Abstract: Diamine compounds, which in particular are useful as precursors for the production of liquid crystal alignment layers, are represented by the general formula I: wherein A1 represents an organic group of 1 to 40 carbon atoms; A2 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group of 1 to 40 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to releasable cationic lipids and nanoparticle compositions for the delivery of nucleic acids and methods of modulating an expression of a target gene using the same. In particular, the invention relates to cationic lipids including an acid labile linker, and nanoparticle compositions containing the same.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for novel lipid nanoparticles and novel lipid nanoparticle components (specifically cationic lipids) that are useful for the delivery of nucleic acids, specifically siRNA, for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an effective process for producing plant stanol by hydrogenating plant sterol in an organic solvent at a hydrogen pressure of 1-200 bar in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for extraction of bioactive organic compounds from alkali extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum. Organic solvent extracts of A. nodosum namely; methanol, chloroform and ethylacetate, were found to alleviate salt induced stress in plants. This effect was due to alteration in the expression of a specific subset of genes induced by compounds present in A. nodosum extracts.

Abstract: Compositions useful for treatment of a wide range of skin disorders including: pre-cancerous lesions, keratotic lesions, superficial basal cell carcinomae; squamous cell carcinomae; malignant melanoma, and radiation-induced burns. In some embodiments the treatments comprise contacting human or other mammalian skin with a composition according to the disclosure. In other embodiments, administration of compositions provided is by injection. Some embodiments provide for preventive use of compositions provided towards preventing some forms of skin cancer and skin cancer-related disorders by repeated application to healthy-looking skin. Methods for providing the compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for producing a steroid compound. The present invention provides a method for producing 3,7-dioxo-5?-cholanic acid or ester derivatives thereof, which uses, as raw materials, sterols having double bonds at positions 5 and 24, such as cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3?-ol, ergosta-5,7,24(28)-trien-3?-ol, desmosterol, fucosterol, or ergosta-5,24(28)-dien-3?-ol, and which comprises the following 4 steps: (I) a step of performing oxidation of a hydroxyl group at position 3 and isomerization of a double bond at position 5 to position 4; (II) a step of converting position 24 to a carboxyl group or an ester derivative thereof by the oxidative cleavage of a side chain; (III) a step of introducing an oxygen functional group into position 7; and (IV) a step of constructing a 5?-configuration by reduction of a double bond at position 4.

Abstract: Linear polyethylenimine was modified with sterols, such as cholesterol, in three different geometries: linear shaped (L), T-shaped (T), and a combined linear- and T-shaped (LT), to result in linear polyethylenimine-sterol conjugates. These conjugates were mixed with nucleic acids to form complexes for delivery of the nucleic acids into cells. Mammalian cells transfected with these complexes showed protein expression levels higher than linear polyethylenimine alone, and twice that of branched polyethylenimine, but without any significant loss in cell viability. Methods of making these compositions and methods of using them for gene delivery are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for production of one or more sterol compounds. Further provided are methods and systems for producing engineered oleaginous yeast or fungi that are capable of production of one or more sterol compounds, and compositions which utilize the produced sterol compound(s).

Abstract: A cholesterol-regulating complex of SIRT1 and LXR and methods of use are disclosed. SIRT1 forms a complex with LXR bound to an LXR element. Methods of forming the complex, identifying an agent that modulates formation of the complex, increasing the ratio of cholesterol bound to high density lipoprotein (HDL) to total cholesterol in the plasma of a mammal, promoting ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from a mammalian cell, treating a subject deemed to have a level of SIRT1 activity that is below normal, assessing whether a candidate substance modulates an LXR-dependent process, and assessing whether a candidate substance modulates an SIRT1-dependent effect of an LXR are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liposomal vaccine compositions, methods for the manufacture thereof, and methods for the use thereof to stimulate an immune response in an animal. These compositions comprise dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (“DMPC”); either dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (“DMPG”) or dimyristoyltrimethylammonium propane (“DMTAP”) or both DMPC and DMTAP; and at least one sterol derivative providing a covalent anchor for one or more immunogenic polypeptide(s) or carbohydrate(s).

