Abstract: A silver nanocomposite, a formation method for forming the silver nanocomposite, and an application method utilizing the silver nanocomposite. The silver nanocomposite includes a silver nanoparticle conjugated to a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) or glucose. The formation method includes chemically reacting silver nitrate with a reducing agent to form a silver nanoparticle conjugated to the reducing agent of a GAG or glucose. The application method may include topically applying the silver nanocomposite to a wound or burn as an anti-microbial with respect to an antibiotic-resistant genotype in the wound or burn, wherein the silver nanocomposite topically applied includes the silver nanoparticle conjugated to the GAG of 2,6-diaminopyridinyl heparin (DAPHP) or hyaluronan (HA). The application method may include applying the silver nanocomposite as a coating to plastic, a catheter, or a surgical tool, wherein the silver nanocomposite applied as the coating includes the silver nanoparticle conjugated to the GAG of DAPHP.

Abstract: A method for the production of heparosan from fermentation culture of E. coli K5 suitable for industrial production, exhibiting superior yield and purity, smaller culture volumes, faster growth, and lower costs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cellulose-sheathed carbon nanotube fiber. One aspect of the invention provides a sheathed nanotube fiber comprising: a carbon nanotube fiber; and a cellulose sheath extending co-axially along at least a first portion of a length of the carbon nanotube fiber. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a sheathed carbon nanotube fiber, the method comprising: co-electrospinning a carbon nanotube fiber gel core within a cellulose solution sheath.

Abstract: The invention is directed a synthetic wood composite comprising biomimetic macromolecules and methods for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: Using digital microfluidics, recombinant enzyme technology, and magnetic nanoparticles, a functional prototype of an artificial Golgi organelle is described. Analogous to the natural Golgi, which is responsible for the enzymatic modification of glycosaminoglycans immobilized on proteins, this artificial Golgi enzymatically modifies glycosaminoglycans, such as heparan sulfate (HS) chains, immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles. Sulfo groups were transferred from adenosine 3?-phosphate 5?-phosphosulfate to the 3-hydroxyl group of the D-glucosamine residue in an immobilized HS chain using D-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase. After modification, the nanoparticles with immobilized HS exhibited increased affinity for fluorescently labeled antithrombin III as detected by confocal microscopy. Since the biosynthesis of HS involves an array of specialized glycosyl transferases, epimerase, and sulfotransferases, this approach should mimic the synthesis of HS in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides blood compatible nanomaterials, biomaterials prepared therewith and blood compatible medical devices fabricated using the biomaterials of the invention. The invention further provides methods of making and using the nanomaterials, biomaterials and medical devices of the invention for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of medical conditions. The invention further provides methods of using room temperature ionic liquids to make blood compatible nanomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for the preparation of glycosaminoglycan compositions, isolated glycosaminoglycan compositions obtainable therefrom, glycosaminoglycan compositions, kits and use thereof. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for isolating glycosaminoglycan compositions of the invention from human follicular fluid. The compositions, related methods and uses according to the present invention are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of thrombotic diseases, cell proliferation disorders, proteolysis and inflammation mediated cell invasion and infertility.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for inhibiting or preventing the abnormal growth of cells, including transformed cells, by administering an effective amount of O-acylated heparin derivative. Abnormal growth of cells refers to cell growth independent of normal regulatory mechanism (e.g. loss of contact inhibition). This includes the abnormal growth of: (1) tumor cells (tumors); (2) benign and malignant cells of other proliferative disease in which aberrant cellular proliferation occurs; (3) aberrant smooth muscle cell proliferation, such as might occur following treatment for coronary atherosclerosis such as angioplasty or the insertion of a stent into an occluded vessel.

