418results about How to "Maintain activity" patented technology

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.

A polypeptide which contains the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 in the Sequence Listing encoded by a gene originating in human being. Because of serving as a chemical efficacious in the supression of the proliferation and defferentiation of undifferentiated blood cells. this polypeptide is expected to be usable in medicines and medical supplies.

Storage stable compositions of biological materials, including bioactive biological materials are provided in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, comprising:(a) cellular material selected from living and / or dormant prokaryotic and / or eukaryotic cells and tissues, the cellular material being compatible with water-in-oil emulsions;(b) one or more oils selected from vegetable oils and fish oils;(c) an oil-soluble nonionic polymeric surfactant having a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 15000; and(d) water.The compositions may also contain a thickener such as a hydrophobic fumed silica or bentonite.Compositions may be used for various purposes, depending on the contained biological material. Specific examples include compositions containing Fusarium lateritium control of Eutypa lata in plant wounds made by cutting or pruning, and compositions containing Lagenidium giganteum for control of mosquitoes.

An odor-inhibiting fiber having a cellulosic fiber and an odor-inhibiting formulation. The odor-inhibiting formulation may contain an odor-inhibiting agent, such as a biocide, an enzyme, a urease inhibitor. The odor-inhibiting formulation also may contain a liquid carrier such as a hydrophobic or hydrophilic organic liquid, or a mixture of a hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic liquid. The cellulosic fiber is impregnated with the odor-inhibiting formulation to produce fiber having odor-inhibiting characteristics. The resultant odor-inhibiting fiber is useful in making absorbent articles with odor-inhibiting characteristics. The fiber of the embodiments prevents odor by inhibiting bacteria growth and ammonia production, especially when used in an absorbent article such as a diaper or adult incontinence device.

The present invention relates to a layered catalyst composite useful for reducing contaminants in exhaust gas streams, especially gaseous streams containing sulfur oxide contaminants. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with improved catalysts of the type generally referred to as “three-way conversion” catalysts. The layered catalysts trap sulfur oxide contaminants, which tend to poison three-way conversion catalysts used to abate other pollutants in the stream. The layered catalyst composites of the present invention have a sulfur oxide absorbing layer before or above a nitrogen oxide absorbing layer, and / or normal three-way catalytic layers. The layered catalyst composite comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises a first support and at least one first platinum component. The second layer comprises a second support and a SOx sorbent component after forming its reaction product with SOx having a free energy of formation from about 0 to about −90 Kcal / mole at 350° C. The sulfur oxide absorbing layer selectively and reversibly absorbs sulfur oxides over nitrogen oxides and prevents or alleviates sulfur oxide poisoning of the nitrogen oxide trap.

A deodorant composition is provided including a phenolic compound, at least one enzyme capable of oxidizing the phenolic compound, and / or a deodorant synergy agent that is either a flavor and a fragrance. The fragrance or the flavor possesses a rating for freshness, cleanness and pleasurableness greater than 50 on a scale of from 1 to 100. Preferably, the fragrance is citrusy, fruity, floral (or flower), musky, minty, green, fresh, woody, sandal, spicy, flower and perilla-type accord. The flavor is preferably citrusy, pepperminty, fruity, juicy, minty, herby, vanilla, spicy, flower and perilla-type accord. A method of deodorizing a mal-odor is also provided which includes mixing the deodorant composition of the present invention with a suitable carrier to form a product for treating mal-odors and applying the product to either an article or a mammal.

Variant antibodies and Fc fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity are described. In particular, the variants of antibodies and Fc fusion proteins have reduced ability to bind one or more human class II MHC molecules are described.

An antibacterial fluid may be applied to a tubular medical cannula for access to a patient. The fluid comprises a typically metabolizable antibacterial formulation having a viscosity of at least about 5,000 cp. The cannula may then be inserted into the patient with an increased lubricity for a reduction of pain, while at the same time, unlike silicones, preferred materials do not readily accumulate in the patient. The tubular medical cannula may be a rigid, hollow needle, sharp or blunt, a spike, or a flexible catheter. Also, the viscous antibacterial fluid may be used to lock a catheter or other cannula while implanted in the patient, for storage purposes. The formulation is typically an alcohol plus a viscosity increasing agent.

