Abstract: The present invention relates to oral care compositions, including therapeutic rinses, especially mouth rinses, as well as toothpaste, gels, tooth powders, chewing gums, mouth sprays, and lozenges (including breath mints), comprising at least a minimally effective amount of chlorite wherein preferably the pH of the final composition is greater than 7 and level of chlorine dioxide or chlorous acid is less than about 50 ppm, preferably is essentially free of chlorine dioxide or chlorous acid. This invention further relates to a method for treating or preventing gingivitis, plaque, periodontal disease, and/or breath malodor, and/or for the whitening of teeth, in humans or other animals, by applying a safe and effective amount of the chlorite ion composition to the oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having one or more thermal packs comprising a unified structure having at least one continuous layer of semirigid material, which has different stiffness characteristics over a range of temperatures, and a plurality of heat cells, wherein the heat energy is applied to specific areas of the upper back, neck and shoulders. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable thermal neck wraps having good conformity to user's upper back, neck, and shoulders which provides consistent, convenient, and comfortable heat application.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds which are useful as inhibitors of metalloproteases, and which are effective in treating conditions characterized by excess activity of these enzymes. In particular, the present invention relates to a compound having a structure according to Formula (I) ##STR1## as described in the claims, or an optical isomer, diastereomer or enantiomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, or biohydrolyzable alkoxyamide, ester, acyloxyamide, or imide thereof. Also disclosed are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating diseases characterized by metalloprotease activity using these compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula ##STR1## as described in the claims, or an optical isomer, diastereomer or enantiomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, or biohydrolyzable amide, ester, or imide thereof are useful as inhibitors of metalloproteases.Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating diseases, disorders and conditions characterized by metalloprotease activity using these compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods of treating alpha-2 adenoreceptor modulated disorders, comprising administration, to a mammal in need of such treatment, of a safe and effective amount of a compound having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein: (a) R is unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanyl or alkenyl; and(b) R' is selected from hydrogen; unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanyl or alkenyl; unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylthio or alkoxy; hydroxy; thiol; and halo.The subject invention also relates compounds and compositions for preventing or treating of disorders modulated by alpha-2 adrenoreceptors.

Abstract: A compound having structure (1) wherein (a) X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO, or SO.sub.2 ; (b) each Y is independently hydrogen or straight, branched or cyclic alkanyl having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or the two Y's are bonded to form an alkanyl ring having from 3 to about 7 carbon atoms; (c) Z is branched or cyclic alkyl having from 3 to about 10 atoms other than hydrogen; (d) W is O or S; and (e) R is straight, branched or cyclic alkyl or aryl, saturated or mono- or di-unsaturated with double or triple bonds, R having from 1 to about 15 atoms other than hydrogen; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating inflammation or pain using such compounds.

Abstract: A compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein (a) n is from 1 to about 3;(b) X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO, or SO.sub.2 ;(c) Y is independently hydrogen or straight, branched or cyclic alkyl having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or the Y's are bonded together to form an alkanyl ring having from about 3 to about 7 atoms;(d) Z is hydrogen or straight, branched or cyclic alkyl having from 3 to about 10 atoms other than hydrogen;(e) W is O or S; and(f) Het is a heteroaryl group comprising one or more rings each ring containing from about 5 to about 6 atoms other than hydrogen and wherein the group contains at least one heteroatom selected from O, N, or S.pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating inflammation or pain using such compounds.

Abstract: A system for delivering an oral care substance to the oral surface, the delivery system comprising a strip of flexible material having a sufficient flexibility to form to the contours of the oral surface. The strip of material is readily conformable to oral surfaces without permanent deformation when the delivery system is placed there against. The oral care substance is applied to the strip of material such that when the delivery system is placed on the oral surface the active contacts the surface. The oral care substance also provides adhesive attachment between the strip of material and the oral surface so as to hold the delivery system in place for a sufficient amount of time to allow the active to act upon the oral surface.

Abstract: A skin care composition in the form of an oil-in-water dispersion includes, by weight:a) from about 0.1% to about 20% of a silicone component comprising a silicone gum having a molecular weight of from about 200,000 to about 4,000,000;b) from about 2% to about 10% of an emulsifier capable of forming liquid crystals in water and comprising sucrose fatty acid ester and sorbitan fatty acid ester; andc) humectant;wherein at least a portion of the humectant is in the form of an admixture with a particulate carrier material, the weight ratio of humectant to carrier is from about 1:4 to about 3:1, and the particulate carrier is a cross-linked polymethacrylate copolymer.

