Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for treatment of pathological conditions of the nail, said method comprising topically applying to the affected area an effective amount of a composition comprising an optionally substituted lower alcohol and an optionally substituted lower carboxylic acid. Invention methods effectively treat bacterial or fungal infections of the nail by utilizing a low viscosity composition having the ability to penetrate through and underneath the nail plate, thereby attacking the infection at its source.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided rapidly crosslinkable polypeptides which are obtained upon introduction of unsaturated group(s) into the polypeptide via linkage to amino acid residues on the polypeptide directly through one of three types of linkages, namely, an amide linkage, an ester linkage, or a thioester linkage. Each of these linkages are obtainable in a single step by use of a single derivatizing agent, acrylic anhydride. Also provided are methods for preparing such modified polypeptides and various uses therefor. It has unexpectedly been found that proteins with the above-described chemical modifications have the ability to rapidly crosslink to themselves under suitable conditions. This crosslinking occurs in the absence of any external crosslinking agents (indeed, in the absence of any extraneous agents), resulting in the formation of a solid gel material. Solid crosslinked gels are formed in seconds, starting from a freely flowing solution of polypeptide.