Abstract: An improved method is provided to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. For the microstructure used in the improved method, the dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate and retain those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In another embodiment of the improved method, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of skin cells accumulated using the improved method represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus associated with the improved method.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to deliver a composition, preferably a medical or pharmaceutical composition or active, through the stratum corneum of skin, without introducing bleeding or damage to tissue, and absent pain or other trauma. The dimensions and shapes of the microelements are controlled so as to control the penetration depth into the skin. The microelements can be “hollow” such that passageways are created therethrough to allow the composition to flow from a chamber, through the microelements, and into the skin. Alternatively, the microelements can be “solid,” and the composition is applied directly to the skin just before or just after the microelements are applied to the skin surface to create the openings in the stratum corneum.

Abstract: Ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds that are stable in the presence of a variety of functional groups and can be used to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions on unstrained cyclic and acyclic olefins are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the carbene compounds. The carbene compounds are of the formula where M is Os or Ru; R1 is hydrogen; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted aryl; X and X1 are independently selected from any anionic ligand; and L and L1 are independently selected from any neutral electron donor. The ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds of the present invention may be synthesized using diazo compounds, by neutral electron donor ligand exchange, by cross metathesis, using acetylene, using cumulated olefins, and in a one-pot method using diazo compounds and neutral electron donors.

Abstract: Novel compounds useful as chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents are provided. The compounds are analogs of indole-3-carbinol metabolites wherein the structures and substituents of the compounds are selected to enhance the compounds' overall efficacy, particularly with respect to therapeutic activity, oral bioavailability, long-term safety, patient tolerability, and therapeutic window. The compounds are useful not only in treatment of cancer but also in prevention of cancer. One preferred class of the novel compounds have the structure of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, and R12 are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions are provided as well, as are methods of synthesis and use.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of treating various orofacial diseases involving inflammation, infection and/or pain, using intratissue controlled release drug delivery systems. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for localized or targeted administration of a sustained release formulation of an agent such as an anti-inflammatory agent to a specified tissue location within the orofacial environment.

Abstract: Nucleoside phosphinoamidite carboxylates and analogs are provided that have the structure of formula (III) wherein A is hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-substituted lower alkoxy, halogen, SH, NH2, azide or DL wherein D is O, S or NH and L is a heteroatom-protecting group, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl, or substituted heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl; B is a nucleobase; and one of R11 and R12 is a blocking group and the other is (IV) or (VI) in which W, X, Y, Z, R1 and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the bonding of one or more sliders in styrene and acrylate polymers. More particularly, the invention relates to planarized slider assemblies formed by using debondable solid encapsulants comprised of styrene and acrylate polymers. The invention also relates to methods that use such encapsulants in conjunction with resists to produce magnetic head sliders having patterned air-bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A method is provided for carrying out depolymerization of a polymer containing electrophilic linkages in the presence of a catalyst and a nucleophilic reagent, wherein production of undesirable byproducts resulting from polymer degradation is minimized. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 80° C. or less, and generally involves the use of an organic, nonmetallic catalyst, thereby ensuring that the depolymerization product(s) are substantially free of metal contaminants. In an exemplary depolymerization method, the catalyst is a carbene compound such as an N-heterocyclic carbene, or is a precursor to a carbene compound. The method provides an important alternative to current recycling techniques such as those used in the degradation of polyesters, polyamides, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telechelic polymers having crosslinkable end groups of the formula and methods for preparing the same wherein n is an integer; is an alkadienyl group; Y is an alkyl group; and Z is crosslinkable end group. In general, the inventive synthesis involves reacting a functionalized chain transfer agent having crosslinkable ends with a cycloalkene in the presence of a ruthenium or osmium catalyst of the formula wherein: M is ruthenium or osmium; X and X1 are independently any anionic ligand; L and L1 are any neutral electron donor ligand; R and R1 are each hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted substituent wherein the substituent is selected from the group consisting of C1–C20 alkyl, C2–C20 alkenyl, C2–C20 alkynyl, aryl, C1–C20 carboxylate, C1–C20 alkoxy, C1–C20 alkenyloxy, C2–C20 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, C2–C20 alkoxycarbonyl, C1–C20 alkylthio, C1–C20 alkylsulfonyl and C1–C20 alkylsulfinyl.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to synthetic procedures that include the step of ring-opening metathesis of cyclic olefins and reaction with an acyclic diene co-reactant to produce regularly repeating A,B-alternating olefin polymers. The A,B-alternating polymers are produced by varying reaction conditions and/or reactant proportions and using only two types of olefin metathesis (ring-opening and cross) to provide regularly repeating ABAB . . . etc. polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). More particularly, the invention pertains to synthesis of A,B-alternating olefin polymers via olefin metathesis reactions using a Group 8 transition metal complex as the metathesis catalyst. Polymers provided herein have utility in a variety of fields, including not only polymer chemistry per se, but also in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and packaging industries where the structure and properties of polymers need to be tightly controlled.

