Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer in animals, particularly humans, is provided wherein isocoumarin derivatives that exhibit unique chemopotentiation properties are employed in a combination treatment with chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of homophthlate esters useful in the preparation of homophthalic anhydride reactants.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the preparation &bgr;-adenine nucleosides by coupling an adenine derivative containing an unprotected exocyclic amino group at the C-6 position and a blocked arabinofuranosyl derivative, in the presence of a base and solvent. The present invention also provides for the stereoselective preparation of 2-deoxy-&bgr;-D-adenine nucleosides wherein a blocked 2-deoxy-&agr;-D-arabinofuranosyl halide is coupled with the salt of an adenine derivative. The forgoing aspects of the present invention are utilized in the preparation of a clofarabine composition wherein the ratio of &bgr; to &agr;-anomer is at least 99:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process from preparing isocoumarin-3-yl derivatives comprising reacting a homophthalic anhydride derivative with a carbonyl compound, wherein the carbonyl group is substituted with an acyl activating group, in the presence of a reaction medium comprising a solvent and a base. The invention also encompasses a process for the preparation of homophthalate esters useful in the preparation of homophthalic anhydride reactants as well as an integrated process wherein the twp reactions are carried out sequentially to afford the desired isocoumarin derivative.

Abstract: Aminophosphonates alpha substituted by phenol groups of formula (I) have lipoprotein(a) lowering activity.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy and/or radiation in the treatment of cancer in animals, particularly humans, is provided wherein certain isocoumarin derivatives which exhibit unique radiosensitization activity and/or chemopotentiation properties are employed in a combination treatment with ionizing radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel which can be used as a wound dressing and cell scaffolding. The keratin hydrogel is formed from clean, washed hair by partially oxidizing a significant percentage of disulfide linkages to form cysteic acid groups, while some disulfide linkages remain intact. The partially oxidized hair is treated with a reducing agent, thereby reducing most of the remaining disulfide linkages to cysteine-thioglycollate disulfide and cysteine groups. A soluble fraction of hair is collected and oxidized, such that the reduced sulfur groups are allowed to reform disulfide linkages, thereby binding the keratin together. The cysteic acid groups remain, providing hydrophilic sites within the hydrogel. A higher degree of partial oxidation results in a greater abundance of hydrophilic cysteic acid groups in the hydrogel.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area.

Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.

Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. The keratin materials can be incorporated into nonwoven films. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.

Abstract: A keratinous wound healing material, preferably derived from the hair of the patient or a compatible donor. Keratin powder can be derived from hair using processing steps including cleaning, suspending in a liquid carrier, homogenizing and removing the liquid. The keratinous material may be applied to the wound in powder form. The keratin can also be applied in sheet form. The keratinous material can be bound with polymeric binder and formed into a sheet by pouring the polymer/binder solution into a mold and flashing off the solvent.

Abstract: A peptide derived from keratin, which can be used as a wound-healing agent. In one method for making the peptide, a keratin source such as human hair is washed, dried, and treated with an oxidizing agent such as peracetic acid for a time and temperature sufficient to swell the keratin and oxidize some of the disulfide bonds to form sulfonic acid groups. The oxidation is believed to form a series of water-soluble peptides. The oxidized hair can be filtered, and the filtrate collected and concentrated under vacuum distillation to a viscous syrup, which can be neutralized with base. The concentrate can be mixed with an excess of a water-miscible organic solvent such as methanol, and the precipitate collected and dried to form the wound-healing agent. The wound-healing agent is believed to include peptides having a molecular weight centered around 850 daltons and having at least one ionizeable group such as sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. The keratin materials can be incorporated into nonwoven films. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.

Abstract: A sheet wound dressing formed of cross linked keratin. An insoluble, largely Beta keratin fraction from human hair is acidified to a low pH, preferably less than about 3, which partially solubilizes the keratin by weakening hydrogen bonds. The suspension is added to base, such as ammonium hydroxide, forming a slurry. The slurry is cast directly onto a flat surface, allowing the re-formation of cross-links including hydrogen bonds and disulfide bonds. The resulting cross-linked keratin sheet can be used as a sheet wound dressing or as a scaffolding for growth of cells. The insoluble keratin can be derived from human hair which is washed, rinsed, dried, chopped and treated with peracetic acid to break some accessible disulfide linkages. The treated hair is filtered, rinsed, dried, and ground into a keratin powder.