Abstract: A microsphere composition comprising materials which include substances which provide increased safety and bioavailability of nucleic acids when used in gene therapy applications. The microspheres of the present invention include hyaluronic acid which has been derivatized with a dihydrazide, preferably adipic dihydrazide, which is crosslinked to a nucleic acid. These microspheres are useful in gene therapy applications for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, such as myocardial ischemia. In the treatment of myocardial ischemia, the microspheres of the invention include the VEGF gene. When cardiac cells are transfected with VEGF, angiogenesis in cardiac tissue is a result. Angiogenesis in cardiac tissue is likely to provide a therapeutic effect in the treatment of myocardial ischemia in that blocked or damaged blood vessels may be bypassed by newly grown blood vessels.

Abstract: This invention utilizes methods of emulsion chemistry to derivative polymers, as distinguished from the synthetic methods of the prior art, whereby such polymers are derivative in a true solution. The derivative polymers are useful in that they may be readily reacted with small polymers or other molecules to form new polymeric entities. The new polymeric entities may be further derivative during the step of interracial dramatization, or may be provided for reaction to the product in a subsequent step to form the target product.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable compositions which are effective as skin whitening agents, comprising alpha, beta or gamma substituted mono-, di or polyhydroxy or polycarboxy carboxylic acids; mono-, di, tri or polyhydroxy alkyl compound; and effective amounts of an inhibitor of tyrosinase and a pigmentation reversing reagent. Also disclosed are methods of forming stable compositions of the type described above.

Abstract: The present invention provides for vitamin A derivative selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinyl ester and any combination thereof incorporated into liposomes formed with alkylammonium fatty acid salts, and methods for manufacturing same. The liposomes of the invention may deliver vitamin A derivative materials at the occurrence of a preset triggering condition. Preferred liposomes of the invention are cationic liposomes. The preferred liposomes of the invention are formed with alkylammonium fatty acid salts, e.g., trialkylammonium fatty acid salts of long chain amides. The encapsulated vitamin A derivative is thus stabilized by the liposomes. The present invention thus also provides a method of stabilizing vitamin A derivative be encapsulation in such liposomes. The liposomes of the invention are used to provide topical skin treatment formulations useful in the treatment of skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides for liposomes formed with alkylammonium fatty acid salts, and methods for manufacturing same. The liposomes of the invention may deliver entrapped load material or materials at the occurrence of a preset triggering condition. Preferred liposomes of the invention are cationic liposomes. The preferred liposomes of the invention are formed with alkylammonium fatty acid salts, e.g., trialkylammonium fatty acid salts of long chain amides. The liposomes of the invention are used to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic load materials. The liposomes formed accordingly are capable of delivering their loads upon the occurrence of a trigger or control condition.

Abstract: A salicylic acid (SA) and derivitized beta cyclodextrin complex provides that the SA display increased solubility in water. The complex includes about 0.1 to about 10.0 percent salicylic acid, about 0.1 to about 75.0 percent derivatized beta cyclodextrin and about 0.1 to about 50.0 percent water.

Abstract: A composition containing a protease and glycosidase is provided for removing nits in the treatment of lice infestation. The protease and glycosidase are separated from each other to prevent the protease from hydrolyzing the glycosidase Separation is accomplished by encapsulating either the protease or glycosidase in a lipidic bilayer vesicle while leaving the other outside the vesicle. The protease and glycosidase destroy complex carbohydrate and protein in nit shells, nit embryos and substances secreted by adult lice. In a method of treatment, an infestation site such as hair is treated with a pediculoside and then with the composition containing a protease and glycosidase, and nits are removed such as by washing.

Abstract: A liposome for use in encapsulating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances (i.e., a "payload"),is disclosed which is capable of delivering their load upon the occurrence of a trigger or control condition. The liposomes are formed to stably encapsulate a particular active agent to form a delivery vehicle for the agent. The liposomes of the delivery vehicle are stable in a particular environment but become unstable or permeable if passed from the stable environment (e.g., characteristic of a particular pH and/or temperature and/or ionic strength) to a changed or unstable environment, thereby delivering their payload.