Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino hexitols of a hexose sugars from novel hydroxyl protected oxime intermediates. The process includes formation of a lactam which is reduced to the hexitol. The hexitols are useful as drugs.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino hexitols of a hexose sugars from novel hydroxyl protected oxime intermediates. The process includes formation of a lactam which is reduced to the hexitol. The hexitols are useful as drugs.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the production and use of inorganic-polymer complexes for the controlled release of compounds including medicinals. Advantageously, the inorganic used is calcium sulfate.

Abstract: Glucosamine suitable for human or animal consumption is disclosed. The glucosamine is derived from microbial biomass containing chitin. Suitable starting materials include substantially uniform microbial fungal sources, such as fungal sources derived from Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp. and combinations thereof. Methods of producing glucosamine by acid hydrolysis of fermented fungal biomass are also disclosed.

Abstract: A C-glucosyl ether lipid of the following formula: wherein R1 is a C12-C20 alkyl or C12-C20 alkenyl; R2 is a C1-C3 alkyl or C3 cycloalkyl; and X nitrogen-containing group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing as an active ingredient at least one oligosaccharide of formula: to novel oligosaccharides of formula (I), to mixtures thereof and to methods for their preparation.

Abstract: Antibody-mediated xenograft rejection is attenuated by (1) removing preformed antibodies to various identified carbohydrate xenoantigens from the recipient's circulation prior to transplantation by extracorporeal perfusion of the recipient's blood over a biocompatible solid support to which the xenoantigens are bound and/or (2) parenterally administering a xenoantibody-inhibiting amount of an identified xenoantigen to the recipient shortly before graft revascularization and thereafter.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel thermoprecipitating polymers of formula 1, processes for the preparation thereof respectively and to the use thereof for the separation of enzymes. In formula 1 R is hydrogen or methyl, and x and y are integers greater than 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-&bgr;-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a &bgr;-1→4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and/or its reformulations.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to monovalent oligosaccharides and their use, for example, in the treatment and prevention of mammalian disease caused by infection with Shiga toxin (ST) or Shiga-like toxin (SHL). In particular, the trisaccharide globotriose (i.e., galactose &agr;1,4 galactose &bgr;1,4 glucose) may be used to competitively inhibit binding of the toxins to their cellular targets.

Abstract: This invention provides lipids having: 1) a glycerol backbone; 2) a hydrocarbon chain, preferably saturated and containing 16 or 18 carbon atoms, attached to C-1 of the backbone by an ether linkage, 3) a methyl group attached to C-2 of the backbone, preferably by an ether linkage; and, 4) a sugar attached to C-3 of the glycerol backbone in either the alpha or beta anomeric configuration, the sugar being altered by modification of, or substitution for, one or more of its hydroxyl groups. Also provided herein are ether-lipid-containing compositions, as well as methods of administering such compositions to animals, for example, those afflicted with cancers, as well as various other diseases and disorders.

Abstract: There are provided an oral skin improving agent that exhibits good skin improving effects when orally ingested, suppresses problems of discoloration and generation of unpleasant odor during storage, and has excellent storage stability; a food composition for improving skin containing this skin improving agent; and a skin improving method. The oral skin improving agent contains as a principal component refined hyaluronic acid having a purity of at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, and an average molecular weight in a range of 750,000 to 1,200,000, preferably 800,000 to 1,000,000. A person's skin can be improved by having the person ingest the oral skin improving agent such that the ingestion amount thereof is at least 5 mg per day.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chemistry of biologically active compounds, namely, to a new method to prepare water-soluble porphyrin derivatives, particularly chlorin derivatives having general formulae (1). The compounds of the present invention are useful as photosensitizers, as drug substances and optionally in suitable drug products, for the photodynamic therapy of cancer, of infectious and other diseases, as well as for light irradiation treatments in other cases.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for preparing water-insoluble biocompatible gels, films and sponges by reacting hyaluronic acid, or a salt thereof, with a carbodiimide in the absence of a nucleophile or a polyanionic polysaccharide. The water-insoluble gels, films and sponges of this invention may be used as surgical aids to prevent adhesions of body tissues and as drug delivery vehicles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a malto-oligosaccharide derived glycoside. Generally, the method comprises providing a malto-oligosaccharide and glycosylating the malto-oligosaccharide with an alcohol or a thiol under conditions suitable to form a malto-oligosaccharide derived glycoside. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a mixture of malto-oligosaccharide derived glycosides by providing a mixture of malto-oligosaccharides and glycosylating the malto-oligosaccharides with an alcohol or a thiol under substantially anhydrous conditions to form a mixture of malto-oligosaccharide derived glycosides.

