Abstract: The invention is directed to multi-functional N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having a terminal carbon, such as a poly(alkylene glycol), the terminal carbon of the polymer backbone being directly bonded to the nitrogen atom of a N-maleimidyl moiety without a linking group therebetween. The invention also provides two methods of preparing such linkerless N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives.

Abstract: The invention is directed to multi-functional N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having a terminal carbon, such as a poly(alkylene glycol), the terminal carbon of the polymer backbone being directly bonded to the nitrogen atom of a N-maleimidyl moiety without a linking group therebetween. The invention also provides two methods of preparing such linkerless N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cosmetic compositions comprising (a) at least one styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer bearing at least one group chosen from styrylpyridine and styrylpyridinium groups and (b) at least one co-film forming agent and/or at least one plasticizer. The cosmetic composition optionally further comprises at least one pigment and at least one solvent. Also disclosed herein are methods for making up and/or enhancing the appearance of a keratinous substrate comprising (1) forming a film on the keratinous substrate by applying to said keratinous substrate a cosmetic composition comprising (a) at least one styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer bearing at least one group chosen from styrylpyridine and styrylpyridinium groups and (b) at least one co-film forming agent and/or at least one plasticizer and (2) exposing the film to radiation chosen from UV and visible light radiation.

Abstract: A tropical composition is provided. The topical composition can be prepared by diluting a topical composition precursor with water and adding additional components, if desired. The topical composition precursor can be prepared by melt processing a hydrophobic polymer composition that includes repeating pyrrolidone/alkylene groups wherein the alkylene groups contain at least 10 carbon atoms, and a hydrophilic polymer composition including repeating carboxylic groups and/or repeating hydroxyl groups. A topical composition precursor and methods for manufacturing and using a topical composition are provided by the invention.

Abstract: PEG and related polymer derivatives having weak, hydrolytically unstable linkages near the reactive end of the polymer are provided for conjugation to drugs, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and others. These derivatives provide a sufficient circulation period for a drug-PEG conjugate, followed by hydrolytic breakdown of the conjugate and release of the bound molecule. In some cases, drugs that demonstrate reduced activity when permanently coupled to PEG maintain a therapeutically suitable activity when coupled to a degradable PEG in accordance with the invention. The PEG derivatives of the invention can be used to impart improved water solubility, increased size, a slower rate of kidney clearance, and reduced immunogenicity to a conjugate formed by attachment thereto. Controlled hydrolytic release of the bound molecule into an aqueous environment can then enhance the drug's delivery profile by providing a delivery system which employs such polymers and utilizes the teachings provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved copper-based fungicide/bactericide composition. The improved composition offers higher biological activity over typical copper-based products, while requiring significantly less copper in the composition. The present invention also discloses methods of making the improved copper-based fungicide/bactericide composition. The present invention further discloses methods of using the improved copper-based fungicide/bactericide composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bio-stable hydrogel for use in the treatment and prevention of incontinence and vesicouretal reflux. The hydrogel is obtainable by combining acrylamide and methylene bis-acrylamide in amounts to provide about 0.5 to 25% by weight polyacrylamide, based on the total weight of the hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved copper-based fungicide/bactericide composition. The improved composition offers higher biological activity over typical copper-based products, while requiring significantly less copper in the composition. The present invention also discloses methods of making the improved copper-based fungicide/bactericide composition. The present invention further discloses methods of using the improved copper-based fungicide/bactericide composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymeric agent which can incorporate a large amount of a drug, accumulate selectively in a tumor site, and has a molecular size of more than that for renal excretion. A metalloporphyrin derivative (such as zinc protoporphyrin) is associated with a styrene-maleic acid copolymer via non-covalent bond to give a SMA micelle complex, allowing provision of a polymeric pharmaceutical agent for treatment of cancer with a large amount of the drug incorporated. The SMA micelle complex can be produced by a method, wherein the metalloporphyrin derivative reacts with the styrene-maleic acid copolymer in the absence of a condensation agent under an alkaline condition, solubilized, adjusted to have a pH of 6-8, and subjected to a procedure for separating a polymer component to recover the micelle complex component for the polymeric pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: PEG and related polymer derivatives having weak, hydrolytically unstable linkages near the reactive end of the polymer are provided for conjugation to drugs, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and others. These derivatives provide a sufficient circulation period for a drug-PEG conjugate, followed by hydrolytic breakdown of the conjugate and release of the bound molecule. In some cases, drugs that demonstrate reduced activity when permanently coupled to PEG maintain a therapeutically suitable activity when coupled to a degradable PEG in accordance with the invention. The PEG derivatives of the invention can be used to impart improved water solubility, increased size, a slower rate of kidney clearance, and reduced immunogenicity to a conjugate formed by attachment thereto. Controlled hydrolytic release of the bound molecule into an aqueous environment can then enhance the drug's delivery profile by providing a delivery system which employs such polymers and utilizes the teachings provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for topical use containing at least one oxidation sensitive hydrophilic active principle and at least one maleic anhydride copolymer, comprising one or more maleic anhydride comonomers and one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone, olefins containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and styrene, in a physiologically acceptable medium containing an aqueous phase. The invention also relates to the use of a maleic anhydride copolymer as defined above for stabilizing an oxidation-sensitive hydrophilic active principle, in particular in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: PEG and related polymer derivatives having weak, hydrolytically unstable linkages near the reactive end of the polymer are provided for conjugation to drugs, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and others. These derivatives provide a sufficient circulation period for a drug-PEG conjugate, followed by hydrolytic breakdown of the conjugate and release of the bound molecule. In some cases, drugs that demonstrate reduced activity when permanently coupled to PEG maintain a therapeutically suitable activity when coupled to a degradable PEG in accordance with the invention. The PEG derivatives of the invention can be used to impart improved water solubility, increased size, a slower rate of kidney clearance, and reduced immunogenicity to a conjugate formed by attachment thereto. Controlled hydrolytic release of the bound molecule into an aqueous environment can then enhance the drug's delivery profile by providing a delivery system which employs such polymers and utilizes the teachings provided herein.

