Among other things, the present invention provides novel isoprenyl compounds capable of effectively modulating inflammatory responses and pharmaceutical, cosmetic, cosmeceutical and topical compositions comprising these isoprenyl compounds. Anti-inflammatory compounds of the present invention are useful in treating or preventing diseases or conditions associated with inflammation. Proinflammatory compounds of the present invention are useful in treating or preventing diseases or conditions associated with suppression of inflammatory responses. Thus, the present invention also provides methods useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions associated with inflammation as well as methods useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions associated with suppression of inflammatory responses.

Polythioether polymers, sealants containing polythioether polymers, and compounds useful as stabilizing monomers in the manufacture of polythioether polymers are provided. In many embodiments the polymers and sealants demonstrate reduced risk of spoilage that may be caused by low temperature storage of the polymer or uncured sealant. Compounds useful as stabilizing monomers include compounds according to formula I: CH.sub.2CR.sup.1CHR.sup.2SR.sup.3SCHR.sup.4CR.sup.5CH.sub.2 [I] wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from H, CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2H.sub.5, and wherein R.sup.3 is selected from divalent groups comprising 2-12 carbon atoms, 0-5 ether oxygen atoms and 0-5 thioether sulfur atoms, which may be straight, branched or cyclic.

Polythioether polymers, sealants containing polythioether polymers, and compounds useful as stabilizing monomers in the manufacture of polythioether polymers are provided. In many embodiments the polymers and sealants demonstrate reduced risk of spoilage that may be caused by low temperature storage of the polymer or uncured sealant. Compounds useful as stabilizing monomers include compounds according to formula I: CH.sub.2CR.sup.1CHR.sup.2SR.sup.3SCHR.sup.4CR.sup.5CH.sub.2 [I] wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from H, CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2H.sub.5, and wherein R.sup.3 is selected from divalent groups comprising 2-12 carbon atoms, 0-5 ether oxygen atoms and 0-5 thioether sulfur atoms, which may be straight, branched or cyclic.

An example of a fusing agent includes a metal bis(dithiolene) complex, a thiol surfactant, a polar aprotic solvent, and a balance of water. In an example of a method of making the fusing agent, the metal bis(dithiolene) complex is exposed to an aqueous solution including a reducing agent and a thiol surfactant to form a reduced metal bis(dithiolene) complex and to dissolve the reduced metal bis(dithiolene) complex in the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is incorporated into a vehicle including a water soluble organic solvent and an additive selected from the group consisting of an emulsifier, a surface tension reduction agent, a wetting agent, a scale inhibitor, an anti-deceleration agent, a chelating agent, an antimicrobial agent, and a combination thereof. The fusing agent may be utilized in a three-dimensional printing method and/or incorporated into a three-dimensional printing system.

An example of a fusing agent includes a metal bis(dithiolene) complex, a thiol surfactant, a polar aprotic solvent, and a balance of water. In an example of a method of making the fusing agent, the metal bis(dithiolene) complex is exposed to an aqueous solution including a reducing agent and a thiol surfactant to form a reduced metal bis(dithiolene) complex and to dissolve the reduced metal bis(dithiolene) complex in the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is incorporated into a vehicle including a water soluble organic solvent and an additive selected from the group consisting of an emulsifier, a surface tension reduction agent, a wetting agent, a scale inhibitor, an anti-deceleration agent, a chelating agent, an antimicrobial agent, and a combination thereof. The fusing agent may be utilized in a three-dimensional printing method and/or incorporated into a three-dimensional printing system.

A method for synthesizing dissymmetric sulfoether includes the following step: a) under the condition of tetrabutylammonium halide catalysis, compounds having a structure of formula (I), compounds having a structure of formula (II) and salts having sulfur and oxygen are reacted in a solvent to give dissymmetric sulfoether having a structure of formula (III).

A method for synthesizing dissymmetric sulfoether includes the following step: a) under the condition of tetrabutylammonium halide catalysis, compounds having a structure of formula (I), compounds having a structure of formula (II) and salts having sulfur and oxygen are reacted in a solvent to give dissymmetric sulfoether having a structure of formula (III).

A method for synthesizing dissymmetric sulfoether includes the following step: a) under the condition of tetrabutylammonium halide catalysis, compounds having a structure of formula (I), compounds having a structure of formula (II) and salts having sulfur and oxygen are reacted in a solvent to give dissymmetric sulfoether having a structure of formula (III).

A method of preventing or inhibiting L-cystine crystallization is disclosed, using the compounds of formula I:

R.sup.1a[O].sub.v-(-A-L-).sub.m-A-[O].sub.vR.sup.1b

wherein A, L, R.sup.1a, R.sup.1b, m, and v are as described herein. The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are causally related to L-cystine crystallization, such as comprising (but not limited to) kidney stones.

A method of preventing or inhibiting L-cystine crystallization is disclosed, using the compounds of formula I:

R.sup.1a[O].sub.v-(-A-L-).sub.m-A-[O].sub.vR.sup.1b

wherein A, L, R.sup.1a, R.sup.1b, m, and v are as described herein. The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are causally related to L-cystine crystallization, such as comprising (but not limited to) kidney stones.