Abstract: The invention provides wound dressings comprising an absorbent (porous) hydrogel composition comprising a foam portion which comprises a flexible plasticized hydrophilic polymer matrix having an internal cellular structure, and a continuous portion which comprises a flexible plasticized hydrophilic polymer matrix having relatively continuous internal structure. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition includes apertures providing fluid flow communication through the continuous portion between an external surface of the continuous portion and the foam portion whereby the foam portion can take up external water or other fluid into the cellular structure through the apertures of the continuous portion. The continuous portion of the hydrogel composition may be tacky to the skin, allowing its use as a bioadhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing metal ions, particularly sodium, potassium and/or aluminum ions, from the thin outermost layer of items of glass or ceramic materials with enrichment by silicon dioxide, the items being subjected for a pre-specified time to a plasma - low-pressure plasma or corona discharge-induced plasma - , hydrogen, nitrogen or a noble gas being used as discharge gas.