Abstract: A composition comprising the combination of at least one retinoid selected from the group consisting of vitamin A (retinol) and the bioconvertible precursors of vitamin A and at least one polyamine polymer.

Abstract: A lock unimolecular micelle includes at least one engineered acceptor specifically binding a ligand (or specifically a "key" unimolecular micelle) thereto. A key unimolecular micelle comprises a core molecule and a plurality of branches extending therefrom, at least one of the branches including a shank portion extending therefrom having a terminal moiety at an end thereof for binding to a complimentary acceptor of a lock unimolecular micelle. Together, the lock and key micelles form a unit, either irreversibly or reversibly bound wherein the lock micelles is a soluble receptor engineered to specifically bind to the specifically engineered key micelle.

Abstract: A branched radial block copolymer including the reaction product of a dendritic macromolecular initiator, and one or more chain extending monomers.

Abstract: Higher generation radially layered copolymeric dendrimers having a hydrophilic poly(amidoamine) or a hydrophilic poly(propyleneimine) interior and a hydrophobic organosilicon exterior are prepared by first reacting a hydrophilic dendrimer having --NH.sub.2 surface groups with an organosilicon compound, and then hydrosilating the resulting copolymeric dendrimer with another organosilicon compound in the presence of a noble metal catalyst. In an alternate embodiment, the radially layered copolymeric dendrimers are prepared by reacting a hydrophilic dendrimer having --NH.sub.2 surface groups directly with an organosilicon dendron or organosilicon hyperbranched polymer.

Abstract: The hair treatment compositions are in a variety of forms including permanent shaping compositions, oxidative after-treatment compositions, hair fixing compositions, hair bleaching compositions, hair cleansing compositions, hair care compositions or hair dye compositions containing direct-dyeing dye compounds and/or a combination of at least one developer and coupler and are characterized by 0.1 to 35 percent by weight of at least one dendrimer, preferably a poly(iminopropane-1,3-diyl)-dendrimer with nitrile and/or amino end groups. Methods of hair treatment based on these hair treatment compositions are described.

Abstract: Cascade polymer complexes having a complexing ligand with at least two different reproduction units and having a complexing agent which is a macrocyclic group having an amide grouping or a linear DTPA-type group having a linkage to the polymer through the central nitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a star-shaped branched polyamide that has a high thermal stability and can be produced in existing production facilities for the corresponding linear polyamide. This is achieved by allowing the polyamide branches, at least three, to be formed from a multifunctional core having functional groups chosen from the group comprising amine and carboxyl groups, the amine or carboxyl groups being bound to an acyclic compound in which branching occures, if it is branched, at a carbon atom, or via an acyclic chain to a heterocyclic compound showing point symmetry.The process for the preparation is carried out under the conditions of the preparation of the corresponding linear polyamide. It proves to be possible to obtain, after shorter polymerization times, a product with mechanical properties that are comparable with those of the linear polyamide after significantly longer polymerization times.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer is comprised of the reaction product of a dendrimer and an electrophoric compound which exhibits .pi.-stacking upon reduction. The reaction product which is a peripherally modified dendrimer is formed and reduced, either chemically or electrochemically, in a polar solvent. The reduced electrophoric moieties aggregate (form .pi.-stacks) to form electrically conductive pathways. The reduced peripherally modified dendrimers of the invention can be cast into films and other solid forms to provide flexible electrical conductors and semiconductors. The conductive polymers of the invention exhibit electrical conductivities comparable to that of doped polyacetalene, but are oxygen and moisture stable.

Abstract: Dendritic polymers containing disulfide functional groups which are essentially inert under non-reducing conditions, but which form sulfhydryl groups upon being subjected to a reducing agent are prepared by synthesizing dendritic polymers having a core with a disulfide linkage or by reacting a dendritic polymer with a molecule containing a disulfide linkage and reactive terminal groups. In one aspect of the invention, dendritic polymers having a single disulfide functional group at the core are provided. The single disulfide group at the core can be reduced to form two sulfhydryl groups to which other molecules, such as proteins, oligonucleotides, peptides, hormones, other dendritic polymers, non-dendritic polymers, etc., can be bound.

Abstract: A new class of branched dendrimeric macromolecules, is described essentially consisting of a polyvalent central nucleus and a series of polyoxaalkylene "dendra". Such molecules are characterized by the presence of at least one branch, attached either directly to the "core" or to a "dendron", which does not participate in the growth and which therefore differs from all the other functions of the macromolecule.

