Abstract: Described are derivatives of glycolipids with substituted steroids bridged via a medium length hydrocarbon chain to 1-thio-D-mannopyranoses or 1-thio-L-fucopyranoses. These compounds protect an immunocompromised human or animal host against opportunistic infection by virtue of their immunostimulant properties.

Abstract: Described are derivatives of glycolipids with substituted steroids bridged via a medium length hydrocarbon chain to 1-thio-D-mannopyranoses or 1-thio-L-fucopyranoses. These compounds protect an immunocompromised human or animal host against opportunistic infection by virtue of their immunostimulant properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing lower fatty acid esters of cellulose which comprises esterifying at a temperature of between about 75.degree. C. and about 110.degree. C. a cellulose compound having esterifiable hydroxyl groups with an esterifying bath comprising an organic acid anhydride, a diluent, and a catalyst comprising from 0.2 to 2.0 parts phosphoric acid, from 0.1 to 1.2 parts sulfuric acid, and from 0.05 to 0.6 parts of a hindered aliphatic alcohol by weight per 100 parts of the cellulose to be esterified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing water-soluble phosphonomethyl ethers of cellulose from cellulose and halogenomethane phosphonic acid or one of its salts or acid derivatives, in an aqueous, alkaline medium. The process is carried out in such a way that, for each mole of the cellulose, from about 2.1 to 15 moles of hydroxide ions and from about 0.4 to 3.0 moles of halogenomethane phosphonate ions as etherifying agent are caused to react in from about 3 to 50 parts by weight, per part by weight of the cellulose, of a mixture which is composed of an inert, preferably water-miscible organic solvent and water and in which the proportion of water ranges from about 2 to 60 percent by weight, the reaction is continued until the phosphonomethyl cellulose has a DS of at least about 0.13.

Abstract: A method for oven drying chemically modified cellulosic materials, especially fibers, having improved fluid absorbency involves incorporating into the cellulose structure while swollen an amphiphilic compound miscible with water which will not evaporate when the fiber is oven dried and will remain in the fiber to prevent collapse of the fiber as the water is removed. The improved method of drying the fibrous cellulosic material produces a product having saline absorbency about equal to that produced when the fibers are dried with a water-miscible solvent and avoids the use of volatile solvents and the disadvantages inherent therewith. The fibers provided by the invention are especially suitable for use in pads which are to be used for absorbing water and body fluids.

Abstract: Chemically modified cellulose fibers such as those which have been subjected to phosphorylation or carboxymethylation or to polymer grafting-hydrolysis are refined in the presence of water, centrifuged to remove unbound water and extruded into filaments. The individual fibers are identifiable within the filaments and are generally aligned parallel to the filament axis. Certain embodiments of the filaments are highly absorbent, have fast wicking rates, and may be self-bonded to form integral nonwoven webs for use in disposable diapers, sanitary products, wipers and the like.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulose material is disclosed which comprises a substituted cellulose having an average degree of substitution sufficiently low to render the material insoluble and in which the fibers have an increased surface area formed by bursting the fibers during drying. In addition, a method of manufacturing such absorbent material is also disclosed which comprises providing an insoluble substituted cellulose material having an average degree of substitution sufficiently low to render the material insoluble, swelling the material to its maximum swelled state, fixing the material in that state, and drying the material while maintaining the material in its swelled state to thereby prevent shrinkage of the material during drying and to cause the fibers to burst during drying.

Abstract: A novel phosphorylated cellulose ester membrane containing 0.1 to 10% of phosphorus and having a selective permeability. This permselective phosphorylated cellulose ester membrane consists essentially of a phosphorylated cellulose ester obtained by reacting a phosphorylating reagent such as phosphorus oxychloride with a lower aliphatic acid ester of cellulose, which has a reactive hydroxyl group, in an organic solvent, and then hydrolyzing the resulting ester. The membrane can be used widely in separating materials by processes such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, dialysis, electrodialysis, and the like.

Abstract: In the formation of highly absorbent and rapidly wicking filaments and web structures by extrusion and solvent drying of extrudates composed of highly swollen hydrophilic chemically modified cellulose fibers, improved results are obtained in the form of a softer and better wicking product by treatment of the extrudate prior to extrusion. The extrudate is a mass containing the swollen chemically modified cellulose fibers and a water content of up to 98% at the time of extrusion. By adding to the extrudate, prior to extrusion, an amount of from about 2 to 50% of the solvent to be used in drying in the form of pure solvent or in the form of a mixture containing solvent but which may contain water or other non-solvent and the solvent to be used in drying, a much better performing extrudate is produced which results in better filament formation, improved bonding between filaments, lower water content in the extrudate, faster drying of the extruded product, and a softer, better wicking product.

Abstract: The aqueous dispersibility of a water-absorbent composition of matter is improved by a surface treatment which ionically complexes the surface thereof to a moderate degree. A dispersion is formed comprising a water-absorbent composition of matter based on an anionic poly-electrolyte, at least one polyvalent metal cation, and a dispersing medium in which the composition of matter is substantially insoluble. The dispersion is maintained within a given temperature range for a period of time sufficient to ionically complex the exposed surface of the composition of matter, and the dispersing medium is then removed. The product is characterized by a linkage density which is greater at the surface thereof than in the interior thereof and by the presence of ionic linkages at the surface thereof.

Abstract: A novel affinity matrix material for trypsin and trypsin-like enzymes is disclosed. Methods employing this material to isolate and/or purify crude extracts containing trypsin and trypsin-like enzymes and to store the purified enzymes obtained are also disclosed.