Abstract: A prion-physiological structure and associated method of formation. A provided abnormal prion has a transforming power over a normal prion to convert the abnornal prion into defective prion that mimics the abnormal prion. A linker molecule is then bonded to the abnormal prion, wherein a polymer that is covalently attached to the linker molecule facilitates formation of a polymerized abnormal prion that does not have the transforming power over the normal prion.

Abstract: The invention includes a medical hydrogel made from polymerized polysaccharide macromers. The macromers are preferably polysaccharides decorated with polymerizable groups, for example, methacrylates. The macromers may also be made into polymers of at least two macromers polymerized together. These polymers are preferably multi-armed or high-molecular weight and used for medical uses, for example, making coatings on medical devices. Macromers of N-vinylpyrrolidone are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of potentiating the activity of a drug which affects the central nervous system. (CNS) comprising systemically administrating to a subject said drug together with an effective amount of a compound which affects peripheral chemoreceptors and, optionally, with an effective amount of a stimulator of osmoreceptors. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions for systemic administration comprising a CNS drug together with the aforementioned compounds.

Abstract: A hydrogel is provided in which varying ratios of acrylyol-modified dextran molecules and acrylyol-modified hyaluronan products are cross-linked to form a hydrogel conjugate. The incorporation of the derivatized hyaluronan molecules allows a hydrogel to be constructed which may be degraded by hydrolysis and enzymatic pathways. This mechanism offers novel hydrogel which may be useful in medical applications including the prevention of surgical adhesions, controlled drug delivery, tissue coatings, tissue adherence, and tissue supporting structures, and the coating of medical devices and related articles prior to placement within a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds containing as active ingredients hyaluronic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone, for the treatment of inflammatory, ulcerative and painful conditions of moist epithelial surfaces such as mucositis, stomatitis, vestibulitis, aphthous ulcerations, and Behcet's syndrome.

Abstract: An aerosol antimicrobial composition is provided with the following ingredients: a) an anionic polymer or prepolymer; (b) a quaternary ammonium compound, the components (a) and (b) combining to form an antimicrobially effective complex; (c) at least one water-soluble or dispersible organic solvent having a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25° C., said at least one organic solvent present in a solubilizing—or dispersion—effective amount; (d) an effective amount of a propellant; and (e) the remainder, water. Further is provided a novel method of decontaminating a surface fouled with microorganisms and a dispenser for said aerosol composition. The novel composition advantageously has both disinfectancy (contact efficacy) and residual antimicrobial efficacy.

Abstract: A method for forming an incision or wound dressing. First, second, and third layers 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive 18, 20, and 22 are applied to a wound or incision site 14, with each layer covering the site 14 and extending to at least about five millimeters from each side of the site 14. After the first, second, and third layers 18, 20, and 22 are allowed to polymerize, a fourth layer 24 of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive is applied, the fourth layer 24 substantially covering at least one millimeter of the extending edge of the first, second, and third layers 18, 20, and 22. In the case of a high-tension wound or a wound near a joint, the fourth layer 24 extends at least about ten millimeters from each side of the site 14, and a fifth layer 26 of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive is applied.

Abstract: An improved method and composition for preventing adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and surgical articles involved in the surgery are coated with a solution of a hydrophilic, polymeric material prior to manipulation of the tissue during surgery. The composition comprises a solution of a polymeric material having a molecular weight of about 500,000 or above having a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 15%, by weight.

Abstract: An assay comprises contacting cells containing a conformationally altered protein with test compound and determining if the altered protein is cleared. The cells may be scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells. Another assay comprises contacting organ or tissue homogenate (at pH 5.0 or less) with test compound to determine if altered protein in the homogenate is 10 cleared. The homogenate may be brain homogenate from a transgenic mouse infected with human prions. Compounds which are found to clear the altered protein are useful in preventing, arresting and/or reversing (i.e. treating) a disease associated with the conformationally altered protein.

Abstract: An ionic polymer is utilized in “recharging” (another layer having a different charge) a condensed polynucleotide complex for purposes of nucleic acid delivery to a cell. The resulting recharged complex can be formed with an appropriate amount of positive or negative charge such that the resulting complex has the desired net charge.

