Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing plant immunity, health, growth and yields using a combination of microbes and/or their growth by-products. Specifically, the subject invention enhances plant health, growth and/or yields using a combination of a Trichoderma spp. fungus and a Bacillus spp. bacterium. Specifically, in one embodiment, the subject invention utilizes Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Abstract: A device for evaporating volatile substances including a solid body impregnated with volatile substances and a support for the solid body. The solid body includes a protrusion defining on the inside thereof a housing and the solid body includes a hole, inside of which the protrusion is placed, such that the device further includes a container to house a liquid which impregnates the solid body with volatile substances. The device allows the solid body to be correctly held in the support during the entire useful life thereof. Furthermore, due to the presence of the container with liquid, the user may know if the device is still evaporating the volatile substances correctly or if it must be replaced.

Abstract: The invention provides composite materials that form a biocompatible and bioresorbable settable ceramic-forming composition, and that possesses high strength when set and other desirable mechanical properties. The composite materials may include additive materials that provide beneficial advantages in the handling and physical properties of the material. When a hydrated precursor, the composite material is capable of being injected through cannulas for placement in treatment sites. The composite material provided desirable handling properties and sets in a clinically relevant time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides hyaluronic acid derivatives into which a certain cationic group and a certain hydrophobic group are introduced, the hyaluronic acid derivatives including one or more repeating units represented by the formula (Ia) and one or more repeating units represented by the formula (Ib).

Abstract: A composition includes one or more monomeric units having a structure of Formula (I). The one or more monomeric units in the composition can encapsulate a hydrophobic material. Further, the invention provides a method of preparing said composition. The present invention also provides a method of killing or controlling the growth of microorganisms by contacting the microorganisms with said composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of lubricating biological tissue, such as joints, bone, ocular tissue, nasal tissue, tendons, tendon capsule, and vaginal tissue, by contacting the biological tissue with an effective amount of a block copolymer lubricating composition which functions at least or better than lubricin. In particular embodiments, the method is used to treat osteoarthritis. In specific embodiments, the block copolymer has an ammonium-containing polymer block and a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block, or the copolymer has a carboxylic acid-containing polymer block and a non-acid non-ionic hydrophilic polymer block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic process for treating keratin fibres, preferably human keratin fibres such as the hair, in particular for conditioning keratin fibres, using a combination of at least two different compositions, the first composition comprising one or more oxyalkylenated and preferably oxyethylenated silicones and one or more first cationic surfactants, and less than 10% by weight of water relative to the total weight of the composition, and the second composition comprising water and one or more second cationic surfactants. The invention also relates to a kit comprising the two compositions. Finally, the invention relates to a ready-to-use cosmetic composition for treating keratin fibres.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agent for shaping or altering the shape of hair, such as by straightening or relaxing hair, the agent comprising: A. a hair treatment composition containing an alkaline material selected from a hydroxide-containing compound and a carbonate compound; a cationic polymer selected from a quaternary diammonium polycondensate; an amphoteric polymer selected from a quaternary ammonium compound; an organic solvent, and water; and optionally, B. an activator component; wherein the pH of the composition is equal to or greater than 12 and wherein the weight ratio of (b) to (c) ranges from about 1 up to about 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemically initiated bioadhesive compositions comprising biocompatible polymers containing derivatives of diazonium, arylsulfonium, or diaryliodonium in general, and to their use in tissue fixation, in particular.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing method of a self-reinforced starch-based multifunctional material, and belongs to the technical field of starch deep processing. The processing method takes bulk starch as a base material, including the following steps: firstly reacting starch nanoparticles with an organic acid anhydride reagent and adding a bacteriostatic agent to prepare composite nanoparticles, then mixing the composite nanoparticles with the bulk starch, an etherifying agent, a crosslinking agent, a plasticizer and the like, and finally preparing a starch-based multifunctional material by dry extrusion modification combined with a starch-based nanoparticle assembly and reinforcement technology. The method of the disclosure is simple and convenient in step, mild and controllable in reaction, and continuous and green in production.

