Abstract: The invention is a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution therein. More specifically, the invention is a method for preparing alkali cellulose comprising steps of bringing pulp into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a rotary feeder type contactor to generate a contact mixture, and draining the contact mixture; and a method for preparing cellulose ether comprising use of the alkali cellulose thus prepared; an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising a rotary feeder comprising a cyclic housing comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, a cyclic contact drum being circularly rotatable along the housing in the housing and comprising a plurality of filter cells arranged in a circumferential direction, and a filtrate-discharging tube being disposed in a diameter direction inside of the cyclic contact drum and collecting the filtrate which has passed the filter, and a drainer for draining a cake discharged from the contactor.

Abstract: The invention is a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution therein. More specifically, the invention is a method for preparing alkali cellulose comprising steps of bringing pulp into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a pipe type contactor to generate a contact mixture and draining the contact mixture; a method for preparing cellulose ether comprising use of the alkali cellulose; and an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising a pipe type contactor having at least one inlet port at one end thereof for introducing pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and an outlet port at the other end for discharging a contact mixture, wherein the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution are moved from one end to the other end while bringing them into contact with each other, and a drainer for separating a cake from the contact mixture discharged from the contactor.

Abstract: A process for converting cellulose to glucose, said process comprising the steps of: providing a hydrated molten salt; contacting the hydrated molten salt with a cellulose-containing material to form dissolved glucose; removing the dissolved glucose from the hydrated molten salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel synthetic analogs of phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides (hereinafter referred to as PIMs) of general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to the method for preparing same and to the use thereof in the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with the overexpression of cytokines or of chemokines, in particular of TNF and/or of IL-12. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one synthetic derivative of PIM.

Abstract: Provided is nonionic and excellently stable low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose having improved compressibility and flowability, and further having improved disintegration and texture in oral cavity. More specifically provided is low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose having a crystallinity of 60% or less, a degree of hydroxypropoxyl substitution of 5 to 9% by weight, and an aspect ratio of less than 2.5, wherein the crystallinity is calculated based on a diffraction intensity by wide-angle X-ray diffraction measurement according to the following formula (1): Crystallinity(%)={(Ic?Ia)/Ic}×100??(1) wherein Ic means a diffraction intensity at a diffraction angle 2? of 22.5° and Ia means a diffraction intensity at a diffraction angle 2? of 18.5°.

Abstract: Absorbent boronate-galactomannan complexes comprising a hydrophobic group are disclosed. The boronate-galactomannan complexes are solid materials capable of gel forming upon contacting with liquids. The boronate-galactomannan complexes are particularly suitable for absorbing liquids.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one GHB moiety bonded to at least one physiologically compatible carrier molecule. The compositions can enhance the uptake of the drug, deliver effective therapeutic doses in a time-delayed fashion, or can target specific organs.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease or condition in which up-regulating GAGs is therapeutically beneficial is disclosed, in particular osteoarthritis and skin diseases. The method comprises locally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of down-regulating activity or expression of a component of the renin-angiotensin system.

Abstract: A process for the ultrapurification of alginates is provided. In particular, the process may be used for microencapsulation in human cell transplants.

Abstract: The object is to produce a polysaccharide and/or a monosaccharide efficiently by hydrolyzing a different polysaccharide efficiently. The hydrolysis of a polysaccharide is an important means for producing a monosaccharide that can be used as a starting material for the production of ethanol, the solubilization of a water-insoluble polysaccharide, and the production of a useful water-soluble low-polymeric saccharide or the like. For achieving the object, a polysaccharide to be hydrolyzed is reacted with water in the presence of a carbonaceous material having sulfonic acid group therein to cause the hydrolysis of the polysaccharide to be hydrolyzed, thereby producing a other polysaccharide and/or a monosaccharide.

Abstract: Methods for purifying fucoidan in extracts from brown seaweed are disclosed. In particular, methods of purifying fucoidan in the extract to remove heavy metal ions, bacterial and endotoxin contaminants, and other impurities are disclosed. The methods include the use of a chelating agent, selective precipitation, and filtration.

