Abstract: A therapeutic composition includes a polysaccharide, isolated from a member of the genus Cucurbita, e.g., pumpkin, having a backbone including alternating ?-L-rhamnosyl (?-L-Rhap) and ?-D-galactopyranosyluronic acid (?-D-GapA) residues, and a side chain attached to the backbone including ?-D-galactan (?-D-Galp), ?-L-arabinofuranosyl (?-L-Araf), or combinations thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A ?-D-Galp side chain is attached to the backbone at the C-4 carbon of at least one ?-L-Rhap of the backbone. At least one ?-L-Araf is attached to the ?-D-Galp side chain. The ?-L-Araf is attached to the ?-D-Galp side chain via the C-3 carbon of the ?-D-Galp. The polysaccharide is effective for treating a galectin-3 dependent disorder by binding to the carbohydrate recognition domain of galectin-3, resulting in inhibition of galectin-3 activity.

Abstract: A filter and a method of forming a suture structure. The filter includes layered structure(s) interior to the filter. Each layered structure includes a carbon structure comprising carbon and a coating on a surface of the carbon structure. Each layered structure may further include a heparin layer that includes heparin and is on the coating. The coating of the filter includes cellulose, PMMA, PEMA, or PHEMA. The carbon structure may include an activated charcoal layer or carbon nanotube(s). The layered structure is configured to remove a contaminant flowing through the filter. The method of forming the suture structure includes forming a film on a suture that has been previously formed on a mammal. The film includes both a coating on the suture and a heparin layer that includes heparin and is on the coating. The coating of the suture structure includes cellulose, PMMA, PEMA, or PHEMA.

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 composition and a method of treating a subject with respect to a pathological condition comprised by the subject. The composition comprises a sulfated saccharide conjugated to a polymer. The method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising a sulfated saccharide conjugated to a polymer or a sulfated saccharide. The sulfated saccharide has a molecular weight less than 5000 Dalton.

Abstract: A composition and a method of treating a subject with respect to a pathological condition comprised by the subject. The composition comprises a sulfated saccharide conjugated to a polymer. The method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising a sulfated saccharide conjugated to a polymer or a sulfated saccharide. The sulfated saccharide has a molecular weight less than 5000 Dalton.

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: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer and inhibiting an increase in the volume or mass of a tumor, and methods for the treatment of cancer and inhibiting an increase in the volume or mass of a tumor.

Abstract: The invention provides sulfo-protected polysaccharides and methods for preparing sulfo-protected polysaccharides, as well as intermediate compounds useful in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the production of two highly purified enzymes capable of degrading chondroitin sulfate polysaccharides. A multi-step purification method incorporating cell disruption, cation exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, high resolution ion exchange chromatography and size exclusion is outlined. A 77,000.+-.5,000 Dalton protein capable of degrading chondroitin sulfates A and C and a 55,000.+-.2,300 Dalton protein capable of degrading dermatan sulfate were isolated. The genes encoding these enzymes, chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B, respectively, have been cloned and methods for their use are described.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the production of two highly purified enzymes capable of degrading chondroitin sulfate polysaccharides. A multi-step purification method incorporating cell disruption, cation exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, high resolution ion exchange chromatography and size exclusion is outlined. A 77,000.+-.5,000 Dalton protein capable of degrading chondroitin sulfates A and C and a 55,000.+-.2,300 Dalton protein capable of degrading dermatan sulfate were isolated. The genes encoding these enzymes, chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B, respectively, have been cloned and methods for their use are described.

Abstract: Heparinase is produced by growing the bacterium, Flavobacterium heparinum in an improved defined medium consisting of a carbon source, two or more amino acids and several salts in the absence of protein. The carbon source concentration is specifically kept below a certain level to promote improved heparinase production. The sulfate source concentration is also specifically kept below a certain level to promote improved heparinase synthesis. Heparinase can be produced in this medium with or without the addition of an inducer compound.

Abstract: Blood containing heparin and treated extracorporeally is contacted with immobilized heparinase prior to being reintroduced into the patient.

Abstract: Heparinase is produced by growing the bacteria, Flavobacterium heparinum, in a defined medium consisting of a carbon source, two or more amino acids and mineral salts in the absence of protein. Heparinase is recovered by batch chromatography of the cell extract from hydroxylapatite by elution with sodium chloride and sodium phosphate buffer washes.