Abstract: Ketocarboxylic acids such as levulinic acid can be efficiently purified in high yield by esterification with a hydrocarbon polyol to the corresponding polyketocarboxylic ester, which can be readily purified, for example recrystallized. After purification, the ketocarboxylic ester can be hydrolyzed to provide pure ketocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, after removal of the esterifying hydrocarbon polyol, or used for other synthetic transformations. Advantageously, the polyketocarboxylic esters, ketocarboxylic acids, and salts thereof produced by this method are obtained in high purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for achieving the efficient allylic oxidation of organic molecules, especially olefins and steroids, under aqueous conditions. The invention concerns the use of dirhodium (II,II) “paddlewheel complexes, and in particular, dirhodium carboximate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as catalysts for the reaction. The use of aqueous conditions is particularly advantageous in the allylic oxidation of 7-keto steroids, which could not be effectively oxidized using anhydrous methods, and in extending allylic oxidation to enamides and enol ethers.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for the preparation of 2-keto carboxylic acid having the general formula R1—CO—COOH, wherein R1 is a branched alkyl group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms, or a salt thereof, comprising a fermentation step wherein a microorganism is grown in a culture medium in order to provide a culture broth containing 2-keto carboxylic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The method includes using an unconditioned resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product and where the unconditioned resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The method further includes the use of at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the unconditioned resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position.

Abstract: The invention encompasses pet food compositions and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or disorders in companion animals, for example, for the treatment or obesity, including administering a pet food composition including pyruvic acid or a salt thereof to a companion animal, or lipoic acid or salt thereof and pyruvic acid or a salt thereof to a companion animal. The invention encompasses pet food compositions and methods for managing weight including administering a pet food composition including pyruvic acid or a salt thereof, or lipoic acid or a salt thereof and pyruvic acid or a salt thereof to a companion animal to a companion animal.

Abstract: Process for removing hydrogen cyanide from ethanedinitrile by contacting hydrogen cyanide-containing ethanedinitrile with an organic reagent under formation of a covalent bond.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) for use as an adjuvant in vaccination; wherein R is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms; R1 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, arylalkylene or alkylarylene moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of X, Y and Z is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, alkylarylene or cycloalkylene, ketone, ester, amide, imide, imine, thioether, ether, thioester, thioketone; and P is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group, a sugar residue, or a metal, phosphonium or ammonium species; wherein at least one of X, Y and Z includes a moiety selected from cyclopropyl, C=A, C-AH and C—OR5; wherein R5 is alkyl or haloalkyl, and A is S, O or NR6, wherein R6

Abstract: A method is described for providing acute symptomatic relief to a subject with Parkinson's Disease (PD) or other CNS disorders resulting from dopamine deficiency in the brain comprising administering to said subject an amount of a ketogenic material sufficient to produce a ketosis in the subject sufficient to provide therapeutic benefit in such neurological disorders. Preferred materials produce a ketosis is such that the total concentration of acetoacetate and (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate in the blood of the subject is raised to between 0.1 and 30 mM.

Abstract: This invention is a method of using a class of excipients for protein formulation to reduce and/or eliminate protein aggregation in solutions or solids. This class of compounds contains carbonyl group(s) to form Schiff base(s) with amino groups of proteins and also contains moieties to keep protein molecules spatially separated. This method has never been disclosed anywhere in the literature.

Abstract: The invention relates to hyperpolarised 13C-?-ketoisocaproate, its use as imaging agent, an imaging medium comprising hyperpolarised 13C-?-ketoisocaproate and methods of 13C-MR detection wherein such an imaging medium is used. Further, the invention relates to methods of producing hyperpolarised 13C-?-ketoisocaproate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determination of alanine transaminase (ALT) activity by 13C-MR detection using an imaging medium which comprises hyperpolarised 13C-pyruvate.

