Methods of forming a gel and related methods of treating subjects with such gels are described. The method may include preparing a composition by combining a macromer comprising a first polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer, a poly(ethylenimine)-based polymer, or a poly(1,2-glycerol) carbonate-based polymer, the macromer including at least one first functional moiety, a crosslinking agent comprising a second PEG-based polymer that includes at least one second functional moiety, and a photoinitiator, and activating the photoinitiator via a light source to form the gel.

Methods of forming a gel and related methods of treating subjects with such gels are described. The method may include preparing a composition by combining a macromer comprising a first polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer, a poly(ethylenimine)-based polymer, or a poly(1,2-glycerol) carbonate-based polymer, the macromer including at least one first functional moiety, a crosslinking agent comprising a second PEG-based polymer that includes at least one second functional moiety, and a photoinitiator, and activating the photoinitiator via a light source to form the gel.

A composition and method useful in promoting healing of a bleeding wound site. The composition preferably includes a substantially anhydrous acid form of a cation exchange resin, which when applied over blood, provides an antimicrobial against planktonic microorganisms and biofilms in the wound. The resin is also capable, when applied in sufficient quantities, of providing a continuing and persistent antimicrobial against planktonic microorganisms and biofilms through dehydration and ion exchange with cations present in the blood and other body fluids. When the resin has a concentration of at least 26 mg/ml, it provides a >3 log reduction in biological activity of MRSA, MRSE and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A composition and method useful in promoting healing of a bleeding wound site. The composition preferably includes a substantially anhydrous acid form of a cation exchange resin, which when applied over blood, provides an antimicrobial against planktonic microorganisms and biofilms in the wound. The resin is also capable, when applied in sufficient quantities, of providing a continuing and persistent antimicrobial against planktonic microorganisms and biofilms through dehydration and ion exchange with cations present in the blood and other body fluids. When the resin has a concentration of at least 26 mg/ml, it provides a >3 log reduction in biological activity of MRSA, MRSE and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

It is provided a method of treatment of a human or animal patient in need thereof to achieve a reduction of the viscosity of mucus of the patient which is carried out by administering a polyglycerol derivative having a linear or dendritic polyglycerol backbone and carrying at least one thiol group covalently bound to the polyglycerol backbone. It is further provided a method of treatment of a human or animal patient suffering from chronic sinusitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, constipation, gastrointestinal malabsorption syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, steatorrhea or diarrhea by administering a polyglycerol derivative. Further specific thiol-functionalized polyglycerol derivatives and a corresponding manufacturing method are provided.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting pathogenic infection and inhibiting growth of pathogens using a conductive polymer material including a conductive component. The conductive component contains poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate), and a molar ratio of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) to poly(styrenesulfonate) in the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) ranges from 1:1 to 1:25.

Disclosed herein are methods for inhibiting pathogenic infection and inhibiting growth of pathogens using a conductive polymer material including a conductive component. The conductive component contains poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate), and a molar ratio of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) to poly(styrenesulfonate) in the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) ranges from 1:1 to 1:25.

Provided are a polymer medicament for treating hyperkalemia, and a preparation method thereof. Specifically, a polymer is provided, and the polymer includes repeating units obtained by polymerizing a monomer and a crosslinking agent. A molar ratio of the monomer to the crosslinking reagent ranges from 1:0.02 to 1:0.20. The monomer includes an acidic group and a pKa-reducing group next to the acidic group. The acidic group is selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acid group (—SO.sub.3—), sulfuric acid group (—OSO.sub.3—), carboxylic group (—CO.sub.2—), phosphonic acid group (—OPO.sub.3.sup.2—), phosphate group (—OPO.sub.3.sup.2—), and sulfamic acid group (—NHSO.sub.3—). The pKa-reducing group is selected from the group consisting of nitro, cyano, carbonyl, trifluoromethyl, and halogen atoms. The crosslinking agent has three or four reaction sites. The polymer can be used to treat hyperkalemia.