An apparatus of the present invention for producing an aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate is an apparatus for producing an aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate by synthesizing the aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate on a base material having a catalyst on a surface thereof, the apparatus including: a formation unit that processes a formation step of causing an environment surrounding the catalyst to be an environment of a reducing gas and heating at least either the catalyst or the reducing gas; a growth unit that processes a growth step of synthesizing the aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate by causing the environment surrounding the catalyst to be an environment of a raw material gas and by heating at least either the catalyst or the raw material gas; and a transfer unit that transfers the base material at least from the formation unit to the growth unit. Thus provided is a production apparatus and a production method that are capable of improving efficiency in the production of aligned CNT aggregates by preventing a decrease in production volume and deterioration in quality of aligned CNT aggregates in serial production and by making it easy to increase the size of the apparatus.

The present invention is directed to a biocidal water treatment composition, water treatment apparatus, and method of treating water to reduce levels of pathogens. The composition contains sources of copper, zinc, and silver metal ions within a crosslinked polymer matrix. Examples of these ion sources include copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, and silver nitrate. An example of the crosslinked polymer matrix is crosslinked chitosan, which also serves to clarify the water and release the metal ions over time. The product is easy to manufacture, and allows the use of decreased halogen sanitizer, as well as decreased copper ion, thereby decreasing the likelihood of staining. The product simultaneously provides good bactericidal and algaecidal properties, despite low levels of copper ion and low chlorine levels.

A method for polymerization or copolymerization of alpha -olefin, characterized in that the polymerization is performed using a solid complex titanium catalyst comprising magnesium, a halogen-containing titanium compound, and internal electron donors; organometallic compounds of metals belonging to Groups I and III on the periodic table of elements; and, as external electron donors, a mixture of three or more kinds of organic silicon compounds, from which homopolyolefins having MFR less than 5, MFR in the range from 5 to 20, and MFR greater than 20 are polymerized under the same polymerization conditions. By use of the present invention it is possible to produce an olefin polymer with high stereoregularity, broad molecular weight distribution, and good fluidity, at high rates of yield.

There is provided an orally-administrable formulation for the controlled release or stable storage of a granulated isoflavone-enriched fraction or mixture of such fractions, comprising at least one granulated isoflavone-enriched fraction and at least one carrier, diluent or excipient therefor. Preferably, the formulation is characterized in that the total in vitro dissolution time of said formulation required for release of 75% of the active ingredients available from the formulation is between about 4 and about 18 hours, as determined by the U.S.P. XXIII paddle method at a paddle speed of 75 rpm, using simulated intestinal fluid without the digestive enzymes normally found in intestinal fluid, at pH 6.8, and a temperature of 37° C. A process for the preparation of such a formulation is also provided.

The present invention relates to a bone graft material and a scaffold for tissue engineering applications, which have an osteogenesis-promoting peptide immobilized on the surface. More particularly, the invention relates to a bone graft material and a scaffold for tissue engineering applications, which have a cell adhesion-inducing peptide and / or tissue growth factor-derived peptide immobilized on the surface. By the osteogenesis-promoting peptide immobilized on the surface, the inventive bone graft material and scaffold for tissue engineering applications can promote the transition, proliferation and differentiation of cells associated with regeneration, and eventually maximize the regeneration of tissue. Moreover, the peptide immobilized on the surface has low molecular weight, indicating a reduced risk of immune responses upon its application in the body, and can be present in a stable form within the body, thus showing lasting effects. Accordingly, the peptide makes it expedient to perform surgical operations for the regeneration of periodontal tissue, alveolar bone and other bone tissues, and will show high therapeutic effect.

A perovskite catalyst is prepared using a ceramic sol-sol methodology comprising preparing slurry in water of an alkaline earth metal salt, a powdered metal salt and a powdered transition metal oxide, adding a polymeric binder to form a paste, drying and comminuting the paste into a powder and heating the powder with a temperature profile to calcination temperatures. In one embodiment the slurry is formed of titanium oxide with barium carbonate and tin chloride in deionized water, and more specifically by a mixture according to Ba (1-0.05x)+TiO2+SnCl2(0.05x) where x is in moles. The perovskite catalyst is preferably used in a process for oxidative coupling of methane. Catalyst performance is enhanced through the addition of halides to the feed gas in the reaction.

