Abstract: This invention relates to a process for chemically modifying polysaccharides in a densified fluid. In particular, the modification includes esterification and/or etherification of a starch in supercritical carbon dioxide. The process is advantageous in that it allows for a high degree of substitution without the use of organic solvents or repeated reactions.

Abstract: This process for preparing a collagen-based composition, comprises grinding collagen fibers to a particle size of between 10 and 100 microns and mixing them with water in a sufficient quantity to give a gel.

Abstract: A process for preparing a carboxylated cellulose ester from oxidized cellulose is described. The carboxylated cellulose esters have improved solvent solubility and coating resin compatibility when compared to cellulose esters made from regular grade cellulose. The process comprises activating the oxidized cellulose with water. The activated oxidized cellulose is then dehydrated by displacing the water with acetic acid and optionally displacing at least some of the acetic acid with butyric acid or propionic acid. After dehydration the activated cellulose is reacted with an esterifying reagent in the presence of a catalyst at about 0.degree. C. The temperature is gradually increased to a level sufficient to complete reaction and to obtain an intrinsic viscosity ranging from about 0.2 to about 1.6 dl/g. The reacted solution is then hydrolyzed to obtain a hydroxyl content ranging from about 0.05 to about 1.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemically-modified group B polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides vaccines in which the respective modified polysaccharides are conjugated to a protein carrier, and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides novel group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, novel conjugates of the group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate molecules of group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharide fragments covalently bound to proteins, and the use of these compositions as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a use of casein derived from milks, preferably human milk, and porcine milk, for the preparation of a substrate for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of infections of the respiratory tract caused by S. pneumoniae and/or H. influenzae, as well as the diagnostic use of such compositions for diagnosing infections caused by said bacteria.

Abstract: The compound, (E)-(1R,3R)-5-[(R)-11-hydroxy-7,11-dimethyl-dodec-2-enylidene]-cyclohexane -1,3-diol of the formula I: ##STR1## is useful in the treatment or prevention of hyperproliferative skin diseases, particularly psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis; or for reversing the conditions associated with photodamage.

Abstract: Sarcodictyin A and B, eleutherobin, and bioactive analogs thereof synthesized using solid phase and solution phase chemistries. The synthetic method employs an attachment of common precursors, e.g., compounds 1880 or 200, on a solid support for generating conjugates 230 and 240, followed by standard chemical manipulations. A combinatorial library of sarcodictyins and eletherobin analogs was constructed with modified C-8 ester, C-15 ester and C-4 ketal functionalities and was screened for activity with respect to tubulin polymerization and cytotoxic activity against tumor cells, including Taxol-resistant lines. Compounds 600, 610, 630, 660-700, 730, 760, 850, and 920 were identified to be of equal or superior biological activities as compared to their corresponding natural product.

Abstract: Cellulose acetate having a high moldability and low solution viscosity in spite of having a high average degree of polymerization is obtained. The low molecular weight components of cellulose acetate (e.g., CTA having average degree of acetylation of 59.0 to 62.5%) are eluted with a washing solvent to produce a cellulose acetate having a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1 to 1.7. As the washing solvent, those swell or partially dissolve the cellulose acetate, for example, those which dissolve 0.1 to 30% by weight of cellulose acetate can be used. This solvent includes, for example, a solvent having a solubility parameter .delta. of 7 to 12.5 (ketones, ethers, organic acid, esters, etc.).

Abstract: A method for prevention of cell death, and method comprising simultaneously topically applying N-acetylcysteine and levulose as an application in an amount effective to result in a synergistic action protecting cells, and preventing cell damage caused by various agents. A method of preparing pharmaceutical compounds that protect cells against damage induced by a member selected from the group consisting of hypoxia/anoxia, oxidative stress, xenobiotic agents, ionizing radiations, and conditions causing toxic stress, which involves forming a combination comprising N-acetylcysteine and levulose. A pharmaceutical preparation including a combination of N-acetylcysteine and levulose.