Abstract: Natural feel polymers exhibit an advantageous blend of flexibility and a strong affinity to natural fibers imparting a natural feel when applied to keratin-based fibers, e.g. hair, skin, or textiles, e.g. cotton, wool, and are water-soluble and water-resistant. The polymers include repeat units of a monomer (e.g. ?-olefin) maleic anhydride alkyl half-ester or full acid, maleamic acid and maleimide, which are derivatized with a polyether amine.

Abstract: Personal care compositions, particularly hair care products, include a polymer mixture made from (A) a derivatized polymer of maleic anhydride having defined repeat units of a monomer (e.g. ?-olefin) maleic anhydride alkyl half-ester or full acid, maleamic acid and maleimide, and (B) a compound or polymer having a carboxylic acid functionality. These compositions exhibit excellent high humidity curl retention properties, as well as an advantageous blend of toughness and cohesiveness, and a strong affinity to natural fibers such as keratin-based fibers, e.g. hair, skin, or textiles, such as cotton or wool; and they are also water-soluble and water-resistant.

Abstract: Personal care products, particularly hair care products, are made herein by mixing (A) a polymer having defined repeat units of a monomer (e.g. ?-olefin) maleic anhydride alkyl half-ester or full acid, maleamic acid and maleimide, which is derivatized with an amine, and (B) a compound or polymer having a carboxylic acid functionality. These products exhibit excellent high humidity curl retention properties, as well as an advantageous blend of toughness and cohesiveness, and a strong affinity to natural fibers, when applied to keratin-based fibers, e.g. hair, skin, or textiles, e.g. cotton, wool; and also they are water-soluble and water-resistant.

Abstract: The invention is directed to multi-functional N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having a terminal carbon, such as a poly(alkylene glycol), the terminal carbon of the polymer backbone being directly bonded to the nitrogen atom of a N-maleimidyl moiety without a linking group therebetween. The invention also provides two methods of preparing such linkerless N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives.

Abstract: A method for treating pathogenic toxins in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising a cationic group attached to the polymer backbone. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to multi-functional N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having a terminal carbon, such as a poly(alkylene glycol), the terminal carbon of the polymer backbone being directly bonded to the nitrogen atom of a N-maleimidyl moiety without a linking group therebetween. The invention also provides two methods of preparing such linkerless N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives.

Abstract: Insect and animal control compositions and method in which a polymer and solvent are selected to provide a cross-linked film with matrices of sufficient capacity for trapping and being plated by an active ingredient particularly methyl nonyl ketone and other ingredients such as UV light absorber and fragrance, near transparency to UV light, flexibility, and susceptibility to slow degradation by environmental factors so to release the active ingredient, and the composition sprayed onto an area to be controlled.

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: 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: A method for treating pathogenic toxins in a mammal, such as a human, comprising treating the mammal with a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer comprising a cationic group attached to the polymer backbone. The polymer can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. In one embodiment, the polymer is a copolymer comprising a monomer having a pendant ammonium group and a hydrophobic monomer.

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.