Abstract: Novel crystalline maltotetraosyl glucoside is obtained by crystallizing maltotetraosyl glucoside from a solution of maltotetraosyl glucoside, prepared by either exposing an aqueous solution of maltopentaose to the action of a non-reducing saccharide-forming enzyme or an aqueous solution which contains trehalose or a non-reducing saccharide to the action of cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase. The crystalline maltotetraosyl glucoside has non-hygroscopicity, non-reducibility, superior solubility, less fermentability, and other satisfactory properties of stabilizing oligopeptides and biologically-substances as well as preventing retrogradation of amylaceous substances. These features render the crystalline maltotetraosyl glucoside very useful in various compositions including foods, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and shaped bodies.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting thrombin generation and of inhibiting complement activation by using a dermatan sulfate having at least 2 sulfate groups per disaccharide obtained by chemical sulfation of native dermatan sulfate. The resulting dermatan sulfate having an average molecular weight from about 5000 to 35000 Daltons is characterized by (i) a high content of L-iduronic->4,6-di-O-sulfated N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues, and (ii) a specific heparin cofactor II-mediated anti-thrombin activity, depending on average molecular weight, between about 25 to 125 U/mg.

Abstract: The invention concerns cosmetic agents with condensates of plant and animal decomposition products, which can be used in cosmetic body care and cleansing preparations and which, in addition to the emulsifying effect, have essential skin-care properties. The object of the invention is to prepare cosmetic products from plant and animal starting materials, said products having substantial portions of original biological structures but being modified to such an extent that they are cosmetically acceptable owing to their neutral smell and pale color. According to the invention, the cosmetic agent is a product of a direct and mild (20 to 55.degree. C.; pH 7.5 to 8.5) decomposition of a biological starting material in an aqueous medium, subsequent condensation with a sub-stoechiometric amount of a C.sub.10 to C.sub.20 fatty acid halide or mixture and optionally subsequent etherification or esterification of the condensation product.

Abstract: A method for producing a sucrose fatty acid ester, which comprises subjecting sucrose and a lower alkyl ester of fatty acid to an ester exchange reaction in an organic solvent in the presence of an alkali catalyst to produce the corresponding sucrose fatty acid ester, wherein from 5 to 35 wt %, based on the starting material sucrose, of an alkali metal salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1) is present in the reaction system: ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl group or a carboxyl group, X is a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl group, each of 1 and n is 0 or 1, and m is 1 or 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of pathological processes involving the induction of TNF-.alpha. secretion comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). In the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, the LMWH is present in a low effective dose and is administered at intervals of about 5-8 days. Furthermore, the LMWH is capable of inhibiting in vitro TNF-.alpha. secretion by resting T cells and/or macrophages in response to T cell-specific antigens, mitogens, macrophage activators, disrupted extracellular matrix (dECM), laminin, fibronectin, and the like.

Abstract: Hyaluronan-binding protein (HABP) is expressed on the cell surface during tumor cell and endothelial cell migration and during capillary-like tubule formation. Monoclonal antibodies and hyaluronan oligosaccharides are described which specifically recognize HABP and can be used to (1) inhibit tumor growth by preventing tumor vascularization, (2) inhibit tumor cell migration and (3) image tumors.

Abstract: A reagent is suitable for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a hemoglobin-containing biological fluid, such as whole blood. The reagent comprises dehydrogenase enzyme that has specificity for the analyte, NAD or an NAD derivative, a tetrazolium dye precursor, a diaphorase enzyme or an analog thereof, and a nitrite salt. The reagent causes dye formation that is a measure of the analyte concentration. The nitrite salt suppresses interfering dye formation caused non-enzymatically by the hemoglobin. Preferably, the reagent is used in a dry strip for measuring ketone bodies, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: A method of creating a unique deacetylated, depolymerized chitosan which may be employed to provide a time release chitosan-drug complex. The chitosan is deacetylated at least 60 percent and preferably at least 70 percent. It is preferred to employ a chitosan having a molecular weight of about 3.5 kDa to 250 kDa and preferably about 3.5 kDa to 75 kDa. The complex may be employed in various delivery systems including tablets, films, matrix supported drug delivery units or as coatings or films on implants. A method of making a drug delivering implant includes providing an implant, creating a complex of a depolymerized chitosan and a drug and establishing a layer of a chitosan drug complex on at least a portion of said implant. The chitosan-drug complex is preferably created through ionic bonding and may be a coating or a film self-adhered to a portion of an exterior surface of the implant. It is also preferred to deacetylate the chitosan prior to depolymerization.

Abstract: A release agent composition which is particularly suited for industrial applications such as preventing the adhesion of asphalt or concrete materials to surfaces such as truck beds, other containers, or equipment used in handling these compounds. The release agent composition includes lecithin in combination with a dispersing agent, particularly a propylene based glycol ether, a propylene based glycol ether acetate, an ethylene based glycol ether, or an ethylene based glycol ether acetate and mixtures thereof. The lecithin and dispersing agent are mixed with water to form an aqueous dispersion for application to surfaces.

