Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the purification of pharmacologically active proteins based on the use of the cationic exchange chromatography on a solid matrix carried out at a more basic pH, i.e. higher, in respect of the pH corresponding to the isoelectric point, pI, of the proteins to be purified, pH at which however said proteins still remain absorbed. Buffer solutions with values of pH and of ionic strength adjusted from time to time to the kind of pharmacologically active protein to be purified are used in order to obtain such a result. The process is mainly addressed to the purification of the interferon and albumin proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette sampling system that allows for automated sampling from the contents of a capped sample tube. More specifically, the invention relates to a pipette tip, having a piercing tip attached thereto, for removal of aliquots of samples from capped sample tubes comprising said samples.

Abstract: The present invention refers to biologically pure cultures of two strains of Bifidobacterium Longum named W11 and W11a and deposited at the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM) that has registered them under the accession numbers LMG P-21586 and LMG P-21587, to their use as probiotics within preparations of pharmaceutical or alimentary type and to the preparations of pharmaceutical or alimentary type containing them useful to help the gastrointestinal health and to prevent and treat the intestinal pathologies.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for intranasal administration containing in a spray dosing feeder calcitonin dissolved in a substantially physiological solution of sodium chloride adjusted to a pH between 3.5 and 4.5 with citrate buffer and hydrochloric acid without any preservative are the object of the present invention.

Abstract: Vaginal pharmaceutical compositions administrable through the topical route, particularly in the form of foams and creams containing a therapeutically effective amount of rifaximin (Common International Denomination) are useful in the treatment of vaginal infections, particularly bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: The use of sulodexide, a glycosaminoglycan of natural origin extracted from mammalian intestinal mucosa, and of medicines containing it in the treatment of patients suffering from retinopathy of diabetic origin is the object of the present invention.The effectiveness of sulodexide has been proved by the significant lowering of the plasmatic exudation and of the hard exudates, by the improvement of the retinic lesions and by the restoration of the functional integrity of the membrane of the microcapillaries with subsequent decrease of the capillary permeability in diabetic patients treated with pharmaceutical compositions containing therapeutically effective amounts of drug.

Abstract: The use of therapeutically effective amounts of rifaxmin and of pharmaceutical compositions containing it in the treatment of the diarrhoeal symptomatology in case of cryptosporidiosis in patients suffering from severe forms of immunodepression, for instance patients suffering from AIDS or malignant neoplasias, or subjected to transplantations or treated with chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressive agents is the object of the present invention.

Abstract: The prevention and therapy of pulmonary embolism with pharmaceutical compositions containing low molecular weight dermatan sulfate is described. These pharmaceutical compositions are administered by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous route at a daily dosage between 200 and 3000 mgs of active principle. The low molecular weight dermatan sulfate preferred in carrying out the invention has an average molecular weight equal to 5500.+-.1100 Daltons and is obtained by depolymerization of the dermatan sulfate of natural origin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and cupric ions.

Abstract: The use of some glycosaminoglycans like sulodexide, low molecular weight heparin and low molecular weight dermatan sulfate and of the medicines by parenteral use that contain them in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency subjected to peritoneal dialysis is described. The effectiveness of this use has been shown both by pharmacological studies carried out in nephrectomized rats to whom a peritoneal damage has been caused and by clinical studies carried out in patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency subjected to CAPD and treated by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) with 2 ml vials of VESSEL DUE F.RTM. containing 50 mg of sulodexide. A significant increase of the peritoneal transports of urea and of creatinine joined to a significant decrease of the protein-loss in the peritoneal effluent has been observed. Significant changes of the ultrafiltration capacity and of haemorrhagic-coagulative complications have not been observed during the study.

Abstract: The present invention refers to compounds having a benzopyranic structure of general formula I ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group, useful as intermediates in the synthesis of vitamin E and of other compounds having benzopyranic structure endowed with properties inhibiting the formation of organic peroxides and therefore having antioxidizing activity, and to the process for their preparation.

Abstract: An amide of formula ##STR1## and its pharmacologically acceptable organic or inorganic salt shows a metabolic stability, both enteric and hepatic, greater than that of the corresponding bile acids conjugated with glycine or taurine physiologically present in the enterohepatic circulation. The pharmacological activity of the compounds of formula I or their pharmacologically acceptable organic or inorganic salt makes the use effective for the therapy of biliary calculosis from cholesterol and in every pathology caused by cholestasis like chronic hepatitis from cholestasis, primitive biliary cirrhosis and juvenile hepatopathy associated with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: Lactones of formula ##STR1## and their pharmacologically acceptable salts endowed with antioxiding and hypolipidaemic properties and that show the capability to prevent and/or to delay the oxidative modification of the lipoproteins by competing with the chain of propagation of the lipidic peroxidation by means of an effective scavenging of the peroxylic radicals. The compounds object of the present invention are useful in the treatment of the atherosclerosis and of many correlated vascular pathologies, like ischaemic cardiopathies (angina pectoris and myocardial infarction), cerebral thrombosis and peripheral arteriopathies, because the high plasma levels of lipids and the oxidative modifications of the low density lipoproteins (LDL) represent crucial events in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerosis.

