Abstract: Chitosan derivatives having structural units of formula I, II and III in random distribution ##STR1## wherein the substituents R.sub.1 are each, independently of one another, H or --Z--R.sub.2 --X, R.sub.3 is H or acetyl, Y is the anion O--Z--R.sub.2 --X, and(a) Z is --CO-- or --SO.sub.2 --, X is --CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H or --CH.sub.2 PO(OH).sub.2, and R.sub.2 is --CHR.sub.4 CR.sub.5 (OH)--, R.sub.4 is --H, --OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, and R.sub.5 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, or(b) Z is --CO--, X is --CO.sub.2 H, and R.sub.2 is --CHR.sub.6 --CHR.sub.7 --CH(OH)-- or--CHR.sub.8 --CHR.sub.9 --CHR.sub.10 --CH(OH)--, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.10 are each, independently of one another, --H, --OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, and R.sub.9 is --H, --OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or --CO.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tuneable bisconjugate comprising two saccharides and a spacer, each saccharide being the same or different and comprising two to six monosaccharide units, at least one unit being uronic acid, characterized in that at least one of the saccharides per se has anti-thrombotic activity, and that the spacer connects at least one saccharide to the other through its non-reducing end, the chain length of the spacer being 20-120 atoms.

Abstract: Oligosaccharides derived from natural or supersulphated GAGS or their mixtures, with a heparin content less than 1% by wt. having average molecular weight between 2,500 and 15,000 dalton, at least 50% by wt. of said oligosaccharide having a molecular weight in the +20% range in respect of the average molecular weight, providing an exceptional bioavailability and an antithrombin activity equal or higher than the starting GAGS.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), or a salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, wherein Z represents a divalent group selected from those of formulae I(a) to I(g) defined in the specification; Y represents a single bond or a divalent group selected from those of formulae I(h) to I(j) defined in the specification; each Z independently represents hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group; R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or a group --CH(OZ)CH.sub.2 (OZ) wherein Z has the meaning defined above; R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, or (optionally substituted)phenyl-(C.sub.1-4) alkyl; and R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, (C.sub.1-4) alkyl-substituted phenyl or benzoate; and n is 1, 2 or 3. The compounds are ligands of E-, P-, and L-selectins and are useful as anti-inflammatory agents and as agents for the control of tumour metastasis.

Abstract: Azadirachtin is effectively recovered from the seeds of the neem tree by crushing the seeds, extracting azadirachtin from the crushed seeds with water and then either extracting azadirachtin from the water using a non-aqueous solvent which is not miscible with water and has a higher solubility of azadirachtin than water or a surfactant having a turbidity temperature between 20.degree. and 80.degree. C. The concentrated azadirachtin is easily recovered from the second extraction solution and shows high activity as an insecticide.

Abstract: Compositions useful for regenerating cells and tissues comprise at least one functionalized dextran which has been substituted with carboxymethyl, benzylamide, or benzylamide sulfonate. These dextrans can be used alone or in combination with acid or basic fibroblast growth factors to enhance tissue or cell regeneration. Additionally, these dextrans enhance the stability of acid or basic fibroblast growth factors.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel desiccant containing a non-reducing anhydrous trehalose as an effective ingredient; a dehydration of hydrous matters, e.g. food products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, therewith; and dehydrated products obtained by the dehydration. Such hydrous matters are dehydrated without causing alteration or deterioration by incorporating anhydrous trehalose into the hydrous matters to convert the anhydrous trehalose into hydrous crystalline trehalose. The anhydrous trehalose are anhydrous crystalline trehalose and hydrous amorphous trehalose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods 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 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: There is provided a novel series of O-carboxymethylated .alpha.- and .beta.-glycolipid compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an acyl residue of a fatty acid;R.sup.1 is --(CH.dbd.CH).sub.m --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CH.sub.3 ;R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkanoyl, arylalkyl or arylcarbonyl wherein said substituent is selected from halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy and C.sub.1-4 alkoxy;R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 each are independently --CH.sub.2 COOR.sup.7, provided at least two of the R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 substituents are --CH.sub.2 COOR.sub.7 ;m is an integer of 0 or 1;n is an integer of from 5 to 14, inclusive; andR.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating patients to minimize post-surgical adhesions and a kit useful in the method of the invention. The method is based on the timing that N,O-carboxymethylchitosan (NOCC) has advantageous properties as a wound healing lavage and coating. A NOCC solution is particularly effective as a post-surgical lavage and when used in conjunction with a NOCC gel coating, wound healing rate is unchanged while the number and severity of adhesions in greatly reduced.

