Abstract: A dried implant composition for preparing an injectable aqueous implant formulation that is extrudable through a tapering system and a gauge 18 cannula, including a mixture of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles derived from natural bone having a size of 50 to 200 ?m and fragments of naturally crosslinked fibrous collagen material that pass through a 0.5 mm sieve; an injectable aqueous implant formulation, wherein the injectable aqueous implant formulation is obtainable by hydration and homogeneous mixing; a process for preparing the injectable aqueous implant formulation; and a kit for preparing the injectable aqueous implant formulation.

Abstract: A vascular access device includes an antimicrobial coating that provides kink resistance to a catheter. The antimicrobial coating can extend along a length of the catheter to provide antimicrobial protection when the catheter is inserted into the patient's vasculature. The antimicrobial coating can also increase the effective diameter of the catheter to minimize the likelihood that the catheter will become kinked.

Abstract: An external preparation for skin is provided for amelioration of pigmentation. The skin preparation includes a compound represented by the following general formula (1), an isomer thereof, and/or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 represents an aromatic group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched chain alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear chain or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A composition for solvating one or more active agents in an aqueous solution which is suitable for dispensing as a compressed gas aerosol composition is disclosed. The composition includes at least one surfactant, at least one active agent (such as a fragrance or an insecticide), and a compressed gas propellant. The at least one surfactant is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 3 wt. %. The at least one active agent is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %. The compressed gas propellant is preferably present in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. %. The total surfactant weight to active agent weight ratio for the composition is preferably about 1:3 to 5:1. The composition uses a reduced amount of surfactant and active agent thereby allowing for a more efficient active agent loading and a reduced stickiness or tackiness on surfaces contacted during use.

Abstract: An implantable infection shield and system for drug delivery in vascular tissue includes a relatively non-biodegradable porous linked fibrous biomaterial which controls and directs cell growth and angiogenesis from adjacent vascular tissue into the implant. Infection shield embodiments stimulate cell growth and angiogenesis from adjacent vascular tissue which effectively blocks passage of pathogenic microorganisms along percutaneously implanted objects. In embodiments for drug delivery, a reservoir of the same biomaterial may contain either (1) a cell culture system enclosed within a porous sealable interior chamber or (2) a biodegradable matrix in which one or more drugs are dispersed. After implantation of a reservoir of the first embodiment in an organism, cultured cells obtain food and oxygen via diffusion in tissue fluid through the porous walls of the interior chamber, while metabolic products, including drugs, diffuse away from the cell culture in an analogous manner.

Abstract: Novel antimicrobial agents that can serve as replacements to conventional pharmaceutical antibiotics are disclosed. The antimicrobial agents comprise conjugatively transmissible plasmids that kill targeted pathogenic bacteria, but are not harmful to donor bacteria. Two types of lethal transmissible plasmids are disclosed. One type kills recipient bacteria by unchecked (“runaway”) replication in the recipient cells and is prevented from occurring in donor cells. Another type kills recipient bacteria by expressing a gene that produces a product detrimental or lethal to recipient bacterial cells, that gene being prevented from expression in donor cells.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which comprises (a) a superoxide dismutase mimic and (b) a polymeric release region. Upon administration to a patient, the polymeric release region controls the release of the superoxide dismutase mimic, which is beneficially selected from a metal-chelate superoxide dismutase mimic and a nitroxide superoxide dismutase mimic. Also provided is a method of making an implantable or insertable medical device.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of regenerated celluloses (RC) and (ORC) oxidized regenerated celluloses in the manufacture of scaffolds for drug delivery and tissue engineering. The RC and ORC are biodegradable and biocompatible. The carboxyl, aldehyde, or ketone groups present on the ORC scaffold serve as sites for cell, drug, protein and/or peptide attachment or further chemical modification to induce cell adhesion and subsequent proliferation. The method of manufacture of these membrane structures is simple, and produces flexible structures that maintain their strength when hydrated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a siloxane-based resin prepared by hydrolyzing and polycondensing a cyclic siloxane compound, a silane compound having three hydrolysable functional groups and a silane compound having three hydrolysable functional groups and one heat-labile functional group, in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst and water. Also, disclosed herein is a method of forming an insulating film between interconnect layers of a semiconductor device using the siloxane-based resin thus prepared, whereby an insulating film having low dielectric constant as well as excellent mechanical properties can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fireproof, non-explosive solids mixtures containing nitroglycerin and anhydrous lactose that do not have to be classified as an explosive in accordance with ADR/RID, IATA, IMCO and/or UN guidelines, to methods for the preparation of such solids mixtures and to the use of anhydrous lactose for the preparation of fireproof, non-explosive solid mixtures containing nitroglycerin and lactose that do not have to be classified as an explosive in accordance with ADR/RID, IATA, IMCO and/or UN guidelines.

