The present invention relates to a cationic lipid having one or more biodegradable groups located in a lipidic moiety (e.g., a hydrophobic chain) of the cationic lipid. These cationic lipids may be incorporated into a lipid particle for delivering an active agent, such as a nucleic acid. The invention also relates to lipid particles comprising a neutral lipid, a lipid capable of reducing aggregation, a cationic lipid of the present invention, and optionally, a sterol. The lipid particle may further include a therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid.

The present invention relates to a cationic lipid having one or more biodegradable groups located in a lipidic moiety (e.g., a hydrophobic chain) of the cationic lipid. These cationic lipids may be incorporated into a lipid particle for delivering an active agent, such as a nucleic acid. The invention also relates to lipid particles comprising a neutral lipid, a lipid capable of reducing aggregation, a cationic lipid of the present invention, and optionally, a sterol. The lipid particle may further include a therapeutic agent such as a nucleic acid.

Analogues of oleuropein and oleacein and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and processes for the preparation of these compounds are disclosed. The invention further relates to use of oleuropein and oleacein analogues for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, and cancer.

Analogues of oleuropein and oleacein and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and processes for the preparation of these compounds are disclosed. The invention further relates to use of oleuropein and oleacein analogues for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, and cancer.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent by which a water-repellent property can be given to a metal surface with suppressing a corrosion and a discolorment of the metal, a method for treating a surface of a metal by using the hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent, a synthetic intermediate compound of a branched glycerol derivative as an active ingredient of the hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent, and a method for efficiently producing the synthetic intermediate compound. The hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent of the present invention is characterized in comprising the branched glycerol derivative represented by the following formula (I) as an active ingredient.

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 10 or more and 30 or less, X is S or a carbonyl group, Y is an n +1 valent linker group, n is an integer of 1 or more and 5 or less.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent by which a water-repellent property can be given to a metal surface with suppressing a corrosion and a discolorment of the metal, a method for treating a surface of a metal by using the hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent, a synthetic intermediate compound of a branched glycerol derivative as an active ingredient of the hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent, and a method for efficiently producing the synthetic intermediate compound. The hydrophilic metal surface treatment agent of the present invention is characterized in comprising the branched glycerol derivative represented by the following formula (I) as an active ingredient.

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 10 or more and 30 or less, X is S or a carbonyl group, Y is an n +1 valent linker group, n is an integer of 1 or more and 5 or less.

A method for esterification of one or more carboxylic acid groups in a compound containing one or more carboxylic acid groups wherein the esterification reagent is a diazo-compound of formula: ##STR00001##
wherein the R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 groups of the diazo compound are selected such that the corresponding organic compound of formula: ##STR00002##
exhibits a —C—H pKa value between 18 and 29 as measured in DMSO. Specific reagents and methods for esterification are provided. The esterification reagents provided exhibit high selectivity for esterification of carboxylic acid groups over reaction with amine, alcohol or thiol groups in the compound containing one or more carboxylic acid groups. The method can be used to selectively esterify carboxylic acid groups in peptides or proteins.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a donor compound that releases H.sub.2S by reacting with a reactive compound. The donor compound embodiments described herein can be used to deliver H.sub.2S to a subject or a sample and further can be used to administer therapeutic agents. The donor compound embodiments also can facilitate bioconjugation. Methods of making and using the donor compound embodiments also are disclosed.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a donor compound that releases H.sub.2S by reacting with a reactive compound. The donor compound embodiments described herein can be used to deliver H.sub.2S to a subject or a sample and further can be used to administer therapeutic agents. The donor compound embodiments also can facilitate bioconjugation. Methods of making and using the donor compound embodiments also are disclosed.

An alkanethioic acid derivative capable of imparting a characteristic aroma or flavor to fragrances and cosmetics, and foods and beverages; and a perfume composition comprising the alkanethioic acid derivative as an active ingredient. S-alkyl 5-[(1-alkoxy)ethoxy]alkanethioate represented by formula (1), and a perfume composition comprising the S-alkyl 5-[(1-alkoxy)ethoxy]alkanethioate represented by formula (1) as an active ingredient. In the formula (1), R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 represents a methyl group or an ethyl group.