Abstract: There is provided compositions comprising perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or a salt, derivative or variant thereof. There is also provided uses, methods therapeutic systems and combination therapies relating to PFOA.

Abstract: The molecules of formula (I) are useful in treating diabetes, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperlipidaemia, cancer, inflammation or other conditions in which modulation of lipis of eicosanoid status or functions may be desirable. Formula (I): Z1—Z1—Z2 wherein a) Z1 represents CO2H or a derivative thereof; b) Z2 represents F, H, —CO2H or a derivative thereof; and c) X represents fluorinated alkylene; or a solvate thereof, for example a perfluorinated fatty acid or derivative thereof.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical aerosol formulation comprising a particulate medicament, one or more fluorocarbon or hydrogen-containing fluorocarbon propellants and a compound of the general formula (I) or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein A represents a straight chain C1-16 alkylene substituted by n groups of formula B; n represents an integer 1 to 3; and B independently represents C1-4 fluoroalkylC0-6 alkylene-, C1-4 fluoroalkylC0-6 alkylene-O—, or C1-4 alkylC0-6 alkylene-O— wherein at least one substituent of formula B contains at least one fluorine atom and each C1-4 fluoroalkyl- moiety contains one or more fluorine atoms but not more than 3 consecutive perfluorinated carbon atoms. The invention also extends to uses of compounds of formula (I) and certain novel compounds within the definition of formula (I).

Abstract: The compound of the formula (I) 1

Abstract: A process that can be used for isolating a fluorinated alkanoic acid from an aqueous solution also containing inorganic fluorides is provided. This process comprises (A) acidifying an aqueous solution comprising an ammonium or metal salt of a fluorinated alkanoic acid to produce an acidified solution, (B) heating the acidified solution to produce an organic layer and an aqueous layer, (C) separating and recovering the organic layer from the aqueous layer, (D) optionally washing the organic layer with an acid solution, (E) optionally isolating the fluorinated alkanoic acid, and (F) further optionally converting the fluorinated alkanoic acid to its ammonium or alkali metal salt.

Abstract: A process that can be used for isolating a fluorinated alkanoic acid from an aqueous solution also containing inorganic fluorides is provided. This process comprises (A) acidifying an aqueous solution comprising an ammonium salt of a fluorinated alkanoic acid to produce an acidified solution, (B) heating the acidified solution to produce an organic layer and an aqueous layer, (C) separating and recovering the organic layer from the aqueous layer, (D) optionally washing the organic layer with an acid solution, (E) optionally isolating the fluorinated alkanoic acid, and (F) further optionally converting the fluorinated alkanoic acid to its ammonium salt.

Abstract: Iodinated fatty acid esters, iodinated fatty acids and fluid pharmaceutical-grade stable derivatives thereof are produced by iodohydrination in an organic medium using alkylsilylated derivatives, such as trimethylsilyl chloride or trimethylchlorosilane, that react with an alkaline iodide such as sodium iodide, whereafter hydroiodic acid is formed in situ by exposure to water and the hydroiodic acid is reacted with fatty acid esters and particularly rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl esters that may be used as a biofuel for gasoline engines to provide a low-cost product, and are used therapeutically, in particular for treating goitre linked to iodine deficiency.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for transfecting a cell with a nucleic acid the improvement comprising contacting the cell with a liposomal transfection composition comprising the nucleic acid, sphingosine or a derivative thereof, having a protonable amino group in the sphingosine moiety, and at least one helper lipid.

Abstract: A novel compound, 12,13,17-trihydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (THOA) was produced from linoleic acid by microbial transformation at 25% yield. The newly isolated microbial strain catalyzing this transformation was identified as Clavibacter sp. ALA2 (Accession No. NRRL B-21660). THOA and its derivatives have application as antifungal agents.

Abstract: Methods for stereospecific synthesis of 9-cis olefins and retinoids. In one particular aspect, a cis olefin is generated via a lactol ring opening with complete retention of double bond configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from: (i) saturated or unsaturated fatty acyl groups, preferably having from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, more preferably of a type found in nature; or(ii) groups of formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from hydrogen atoms, C.sub.1-4 alkyl groups and aryl groups, preferably C.sub.6-10 aryl groups; n represents the integers 0 or 1; A represents either a chemical bond or a straight or branched C.sub.1-6 alkylene chain and R.sup.6 is a triiodinated phenyl group which may also carry other substituents. The invention also relates to X-ray contrast media containing these compounds, as well as methods of enhancing X-ray images of a human subject wherein the contrast media are administered to the subject prior to imaging.