Abstract: Described herein are nitrated lipids and methods of making and using the nitrated lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and related compositions for treating or preventing cardiovascular diseases, including, e.g., atherosclerosis, using an oxysterol. In addition, the present invention provides novel methods and related compositions for treating or preventing cardiovascular diseases, including, e.g., atherosclerosis, using a hedgehog protein, or a biologically active fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cationic lipids, transfection agents, microparticles, nanoparticles, and short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules. The invention also features compositions, and methods of use for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of gene expression and/or activity in a subject or organism. Specifically, the invention relates to novel cationic lipids, microparticles, nanoparticles and transfection agents that effectively transfect or deliver biologically active molecules, such as antibodies (e.g., monoclonal, chimeric, humanized etc.

Abstract: Water-soluble compositions comprising a lipophilic compound and a solubilizing agent of the general formula: {X—OOC—[(CH2)n—COO]m}p—Y??(I) wherein: X is a residue of a hydrophobic moiety, Y is a residue of a hydrophilic moiety, p is 1 or 2, m is 0 or 1, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 0 are disclosed. The lipophilic compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of water-insoluble ubiquinones, ubiquinols, vitamins, provitamins, polyene macrolide antibiotics, and mixtures thereof. The hydrophobic moiety is preferably a sterol or a tocopherol and the hydrophilic moiety is preferably a polyalkylene glycol. In some embodiments, the sterol is cholesterol or sitosterol, the tocopherol is ?-(+)-tocopherol, the polyalkylene glycol is a polyethylene glycol or its methyl monoether having an average molecular weight between 400 and 1000, p is equal to 1 or 2, m is equal to 0 or 1 and n is an integer between 2 and 18.

Abstract: Novel nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are provided which comprise a lipid molecule selected from (a) phosphoglycerides, (b) lipids having a sphingosine base as a backbone, (c) monoacylglyerols, (d) diacylglycerols, (e) glycosylacylglycerols, and (f) sterol compounds of the formula: where R is a branched aliphatic chain of eight or more carbon atoms, wherein the lipid molecule is provided with a nitric-oxide containing group which comprises (a) a —S—N?O moiety, (b) a —O—N?O moiety, or (c) a moiety. Also provided are methods of forming such nitric oxide releasing lipid molecules. Various pharmaceutical compositions, topical liquids and drug delivery systems comprising the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are also described.

Abstract: Sterol and stanol nitro derivatives and their use in treating or preventing cardiovascular disease, its underlying conditions and other disorders are disclosed. The disclosed nitro derivatives are synthesized by ester linkage of a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing moiety to a sterol or stanol compound.

Abstract: Sterol and stanol phosphorylnitro derivatives and their use in treating or preventing cardiovascular disease, its underlying conditions and other disorders are disclosed. The disclosed compounds include a phosphate linker, at least one moiety that releases nitric oxide (NO), and a sterol or stanol moiety. Some compounds additionally include an ascorbyl moiety to make the compound more readily soluble in aqueous and non-aqueous media.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain sugar esters of phytosterols of formula (I).

Abstract: Photoacid generators generate sulfonic acids of formula (1a) or (1b) upon exposure to high-energy radiation. R1—COOCH2CF2SO3?H+??(1a) R1—O—COOCH2CF2SO3?H+??(1b) R1 is a monovalent C20-C50 hydrocarbon group of steroid structure which may contain a heteroatom. The bulky steroid structure ensures adequate control of acid diffusion. The photoacid generators are compatible with resins and suited for use in chemically amplified resist compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for purifying and/or separating preferably high melting organic raw products or compound mixtures containing, in particular, high melting and/or degradable sterols, by layer crystallisation on first heat exchanger surfaces. The raw product is received in a solvent or solvent mixture, and then brought into contact with heat exchanger surfaces. The desired product crystallises on the heat exchanger surfaces by slow cooling. Solvent evaporating during the crystallisation or sweating process is condensed and returned to the mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to new substances which are derived from cholesterol, cholesterol sulphate and cholesterol esters of a natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic origin in that they represent oligomers with a specific type of cross-linkage of the starting substances based on cholesterol.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising one or more steroids conjugated with one or more mammalian proteins are disclosed. The conjugates are useful for diagnosis or treatment of solid cancer and haematological malignancies. Further the conjugates exhibits a synergistic action together with a cytoskeleton acting drug such as Taxol®, which enable the treatment of cancers that otherwise would be non responsive to Taxol®.

