Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to toner particles having an increased surface hardness, and toners comprising said toner particles. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to toner particles having an average surface hardness of from about 130 mPa to about 250 mPa, comprising a core surrounded by a shell, wherein the shell comprises a crystalline resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: Processes for continuously producing a wax dispersion are disclosed. A multi-screw extruder is used for the processes. A wax and a surfactant are fed into the extruder and melted together. Water is then added to form a dispersion. The wax particles are homogenized and exit the extruder to be passed through a quenching unit. The wax dispersion can be used to make toner compositions.

Abstract: Processes for continuously coalescing particles from an aggregated particle slurry are disclosed. The aggregated particle slurry is heated, then coalesced by raising the pH. The coalesced particles are homogenized and exit as a coalesced particle slurry. A multi-screw extruder is used for the coalescing. These processes are useful for providing coalesced particles such as toner compositions.

Abstract: Processes for continuously producing latex emulsions are disclosed. A multi-screw extruder is used for the production of the emulsion. A resin is fed into the extruder, heated, optionally dissolved in a solvent, mixed with a base to neutralize the resin and form particles, then mixed with a surfactant and water to form a phase inverted emulsion (PIE). The PIE may be sent to a distillation column to separate out the solvent, and the resulting latex emulsion is then sent to a receiving tank. These processes are useful for making precursors for toner compositions.

Abstract: The continuous process for manufacturing toners disclosed herein includes continuously feeding components of a toner composition into a feed section of a screw extruder at a controlled rate. The continuous process for manufacturing toners may include feeding the components of a toner composition into the feed section of a screw extruder without performing an external or secondary dispersion step. That is to say, the components of the toner composition may be fed directly into the extruder without using dispersions of individual components as used in batch processes. Rather, the toner components are added to the extruder in dry form, melt-mixed, and may be dispersed in aqueous form in the extruder. The process may produce micron-sized toner particles, thus no further size reduction may be necessary.

Abstract: The continuous process for manufacturing toners disclosed herein includes continuously feeding components of a toner composition into a feed section of a screw extruder at a controlled rate. The continuous process for manufacturing toners may include feeding the components of a toner composition into the feed section of a screw extruder without performing an external or secondary dispersion step. That is to say, the components of the toner composition may be fed directly into the extruder without using dispersions of individual components as used in batch processes. Rather, the toner components are added to the extruder in dry form, melt-mixed, and may be dispersed in aqueous form in the extruder. The process may produce micron-sized toner particles, thus no further size reduction may be necessary.

Abstract: A continuous process for forming fine toner using a twin screw extruder.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one amorphous polyester resin with a viscosity reducing additive in the absence of an organic solvent to form a resin mixture either via an extruder or batch process, and adding a surfactant, neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture.

Abstract: A screw extruder is presented including a feed hopper for receiving materials and a body member having at least one supply port and at least one outlet port. The screw extruder also includes a screw positioned within the body member and movable along a channel defining a longitudinal axis. The screw extruder further includes a drive shaft for rotatably driving the screw along the channel. The screw extruder may be configured to mix the materials received via the feed hopper with a series of one or more forward, neutral, and reverse kneading elements.

Abstract: A process for making a self-emulsifying granule suitable for use in forming latex emulsions includes contacting a resin with a solid or highly concentrated surfactant, a solid neutralization agent and water in the absence of an organic solvent to form a mixture, melt mixing the mixture, and forming self-emulsifying granules of the melt mixed mixture. Self-emulsifying granules are also provided and configured to form a latex emulsion when added to water, which may then be utilized to form a toner.

Abstract: A continuous process for forming fine toner using a twin screw extruder.

Abstract: Processes for continuously forming latex emulsions useful in preparing toners are provided which do not require the use of solvents.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-? superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for producing toners. In embodiments, alkyl or alkyl ether sulfates are used in a solvent-free toner production process as surfactants to provide for higher parent particle charge without adversely affecting particle size, distribution control and circularity of the toner particles. The present disclosure also provides a new formulation and process for the emulsification of polyester resins to form nano-scale particles dispersed in water (latex) without the use of organic solvents by an extrusion process.

Abstract: A process for making a self-emulsifying composite suitable for use in forming latex emulsions includes contacting a resin with a solid or highly concentrated surfactant, a solid neutralizing agent in the absence of water and an organic solvent to form a mixture, melt mixing the mixture, and forming a self-emulsifying composite of the melt mixed mixture such as a granule. Self-emulsifying granules are also provided and configured to form a latex emulsion when added to water, which may then be utilized to form a toner.