Abstract: The invention provides polychelant compounds which are useful for example in diagnostic imaging procedures and which are degradable in vivo to release excretable fragments. Such compounds conveniently are of the formula (I): R.sup.1 (X.sup.1 R.sup.2 ((X.sup.2).sub.p L).sub.n).sub.m (where X.sup.1 is a linker moiety metabolically cleavable to release R.sup.1 X.sup.3.sub.m and X.sup.4 R.sup.2 ((X.sup.2).sub.p L).sub.n fragments where X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 are the cleavage residues of X.sup.1 ; R.sup.1 X.sup.3.sub.m is a biotolerable polymer, preferably a substantially monodisperse polymer and especially one with a molecular weight below 40,000 D, particularly below 30,000 D and especially below 20,000 D, for example a first to sixth generation dendrimer; X.sup.4 R.sup.2 ((X.sup.2).sub.p L).sub.n is a polychelant fragment having a molecular weight below 40,000 D, preferably below 30,000 D, especially below 20,000 D, each such moiety preferably being the same; p is 0 or 1; X.sup.

Abstract: Compounds which bind to shiga-like toxins (SLT) associated with enteric E. coli infection, compositions including the compounds, methods for the neutralization of (SLT) in a patient, and methods for the diagnosis of enteric E. coli infection are disclosed. The compounds include a core molecule bound to a plurality of linker arms, which in turn are bound to a plurality of bridging moieties, which in turn are bound to two or three di- or tri-saccharide moieties. The di- or tri-saccharide moieties themselves are active in binding to the SLTs. The presence of a plurality of bridged dimers of the di- and tri-saccharides is responsible for the increased binding affinity of the compounds relative to the di- and tri-saccharides themselves. The compounds, when administered in a timely fashion to a patient suffering from enteric E. coli infection, inhibit progression of this infection into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Abstract: Dendritic polymer based networks consisting of well-defined hydrophilic and oleophilic (i.e., hydrophobic) domains, are capable of performing as nanoscopic sponges for electrophilic guest moieties such as (i) inorganic and organic cations; (ii) charged or polarized molecules containing electrophilic constituent atoms or atomic groups; and (iii) other electrophilic organic, inorganic, or organometallic species. As a result of such performance, the networks yield novel nanoscopic organo-inorganic composites which contain organosilicon units as an integral part of their covalently bonded matrix.

Abstract: A novel class of hyper comb-branched polymers conjugated with carried materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Branched, dendrimeric macromolecules having a central nucleus and a series of polyoxaalkylene chains that radiate from the nucleus and spread into the surrounding space branching a cascade fashion until the desired size results. Molecules formed in this manner are free of excessive functional crowding on their outer surfaces. Synthetic methods of preparing these molecules and their uses are described.

Abstract: A granular, polymerizable composition which contains at least one polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and a polymerization initiator and optionally an accelerator and at least 70% by wt. filler and additionally 0.5 to 28% by wt. dendrimer and which becomes flowable under compressive or shear stress. The composition can be packed in similar manner to amalgam and is particularly suitable as dental material or for the production of a dental material.

Abstract: Gliotoxic factor in the isolated or purified state, characterized in that it possesses toxic activity with respect to human or animal astrocytic cells, having the effect of a cytomorphological disorganization of their network of intermediate filaments and/or a degradation of the proteins of said intermediate filaments and/or cell death, in particular by apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a dendrimeric compound comprising a dendrimeric bioactive moiety with linked thereto a plurality of diagnostically or therapeutically active moieties characterized in that the molecular skeleton of said compound contains at least one biodegradable cleavage site such that on cleavage thereof said active moieties are released in renally excretable form.

Abstract: A new class of branched dendrimeric macromolecules, is described essentially consisting of a polyvalent central nucleus and a series of polyoxaalkylene "dendra". Such molecules are characterized by the presense of at least one branch, attached either directly to the "core" or to a "dendron", which does not participate in the growth and which therefor differs from all the other functions of the macromolecule.

Abstract: A method for releasing molecules (guest molecules) from the matrix formed by the structure of another molecule (host molecule) in a controllable manner has been invented. This method has many applications in science and industry. In addition, applications based on such molecular systems may revolutionize significant areas of medicine, in particular the treatment of cancer and of viral infection. Similar effects can also be obtained by controlled fragmentation of a source molecule, where the molecular fragments form the active principle.

