Abstract: An improved method of reducing the nitrate, nitrite and ammonium compound content of an aqueous tobacco extract employing microorganisms is described. The nitrates, nitrites and ammonium compounds are eliminated on a continuous basis via an aerobic assimilatory metabolic pathway by introducing aqueous tobacco extract and necessary additives into a work mixture, containing suitable microorganisms, at a dilution rate which does not exceed the growth rate of the microorganisms while withdrawing a portion of the work mixture at a rate such that the volume of the work mixture remains constant. Optionally the biomass may be removed from the withdrawn mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out separation of plasma from whole blood, in which whole blood is passed through a filtration membrane means of a material suitable for separating plasma from whole blood and having a pore size from 0.1 to 0.6 microns at positive pressure differential across the membrane in a range up to just below 50 mm Hg. This provides an increased flow as compared to the flow obtained with higher pressures.

Abstract: Process for flavoring tobacco by mixing dry cut tobacco with one or more micro-encapsulated flavors as well as with an aqueous adhesive solution containing such quantity of water that said quantity may at least be adsorbed for the most part by the tobacco, continuing the mixing operation till a dry or almost dry product is obtained and then, if necessary, subjecting the obtained product to a drying operation respectively reduction operation.

Abstract: Surgical implants, especially endoprosthetic orthopaedic implants and sutures, are rendered antimicrobial by the presence of a bioerodible metallic silver component, especially a surface coating, which provides in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue. Latently bioerodible silver components of an implant can be activated by, for example, abrasion, heating to above about 180.degree. C. or, especially, contact with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A method for adhering an artificial nail to a natural nail by the use of an adhesive comprising at least one of .alpha.-cyanoacrylates of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl or etrahydrofurfuryl. This method does not generate heat and assures easy removal of the adhesion with a conventional solvent.

Abstract: The peptide X-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Y wherein X is H or at least one amino acid and Y is OH or at least one amino acid having the same cell-attachment activity as fibronectin.

Abstract: A process for utilizing tobacco dust by affixing it to cut, shredded or otherwise comminuted tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitute by thoroughly mixing tobacco dust, a powdered water soluble hydrocolloid, optionally an organic solvent, the comminuted tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitute, water or an aqueous solution of the hydrocolloid and optionally an additional quantity of the comminuted tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitute and continuing the mixing until a dry or almost dry product is obtained. The water soluble hydrocolloid may partly or completely be replaced by micro-encapsulated flavors, so that flavored tobacco products are obtained.

Abstract: Burley tobacco when cured is sought after as a component of commercial cigarette blends. The inventors have found that, to avoid its less desirable features, one may replace Burley with cured bright tobacco which has been heated in the presence of ammonia at moderate temperature.

Abstract: A method of stimulating chemotaxis toward a prosthetic device is disclosed, which method comprises incorporating a chemotactic peptide of the formulaB.sup.1 -X-(APGVGV).sub.n -Y-B.sup.2whereinA is a peptide-forming residue of L-alanine;P is a peptide-forming residue of L-proline;G is a peptide-forming residue of glycine;V is a peptide-forming residue of L-valine;B.sup.1 is H or a biocompatible N-terminal group;B.sup.2 is OH, OB.sup.3 where B.sup.3 is a non-toxic metal ion, or a biocompatible C-terminal group;X is PGVGV, GVGV, VGV, GV, V, or a covalent bond;Y is APGVG, APGV, APG, AP, A, or a covalent bond; andn is an integer from 1 to 100;into a surface of the prosthetic device. Prosthetic devices which have the property of enhancing invasion of elastic fiber synthesizing fibroblasts as a result of the chemotactic peptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: A graft is used to supply blood to one or more coronary artery branches. The graft is also usable as a peripheral revascularization and inter position prosthesis to supply blood to desired blood vessels. The graft has an elongated U-shaped tubular body providing a continuous passage for carrying blood from a high pressure blood supply to a blood receiver. One or more openings in the body allow blood to flow into the coronary artery branches. The flow and pressure of the blood in the passage is controlled by a restriction providing a restricted passage located remote from the inlet end of the tubular body. In one embodiment, the restriction is reinforced with a sleeve to maintain a desired cross sectional area and length of the restricted passage. The pressure differential between the blood supply and blood receiver maintains continuous and adequate blood flow at a desired pressure in the continuous passage and provides a continual supply of blood for the coronary artery branches.

