The disclosed subject matter relates to the delivery of hydroxyl-containing compounds as microparticles for a variety of pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetics and personal care applications. This entails the manufacture and use of polymerized hydro-X compounds. Note is made of hydro-X compounds selected from the group consisting of curcuminoids, stilbenoids, resolvins, phenylethanoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, flavanones, flavones, prenylflavonoids, isoflavones, isoflavanes, dihydrochalcones, isoflavenes, coumestans, lignans, flavonoligans, flavonols, mycoestrogens, xenoestrogens, phytoestrogens, sterols, corticosteroids, androgens, estrogens, stanols, steroids, secosteroids, tannins, statins, catechols, catechins, opioids, cannabinoids, pleuromutilins, luteolinidin, anthocyanidins, apigeninidin, glycosylated compounds, and macrolides.

A coated powder comprises (a) particles, and (b) a coating on the surface of the particles including (1) silica moieties, (2) organo oxysilane moieties selected from the group consisting of mono-organo oxysilane moieties, bi-organo oxysilane moieties and tri-organo oxysilane moieties, and (3) poly(dialkyl)siloxane moieties. The amount by weight in SiO.sub.2 equivalents of the organo oxysilane moieties and the silica moieties is at least 0.0625% of the total coated powder weight per m.sup.2/g of the specific surface area of the particle to be coated.

A deodorant stick comprising at least 25% by weight liquid triglyceride; a primary antimicrobial having a water solubility of at most about 90 g/L at 25° C.; a fragrance composition comprising at least about 50% natural oils, essential oils, or a combination thereof; and a primary structurant with a melting point of at least 50° C.; said deodorant stick being free of an aluminum salt; and said deodorant stick having a hardness from about 70 mm*10 to about 140 mm*10, as measured by penetration with ASTM D-1321 needle.

An upconversion nanoparticle includes at least one host selected from LiYF.sub.4, NaY, NaYF.sub.4, NaGdF.sub.4, and CaF.sub.3, at least one sensitizer selected from Sm.sup.3+, Nd.sup.3+, Dy.sup.3+, Ho.sup.3+, and Yb.sup.3+ doped in the at least one host, and at least one activator selected from Er.sup.3+, Ho.sup.3+, Tm.sup.3+, and Eu.sup.3+ doped in the at least one host. The upconversion nanoparticle is designed using a calculation from first principles to absorb light in the near-infrared wavelength range whose stability is ensured. Further, a hyaluronic acid-upconversion nanoparticle conjugate, in which the upconversion nanoparticle as described above is bonded to hyaluronic acid, is provided to be used in various internal sites with a hyaluronic acid receptor, particularly enables targeting, and increases an internal retention period and biocompatibility thereof.

The present invention is a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of copolymer particles comprising structural units of a) an acrylate monomer; b) an acid monomer; and c) a siloxane-acrylate monomer of formula I:

##STR00001##

where R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, Y and x are defined herein. The composition, which also comprises a nonionic and anionic surfactant as described herein, is useful in a variety of applications ranging from architectural coatings to personal care products.

Solid pigment dispersions are described which are formulated to a paste consistency during grinding to reduce the pigment particle size and form a dry granular consistency at ambient temperature that is pourable and easy to handle. This allows for stronger, more intense colors and allows for easy integration into a variety cosmetic products. These pigment dispersions are prepared with plant-derived substances, derived from naturally occurring, renewable sources.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing oxide particles, in particular metal oxide particles, coated with silicon oxide by means of flame spray pyrolysis technology, to oxide particles, in particular metal oxide particles, coated with silicon oxide, and to a composition comprising said particles. The present invention also relates to specific oxide particles, in particular metal oxide particles, coated with silicon oxide derived from such a process, to the compositions comprising such particles and also to the uses thereof.

A method for making a composition for enamel regeneration proposes to encapsulate soluble calcium and phosphate salts within corresponding internal water phases in respective water-in-oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by solid particles, and add them to a toothpaste, enamel restoring gel or mouth wash base. In this way, the soluble calcium and phosphate salts can be present stably in the toothpaste, enamel restoring gel or mouth wash over a long period of time. When the toothpaste, enamel restoring gel or mouth wash of the present disclosure is used in oral cavity, the water-in-oil-in-water emulsions rapture under the effect of friction and pressing, releasing the soluble calcium and phosphate salts encapsulated within the corresponding internal water phases. As a result, the liquid in the user's oral cavity will contain high concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions, which can enhance the rate of enamel remineralization.

A pigment for cosmetic applications is provided, which exhibits excellent color and stability characteristics, while being fully plant-based, edible and of natural origin.

Automated devices for detecting and removing dental biofilms are described herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a device for administering a suspension comprising iron oxide nanoparticles to teeth to chemically treat and mechanically remove dental biofilms. In some embodiments, disclosed subject matter includes a device for administering a suspension comprising iron oxide nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide to teeth to kill bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the biofilm matrix and assembling the iron oxide nanoparticles into autonomous magnetic bristles or antimicrobial robots to mechanically remove biofilm. Devices and methods for real-time detection of dental plaque and monitoring of removal of dental plaque are also disclosed herein.