Abstract: Plasma fluid removal is needed in a variety of clinical conditions including congestive heart failure and moderate renal insufficiency. In order to avoid the problems inherent in extracorporeal ultrafiltration methods, the present invention removes fluid using an intravascular or intracorporeal dual-lumen catheter. Plasma fluid is driven across a semipermeable membrane, as in an in vivo vascular catheter. Suboptimal intracatheter flow, luminal collapse, erratic high transmembrane flow with nonhomogenous caking and clotting of the external catheter surface are all avoided by inducing pressure gradients across the wall by means of osmotic forces instead of negative pressures induced by hydraulic pumps. Osmotically induced fluid flow would tend to keep the lumena slightly distended and thereby simplify the fluid delivery systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are biocompatible viscoelastic gel slurries formed from a polymeric gel, preferably a hyaluronan or a derivative thereof such as hylan swollen in an aqueous medium and a fluid phase which is an aqueous solution of a polymer which may also but not necessarily be a hyaluronan or derivative thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making such slurries, controlling their rheological properties and the uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are water based, viscoelastic compositions comprising a mixture of high molecular weights hyaluronic acid salts and water soluble poly(ethylene oxides). Also disclosed are cosmetic formulations including said compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are biocompatible viscoelastic gel slurries formed from a polymeric gel, preferably a hyaluronan or a derivative thereof such as hylan swollen in an aqueous medium and a fluid phase which is an aqueous solution of a polymer which may also but not necessarily be a hyaluronan or derivative thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making such slurries, controlling their rheological properties and the uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are biocompatible viscoelastic gel slurries formed from a polymeric gel, preferably a hyaluronan or a derivative thereof such as hylan swollen in an aqueous medium and a fluid phase which is an aqueous solution of a polymer which may also but not necessarily be a hyaluronan or derivative thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making such slurries, controlling their rheological properties and the uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are drug delivery systems based on a polymeric component which is soluble or insoluble (cross-linked) hyaluronan or hyaluronan copolymerized with another hydrophilic polymer or hylan and one or more substances having biological or pharmacological activity and methods of preparing same.

Abstract: Disclosed is hylan, a chemically modified hyaluronan preparation characterized by the presence of small amounts (0.0002-0.05% by weight) of aldehyde cross-linking groups covalently bonded to the hyaluronan molecular chains. Also disclosed is an improved method of obtaining hylan comprising treating hyaluronan in situ in animal tissues containing same with a treatment mixture including an aldehyde which is reactive towards hyaluronic acid and the proteins contained in the animal tissue. Treatment is effected at temperatures below about 16.degree. C. at very high pH, e.g., 8-14 whereby the overall yield is increased while maintaining the high molecular weight of the hylan.

Abstract: Inflamed skin conditions caused by plants belonging to the same genus, namely, Toxicodendron and in particular, poison ivy or poison oak (T. radicans), poison sumac (T. vernix), insect bites and acne, all of which are characterized by the presence of an oily exudate of either external or bodily origin are treated by the topical applications of N-methylpyrrolidone to affected areas of the body. The N-methylpyrrolidone can be applied per se, or in a solution or dispersion thereof in one or more pharmacologically compatible carriers.

Abstract: A process for preparing vegetable or fruit juices which utilizes mcrofiltration followed by ultrafiltration and/or reverse osmosis, which can be practiced e.g., without entailing a reduction in filtration rate due to the contamination of the membrane, so that ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis unit can be smaller than the one conventionally used and can be cleaned with greater ease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for purifying an impure anthracyclinone glycoside by selective adsorption of a slightly acidic aqueous solution of an impure glycoside on at least one resin and subsequent de-absorption of the purified glycoside by elution with acidic water or a mixture of water and a polar solvent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of .alpha.-hydroxyketones ##STR1## having a high purity in a good yield from a compound ##STR2## by rearrangement reaction in aqueous alkaline solution, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 each represent an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and X represents hydroxyl group or a halogen atom.

Abstract: A pressure incubator comprising a control system for supplying oxygen to the culture vessel in the space above the medium therein to hold the interior of the vessel pressurized with oxygen and give an increased oxygen partial pressure, which incubator is useful for incubating cells or aerobic microorganisms in vitro to a high density.

Abstract: Percutaneous emboli are formed for therapeutic and/or corrective reasons by using a composition which includes crosslinked gells of hyaluronic acid (HA), hylan (HY) or mixed crosslinked gels of HA or HY with other materials, thrombin and cationic substances containing quaternary ammonium groups. Other optional materials include fillers and radio-opaque substances.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating plate web girders of the ind comprising two flanges spaced apart by a web. The apparatus comprises a plurality of welding devices each mounted on respective spaced apart guides to follow a respective portion of a welding path defined by the intersection of the web and a flange and an arrangement to move the girder longitudinally relative to the welding devices at a substantially constant rate. The guides bear against the web adjacent the respective welding paths and against the flange to maintain the welding devices at predetermined distances from the web and flange respectively. The apparatus can also include a member to follow the corrugations of a corrugated web and operate limit switching devices when the crests and troughs of each corrugation are encountered. The limit switches operate a modulating motor which adjusts the welding device to maintain the welding angle between the welding path and welding device substantially constant for each point along the path.

Abstract: An analysis method for hop bittering components which comprises a step of separating and analysing hop bittering components by liquid chromatography, characterized by trapping hop bittering components contained in a sample to be measured in a precolumn consisting of an ester type stationary phase for reversed phase chromatography by passing the sample through the precolumn by means of an acidic aqueous solution containing a polar organic solvent, introducing an eluent for reversed phase chromatography capable of eluting the bittering components into the precolumn, and subjecting the eluate to reversed phase liquid chromatography; and an analysis equipment which is suitable for conducting the above method.

Abstract: Disclosed is hylan, a chemically modified hyaluronic acid preparation characterized by the presence of small amounts (0.005-0.05% by weight) of aldehyde cross-linking groups covalently bonded to the hyaluronic acid molecular chains. Also disclosed is a method of obtaining hylan comprising treating hyaluronic acid in situ in animal tissues containing same with a treatment mixture including a reagent (typically an aldehyde) which is reactive towards hyaluronic acid and the proteins contained in the animal tissue.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of glycosides such as methyl glucoside, butyl glucoside or the like in which a mono- or poly-saccharide is reacted with a mono- or polyhydric alcohol in the presence of a perfluorosulfonic acid resin as the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are cross-linked gels of hyaluronic acid, alone or mixed with other hydrophilic polymers and containing various substances or covalently bonded low molecular weight substances and processes for preparing them. These products are useful in numerous applications including cosmetic formulations and as drug delivery systems.