The present invention relates to a technique for effective intranasal delivery to the brain. More specifically, the present invention is used for diagnosing, preventing or treating central nervous system encephalopathy, neurodegenerative diseases or brain tumor by effectively delivering to the brain a pH-responsive and bioreducible PPA polymer, which can be used as a drug carrier, by means of nasal administration.

A multi-arm, degradable polyethylene glycol derivative with a high molecular weight that does not cause vacuolation of cells is provided. A degradable polyethylene glycol derivative represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein n1 and n2 are each independently 45-950, W.sup.1 and W.sup.2 are each independently an oligopeptide of 2-47 residues, a1 and a2 are each independently 1-8, Q is a hydrocarbon chain having 2-12 carbon atoms and optionally containing an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom, X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently a functional group capable of reacting with a bio-related substance, and L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5 and L.sup.6 are each independently a divalent spacer.

Mucus penetrating nanoparticles for inducing, increasing, or enhancing an immune response typically include core of a blend of a biodegradable hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, wherein ≥50% of the biodegradable polymer is conjugated to the hydrophilic polymer, and the hydrophilic polymers forms a coating on the particle. The particles encapsulate a cargo, typically an antigen, adjuvant or other immunomodulator, or a nucleic acid encoding the antigen, or combination thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions including an effective amount of particles to induce an immune response in a subject in need thereof are also provided. Methods of inducing an immune response are also provided, and typically include administering to a subject, preferably via the respiratory tract, the pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the subject has cancer or an infection of the lung.

An aqueous coating additive containing a polyether-modified siloxane represented by an average composition formula (1): (R.sub.3SiO.sub.1/2).sub.a(R.sub.2R′SiO.sub.1/2).sub.a′(R.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2).sub.b(RR′SiO.sub.2/2).sub.b′(RSiO.sub.3/2).sub.c(SiO.sub.4/2).sub.d. “R”'s each represent an organic group selected from groups represented by —C.sub.qH.sub.2q—O—(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.e(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.f—R.sup.1. The R′ groups satisfy expression (I): 5≤{(molecular weight of the —C.sub.2H.sub.4O— moiety)/(molecular weight of an entire polyether-modified siloxane)}×20≤10; and expression (II): {(molecular weight of the —C.sub.3H.sub.6O— moiety)/(molecular weight of the —C.sub.2H.sub.4O— moiety)}≤1.0. This provides an additive for an aqueous coating and an aqueous coating composition that have little environmental impact and that provide excellent antifouling performance.

The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of melt-mixing a semi-aromatic polyamide (A) having a melting point on second heating of 295° C. or less comprising terephthalamide repeat units and a polyamide oligomer (B) comprising terephthalamide repeat units and having an amine end group concentration of less than 2000 me q/Kg and an inherent viscosity of at least 0.10, at a temperature which is greater than the melting point on first heating of both semi-aromatic polyamide (A) and polyamide oligomer (B) for a time period sufficient to produce semi-aromatic polyamide (C) having a melting point on second heating which is greater than or equal to 300° C.

The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of melt-mixing a semi-aromatic polyamide (A) having a melting point on second heating of 295° C. or less comprising terephthalamide repeat units and a polyamide oligomer (B) comprising terephthalamide repeat units and having an amine end group concentration of less than 2000 me q/Kg and an inherent viscosity of at least 0.10, at a temperature which is greater than the melting point on first heating of both semi-aromatic polyamide (A) and polyamide oligomer (B) for a time period sufficient to produce semi-aromatic polyamide (C) having a melting point on second heating which is greater than or equal to 300° C.

A manufacturing method for a polyether polysiloxane block copolymer composition that can avoid the use and incorporation of aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvents is provided. The manufacturing method is generally easy on an industrial production scale. The manufacturing method includes a step of obtaining a polyether polysiloxane block copolymer (A) by a specific reaction in the presence of a saturated hydrocarbon solvent (C) having an average number of carbon atoms in a range of 6 to 11, and a step of replacing the solvent (C) used in the reaction with (B) a (poly)glycol or a polyglycol derivative diluent, either during or after the aforementioned step. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a foam stabilizer or the like using the composition obtained by the aforementioned manufacturing method.

There is provided a material comprising a multi-block thermogelling polymer, said multi-block thermogelling polymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer block; a thermosensitive polymer block; and a hydrophobic polymer block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer block, the thermosensitive polymer block and the hydrophobic polymer block are chemically coupled together by at least one of urethane/carbamate, carbonate, ester linkages or combinations thereof, and wherein the material is suitable for use as a vitreous substitute. Also provided are a method of preparing said material and a synthetic vitreous humour or part thereof comprising said material.

There is provided a material comprising a multi-block thermogelling polymer, said multi-block thermogelling polymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer block; a thermosensitive polymer block; and a hydrophobic polymer block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer block, the thermosensitive polymer block and the hydrophobic polymer block are chemically coupled together by at least one of urethane/carbamate, carbonate, ester linkages or combinations thereof, and wherein the material is suitable for use as a vitreous substitute. Also provided are a method of preparing said material and a synthetic vitreous humour or part thereof comprising said material.

An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.