Abstract: Suspensions of either echogenic or magnetic particles in aqueous bioadhesive carriers effectively improve imaging by echography, respectively NMRI, of the digestive tract. Affinity of the compositions for the gastric mucosa can be adapted to the needs by appropriately selecting the carrier in function to inherent bioadhesive capacity: this technique leads to improved visualization of selected portions of the lumen.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Injectable aqueous composition intended for opacifying certain organs with a view to examination by X-rays. This composition is based on liposomes containing, encapsulated thereein, an aqueous solution of an iodinated opacifying agent. The ratio between the weight of iodine encapsulated by the liposomes and the weight of the lipids from which their membrane is formed is not lower than 1.5 mg/mg.

Abstract: Liposome vesicles are prepared containing water or very dilute solutions encapsulated therein. These "empty" liposomes are suspended in a carrier liquid containing, dispersed therein, substances of interest to be loaded into the vesicles and incubated for a period of time at temperatures above the lipids transition temperature, whereby loading by transmembrane permeation occurs in high yields.

Abstract: Method of making an ingestible composition useful as a contrast enhancing agent in ultrasonic imaging of the digestive tract of humans and animals, wherein the composition has microballoons as contrast enhancing particles bound to an organic carrier phase, which when hydrated has an adhesive affinity for the gastrointestinal mucosa.Method includes grafting a silane coupler having at least two reactive functions to the microballoons through one of the reactive functions and binding the grafted microballoons to the carrier phase through another reactive function.

Abstract: Injectable aqueous composition intended for opacifying certain organs with a view to examination by X-rays. This composition is based on liposomes containing, encapsulated therein, an aqueous solution of an iodinated opacifying agent. The ratio between the weight of iodine encapsulated by the liposomes and the weight of the lipids from which their membrane is formed is not lower than 1.5 mg/mg.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid-absorbing products, in particular blood and urine. It concerns a salified acrylic allyloligosaccharide copolymer consisting in chemically combined form of at least one allyloligosaccharide with a mean degree of substitution of less than 4 per molecule and of at least one acrylic derivative with partly or totally salified carboxyl functions, said copolymer having a degree of retention, after 30 minutes in water salinated at 10 g/liter, exceeding 8 g of saline water per gram of copolymer.Preferably the allyloligosaccharide is allylsaccharose with DS 2 and the acrylic derivative is acrylic acid.The invention applies to using these polymers as additives to improve the absorption of absorbing materials used in personal hygiene.

Abstract: A method for delignifying ligno-cellulosic materials and efficiently separate from each other the constituents thereof. Said materials are heated in an aqueous acid medium in the presence of phenol compounds. Then the reaction medium is drained and washed for isolating the purified solid cellulose pulp, the liquid phase separating into two layers: an aqueous layer rich with pentoses and an organic layer rich with phenols and lignin, the latter providing, by distillation and pyrolysis of the residue, a quantity of phenols at least equal to that of the phenols used in the delignification stage.

Abstract: This washing machine is provided with an electro chemical cell (4) having a brine tank (9) provided with a metering piston (16a, b 16b) actuated by an electro magnet (21) and connected by an electro valve (14) controlling a connection conduit (3) to a water supply conduit (1). The inlet opening of such connection conduit into the cell (4) is controlled by a float valve (11). The electro valve is a two-way valve (14, 14a) and controls simultaneously the outlet conduit (13) which opens into the washing tub of the washing machine. The power supply of the cell (4) is controlled by the program selector (8) of the machine.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A fragmented material is dissolved continuously by impregnation and immersion into a solvent bath in which said material is subjected to a moderate mixing movement allowing it to be kept within the interior of said bath to undergo dissolution therein until formation of fine residual particles of insoluble material which are maintained in suspension by this movement, the whole being removed continuously by a controlled overflow of the bath. This process is applied to cellulose contained in various lignocellulosic materials, which is dissolved continuously by immersion of the previously impregnated material into a bath of hydrochloric acid through which hydrogen chloride gas is caused to bubble, to effect complete dissolution of the cellulose and suspension of the fine insoluble residual lignin particles.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of lactosylurea and the N-methylol derivative thereof which are usable as feed supplements for ruminants.According to this process, lactose and urea are heated to 70.degree.-110.degree. C. with a minimum of water and, if possible, this water is eliminated during the reaction. The crude reaction product can be purified by grinding with ice-water or ethanol and subsequent draining so as to eliminate by dissolution in such solvants the unreacted urea.The corresponding N-methylol derivative is obtained by the reaction with formaldehyde.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: Continuous hydrolysis to produce sugars is effected by cyclically immersing a solid, divided lignocellulosic material in a bath of concentrated hydrochloric acid and draining the material between successive immersions so as to dissolve the produced sugars, until the sugar concentration of the acid in the bath has attained a desired value.The solid material and the liquid acid are delivered to a tubular horizontal rotary reactor arranged to provide a bath of the acid, to produce a rotating movement for cyclical immersion of the solid material in the bath of acid and longitudinally displace the solid material undergoing hydrolysis together with the acid of the bath and to continuously discharge solid residue and acid containing dissolved sugars due to overflow by gravity at an outlet end of the reactor.

Abstract: A detergent composition mainly for automatic laundering machines which comprises, on the basis of 100 parts by weight of total composition, at least 60 parts of soap and no more than 10 parts of a mixture of surfactants comprising 10 to 30% of at least one non-ionic polyoxyalkylated surfactant and 90 to 70% of an anionic surfactant selected essentially from .alpha.-sulfonated fatty acids derivatives, the remainder of the composition comprising at least one ingredient selected from alkaline detergent additives, bleaching agents, optical brighteners, fragrances, antiredeposition agents and enzymes.The non-ionic surfactants are preferably fatty acid amides derived from tallow, copra or palm-oil condensed with polyoxyethylene residues.The anionic surfactants are preferably .alpha.-sulfonated fatty esters or amides derived from tallow, copra or palm-oil.