Abstract: To provide a method for efficiently and industrially deuterating the benzyl position of a —O-benzyl group formed by introducing a benzyl group, a benzyloxymethyl group and the like as a protecting group. The deuteration method for the benzyl position of a —O-benzyl group of a compound having the —O-benzyl group which may have a substituent, comprising reacting the compound with a heavy hydrogen source in the coexistence of a palladium/carbon-ethylenediamine complex and hydrogen.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are fulvene and/or fulvalene analogs. The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of cancers, including drug resistant cancers, as well as numerous inflammatory, degenerative and vascular diseases, including various ocular diseases. Representative fulvene and/or fulvalene analogs include fulvene and fulvalene analogues of various dyes, hormones, sugars, peptides, oligonucleotides, amino acids, nucleotides, nucleosides, and polyols. The compounds are believed to function, at least, by inhibiting Nox or ROS. In some embodiments, the Nox is one that is selectively expressed in cancer cells over normal cells, or one that is expressed in higher amounts in cancer cells over normal cells. Thus, the compounds are novel therapeutic agents for a variety of cancers and other diseases.

Abstract: The administration of pharmaceuticals of drugs which are having less solubility, lower bioavailability, lower bioabsorbability, less rate of absorption has become a big challenge in day to day life. Therefore an attempt has been made to prepare a complex modified form of the said pharmaceutical or drug such that the modified complex drugs or pharmaceuticals exhibits the enhanced properties of solubility, bioavailability, bioabsorbability and rate of absorption despite the increased complexity of the molecule. Surprisingly such modification was found to enhance retentivity of the active drug ingredient in the blood. Higher amounts of the active drug ingredient has shown lower toxicity.

Abstract: A method of minimizing or reducing the toxicity of a retinoid having a free carboxyl group and the resulting modified retinoids are described. The method comprises the step of esterifying the carboxyl group of the retinoid with a highly sterically hindered compound, which is preferably a secondary or tertiary alcohol. The resulting retinoid esters are rendered much less toxic than the starting or parent retinoid. This process provides a retinoid ester analog of reduced toxicity so that it may be administered orally with minimal side effects and with a much greater therapeutic window. The modified retinoid compounds are useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of all diseases and disorders where retinoid compounds have been shown effective.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing, exclusively by chemical way, 21-hydroxy steroids having progestinic activity, said process having a high stereochemical control at C-21 position.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising one or more steroids conjugated with one or more mammalian proteins are disclosed. The conjugates are useful for diagnosis or treatment of solid cancer and hematological malignancies. Further the conjugates exhibit a synergistic action together with a cytoskeleton-acting drug such as Taxol®, which enable the treatment of cancers that otherwise would be non-responsive to Taxol®.

