Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations are described, comprised of salts of hyaluronic acid with a basic anesthetic containing aliphatics and/or amino groups, particularly salts with benzydamine or bupivacaine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microsphere for the controlled release of a biologically active molecule which comprises a biologically active molecule and an ester of hyaluronic acid or mixtures of said esters of hyaluronic acids, and wherein said biologically active molecule is surrounded by or adhered to said ester of hyaluronic acid, and wherein said microsphere has a diameter of between 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microsphere for the controlled release of a biologically active molecule which comprises a biologically active molecule and an ester of hyaluronic acid or mixtures of said esters of hyaluronic acids, and wherein said biologically active molecule is surrounded by or adhered to said ester of hyaluronic acid, and wherein said microsphere has a diameter of between 1 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m.

Abstract: The equipment comprises a main support structure fixable close to the machine and in which a laser source is mounted, and a receiver for providing electrical signals indicative of the strength of laser radiation received. The receiver, in use, is located facing the source at a predetermined distance therefrom so that a field of measurement is defined between them across which the laser beam extends and in which a tool to be measured is movable so as to intercept the laser beam. The receiver is carried by an auxiliary structure connected to the main support structure and movable relative thereto between a retracted rest position, in which the structures present a minimum overall bulk and an extended working position in which the receiver is located facing the source.

Abstract: Two pharmaceutically useful fractions of hyaluronic acid are obtained comprising a first fraction with a molecular weight between 50,000 and 100,000 which is useful for wound healing, and a second fraction having a molecular weight between 500,000 and 730,000 which is useful for intraocular and intraarticular injections.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to medical devices comprising biodegradable guide channels for use in the repair and regeneration of nerve tissue. The guide channels of the present invention comprise interlaced threads imbedded in a matrix, wherein both the matrix and the threads comprise biocompatible and bioabsorbable esters of hyaluronic acid. The matrix of the present invention further optionally comprises biologically or pharmacologically active factors in association with the guide channels.

Abstract: Disclosed are derivatives of gangliosides and of N-acyl-N-lyso-gangliosides, of N'-acyl-N'-lyso-gangliosides and N,N'-di- or poly-acyl-N,N'-di-lyso-gangliosides, in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups in the saccharide, sialic or ceramide residues is esterified with sulfuric acid, functional derivatives thereof, and their salts with either inorganic or organic bases and the acid addition salts, except persulfated derivatives at the hydroxyl, sialic and ceramide groups of the GM.sub.1, GD.sub.1a, GD.sub.1b and GT.sub.1b gangliosides. Such compounds have antineurotoxic and neurotogenic activity and may therefore be used in pharmaceutical preparations. Also a marked modulating effect on the expression of the CD.sub.4 molecule in immune system cells has been shown.

Abstract: Process for preparing neuraminidase, by using as the bacterial strain the Arthrobacter Sp in a culture containing low concentrations of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid.

Abstract: Semisynthetic analogues of gangliosides selected from the group consisting of N-sulfo-, N-hydrocarbyl-sulfonyl- and N-hydrocarbyloxy-sulfonyl-N,N'-dilyso-gangliosides and the N'-acyl derivatives thereof, N'-sulfo-, N'-hydrocarbylsulfonyl- and N'-hydrocarbyloxy-sulfonyl-N,N'-dilyso-gangliosides and the N-acyl derivatives thereof, N,N'-di or polysulfo-N,N'-di- or poly-lyso-gangliosides, N,N'-di- or polyhydrocarbylsulfonyl-N,N'-di- or poly-lyso-gangliosides and N,N'-di- or polyhydrocarbyloxy-N,N'-di- or poly-lyso-gangliosides, and functional derivatives thereof, and salts of these compounds, have protective activity against neurotoxicity induced by excitatory amino acids and are foreseen to be used in therapy in the nervous system and in modulating of the expression of determinants such as CD.sub.4 on the surface of human cells in the immune system.

Abstract: Novel derivatives of lysophingolipids free from sialic acids which are N-acyllysosphingolipids having one of the two formulae: ##STR1## in which -A- stands for the group --CH.dbd.CH-- or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --, n.sub.1 is a whole number of between 6 and 18, n.sub.2 is a whole number of between 11 and 15, X is a hydrogen atom or the residue of a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or phosphorylcholine and R represents an alkyl radical derived from a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms substituted by one or more polar groups. The lysosphingolipid derivatives of the invention exhibit an inhibiting action on protein-kinase C activation and, thus, can be utilized in therapies for various pathologies of the nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to medical devices comprised of biodegradable guide channels for use in repair and regeneration of nerve tissue. The guide channels are comprised of threads embedded in a matrix and coextruded with active factors wherein both the matrix and the threads are comprised of biocompatible and bioabsorbable esters of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: This invention provides new gels in the form of highly hydrated self-supporting film, comprising one or more alkaline alginates, an alkaline earth alginate, a polyalcohol and a natural, synthetic or semisynthetic polymer of hydrophilic nature, and their preparation process. These polysaccharide-matrix gels in highly hydrated self-supporting film form are suitable for use as covering and protection materials for cutaneous lesions and/or pathologies in that they are obtainable in self-supporting form in the desired thickness, are transparent, flexible, have good mechanical characteristics, are adaptable to the lesion surface without strongly adhering to it, and are permeable to gas but are impermeable to liquids and bacteria; one or more pharmacologically active substances can also be incorporated in the gel.