Abstract: Packed tobacco leaves are pretreated by microwave generators with control sensors preliminary to separation.

Abstract: The lower alkyl esters of .alpha.-campholenic acid and .alpha.-campholanic acid have organoleptic properties which make them useful as tobacco flavorants.

Abstract: A method of repairing a natural elastic system in a human or animal body, which comprises replacing a damaged portion of the system with a shaped artificial elastomeric copolymer comprising an elastomeric component selected from the group consisting of tetrapeptide and pentapeptide repeating units or mixtures thereof wherein the repeating units comprise amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic amino acid and glycine residues and the repeating units exist in a conformation having a .beta.-turn and a crosslinking component selected from the group consisting of amino acid and peptide residues of the formula ##STR1## wherein .alpha. represents a covalent bond or a peptide fragment containing 1-10 .alpha.

Abstract: A polypeptide having the cell-attaching activity of fibronectin. The polypeptide has 108 amino acid residues and the formula: H-Ile-Gly-Gln-Gln-Ser-Thr-Val-Ser-Asp-Val-Pro-Arg-Asp-Leu-Glu-Val-Val-Ala- Ala-Thr-Pro-Thr-Ser-Leu-Leu-Ile-Ser-Trp-Asp-Ala-Pro-Ala-Val-Thr-Val-Arg-Tyr -Tyr-Arg-Ile-Thr-Tyr-Gly-Glu-Thr-Gly-Gly-Asn-Ser-Pro-Val-Gln-Glu-Phe-Thr-Va l-Pro-Gly-Ser-Lys-Ser-Thr-Ala-T r-Ile-Ser-Gly-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Val-Asp-Tyr-Thr-Ile-Thr-Val-Tyr-Ala-Val-Thr- Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ser-Ser-Lys-Pro-Ile-Ser-Ile-Asn-Tyr-Arg-Thr-Glu -Ile-Asp-Lys-Pro-Ser-Gln-Met-OH. The polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof, such as H-Tyr-Ala-Val-Thr-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ser-Ser-Lys-Pro-Ile-Ser-Ile- Asn-Tyr-Arg-Thr-Glu-Ile-Asp-Lys-Pro-Ser-Gln-Met-OH can be employed in the preparation of substrata designed for the attachment of cells thereto. A Cys-residue may optionally be attached at the C-terminus.

Abstract: An artificial organ is disclosed which has a film of either fat-soluble vitamin or a mixture of fat-soluble vitamin with glycerin deposited on the surfaces of parts of the artificial organ adapted to contact body fluid under treatment in a zone for flow of the body fluid within the artificial organ. Also disclosed is a sterilized artificial organ which has the aforementioned coat further subjected to contact with a physiologically harmless liquid and a treatment for sterilization.

Abstract: An improved tobacco treating process for smoking articles including the steps of moistening and shredding tobacco stems at a preselected temperature range and drying such shredded stems under high humidity conditions controlled to obtain unexpectedly high fill values.

Abstract: The peptide X-Arg-Gly-Asp-R-Y wherein X is H or at least one amino acid and Y is OH or at least one amino acid, and R is an amino acid selected from Thr or Cys, or other amino acid, having the same cell-attachment activity as fibronectin and the peptide X-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Y, wherein X and Y, having said activity are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for reducing the content of nitrate and/or nitrite salts contained in tobacco is disclosed whereby tobacco is treated, under controlled aerobic conditions, with microorganisms capable of degrading nitrates and/or nitrites to other nitrogen-containing compounds, such as proteins and amino acids.

Abstract: A hair conditioning composition particularly useful in conjunction with hair waving having a pH value of about 4-9 and containing water having dissolved therein about 0.05-5 weight percent quaternary nitrogen-containing conditioning polymer having a molecular weight of about 10,000-10,000,000, and about 0.5-10 weight percent of a water-soluble disulfide-containing polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, as well as methods for its use and preparation are disclosed.

Abstract: A reflector for focusing shockwaves in order to contactlessly comminute concretions in living bodies and for which a suitable selection of materials and geometry prevents a transverse wave in the reflector material from leading the shockwave front in the coupling medium.