816 results about "Hydroxybutyrates" patented technology

A reagent is suitable for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a hemoglobin-containing biological fluid, such as whole blood. The reagent comprises dehydrogenase enzyme that has specificity for the analyte, NAD, an NAD derivative, pyrrolo-quinoline quinone (PQQ), or a PQQ derivative, a tetrazolium dye precursor, a diaphorase enzyme or an analog thereof, and a nitrite salt. The reagent causes dye formation that is a measure of the analyte concentration. The nitrite salt suppresses interfering dye formation caused non-enzymatically by the hemoglobin. Preferably, the reagent is used in a dry strip for measuring ketone bodies, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate.

The present invention provides bioactive polymer compositions that can be formulated to release a wound healing agent at a controlled rate by adjusting the various components of the composition. The composition can be used in an external wound dressing, as a polymer implant for delivery of the wound healing agent to an internal body site, or as a coating on the surface of an implantable surgical device to deliver wound healing agents that are covalently attached to a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and / or embedded within a hydrogel. Methods of using the invention bioactive polymer compositions to promote natural healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds, are also provided. Examples of biodegradable copolymer polyesters useful in forming the blood-compatible, hydrophilic layer or coating include copolyester amides, copolyester urethanes, glycolide-lactide copolymers, glycolide-caprolactone copolymers, poly-3-hydroxy butyrate-valerate copolymers, and copolymers of the cyclic diester monomer, 3-(S)[(alkyloxycarbonyl)methyl]-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, with L-lactide. The glycolide-lactide copolymers include poly(glycolide-L-lactide) copolymers formed utilizing a monomer mole ratio of glycolic acid to L-lactic acid ranging from 5:95 to 95:5 and preferably a monomer mole ratio of glycolic acid to L-lactic acid ranging from 45:65 to 95:5. The glycolide-caprolactone copolymers include glycolide and ε-caprolactone block copolymer, e.g., Monocryl or Poliglecaprone.

Several novel PHA polymer compositions produced using biological systems include monomers such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxypropionate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxyvalerate and 5-hydroxyvalerate. These PHA compositions can readily be extended to incorporate additional monomers including, for example, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 4-hydroxyhexanoate, 6-hydroxyhexanoate or other longer chain 3-hydroxyacids containing seven or more carbons. This can be accomplished by taking natural PHA producers and mutating through chemical or transposon mutagenesis to delete or inactivate genes encoding undesirable activities. Alternatively, the strains can be genetically engineered to express only those enzymes required for the production of the desired polymer composition. Methods for genetically engineering PHA producing microbes are widely known in the art (Huisman and Madison, 1998, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63: 21-53). These polymers have a variety of uses in medical, industrial and other commercial areas.

The present invention is directed to oral pulse-release pharmaceutical dosage form containing an immediate release component of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, and one or more delayed / controlled release components of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid.

Biodegradable controlled release systems providing prolonged controlled release of drugs, and methods for the manufacture thereof are disclosed. The systems are formed from a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer, in particular poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (PHA4400) or copolymers thereof. Copolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate include but are not limited to poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate (PHA3444), and poly-4-hydoxybutyrate-co-glycolate (PHA4422). Drugs are generally incorporated into the polymer using a method that yields a uniform dispersion. The type of drug and the quantity are selected based on the known pharmaceutical properties of these compounds. The systems may be administered for example by implantation, injection, topical administration, or oral ingestion. They may also be used in combination with a medical device, for example, a stent. A major advantage of the drug delivery system is that it does not need to be removed after use since it is slowly degraded and cleared by the patient's body. The device has desirable physical properties, including strength, modulus and elongation.

The present invention provides a preparation method of (S)-4-hydroxyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide. The preparation method comprises: (S)-4-halogen-3-hydroxyl butyric ester as a raw material reacts under the conditions with polar solvent and alkalinity to prepare the crude product of (S)-4-hydroxyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide; and the crude product is purified. The preparation method is characterized in that inorganic alkali is added for a plurality of times in the reaction process under the condition with alkalinity so as to control the pH value in the reaction to be less than or equal to 8.5. A large quantity of repeated tests are completed to determine that the optimum pH value of the reaction under the condition with alkalinity is less than or equal to 8.5, and the alkali is added in batches to strictly control the pH value of the whole reaction process, so that the alkali conditions required in the reaction can be satisfied and the reaction can be performed completely, and the target product (S)-oxiracetam is prevented from being damaged in the alkaline solution, thereby improving the yield rate of the target product (S)-oxiracetam and reducing the cost.

