Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase preparation wherein the preferred hyaluronidase enzyme is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 4,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also disclosed is a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye, said method comprising the step of contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., a &bgr;-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: A hemostatic composition which comprises at least one procoagulant metal ion, such as silver (I) or mercury (II), and at least one procoagulant biopolymer, such as collagen, thrombin, prothrombin, fibrin, fibrinogen, heparinase, Factor VIIa, Factor VIII, Factor IXa, Factor Xa, Factor XII, von Willebrand Factor, a selectin, a procoagulant venom, a plasminogen activator inhibitor, glycoprotein IIb-IIIa, a protease, or plasma. The composition in the form of a paste, dough, glue, liquid, lyophilized powder or foam, may be provided, for application to a wound. A hemostatic device is also described which comprises a hemostatic composition as described above. The device may be in the form of, for example, a plug, bandage, gauze, cloth, tampon, membrane or sponge. Methods are also provided for prophylaxis or treatment of bleeding at a site by application to the site of the composition or device as described.

Abstract: Hyaluronidase is used in the treatment of inflammation associated with an increased local synthesis of hyaluronan in a mammal, e.g. in connection with organ grafting, hyaluronidase being administered locally or systemically. The effect is to reduce inflammatory cell infiltration.

Abstract: The invention provide a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of a mammalian eye without producing toxicity to the eye, the method comprising contacting with the vitreous humor an amount of a solution which contains hyaluronidase to provide a dose of at least 1 International Unit of hyaluronidase, the hyaluronidase being in purified form possessing intravitreal hemorrhage-clearing activity and being free from impurities that produce toxicity to the eye.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. Compositions of the subject invention comprise one or more chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG)-degrading enzymes that promote axonal penetration into damaged nerve tissue. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods. The invention also pertains to kits for nerve repair.

Abstract: An Enzyme Orthokeratology method is provided for correcting refractive errors in the eye of a subject mammal. Accelerating reshaping of the cornea is accomplished by administering a corneal hardening amount of a corneal hardening agent to the eye of the subject. Reformation is accomplished under the influence of a rigid contact lens or a series of lenses having a concave curvature that will correct a refractive error. The cornea rapidly reshapes its convex curvature to the concave curvature of the contact lens, rendering the eye emmetropic. The cornea is permitted to “harden” to retain the new emmetropic shape. After “hardening” has occurred, the lens rendering the eye emmetropic is removed.

Abstract: the present invention application refers to a new pharmaceutical composition comprising carriers for products to be aggregated to the base of vitamin-E, papain and hyaluronidase, in the following quantities: 1 PAPAIN- 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigenic compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of infection and disease caused by group A and group C streptococci. In particular, the invention provides low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid linked to a carrier and compositions comprising them. The compositions elicit antibodies to low molecular weight hyaluronic acid which are cross-reactive with group A and C streptococci and which are minimally cross-reactive with native hyaluronic acid. The invention is particularly useful for providing both active and passive immunogenic protection for those infected with or at risk of infection with group A and group C streptococci. Additionally, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for diagnosing infections and diseases caused by group A and group C streptococci.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to biochemical methods for the elimination of corneal collagen fiber disorganization to improve vision. Disorganization of corneal collagen fibers is seen in corneal scars, corneal opacification and corneal haze. In addition, the invention relates to biochemical methods for the elimination of corneal collagen fiber disorganization resulting from accidental traumatic injury to the cornea and from refractive surgery for such as radial keratotomy (RK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) so as to improve visual acuity and quality of vision.

Abstract: Methods of reversing local anesthesia are disclosed. The methods comprise administering a local anesthetic and alpha adrenergic receptor agonist to induce local anesthesia followed by reversing anesthesia with a low dose of an alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist. Also disclosed are kits comprising a local anesthetic, an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist and a low dose of an alpha adrenergic receptor antagonist.

Abstract: A method of treating prostate cancer in a living mammal includes local administration of a composition that includes a therapeutically effective concentration of collagenase. In one embodiment, a method of treating prostate cancer in a living mammal includes local administration of a composition that includes a therapeutically effective concentration of collagenase and at least one of a glycosidase, a protease, a nuclease, a lipase, an esterase, a plasminogen activator, a streptokinase, and combinations thereof. Preferably a glycosidase, such as, for example, hyaluronidase, is administered. Compositions used in methods for treating prostate cancer can also include or be administered with calcium ions, a nonionic surfactant, such as, for example, Triton® X-100, and an antibiotic, such as, for example, gentamicin. Another method of treating prostate cancer in a living mammal includes activating PSA in vivo by, for example, locally administering calcium ions.

Abstract: A method of rendering a surface protected bacteria more susceptible to an anti-bacterial agent effected by subjecting the bacteria to a glycosaminoglycans degrading enzyme.

Abstract: A thermally stable enzyme composition contains an enzyme, and a heat stabilizer including a phospholipid and an oil-soluble vitamin. The enzyme composition can be prepared in the form of a powder by drying an enzyme solution containing a phospholipid and an oil-soluble vitamin to obtain an enzyme powder.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to disinfect contact lenses are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present composition comprises a cellulose decomposing enzyme component, e.g., lysozyme, and a hydrogen peroxide destroying component. The composition is structured so that the cellulose decomposing enzyme component is released in a liquid medium containing hydrogen peroxide before the hydrogen peroxide destroying component is released in the liquid medium. Such cellulose decomposing enzyme component is preferably effective to render hydrogen peroxide-resistant microorganisms, e.g., acanthamoeba cysts, which may contaminate the lens more susceptible to being killed by hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding vespid venom enzymes, or fragments thereof, recombinant vectors comprising such nucleic acids, and host cells containing the recombinant vectors. The invention is further directed to expression of such nucleic acids to produce recombinant vespid venom enzymes, or recombinant fragments, derivatives or analogs thereof. Such recombinant products are useful for diagnosis of allergy and for therapeutic treatment of allergy. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides nucleic acids encoding, and complete nucleotide and amino acids sequences for, vespid venom phospholipase, for example, Dolichovespula maculata phospholipase and Vespula vulgaris phospholipase, and vespid venom hyaluronidase, for example, Dolichovespula maculata hyaluronidase.

Abstract: A biological preparation is provided and includes a biological material and a purified, natural or recombinant, extracellular matrix degrading enzyme being externally adhered thereto.

Abstract: A plasma concentrate comprising one of platelets and platelet releasate and from 5 to 400 mg/ml of fibrinogen. The concentrate further includes a physiologically acceptable carrier comprising water and physiologically acceptable inorganic and organic ions at a physiologically acceptable concentration. The fibrinogen in the concentrate is not significantly denatured. A method for processing blood is further provided.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of methods for purification of an acid active hyaluronidase found in human plasma (hpHAse), including both biochemical and immunoaffinity purification methods. The method of immunoaffinity purification of the invention is based on the discovery of a method for identifying antibodies that specifically bind native hpHAse (anti-native hpHAse antibodies), and anti-native hpHAse antibodies identified by this screening method. The invention also features an assay for sensitive detection of HAse activity using biotinylated hyaluronic acid (bHA). Purification and characterization of hpHAse lead to the inventors' additional discovery that hpHAse is encoded by the LuCa-1 gene, which gene is present in the human chromosome at 3p21.3, a region associated with tumor suppression. The invention additionally features methods of treating tumor-bearing patients by administration of hpHAse and/or transformation of cells with hpHAse-encoding DNA.