The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for generating a biomimetic proteoglycan. The invention includes methods of treating a disease, disorder, or condition of soft tissue using a biomimetic proteoglycan.

The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for generating a biomimetic proteoglycan. The invention includes methods of treating a disease, disorder, or condition of soft tissue using a biomimetic proteoglycan.

The present invention includes methods for preparing anticoagulant polysaccharides using several non-naturally occurring, engineered sulfotransferase enzymes that are designed to react with aryl sulfate compounds instead of the natural substrate, PAPS, to facilitate sulfo group transfer to polysaccharide sulfo group acceptors. Suitable aryl sulfate compounds include, but are not limited to, p-nitrophenyl sulfate or 4-nitrocatechol sulfate. Anticoagulant polysaccharides produced by methods of the present invention comprise N-, 3-O-, 6-O-sulfated glucosamine residues and 2-O sulfated hexuronic acid residues, have comparable anticoagulant activity compared to commercially-available anticoagulant polysaccharides, and can be utilized to form truncated anticoagulant polysaccharides having a reduced molecular weight.

A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. At least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is individuated by the filter material.

A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. At least a portion of the filter material includes a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent, wherein the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent is a sulfated cellulose membrane. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material, the following occur: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when the pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is individuated by the filter material.

A rapid testing mechanism for respiratory viral pathogens includes a filter material positioned to capture exhaled breath particles from a respiratory tract. A portion of the filter material is impregnated with a pathogen binding adsorptive reagent. When the exhaled breath particles pass through the filter material the following occurs: when the binding adsorptive reagent reacts, a positive test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material; and when pathogen binding adsorptive reagent does not react, a negative test for respiratory viral pathogens is indicated by the filter material.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining low molecular weight heparins which exhibit high stability. The method includes the treatment of depolymerized heparin with H.sub.2O.sub.2 in a ratio of between 0.04 and 1.0 liters of H.sub.2O.sub.2 (30-35% w/v in water) per kg of depolymerized heparin. The invention also relates to a low molecular weight heparin obtained by this method, pharmaceutical compositions of the same, and methods of treatment employing the same.

An object of the present invention is to find a useful means for removing an intraocular membrane. The present invention relates to an agent for use in intraocular membrane peeling surgery, which contains a solution containing a hydrogel-forming material and satisfies the following formula 1 with respect to the dynamic viscoelasticity measured at a temperature of 25 to 40° C. and a frequency of 1 Hz.

0<V.sub.max≤3  (Formula 1)

Provided that in the formula 1, V.sub.max (Pa/sec) is the maximum change rate of the storage elastic modulus after the initiation of gelation.

An object of the present invention is to find a useful means for removing an intraocular membrane. The present invention relates to an agent for use in intraocular membrane peeling surgery, which contains a solution containing a hydrogel-forming material and satisfies the following formula 1 with respect to the dynamic viscoelasticity measured at a temperature of 25 to 40° C. and a frequency of 1 Hz.

0<V.sub.max≤3  (Formula 1)

Provided that in the formula 1, V.sub.max (Pa/sec) is the maximum change rate of the storage elastic modulus after the initiation of gelation.

The invention relates to a cosmetic process for caring for the skin, more particularly facial skin, in particular wrinkled skin, comprising the topical application to the skin of a cosmetic composition comprising a grafted polysaccharide polymer (I) and exposure of the treated skin to light radiation, polymer (I) being of formula:

PS—(CO—NH-L-X).sub.a(COOH)b

in which PS denotes the basic backbone of the polysaccharide bearing the carboxylic acid groups;
L is a divalent hydrocarbon-based group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms;
X denotes a photoactive group of azide or diazirine type;
a denotes the content of COOH groups substituted with the group —NH-L-X;
b denotes the content of unsubstituted free COOH groups;
a being between 0.01 and 0.8; b being between 0.2 and 0.99;
a+b=1

The invention also relates to the polymers (I) bearing a photoactive group X of diazirine type and to a composition comprising such a polymer in a physiologically acceptable medium.