Abstract: The invention provides novel glycosaminoglycan derivatives having a repeating unit structure of two saccharides of hexosamine and hexuronic acid as a backbone structure, in which the bonds between 2- and 3-positions carbon atoms of hexuronic acid as its constituting monosaccharide are partially cleaved and a part or all of the 2-position hydroxyl groups of uncleaved hexuronic acid are not substituted with a sulfate group, which has low anticoagulation activity and excellent neurite outgrowth promotion accelerating activity and sialidase inhibition activity; a process for producing the glycosaminoglycan derivatives, comprising a cleavage treatment of the bond between the 2- and 3-position carbon atoms of hexuronic acid having no sulfate group at the 2-position of glycosaminoglycan, and a selective desulfation treatment of the 2-position sulfate group of hexuronic acid; and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the glycosaminoglycan derivative as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition for the protection, treatment and repair of connective tissue in mammals and a method for the treatment of connective tissue in mammals by the administration of the composition. The composition includes glucosamine and preferably chondroitin sulfate or fragments thereof. The composition optionally includes manganese ascorbate which catalyzes the production of collagen and proteoglycans from the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Abstract: A process for purifying high molecular weight hyaluronic acid from a biological source, including the steps of adjusting the pH of an aqueous solution containing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid from a biological source to a pH in the range from 1.7 to 3.3 and then diafiltering said aqueous solution at the same pH using a filter having a pore size in the range from 100,000 Daltons nominal molecular cut-off to 0.45 m, and of removing cells from the aqueous solution containing high molecular weight hyaluronic acid from biological source.

Abstract: A stable, formulation comprising glucosamine and chondroitin compounds in a base mixture which can be used for topical application to relieve joint pain and myofascial pain. A method of preparing the composition by adding the glucosamine and chondroitin after the rest of the components of the formulation have been mixed and heated is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compound of the general formula (I), their derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the general formula (I), their derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing them.

Abstract: A 2-glucosamine derivative of the general formula (I): wherein R is an alkyl radical of the general formula CnH2n+1 and n is selected from 2-12; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and glucosides thereof, used for a treatment in a mammal selected from the group consisting of (a) arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis; (b) enhancing cartilage formation in a mammal; (c) enhancing chondrocytes cell proliferation; (d) production of glycosaminoglycan in a mammal; and (e) alleviating the symptoms of joint stiffness and restricted mobility.

Abstract: Glucosamine compositions comprising the compounds glucosamine sulfate metal chloride, wherein the metal, i.e., the cation is potassium, sodium, magnesium, lithium, calcium, zinc or manganese. The compounds have purity levels of at least about 97%, with water present in a maximum amount of about 10 wt. %, based on the weight of the composition. The compounds are prepared by contacting glucosamine hydrochloride with a hydroxide of the metal in the presence of water to form a first aqueous solution of the free glucosamine base and a chloride of the metal, acidifying the first aqueous solution with sulfuric acid to form a second aqueous solution of glucosamine sulfate and the chloride of the metal, and thereafter freeze-drying the second aqueous solution at a temperature and at a reduced pressure for such period of time that at least about 90 wt. % of the water is removed and decomposition of the compound glucosamine sulfate metal chloride is limited to a maximum of about 3%.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a phosphate ester of combretastat-in A-4 and trans-isomers thereof in which combretastatin A-4 is reacted with dibenzylphosphite in the presence of carbon tetrabromide, or with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl phosphorodichloridate, to form a phosphate ester of combretastatin A-4 with protecting groups thereon.

