Abstract: Chitosan-containing blends and methods of dissolving and using chitosan are disclosed. A blend includes a solid acid or a solid agent that generates a proton in situ in the presence of water mixed together with a dry solid chitosan, and may optionally contain other components. The blends are in a dry, free-flowing, particulate form. Methods of dissolving a blend typically comprise adding a quantity of the blend to a low volume of water and mixing until the chitosan and solid acid or solid agent are dissolved and then further diluting this mixture by the addition of water, or used as-is. Devices containing the blends are also described along with methods of using the devices, such as for controlled release of solubilized chitosan in a body of water, such as a stream, containing impurities (e.g., particles, sediment, or suspended matter or dissolved substances) to cause flocculation or precipitation of such impurities.

Abstract: Chitosan-containing blends and methods of dissolving and using chitosan are disclosed. A blend includes a solid acid or a solid agent that generates a proton in situ in the presence of water mixed together with a dry solid chitosan, and may optionally contain other components. The blends are in a dry, free-flowing, particulate form. Methods of dissolving a blend typically comprise adding a quantity of the blend to a low volume of water and mixing until the chitosan and solid acid or solid agent are dissolved and then further diluting this mixture by the addition of water, or used as-is. Devices containing the blends are also described along with methods of using the devices, such as for controlled release of solubilized chitosan in a body of water, such as a stream, containing impurities (e.g., particles, sediment, or suspended matter or dissolved substances) to cause flocculation or precipitation of such impurities.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the growth and biomass of algae and algae lipids by growing the algae in the presence of a polycationic substance such as soluble or insoluble chitosan and/or chitin are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of harvesting algae from an aqueous environment by growing the algae in aggregated clumps and/or mats (formed by the inclusion of soluble or insoluble chitosan and/or chitin or other polycationic or cationic substances) that can be easily removed from the aqueous environment either by filtration, surface skimming, and/or growing in a porous containment device, such as a natural or synthetic fabric, and removing the fabric from the aqueous environment containing the aggregated algae. The methods disclosed have direct applications in biofuel and energy production, agricultural feedstock production, nutrient production, greenhouse gas reduction, removal of microconstituents from water, and water reclamation.

Abstract: A method for removing submicron colloidal particulates, such as hydrocarbons, from water. The method includes first adding a soluble, cationic polymer, such as chitosan, a salt, or solution of chitosan to water containing the submicron particulates and a halogenating agent, followed by adding a soluble, anionic polymer or anionic salt to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the submicron particulates.

Abstract: A method uses anionic and cationic polymers added in, any order or simultaneously, to aqueous media for the removal of substances. The sequential addition of the two biopolymers, anionic xanthan, followed by cationic chitosan, causes the rapid formation of very large and cohesive fibrillar aggregates that may exhibit high solids to liquid ratios and that quickly settle out from the aqueous media. The aqueous media can be easily separated from the large fibrillar aggregates by settling under gravity or by filtration through a porous containment device, such as a synthetic or non-synthetic woven or non-woven fabric including a geotextile fabric or a solid containment device containing a solid mesh screen.

Abstract: A method for removing submicron colloidal particulates, such as hydrocarbons, from water. The method includes first adding a soluble, cationic polymer, such as chitosan, a salt, or solution of chitosan to water containing the submicron particulates and a halogenating agent, followed by adding a soluble, anionic polymer or anionic salt to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the submicron particulates.

Abstract: Therapeutic and prophylactic treatments of aquatic species and aquatic diseases through the controlled introduction of a heterocyclic N-halamine into an aquatic habitat.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing and removing Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts from water. The method comprises adding chitosan, a salt or solution of chitosan to water containing Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts and a halogenating agent. The method may also include adding a secondary polyelectrolyte flocculant to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts.

