Abstract: Disclosed are hair spray compositions containing non-ionic cellulosic ethers in a solvent base containing water and volatile organic solvent wherein the level of volatile organic solvent in the composition is about 80% or less, and wherein the non-ionic cellulose ether is characterized by a solution viscosity of less than about 50 cps at 25.degree. C. for an aqueous solution containing 3 wt. % solids and 55 wt. % ethanol. The preferred non-ionic cellulosic ether is methylhydroxypropyl cellulose.

Abstract: A ready to eat, nonfried food made up of a cooked and hydrated carbohydrate core, and a cation crosslinked polysaccharide coating which substantially reduces the core's glycemic response.

Abstract: A process for using paper in high speed converting or reprographics operations, comprising the steps of providing paper sized under alkaline conditions with alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) and 2-oxetanone that is not solid at 35.degree. C., and using the paper in high speed converting or reprographic operations. A process for making paper under alkaline conditions comprising the steps of providing sizing agent comprising alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) and 2-oxetanone that is not solid at 35.degree. C., and sizing the paper with the sizing agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are air treatment gel compositions comprising in an aqueous medium, at least one volatile air treatment agent and a polymeric gelling agent consisting essentially of seaweed gum, guar or guar derivatives and, optionally, non-sulfated water-soluble polymer, wherein the bulk density of the composition is greater than about 0.9.

Abstract: This invention relates to paper coating compositions comprising pigment, adhesive binder and rheology modifier wherein the rheology modifier comprises at least one of a) a mixture of guar and at least one other water-soluble polymer in sufficient amount to reduce the amount of guar adsorbed onto the pigment, or b) reduced molecular weight guar. The invention also relates to processes for making coated paper using the coating compositions, and to paper coated with the coating compositions.

Abstract: A method for preparing a medical device having the steps: (1) treating an ionically crosslinked hydrogel to strip a substantial amount of the ionic crosslinks while retaining the hydrogel in a desired shape; and (2) ionically re-crosslinking the treated hydrogel of step (1) while retaining the hydrogel in the desired shape. In an exemplary embodiment, a ureteral stent is made by mounting a length of extruded calcium or barium alginate tubing onto a shaping jig and performing secondary shaping to form coil-shaped ends by soaking the mounted robing in a stirred potassium chloride bath, and then soaking it in a calcium chloride bath. The ends readily return after elastic deformation to their coil shapes, with the stent having a permanent memory imposed by the secondary shaping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing radiopacity to a medical device comprising incorporating in said medical device metal-cation salt of anionic polymer, wherein the metal has atomic weight greater than about 40; radiopaque medical devices comprising the essentially water-insoluble metal-cation salts of anionic polymers; and a method for carrying out x-ray diagnostic procedures comprising administering to a subject a contrast agent comprised of the essentially water-insoluble metal-cation salts of anionic polymer.

Abstract: Resinous compositions comprising lignin and polymerized rosin. Use of salts of the resinous compositions as concrete air-entraining agents and asphalt emulsifiers.

Abstract: Acidic polysaccharides crosslinked by reaction with di- or polyanhydrides. The use of anhydride-crosslinked hyaluronic acid as a treatment for arthritis, as a drug delivery vehicle, to reduce the incidence of post-operative adhesion formation, to promote the healing of chronic wounds and ulcers, and as a component of cosmetic formulations.

Abstract: Resinous compositions comprising lignin and polymerized rosin. Use of salts of the resinous compositions as concrete air-entraining agents and asphalt emulsifiers.

Abstract: Elastically deformable medical devices, such as stents, having improved speed and degree of shape recovery are made by treating shaped hydrogels containing a polymer with a solution containing at least one elasticity agent, which may be nonionic or ionic. For example, polysaccharide-based hydrogels, such as barium alginate, are formed into tubing, shaped into pigtail stents, and exposed to an aqueous solution containing an elasticity agent such as potassium ions, sodium ions, sorbitol, glucose, citric acid, mannitol, dulcitol, or glycerol. The solution may also contain a crosslinking agent, such as calcium ions, to achieve the desired degree of elasticity.