An apparatus of the present invention for producing an aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate is an apparatus for producing an aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate by synthesizing the aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate on a base material having a catalyst on a surface thereof, the apparatus including: a formation unit that processes a formation step of causing an environment surrounding the catalyst to be an environment of a reducing gas and heating at least either the catalyst or the reducing gas; a growth unit that processes a growth step of synthesizing the aligned carbon-nanotube aggregate by causing the environment surrounding the catalyst to be an environment of a raw material gas and by heating at least either the catalyst or the raw material gas; and a transfer unit that transfers the base material at least from the formation unit to the growth unit. Thus provided is a production apparatus and a production method that are capable of improving efficiency in the production of aligned CNT aggregates by preventing a decrease in production volume and deterioration in quality of aligned CNT aggregates in serial production and by making it easy to increase the size of the apparatus.

The present invention relates to an insulinotropic peptide conjugate having improved in-vivo duration of efficacy and stability, comprising an insulinotropic peptide, a non-peptide polymer and an immunoglobulin Fc region, which are covalently linked to each other, and a use of the same. The insulinotropic peptide conjugate of the present invention has the in-vivo activity which is maintained relatively high, and has remarkably increased blood half-life, and thus it can be desirably employed in the development of long acting formulations of various peptide drugs.

Implantable medical articles comprising natural biodegradable polysaccharides are described. The polysaccharides can provide desirable release properties, and can also be degraded into products that can act as an excipient in the presence of the bioactive agent. In some aspects, the articles are ocular implants formed of a matrix of natural biodegradable polysaccharides. These ocular implants include a bioactive agent that can be released within the eye to treat an ocular condition or indication.

Disclosed are methods and related compositions for altering the physical and chemical properties of a substrate used in hydrocarbon exploitation, such as in downhole drilling operations. In a preferred embodiment a method involves formulating a fluid, tailored to the specific drilling conditions, that contains one or more inactivated enzymes. Preferably the enzyme is inactivated by encapsulation in a pH responsive material. After the fluid has been introduced into the well bore, one or more triggering signals, such as a change in pH, is applied to the fluid that will activate or reactivate the inactivated enzyme, preferably by causing it to be released by the encapsulation material. The reactivated enzyme is capable of selectively acting upon a substrate located downhole to bring about the desired change in the chemical or physical properties of the substrate.

The present invention is directed to a biocidal water treatment composition, water treatment apparatus, and method of treating water to reduce levels of pathogens. The composition contains sources of copper, zinc, and silver metal ions within a crosslinked polymer matrix. Examples of these ion sources include copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, and silver nitrate. An example of the crosslinked polymer matrix is crosslinked chitosan, which also serves to clarify the water and release the metal ions over time. The product is easy to manufacture, and allows the use of decreased halogen sanitizer, as well as decreased copper ion, thereby decreasing the likelihood of staining. The product simultaneously provides good bactericidal and algaecidal properties, despite low levels of copper ion and low chlorine levels.

The present invention relates to the delivery of drug, peptide and protein pharmaceuticals using a biotin-mediated uptake system. More particularly the invention relates to the amplification of active substance delivery with the biotin uptake system using a biotin-active substance-polymer conjugate or a biotin-nanoparticle conjugate. The invention also relates to processes for preparing the conjugates, pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions containing same and methods of diagnosis and treatment involving the conjugates.

Amino acids constituting a physiologically active molecule human delta 2; a gene arrangement thereof; and an antibody thereto. The human delta 2 molecule, at least the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the sequence listing, functions as a chemical useful for proliferation of undifferentiated blood cells and inhibition of differentiation, and hence can be utilized as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

The present invention provides a polypeptide construct comprising a peptide or polypeptide signaling ligand linked to an antibody or antigen binding portion thereof which binds to a cell surface-associated antigen, wherein the ligand comprises at least one amino acid substitution or deletion which reduces its potency on cells lacking expression of said antigen.