Abstract: To provide a novel compound. It is disclosed a compound represented by following formula (I): A-L-{D1-(E)q-D2-(B)m—Z1—R}p. In the formula, A represents a p-valent chain or cyclic residue; L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; p represents an integer of 2 or more; D1 represents a carbonyl group (—C(?O)—) or a sulfonyl group (—S(?O)2—); D2 represents a carbonyl group (—C(?O)—), a sulfonyl group (—S(?O)2—), a carboxyl group (—C(?O)O—), a sulfonyloxyl group (—S(?O)2O—), a carbamoyl group (—C(?O)N(Alk)-) or a sulfamoyl group (—S(?O)2N(Alk)-); E represents a divaltn group; and R represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or non-substituted C8 or longer alkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group or a trialkylsilyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating glyoxylic acid starting from an aqueous reaction medium containing glyoxylic acid and hydrochloric acid, comprising a step of countercurrent steam stripping of the reaction medium in order to obtain, on the one hand, a gas phase containing the volatile hydrochloric acid and, on the other hand, a liquid phase containing the purified glyoxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing levulinic acid and its esters from biomass is disclosed comprising: (i) feed preparation module characterized by subjecting biomass to a high-temperature refining treatment; (ii) hydrolysis reaction module that facilitates the hydrolysis of biomass to its respective sugars and their subsequent transformation to levulinic acid, formic acid, furfural, and char as well as facilitates the separation of lignin-based char by-product; (iii) product separation and recovery module utilizing a solvent extraction technique such as using furfural by-product as extracting solvent; and (iv) optionally, conversion of levulinic acid to levulinate ester. When desired, the disclosed process may be integrated into existing pulp mills.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a matrix for inducing or enhancing osteoclast differentiation. The matrix comprises a material having an osteoclastogenic agent associated therewith, the agent being releasable from the material in an amount which is sufficient to induce or enhance osteoclast differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydroformylation of compounds of the formula (I), where X is C, P(Rx), P(O—Rx) S or S(?O), where Rx is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl; A is a divalent bridging group having from 1 to 4 bridging atoms; and R1 is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl; or salts thereof; in which the compound of the formula (I) is reacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex of a metal of transition group VIII with a compound of the formula (II), where Pn is a pnicogen atom; W is a divalent bridging group having from 1 to 8 bridging atoms; R2 is a functional group capable of forming an intermolecular, noncovalent bond with the group —X(?O)OH; R3, R4 are each alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl; a, b, c are each 0 or 1; and Y1, Y2 and Y3 are each O, S, NRa or SiRbRc; and also compounds of the formula (II.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) of carboxylic acids and to compounds and compositions for use in the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives in which R represents a group chosen from COOH, COOR?, NH2, NHR? or NR?R?, where R? and R? are chosen, independently of one another, from the group of linear or branched alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl radicals having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, according to which process but-3-ene-1,2-diol (II) is catalytically and selectively oxidized to give 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III) and methyl mercaptan is selectively condensed with 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III). 2-Oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives are used as food supplement, in particular in animal nutrition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ketone compounds, compositions comprising ketone compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemias, dysproteinemias, and glucose metabolism disorders comprising administering a composition comprising a ketone compound. The compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are also useful for treating and preventing Alzheimer's disease, Syndrome X, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-related disorders, septicemia, thrombotic disorders, obesity, pancreatitis, hypertension, renal disease, cancer, inflammation, and impotence. In certain embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are useful in combination therapy with other therapeutics, such as hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic agents.

Abstract: A subject of the invention is the use of at least one cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) inhibitor in the preparation of a medicament intended for the preventive and/or curative symptomatic treatment of cystic fibrosis, particularly of the increased secretion of mucus in cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives in which R represents a group chosen from COOH, COOR?, NH2, NHR? or NR?R?, where R? and R? are chosen, independently of one another, from the group of linear or branched alkyl radicals having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl radicals having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, according to which process but-3-ene-1,2-diol (II) is catalytically and selectively oxidized to give 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III) and methyl mercaptan is selectively condensed with 2-oxobut-3-enoic acid (III). 2-Oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid (I), its salts and its derivatives are used as food supplement, in particular in animal nutrition.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to nettle extracts that are useful for treating or preventing seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis, and other inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: Skin lightening additives and skin lightening compositions having at least one of a heterosubstituted, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid are described. The compositions are suitable for topical application and may comprise 12-hydroxystearic acid, ricinoleic acid or both.

Abstract: A method and product to detect a starting edge of a roll of material are described. The roll of material includes a composition, an apparatus, or a combination thereof, which provides the detectable edge.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of making organic compounds by metathesis and hydrocyanation. The method of the invention may be used, for example, to make industrial important organic compounds such as diacids, diesters, acid-amines, acid-alcohols, acid-nitriles, ester-amines, ester-alcohols, and ester-nitriles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel process for the preparation of a chiral compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is hydroxyl or a group which activates the carboxyl and R2 is alkyl optionally substituted by halogen or benzyl, its preparation, its application in the synthesis of chiral 2-bromomethyl-2-ethylhexanoic acid and novel intermediates.

Abstract: ?-Ketol unsaturated fatty acid derivatives represented by the general formula (1); and plant growth regulators containing the same, which develop plant growth regulation performance such as flower bud formation acceleration in low concentrations and are excellent in stability: wherein R1 is straight-chain C1-5 alkyl or a straight-chain unsaturated C3-5 hydrocarbon group having one or two double bonds; and R2 is straight-chain C1-15 alkylene or a straight-chain unsaturated C2-15 hydrocarbon chain having one to three double bonds, with the proviso that the number of carbon-carbon double bonds is at most four.