Abstract: A composition and the method for sustaining the biocidal activity of chlorinated polystyrene hydantoin beads. The method comprises supplying a continuous low level halogen concentration to the chlorinated polystyrene hydantoin beads in the water to be treated that flows in contact with the chlorinated polystyrene hydantoin beads, resulting in treated water suitable for drinking.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides purification devices for reducing the amount of contaminants in water, each device includes a water-soluble flocculant disposed within a body defining a multiplicity of pores, wherein the pores have an average diameter in the range of from 1 &mgr;m to 2000 &mgr;m. The present invention also provides methods for reducing the amount of contaminants in water.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides purification devices for reducing the amount of contaminants in water, each device includes a water-soluble flocculant disposed within a body defining a multiplicity of pores, wherein the pores have an average diameter in the range of from 1 &mgr;m to 2000 &mgr;m. The present invention also provides methods for reducing the amount of contaminants in water.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides purification devices for reducing the amount of contaminants in water, each device includes a water-soluble flocculant disposed within a body defining a multiplicity of pores, wherein the pores have an average diameter in the range of from 1 &mgr;m to 2000 &mgr;m. The present invention also provides methods for reducing the amount of contaminants in water.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides kits for reducing absorption of lipids by the gastrointestinal tract of a mammalian body. The kits include chitosan, packaging, and instructions indicating that the chitosan may be consumed with food. Chitosan useful for incorporation into kits of the present invention dissolves sufficiently rapidly in gastric juice that it does not have to be consumed in advance of a meal in order to dissolve within the stomach and thereafter effectively entrap lipids in the gastrointestinal tract of the consumer. In a particular embodiment of the kits of the present invention, the chitosan possesses the property of dissolving in a 100-fold (w/w) excess of 0.16N hydrochloric acid, at a temperature in the range of from 16° C. to 25° C., so that the maximum viscosity of the dissolved chitosan solution is reached within 5 minutes after the acid contacts the chitosan.

Abstract: A composition and method for reducing plant transpiration and preventing drought-induced wilting and for reducing water use by crops is disclosed. The composition includes an aqueous solution of chitosan and a nonphytotoxic acid. In an embodiment, the chitosan is derived from ground fungal mycelia.

Abstract: Covalently-linked complexes (CLCs) for targeting a defined population of cells, comprising a targeting protein; a cytotoxic agent; and an enhancing moiety, wherein the enhancing moiety is capable of promoting CLC-target cell interaction are disclosed. Methods for using the claimed CLCs to obtain enhanced in vivo cytotoxicity and enhanced in vivo imaging are also described.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing immunoglobulin fragment yield of immunoglobulins exhibiting anomalous bands when analyzed by SDS-PAGE techniques are provided. Such yield enhancement methods include the steps of desialylating the immunoglobulin; and fragmenting the immunoglobulin produced in the desialylating step. A particular advantage of the present invention is that the fragmention step can be carried out in the presence of cysteine without decreasing the quality of the immunoglobulin fragment product. Methods of enhancing the molecular weight homogeneity of immunoglobulin or fragmented immunoglobulin exhibiting anomalous bands when analyzed by SDS-PAGE techniques are also discussed. These methods include the steps of desialylating the immunoglobulin or fragmented immunoglobulin and purifying the desialylated product.

Abstract: A method of regulating oncogene-mediated cell transformation in a mammalian host. Oncogenes having glycosylated expression products are regulated by administering an effective amount of a processing glucosidase inhibitor: a glucosidase I inhibitor, e.g., castanospermine, N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin, 1-deoxynojirimycin, 5-amino-5-deoxy-D-glucopyranose; or a glucosidase II inhibitor, e.g., bromoconduritol. The glucosidase I inhibitors are preferred, particularly castanospermine (CA) and N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (MdN). Oncogenes having glycosylated expression products that are ultimately expressed on the plasma membrane or secreted from transformed cells are particularly susceptible to regulation by these anti-cancer drugs. Also provided is a method of regulating the immune system of a mammalian host. Administration of an effective amount of a processing glucosidase inhibitor suppresses proliferation and differentiation of monocytic and myeloblastic cells.