Abstract: Kits and compositions for producing an alginate gel are disclosed. The kits and compositions comprise soluble alginate and insoluble alginate/gelling ion particles. Methods for dispensing a self-gelling alginate dispersion are disclosed. The methods comprise forming a dispersion of insoluble alginate/gelling ion particles in a solution containing soluble alginate, and dispensing the dispersion whereby the dispersion forms an alginate gel matrix. The methods may include dispensing the dispersion into the body of an individual. An alginate gel having a thickness of greater than 5 mm and a homogenous alginate matrix network and homogenous alginate gels free of one or more of: sulfates citrates, phosphates, lactates, EDTA or lipids are disclosed. Implantable devices comprising a homogenous alginate gel coating are disclosed. Methods of improving the viability of pancreatic islets, or other cellular aggregates or tissue, following isolation and during storage and transport are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel biotinylated hexadecasaccharides of general formula (I) wherein: Biot is a biotin derivative; R, R1 and R2, represent independently of one another a C1-C6 alkoxy or and —OSO3; R3 represents a C1-C6 alkoxy or an —OSO3, or R3 constitutes a —O—CH2— bridge; Pe represents a saccharide concatenation; as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and their use as medicines.

Abstract: The present invention is provides a crosslinked hyaluronan powder excellent in swellability in water and a method for simply producing the same. A method for producing the swellable crosslinked hyaluronan powder is characterized by comprising mixing a crosslinking agent with a hyaluronan powder in a state dispersed in a liquid medium containing a monovalent alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a solubility of the hyaluronan powder of less than 0.1 g/L to cause a crosslinking reaction. Also, the swellable crosslinked hyaluronan powder produced by the method has a swelling ratio in water of 500% or more.

Abstract: A low-glycemic available carbohydrate composition of the invention contains the following components: (i) 5-60 wt. % of one or more monosaccharides selected from monosaccharides other than glucose and fructose, in particular galactose, ribose and mannose; (ii) 15-95 wt. % of oligosaccharides having a length of 2 to 20 anhydromonose units, at least half of which are anhydroglucose units linked by non-?-1,4 bonds; these oligosaccharides preferably comprising disaccharides such as palatinose, isomaltose and trehalose and/or non-?-1,4 linked higher glucose-containing oligosaccharides; (iii) 0-45 wt. % of other available carbohydrates, such as glucose and maltodextrins. This carbohydrate composition can be part of a food composition for the treatment of diabetes, obesitas, insulin resistance, or for postprandial glucose response.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting inflammation, comprising (a) hyaluronic acid, (b) a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, is provided. Also provided is a method for inhibiting inflammation in a mammal, comprising administrating to the mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising (a) hyaluronic acid and (b) an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an alginic acid and/or its salts with low molecular weight, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the alginic acid is from about 700 to about 4500 Daltons, and the molar ratio of guluronic acid to mannuronic acid in the alginic acid is from about 0.6 to about 19. The present invention also discloses the preparative method of making the alginic acid and/or its salts thereof, and the use of them for treating hypertension, chronic renal failure and postprandial hyperglycemia induced by glycosidase. The present invention further discloses pharmaceutical compositions and foods containing the alginic acid with low molecular weight and/or salts thereof as active component.

Abstract: The invention describes novel triterpenoid 2-deoxy glycosides of general formula I, wherein at least one of the substituents X1 and R2 contains a 2-deoxy glycosidic group, method of preparation thereof, their cytotoxic activity and a pharmaceutical formulation containing these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shark-like chondroitin sulphate and a process for the preparation thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a shark-like chondroitin sulphate, having a very low amount of 4-sulphate, a high charge density and a biological activity comparable to natural chondroitin sulphates. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of said shark-like chondroitin sulphate affording substantially higher productivities and better reproducibility of product quality. The shark-like chondroitin sulphate of the invention shows a high molecular mass and its in vitro biological and anti-inflammatory effectiveness has been shown to be comparable to that of natural products making this polysaccharide potentially useful as a drug in pharmaceutical preparations and nutraceuticals.

Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing the incidence of post-operative adhesions in or associated with a body cavity, which comprises introducing into the body cavity a composition containing an aqueous solution or suspension or gel formulation containing the polysaccharide dextrin.