Abstract: Methods of treating blood disorders are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of pyruvic acid.

Abstract: Aqueous sulfuric acid is used for hydrolysis of a biomass, constituting a hydrolysate, to produce organic compounds. Organic compounds such as furfural and hyroxymethylfurfural are formed within the hydrolysate. Heterocyclic ring opening within hyroxymethylfurfural forms levulinic acid within the hydrolysate. Furfural and levulinic acid are extracted by a biodiesel fuel oil to increase content of biodiesel fuel oil. Biodiesel fuel oil generally consists of vegetable oils, insoluble in aqueous sulfuric acid, and affords access to, extraction of furfural and levulinic acid. Extracted hydrolysate is recycled for further hydrolysis of biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for achieving the efficient allylic oxidation of organic molecules, especially olefins and steroids, under aqueous conditions. The invention concerns the use of dirhodium (II,II) “paddlewheel complexes, and in particular, dirhodium carboximate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as catalysts for the reaction. The use of aqueous conditions is particularly advantageous in the allylic oxidation of 7-keto steroids, which could not be effectively oxidized using anhydrous methods, and in extending allylic oxidation to enamides and enol ethers.

Abstract: A process for permeation enhanced reactive extraction of levulinic acid from a liquid aqueous phase comprising levulinic acid, wherein the levulinic acid from the aqueous phase is brought into contact with a liquid alcohol phase at esterification conditions in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 250° C., the aqueous phase and the alcohol phase being separated from each other by a membrane, and an aqueous stream depleted in levulinic acid and an alcohol stream comprising ester of levulinic acid are formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of pyruvic acid, in particular pyruvic acid that is 13C-enriched at the C1-atom, i.e. 13C1-pyruvic acid.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient suffering from apoptosis of tissue comprising administering to that subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more ketogenic compounds such that a physiological ketosis is produced sufficient to arrest said apoptosis. Preferably the apoptosis is of cerebral tissue such as that associated with acute intractible seizures, particularly with status epilepticus. The method is also applicable to apoptosis associated with administration of topic stuimuli for treatment of cancer, that produced by viral infections, autoimmune diseases or Aquired Immuno Defficiency Syndrome. The ketosis produced is a state in which levels of one or both of acetoacetate and (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in the mood of the subject such that their total concentration in the blood is elevated above the normal fed levels to between 0.1 and 30 mM.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of pyruvic acid, in particular pyruvic acid that is 13C-enriched at the C1-atom, i.e. 13C1-pyruvic acid.

Abstract: An energy-curable polymer-forming composition for making a pressure sensitive adhesive includes an unsaturated oligomer resin and an adhesive promoter which increases the peel strength of the adhesive without reducing its tack. The composition also includes a tackifier and various other optional components such as photoinitiator, chain extender, reactive diluent and the like.

Abstract: A process for the reactive extraction of levulinic acid from an aqueous mixture having levulinic acid, wherein the aqueous mixture is contacted with a liquid esterifying alcohol, the alcohol having at least four carbon atoms and is substantially water-immiscible, at esterification conditions in the presence of a catalyst to form a levulinate ester, wherein the amount of the alcohol is such that the alcohol extracts the levulinate ester from the aqueous mixture. Further, an aqueous phase, having the catalyst and a reduced levulinic acid content, and an organic phase, having the alcohol and the levulinate ester, are formed.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into levulinic acid or alkyl levulinate comprising contacting furfuryl alcohol and water or an alkyl alcohol with a porous heterogeneous catalyst comprising strong acid ion-exchange resin, wherein the catalyst has pores with an average pore diameter in the range of from 1 to 1000 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a compound of formula: (Formula I); or a salt, especially a pharmaceutically acceptable salt with a base, thereof or a lactone thereof wherein the element (a) represents —CH2—CH2— or —CH?CH— and R represents a cyclic radical.

Abstract: Use of a compound having a hydrophobic moiety attached to a hydrophilic moiety, wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a ?-keto acid group and the hydrophobic moiety is attached via a bond from a carbon or an oxygen of the hydrophobic moiety to a carbon of the ?-keto acid group, provided that the ?-carbon of the ?-keto acid group does not form part of a carboxyl or ester group, or a salt thereof, as a surfactant. A dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent. A method for breaking a dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent, said method comprising the steps of a) providing said dispersion at a temperature where it is substantially stable; and b) setting the temperature of said dispersion, so as to achieve a desired decomposition rate of the surfactant.

