Abstract: Iodinated amphiphilic compound of formula (I): AG1-X—R??(I) wherein AG1 represents an unsaturated (C8-C52) aliphatic hydrocarbon chain found in fatty acids having specific location of double bonds, the chain including at least one iodine atom directly linked to a carbon atom of a non-conjugated double bond by a covalent link, the second carbon atom of the double bond bearing a halogen atom different from a iodine atom, X represents a polyethylene glycol including 1 to 50 ethylene glycol groups, R represents a hydrogen atom or a group AG2 being identical to or different from AG1, AG1, X, R and AG2 being selected so that the amphiphilic compound has a hydrophilic/lipohilic balance included between 4 and 30.

Abstract: The polymers, according to the invention, comprise a polysaccharide block (17) and several hydrophobic polyacrylic blocks (18) enabling the polymer to remain intact until the polymer reaches the colon. The polysaccharide block is degraded by the colonic microflora irrespective of the pH, while the polyacrylic blocks are solublilized at neutral pH. Colon-specific release of the active ingredients is thus provided in all cases. These polymers may serve as a coating in particular for tablets, gel capsules, granules or microgranules, or serve as matrix agents in the preparation of such pharmaceutical forms. This invention concerns the fields of medicine, pharmacy and dietetics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the fluidity and/or the spreadability of the native lung surfactant in a human or animal in need of such treatment, wherein the human or animal is administered with a fluorocarbon composition. The invention further relates to therapeutic compositions comprising a fluorocarbon, optionally in combination with a phospholipid, and their use as lung surfactant supplements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for dispensing an active substance to be used in a biological medium, in particular in the rumen of an animal, comprising: a sealed receptacle (1, 21, 41, 71, 81, 100, 120, 130) for containing the said substance, and having at least one opening; means for provisionally closing the opening of said receptacle, said closing means being maintained closed by at least one biodegradable element (13, 23, 45, 55, 65, 78, 89, 109, 113, 125, 135), such that subsequent to the biological degradation of said element, the closing means completely releases said opening.

Abstract: A device for dispensing an active substance to be used in a biological medium, in particular in the rumen of an animal, includes a sealed receptacle for containing the substance, and having at least one opening; a closure for provisionally closing the opening of the receptacle, the closure being maintained closed by at least one biodegradable element such that subsequent to the biological degradation of the element, the closure completely releases the opening.