Abstract: Processes for preparing 3?-[N-(N?,N?-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl]cholesterol (“DC-cholesterol”) and its salts.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a chemical composition including a plurality of cholesteryl esters arranged to form a vesicle. In several embodiments, all of the plurality of cholesteryl esters have a same molecular length, which in some embodiments provides a vesicle having a generally smooth outer surface, while in other embodiments, a portion of the plurality of cholesteryl esters have different molecular lengths, which in some embodiments provides a vesicle having a generally irregular outer surface. In yet further embodiments, a shape of the vesicle is selected from the group consisting of spherical, oval, disc-like, tubular and polyhedral shapes, and in yet other embodiments, a wall of the vesicle is selected from the group consisting of a monolayer and a bilayer. In still further embodiments, the chemical composition further includes a polyethylene glycol coat of mixed polymer size.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided lipid-conjugated polyamide compounds and related compositions and methods thereof. Lipid-conjugated polyamide compounds of the present invention are particularly useful as vehicles for delivering biologically active agents to a target site. In particular, the invention compounds are effective at facilitating the delivery of polynucleotides to cells. The present invention also provides a method for producing stable formulations of polynucleotides complexed with a delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Linear polyethylenimine was modified with sterols, such as cholesterol, in three different geometries: linear shaped (L), T-shaped (T), and a combined linear- and T-shaped (LT), to result in linear polyethylenimine-sterol conjugates. These conjugates were mixed with nucleic acids to form complexes for delivery of the nucleic acids into cells. Mammalian cells transfected with these complexes showed protein expression levels higher than linear polyethylenimine alone, and twice that of branched polyethylenimine, but without any significant loss in cell viability. Methods of making these compositions and methods of using them for gene delivery are also described.

Abstract: A process for producing steryl or stanyl esters, comprises the steps of: a) forming a reacting mixture by contacting a lipase with a reactant mixture wherein the reactant mixture comprise sterols or stanols and one or more esters selected from the group consisting of esters of a fatty acid with a short chain aliphatic alcohol; b) separating the lipase from the reacting mixture to form a reacted mixture; and c) separating steryl or stanyl esters from the reacted mixture. The reaction is carried out in stirred reactors at pressures below atmospheric pressure and temperatures from 30 to 90° C. The separation of esters from the reacted mixtures is carried out by distillation at low pressures. A process for esterifying sterols or stanols comprise forming a reacting mixture by contacting a lipase with a reactant mixture wherein the reactant mixture comprise sterols or stanols and one or more esters selected from the group consisting of esters of a fatty acid with a short chain aliphatic alcohol.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to extract oil from the soybean material containing soybean germ as a main component, and to utilize it. The present invention relates to a method for producing a soybean material, comprising crudely crushing selected soybeans into a size of less than ½, and separating and concentrating a soybean germ fraction by means of sieving, sorting with air, separation based on the grain shape and the like, to the soybean germ fraction produced by said method, to oil prepared from the soybean material containing soybean germ as a main component, to oil containing 0.8% by weight or more of sterols' content, and to foods containing said oil.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for enzymatically producing dietary sterol fatty acid esters having physiological activities from phytosterols and fatty acids or oils and fats using lipase as a catalyst; the synthetic reaction conditions and the purification steps are so structured that dietary sterol fatty acid esters superior in sensory qualities including color, odor and taste, and safety, which is applicable as a general food, a health food or pharmaceuticals can be produced.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided lipid-conjugated polyamide compounds and related compositions and methods thereof. Lipid-conjugated polyamide compounds of the present invention are particularly useful as vehicles for delivering biologically active agents to a target site. In particular, the invention compounds are effective at facilitating the delivery of polynucleotides to cells. The present invention also provides a method for producing stable formulations of polynucleotides complexed with a delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Processes for preparing substantially citrostadienol-free phytosterols are disclosed. The processes described include dissolving a liquid phytosterol in a hydrocarbon solvent, optionally with added methanol, and crystallizing the phytosterol compounds. Also described are the resulting phytosterols which are substantially citrostadienol-free, and preferably contain less than 0.5% by weight citrostadienol.

Abstract: A phenanthrene compound represented by the formula (I): in which, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are identical or different and may each be hydrogen, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, or a conjugated group. The phenanthrene compound has a polycyclic structure and semiconductor properties including electron transfer, electroluminescence, and photoluminescence.

