The present invention relates to the field of polymers used to form coatings at the surface of supports.

More particularly, the invention relates to a polymer having adhesion properties, in particular with regard to an organic or inorganic support, characterized in that it comprises at least one and preferably several consecutive or non-consecutive structural units of formula (I):

##STR00001##

in which: B represents a carbonyl or —NR′— unit with R′ representing a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a C.sub.5 to C.sub.6 aryl, carbamate or acyl radical; and R represents: a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 hydrocarbon-based radical which, where appropriate, is substituted with one or more halogen atoms, a C.sub.5 to C.sub.6 aryl radical, or an acyl, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl or cyano radical.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

Therapeutically-effective amounts of novel analogs or derivatives of alkyl fatty acids, such as but not limited to lipoic acid, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising such analogs or derivatives and pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers therefor, are useful for the treatment, prevention, imaging, and/or diagnosis of medical disorders.

Pulverulent compositions of a complex between an acid and a metal form an at least partially spherical particle. The acid is selected from 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoic acid (HMTBA), methionine, aspartic acid, the alginic acids, the pectinic acids, and the corresponding anions, in particular 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoate, methioninate, aspartate, the alginates and the pectinates. The metal is divalent or trivalent. The particle has an amorphous fraction the mass of which represents at least 50% of the total mass of the particle. The particle is substantially devoid of uncomplexed acid or anion and of uncomplexed metal or metal cation.

Pulverulent compositions of a complex between an acid and a metal form an at least partially spherical particle. The acid is selected from 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoic acid (HMTBA), methionine, aspartic acid, the alginic acids, the pectinic acids, and the corresponding anions, in particular 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoate, methioninate, aspartate, the alginates and the pectinates. The metal is divalent or trivalent. The particle has an amorphous fraction the mass of which represents at least 50% of the total mass of the particle. The particle is substantially devoid of uncomplexed acid or anion and of uncomplexed metal or metal cation.

Pulverulent compositions of a complex between an acid and a metal form an at least partially spherical particle. The acid is selected from 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoic acid (HMTBA), methionine, aspartic acid, the alginic acids, the pectinic acids, and the corresponding anions, in particular 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoate, methioninate, aspartate, the alginates and the pectinates. The metal is divalent or trivalent. The particle has an amorphous fraction the mass of which represents at least 50% of the total mass of the particle. The particle is substantially devoid of uncomplexed acid or anion and of uncomplexed metal or metal cation.

An apparatus for coating at least a first plurality of articles each article thereof having at least a first surface to be coated is disclosed. The apparatus includes an emission source for directing emission elements towards the first surfaces of the plurality of articles, at least one support member for supporting the first plurality of articles, wherein support member supports the first plurality of articles such that the first surface is exposed to the path of emission from said emission source, and a drive assembly for moving the support member such that the first plurality of articles is moveable with respect to the path of emission from said emission source.

An apparatus for coating at least a first plurality of articles each article thereof having at least a first surface to be coated is disclosed. The apparatus includes an emission source for directing emission elements towards the first surfaces of the plurality of articles, at least one support member for supporting the first plurality of articles, wherein support member supports the first plurality of articles such that the first surface is exposed to the path of emission from said emission source, and a drive assembly for moving the support member such that the first plurality of articles is moveable with respect to the path of emission from said emission source.

Modular dendrimers with cationic groups and lipophilic groups are provided herein. In some aspects, the dendrimers provided herein may be formulated in compositions which contain a nucleic acid and one or more helper excipients. In some aspects, these compositions may also be used to treat diseases or disorders with a therapeutic nucleic acid.

Modular dendrimers with cationic groups and lipophilic groups are provided herein. In some aspects, the dendrimers provided herein may be formulated in compositions which contain a nucleic acid and one or more helper excipients. In some aspects, these compositions may also be used to treat diseases or disorders with a therapeutic nucleic acid.