Abstract: This invention relates to the use of polysaccharide such as dextran to improve mucus clearance. In the present invention, dextran has been shown to reduce viscoelasticity and increase mucus clearability of sputum of cystic fibrosis patients. Dextran also reduced viscoelasticity of healthy dog mucus. The present invention therefore may be used to improve mucus clearance in cystic fibrosis patients and treat other conditions associated with defect in airway mucus clearance including chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of preparing a 4,7-di-O-alkyl chromogenic ketoside of N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) for use in detecting influenza virus types A and B. The ketosides are substrates that are selectively cleaved by a neuraminidase on influenza virus, but not be neuraminidases found on other viruses or on bacteria. The synthesis is efficient and provides large quantities of the ketoside for commercial development. The synthesis includes a step of alkylating the 4- and 7-hydroxyl groups of a protected alkyl ester alkyl ketoside derivative of Neu5Ac by a process that comprises contacting the derivative with a composition comprising an alkyl halide to form a 4,7-di-O-alkyl protected alkyl ester alkyl ketoside derivative of Neu5Ac. The synthesis alternatively includes protecting the 8- and 9-hydroxyl groups of an alkyl ester alkyl ketoside derivative of Neu5Ac by forming an 8,9-epoxide protected alkyl ester alkyl ketoside derivative of Neu5Ac.

Abstract: A chemical composition and method of use of the composition is described. The chemical composition includes an aza-enediyne, aza-enyne allene, or an aza-diallene. These compound are preferably non-hydrolyzable, cationic compounds that bind to nucleic acids. In addition it is believed that these compounds may undergo chemical reactions in the presence of a nucleic acid to generate reactive intermediates that cleave nucleic acids.

Abstract: A stereospecific method for accomplishing the below reaction: results in the compound of formula 2 having the same stereochemistry at both carbon 1 and carbon 3 as that in the compound of formula 1. Thus, if carbon 3 is in the R-configuration in the compound of formula 1, then carbon 3 will be in the R-configuration in the compound of resulting formula 2. In the above process, R1 is C1-C6 alkyl that can be straight-chain or branched. The process functions using a fluorinated alcohol having a pKa less than about 9, in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The compounds of formula 1, as well as novel intermediates in this process, are useful in manufacturing vitamin D analogs.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof are matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. Also disclosed are matrix metalloproteinase-inhibiting compositions and methods of inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase in a mammal.

Abstract: A solution for peritoneal dialysis or for infusion comprises two single solutions which, after heat sterilization, are brought together and dispensed, with the first single solution containing calcium ions, additional electrolytic salts and glucose in an osmotically effective concentration and the second single solution containing bicarbonate and a weak acid with pKa<5. To provide a biocompatible solution, in particular for use as a peritoneal dialysis solution, the first single solution is acidified with a physiologically compatible acid to a pH of below 3.2. The second single solution contains bicarbonate only in a proportion which does not exceed 10 mmol/l.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of sulphonated distyryl-biphenyl compounds of formula (1), in which R1 and R2, independently, are hydrogen, C1-C5-alkyl, C1-C5-alkyl or halogen, and M represents Li, K, an alkaline earth metal or ammonium, characterized by, firstly, reacting a compound of formula (2) with a di- or trialkylamine containing 6-12 carbon atoms in each alkyl group, in a two-phase system consisting of strong aqueous mineral acid and a water immisicible organic solvent and, secondly, reacting the resulting lypophilic ammonium salt with LiOH, KOH, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, ammonia, a mono-, di- or trialkylamine or a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, all containing 1-4 carbon atoms in each alkyl group; mono-, di- or tri(C2-C4)alkanolamine, morpholine, piperdine or pyrrolidine.

Abstract: The invention provides for a refinement of phytochemicals in order to tailor the refined end product to particular human dietary needs. More particularly, a composition is prepared by extracting phytochemicals from plant matter. This composition is enriched preferably in two or more isoflavones, lignans, saponins, catechins and phenolic acids. Soy is the preferred source of these chemicals; however, other plants may also be used, such as red clover, kudzu, flax, and cocoa. The composition is a dietary supplement for treatment of various cancers, pre-and-post-menstrual syndromes, and various other disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aromatic cyanate ester compounds containing at least two rings linked by a group containing an unsaturated group. The present invention further relates to compositions and prepolymers of said novel aromatic cyanate ester compounds. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing said compounds and cured articles resulting from curable mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invented polymerizable alicyclic esters are shown by the following formula (1) or (2): wherein each of ring A, ring B, ring C, ring D, and ring E is a non-aromatic carbon ring, R is a polymerizable unsaturated group, and each of Ra1, Rb1, and Rc1 is, identical to or different from one another, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group which may be protected by a protective group, or an RCO2 group, where R has the same meaning as defined above. Each of the ring A, ring B, ring C, ring D, and ring E is, for example, a cyclopentane ring, a cyclohexane ring, or a bridged ring. R includes, for example, a vinyl group, an isopropenyl group, or an aryl group.

Abstract: A family of electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagents which can be synthesized by comparatively simple, inexpensive routes, and for which the reactivity can be varied according to need. A composition of matter according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a compound having the formula: in which A comprises H or F and B comprises F, SCF3, OCF3, OCHF2, S+(CF3)C6H5, NO2 or an NO2 substituent. In a second embodiment of the invention, a process for preparing a trifluoromethyl diphenylsulfonium triflate compound corresponding to the formula shown above comprises reacting phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfoxide or one of its derivatives with an aromatic compound in which A comprises H or F and B comprises H, F, SCF3, OCF3, OCHF2, S+(CF3)C6H5, NO2 or an NO2 substituent. In a third embodiment of the invention, a trifluoromethylation process comprises reacting a trifluoromethyl diphenylsulfonium triflate corresponding to the formula shown above with an electron rich substrate.

Abstract: There are provided novel jasmonic acid compounds of the following general formula (1) wherein R is a group selected from the group consisting of an alkenyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and a hydroxyalkyl group of 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and X is CH2—CH2 or CH═CH. These novel jasmonic acid compounds are prepared by an ester exchange reaction between a corresponding jasmonic acid methyl ester and an alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the preparation of a chiral &bgr;-amino ester of the formula wherein R is lower alkyl; and X and Y are the same or different Cl, Br or I.

Abstract: A novel norbornene carboxylate compound and a method of producing the same are provided. The norbornene carboxylate compound is 8-alkyl-8-tricyclodecanyl 5-norbornene-2-carboxylate represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R is methyl or ethyl.