Abstract: Aromatic acid-derived lipophilic polyhalogenated compounds are provided for use as contrast agents in diagnostic imaging or as therapeutic agents. These compounds are particularly useful when incorporated into an oil-in-water emulsion for tissue-specific delivery to the liver. For hepatocyte-selective delivery, the emulsion is chylomicron remnant-like by being in a size range of 50 to 200 nm and having a composition simulating naturally-occuring chylomicron remnants.

Abstract: Compounds having anti-inflammatory and other activities are disclosed. The compounds are derived from diterpenes of the phorbol-, resiniferonol- and ingenol-classes.

Abstract: Fluorinated carboxylic acids can be recovered from materials which contain them by releasing, if necessary, the carboxylic acids with sufficiently strong acids, esterifying the released acids and distilling off the esters. The esters can be advantageously directly hydrolyzed with aqueous ammonia solution to give the corresponding ammonium salts.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of .alpha.-substituted .omega.-dihydroperluoroalkane derivatives of the general formula H(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2).sub.n R wherein R=H or COOH, and n=1-10 is characterized by oxidizing .alpha., .alpha., .omega.-trihydroperfluoroalcohols with an oxygen gas or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a homogeneous copper catalyst and an alkaline agent in an organic solvent with subsequent isolation of the desired product.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which A is oxygen, sulfur or --NR.sub.1 --;B is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylene,D-E is --O--E, --S--E, --O--CH.sub.2 --E, --O--C(.dbd.O)--E, --O--C(.dbd.O)--O--E, --O--C(.dbd.O)--N(H)--E or --O--C(.dbd.S)--N(H)--E;E is phenyl; phenyl which is substituted by one to three substituents; a five-membered aromatic heterocycle having one to three hetero atoms; a five-membered aromatic heterocycle which has one to three hetero atoms and which is substituted by one or two substituents; a six-membered aromatic heterocycle which has one to three nitrogen atoms; or a six-membered aromatic heterocycle which has one to three nitrogen atoms and which is substituted by one or two substituents;L is halogen or methyl;X is fluorine;Y is chlorine or fluorine;Z is hydrogen, fluorine or methyl;m is the number zero, one, two, three, four or five;n is the number zero, one or two andR.sub.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: This specification provides a polymeric material useful for manufacturing contact lenses having improved oxygen permeability. The contact lenses prepared from the polymeric material of the invention show improved hydrophilicity and enhanced oxygen permeability as compared with that made of the conventional fluoroalkyl-containing polymeric materials.

Abstract: A liquid phase process for making perfluorinated organic substances which comprises directly contacting in a temperature-controlled reactor a diluted solution or dispersion of a perfluorinateable, organic substance in a liquid, inert medium with a stoichiometric excess of fluorine gas, optionally diluted with an inert gas, to perfluorinate said organic substance at a temperature and a flow rate of inert gas (if used) sufficient to volatilize the resulting by-product hydrogen fluoride, removing said hydrogen fluoride from the reactor as it is produced, and separately removing from the reactor the resultant solution or dispersion of perfluorinated organic substance.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention is directed to biological compounds derivatized so as to contain at least one perfluoro-t-butyl moiety for use in fluorine-19 NMR and/or MRI studies. The perfluoro-t-butyl (PFTB) moiety, ##STR1## is an excellent reported group for fluorine-19 NMR/MRI. It is a source of nine magnetically equivalent fluorine nuclei which generate a single intense resonance for each detection in spectroscopy or imaging. This signal is a sharp singlet, not split by neighboring nuclei or spread over a wide frequency range and eliminates any change of ghost images which might arise from multiple resonances. These spectral properties ensure a maximum signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for readily detecting this moiety. The foregoing allows either reduction in the concentration of the derivatized compound, ability to use MRI instruments with lower field strengths, a reduction in imaging times, or a combination of the foregoing as a result of this moiety producing a single, sharp, intense resonance.

Abstract: Photoinitiators having at least one terminal fluoroalkyl moiety are useful for photopolymerizing and photocuring fluorinated as well as non-fluorinated monomers, especially fluorinated acrylic monomers.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing .alpha.,.omega.-bifunctional compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aralkyl group; X is --COOH, --COOR.sup.3, --COY or --NCO, wherein R.sup.3 is an alkyl group or an aralkyl group and Y is a halogen atom or N.sub.3 ; and n is an integer of at least 1 provided that when X is --COOH, n is an integer of at least 4.

Abstract: Photoinitiators having at least one terminal fluoroalkyl moiety are useful for photopolymerizing and photocuring fluorinated as well as non-fluorinated monomers, especially fluorinated acrylic monomers.