Abstract: An improved method of making a medical device having immobilized heparin on a blood-contacting surface in which heparin is admixed with sufficient periodate to react with not more than two sugar units per heparin molecule in a buffer solution having a pH in the range of about 4.5-8. This mixture is reacted for at least 3 hours while protected from light and is then applied to the immobilized amine groups. This is an improvement over the prior art methods which included using an excess of periodate and then stopping the reaction at a desired point by the addition of glycerol since the conversion of only a few of the natural functional groups to aldehydes better preserves the antithrombotic bioeffectiveness of the heparin molecules bound to the surface. The invention also avoids the prior art steps of drying and reconstituting the heparin by providing a reacted mixture of heparin and periodate that can be stored as a stable liquid and applied directly to the aminated surface several days later.

Abstract: A method of preparing an injectable pharmaceutical or veterinary composition which comprises either diclofenac or a salt thereof and 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin, or an inclusion complex of diclofenac or a salt thereof and 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin, includes the step of dissolving either the diclofenac or salt thereof and the 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin, or the inclusion complex, in water to form a solution, the water having been acidified to a pH such that the pH of the solution is from 6.0 to 8.5 inclusive, in the absence of a phosphate buffer. The composition so produced has good stability on storage.

Abstract: Provided are new derivatives of neuraminic acid of formula (I), where Ac represents an acyl residue of an aliphatic, araliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic, or heterocyclic carboxylic acid, including carboxylic amides, their 2-hydrocarbyl-glycosides, and their peracylated derivatives at the hydroxy groups of both these series of amides. These compositions are therapeutically useful in providing a protective effect against the neurotoxicity induced by excitatory amino acids, and can therefore be used in therapies of the central nervous system.

Abstract: Glycosphingolipid compounds represented by the following formula ##STR1## wherein R is ##STR2## possess B cell mitogen activity and can be used as B cell activators.

Abstract: A topical pharmaceutical for the treatment of thrombosis or hematoma, and a method for the topical treatment of thrombosis or hematoma, are described. The topical pharmaceutical contains effective thrombosis-inhibiting amounts of heparin, allantoin, thymol, and mefenamic acid dispersed in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier for topical administration. The method of treating thrombosis and hematoma includes externally contacting the area with an effective amount of a composition containing heparin, allantoin, thymol, and mefenamic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the chemical synthesis of sialyl Lewis.sup.x -Y compounds where Y is --OH, --NHR, --SH, --SR or --OR, and R is an aglycon of at least one carbon atom.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reducing the degree of antigen induced inflammation in a sensitized mammals. The disclosed methods employ oligosaccharide glycosides related to blood group determinants having a type I or type II core structure wherein the administration of such oligosaccharide glycosides is after initiation of the mammal's immune response but at or prior one-half the period of time required to effect maximal antigen-induced inflammation.

Abstract: Novel aminosaccharide biguanides are prepared by either reacting a aminosaccharide with a mono- or multi-functional cyanoguanidine or by reacting a monocyano-guanidine of an aminosaccharide with a mono- or multi-functional primary and/or secondary amine. The amines may be straight or branched chain alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, acylic, alicyclic, heterocyclic or polycyclic in nature. The aminosaccharide biguanides have a variety of uses such as for anti-microbial compositions, chelating compositions, cosmetic compositions, surface tension reductants, flocculants for flocculating negatively charged suspended particles, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a water-swellable, water-insoluble chitosan salt having improved absorption properties. The method involves forming a mixture of a chitosan, water, an acid, and, optionally, a crosslinking agent, recovering the formed chitosan salt from the mixture and, optionally, treating said recovered chitosan salt with heat or under humid conditions.

Abstract: There are disclosed compositions which, when administered to a warm-blooded animal, are capable of regulating blood sugar levels. The compositions contain inulin, one or more metal complexes, and, optionally, one or more medium chain triglycerides. Also disclosed is a method for regulating blood sugar levels by administration of the compositions of this invention.