Abstract: The use of non-viral delivery of therapeutically effective compositions through aerosol for therapy or research purpose has been limited by the low efficiency mainly caused by an inefficient delivery system and destruction of formulation (gene and/or delivery system) by aerosol shearing power. This invention develops formulations that are established polymer combination formulations. The formulations are highly efficient in delivering genes in vivo through aerosol and are able to protect the delivered gene from the destruction by aerosol shearing power.

Abstract: Bioerodible polyorthoesters useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents contain hydrogen bonding groups and &agr;-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

Abstract: Bioerodible polyorthoesters useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents contain hydrogen bonding groups and &agr;-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

Abstract: The invention provides multi-arm block copolymers useful as drug delivery vehicles comprising a central core molecule, such as a residue of a polyol, and at least three copolymer arms covalently attached to the central core molecule, each copolymer arm comprising an inner hydrophobic polymer segment covalently attached to the central core molecule and an outer hydrophilic polymer segment covalently attached to the hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the central core molecule and the hydrophobic polymer segment define a hydrophobic core region. The solubility of hydrophobic biologically active agents can be improved by entrapment within the hydrophobic core region of the block copolymer. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions including such block copolymers, methods of making such copolymers and pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the block copolymers as drug delivery vehicles.

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: Methods of forming crosslinked hyaluronic acid anti-adhesion barriers, crosslinked hyaluronic acid anti-adhesions barriers, methods for preventing or inhibiting adhesions, and methods of promoting healing of a wound are provided. The method of forming the crosslinked hyaluronic acid anti-adhesion barrier includes freeze-drying a solution including hyaluronic acid to form a hyaluronic acid foam, which is then reacted with a crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked hyaluronic acid foam. The crosslinked hyaluronic acid foam is mixed with a solution containing hyaluronic acid to form an anti-adhesion barrier.

Abstract: The invention provides an ophthalmic aqueous composition for topical administration, comprising:

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: The present invention is directed to a novel osmotic/effervescent system for the treatment of constipation and fecal impaction in a human or mammal in need thereof.

Abstract: Balanced pH, thermo-irreversible gels are ideal vehicles for drug delivery to a body cavity of a mammal. The gels contain a mixture of a polyoxyalkylene block copolymer or polyether together with an ionic polysaccharide which is thermo-irreversibly gelled in the presence of a counter-ion.

Abstract: This invention provides a claycy and sticky substance as a new biomaterial that cannot be found in the current medical field, which is bioresorbable, shows tackiness, plasticity and shape holding ability at a temperature of approximately from 30 to 40° C. and can give unrestricted shapes at body temperature or more by increasing its fluidity. This clayey and sticky substance comprises a copolymer of two or more bioresorbable monomers, preferably any one of copolymers of p-dioxanone with D-lactic acid, L-lactic acid, D,L-lactic acid, trimethylene carbonate and &egr;-caprolactone, or a mixture of two or more of these copolymers. This clayey and sticky or clayey substance is suited for a hemostatic material, an adhesive material for tissues, a prosthetic material for tissue reconstruction use, a carrier of drug delivery system, a plugging material, an accretion-preventing material and a scaffold material for tissue engineering use.

Abstract: Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.

Abstract: Oil-in-water nanoemulsions comprising oil globules with an average size of less than 150 nm and comprising at least one oil, at least one amphiphilc lipid, and at least one polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivative chosen from PEG esters and PEG ethers chosen from compounds of formula (I):

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating obesity, a method for reducing the absorption of dietary fat, and a method for treating hypertriglyceridemia in a patient and to particular polymers for use in the methods or in a manufacture of a medicament. The methods comprise the step of orally administering to a mammal, such as a human, a therapeutically effective amount of one or more fat-binding polymers. The administration of the fat-binding polymer of the invention facilitates the removal of fat from the body prior to digestion, with minimal side effects and low toxicity. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more fat-binding polymers are administered in combination with one or more lipase inhibitors, for example, lipstatin and tetrahydrolipstatin.

Abstract: A molluscicide containing a non-toxic animal repellant and metaldehyde, in which the molluscicidal efficacy of the molluscicide greater than that of the molluscicide if it did not contain repellant. The repellant may be an anthranilate compound or d-pulegone which present at a concentration of up to 1%.

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 spirobicyclic ammonium moiety-containing polymer composition to a mammal, such as a human, whereby bile acids are sequestered. The polymers of the invention comprise spirobicyclic ammonium moieties and optionally, further comprise a hydrophobic substituent, a quaternary ammonium-containing substituent or a combination thereof.

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.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.