Abstract: Site-specific isotopically-labeled valine, leucine, and isoleucine and biosynthetic precursors for these amino acids are provided. The amino acids are labeled with 13C or 14C at the methyl group carbon atom(s) most remote from the carboxyl group. Also disclosed are the biochemical precursors of these labeled amino acids, 2-keto-4-(nC)butyric acid and 2-keto-3-(nC-methyl)-4-(nC)-butyric acid in which n, at each occurrence, is 13 or 14. Also disclosed are proteins, protein fragments, and polypeptides containing these site-specifically isotopically labeled amino acids, and methods for preparing the biochemical precursors, the amino acids, and the proteins, protein fragments, and polypeptides.

Abstract: A natural inexpensive acyclic monoterpene ketone (dihydrotagetone) of formula (4), isolated from the oil of Tagetes sp., was smoothly oxidized with meta-periodate/potassium permanganate into 2,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-heptanoic acid of formula (3), the reduction of 3 with metal hydride such as sodium borohydride or lithium aluminium hydride provided 4-hydroxyacid of formula (2) which on without isolation undergone lactonisation in acidic medium furnished two chiral centered 5-isobutyl-3-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone of formula (1) as an analogue of whisky lactone 5-butyl-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone of formula (1a) responsible for high quality of alcoholic beverage (whisky, wine, brandy and scotch), in addition, coconut flavoured 5-butyl-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone of formula (1) is also as an analogue of coconut aldehyde (&ggr;-nonalactone, F.E.M.A. No. 2751) of formula (1b) which is responsible for flavouring a wide range of food stuffs including baked goods and confectionery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of carbonaceous materials comprising a plurality of gamma-keto-carboxyl containing functional groups surface bonded thereto, and further provides several surface modified carbonaceous materials resulting therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing 3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutyric acid and salts thereof by oxidizing 3,3-dimethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases in a basic aqueous medium and in the presence of palladium catalysts and also of bismuth or bismuth compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to choline pyruvate of formula (I) wherein 0<n≦10, and is a stabile, physiologically compatible formulation containing said choline pyruvate, water and/or an organic solvent such as glycerine, or is present in a solid and preferably a powder form. The invention also relates to a method for producing choline pyruvate, whereby choline hydroxide is placed in a solvent, such as water or a methanol/water mixture, at a temperature of between 0 and 98° C., then pyruvric acid is added drop by drop in external cooling conditions and mixed until a pH value of between 5.0 and 8.0 is reached, the solvent is then removed and finally the obtained product is added to a physiologically compatible solvent.

Abstract: A process of producing an aliphatic aldehyde-acid (e.g., adipaldehyde-acid) and/or an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipic acid) comprising oxidizing a cyclic ketone (e.g., cyclohexanone) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a fixed catalyst which comprises a composite of a carrier and at least one metal element belonging to the groups 4 to 11 of the Periodic Table supported on the carrier and has an acid amount of 0.06 mmol/g or more per unit weight of the carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to genes encoding key enzymes in the biosynthesis of &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone (tulipalin A). The key enzymes are glutamate decarboxylase, &ggr;-aminobutyrate aminotransferase, &ggr;-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and UDP-glucosyltransferase. The genes and their expression products are useful for the creation of recombinant organisms that have the ability to synthesize tulipalin A, tuliposide A or any tuliposide A pathway intermediates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient synthetic method of &agr;-ketol unsaturated fatty acid having a double bond at a &bgr;-position to the ketone group thereof. It comprises the steps of: preparing compound (4) by reacting monosubstituted acetylene (2) with epoxide (3); and preparing &agr;-ketol unsaturated fatty acid (1) from said compound (4) as shown in Reaction Formula 1: wherein R1 represents an alkyl group of 1-18 carbon atoms or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 2-18 carbon atoms having 1-5 double or triple bonds at given positions; R2 represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; R3 represents a protecting group for a carboxyl group; R is identical to R1 or, when R1 has one or more triple bonds, represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group in which each triple bond of R1 is converted to a double bond; and A represents an alkylene group of 1-18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Site-specific isotopically-labeled valine, leucine, and isoleucine and biosynthetic precursors for these amino acids are provided. The amino acids are labeled with 13C or 14C at the methyl group carbon atom(s) most remote from the carboxyl group. Also disclosed are the biochemical precursors of these labeled amino acids, 2-keto-4-(nC)butyric acid and 2-keto-3-(nC-methyl)-4-(nC)-butyric acid in which n, at each occurrence, is 13 or 14.

Abstract: In a process for heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase oxidation, a reaction gas starting mixture comprising propane, molecular oxygen and, if desired, inert gas is passed at from 300 to 500° C. over a fixed-bed catalyst.