Abstract: A highly pure fraction of hyaluronic acid is disclosed which is non-inflammatory and avoids post-operative complications in ocular surgery. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of hyaluronic acid characterized by converting hyaluronic acid into a corresponding quaternary ammonium salt and, following purification procedures, reconverting the quaternary ammonium salt into a sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic use of phosphoryl-L-serine-N-acyl-sphingosine comprising a mixture of compounds of instant formula I or II that are herein disclosed.

Abstract: Copolymers of the formula: ##STR1## wherein the bonds between the glucoside units are .beta. (1.fwdarw.4), the degree of polymerization referred to a single glucoside unit varies from about 50 to 50,000, R is a free or esterified carboxy group and S is an amino or acylamino group. The part designated by x may vary between about 5% and 100% and that designated by y may vary between about 95% and 0%. At least a part of the R groups are esterified carboxy groups, and at least a part of the S groups are acylamino groups. Salts of these copolymers are also disclosed. The products of the invention are particularly useful in the cosmetic field.

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: 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: N-acyl-N,N'-di-lysogangliosides, N'-acyl-N,N'-di-lysogangliosides and N,N'-diacyl-N,N'-di-lysogangliosides, wherein the acyl groups are derived from an aliphatic acid having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, substituted by one or more polar groups are disclosed. The acyl-di-lysogangliosides 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. Pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic utilities for the lysoganglioside derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: The process of the invention relates to a process for the preparation of a ganglioside mixture, free from contaminants associated with non-conventional, life-threatening viruses, without altering the biological and pharmacological characteristics of the mixture on the central and peripheral nervous systems.

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 relates to a new spongy material consisting essentially of hyaluronic acid or its derivatives. The characteristics of the new pharmaceutical preparations consist in assuring high concentrations of active principle for a long period of time, by exploiting the characteristics of slow release of the active principle.The new pharmaceutical preparations can be utilized advantageously in all the numerous situations of microsurgical practice (in particular the ones relating to ear or in odontostomatology), in which it is necessary to use a substance that can be metabolized by the organism and is capable of making easier flap take, reepithelialization of mucous membranes, stabilization of grafts and filling of cavities.The specific use of the new pharmaceutical preparations is particularly important and useful in the various ear pathologies and in the practice of otologic, otoneurosurgical and odontostomatological microsurgery, such as for instance repair of tympanic perforations.

Abstract: N-acyl-N,N'-dilysogangliosides, wherein the acyl groups are derived from unsubstituted aliphatic acids having from 1 to 11 carbon atoms, and N'-acyl-N,N'-dilysogangliosides and N,N'-di-acyl-N,N'-dilysogangliosides, in which the acyl groups are derived from unsubstituted aliphatic acids having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms (with the exception of certain acetyl and diacetyl derivatives). The compounds 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. Pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic utilities for the lysoganglioside derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: New polysaccharide esters are disclosed, and more precisely esters of acidic polysaccharides chosen from the group formed by carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl starch and carboxymethylchitin. These new esters and some esters of the type already known are useful as medicaments, for the manufacture of pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations, in the field of biodegradable plastic materials and, therefore, for the manufacture of medical, surgical and sanitary articles, as well as numerous other industrial sectors in the place of acidic polysaccharides now in common use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for obtaining, from transformed cells, the polypeptide called nerve growth factor (.beta.-NGF), and more precisely to the process for obtaining, by recombinant DNA technology using genetic constructions insertible in appropriate eukaryotic cell lines, the biologically active human mature form (.beta.-subunit).

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: N-acyl-N,N'-di-lysogangliosides, N'-acyl-N,N'-di-lysogangliosides and N,N'-diacyl-N,N'-di-lysogangliosides, in which the acyl groups are derived from an organic acid of the aliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic series and in which at least one of the two acyl groups is not aliphatic, and their preparation are disclosed. Also disclosed is the preparation of the esters, inner esters, amides and hydroxy peracylates of these compounds and salts thereof. These compounds are useful in the treatment of pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Abstract: Partial esters of alginic acid and salts thereof possess important bioplastic and pharmaceutical qualities and are useful in various fields including medical, surgical, cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: A feeler device comprises a support structure in which a movable assembly is movably mounted along three axes, the movable assembly carrying at one end a feeler member. The movable assembly is suspended in the support structure by means of laminar elements which have respective slots of spiral, preferably logarithmic, form.

Abstract: The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys and/or manual controls connected to one or more boards which can generate coded electrical signals indicative of the commands put into effect by the operation of the keys and/or the manual controls. The keys and/or controls are divided into at least two sets disposed on at least two faces of a body which can rotate in a tubular casing having a display window. The faces can be positioned in the display window in turn as a result of the rotation of the rotary body.

Abstract: Portable device for thermal stimulus sensitivity tests, in particular for tests in patients affected by neuropathies of diabetic origin, comprising four detecting probes arranged in a single block provided with a handgrip, and each of said probes having a circular metallic outer surface to be placed in contact with the patient's skin and being held by its own adjusting circuit at a pre-set temperature.

Abstract: Novel ganglioside derivatives comprised of a basic natural or semisynthetic ganglioside, in which the carboxyl group in the sialic part of the natural or semisynthetic ganglioside is converted into a carboxylamide with an aliphatic amino acid with a carboxylic or sulfonic acid function, and salts thereof are prepared. The semisynthetic ganglioside components can be chosen from the group consisting of N-acyl-N-lyso-gangliosides, N'-acyl-N'-lyso-gangliosides and N,N'-diacyl-N,N'-di-lyso-gangliosides, wherein "acyl" designates a moiety of an optionally substituted aliphatic acid. The ganglioside derivatives can be used in pharmaceutical preparations to be used in nervous system pathologies.

Abstract: The invention concerns the esters of hyaluronic acid in which all or only a portion of the carboxylic groups of the acid are esterified, and the salts of the partial esters with metals or with pharmacologically acceptable organic bases. The compounds possess interesting and precious bioplastic and pharmaceutical properties and may be used in innumerable fields, including cosmetics, surgery and medicine. The invention also includes pharmaceutical preparations containing, as an active ingredient, one or more hyaluronic acid esters, or a salt thereof as described above, as well as medicaments containing:1) a pharmacologically active substance or an association of pharmacologically active substances and2) a carrying vehicle containing a total or partial ester of hyaluronic acid. The invention includes also various uses of the hyaluronic esters or of the above mentioned medicaments, such as in medicine, surgery or cosmetics.