Abstract: Fatty acid esters, such as the unsaturated fatty acid esters of sterols and/or stanols, are used as a replacement for a substantial portion or all of the undesirable saturated and trans-unsaturated fats used as structure giving hardstocks in edible foods such as margarines, mayonnaise, cooking oils, cheeses, butter and shortening. Because of the similarity in the crystallinity and physical properties of the esters to those of the undesirable hardstock fats, the substitution or replacement contributes favorably to the flavor, texture and other sensory properties of the foods. Only the fatty acid portion of the phytosterol esters defined herein as texturizing agent is digested or absorbed with the sterol part being unabsorbable, thereby resulting in a reduction in total caloric uptake. Furthermore, the phytosterol fatty acid esters reduce the absorption of both dietary and biliary cholesterol from the digestive tract, thereby lowering the blood serum cholesterol level, especially the LDL-cholesterol.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I) in which: R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, each represents a lower alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group; R3 represents a methyl group having ?- or ?-configuration; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an etherifying or esterifying group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a lower alkoxy group; X represents a group OR4, wherein R4 is as defined above, or a group NR6R7 wherein R6 represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic or araliphatic organic group, or an acyl group comprising an aliphatic, araliphatic or aryl organic group linked to the nitrogen atom by way of a carbonyl group; and R7 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; Y represents a lower alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene group optionally substituted by a hydroxyl, etherified hydroxyl or esterified hydroxyl group; and the dotted lines signify that double bonds may be present at the 16(17)-position and/or either at the 6(7)- and 8(9)-positions or at the 7(8)-position exhibit potent effects on modulation of

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of stanol esters by hydrogenating a sterol blend in a hydrogenation solvent and at an elevated temperature in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, by removing the hydrogenation catalyst from the obtained hot reaction solution, by transesterifying the intermediate stanol blend with a fatty acid methyl ester at an elevated temperature and in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, and by finally purifying the stanol ester blend thus obtained. According to the invention, the intermediate stanol blend is neither crystallized nor removed from the reaction solution but the hydrogenation solvent is replaced therein at least in part by a transesterification reagent. Alternatively, the hydrogenation solvent may also be used as the transesterification solvent, and preferably also as the transesterification reagent.

Abstract: Olive oil based products, based on the virgin olive oils, containing plant stanol and/or sterol fatty acid ester blends and methods for preparing such olive oil based products.

Abstract: A molecular conjugate is provided having the formula: wherein n is the conjugation number, P is a moiety of a carrier molecule such as a protein, R1 is a moiety of a biologically active molecule or its analogs, derivatives, salts or secondary amines, Z is —O— or —NH—, and Y is a straight or branched alkyl having 1 to 20 carbons optionally substituted with one or more phenyl, a cycloalkyl optionally substituted with one or more alkyl or phenyl, or an aromatic group optionally substituted with one or more alkyl, electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups. Compounds and methods useful in producing such molecular conjugates are also provided, as well as methods of concentrating biologically active molecules in selected target cells of a patient that comprise administering to the patient a selected dose of such molecular conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one aspect, novel derivatives comprising sterols and/or stanols and an NSAID selected from salicylic acids and arylalkanoic acids, including salts of these derivatives, and having one or more of the following formulae: 1

Abstract: The invention provides methods for separating outer birch bark from inner birch bark. The invention also provides methods for isolating betulin; lupeol; betulinic acid; 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid; 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid; polyphenolic polymers and fatty acids from birch bark.

Abstract: This invention relates to phytosterols and phytostanols, in particular to fatty acid esters of phytosterols and phytostanols with a specified fatty acid composition. The invention further relates to methods for preparation of the phytosterol and phytostanol esters and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides cationic lipids and methods that facilitate nucleic acid delivery and which also yield biologically benign metabolites following transfection. The compounds are lipidic polyamines that use a pentaerythritol scaffold to link different hydrophobic and DNA-binding domains.

Abstract: A food additive useful for lowering serum cholesterol in humans contains a sterol or stanol ester of a fatty acid or a dicarboxylic acid ester of a sterol or stanol made by reacting a sterol, stanol and a carboxylic acid in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, a calcium salt of a carboxylic acid, magnesium hydroxide and combinations thereof described herein below.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is a new process with variant embodiments for the production of compound 1.