Absorbable stents and absorbable stent coatings have been developed with improved properties. These devices preferably comprise biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate, and optionally poly-L-lactic acid and other absorbable polymers and additives. Compositions of these materials can be used to make absorbable stents that provide advantageous radial strengths, resistance to recoil and creep, can be plastically expanded on a balloon catheter, and can be deployed rapidly in vivo. Stent coatings derived from these materials provide biocompatible, uniform coatings that are ductile, and can be expanded without the coating cracking and / or delaminating and can be used as a coating matrix for drug incorporation.

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and / or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

An element of an absorbent article is provided. The element has a bio-based content of at least about 50% based on the total weight of the element, and comprises a synthetic polymer derived from a renewable resource via a first intermediate compound selected from the group consisting of crotonic acid, propiolactone, ethylene oxide, i-propanol, butanol, butyric acid, propionic acid, 2-acetoxypropanoic acid, methyl 2-acetoxypropanoate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, polyhydroxybutyrate, and a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising 3-hydroxypropionate monomers. An absorbent article comprising the element and a method of making an element for an absorbent article also are provided.

Disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in an aqueous medium that are resistant to microbial growth. Also disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate that are also resistant to the conversion into GBL. Disclosed are methods to treat sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, with these stable formulations of GHB. The present invention also provides methods to treat alcohol and opiate withdrawal, reduced levels of growth hormone, increased intracranial pressure, and physical pain in a patient.

Disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in an aqueous medium that are resistant to microbial growth. Also disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate that are also resistant to the conversion into GBL. Disclosed are methods to treat sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, with these stable formulations of GHB. The present invention also provides methods to treat alcohol and opiate withdrawal, reduced levels of growth hormone, increased intracranial pressure, and physical pain in a patient.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of chiral 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide. The process comprises adding sodium cyanide together with citric acid to a solution of chiral epichlorohydrin to obtain chiral 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropionitrile by ring opening reaction of the chiral epichlorohydrin, reacting the obtained product with an alcohol containing hydrochloride gas to obtain chiral 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyric acid ester, and reacting the obtained product in a presence of a base with glycinamide or with glycine ester accompanied by ammonolysis with ammonia to produce the targeted chiral 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide. The process according to the present invention provides optically pure 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide in high yield and in high purity, which is suitable for industrial mass-production.

The invention discloses a halomonas strain and application thereof. The halomonas strain is a halomonas sp. TD01 with a preservation number of CGMCC NO.4353. Experiments indicate that the halomonas sp. TD01 can effectively accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in a mineral medium (MM) and provides a better guarantee for the biosynthesis of the PHA and PHBV (poly(hydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate)). The halomonas strain has the advantages of simple nutrient requirement, no need of sterilization in a fermenting process, capability of continuous implantation and simpleness and easiness in control. Methods for preparing the PHA by using the halomonas sp. TD01 all lower the production cost from varying degrees and increase the yield of the PHA; and the obtained PHA has the molecular weight of above 500kDa and has an industrial application value.

Toughened compositions of PLA and PLA copolymers are disclosed, which also have low tensile modulus values and greater elongation to break. These toughened compositions are prepared by blending PLA and PLA copolymers with poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, and copolymers thereof. Blending of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate with PLA and its copolymers has been found to impart advantageous properties to the resulting blend. These compositions, and objects formed from these compositions, have improved toughness and lower stiffness than polylactic acid polymers or copolymers alone.

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with improved handling properties have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available and have a decreased tendency to curl, in the preferred embodiment, due to the inclusion of relaxation and annealing steps following methods are characterized by the following physical properties: (i) elongation to break from about 17% to about 85% (ii) Young's modulus of less than 350,000 psi, (iii) knot to straight ratio (knot strength / tensile strength) of 55-80% or (iv) load at break from 1100 to 4200 grams.

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with improved handling properties have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available and have a decreased tendency to curl, in the preferred embodiment, due to the inclusion of relaxation and annealing steps following extrusion and orientation of the fiber. Filaments prepared according to these methods are characterized by the following physical properties: (i) elongation to break from about 17% to about 85% (ii) Young's modulus of less than 350,000 psi, (iii) knot to straight ratio (knot strength / tensile strength) of 55-80% or (iv) load at break from 1100 to 4200 grams.

A compound which is 3-hydroxybutyl 3-hydroxybutyrate enantiomerically enriched with respect to (3R)-hydroxybutyl (3R)-hydroxybutyrate of formula (I) is an effective and palatable precursor to the ketone body (3R)-hydroxybutyrate and may therefore be used to treat a condition which is caused by, exacerbated by or associated with elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids in a human or animal subject, for instance a condition where weight loss or weight gain is implicated, or to promote alertness or improve cognitive function, or to treat, prevent or reduce the effects of neurodegeneration, free radical toxicity, hypoxic conditions or hyperglycaemia.

