Abstract: The present invention provides a number of screening methods for evaluating compounds capable of suppressing cytokine production either in vitro or in vivo. The methods generally involve stimulating the production of a cytokine in a cell, exposing a portion of the cells to a putative cytokine modulating agent and determining subsequent levels of cytokine production in the cells. Additionally, the present invention provides certain compounds identified by this method.

Abstract: A fuel additive for use in the treatment of liquid hydrocarbon fuels to reduce polluting emissions during the combustion of such fuels wherein the additive composition is formulated to contain mineral seal oil, mineral spirits, a glycol alkyl ether and at least one alkyl aromatic ethoxylated surfactant. It has been found that the fuel additive composition of the invention can be blended with such fuels to dramatically reduce emissions during the combustion of such fuels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wood-protecting agent, particularly for the protection of wood against dry-wood destroying insects, which comprises a wood preservative carrier and (I) the combination of at least one insect juvenile hormone or their analogue or mimetics selected from the group consisting of fenoxycarb, pyriproxyphene, kinoprene, methoprene and hydroprene with an ecdysone agonist selected from the group consisting of tebufenozide, halofenozide, tebufenozide analogue, azadirachtin and azadiractanin, each in a concentration of 0.5 to 0.00005% by weight, related to the entire formulation, and optionally, (ii) one or more triazole compounds to achieve a synergistic increase in effectiveness of said formulation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buprenorphine percutaneous absorption preparation comprising a backing having formed on one side thereof a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing at least one of buprenorphine and a salt thereof, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contains an acrylic copolymer and crosslinked acrylic copolymer particles. The buprenorphine percutaneous absorption preparation has excellent pressure-sensitive adhesive characteristics and exerts excellent percutaneous absorption property.

Abstract: The self-supporting sheet-like material of cross linked fibrin has a regular pore size. It is used as a bio-mechanical barrier for the treatment of internal traumatic lesions, in particular for the prevention of adhesion formation as a post-operative complication. In the course of this it can be used either alone or in combination with a fibrin glue acting as a haemostatic agent. Since the material in terms of its composition and general structure is similar to endogenous products, it has, inter alia, an excellent bio-compatibility, bio-degradability and bio-resorbability.

Abstract: An aqueous iminocarboxylic acid salt solution composition the iminocarboxylic acid salt of which has a structure of the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and Y is a sodium atom, a potassium atom, or an ammonium group, contains an aspartic acid backbone moiety whose molar ratio of the isomers, i.e. D form/L form, is in the range of 1/0 to 0.7/0.3 or D form/L form, in the range of 0/1 to 0.3/0.7, and accounts for a concentration in the range of 40 to 70% by weight and a method for handling the composition while keeping the pH value thereof kept in the range of 7 to 12.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a stabilized biocidal composition which comprises a mixture of at least one halopropynyl compound, and particularly a halopropynyl carbamate fungicide such as IPBC, a UV absorber and an organic epoxide.

Abstract: A dressing comprising a body facing layer of a thermoplastic adhesive and a carrier film and an absorbent material, the dressing having in itself an outwardly facing convex surface and an inwardly facing concave surface, wherein the dressing comprises a first area facing the wound or skin, the area having essentially three-dimensional geometry and optionally a second area, the first area preferably comprising a hydrocolloid adhesive and a carrier film, and the second area essentially showing adhesive properties and preferably comprising a carrier film and a hydrocolloid adhesive and wherein the adhesive in one or both areas is optionally covered by one or more layers to be removed before use.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention is directed to compositions and compounds to minimize hydrogen charging and hydrogen induced cracking of steels comprising, in one embodiment, a propylene diamine compound and in another a carrier and propylene diamines. Preferably, the composition of that embodiment is comprised of a hydrocarbon carrier and 1,3 propylene diamines. Alternatively, compositions of the present invention may be comprised of a carrier and octadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. In addition, where the environment dictates, the composition of the present invention may be comprised of a carrier, at least one 1,3 propylene diamine and octadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.

Abstract: Disclosed are grease compositions containing a liquid fluorinated polymer and a thickening agent containing hexagonal lattice boron nitride powder having a bimodal particle size distribution as well as grease compositions containing a liquid fluorinated polymer and a thickening agent containing hexagonal lattice boron nitride powder and a solid fluorinated polymer.

