Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of using glucan compositions, comprising water insoluble microparticulate glucans, in the treatment of connective tissue injuries. The water insoluble microparticulate glucans used in the compositions comprise branched ?-(1,3)(1,6) glucan. The glucan compositions used in the present invention are essentially free of unbranched ?-(1,3)(1,6) glucan and non-glucan components.

Abstract: A free-flowing, hydrophobic starch composition has a near-neutral dry product pH. Methods for making the hydrophobic starch composition by preparing an aqueous mixture comprising a starch, a siliconate, and an acid, where the aqueous mixture has a near-neutral pH, and drying the starch solids to obtain a hydrophobic starch. Novel fuel compositions comprise hydrophobic starch which can be used in internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines. Hydrophobic starch compositions may be used as fuels or fuel components. Novel methods of fueling and operating internal combustion engines use hydrophobic starch as fuel or fuel components.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of preparations of the plant Curcuma longa or other curcumin-containing plants, curcumin or curcumin derivatives for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of conditions associated with excessive formation of leucotrienes and/or prostaglandins and to the use of preparations of the plant Curcuma longa or other curcumin-containing plants, curcumin or curcumin derivatives for the production of medicaments for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of conditions associated with excessive formation of leucotrienes and/or prostaglandins.

Abstract: Disclosed are a glycosidation catalyst comprising at least one of heteropoly acids represented by the formulaH.sub.a X.sub.p M.sub.q O.sub.r .multidot.bH.sub.2 Owherein X is P, As, Si or Ge, M is at least one species selected from the group consisting of Mo, W and V, a is 3 4 or 6, b is an integer of 0 to 30, p is 1 or 2, q is 12 or 18, and r is 40 or 62, with the proviso that when X is P or As, a is 3 or 6; when X is Si or Ge, a is 4; and further (1) when X is P or As and a is 3, or when X is Si or Ge and a is 4, M is at least one species selected from the group consisting of Mo, W and V, p is 1, q is 12 and r is 40; and (2) when X is P or As and a is 6, M is Mo or W, p is 2, q is 18 and r is 62, and a process for preparing a glycoside derivative by using said catalyst.

Abstract: Method of agglomerating powders and non-flowing fine particle minerals such as clay, silicas, and silicates including the steps of establishing a minimum level of wetting agent content in the material to be agglomerated, tumbling the material to be agglomerated over itself within a rotatably mounted drum, adding additional wetting agent to the material within the drum, and removing the agglomerated powder, which is now formed into pellets of an advantageous pellet size distribution, from the drum. The wetting agent may be added by strategically positioned nozzles within the drum. The establishing of a minimum level of wetting agent content in the powder, preferably in the range of 11/2 to 5%, is achieved either by incomplete drying of the material during wet processing or by the application of a wetting agent prior to introduction into the drum.

Abstract: A process for preparing reinforced plastic plates comprising molding a thermosetting resin in a mold to form a plate-like body, forming spaced-apart slits extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like body with a spacing distance of 1 m at the most just after setting of the resin, suspending the plate-like body from one longitudinal end thereof, fixing a weight to the lower portion of the plate-like body, confining the plate-like body in the horizontal direction by at least one pair of fixing boards, heat-curing the plate-1ike body in the said state, and embedding an elastic resin in said slit portions of the plate-like body.