Abstract: A composition for creping fibrous webs comprises (1) a polyamine/epihalohydrin resin creping adhesive, and (2) a creping release agent that is a plasticizer for the polyamine/epihalohydrin resin and has a swelling ratio of at least 0.10 and a solubility parameter >20 MPa.sup.1/2. Also disclosed is a process for creping fibrous webs in which the creping adhesive and the release agent can be applied together or separately to a drying surface for the fibrous web.

Abstract: Resinous compositions comprising lignin and polymerized rosin. Use of salts of the resinous compositions as concrete air-entraining agents and asphalt emulsifiers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making medical devices, especially stents, catheters, cannulas, plugs and constrictors, by treatment of ionically crosslinkable polymer compositions with crosslinking ions.

Abstract: Grafted polysaccharide compositions comprising polysaccharides grafted with antioxidants on at least one hydroxyl group of the polysaccharide. The use of antioxidant grafted polysaccharides or antioxidant grafted crosslinked polysaccharides as a treatment for arthritis, as a drug delivery vehicle, to reduce the incidence of post-operative adhesion formation, to promote the healing of chronic wounds and ulcers, and as a component of cosmetic formulations.

Abstract: Liquid and pathogen impermeable island wound dressing which can be adhesively bonded to the skin surrounding a wound is provided with a liquid and gas permeable exudate absorbing pad, and a plurality of sequentially removable liquid and microorganism impermeable, gas and moisture vapor permeable cover sheets disposed adjacent to and covering the pad.

Abstract: A system is provided for producing a three dimensional object from a reactive liquid medium capable of being solidified. The object is constructed from many successive layers of the solidified reactive liquid medium when subjected to appropriate synergistic stimulation. A reservoir contains both the reactive liquid medium and an underlying supporting, substantially immiscible, non-reactive liquid medium. To begin forming the object, a platform within the reservoir is initially positioned at a depth equal to the thickness of a first layer to be solidified, and continues to support the object being constructed. The synergistic source radiates toward the reactive liquid medium and imaging apparatus defining a three dimensional object of required configuration selectively controls the size and shape of that part of a new two dimensional layer to be solidified. At least part of the new layer is solidified, after which a further layer is applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides shaped medical devices adapted for implant and subsequent in-vivo disintegration within a human or animal body. In one embodiment, the medical device is fabricated from a matrix polymer component, e.g., a lactam, which has a ceiling temperature (Tc) within the range of from about 40.degree. C. to about 76.degree. C. Decomposition of this device is accomplished by heating the device in-vivo to a temperature at or above the ceiling temperature of the matrix polymer component. In another embodiment, the medical device is fabricated from an end-capped polyoxyalkylene matrix polymer component characterized by a depolymerization temperature of at least about 40.degree. C. and a ceiling temperature of 76.degree. C. or less after removal of the end-cap group. In a third embodiment of the invention the medical device comprises a matrix polymer which is insoluble or only slightly soluble in normal body fluids and which exhibits a Tc below 40.degree. C.

Abstract: An island wound dressing comprising a fenestrated base layer, an absorbent pad positioned in the base layer fenestration, and a liquid and microorganism impermeable, gas and moisture vapor permeable cover sheet.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of altering the water content of a hydrogel comprising treatment of said hydrogel with a liquid dehydrating composition. There is further provided a method of altering the water content of a hydrogel-containing medical device. The medical devices of the present invention comprise a hydrogel having a water level ex vivo lower than the thermodynamic equilibrium water level when in vivo. These medical devices comprise a hydrogel contacted with a liquid dehydrating agent, wherein said medical device has a lower water level ex vivo than the thermodynamic equilibrium water level when the medical device is in vivo.