The invention provides biologically active erythropoietin (EPO) conjugate compositions wherein EPO is covalently conjugated to a non-antigenic hydrophilic polymer covalently linked to an organic molecule that increases the circulating serum half-life of the composition. The invention thus relates to EPO derivatives described by the formula EPO-(X-Y)N where EPO is erythropoietin or its pharmaceutical acceptable derivatives having biological properties of causing bone marrow cells to increase production of reticulocytes and red blood cells, X is PEG or other water soluble polymers, Y is an organic molecule that increases the circulating half-life of the construct more than the PEG alone and N is an integer from 1 to 15. Other molecules may be included between EPO and X and between X and Y to provide the proper functionality for coupling or valency.

The cell selection apparatus includes: a cell selection vessel which has a pair of electrodes and a sheet-like insulating material having a plurality of micropores, with a recognition molecule bindable to the specific substance being disposed on a bottom face of the micropore; and a power supply, wherein the power supply includes a cell-immobilization power supply and a cell-taking power supply. The cell selection method uses the cell selection apparatus, including; introducing cells into a cell selection area; immobilizing these cells in the micropores; effecting a binding reaction between the specific substance and the recognition molecule; thereafter, taking out a cell of which the specific substance is not or is weakly bound to the recognition molecule, from the micropore; otherwise alternatively, leaving a cell of which the specific substance on the surface of the cell is strongly bound to the recognition molecule, behind in the micropore.

An isolated heart or heart-lung preparation in which essentially normal pumping activity of all four chambers of the heart is preserved, allowing for the use of the preparation in conjunction with investigations of electrode leads, catheters, ablation methods, cardiac implants and other medical devices intended to be used in or on a beating heart. The system can be designed to be used within a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit or a X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner. The preparation may also be employed to investigate heart and lung functions, in the presence or absence of such medical devices. In order to allow comparative imaging visualizations of either or simultaneously the heart and / or lung structures and devices located within the chambers of the heart or vessels or bronchi within the lungs, a clear perfusate such as a modified Krebs buffer solution with oxygenation is circulated through all four chambers of the heart and thus the coronary and / or pulmonary vasculatures. A ventilator with intubation tube can be used to inflate / deflate the lungs and / or provide oxygen to the isolated organs. The preparation and recordings of the preparation may be used in conjunction with the design, development and evaluation of devices for use in or on the heart and / or lungs, as well as for use as an investigational and teaching aid to assist physicians and students in understanding the operation of the cardiopulmonary system.

A molecular plasma discharge deposition method for depositing colloidal suspensions of biomaterials such as amino acids or other carbon based substances onto metal or nonmetal surfaces without loss of biological activity and / or structure is described. The method is based on generating a charged corona plasma which is then introduced into a vacuum chamber to deposit the biomaterial onto a biased substrate. The deposited biomaterials can be selected for a variety of medical uses, including coated implants for in situ release of pharmaceuticals.

Microspheres are produced by contacting a solution of a macromolecule or small molecule in a solvent with an antisolvent and a counterion, and chilling the solution. The microspheres are useful for preparing pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetic products and the like of defined dimensions.

A system for growing tissue based upon layers of an inorganic matrix, wherein each layer of the inorganic matrix is designed to dissolve at a separate rate and result in sequential growth factor delivery upon its dissolution.

A composition and method of using the composition for treating a patient in need thereof, the composition comprising an oral formulation for enhanced bioavailability of therapeutic agents such as the taxane chemotherapeutic agents. The composition comprises the therapeutic agent and an absorption enhancing agent either co-administered with the agent or administered separately, the therapeutic agent in a polymer matrix resulting in a microbead and including an edible oil resulting in an emulsion. The absorption enhancing agent is a cyclosporin in one embodiment. The absorption enhancing agent is a P glycoprotein inhibitor in another embodiment.

The present invention provides a stabilized hypohalous acid solution (or formulation thereof), which may be conveniently packaged for sale, or stored for later use on demand. The invention further provides methods of making the stabilized hypohalous acid solution, as well as methods of use for disinfecting mammalian tissue, including wounds and burns, disinfecting or cleansing surfaces, or treating and / or preserving food products and cut flowers, among other uses.