A mixture M of natural origin comprising an usnic acid and/or a salt thereof, preferably an usnic acid sodium salt, in the racemic or dextrorotatory D(+) form and an inclusion compound including (i) a D-usnic acid as an enantiomer, or a salt thereof, or mixtures thereof, of natural origin, and (ii) beta-cyclodextrins and related methods of their use as antibacterial, antibacterial proliferative, bacteriostatic, microbicidal, anti-mould, anti-yeast, antifungal or antimycotic agent, are described.

A mixture M of natural origin comprising an usnic acid and/or a salt thereof, preferably an usnic acid sodium salt, in the racemic or dextrorotatory D(+) form and an inclusion compound including (i) a D-usnic acid as an enantiomer, or a salt thereof, or mixtures thereof, of natural origin, and (ii) beta-cyclodextrins and related methods of their use as antibacterial, antibacterial proliferative, bacteriostatic, microbicidal, anti-mould, anti-yeast, antifungal or antimycotic agent, are described.

Provided herein are polymer compositions and methods of making them, including blending a polymer and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) masterbatch. The PEG masterbatch can include one or more PEGs each having molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can be a C.sub.2-C.sub.6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C.sub.2-C.sub.20 α-olefins. The PEG masterbatch and resulting polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a, polyimide film having high transparency and improved bending resistance against multiple times of bending, and a varnish capable of providing such a polyimide film. The varnish according to the present invention contains a polymer (α) and a solvent (β). The polymer (α) is polyimide or a polyimide precursor. The varnish further contains a typical metal element having an atomic weight of 26-201 except alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, or at least one metal element among transition metal elements having an atomic weight of 26-201 or less. At least one of the metal elements contained in the varnish is present in an amount of 0.05-500 ppm relative to the polymer (α).

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a, polyimide film having high transparency and improved bending resistance against multiple times of bending, and a varnish capable of providing such a polyimide film. The varnish according to the present invention contains a polymer (α) and a solvent (β). The polymer (α) is polyimide or a polyimide precursor. The varnish further contains a typical metal element having an atomic weight of 26-201 except alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, or at least one metal element among transition metal elements having an atomic weight of 26-201 or less. At least one of the metal elements contained in the varnish is present in an amount of 0.05-500 ppm relative to the polymer (α).

Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polymer processing aid (PPA) comprising a blend of at least two of: (i) a polyethylene glycol; (ii) a surfactant comprising a sorbitan ester or a polysorbate; and (iii) a metal salt of a fatty acid. The polymer can be a C.sub.2-C.sub.6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C.sub.2-C.sub.20 α-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.

Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polymer processing aid (PPA) comprising a blend of at least two of: (i) a polyethylene glycol; (ii) a surfactant comprising a sorbitan ester or a polysorbate; and (iii) a metal salt of a fatty acid. The polymer can be a C.sub.2-C.sub.6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C.sub.2-C.sub.20 α-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.

A polymer composition of cross-linked fluoropolymers is provided, that is generated using a fluoropolymer compatibilizer. The cross-linked fluoropolymers have excellent mechanical and dielectric characteristics at high temperatures, making them useful for such applications as insulation for automotive communications cables and PCB laminates.

A polymer composition of cross-linked fluoropolymers is provided, that is generated using a fluoropolymer compatibilizer. The cross-linked fluoropolymers have excellent mechanical and dielectric characteristics at high temperatures, making them useful for such applications as insulation for automotive communications cables and PCB laminates.

Provided is a flexible tube, for an endoscope, having a flexible tube substrate, for an endoscope, that is flexible and tubular and a resin layer covering the flexible tube substrate for an endoscope. The resin layer includes one or more layers, the layers including a layer A including a polyester elastomer (a) as a resin component, a hindered amine compound (b), and a particular compound (c). Also provided are an endoscopic medical device including the flexible tube for an endoscope and a resin composition and a set of resin compositions that are suitable for forming the resin layer of the flexible tube for an endoscope.