Abstract: An elastic laminate structure is provided which is formed from at least one fabric layer and an open cell mesh having first and second strands. The laminate structure is formed such that the first strands are integrally bonded to the first fabric layer. The integrally bonded first strands both penetrate the first fabric layer and bond mechanically and/or chemically to the fibers of the first fabric layer. In addition, the first strands are deformed such that they are substantially flat in shape and substantially coplanar with the fabric layer. The elastic second strands have a substantially elliptical shape. The integral bonding of the first strands and the deformed shape of the first strands and the second strands provides an elastic laminate structure which can be worn about the body without irritation or other discomfort.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of human skin. Such methods include those for regulating sebum on facial skin of a human subject, comprising applying to said subject an emulsion composition comprising(a) an anhydrous silicone mixture comprising(i) an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide silicone copolymer;(ii) an ethylene oxide silicone copolymer;(iii) a silicone gum; and(iv) a silicone fluid; and(b) water.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyclic urea-containing compounds that are useful as antiarrhythmic and/or antifibrillatory agents. These compounds have the following structure: ##STR1## where X and Y are each independently selected from various cyclic moieties; R.sub.5 is a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2 alkyl (thus providing a 6-membered cyclic urea); and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, L, and A are as defined in the specification. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating humans or other mammals afflicted with cardiac arrhythmias and/or cardiac fibrillation by administration of the compounds/compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kits and films formed from the kits which are useful as cosmetic or therapeutic agents, as well as methods of their use. The films and kits herein are particularly useful as polishes for mammalian nails. More particularly, the present invention relates to kits and films which, when applied to mammalian nails exhibit long wear, particularly at the tip of the nail. When applied to mammalian nails, the present kits and films exhibit Tip Wear Indices, Total Wear Indices, and/or Jagged Indices of less than about 0.90. The present invention further relates to methods of coating mammalian nails with kits and films which exhibit Tip Wear Indices, Total Wear Indices, and/or Jagged Indices of less than about 0.90.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful as cosmetic or therapeutic agents, as well as methods of their use. The compositions herein are particularly useful as coatings for mammalian nails. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions which, when applied to mammalian nails exhibit long wear properties including excellent adhesion to the nail.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable PHA copolymers comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units. The present invention further relates to a plastic article comprising a biodegradable copolymer, wherein the biodegradable copolymer comprises at least two randomly repeating monomer units (RRMU) wherein the first RRMU has the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, or C.sub.1 or C.sub.2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; the second RRMU has the structure ##STR2## and wherein at least 50% of the RRMUs have the structure of the first RRMU. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet comprising a film comprising a PHA of the present invention and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral care compositions, including therapeutic rinses, especially mouth rinses, as well as toothpastes, gels, tooth powders, chewing gums, mouth sprays, and lozenges (including breath mints), comprising at least a minimally effective amount of chlorite ion, wherein preferably the pH of the final composition is greater than 7 and level of chlorine dioxide or chlorous acid is less than about 50 ppm, preferably is essentially free of chlorine dioxide or chlorous acid. This invention further relates to a method for treating or preventing gingivitis, plaque, periodontal disease, and/or breath malodor, and/or for the whitening of teeth, in humans or other animals, by applying a safe and effective amount of the chlorite ion composition to the oral cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, compounds and methods for lightening skin, using active compounds having the structure: ##STR1## wherein: (i) each X is, independently, selected from the group consisting of halo, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, OR, OCOR, COR, CONRR COOR, CN, SR, SOR, SO.sub.2 R, SO.sub.3 R and NRR, wherein X is other than hydroxy, amino and thio, if this X is attached ortho to the phenol hydroxy;(ii) m is an integer from 0 to 4;(iii) each R' and each R" is, independently, selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, OR, OCOR, OCRROR, COR, CR(OR)OR, CONRR, COOR, CRROR, CN, SR, and NRR; wherein halo, when it appears, is other than geminal to a hydroxy, NH.sub.

Abstract: The invention provides novel PGF analogs. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds having a structure according to the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, X, and Z are as defined. This invention also includes optical isomers, diastereomers and enantiomers of the formula above, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides thereof.The compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions, such as bone disorders and glaucoma. Accordingly, the invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The invention still further provides methods of treatment for bone disorders and glaucoma using theses compounds or the compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film comprising a biodegradable copolymer, wherein the copolymer comprises at least two randomly repeating monomer units (RRMU) wherein the first RRMU monomer unit has the structure ##STR1## and the second RRMU has the structure ##STR2## wherein at least 50% of the RRMUs have the structure of the first RRMU. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a biodegradable liquid impervious backsheet comprising the above film, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated human hair specific keratin gene or fragment thereof, comprising a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:11; and a DNA sequence comprising DNA sequences SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10. The present invention also relates to a method for detecting the level of hair specific keratin in a biological sample. The present invention further relates to a method of identifying hair growth regulating compounds and compositions comprising: a) treating a subject with a compound or composition of interest; b) isolating a sample of hair from the subject; and c) using a DNA sequence, or fragment thereof, which encodes hair specific keratin as a marker in a biological assay to detect an increase in the production of hair specific keratin in the hair sample.