Abstract: A new method of adjuvanting a variety of materials has been developed. Starburst dendrimers, primarily poly(amidoamine) starburst dendrimers, can be used as an adjuvant for Influenza antigen and similar materials. Mid-Generation dendrimers are preferred and yield high antibody titer levels with reduced antigen dosage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dendrimer composition in which an effective number of the terminal functionalities are provided with blocking agents, and at least one active substance species is occluded in the dendrimer. A blocking agent is a sufficiently sterically sized compound which readily enters into a chemical bond with a terminal group of a dendrimer but which can also be split off from the dendrimer or can be modified without affecting the chemical structure of the dendrimer and the occluded active substance. The blocking agent can also be provided with a protecting group. The time and duration over which an active substance is released can be controlled. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of such a composition and to a process for the controlled release of the active substance.

Abstract: Dendritic polymer conjugates which are composed of at least one dendrimer in association with at least one unit of a carried material, where the carrier material can be a biological response modifier, have been prepared. The conjugate can also have a target director present, and when it is present then the carried material may be a bioactive agent. Preferred dendritic polymers are dense star polymers, which have been complexed with biological response modifiers. These conjugates and complexes have particularly advantageous properties due to their unique characteristics.

Abstract: A process for preparing hyperbranched polymers from AB monomers and C monomers Using a self-constructing approach is disclosed along with the hyperbranched polymers of a living-like character produced by such process.

Abstract: A hyperbranched macromolecule of polyester type comprising a central monomeric or polymeric nucleus and at least one generation of a branching chain extender having at least three reactive sites of which at least one is a hydroxyl or hydroxyalkyl substituted hydroxyl group and at least one is a carboxyl or terminal epoxide group. The nucleus is an epoxide compound having at least one reactive epoxide group. Optionally, the macromolecule comprises at least one generation consisting of at least one spacing chain extender having two reactive sites of which one is a hydroxyl or hydroxyalkyl substituted hydroxyl group and one is a carboxyl or terminal epoxide group. The macromolecule may be terminated by means of at least one chain stopper.

Abstract: Personal wash compositions containing an anionic surfactant as a cleaning agent and a cationic dendrimer as a mildness aid. The dendrimer lowers the irritation potential of the surfactant. Cationic dendrimers remain dispersed in anionic surfactant solutions. The dendrimers are significantly less viscous than linear cationic polymeric mildness aids and are monodispersed. Furthermore, the dendrimers perform better than linear cationic polymers, especially in the presence of harsh anionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Abstract: A lock unimolecular micelle includes at least one engineered acceptor specifically binding a ligand (or specifically a "key" unimolecular micelle) thereto. A key unimolecular micelle comprises a core molecule and a plurality of branches extending therefrom, at least one of the branches including a shank portion extending therefrom having a terminal moiety at an end thereof for binding to a complimentary acceptor of a lock unimolecular micelle. Together, the lock and key micelles form a unit, either irreversibly or reversibly bound wherein the lock micelles is a soluble receptor engineered to specifically bind to the specifically engineered key micelle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dendritic macromolecule comprising a core and branches emanating from the core wherein the branches are based on vinyl cyanide and/or fumaryl dinatrile units. The invention also relates to processes for preparing these dendritic macromolecules. The dendritic macromolecules according to the invention are not sensitive to degradation through hydrolysis reactions and are also very stable at a high temperature. The processes are very suitable for large scale production of the dendritic macromolecules without requiring purification of reaction intermediates.

Abstract: A multiple antigenic peptide system is disclosed that comprises a dendritic core and peptide and a lipophilic anchoring moiety. This particular combination has as an advantage that it eliminates the need for the inclusion of adjuvants found to be toxic to humans, and facilitates the exponential amplification of the antigenic potential of a vaccine prepared therefrom, as noncovalent amplification by a liposome or micellar form is possible. Further, multiple different antigenic peptides may be attached so that the system may be prepared for administration to concurrently treat diverse ailments, such as for example, AIDS and influenza. The present multiple antigen peptide system is capable of eliciting an immune response when injected into a mammal, and accordingly, vaccines prepared from the system and methods of use including therapeutic protocols are included.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dendritic macromolecule comprising a core and branches emanating from the core wherein the branches are based on vinyl cyanide and/or fumaryl dinatrile units. The invention also relates to processes for preparing these dendritic macromolecules. The dendritic macromolecules according to the invention are not sensitive to degradation through hydrolysis reactions and are also very stable at a high temperature. The processes are very suitable for large scale production of the dendritic macromolecules without requiring purification of reaction intermediates.

Abstract: Dense star polymer conjugates which are composed of at least one dendrimer in association with at least one unit of a carried agricultural, pharmaceutical, or other material have been prepared. These conjugates have particularly advantageous properties due to the unique characteristics of the dendrimer.