Blends of amorphous and semicrystalline polymers having shape memory properties were prepared by blending a crystalline polymer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride), polylactide, poly(hydroxxybutyrate), poly(ethylene glycol) polyethylene, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene chloride) and copolymers of poly(vinylidene chloride) and poly(vinyle chloride) and an amorphous polymer such as poly(vinyl acetate), poly methyl acrylate, poly ethyl acrylate, atactic poly methyl methacrylate, isotactic poly methyl methacrylate, syndiotactic poly methyl methacrylate and other poly alkyl methacrylates. The method for preparing the polymeric materials and applications thereof, for example, as smart medical devices, are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a card base which is degradable by microbes in natural environment. The card base is excellent in properties necessary for card bases, such as tensile strength, impact strength, flex temperature, heat resistance, resistance to thermal expansion and contraction, blocking resistance and humidity resistance, and has rigidity, bending resistance and durability. The card base contains, as essential components, a 3-hydroxybutylate / 3-hydroxyvalerate copolymer and a lactic acid polymer, and, where necessary, a polycaprolactone or a high-molecular aliphatic polyester. The card base has a single-layer structure, or a sandwich structure further having overlay layers comprising a composition containing, as essential components, a lactic acid polymer and either or both of a polycaprolactone and a high-molecular alphatic polyester.

The invention provides a degradable mulch film and a preparation method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of high polymer materials. The degradable mulch film comprises, by weight, 10 to 20 parts of polyethylene, 10 to 20 parts of polypropylene, 2 to 3 parts of polyvinyl alcohol, 1 to 2 parts of poly propylene carbonate, 3 to 5 parts of polylactic acid, 1 to 2 parts of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate), 4 to 6 parts of chitosan, 2 to 4 parts of methyl-polyolefin resin, 2 to 4 parts of polypropylene glycol, 0.5 part of nanometer titanium dioxide, 0.5 part of a photolysis agent, 5 to 15 parts of an inorganic filling material and 5 to 15 parts of starch. The degradable mulch film provided by the invention has the following advantages: 1, a fast degradation fast, and a fast degradation rate of more than 35% within 120 d; 2, high strength, transverse tensile strength of more than 16 MPa and vertical tensile strength of more than 17 MPa.

Interposition and augmentation devices for tendon and ligament repair, including rotator cuff repair, have been developed as well as methods for their delivery using arthroscopic methods. The devices are preferably derived from biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates, and preferably from copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. The devices may be delivered arthroscopically, and offer additional benefits such as support for the surgical repair, high initial strength, prolonged strength retention in vivo, flexibility, anti-adhesion properties, improved biocompatibility, an ability to remodel in vivo to healthy tissue, minimal risk for disease transmission or to potentiate infection, options for fixation including sufficiently high strength to prevent suture pull out or other detachment of the implanted device, eventual absorption eliminating future risk of foreign body reactions or interference with subsequent procedures, competitive cost, and long-term mechanical stability. The devices are also particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their eventual absorption should not hinder growth.

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and / or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy / breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.

Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions and formulations comprising mixed salts of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Also provided herein are methods of making the pharmaceutical compositions and formulations, and methods of their use for the treatment of sleep disorders such as apnea, sleep time disturbances, narcolepsy, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucination, sleep arousal, insomnia, and nocturnal myoclonus.

Recombinant hosts for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates and methods of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates from renewable carbon substrates are provided. Certain recombinant hosts that produce 5 carbon chemicals such as 5-aminopentanoate (5AP), 5-hydroxyvalerate (5HV), glutarate, and 1,5 pentanediol (PDO) are also provided. One embodiment provides a recombinant host expressing a gene encoding a heterologous enzyme selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase and a 5-hydroxyvalerate-CoA (5HV-CoA) transferase, wherein the host produces a polymer containing 5-hydroxyvalerate. Preferably, the host expresses both a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase and a 5HV-CoA transferase. The host can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. A preferred prokaryotic host is E. coli. The polymers produced by the recombinant hosts can be homopolymers or copolymers of 5-hydroxyvalerate. A preferred copolymer is poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-5-hydroxyvalerate).

The present invention provides a solid immediate release dosage form adapted for oral administration of GHB. The solid immediate release dosage form includes an immediate release formulation comprising a relatively high weight-percentage of GHB with a bioavailability similar to that of a liquid GHB dosage form.

A non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol pathway includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol. The aforementioned organisms are cultured to produce isopropanol, 4-hydroxybutryate, or 1,4-butanediol.

A drug delivery system that includes micelles formed from an amphiphilic copolymer that includes an A polymer block comprising a poly(alkylene oxide) and a B polymer block comprising a poly(hydroxyalkanoate), and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one therapeutic agent intimately contained within the micelles. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the A polymer block is poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and the B polymer block is poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB), and the copolymer is the triblock ABA copolymer PEO-PHB-PEO. A method of synthesizing the amphiphilic triblock copolymer is also provided.