Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.

Compositions are disclosed herein comprising a graft copolymer that comprises: (i) a backbone comprising dextran that has been modified with about 1%-25% alpha-1,2 branches, and (ii) one or more alpha-1,3-glucan side chains comprising at least about 50% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages. Further disclosed are reactions for producing such graft copolymers, as well as their use in derivatives, films and various other applications.

A method for preparing non-free radical photo-crosslinked hydrogels includes: dissolving component A that is a polymer derivative modified with o-nitrobenzyl phototrigger in a biocompatible medium to obtain solution A; dissolving component B that is a polymer derivative containing hydrazide, hydroxylamine or primary amine in a biocompatible medium to obtain solution B; mixing solution A and solution B to obtain a precursor solution of hydrogel; under light irradiation, crosslinking aldehyde generated from the o-nitrobenzyl with the hydrazine, hydroxylamine or primary amine to obtain a hydrogel by forming hydrazone, oxime or schiff base, respectively. A kit for preparation and application of the hydrogel in tissue repair, beauty therapy, and cells, proteins or drugs carriers is also described. The method or kit can achieve in situ photo-gelling on tissue surface or in situ forming thin gel on wounds in clinical treatment of wounds.

A curable resin and method is disclosed. In one example, the curable resin is for the manufacture of mineral fiber products such as mineral wool insulating products. The curable resin includes components a), b) and c), wherein a) is a saccharide, b) is a polycarboxylic crosslinking agent, and c) is a polyvalent metal oxide curing accelerator. In one example, the curable resin is formaldehyde free.

A cellulosic particle contains cellulose as its base constituent, and the percentage water absorption of the cellulosic particle measured by method B in ISO 15512:1999 is 11% or more and 20% or less.

A hyaluronic acid product is comprising a cross-linked hyaluronic acid and one or more dextran molecules. The hyaluronic acid is cross-linked by ether bonds, and the one or more dextran molecules are covalently grafted to the cross-linked hyaluronic acid.

The present invention relates to a biocompatible nanoparticle and a use thereof and, more specifically, to a biocompatible nanoparticle formed by irradiation an electron beam to an aqueous solution comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol, thereby inducing inter-molecular cross-linking or intra-molecular cross-linking, and to a use of the biocompatible nanoparticle in a drug carrier, a contrast agent, a diagnostic agent or an intestinal adhesion prevention agent or for disease prevention and treatment.

Provided herein are narrowly distributed multi-armed polyethylene glycol compounds, and hydrogels containing the same. Also provided are methods for treating, adhering, or sealing a biological tissue with hydrogels, and kits for making a hydrogel. Drug releasing compositions also are provided that include a narrowly distributed multi-armed polyethylene glycol compound.

A hydrogel of which the degradation is accurately controlled can be provided by a photodegradable hydrogel production method, the method comprising the steps of: reacting ?-glucan having a weight average molecular weight of 2000 to 200,000 with a compound represented by formula I to introduce a group represented by formula II into the ?-glucan; oxidizing the ?-glucan having, introduced therein, the group represented by formula II with periodic acid or a periodate salt to introduce an aldehyde group into the ?-glucan; and adding aminated carrageenan gel beads having polydopamine particles embedded therein to a gelling agent which has been prepared by introducing a group represented by formula II and an aldehyde group into ?-glucan, and then causing the crosslinking reaction of the resultant product with a polythiol-type reducing agent to form the hydrogel.

A hyaluronic acid product is comprising a cross-linked hyaluronic acid and one or more dextran molecules. The hyaluronic acid is cross-linked by ether bonds, and the one or more dextran molecules are covalently grafted to the cross-linked hyaluronic acid.