohydrate intermediate can then be converted to a series of substantially pure, low molecular weight reaction products, including a sucrose trimer and dianhydrosucrose, and to a series of substantially pure, higher molecular weight reaction products, including 6-O-sucro cyclodextrins and poly-6-O-sucro amylose.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for attenuating xenograft rejection in humans and old world monkeys, using oligosaccharides containing a Gal.alpha.1-3Gal motif, to neutralize or remove anti-.alpha.Gal antibodies. The invention additionally relates to methods for site directed activation of the complement cascade or host leukocytes using oligosaccharides containing a Gal.alpha.1-3Gal motif to target anti-.alpha.Gal antibodies. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions that may be used in the practice of the invention. Such compositions contain, as the active ingredient, an oligosaccharide containing a Gal.alpha.1-3Gal motif effective in binding anti-.alpha.Gal antibodies in vivo or ex vivo.

Abstract: Novel glycosides, especially steroidal and non-steroidal glycosides are provided. The steroidal and non-steroidal glycosides preferably are prepared from aglycons which possess valuable properties such as pharmacological properties. The glycosides are prepared from useful aglycons and possess useful properties which are the same as those of their respective unglycosylated aglycons. The glycosides are provided in acylated and deacylated form. The acylated glycosides after hydrolysis of the acyl groups possess enhanced water solubility properties, as illustrated in the case where the aglycon is acetominophen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to vaccines comprising (1) one or more bacterial, viral or tumor-associated antigens; and (2) one or more saponin-lipophile conjugate in which a lipophilic moiety such as a lipid, fatty acid, polyethylene glycol or terpene is covalently attached to a non-acylated or desacylated triterpene saponin via a carboxyl group present on the 3-O-glucuronic acid of the triterpene saponin. The attachment of a lipophile moiety to the 3-O-glucuronic acid of a saponin such as Quillaja desacylsaponin, lucyoside P, or saponin from Gypsophila, Saponaria and Acanthophyllum enhances their adjuvant effects on humoral and cell mediated immunity. Additionally, the attachment of a lipophile moiety to the 3-O-glucuronic acid residue of non- or des-acylsaponin yields a saponin analog that is easier to purify, less toxic, chemically more stable, and possesses equal or better adjuvant properties than the original saponin.

Abstract: The present invention consists in methods of preparing derivatives either isolation or from glycopeptides or glycoproteins. The methods comprise producing sugar hydrazones, sugar pyrazoles, glycosylpyrazones, azoglycan dyes and hydrazoglycan dyes. The present invention also relates to the removal of O-glycans from glycopeptides or glycoproteins, immobilising reducing sugars onto solid supports and methods to obtain sugars from glycopeptide or glycoprotein comprising subjecting the glycopeptide or glycoprotein to solid-phase Edman degradation followed by separating and characterizing the sugars.