Abstract: Compounds which bind to shiga-like toxins (SLT) associated with enteric E. coli infection, compositions including the compounds, methods for the neutralization of (SLT) in a patient, and methods for the diagnosis of enteric E. coli infection are disclosed. The compounds include a core molecule bound to a plurality of linker arms, which in turn are bound to a plurality of bridging moieties, which in turn are bound to two or three di- or tri-saccharide moieties. The di- or tri-saccharide moieties themselves are active in binding to the SLTs. The presence of a plurality of bridged dimers of the di- and tri-saccharides is responsible for the increased binding affinity of the compounds relative to the di- and tri-saccharides themselves. The compounds, when administered in a timely fashion to a patient suffering from enteric E. coli infection, inhibit progression of this infection into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Abstract: Treatment of gelatinous bacterial cellulose by breaking up gelatinous cellulose into a micro-fiber form and then evaporating water from the result with application of heat. The evaporation can be achieved by heating to a temperature above 100 degrees Centigrade and is continued for a sufficient time to be effective as the sole reason for evaporation of the moisture.

Abstract: Individual sweet glycosides are obtained from the stevia rebaudiana plant. A mixture of sweet glycosides extracted from the stevia rebaudiana plant are processed to remove impurities by using two ion exchange columns. After removing the mixed sweet glycosides from the second column with methanol the solution is dried. Upon refluxing the dried solids in a methanol solution and then cooling the solution, Stevioside precipitates out. The filtrate is further concentrated and cooled to precipitate out Rebaudioside A. This Rebaudioside A can be further purified as can the previously obtained Stevioside.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to purifying starch granules from starch-bearing crops, preferably maize, which include treating starch granules with a thermally tolerant, broad pH range proteolytic enzyme that is specific for surface-associated proteins. Also disclosed are purified starch granules which are substantially free of surface-associated proteins. Uses of the isolated starch granules are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for feeding an animal a diet which alters the function and composition of gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) by increasing the proportion of T cells in the GALT is provided. The diet includes fermentable fibers which have an organic matter disappearance of 15 to 60 percent when fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period, the fibers being present in amounts from about 1 to 11 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to allow the fermentable fibers to ferment in the colon of the animal to increase the proportion of T cells in the GALT of the animal.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of polycarboxylic acids or salts thereof from polysaccharides involving contacting a polysaccharide with an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of nitrogen dioxide, dinitrogen tetroxide, or an equilibrium mixture thereof in the absence of oxygen at a temperature above 80 .degree.C. and at a pressure of from about 3 bar to about 15 bar absolute and for a tirne period of from about 1 to about 30 minutes to form a reducd gaseous product and a polysaccharide product wherein the primary alcohol groups of said polysaccharide product are at least partially converted to carboxyl groups.

Abstract: Diagnostic and therapeutic compositions which comprise the .alpha.Gal(1-4).beta.Gal subunit are described. These compositions permit the rapid diagnosis and treatment of enteric infections caused by E. coli that produce shiga-like toxins (SLT).

Abstract: Compositions for antagonizing gram negative bacterial endotoxic activity. Methods of antagonizing gram negative bacterial endotoxic activity. Methods of treating septic or toxic shock in a patient. Methods of treating or preventing a lipopolysaccharide mediated disorder in a patient. A method of extracting lipopolysaccharide from a gram negative bacteria by releasing lipopolysaccharide from a gram-negative bacteria, contacting the released lipopolysaccharide with polymixin B-agarose, and eluting the lipopolysaccharide from the polymixin B-agarose with an eluting solution comprising at least 1% deoxycholate to obtain thereby an lipopolysaccharide product.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for treating diarrhea comprising an anti-diarrhea effective amount of conagenin or a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition is particularly useful against diarrhea caused by the administration of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to glycopeptides and more particularly to derivatives of the glycopeptide A82846B. In these derivatives, the leucyl has been removed to create "hexapeptides" of A82846B and its N.sup.DISACC variations. These hexapeptides are useful as antibacterials and also as starting materials from which further antibacterial compounds are prepared.

Abstract: An enteral nutritional product for a person having ulcerative colitis contains in combination (a) an oil blend which contains eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3), and (b) a source of indigestible carbohydrate which is metabolized to short chain fatty acids by microorganisms present in the human colon. Preferably the nutritional product also contains one or more nutrients which act as antioxidants.