Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), tautomers, stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and pro-drugs thereof, to processes for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and to their use in therapy wherein a dashed line indicates an optional bond; X represents: a 5- or 6-membered, unsaturated heterocyclic group optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1, 2 or 3) substituents independently selected from halogen (i.e. F, Cl, Br, I), C1-6 alkyl (e.g. C1-3 alkyl), C1-6 haloalkyl (e.g. C1-3 haloalkyl), C1-6 alkoxy (e.g. C1-3 alkoxy), —CN, —NO2, —N(R)2, and —SO2R (where each R is independently H or C1-6 alkyl, e.g. H or C1-3 alkyl); a C3-5 cycloalkyl group optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. 1 or 2) substituents independently selected from C1-6 alkyl (preferably C1-3 alkyl), C1-6 haloalkyl (e.g. C1-3 haloalkyl), and C1-6 alkoxy (e.g. C1-3 alkoxy); or an aryl group optionally substituted by one or more (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing one or more heavy metals from an aqueous plant extract, comprising: contacting the aqueous plant extract with, and sorbing at least a portion of the one or more heavy metals on, at least one sorbent selected from the group consisting of: one or more surface activated titanium oxide particles, one or more chitosans, one or more calcium phosphates, one or more mercaptoalkyl-substituted silica gels, one or more mercaptoalkyl-substituted mesoporous molecular sieves, one or more finely ground ?-aluminas, one or more photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles, one or more Au-anatases, ceria, and combinations thereof, to form a mixture of sorbent and heavy metal-depleted aqueous plant extract; and separating the sorbent from the mixture to provide a heavy metal-depleted aqueous plant extract.

Abstract: Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced.

Abstract: Cured tobacco having a lower concentration of tobacco specific nitrosamines, can be produced from a transgenic tobacco plant having a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes production of active oxygen species. The heterologous nucleotide sequence is operably coupled to a regulatory nucleotide sequence that directs expression of the polypeptide. The regulatory nucleotide sequence can include constitutive and/or inducible promoter elements.

Abstract: Methods of producing tobacco having reduced levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines by treating growing or fresh-cut tobacco with light, preferably comprising UV-C wavelengths, are described.

Abstract: A tobacco rod having reduced levels of at least one phenolic compound precursor selected from the group consisting of gentisic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, scopoletin, quinic acid, a quinic acid derivative, caffeic acid, inositol and lignin. The concentration in mainstream smoke of phenolic compounds such as phenol, hydroquinones (e.g., hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone and 2,3-dimethyl hydroquinone), catechols (e.g., p-coumaryl quinic acid, feruloyl quinic acid and syringoyl quinic acid) and cresols (e.g., o-cresol, m-cresol and p-cresol) can be reduced by reducing the concentration in uncured (e.g., green) or cured tobacco of the phenolic compound precursors.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the concentration of antioxidants during senescence and curing of tobacco leaves include application of a chemical solution. The methods include spraying the solution onto the tobacco plant prior to harvest and/or applying the chemical solution to the soil surrounding roots of growing tobacco plants. The application of the chemical solution preferably occurs between topping and harvest, and is optimized to stimulate the production of antioxidants and interfere with the formation of TSNAs during curing. The tobacco can be burley tobacco subjected to air curing.

Abstract: A device for facilitating training youngsters to ride bicycles comprises an elongated tube with a handle on one end and with a clamping mechanism on the other by which the device is clamped rigidly, but detachably, to the bicycle frame. The tube and its handle are pivotable relative to the bicycle frame up, down and sideways, in a manner whereby the height and orientation of the handle relative to the bicycle is adjustable to permit an adult to hold the bicycle upright without having to stoop while running alongside the bicycle while training a youngster to ride the same.