Abstract: The use of chitosan and a polysaccharide immobilized thereto selected from heparin, heparan sulphate, chondroitinsulphates and dextran sulphate for the manufacture of an agent capable of providing stimulated regeneration of hard tissue;a process for stimulating regeneration of hard tissue in connection with so called osseointegration; andimplant intended for integration into hard tissue, particularly bone tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inhibiting the export of a leaderless protein from a cell by contacting the cell with a cardiac glycoside or aglycone derivative. Leaderless proteins include FGF-1, FGF-2, IL,-1.alpha., IL-1.beta. and factor XIIIa. These methods are useful in treatment of conditions, including tumors and diabetes.

Abstract: Covalent compositions of N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) are disclosed. NOCC can be intra- or intermolecularly linked, either through a direct bond or through a bridging moiety. Also disclosed are methods for preparing and using the covalent NOCC compositions. The NOCC compositions are useful in the administration of therapeutically active compounds and for wound management.

Abstract: 2'-Deoxy-2'-fluorocoformycin and 2'-deoxy-8-epi-2'-fluorocoformycin are synthesized in this invention through a multi-stage process via 3,5-di-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-.alpha.- and -.beta.-D-ribofuranosyl bromides. Further, according to this invention, 2'-deoxy-2'-epi-2'-fluorocoformycin and 2'-deoxy-8,2'-diepi-2'-fluorocoformycin are synthesized by a multi-stage process starting from 3,5-di-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-.alpha.-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide. These four 2'-fluoro derivatives of coformycin are novel compounds and have high enzyme-inhibitory activities against adenosine deaminase. In particular, these novel compounds are useful substances which exhibit therapeutic effects on acute lymphocytic leukemias due to their high enzyme-inhibitory activities above-mentioned. In addition, a variety of intermediates are obtained as novel compounds which are useful for the synthesis of the aforesaid novel 2'-fluoro derivatives of coformycin.

Abstract: A method for treating and/or inhibiting gastric and duodenal ulcers, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligosaccharide of Formula I(NeuAc-.alpha.(2-3)-pGal-.beta.(1)-(--X--).sub.m --(--Y--).sub.n -).sub.p -ZwhereinX=a chemical bond or a group capable of linking the p galactose to either the linking group Y or the multivalent support Z;wherein the C.sub.1 glycosidic oxygen of galactose may be replaced by N, S or C;Y=a linking group;Z=a multivalent support;m=0 or 1;n=0 or 1; andp=an integer of 2-1,000 is described. Also described is a method for treating and/or inhibiting gastric and duodenal ulcers, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligosaccharide of Formula IINeuAc-.alpha.(2-3)-pGal-.beta.(1)-AwhereinA=a group capable of bonding to the p galactose;wherein the C.sub.1 glycosidic oxygen of galactose may be replaced by N, S or C.

Abstract: The present invention provide a method of inhibiting an irregular binding of human cells caused by specific adhesion of Lewis.sup.x glycolipids by administering any of an oligosaccharide having a Lewis.sup.x sugar chain structure, CMP-sialic acid, and a sialidase inhibitor, into the lens, and an inhibitory agent for this purpose. This make it possible to prevent or improve cataract of the lens caused by aging.

Abstract: A composition for accelerating calcium absorption containing water-soluble chitosan as an active ingredient is disclosed. The composition is useful as an additive for foods, feed, and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: The present invention provides rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II) and relates to its ability to complex specific multivalent heavy metal cations. In the presence of boric acid, RG-II monomers form dimers that are cross-linked by a borate ester. The yield of such borate ester cross-linked dimers of RG-II is enhanced in the presence of specific heavy metal cations. The present invention further relates to the utility of RG-II in assays for the detection of specific heavy metal contamination; as a reagent useful in the removal of specific heavy metal cations contaminating foods and liquids, for example, fish, wines, etc.; as a pharmaceutical composition useful as an antidote in specific heavy metal cation poisoning; as a treatment for the detoxification of specific heavy metal cations from blood and/or tissues; and in a method of remediation of waters and soils contaminated with specific heavy metal cations.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel oligosaccharide glycosides having mammalian immunosuppressive and tolerogenic properties, pharmaceutical compositions containing such oligosaccharide glycosides and to methods of using such oligosaccharide glycosides to modulate cell-mediated immune responses in a mammal.

Abstract: There are described sulfated and phosphated saccharide erivatives of the Formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen atom or a residue of sulfate, phosphate or L-fucose; R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen atom or a residue of sulfate or phosphate, respectively; 1 is an integer of 0 or 1;m is an integer of 0-15; and n is an integer of 0-21, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for the preparation of the derivatives and salts as well as use thereof, as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Abstract: Various peptides having affinity for sulfated polysaccharides such as heparin, dextran sulfate and Pentosan polysulfate are bound to resins and used in affinity chromatography to prepare anti-HIV sulfated polysaccharides.