Abstract: Inter and/or intramolecular cross-linked esters of acid polysaccharides are disclosed in which a part or all of the carboxy groups are esterified with hydroxyl groups of the same molecule and/or of different molecules of the acid polysaccharide. These inner cross-linked esters of polysaccharide acids are useful in the field of biodegradable plastic materials, to manufacture sanitary and surgical articles, in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields, in the food industry and in many other industrial fields.

Abstract: Provided are new derivatives of neuraminic acid of formula (I), where Ac represents an acyl residue of an aliphatic, araliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic, or heterocyclic carboxylic acid, including carboxylic amides, their 2-hydrocarbyl-glycosides, and their peracylated derivatives at the hydroxy groups of both these series of amides. These compositions are therapeutically useful in providing a protective effect against the neurotoxicity induced by excitatory amino acids, and can therefore be used in therapies of the central nervous system.

Abstract: The invention relates to biocompatible membranes constructed of materials of natural, synthetic or semisynthetic origin, and having a thickness of between 10 and 500.mu., characterized by containing an ordered series of holes of a constant size between 10 and 1000.mu., separated from each other by a constant distance of between 50 and 1000.mu., and obtained by perforation by mechanical, thermal laser or ultraviolet radiation means, they being suitable for use as a support for the in vitro growth of epithelial cells, the invention also relating to the artificial skin obtained thereby and its use in grafts.

Abstract: The invention relates to biocompatible membranes constructed of materials of natural, synthetic or semisynthetic origin, and having a thickness of between 10 and 500 .mu., characterised by containing an ordered series of holes of a constant size between 10 and 1000 .mu., separated from each other by a constant distance of between 50 and 1000 .mu., and obtained by perforation by mechanical, thermal laser or ultraviolet radiation means, they being suitable for use as a support for the in vitro growth of epithelial cells, the invention also relating to the artificial skin obtained thereby and its use in grafts.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to hyaluronic acid fractions having molecular weights in the range of from about 20,000 to about 60,000 daltons, wherein these hyaluronic acid fractions possess osteoinductive activity. The present invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising such hyaluronic acid fractions to be used in the treatment of various types of bone disorders, as well as methods of treating such disorders using the pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Two pharmaceutically useful fractions of hyaluronic acid are obtained comprising a first fraction with a molecular weight between 50,000 and 100,000 which is useful for wound healing, and a second fraction having a molecular weight between 500,000 and 730,000 which is useful for intraocular and intraarticular injections. In addition, pharmaceutical preparations for topical administration are provided containing a pharmacologically active substance together with hyaluronic acid or a molecular weight fraction thereof. The hyaluronic acid may be in the form of the free acid or may be a salt with an alkali or alkaline earth metal, magnesium, aluminum or ammonium, or in the form of a salt with one or more pharmacologically active substances.

Abstract: This invention provides new gels in the form of highly hydrated self-supporting film, comprising one or more alkaline alginates, an alkaline earth alginate, a polyalcohol and a hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof, and their preparation process. These polysaccharide-matrix gels in highly hydrated self-supporting film form are suitable for use as covering and protection materials for cutaneous lesions and/or pathologies in that they are obtainable in self-supporting form in the desired thickness, are transparent, flexible, have good mechanical characteristics, are adaptable to the lesion surface without strongly adhering to it, and are permeable to gas but are impermeable to liquids and bacteria; one or more pharmacologically active substances can also be incorporated in the gel.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula: ##STR1## where: Ar=phenyl or beta-naphtyl, or aromatic heterocyclic 6-membered ring containing one or two nitrogen atoms;R.sub.1 =one or more substituents of the Ar nucleus, preferably in para position, and selected out of the group consisting of H, CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 --CH--(CH.sub.3).sub.2, O--CH.sub.3, Cl, F, Br, CF.sub.3, NH.sub.2, S--CH.sub.3, CN, NO.sub.2 R.sub.2 =H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ;R.sub.3 = ##STR2## Where R.sub.4 =H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 R.sub.5 =H, CH.sub.3X=none O, S, NH, NCH.sub.3, --CH=CH--, --C.ident.C--Y=O, NH,both in the racemic Form and in the isomeric enantiomeric forms,which produce a nootropic effect, i.e. memory enhancement and learning facilitation, as well as an analgesic effect.