Abstract: The use of sulodexide, a glycosaminoglycan of natural origin extracted from mammalian intestinal mucosa, and of medicines containing it in the treatment of patients suffering from nephropathy of diabetic origin constitutes the object of the present invention. The effectiveness of sulodexide has been shown by the significative decrease of the albuminuria in microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric diabetic patients treated with pharmaceutical compositions administered by oral or intramuscular route containing therapeutically effective amounts of drug.

Abstract: Programmed release tablets, to be administered by oral route, containing from 500 to 1,200 mg of naproxen, made by mixtures of an immediate release granulate dry compacted containing from 5% to 28% of naproxen, of a controlled release granulate dry compacted containing from 72% to 95% of naproxen and of a disintegrating agent. A portion of naproxen is released in a short time, so that the drug can quickly develop its therapeutic action reaching the necessary hematic levels, while the remaining portion is released in a longer interval of time, so as to allow the therapeutic coverage until the subsequent administration. The therapeutic coverage is effective for a period of 24 hours; thus the tablets object of the present invention are suitable for a once a day administration.

Abstract: This invention refers to heterocyclic compounds of general formula ##STR1## and their pharmacologically accepted salts. The derivatives described in this invention are active in the gastro-intestinal apparatus; in particular, they have prokinetic effects, in other words they create specific stimulation on gastro-intestinal motility, facilitating the passage of the contents of the alimentary tract, and possess anti-emetic qualities, without side effects involving the central nervous system.

Abstract: New heparin and heparan sulfate derivatives having antithrombotic activity, also endowed with reduced haemorrhagic and anticoagulant activity, are obtained by nucleophilic addition to heparin and heparan sulfate derivatives containing 2,3-anhydrogulonic acid residues. The new products have the formula IV ##STR1## and show a structural modification of the unit of .alpha.-L-iduronic acid 2-O-sulfate with the partial or total selective modification to .alpha.-L-galacturonic acid in which the hydroxyl group in position 3 is replaced with a nucleophilic residue. This structural modification produces an improvement of the biological properties of the heparin and heparan sulfate, substantially keeping the antithrombotic activity while diminishing the haemorragic effect in vivo and the anticoagulant activity in vitro.

Abstract: New heparin and heparan sulfate derivatives having antithrombotic activity, also endowed with reduced haemorrhagic and anticoagulant activity, are obtained by nucleophilic addition to heparin and heparan sulfate derivatives containing 2,3-anhydrogulonic acid residues. The compounds have the formula IV ##STR1## The glycosaminoglycan derivatives obtained through this treatment show a structural modification in the unit of .alpha.-L-iduronic acid 2-O-sulfate with the partial or total selective substitution of the O-sulfate group in position 2 with a nucleophilic residue. The structural modifications produce an improvement of the biological properties of the heparin and heparan sulfate, substantially keeping the antithrombotic activity while diminishing the haemorragic effect in vivo and the anticoagulant activity in vitro.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in which one of the .alpha.-L-iduronic-2-O-sulfate acid saccharide units, which is characteristic of glycosaminoglycans with heparin or heparan structure, has undergone a structural modification, entirely or in part, with transformation into .alpha.-L-galacturonic acid substituted in position 3 with nucleophilic groups, is described. The process is carried out by treating glycosaminoglycans having heparin or heparan structure with a nucleophilic reagent in alkaline solution.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations for oral administration coated by an enterosoluble gastroresistant film, preferably selected from gastroresistant granulates, gastroresistant tablets, gastroresistant hard gelatine capsules containing powders or granulates or two or more tablets or oily suspensions, gastroresistant soft gelatine capsules containing oily suspensions and hard gelatine capsules containing gastroresistant granulates or two or more gastroresistant tablets, containing therapeutically effective amounts of bile acids mixed with physiologically compatible basic substances which favor bile acids salification and therefore bile acids absorption in the intestinal tract, process for their preparation and therapeutic use thereof in the treatment of biliary calculoses, biliary dyspepsias, biliary cirrhosis and chronic and cholestatic hepatopathies.

Abstract: The antibiotic known by the name rifaximin (INN) is active orally in the treatment of gastric dyspepsia caused by bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori. Rifaximin may be administered in any oral pharmaceutical form, particularly tablets, capsules, sugar coated tablets, granules and syrups containing from 200 to 2000 mg of active principle, at a daily dosage of between 400 and 2000 mg.