Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying a hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound, by first mixing a starting material containing the hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound with a first polymeric material, water and at least one of a second polymeric material and a surfactant, wherein the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material and/or surfactant are immiscible in the resulting primary aqueous solution. The process further comprises maintaining the primary aqueous solution for a period of time sufficient for essentially separating the phases formed, and then removing the phase containing the main portion of the hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound and the second polymeric material and/or surfactant. The second polymeric material and/or surfactant are separated from the hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound, and subsequently recycled to the initial mixing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container and a method for fabricating same. Additionally, the invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device which allows a user to ingest nicotine vapors orally. The nicotine inhaling device of the present invention is primarily directed to a device which can be used as a smoking cessation aid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new color compositions which are especially suitable to be used in oxygen indicators. The compositions comprise iron(II), an agent containing pyrogallol entities and an organic acid.

Abstract: Ophthalmic composition for use in ocular surgery includes an aqueous solution of sodium hyaluronate with a concentration within the range of 18-40 mg sodium hyaluronate/ml solution and the molecular mass of sodium hyaluronate being in the range of 1.times.10.sup.6 -10.times.10.sup.6 <M>.sub.r,M. In a method for conducting ocular surgery, the composition is introduced into the eye as a surgical aid. The composition may be used in a method for conducting cataract surgery.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical container and inhaler device having a mouthpiece and a cap which are rotatably connected to each other. For providing a certain child-resistance against disconnection, the mouthpiece has an external circumferential groove, whereas the cap is provided with an internal boss for engagement with the groove. There is an axial notch extending from the groove to the end of the mouthpiece and "traps" for the boss, in the form of recesses on the groove, are provided at either side of the notch.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies which is capable of binding the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) receptor CCR2, especially those which are capable of acting either as an antagonist or agonist. The claimed antobodies can be used for in vitro and/or in vivo diagnostic, for screening and detection of tissues and classes of cells expressing the MCP-1 receptor, for screening for new drugs and for therapeutic use. The invention also relates to a preparation comprising the claimed antibody and a micro-organism or cell-line capable of producing the claimed antibody.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modified coagulation factor Xa which has an improved capacity of forming crystals compared to its native form. Such crystals or crystalline composition are especially useful for studies in crystalline form of the active catalytic site of factor Xa when it is complexed to a specific affinity ligand with inhibiting characteristics.

Abstract: An injectable intraocular lens composed of a silicone material is disclosed. The silicone lens material is polymerized from a plurality of siloxane monomers. The silicone lens material has a specific gravity great than 1.0 and a refractive index of a natural lens.

Abstract: Processes for improving the in vivo function of factor VIII by shielding exposed targets of the factor VIII comprise a) immobilizing the factor VIII by interaction with a group-specific adsorbent carrying ligands manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis, for preventing polymer coupling to reactive amino acids of the immobilized factor VIII, within or adjacent to interaction domains; b) activating a biocompatible polymer; c) conjugating the activated biocompatible polymer to external sites of the immobilized factor VIII; and thereafter d) eluting the conjugate from the adsorbent. Processes for administering factor VIII comprise subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intradermally or intravenously administering a conjugate of factor VIII and a biocompatible polymer, and methods for treatment of hemophilia A comprise subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intravenous administration of a conjugate of factor VIII and a biocompatible polymer.

Abstract: Reduced trauma medical implants and methods for their use are disclosed wherein at least a portion of the implant is formed of a stretch-crystallizable elastomeric material formulated to exhibit the property of stretch crystallization upon substantial elongation of the implant to form stable, small-incision implant configurations having at least one dimension substantially reduced for insertion through a surgical incision that is small relative to the incision size necessary to implant the unstretched implant. Exemplary embodiments include intraocular implants formed of optically clear, high refractive index stretch-crystallizable silicone elastomers formulated to stretch crystallize at near ambient temperatures upon elongations greater than or equal to 300% and to recover their original configuration immediately upon exposure to body temperature following implantation.

Abstract: A process for forming a surface modification on a polymer substrate and polymer substrates having such surface modifications. The process comprises the steps of absorbing a swelling monomer into the polymer substrate for a period of time in order to swell the polymer substrate; removing the swollen polymer from the swelling monomer; transferring the swollen polymer to a reaction mixture containing at least one functional monomer; polymerizing the functional monomer in the reaction mixture containing the swollen polymer substrate for a period of time; and removing the polymer from the reaction mixture. Because the surface modification produced by the process is a surface interpenetrating polymer network, the process is not sensitive to the reactive groups located on the surface of the polymer substrate. Further, the surface interpenetrating network bonds to the polymer substrate through caternary connections or other forms of chain entanglement and thus is quite stable.

Abstract: A flexible transparent container for improved storage of oxygen sensitive parenterally administerable agents comprising an inner, primary container enclosed in a substantially oxygen impermeable outer envelope with an oxygen absorber, capable of consuming essentially all residual oxygen after the outer envelope is sealed, and for sufficient period also the oxygen penetrating said envelope. The inner container is made of a polypropylene containing flexible polymeric material compatible with lipophilic agents capable of forming both permanent and peelable seals, while the envelope is made of a substantially water impermeable flexible multilayered polymeric material comprising a first outer substantially water impermeable polymeric film with oxygen barrier forming capacity, assembled with a second, inner polymeric film with a supplementary oxygen barrier forming capacity. The container essentially maintains its characteristics after being subjected to sterilization by steam or radiation.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule comprising a nucleocide sequence (I) which codes for a polypeptide displaying the antigenicity of one, two or more of the Phl p I epitope clones (28, 34, 41, 42, 43, 50, 52, 64, 80, 85, 86, 95, 97, 98, 103, 108, 109, 113, 114), with the amino acid sequences defined in SEQ ID NOS: 5, 7, 9 and 12-28, and preferably being derived from grasses or monocotyledonic plants, or a nucleotide sequence (II) which hybridizes with such a nucleotide sequence (I) under conditions of high stringency. Polypeptides displaying the antigenicity of one, two or more of the Phl p I epitope clones (28, 34, 41, 42, 43, 50, 52, 64, 80, 85, 86, 95, 97, 98, 103, 108, 109, 113, 114). Recombinant expression vectors containing the recombinant molecule and host cells transformed with the vector. Diagnostic methods based on utilizing the polypeptides in immunoassays for humoral antibodies and cellular reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus by administering a drug capable of modulating the regulation of UCP-2, the use of a drug capable of modulating the regulation of UCP-2 for the production of drug for treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of such a drug. The invention is also related to methods for screening for potential drugs against obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and the use of cDNA probe for determination of upregulation of UCP-2 for potential drugs against obesity, metabolic syndrome and/or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.