Abstract: Bifunctional molecules and methods for their use are provided. The subject bifunctional molecules are conjugates of a drug moiety and a pharmacokinetic modulating moiety, where these two moieties are optionally joined by a linking group. The bifunctional molecules are further characterized in that they exhibit at least one modulated pharmacokinetic property upon administration to a host as compared to a free drug control. The subject bifunctional molecules find use in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A large amount of entrapping immobilization pellets with highly stable quality are produced inexpensively by high-speed treatment. There is provided a process for producing entrapping immobilization pellets in which microorganisms are entrapped and immobilized in an immobilizing agent, the process comprising polymerizing a mixture containing the microorganisms and a solution of the immobilizing agent in a forming frame into a gel to prepare a pellet block.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical devices including coatings. The coatings include a topcoat which includes a copolymer comprising a block of an elastin pentapeptide. The topcoat is over a layer of poly(vinyl alcohol) on a hydrophobic coating or over a porous coating comprising pores or depots that include a bioactive agent.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of a lipid-nucleic acid composition are provided. According to the methods, a mixture of lipids containing a protonatable or deprotonatable lipid, for example an amino lipid and a lipid such as a PEG- or Polyamide oligomer-modified lipid is combined with a buffered aqueous solution of a charged therapeutic agent, for example polyanionic nucleic acids, to produce particles in which the therapeutic agent is encapsulated in a lipid vesicle. Surface charges on the lipid particles are at least partially neutralized to provide surface-neutralized lipid-encapsulated compositions of the therapeutic agents. The method permits the preparation of compositions with high ratios of therapeutic agent to lipid and with encapsulation efficiencies in excess of 50%.

Abstract: Cell storage and delivery systems and methods for storing and delivering viable cells to a mammal are disclosed. The cell storage and delivery systems include a biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fibrous matrix physically associated with viable cells to contain and release the cells at a controlled rate. The biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable matrix can be formed by electrospinning fibers of biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fiberizable material. The methods include methods for storing viable cells and for delivering viable cells to a mammal using the cell storage and delivery system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of adhering active enzymes to an inert support, the product produced thereby, and a method of using the enzyme-coated support in enzyme-catalyzed reactions such as the glucose isomerase-catalyzed conversion of glucose to fructose. The method includes the steps of coating an inert support with a cationic copolymer, preferably a polyamine, and most preferably a di-C1-C6-alkylamino-epichlorohydrin copolymer, and then adhering enzyme to the coated support in the absence of any intervening cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production process of an organic/inorganic composite hydrogel, which demonstrates superior mechanical properties, by uniformly dispersing a clay mineral in an organic polymer over a wide range of clay mineral content, and a dried form thereof, to be produced easily in a short period of time. The production process of an organic/inorganic composite hydrogel of the present invention comprises reacting a water-soluble organic monomer (a) in the presence of a water-swellable clay mineral (b) by irradiating with an energy beam in a solution in which a non-water-soluble polymerization initiator (d) is dispersed in an aqueous medium (c).

Abstract: Reactive surfaces, substrates and methods of producing and using such substrates and surfaces are provided. The substrates and surfaces provide low density reactive groups preferably on an otherwise non-reactive surface for use in different applications including single molecule analyses.

Abstract: A method is provided to protect plants from oomycete pathogens by treating plants with a composition comprising serratamolide. The composition may also contain oocydin A obtained from Serratia marcescens MSU-97.

Abstract: A polyurethane based prepolymer is provided and useful in biomedical devices which provides high oxygen permeability and superior physical properties. A hydrogel is produced from a comonomer mixture containing a polysiloxane-containing urethane prepolymer, tris(trimethylsiloxy)-silylpropyl methacrylate and a hydrophilic comonomer. The hydrogel is especially useful for biomedical materials such as contact lenses and implants.

Abstract: A composition and process of using it are provided to improve glucose and insulin metabolism in pet animals by controlling the postprandial glycemic and/or insulin response in those animals. The composition includes a source of protein, a source of fat, and a source of carbohydrates from a multiple grain source containing a blend of sorghum and barley; a blend of corn and barley; or a blend of corn, sorghum and barley.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the cell protection which comprises the administration of a combination of the extracts of the plants Vitis vinifera and Lycopersicon esculentum with the vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and optionally selenium. Said combination can be used in the prevention of phatological conditions related in part to an overproduction of free radicals like aging, arteriosclerosis and cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to microorganism producing 5′-xanthylic acid. A 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline resistant Corynebacterium ammoniagenes CJXPK001 strain is provided for producing 5′-xanthylic acid. It is a mutant strain of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes KFCC 10743 having a lower resistance to 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline. The mutant strain is not affected by osmotic pressure caused by accumulated, highly concentrated solute in a culture medium, and it can produce 5′-xanthylic acid at a high yield and concentration rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms for the treatment or the prevention of obesity or diabetes mellitus, which reduce the amount of monosaccharide or disaccharide which may be absorbed into human body by converting monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, galactose et al. and disaccharides into polymeric materials which cannot be absorbed by the intestine, and relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing the said microorganisms. Preferred microorganisms are Lactobacillus sp. BC-Y009 and Acetobacter sp. BC-Y058.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for anaerobic remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater comprising (a) preparing an aqueous mixture of a sparingly soluble digestible fat or oil, (b) heating and homogenizing such mixture until a stable emulsion having a particle size below 1 micron is obtained, and (c) injecting such under anaerobic conditions into the contaminated soil. The heating is preferably conducted at pasteurization temperatures and the homogenization is preferably conducted in a food homogenizer. This invention also relates to the fine emulsions formed in the homogenization and pasteurization process and to the soil that has been treated by the inventive remediation method. The emulsion is preferably combined with a water soluble, rapidly biodegradable microbial food compound and can also be combined with microbes useful in the remediation process.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed jojoba protein is provided which can be used in a variety of cosmetic formulations to enhance the desirable properties thereof. The preferred hydrolyzed jojoba is in the form of an aqueous dispersion containing a mixture of amino acids, peptides and/or protein fractions derived from the hydrolysis of naturally occurring jojoba protein. Cosmetic formulations such as shampoos, shampoo conditioners, hair styling gels, hair conditioners, hair reparatives, bath and shower gels, skin lotions and creams, shaving creams, and sunscreens can be improved by incorporation of hydrolyzed jojoba protein therein.