Abstract: The present invention describes methods of treating cellulosic materials with a composition that provides increased hydrophobicity to such materials without sacrificing the biodegradability thereof. The methods as disclosed provide for esterification of available hydroxyl groups on cellulosic materials, where such hydroxyl groups are “masked” by bulky organic chains, including that the disclosure provides products made by such methods. The materials thus treated display higher hydrophobicity, barrier function, and mechanical properties, and may be used in any application where such features are desired.

Abstract: The present invention describes a photodynamic prodrug, i.e., a substituted 4-thiothymidine (4-TT), which is able to cross the body's epithelia tissues such as the skin, oral cavity, nasal cavity, pulmonary tract, digestive tract, and blood-brain barrier, including the use of such a prodrug in a topical application for the treatment of skin hyperplasias, including skin cancer, psoriasis, keloids, actinic keratosis, and the like.