Abstract: Glucosamine suitable for human or animal consumption is disclosed. The glucosamine is derived from microbial biomass containing chitin. Suitable starting materials include substantially uniform microbial fungal sources, such as fungal sources derived from Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Mucor sp. and combinations thereof. Methods of producing glucosamine by acid hydrolysis of fermented fungal biomass are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing glycan nitrones comprising reacting glycans with a mono-N-substituted hydroxylamine at pH 6 or greater to form glycan nitrones. Methods for producing glycan derivatives comprising reacting glycan nitrones produced by reacting glycans with a mono-N-substituted hydroxylamine at pH 6 or greater with a reducing agent to form hydroxylamine glycan derivatives and uses of the glycan nitrones and hydroxylamine glycan derivatives produced by the methods.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyvalent, physiologically degradable carbohydrate-containing polymers by enzymatic glycosylation reactions is described. The carbohydrate-containing polymers thus prepared may be used for preparing carbohydrate building blocks. The polyvalent carbohydrate-containing polymers of the invention cause no intolerance reactions in vivo, either in their intact form or in the form of degradation products. The carbohydrate side chain of the carbohydrate-containing polymer is assembled by enzymatic glycosylation reactions in homogeneous aqueous buffer systems directly on a biodegradable polymer. The yields of the glycosylation reaction are significantly improved over known processes, and are often quantitative. This also provides a significant increase in the loading densities. A process for preparing free oligosaccharides by means of the carbohydrate-containing polymers of the invention is also described.

Abstract: The use of carbohydrate derivatives in or for making a topical composition for promoting skin exfoliation is disclosed. The use of said composition of controlling intrinsic and extrinsic skin ageing, as well as a non-therapeutic skin treatment method for skin exfoliation, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for modulating homing of leukocytes, particularly lympho-cytes, where the compounds are cross-reactive with Neu5Ac2-3Gal&bgr;1-X[Fuc&agr;1-y]GlcNAc, where one of x and y is three and the other is four. These compounds may be administered to a host associated with inflammation, to avoid the deleterious effects of leukocyte infiltration and for directing molecules to such sites.

Abstract: Alkyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranoside uronic acids, and their pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salts, and their use as surface-active and/or interfacially active active compounds, in particular as detergent surfactants or emulsifiers.

Abstract: A polymer compound or a salt thereof which comprises a biodegradable polymer such as polyglutamic acid acetylated at N-terminal thereof containing a glycosphingolipid such as lysoganglioside GM3, and which exerts antiviral activity against variety of viruses and is useful as an active ingredient of a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical composition comprising an optionally substituted pyridine carboxy derivative and a glucosaminoglycan and a pharmaceutical composition or a dietary supplement comprising an optionally substituted pyridine carboxy derivative and a glucosaminoglycan and to the use of such compositions for the preparation of a medicament or a dietary supplement for immunomodulation in a mammal and the suppression of hypersensitivity and/or inflammatory reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the selective oxidation of primary alcohols of oligosaccharides to form the corresponding carboxylic acid derivatives of the alcohols using catalytic amounts of a di-tertiary-alkyl nitroxyl free radical, characterized in that 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin or 1,3-dichoro-5,5-dimethylbydantoin is used as oxidant and the reaction is performed in neutral to basic conditions at a pH<10. The process of the invention is useful for the production of (partially protected) oligosaccharides comprising carboxylate groups, both intermediates and end products.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions for inhibiting the binding between two cells, one expressing P- or L-selectin on the surface and the other expressing the corresponding ligand. A covalently crosslinked lipid composition is prepared having saccharides and acidic group on separate lipids. The composition is then interposed between the cells so as to inhibit binding. Inhibition can be achieved at an effective oligosaccharide concentration as low as 106 fold below that of the free saccharide. Since selectins are involved in recruiting cells to sites of injury, these composition scan be used to palliate certain inflammatory and immunological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to 9-substituted guanine derivatives in which the guanine moiety is linked to another moiety with physiological or pharmacological activity through a carboxamide linkage. The number of carbon atoms between the guanine moiety and the carboxamide linking group is typically from 1 to 6. In some cases, the chemical moieties can have carbon chains of different lengths within the moiety linked to guanine through the carboxamide linker. A large number of different chemical moieties can be linked to the guanine moiety. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions including the 9-substituted guanine derivatives and methods of use of the 9-substituted guanine derivatives.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods useful to treat diarrhea, especially diarrhea and related conditions initiated or mediated by enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), using oligosaccharide compositions. This invention also relates to compositions and methods to reduce the virulence of an EPEC organism.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of compounds in the form of biosynthetic precursors which can be used to modulate neuronal growth, inhibit cellular entry by pathogens and modulate immune responses. The invention further describes acylated mannosamines, and derivatives thereof, which can be used to alter the sialic acid substituents of sialoglycoconjugates.