Abstract: A smoke screen device for rooms includes a container to hold a smoke fluid that produces smoke when vaporized, a heating device for heating and vaporizing the smoke fluid, and an opening in the container that allows the smoke to be given off into the open. The heating device is a pyrotechnic heating cartridge having a heating agent, a pyrotechnic detonating agent, and a casing that encloses the heating agent and detonating agent. Heat produced during combustion of the heating agent is given off onto the smoke fluid through a wall of the casing. A pressure cartridge including a compression agent and a pyrotechnic detonating device is provided in the container to support propulsion of the smoke produced. The pyrotechnic detonating device may be electrically ignitable via an electrical cable coupled to an energy supply and sensory mechanism which themselves are connected to an alarm, so that when tripped, the alarm causes the detonating device to be ignited.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions. Also, deposit formation in irrigation systems delivering such thiocarbonates, such as drip emitters and sprinkler heads, is reduced or eliminated with minor amounts of sodium hexametaphosphate.

Abstract: A method of desensitizing hypersensitive dentin is disclosed. The method comprises treating teeth of patients suffering from hypersensitive dentin with a colloid produced by mixing (a) a salt of polyvalent metal and (b) a polyol phosphate and/or a water-soluble salt thereof. The colloid can constrict or occlude dentinal tubules in the tooth dentin, exhibiting a continuous effect on the desensitization of hypersensitive dentin owing to the very high absorptivity of the colloid to teeth. The colloid does not impair taste, and does not produce precipitate near the neutral region, enabling it to be used safely.

Abstract: Electrodes for an acid fuel cell are disclosed. The electrodes include a porous substrate and a catalyst layer supported on the substrate. The catalyst layer includes catalyst particles, a hydrophobic binder for providing a network of hydrophobic gas passages communicating with the catalyst particles and hydrophilic catalytically inactive particles for providing a network of liquid transport passages throughout the catalyst layer. The electrodes provide improved resistance to flooding and pumping and may be operated at high current density without developing severe concentration polarization.

Abstract: Paper distributing an active compound such as a pesticide or a lachrymatory agent, particularly intended to be used in buildings or closed enclosures. This paper is intended to be burnt to ensure the dissemination of the active compound incorporated in the paper. To ensure an efficient and rapid dissemination by means of a large volume of combustion gas containing only a little smoke and originating from a special combustion reaction at a limited temperature so as not to decompose the active compound, this paper is a nitrocellulose-based paper in which the proportion of nitrogen is greater than 5% and in which the fibres consist of a mixture of cellulose and nitrocellulose fibres, this mixture comprising at least 18% of cellulose fibres and the active compound having a decomposition temperature above 130.degree. C.

Abstract: Paper distributing an active compound such as a pesticide or a lachrymatory agent, particularly intended to be used in buildings or closed enclosures.This paper is intended to be burnt to ensure the dissemination of the active compound incorporated in the paper. To ensure an efficient and rapid dissemination by means of a large volume of combustion gas containing only a little smoke and originating from a special combustion reaction at a limited temperature so as not to decompose the active compound, this paper is a nitrocellulose-based paper in which the proportion of nitrogen is greater than 5% and in which the fibres consist of a mixture of cellulose and nitrocellulose fibres, this mixture comprising at least 18% of cellulose fibres and the active compound having a decomposition temperature above 130.degree. C.

Abstract: Transparent soap gel cosmetic stick compositions comprising a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol, a hydro-alcoholic soluble emollient, water and soap. Such cosmetic sticks possess good cosmetics as well as clarity.

Abstract: The specification describes a dry composition and aqueous solution useful in the mineralization of dental plaque. The solution contains 0.01 to 50% W/V of a substance metabolized by bacteria in plaque (urea is exemplified) to raise the pH of said solution, a physiologically acceptable source of calcium ions and a physiologically acceptable source of phosphate ions, both in concentrations to form a stable solution with respect to a calcium phosphate salt, and optionally a fluoride ion generating compound metabolized by bacteria in plaque to release fluoride ions and/or a water soluble fluoride salt, the pH of the solution being from 1 to 9, and the pH and calcium and phosphate ion concentrations being such that the solution remains stable and with respect to the calcium phosphate salt until the substance is metabolized by bacteria in plaque. Results of some dental trials are presented.

Abstract: An improved mosquito coil composition comprising from 72-83% by weight based on dry ingredients of a carrier selected from sawdust having a particle size between 70 and 200 mesh, coconut shell flour, pyrethrum marc, and mixtures thereof, from 16-26% by weight based on dry ingredients potato starch and 0.5-3% by weight based on dry ingredients of an insecticide. The process comprises dispersing the starch in water heated to a temperature of from 40.degree.-65.degree. C., adding water having a temperature of between 80.degree.-95.degree. C. to the dispersed water-starch mixture, mixing the starch-water gel with the filler and insecticide, extruding the mixture into a ribbon, forming the mosquito coils from this ribbon, and drying the formed mosquito coils.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed fumigant container having a can enclosing a smoke-generating mixture and an internal heater formed of auto-combustible material for activating the mixture to produce an exothermic reaction resulting in smoke which disperses pesticidal agents into the atmosphere of the area being fumigated. The mixture preferably has an ammonium nitrate and dicyandiamide base and a silica additive which acts to regulate the exothermic reaction whereby the reaction proceeds at a substantially constant rate.