Described are high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hydrogel compositions comprising GAGs covalently crosslinked with a carbohydrate crosslinker, and methods of making the high molecular weight GAG hydrogel compositions. Further described are methods of using the high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hydrogel compositions for reparative or plastic surgery, esthetic dermatology, facial contouring, body contouring, and gingival augmentation.

The present invention discloses a matrix comprising a modified polysaccharide consisting of repeating disaccharide units whereby in at least 11% of the disaccharide units one primary alcohol group is oxidized into a carboxylic acid group.

Compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are described. In particular, multivalent vaccines containing O-antigen polysaccharide covalently bound to an exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EPA) carrier protein that can withstand multiple environmental stresses are describe.

A method of preparing a hydrogel product including crosslinked glycosaminoglycan molecules, said method including: i) providing a glycosaminoglycan crosslinked by amide bonds, wherein the crosslinked glycosaminoglycans include residual amine groups; and ii) acylating residual amine groups of the crosslinked glycosaminoglycans provided in i) to form acylated crosslinked glycosaminoglycans.

A grafted glycosaminoglycan polymer is disclosed. The grafted glycosaminoglycan polymer comprises a glycosaminoglycan having a polymer backbone and one or more side chains comprising a polyalkylene glycol-containing residue grafted onto the polymer backbone.

The invention relates to compositions of a deacetylated poly N-acetylated glucosamine (dPNAG) of Staphylococci. The dPNAG may be isolated from natural sources or synthesized de novo. The invention also relates to the use of dPNAG as a vaccine for inducing active immunity to infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, other related coagulase-negative or coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and other organisms carrying the ica (intracellular adhesion) locus. The invention further provides methods of use for antibodies directed to dPNAG, particularly for inducing passive immunity to the same class of infections.

Oligosaccharides from bovine milk, whey and dairy products, and methods of producing bovine milk oligosaccharides are provided.

A glycosaminoglycan derivative which is obtainable by a process that includes the steps of N-desulfation of from 25% to 100% of the N-sulfated residues of a glycosaminoglycan, and oxidation, by periodate at a pH of from 5.5 to 10.0, of from 25% to 100% of the 2-N-, 3-O-non-sulfated glucosamine residues, and of the 2-O-non-sulfated uronic acid residues of said glycosaminoglycan, under conditions effective to convert adjacent diols and adjacent OH/NH.sub.2 to aldehydes. The process further includes reduction, by sodium borohydride, of said oxidized glycosaminoglycan, under conditions effective to convert said aldehydes to alcohols, where the glycosaminoglycan is heparin, low molecular weight heparin, heparan sulfate or fractions thereof.

Compositions and methods are described for inducing an immune response against extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) to thereby provide immune protection against diseases associated with ExPEC. In particular, compositions and methods are described for using conjugates of E. coli polysaccharide antigens O25B, O1A, O2, and O6A covalently bound to a detoxified exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EPA) carrier protein as vaccines for the prevention of invasive ExPEC disease caused by ExPEC serotypes O1A, O2, O6A and O25B.

The present invention relates to a biocompatible nanoparticle and a use thereof and, more specifically, to a biocompatible nanoparticle formed by irradiation an electron beam to an aqueous solution comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol, thereby inducing inter-molecular cross-linking or intra-molecular cross-linking, and to a use of the biocompatible nanoparticle in a drug carrier, a contrast agent, a diagnostic agent or an intestinal adhesion prevention agent or for disease prevention and treatment.