Abstract: Novel hyaluronan-binding peptides are provided. The peptides are useful in preventing and treating disorders associated with altered tissue levels of hyaluronan or RHAMM, including cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders and fibrotic disorders associated with tissue trauma.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel biaromatic compounds having general formula I and their use in pharmaceutical compositions for use in human and veterinary medicine, in particular for treating dermatological, rheumatic, respiratory, cardiovascular, and ophthalmological disorders, and for use in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hyaluronic acid fraction having an average molecular weight comprised between 5000 and 300,000 and a polydispersion index lower than 1.7, comprising treating the starting high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, contemporaneously with sodium hypochlorite and ultrasounds.

Abstract: A chitooligosaccharide residue is disclosed which is represented by the formula: wherein m=1-20, n=1-20, m+n=2-21, and m/n=5-0.05, and R represents a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acyl group of 3-24 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A combination for administration to a mammal which combination employs a therapeutically effective amount of a medicinal and/or therapeutic agent to treat a disease or condition and an amount of hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and/or homologues, analogues, derivatives, complexes, esters, fragments and subunits of hyaluronic acid sufficient to facilitate the agent's penetration through the tissue (including scar tissue) at the site to be treated, through the cell membranes into the individual cells to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of carbohydrate analysis. More particularly, this invention relates to a simple and inexpensive method for analyzing carbohydrates which can be used to separate mono-, di-, tri- and even poly-saccharides. More specifically, this invention relates to a quantitative and qualitative method for analyzing carbohydrates that may be present in a biological sample by employing a visible dye or chromophore and high resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory responses. Specifically, the invention is directed to novel synthetic oligosaccharide constructs and their use to block lymphocyte binding to correspondent oligosaccharides on the endothelial surface, and thus reduce or otherwise ameliorate an undesired inflammatory response. The invention is further directed to the use of such constructs in other disease states characterized by selectin binding, such as bacterial infections and metastatic cancers.

Abstract: Sialyl-Lewisa and sialyl-Lewisx epitope analogues, in which the natural N-acetyl group of the N-acetylglucosamine monomer is replaced by various hydroxylated aromatic substituents.

Abstract: Novel substituted liposaccharides useful as in the prophylactic and affirmative treatment of endotoxemia including sepsis, septicemia and various forms of septic shock and methods of using these agents are provided. Also provided are methods of preparing these agents and intermediates useful therein.

Abstract: A water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a nucleophile, and an activating agent, under conditions sufficient to form the composition. Also, a water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a modifying compound, a nucleophile and an activating agent under conditions sufficient to form the composition.

Abstract: Radiolabeled annexin and modified annexin conjugates useful for imaging vascular thrombi are described. Methods for making and using such radiolabeleci annexin conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: Sialyl-Lewisx and sialyl-Lewisa epitope analogues in which the naturally occurring N-acetyl group of the N-acetylglucosamine monomer is replaced by various aliphatic or aromatic substituents and the L-fucose naturally present is replaced by various naturally occurring or non-naturally occurring sugars.