Abstract: A composition for use as a post-foaming shaving gel, for example, comprising about 3% to about 20% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyvinylpyrrolidone, in a combined amount, wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) and the polyvinylpyrrolidone are present in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1, and about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the composition of a post-foaming agent.

Abstract: Improved molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with both higher and more specific binding capacity for particular bile acids and/or salts, including the synthesis of such MIPs, the compounds themselves, and specific applications thereof. As an example of a particularly preferred specific application of these compounds, the present invention encompasses the use of the MIPs as sequestrants in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in order to bind and therefore remove toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the present invention is also useful for treatment of various diseases which are related to, and/or characterized by, an effect of bile acids and salts, such as atherosclerosis, liver disease and various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The MIP compounds of the present invention are also useful for combination therapy with other medications and for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.

Abstract: An assay comprises contacting cells containing a conformationally altered protein with test compound and determining if the altered protein is cleared. The cells may be scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells. Another assay comprises contacting organ or tissue homogenate (at pH 5.0 or less) with test compound to determine if altered protein in the homogenate is cleared. The homogenate may be brain homogenate from a transgenic mouse infected with human prions. Compounds which are found to clear the altered protein are useful in preventing, arresting and/or reversing (i.e. treating) a disease associated with the conformationally altered protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric conjugates of 20-O-[glycyl-aminoacyl-glycyl]-camptothecins and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sequestering bile acids in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the method. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a guanidinium moiety-containing polymer composition to a mammal, such as a human, whereby bile acids are sequestered. The polymers of the invention comprise guanidinium moieties and optionally, additional substituents such as a hydrophobic group, a quaternary ammonium-containing group or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making delivery systems for active ingredients including hydrogenated jojoba and sunscreen actives. The recrystallization process of the present invention produces small particle size alloys from molten mixtures and recrystallized small particle size dispersions from high temperature solvent solutions. The invention further provides delivery systems for active ingredients such as sunscreen actives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a series of the water-insoluble polymeric quaternary phosphonium salt-type bactericides, which consists of as active bactericidal components an amino quaternary phosphonium salt, a quaternary ammonium group-containing quaternary phosphonium salt, an amino quaternary phosphonium salt-quaternay ammonium salt, or a quaternary ammonium salt-containing quaternary phosphonium salt and quaternary ammonium salt carried on a resin carrier which can be chloromethylated. Said bactericide series has rapid and highly effective bactericidal activity, and can be used repeatedly, and used widely for sterilizing and disinfecting various fluid media such as different industrial and domestic water and the like.

Abstract: In order to provide an adhesive to adhere to the tissue of organisms a buffered solution containing a protein macromer having a vinylated protein, a polysaccharide macromer having a vinylated polysaccharide, or the both by mixture, along with a photo-reactive compound which generates radicals by irradiation is prepared. The solution is cured into a gel state by irradiation, adheres to and is fixed on the tissue surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes polymerizable monomers comprising an acid-functionalized glycoside moiety. The monomer can have a polymerizable functional group, such as an olefinic bond, to which the acid-functionalized glycoside moiety is attached by a spacer group, for example, an alkylene group, or an alkylene group wherein one or more carbon atoms are substituted by heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms. The present invention also includes polymers comprising pendant acid-functionalized glycoside moieties. The present invention also provides a method for treating a microbial infection in a mammal by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising one or more acid-functionalized glycoside moieties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of arresting, preventing and/or reversing the impairment of central and peripheral nervous system function comprising reducing insoluble protein deposit burden by the administration of branched polycationic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such branched polycationic compounds. The compounds used in the preferred method of the invention are branched dendritic polycations.

Abstract: A material with excellent selective absorption of super antigens. Said material contains urea bonds or thiourea bonds and remains active even in a high protein concentration solution in the neutral region, Activity remains after sterilization. Also provided is a body fluid purifying column for eliminating or detoxification of super antigens. In addition to that, this invention provides a wound dressing material with super antigen adsorbing properties.