Abstract: Alkyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranoside uronic acids, and their pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salts, and their use as surface-active and/or interfacially active active compounds, in particular as detergent surfactants or emulsifiers.

Abstract: A carboxylic composition comprising a mixture of hydrocarbon substituted carboxylic acylating agents, said mixture comprising (A) a polyolefin substituted carboxylic acylating agent prepared by reacting a polyolefin with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic reactant; and (B) a terpolymer substituted carboxylic acylating agent prepared by reacting a terpolymer with at least one carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R.sup.3 C(O)(R.sup.4).sub.n C(O)OR.sup.5 (IV) wherein each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.

Abstract: New compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation and/or growth of gas hydrates are described. The compositions are generally polyether ammonium compounds of the formula:[R'R'R"N--(CHRCH.sub.2 (OCH.sub.2 CHR).sub.n NR'--).sub.m R'].sup.+ [X].sup.-where R=H or CH.sub.3 ;R'=H or C.sub.a H.sub.2a+1, where a=1 to 4;R"=C.sub.b H.sub.2b+1, where b=4 to 20;m=1 to 4;and n=2 to 6.The anion [X].sup.- may be freely substituted. Methods for inhibiting the formation and/or growth of gas hydrates involve treating fluid mixtures with the polyether ammonium compounds described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemically active fire suppression composition, comprising a propellant comprising a fuel and an oxidizer, the propellant capable of generating inert gas; and an environmentally innocuous chemical fire suppressant capable of generating fire suppressive reactive species. The combination of physically acting fire suppression agents and chemically acting, environmentally innocuous fire suppression agents results in a highly effective, environmentally innocuous fire extinguishing composition that has low ozone depletion potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP), and high suppression efficiency.

Abstract: A high molecular weight drug is transdermally administered by applying a polymer skin enhancer and a drug active to the skin of the patient. The drug active has a molecular weight of above 50 daltons and takes at least 15% by weight of the system. The drug may be encapsulated or the drug solution may be partly encapsulated and partly free. The skin enhancer is polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and it is mixed at between 7 and 35% of the drug. A gelling agent may be optionally added at up to 20% by volume. The chemical system is preferably administered via a multidose transdermal drug patch assembly which includes a drug-impervious support impressed to form a series of compartments. Each compartment is a reservoir for a unit dose of a drug active to be transdermally administered. The support is adhesively secured to the skin of a patient. Individual devices are provided for resealably enclosing the drug active in each of the reservoirs.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparation of amine functionalized copolymers by reacting copolymers of alkyl methacrylate and maleic anhydride with N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine in mineral oil and inert atmosphere at 40 to 75.degree. C. The copolymers are useful viscosity index improvers when incorporated into lubricating oils.

Abstract: Synergistic composition and method of use are disclosed. The compositions comprise a quinone methide derivative and a hydroxylamine compound. These compositions demonstrate synergism at inhibiting the polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer. Preferably the quinone methide derivative is 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-benzylidene-cyclo-2,5-dienone and the hydroxylamine compound is N,N-bis(hydroxypropyl)hydroxylamine.

Abstract: A foil-shaped wound covering material based on collagen fibres, its laminates and a process for preparing the same are disclosed. The wound covering material essentially consists of insoluble, partially modified collagen characterized by the following parameters: 0.18 to 0.40 mmol/g amidated nitrogen; less than 5 .mu.mol/g glucosamine and less than 5 .mu.mol/g galactosamine; shrinking temperature from 45 to 60.degree. C.; isoelectric point from 4.3 to 60.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for treating acidic crudes of fractions thereof to reduce or eliminate their acidity and corrosivity by addition of suitable amounts of Group IA of Group IIA oxides, hydroxides and hydrates. The process has the additional benefits of reducing materials handling problems associated with treating acidic crude oils using liquid solvents and in reducing emulsion formation.

Abstract: Hot-melt silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions containing organic waxes, methods of using the compositions and devices made using the compositions are disclosed. The hot-melt silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions include a mixture of (i) a silicate resin, (ii) a silicone fluid, and (iii) an organic wax having a melting point of between 30.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. The organic wax decreases dynamic viscosity of the adhesive at temperatures equal to or below about 200.degree. C.