Abstract: A method of sulfating a polysaccharide is provided. The method can include providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one O-sulfotransferase (OST) enzyme and 3?-phosphoadenosine 5?-phosphosulfate (PAPS); incubating a polysaccharide substrate with the reaction mixture, wherein production of the sulfated polysaccharide from the polysaccharide substrate is catalyzed by the OST enzyme with a conversion of the PAPS to adenosine 3?,5?-diphosphate (PAP); and providing a reaction condition which modifies PAP to reduce an inhibitory effect of PAP on the polysaccharide sulfation.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for inhibiting or preventing the abnormal growth of cells, including transformed cells, by administering an effective amount of O-acylated heparin derivative. Abnormal growth of cells refers to cell growth independent of normal regulatory mechanism (e.g. loss of contact inhibition). This includes the abnormal growth of: (1) tumor cells (tumors); (2) benign and malignant cells of other proliferative disease in which aberrant cellular proliferation occurs; (3) aberrant smooth muscle cell proliferation, such as might occur following treatment for coronary atherosclerosis such as angioplasty or the insertion of a stent into an occluded vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to energy storage devices, e.g., capacitors and batteries, that may include a composite article of elongated conductive structures embedded in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a liquid containing ionic species may be dispersed within the polymer matrix of the article. The liquid may contact the elongated conductive structures within the polymer matrix. When the composite article is used as an energy storage device, the large surface area at the interface between the elongated conductive structures and the liquid can provide high energy storage. Embodiments of the invention enable storing energy using a composite article that exhibits both high and low temperature stability, high cyclic repeatability, and mechanical flexibility. The composite article can also be non-toxic, biocompatible and environmentally friendly. Thus, the composite article may be useful for a variety of energy storage applications, such as in the automotive, RFID, MEMS and medical fields.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for synthesizing C-glycosides of ulosonic acids, as well as intermediates thereof and C-glycosides prepared by this method.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing C-glycosides of ulosonic acids such as Neu5Ac, by which diastereocontrolled synthesis of &agr;-C-glycosides of ulosonic acids is attained is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, an ulosonic acid sulfone or phosphite is reacted with an aldehyde or ketone compound in the presence of a lanthanide metal halide.

Abstract: The invention provides versatile sialic acid C-glycoside precursors that are useful for preparing C-glycoside analogs of Gangliosides, peptides, and proteins, as well as synthetic intermediates useful for the preparation of the precursors, and synthetic methods useful for preparing the precursors and the intermediates. The invention also provides gangliosides, peptides, and proteins that comprise sialic acid C-glycoside components, as well as synthetic methods useful for the preparation of such compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the isolation, diagnosis and treatment of microorganisms such as flaviviruses and other hemorrhagic fever viruses are based on the sulfated polyanion-dependent interaction of flaviviruses and hemorrhagic fever viruses, in particular dengue virus, with target cells. The cellular receptors targeted by these viruses have been identified as sulfated polyanionic glycoproteins, that include highly sulfated heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans for some target cell types, and as a sulfated mucin on vascular endothelium. Compounds such as heparin, highly sulfated heparan sulfate, and synthetic polyanions such as Suramin, inhibit the interaction between the microorganisms and target cells, thereby disrupting the infective process.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of sulfonated sucrose compounds, surfactants and intermediate cyclic sulfates.

Abstract: New glucose-based surfactants and methods of their synthesis are described. The surfactants are synthesized through the preparation of an intermediate glucose 4,6-cyclic sulfate. The surfactants are economical to prepare and have excellent surface-active properties.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the unexpected discovery that a molecule having as its major repeating units N-acetylglucosamine alternating in sequence with 2-O-sulfated uronic acid, inhibits FGF mitogenicity, and thus is useful in inhibiting angiogenesis. Additionally, the molecule has low toxicity and inhibits FGF mitogenicity without affecting anticoagulant activity. One preferred molecule is a glycosaminoglycan such as archaran sulfate. The molecules are in pharmaceutical compositions that can be used in the treatment of diseases which are angiogenesis-dependent.

Abstract: A purified heparinase I, II and III free of lyase activity and each having a molecular weight of 42,800 84,100, 70,800, respectively, are produced by culturing Flavobacterium heparinum. The kinetic properties of the heparinases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability.

Abstract: A single, reproducible scheme to simultaneously purify all three of the heparin lyases from F. heparinum to apparent homogeneity is disclosed herein. The kinetic properties of the heparin lyases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability. Mono-clonal antibodies to the three heparinases are also described and are useful for detection, isolation and characterization of the heparinases.