The present invention relates to an immune modulator having a novel structure, and an immunologic adjuvant composition containing the same and, more specifically, to an modulator, which is a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) analog having reduced toxicity, and a use thereof. The immune modulator of the present invention exhibits immune enhancement effects by having excellent innate immunity and ability to induce an adaptive immune response to a specific pathogen, and is very safe by having low toxicity. In addition, a vaccine containing the immune modulator of the present invention contains both an immune modulator and an alum, thereby improving immune enhancement effects compared with when using only the immune modulator.

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 a hydrogel product comprising glycosaminoglycan molecules as the swellable polymer, wherein the glycosaminoglycan molecules are covalently crosslinked via crosslinks comprising a spacer group selected from the group consisting of di-, tri-, tetra-, and oligosaccharides.

Disclosed are a carboxylated glycosaminoglycan derivative, a preparation method therefor, and the use thereof for inhibiting tumor growth and/or metastasis.

A rotary engine that generates electricity using differences in relative humidity. A water-responsive material expands and contracts as water evaporates which drives the rotation of two wheels. The rotary motion drives an electrical generator which produces electricity. In another embodiment, the water-responsive material is used to actuate an artificial muscle of a robotic device.

The subject of this invention are native forms of fucoidan polysaccharide, desulfated fucoidan and derivatives obtained by processing to the level of fucose-oligosaccarides containing preferentially, but not exclusively less than 20 monosaccaride fucose units alpha-linked by a glycosidic bond, with an average molecular weight of preferentially less than 3 kDa. The poly- and oligosaccarides that are described according to the invention are natural and safe, and are used as a dietary supplement for the use in prevention and treatment of pathologies associated with Noroviruses or Rotaviruses, Salmonella sp. or Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Campylobacter jejuni and other enteroviruses and enteric pathogens that cause bacterial gastroenteritis, as well as in the food production process. The invention also relates to a method for the desulfation and fragmentation of fucoidans to generate desulfated poly- or oligo-fucoses.

The invention relates to N-desulfated and optionally 2-O-desulfated glycosaminoglycan derivatives, wherein at least part of the adjacent diols and OH/NH.sub.2 have been converted into the corresponding aldehyde, which aldehydes have been then reduced to the corresponding alcohol. These products are endowed with heparanase inhibitory activity and anti-tumor activity. Said glycosaminoglycan derivatives are obtained from natural or synthetic glycosaminoglycan, preferably from unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), heparan sulfate or derivatives thereof. The invention further relates to the process for preparation of the same and further to their use as active ingredients of medicaments, also in combination with known established drugs or treatments. The present invention further relates to a process for breaking the C.sub.2-C.sub.3 linkage of glucosamine residues of a glycosaminoglycan by oxidation of said glycosaminoglycan.

The invention is related to a class of hydrophilic copolymers comprising loosely dangling thiol-containing pendant groups. The hydrophilic copolymers are highly reactive towards azetidinium groups of an azetidinium-containing polymer upon heating and can find particular use in for producing water-soluble highly-branched hydrophilic polymeric material useful for producing water gradient contact lenses.

The invention relates to glycosaminoglycan derivatives, endowed with heparanase inhibitory activity and antitumor activity, bearing carboxylate groups in positions 2 and 3 of at least part of the glycosaminoglycan residues, and to the process for preparing the same. The glycosaminoglycan derivatives of the present invention are generated starting from natural or synthetic glycosaminoglycans, preferably heparin or low molecular weight heparin, optionally 2-O- and 2N-desulfated by two steps of oxidation. By the first oxidation, adjacent diols and optionally adjacent OH/NH.sub.2 of the glycosaminoglycan residues are converted to aldehydes and by the second oxidation said dialdehydes are converted to carboxylate groups. The first oxidation preferably leads to the cleavage of C.sub.2-C.sub.3 linkage of the ring of oxidable residues. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of said glycosaminoglycan derivatives and further to their use as active ingredients of medicaments. Furthermore, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising di/tricarboxylated heparin derivatives, as active agent.

Provided is a technique for enhancing the absorption of fucoidan into the body and elevate various effects of fucoidan by using a fucoidan preparation that is characterized by containing fucoidan and zinc and the ratio of zinc to fucoidan being 0.005% or greater.