Abstract: An absorbent layer for moderating blood flow from a wound has a non-woven fabric layer of water-insoluble chitosan fibers having a coating of water-absorbent starch on at least one face of the fabric layer. The coating of water-absorbent starch penetrates into the fabric layer from a first surface over the chitosan fibers to a depth of at least 25% of the fabric layer of chitosan fibers. The chitosan fibers have average diameters of from 5 to 30 micrometers. The average weight of starch/chitosan may decrease from the first surface from which the starch has penetrated into the fabric to the depth of at least 50% of the fabric layer. The starch may be modified to include hydrophilic groups into or onto molecular chains of the starch.

Abstract: A process of making low-endotoxin chitosan or alkali-stable polysaccharide is performed by suspending bulk chitosan fibers or flakes or alkali-stable polysaccharide to form a reaction mixture in an aqueous solution of alcohol. Ammonia is the added to the reaction mixture to raise pH of the reaction mixture to above 9.5. The reactive mixture with a pH above 9.5 is heated at a temperature of at least 130° C. for at least 20 minutes. The heated reaction mixture is cooled to less than 60° C. and then sparged with an inert gas to remove ammonia. Separating the chitosan or alkali-stable polysaccharide from the sparged reaction mixture. The chitosan fibers or polysaccharide is rinsed with an endotoxin-free aqueous liquid to form a rinsed fiber mass. The rinsed fiber mass is further rinsed with an alcohol to remove water, and dried at a temperature below 100° C. to form the low-endotoxin chitosan or alkali-stable polysaccharide.

Abstract: A process of making low-endotoxin chitosan or alkali-stable polysaccharide) The process may be generally performed by: suspending bulk chitosan fibers (or other suitable polysaccharide) having endotoxins therein to form a reaction mixture comprising an aqueous solution of alcohol; adding ammonia to the reaction mixture to raise pH of the reaction mixture to above 9.5; heating the reactive mixture with a pH above 9.5 at temperatures of at least 130 C for at least 20 minutes; cooling the reaction mixture to less than 60 C; sparging the cooled reaction mixture with an inert gas to remove ammonia; at least partially separating the chitosan fibers (or other suitable polysaccharide) from liquid carrier; rinsing the chitosan fibers (or other polysaccharide) with an endotoxin-free aqueous liquid to form a rinsed fiber mass; rinsing the rinsed fiber mass with an alcoholic liquid to remove water; and drying the fiber mass at a temperature below 100° C.

Abstract: An absorbent layer for moderating blood flow from a wound has a non-woven fabric layer of water-insoluble chitosan fibers having a coating of water-absorbent starch on at least one face of the fabric layer. The coating of water-absorbent starch penetrates into the fabric layer from a first surface over the chitosan fibers to a depth of at least 25% of the fabric layer of chitosan fibers. The chitosan fibers have average diameters of from 5 to 30 micrometers. The average weight of starch/chitosan may decrease from the first surface from which the starch has penetrated into the fabric to the depth of at least 50% of the fabric layer. The starch may be modified to include hydrophilic groups into or onto molecular chains of the starch.

Abstract: A method for vaccinating an animal by implanting subcutaneously an immune stimulating biologically active material into an animal with a biologically active pellet is described. Particularly described is the method of vaccinating an animal by implanting the pellet in the ear of an animal to eliminate edible tissue damage without inducing a "drooped ear" or "down ear".

Abstract: A method of detecting a beta-lactam antibiotic in a liquid sample comprising the steps of: (a) forming a reaction medium by adding the sample to a predetermined amount of a dry reagent formulation comprising a D,D-carboxypeptidase, a substrate for said D,D-carboxypeptidase containing a carboxy-terminal D-alanine, and a reagent system which produces a color change in the presence of D-alanine; (b) incubating said reaction medium for a predetermined period; (c) adding a quenching material to terminate the reaction; (d) observing the color of the reaction medium. A kit for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Ballistic projectiles for subsonic propulsion having a helically twisted body portion nad a tapered nose portion and having an apparent density of up to 5 g/cm.sup.3. The projectiles can be propelled through barrels having a complementary barrel without objectionable fouling.

Abstract: A solid dose ballistic projectile formed entirely of a cohesive mixture comprising biologically active material, in the form of grindable solid particles having an average diameter between about 7 and 25 micrometers, and biologically inert binder, and capable of withstanding the stresses imparted thereon when the projectile is propelled ballistically from a barrel and implanted in the flesh of a living animal.

Abstract: A medium for growing bacteria from an initial population to a final predetermined population where growth of the bacteria substantially subsides due to the lack of nutrient.

Abstract: Ballistically implantable projectile adapted to carry biologically active materials into a living animal body and thereafter to provide sustained release of said biologically active material into said living animal body.