Abstract: Controlled release of hydrophobic bioactive substances in vivo over an extended time period and without “bursts” of drug release is achieved using a liquid polymeric composition including a polymer such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer in a mixture of hydrophilic and lipophilic solvents.

Abstract: This invention is a prosthetic device generally placed on the outside surface of the vessel or graft which then elutes antiproliferative drugs or agents from a drug-eluting matrix material. Methods of perivascular antiproliferative drug administration also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making particles useful in drug delivery, comprising the steps of: contacting polyanionic polymers with cations in a stirred reactor so that polyanions and the cations react to form particles.

Abstract: Methods for performing a capsulorhexis are disclosed wherein a dye is used to stain a lens capsule of an eye. The dye is capable of staining tissue without diffusing through the tissue. Compositions including dyes that are useful in the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for finding nucleotide synthesis inhibitors which have a better therapeutic window. An efficacious dose of a nucleotide synthesis inhibitor is administered to a mammal. The concentration of the nucleotide synthesis inhibitor in the blood of the mammal is observed and it is determined whether the nucleotide synthesis inhibitor has a half-life which is shorter than that of N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-cyano-3-hydroxycrotonamide. The invention also relates to a method of using nucleotide synthesis inhibitors in the treatment of immunological diseases.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and treating rapidly growing exogenous cells, such as Protista, or parasites, that preferentially accumulate a photoactivatable porphyrin in which 5-aminolevulinic acid or precursor thereof is administered to the patient, or contacted to the exogenous cells, in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis fluorescence and/or photosensitizing concentrations of a protoporphyrin IX in the exogenous cells, followed by exposure of the exogenous cells to light of photoactivating wavelengths.

Abstract: A thickener composition containing a reaction product of a hydroxycarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid and mixtures thereof, and a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether corresponding to formula I: R1O(CH2CH2O)nH  (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is a number from 20 to 150.

Abstract: An oral composition which is adapted to be dispersed in an aqueous carrier substantially immediately prior to administration comprises a multiplicity of particles comprising an active substance, the particles being combined with one or more gelling or swelling agents capable of forming a viscous medium around the particles in an aqueous carrier as well as being provided with a masking surface layer when dispersed in the aqueous carrier. This serves to mask uneven surfaces on the particles and prevent them from adhering to oral mucosa when the composition is ingested and thus makes it easier to administer large dosages of an active substance. The masking surface layer is preferably provided by an increased viscosity of the viscous medium in the immediate vicinity of the particles relative to the viscosity of the surrounding aqueous carrier. A ready-to-use composition is prepared by mixing the composition with an aqueous carrier substantially immediately prior to administration of the composition.

Abstract: An external composition containing a silicone-modified polysaccharide compound and a low viscosity silicone oil and/or powder component, which is useful for covering rough surfaces on a skin.

Abstract: A method for performing retinal membrane removal is disclosed using vital dyes which are applied to the membrane. Compositions including vital dyes which are useful in the retinal membrane removal methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of a polymer of the acrylic type as a disintegration agent.

Abstract: An improved method of treating skin diseases comprises applying to the skin of a patient suffering such a skin disease an allantoin-containing composition in a therapeutically effective quantity. The allantoin-containing composition is a water-in-oil emulsion that includes allantoin and an emulsifier system that includes at least one emulsifier that is either an anionic emulsifier or a nonionic emulsifier. If the emulsifier is an anionic emulsifier, the emulsifier system can include beeswax. The nonionic emulsifiers used can include at least one nonionic emulsifier that is an ethoxylated ether or an ethoxylated ester whose carbon chain length ranges from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Alternatively, the emulsifier system can include an acidic anionic polymer such as carboxypolymethylene and an anionic emulsifier. In another alternative, the emulsifier system can include the acidic anionic polymer and a nonionic emulsifier, or the acidic anionic polymer alone.

Abstract: The use of an organosiloxane bearing at least one ultraviolet-absorbing group in, and for the preparation of, a cosmetic or dermatological composition as an agent for protecting the color of artificially colored keratin fibres against the effects of UV radiation, in particular solar radiation.

Abstract: Throxinyldimethylphosphinate was invented as a prodrug to stabilize thyroxine, a drug widely used to treat hypothyroidism. The presence of the dimethylphosphinate group at the phenolic hydroxyl of thyroxine is key to preventing thyroxine from decomposing through the proposed pathway. The prodrug will be hydrolyzed in the stomach or the gut into thyroxine and the biologically inert dimethylphosphinic acid. Related products may be stabilized with the same or similar protecting groups.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: Methods for producing coronary vasospasms and for inhibiting coronary vasospasms are disclosed. Both in vivo and in vitro methods are disclosed. The methods are useful as tests for determining the ability of a chemical compound to inhibit or reduce coronary vasospasms.

Abstract: This invention relates to homogeneous, anhydrous formulations which contain glycerophospholipids and polar or lipophilic substances (eg, physiologically active ingredients) in a molar ratio of 1:0.001 to 1:2, and maybe anhydrous formulation aids, eg, in the form of glycerol, in a molar ratio of 1:0.001 to 1:1, expressed in terms of the glycerophospholipids, the components forming such stable aggregates with one another as to render the formulations ideal for the preparation of dispersions, emulsions and/or suspensions in many fields of application, these including the food-processing sector, biotechnology, and the pharmaceuticals industry. The formulations are produced in an extraction column using compressed hydrocarbons, and are obtained from the column as a melt.

Abstract: A test system for characterizing the compatibility of bioactive substances with polyvinylpyrrolidones in a solid dispersion consisting of one or more bioactive substances and 1,3-bis(1-pyrrolidonyl)butane.

Abstract: A method for treating hair, combining permanent dyeing and straightening of hair, without significantly damaging the hair. According to the method of the present invention the hair is treated by chemically reducing covalent disulfide linkages in the hair, and contacting said hair with at least one oxidoreductase, at least one mediator, and at least one chemical oxidizing agent in an amount equivalent to 0.001-1% hydrogen peroxide calculated by weight of the dyeing formulation.

Abstract: The present invention describes, among other things, the surprising discovery that gaseous precursor filled compositions are profoundly more effective as acoustically active contrast agents when they are thermally preactivated to temperatures at or above the boiling point of the instilled gaseous precursor prior to their in vivo administration to a patient. Further optimization of contrast enhancement is achieved by administering the gaseous precursor filled compositions to a patient as an infusion. Enhanced effectiveness is also achieved for ultrasound mediated targeting and drug delivery.