Abstract: Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.

Abstract: This invention teaches a system and a method to control the dispensing of swallow able medicine at the desired flow rate and in the desired location of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Abstract: Hydration mediums, assemblies containing hydration mediums and methods of making the same are disclosed. The hydration mediums are intended for hydrating or wetting a medical device such as a catheter and comprise a hydration foam. Furthermore, methods and products involving hydrophilic substances are disclosed e.g. involving mucilage, deep eutectic liquids, antifreeze substances or cryoprotectants, oil or a hydration medium together with water, surfactant, polyol and stabilizer.

Abstract: Ultrasonic welding is performed by passing a first sheet layer, a second sheet layer, and an elastic film interposed therebetween in a stretched state in a machine direction between an anvil roll having a large number of protrusions and an ultrasonic horn. The anvil roll includes a region having the protrusions and in the region. A site, in which welding is performed by one ultrasonic horn, has a portion in which an area rate of the protrusions changes in a roll circumferential direction and a roll length direction. A difference between a maximum value and a minimum value in a change of the area rate of the protrusions in the roll circumferential direction is 4.5% or less, and a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value in a change of the area rate of the protrusions in the roll length direction is 1.5% or less.

Abstract: A solid matrix sustained release ophthalmic formulation for topical delivery of a solid ophthalmic drug to the eye, medical devices, drug cores, drug inserts and drug delivery systems comprising the formulation, methods of manufacturing the formulation, medical devices and their methods thereof for delivering the ophthalmic drug for a treatment period provided herein. The formulation disclosed herein is an admixture of an ophthalmic drug, and a combination of a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and a surfactant, wherein the drug is eluted daily over an extended period of time at therapeutic dose of drug.

Abstract: Neurological implants whose surfaces have been chemically and covalently modified to impart beneficial properties to the neurological implants are described. The neurological implants possess improved biocompatibility compared to a corresponding neurological implant that lacks the chemical modification. Following implantation in a subject, the surface-modified neurological implants induce a lower-foreign body response, compared to a corresponding unmodified product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of silk scaffolds, and in particular, to a silk/pet mix-woven scaffold and a preparation method and use thereof. The silk/PET mix-woven scaffold is formed by weaving silk and PET fibers. Sericin of the silk is removed. The silk and the PET fibers are mixed and knitted. The PET fibers provide reliable fixation in an early stage to maintain the stability of mechanical properties, and the silk degrades gradually in a later stage to promote the growth of new tissues to achieve the integration of the scaffold and the body. When the scaffold is used for artificial tendon/ligament recovery, its overall performance is better than that of pure silk or pure PET fiber scaffolds, and the scaffold has excellent clinical transformation potential.

Abstract: The present application discloses novel hot-melt adhesive formulations, with excellent processability, even in processes at high line-speed and at a relatively low temperature, the formulations suitable for strongly bonding substrates that have openings, holes, voids or pores, both macroscopic and microscopic ones, like perforated plastic films, both with bidimensional or tridimensional structure; fibrous substrates, both woven and non-woven; porous plastic films, and the like, all mentioned substrates being widely used for the manufacturing of absorbent hygienic articles.

Abstract: Provided are the use of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methacrylate) in preparing an embolism material for blood vessels, an embolism material for blood vessels and the use thereof in preparation of drugs. The embolism material for blood vessels comprises poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butyl methacrylate) and a dispersion medium consisting of an electrolyte, a contrast agent, a pH regulator and water. The concentrations of the polymer, electrolyte and contrast agent are respectively 5-30 mg/ml, 0.1-30 mg/ml and 100-350 mg/ml based on iodine. The embolism material for blood vessels is suitable for embolization therapy of tumors in hypervascular and parenchymal visceral organs.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydrogel that can be degraded under physiological conditions. The hydrogel includes at least one backbone moiety and an optional crosslinking moiety, and biodegradable linkers connecting backbone moieties and crosslinking moieties can be degraded by intramolecular cyclization.