Abstract: An article for overcoming the inward deforming tendency of the big toe of a person suffering from bunions is herein disclosed. The article is constructed of stretch fabric in the form of a tube sock which transitions in the region encompassing the toes, into two distinct pockets. A first elongated pocket encompasses the second through fifth toes, while the other pocket encompasses the big toe. A gap between the pockets works in combination with multiple layers of elastomeric material knit in a long but narrow band on the outside of the big toe and running down the side of the sock. When the sock is donned, the band of elastomeric material creates compressive restoring forces that draw the big toe pocket, and thus the big toe, outwardly from the other toes. Continuous use of the article serves to stretch tight tendons and toes muscles, and deter bunion pain and deformity.

Abstract: A process for selectively extracting cocoa procyanidins from an aqueous mixture of cocoa polyphenols, by using a particular sequence of acetate solvents and/or diethyl ether solvents to extract selected desired procyanidin monomers and/or oligomers. The aqueous mixture of cocoa polyphenols is first extracted with n-butyl acetate. The acetate solvents include n-butyl acetate, ethyl acetate and methyl acetate. The diethyl ether solvents include mixtures of methyl acetate and diethyl ether in the following ratios (methyl acetate:diethyl ether): 0:100, 25:75, 75:25 (all v/v).