Abstract: Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing cyclic polymers using transition metal alkylidene complexes as reaction catalysts is provided, wherein the complexes contain a cyclic group. Polymerization is carried out on the catalyst, using cyclic olefin monomers that undergo ring insertion polymerization, and no linear intermediates are generated. Following completion of polymerization, the cyclic polymer detaches from the complex via an intramolecular chain transfer reaction and the catalytic complex is regenerated. The invention also provides novel transition metal alkylidene complexes useful as catalysts in the aforementioned process, as well as novel cyclic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Novel compounds are provided that are useful as catalysts, particularly in the polymerization of addition polymerizable monomers such as olefinic or vinyl monomers. The compounds are multinuclear complexes of transition metals coordinated to at least one unsaturated nitrogenous ligand. Catalyst systems containing the novel compounds in combination with a catalyst activator are provided as well, as are methods of using the novel compounds in the preparation of polyolefins.

Abstract: Provided are methods and topical pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses. The invention involves the topical administration of a pharmacologically active base in a formulation having a pH of about 7.5 to about 13.0, preferably about 8.0 to 11.5, and most preferably about 8.5 to 10.5. These basic formulations are particularly suited to the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Abstract: This invention provides an amido ligand and its synthesis. Use of the amide ligand in a variety of metal complexes, and transition metals in particular, is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically assessing the contents of a plurality of reservoirs that are typically provided as an array. An acoustic radiation generator is employed for generating acoustic radiation having an image field of a size sufficient to interrogate a plurality of selected reservoirs at one time. The generator is placed in acoustic coupling relationship via a fluid acoustic coupling medium to the selected reservoirs, and acoustic radiation generated by the generator is transmitted through the coupling medium, an exterior surface of the selected reservoirs, and the selected reservoirs. A characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation is analyzed so as to assess the contents of each of the selected reservoirs. Fluid may be ejected from the selected reservoirs according to the assessment. Optionally, a means is provided for removing fluid acoustic coupling medium from the exterior surface after acoustic assessment.

Abstract: A process is provided for synthesizing metal salts of perfluorinated polyethers containing at least one carboxylic acid group. The polymeric salts so provided are effective as anti-wetting and corrosion-protective agents. The metal salts of perfluorinated polyether acids may be used to prepare corrosion-protected substrates, including magnetic recording disks and magnetic recording heads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the reservoirs in acoustically coupled relationship to the ejector. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for controlling the composition and/or volume of a fluid within a reservoir. The device includes a reservoir adapted to contain at least one fluid, a means for monitoring a characteristic of the fluid contained in the reservoir, and a means for introducing additional fluid into the reservoir according to the fluid characteristic monitored by the monitoring means. The device also includes an acoustic generator for generating acoustic radiation. A dispensing means may be provided as well. Other devices and methods that use acoustic radiation to control the composition and/or volume of a fluid within a reservoir are included.

Abstract: A process is provided for synthesizing metal salts of perfluorinated polyethers containing at least one carboxylic acid group. The polymeric salts so provided are effective as anti-wetting and corrosion-protective agents. The metal salts of perfluorinated polyether acids may be used to prepare corrosion-protected substrates, including magnetic recording disks and magnetic recording heads.