Abstract: A method of preventing clinically manifest Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunocompromised humans is provided wherein an aerosol of pentamidine is administered to the patient in a manner which delivers the aerosol to the patient's alveoli. Also provided is a method of treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV seropositive individuals comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of pentamidine aerosol to the HIV positive individual through inhalation. In addition, a method is provided of administering pentamidine to a human comprising aerosolizing a pentamidine solution in a nebulizer system having a one-way valve disposed between the nebulizer and the mouthpiece of the nebulizer system.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition being an oil in water type emulsion which comprises an effective amount of a lypophilic drug is provided. The composition comprises a synergistic combination consisting of about 3-50% of an oily carrier consisting of MCT oil optionally in combination with vegetable oil, about 0.05%-20% of a phospholipid, about 0.03-10% of a non-ionic surfactant, and about 0.05-5% of an ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of bile-duct surface active agent, cholic acid and their derivatives.

Abstract: A method for making a pharmaceutical composition is described. The composition is comprised of an organic acid derivative of alpha tocopherol, and may additionally comprise other lipids. The composition may be in the form of liposomes, and as such are associated with or entrap a bioactive agent. Particularly suited for such systems are drugs stable at acidic pH, for example drugs having imidazole groups, such as pilocarpine. The composition requires a stabilizer to maintain the bilayer phase of the organic acid derivative of alpha tocopherol in a low pH environment. Such a stabilizer is for example a detergent. Upon in vivo administration of the system and concomitant increase of pH, viscosity of the preparation increases.

Abstract: A method of preventing clinically manifest Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunocompromised humans is provided wherein an aerosol of pentamidine is administered to the patient in a manner which delivers the aerosol to the patient's alveoli. Also provided is a method of treating Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV seropositive individuals comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of pentamidine aerosol to the HIV positive individual through inhalation. In addition, a method is provided of administering pentamidine to a human comprising aerosolizing a pentamidine solution in a nebulizer system having a one-way valve disposed between the nebulizer and the mouthpiece of the nebulizer system.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer is disclosed herein. The processing steps include: providing a matrix material in a suitable solvent; mixing particles of a superabsorbent polymer into said solutioned matrix material to form a suspension; homogenizing the suspension; and removing the solvent from the suspension.

Abstract: Methods for treating the cornea following UV laser irradiation and resulting photoablation of corneal tissue are disclosed. The methods include administration of compositions of a non-steroidal antiinflammatory to the eye. Compositions for use in treating the cornea are also disclosed.

Abstract: Formulations of programmed-release medicinal products intended for parenteral administration by injection, comprising calibrated solid microspheres (1 to 300 microns) of active substances. Provided in this form, steroids (for example progesterone and 17-.beta.-estradiol) may constitute injectable contraceptives, and the action of drugs having an approximatively 24 hours lasting effect may be regulated and extended.

Abstract: Ferritin analogs comprising an apoferritin protein shell and a core substantially devoid of ferrihydrite, e.g. of inorganic composition such as aluminum hydroxide or organic composition such as acetaminophen. The protein shell can be removed from ferritin analog to produce spherules having a substantially monomodal nominal diameter between about 45 and 90 Angstroms.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments this invention provides a pharmaceutical composition and a method for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis or allergic rhinitis. The composition is an aqueous solution containing N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The composition additionally contains as essential components polyvinylpyrrolidone, a basic compound and a surface active agent in prescribed quantities, and the composition has a pH of about 6.5-8.5.

Abstract: A novel biocompatible anion exchange membrane is prepared by reacting the hydroxyl groups of a chromatographic support material with a polyester-cellulose solution containing glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and bis glycidyl polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: Supported drugs with an increased dissolution rate, prepared by a process comprising mixing the drug with the support material under dry conditions, co-grinding the mixture in a mill with its grinding chamber saturated with the vapour of one or more solvents able to solubilize the drug or to be adsorbed on the surface of the support material, vacuum-drying the product obtained, and sieving. The drugs obtained in this manner have a reduced heat of fusion, a reduced melting point, an increased dissolution rate and an increased solubilization kinetics.

Abstract: A water-dispersible condensate of water-insoluble ultrafine particles of medicine or hormones having a particle size of at largest 4 .mu.m prepared by the steps of heating the medicine or hormone in a vacuum vessel at a temperature of 30.degree. C. higher than the boiling point and at a pressure between 0.01 Torr and 10 Torr to evaporate the medicine or hormone and condensing the medicine or hormone on a recovery plate to obtain the condensate.

Abstract: A method for tanning skin is provided in which liposomes containing a DNA repair enzyme are administered to skin in combination with exposure of the skin to UV radiation. The result is an enhanced level of melanin production, i.e., more tanning than achieved by UV radiation alone. The administration of the DNA repair enzymes in liposomes also reduces the level of DNA damage caused by the UV exposure. Accordingly, both the tanning response is increased and the deleterious effect of UV exposure is decreased. The method can be used by the general population as well as by individuals whose skin is susceptible to UV-induced damage.

Abstract: Disclosed are gastric acid-resistant polymer-coated ursodeoxycholate compositions, process for their preparations and methods of treating digestive disorders, impaired liver function, autoimmune diseases of the liver and biliary tract, prevention of colon cancer following cholecystectomy, cystic fibrosis, dissolving gallstones and regulating dietary cholesterol absorption by administering said compositions to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Polymers of p-hydroxylated cinnamic acids and p-hydroxylated cinnamyl alcohols have potent anti-viral activity in vitro.

Abstract: This invention discloses a composition comprised of nanoparticles having a non-ionic surfactant as a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof and a charged phospholipid as a cloud point modifier associated therewith, which cloud point modifier is present in an amount sufficient to increase the cloud point of the surface modifier. A preferred non-ionic surfactant surface modifier is a poloxamine or tyloxapol, and preferred charged phospholipid cloud point modifiers include dimyristoyl phosphatidyl glycerol. This invention further discloses a method of making nanoparticles having a non-ionic surfactant as a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface and a charged phospholipid as a cloud point modifier associated therewith, comprised of contacting said nanoparticles with the cloud point modifier for a time and under conditions sufficient to increase the cloud point of the surface modifier.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical material in which biocompatibility is provided to a substrate stably for over an extended period of time because of the ability of the material to reduce or prevent undesirable physiological properties inherent in the substrate, such as blood clotting, activation of complement system, platelet adhesion and the like. Such abilities are effected by the bonding of a fatty acid and/or its derivative to the substrate through a polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the targeting of a therapeutic agent to a specific population of cells, wherein a complex is formed between the therapeutic agent and a polysaccharide capable of interacting with a cell receptor, and wherein the resulting complex is internalized into the cell by receptor mediated endocytosis (RME). In one embodiment of the invention, a complex of a therapeutic agent containing iron and the polysaccharide arabinogalactan may be formed and used to deliver iron specifically to hepatocytes by RME.

Abstract: Intracellularly cleavable derivatives of toxic compounds including antibiotics are described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of binding a product to the membrane of a melanocyte by means of a ligand-receptor bond, which comprises using a product consisting of a basic structure coupled to at least one ligand consisting of an oside residue accessible to the membrane receptors, said oside residue being a fucose residue, notably an Alpha-L-fucose residue.