The vast array of libraries in the world bear mute witness to the truth of the 3000-year-old observation of King Solomon who stated " ... of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh." Yet books are an essential written record of our lives and the progress of science and humanity. Here is another book to add to this huge collection, but, hopefully, not just another collection of pages, but rather a book with a specific purpose to aid in alleviating the "weariness of the flesh" that could arise from much studying of other journals and books in order to obtain the basic information contained herein. This book is about polymeric materials and biological activity, as the title notes. Polymeric materials, in the broad view taken here, would include not only synthetic polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, polyamides, etc.), but also the natural macromolecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides) which compose natural tissues in humans, animals and plants. In the broad sense used here, biological activity is any type of such action whether it be in medication, pest control, plant-growth regu­ lation, and so on. In short, this book attempts to consider, briefly, the use of any type of polymeric material system with essentially any kind of biological activity.

Bioactive Polymeric Systems: An Overview.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Bioactive Polymeric Systems.- 2.1. What Is Bioactivity?.- 2.2. What Are Bioactive Polymeric Systems?.- 3. Classes of Bioactive Polymeric Systems.- 4. Polymeric Controlled-Release Systems.- 4.1. Erodible Systems.- 4.2. Diffusion-Controlled Systems.- 4.3. Mechanical Devices.- 4.4. Microcapsules.- 5. Biologically Active Polymers.- 5.1. Natural Polymers.- 5.2. Synthetic Polypeptides.- 5.3. Pseudoenzymes.- 5.4. Pseudonucleic Acids.- 5.5. Polymeric Drugs.- 6. Immobilized Bioactive Materials.- 6.1. Immobilized Enzymes.- 6.2. Other Immobilized Bioagents.- 7. Examples of Bioactive Polymeric Systems.- 7.1. Many Uses for Any System.- 7.2. Many Solutions for Any Problem.- 8. Summary.- 9. References.- 2. Biocompatibility of Bioactive Polymeric Systems.- 1. Types of Bioactive Polymeric Systems.- 2. Biocompatibility -General Considerations.- 3. Primary Acute Toxicity Screening.- 4. Tissue-Interaction Studies.- 5. Summary.- 6. References.- 3. Controlled-Release Pesticides: A Historical Summary and State of the Art.- Abstract.- 1. Antifouling.- 1.1. Toxic Paints.- 1.2. Organotin Antifoulants.- 1.3. Antifouling Rubber.- 1.4. Extension of the Concept.- 1.5. Further Developments in Antifouling Paint Technology.- 1.6. Mixed-Agent Paints.- 1.7. Notes on Antifouling Paint Technology.- 1.8. Organometallic Polymers.- 2. Molluscicidal Elastomers.- 2.1. Snail-Borne Parasitic Disease.- 2.2. Controlled-Release Organotin Molluscicides.- 2.3. Technology Based upon Organotin/Elastomer Development.- 2.4. Organotin Properties: Toxicology and Chemodynamics.- 2.5. Controlled-Release Cercariacides.- 2.6. Other Controlled-Release Molluscicides.- 2.7. Controlled-Release Copper Sulfate Elastomers.- 2.8. Critique.- 2.9. Bait Molluscicides.- 3. Controlled-Release Insecticidal Elastomers.- 4. Bactericidal and Fungicidal Elastomers.- 5. Herbicidal Elastomeric Formulations.- 6. Controlled-Release Thermoplastic Systems: An Overview.- 7. Early Concepts.- 8. Carrier Systems: Insecticides.- 8.1. Insecticidal Strip.- 8.2. Flea Collars.- 8.3. Insecticidal Roach Tape and Related Inventions.- 9. Insecticidal and Molluscicidal Monoliths.- 9.1. The Porosigen Concept and Controlled Release.- 10. Thermoplastic Aquatic Herbicide Systems.- 11. Controlled Release through Pendent Substitution.- 12. Controlled-Release Juvenile Hormones.- 13. Monoliths in Agriculture.- 14. Agricultural Uses of Porosigen-Containing Monoliths.- 15. Microencapsulation.- 16. Pendent Systems in Agriculture.- 17. Pheromones in Agriculture.- 18. Insecticidal Carrier Systems.- 19. Other Release Systems.- References.- 4. Controlled Release of Antifertility Agents.