Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising tungsten oxide; and (i) heating the feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed, and/or (ii) contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers.

Abstract: Phospholipid-HETE derivatives, compositions and methods of use are disclosed. The compounds are particularly useful for treating dry eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phospho-lipid compounds of formula having solubilizing activity for water-insoluble or poorly water soluble active agents and their use in the delivery of active agents to cells and in the treatment of diseases, i.e., cancer and protozoal diseases. The compounds also exhibit direct therapeutic effects on some diseases. The inventive compounds can be formulated into liposomes containing phospholipids, alkylphospholipids and/or cholesterol. The compounds of the present invention may be prepared by reacting primary and secondary amines with epoxides.

Abstract: Compounds having the active site of natural lipoxins, but a longer tissue half-life are disclosed. In particular, 15-epi-lipoxins and their use in ameliorating undesired cell proliferation, which characterizes diseases such as cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Diricinoleylphosphatidylcholine (I) in an optically active form is obtained with good yields and a high purity by means of a process which comprises: a) esterifying the terminal carboxylic group of ricinoleic acid (III) with an alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms to give the corresponding ester having formula (IV); b) protecting the hydroxylic group of the ester of ricinoleic acid (IV) with a protecting group removable under bland operating conditions and isolating the ester of ricinoleic acid of which the hydroxylic group (V) is protected; c) hydrolyzing the ester of ricinoleic acid of which the hydroxylic group (V) is protected and isolating the ricinoleic acid of which the hydroxylic group (VI) is protected; d) acylating L-&agr;-glycerophosphatidylcholine (II) with an imidazolic or triazolic derivative of the compound having formula (VI) and isolating the diricinoleylphosphatidylcholine of which the hydroxylic group (VII) is protected; e) removing the protecting group from the hydroxylic group of

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula wherein R represents a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing from 1 to 16 carbon atoms, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and/or optical isomers thereof have an immunostimulating effect, and are useful in the treatment of arteriosclerosis.

Abstract: A (poly)alkylene glycol higher alkyl ether derivative composition characterized by comprising 30-90 mol. % of (B1) (poly)alkylene glycol higher alkyl ether derivative and 70-10 mol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for extracting hydrophobic compounds from substantially fat-, oil-, and wax-free substance mixtures by using at least one non-polar extraction solvent in conjunction with at least one water-soluble organic solvent wherein the extraction solvent containing the hydrophobic compound can be recovered as the upper phase in a phase separation.

Abstract: Fluoroaryl Grignard reagents are produced from a hydrocarbyl Grignard reagent and fluoroaromatic compounds via separate additions of different fluoroaromatic compounds, such that the conversion of hydrocarbyl Grignard reagent to the desired fluoroaryl Grignard reagent is essentially complete, and thus the reaction product is free or essentially free of agents that may negatively affect subsequent reactions. The fluoroaryl Grignard reagents may be further reacted with boron trihalides in order to obtain tris(fluoroaryl)boranes or tetrakis(fluoroaryl)borates.

Abstract: A catalyst for hydrogenating aromatic compounds contained in feeds containing sulfur-containing compounds comprises platinum, palladium, fluorine and chlorine, on a support principally comprising alumina. This catalyst is of particular application to hydrogenating aromatic compounds with boiling points of more than 100° C. in hydrocarbon-containing feeds containing sulfur-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel sphingosine analogue, which is useful as an intermediate for syntheses of novel lipid derivatives such as sphingolipid derivatives and the like that can regulate the effects of sphingolipid. The present invention relates to a sphingosine analogue represented by the general formula (I) described below. In the formula, as for Q1, Q2 and Q3, Q1 and Q2, which are the same or different each other, are hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1-4 of carbon atoms, acyl groups having 2-5 of carbon atoms, or protecting groups of the amino group, and Q3 is a hydrogen or a protecting group of the hydroxyl group; or Q2 and Q3 make up an isopropylidene group and Q1 is a hydrogen or a protecting group of the amino group. Q4 and Q5, which are the same or different each other, are hydroxyl groups, acyl groups having 2-5 of carbon atoms, —O—Q6, or hydrogen; or Q4 and Q5 make up a covalent bond. Q6 is a protecting group of the hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of a compound of formula I wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group, R2 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group, and R3 and R4 each individually represent an alkyl group; which comprises heating a mixture of a compound of formula II an alcohol, a tri-alkoxymethane, an acid and, optionally, an inert diluent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkanoate esters of hydroxybenzenesulfonic acids and salts thereof by the steps of (1) contacting or reacting phenol with an alkanoic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) to produce a aryl alkanoate ester and (2) contacting the reaction mixture of step (1) with a sulfonating agent to convert the aryl alkanoate ester to an alkanoate ester of hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid. The process provides the economic advantage inherent in using the product of esterification of step (1) without Disolation in the sulfonation of step (2).

Abstract: A process for making synthetic triglycerides involving: (a) providing a reaction component selected from the group consisting of glycerol, a triglyceride, and mixtures thereof; (b) providing a fatty acid mixture containing at least 50% by weight, based on the weight of the fatty acid mixture, of conjugated linoleic acid; (c) providing an inert gas atmosphere; (d) combining the reaction component with the fatty acid mixture, in the inert atmosphere, to form a reaction mixture; and (e) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from 180 to 240° C., at a heating rate of from 0.5 to 3 K per minute, thus forming the synthetic triglyceride.

Abstract: A whitening powder comprises the following ingredients:______________________________________ (A) trimethylsiloxylated silicic acid anhydride 0.1 to 7 wt. % having a specific area of at least 80 m.sup.2 /g and a hydrophobicization degree of at least 50% (B) polyhydric alcohol 5 to 40 wt. % (C) water 50 to 94 wt. % (D) whitening ingredient 0.01 to 5 wt. %. ______________________________________The whitening powder is substantially free of any powder coated with a fluorine compound, the weight ratio of the ingredient (B) to the ingredient (A) is at least 1, and the sum of the ingredient (B) and the ingredient (C) accounts for at least 80 wt. % of the whitening powder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral compositions having enhanced organoleptic characteristics of fattiness, creaminess, soothing, satisfaction, and full mouthfeel, and comprises acylglycerol compounds having substituents R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 attached at the positions of the OH.sup.- groups of a glycerol backbone. The substituents R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from conjugated polyunsaturated fatty acids having from 16 carbon atoms to 22 carbon atoms and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of R.sub.1, OH, PO.sub.3 HR.sub.4, and C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 carboxylic acids, wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of OH, choline, inositol, serine, and ethanolamine. The oral compositions of the present invention being substantially free of free conjugated polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing a skin disorder caused by at least one of excessive sebum production and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, the method comprising topically administering to a region of the skin of a human affected by or susceptible to a skin disorder caused by at least one of excessive sebum and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, a composition comprising anionic salicylate in an amount effective to reduce or stop the occurrence or delay the occurrence of at least one of the excessive sebum production and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation.

Abstract: A combination preparation for stimulating the growth of hair and, optionally, the growth of skin and nails with a combination of active ingredients comprising vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids develops its effects from within the body, in that the combination of active ingredients of the combination preparation is made as a component of a form of oral administration, and that it comprises at least: 1.25 wt. % provitamin A; 0.27 wt. % vitamin B.sub.1 ; 5.25 wt. % vitamins of the B.sub.2 group; 0.37 wt. % vitamin B.sub.6 ; 0.001 wt. % vitamin B.sub.12 ; 15.61 wt. % vitamin C; 2.5 wt. % vitamin E; 1.04 wt. % coenzyme Q 10; 0.02 wt. % methionine; and 0.018 wt. % cystine. To increase the effectiveness of the combination preparation, its use is described as a supplement to a topically applicable hair growth stimulant, in particular a thymus-containing therapeutical agent.

Abstract: Compositions containing hydroxy acids and/or retinoids and further containing borage seed oil as an anti-irritant. Borage seed oil was found to be uniquely effective (when compared to gamma-linolenic acid, or other anti-irritants containing gamma-linolenic acid or other known anti-irritants) in reducing the irritation caused by hydroxy acids and/or retinoids.

Abstract: Transfer-resistant cosmetic/dermatological compositions (e.g., lipcolors) formulated as supple and homogeneous doughs, advantageously via extrusion, include a fatty phase which comprises at least one volatile oil, at least one phenylated silicone oil and at least 12% by weight of at least one wax.