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Injectables.- 2.1. Suspensions.- 2.2. Biodegradable Microspheres.- 2.3. Polymer-Steroid Complexes.- 3. Subdermal Implants.- 3.1. Nonbiodegradable Implants.- 3.2. Biodegradable Implants.- 4. IUDs.- 4.1. Nonmedicated IUDs.- 4.2. Copper-Bearing IUDs.- 4.3. Steroid-Releasing IUDs.- 5. Intravaginal Devices.- 6. Intracervical Devices.- 7. Oral Contraceptives.- 8. Topical Application.- 9. Intranasal Applications.- 10. Transcervical Device.- 11. Immunological Response.- References.- 5. Controlled Release and Plant-Growth Regulators.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Plant-Growth Regulators.- 2.1. Auxins.- 2.2. Gibberellins.- 2.3. Cytokinins.- 2.4. Inhibitors.- 2.5. Ethylene Gas.- 3. The ControUed-Release Concept.- 3.1. Physical Methods.- 3.2. Chemical Methods.- 4. The Present State of the Art of Controlled-Release Plant-Growth Regulators.- 5. The Future.- 5.1. Long-life Crops.- 5.2. Seasonal Crops.- 5.3. Environmental Vigor.- 5.4. Improving Herbicide and Fertilizer Efficiency.- 5.5. Promotion of Early Germination.- 5.6. Protection from Degradation.- 6. Conclusions.- References.- 6. Hydrogels for Controlled Drug Release.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Reservoir Devices.- 3. Monolithic Devices (Dissolved Systems).- 4. Monolithic Devices (Drug-Dispersed Systems).- 5. Monolithic Devices with Barrier Layer.- 6. Novel Drug Delivery Systems.- References.- 7. Biodegradable Drug Delivery Systems Based on Polypeptides.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. Historical Background.- 1.2. Advantages and Disadvantages.- 1.3. Chemical Types.- 2. Poly (?-Amino Acids).- 3. Synthesis of Poly (?-Amino Acids) and Drug Conjugates.- 3.1. Polymer Backbone.- 3.2. Attachment of Norethindrone onto Poly (L-Glutamic Acid).- 3.3. Attachment of Spacer Groups onto Poly (L-Glutamic Acid).- 3.4. Attachment of Bioactive Steroids onto Spacer Groups.- 3.5. Other Polymer/Drug Conjugates Based on Poly(Hydroxyalkylglutamines).- 3.6. Copolymerization of L-Glutamic Acid and l-Valine.- 3.7. Copolymer/Drug Conjugates.- 4. Dosage-Form Formulation and Drug Release.- 4.1. Dosage Forms.- 4.2. In vitro Drug Release.- 4.3. In vivo Drug Release.- 5. Toxicity Studies.- 6. Other Biodegradable Polymer/Drug Conjugates.- 7. Drug Targeting.- 8. Conclusions.- References.- 8. Controlled-Release Animal Repellents in Forestry.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. Animal Damage in Forestry.- 1.2. Repellent Systems.- 2. Selenium as a Timed-Release Systemic Repellent.- 2.1. Biochemistry of Selenium.- 2.2. Formation of Timed-Release Browse Deterrents.- 3. Characterizing the Performance of Controlled-Release Animal Repellents.- 3.1. Nature of the Problem.- 3.2. Mathematical Analysis.- 4. Future Impact of Bioactive Polymers in Forestry.- 4.1. Animal Repellents.- 4.2. Other Applications.- References.- 9. Affinity Chromatography.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Constituents of the Ideal Affinity Adsorbent.- 2.1. The Matrix.- 2.2. The Spacer Molecule.- 2.3. The Ligand.- 3. The Synthesis of Affinity Adsorbents.- 4. The Chromatographic Properties of Affinity Adsorbents.- 4.1. Adsorption of Complementary Biomolecules.- 4.2. Bioselective Elution.- 5. Applications of Affinity Chromatography.- 5.1. Protein Purification.- 5.2. Purification of Supramolecular Structures.- 5.3. Isoenzyme Resolution.- 5.4. Removal of Contaminants.- 5.5. Resolution of Mutant Proteins.- 5.6. Concentration of Dilute Solutions.- 5.7. Resolution of Chemically Modified Staphylococcal Nuclease from Native Proteins.- 5.8. Estimation of Dissociation Constants.- 5.9. Studies on Enzyme Kinetic Mechanisms.- 5.10. Clinical Applications.- 6. High-Performance Liquid Affinity Chromatography (HPLAC).- 7. Conclusions.- References.- 10. Application of Radiation Grafting in Reagent Insolubilization.- Abstract.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Principle of Radiation Grafting Insolubilization Method.- 3. Radiation Grafting Procedures.- 3.1. Pre-Irradiation Tec…