Abstract: The invention relates to NMR-based methods comprising hyperpolarised ligands or targets for use in NMR-based assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for phenotyping by determining protein activity in vivo using at least one probe compound and enhancing the nuclear polarisation of NMR active nuclei present in the probe compound (hereinafter termed “hyperpolarisation”) prior to NMR analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining protein activity using NMR spectroscopy. The present invention provides a method for determining protein activity in vivo using probe compounds and enhancing the nuclear polarisation of NMR active nuclei present in the probe compounds (hereinafter termed “hyperpolarisation”) prior to NMR analysis. The invention also provides mixtures of probe compounds for the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and method for dissolving solid polarised material while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a material is polarised in a strong magnetic field in a cryostat 2 and then brought into solution while still inside the cryostat 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and method for melting solid polarised sample while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a sample is polarised in a sample-retaining cup (9) in a strong magnetic field in a polarising means (3a, 3b, 3c) in a cryostat (2) and then melted inside the cryostat (2) by melting means such as a laser (8) connected by an optical fibre (4) to the interior of the cryostat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sample, said method comprising: a) administering a hyperpolarised MR contrast agent comprising non-zero nuclear spin nuclei into said sample for fluid dynamic investigations of the. vasculature, b) exposing said sample or part of the sample to radiation of a frequency selected to excite nuclear spin transitions in said non-zero nuclear spin nuclei, c) detecting MR signals from said sample using any suitable manipulation method including pulse sequences. The invention also provides novel compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel triaryl methyl free radicals and their use as image enhancing agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as to contrast media containing such radicals and to the use of such radicals and their non-radical precursors in the manufacture of MRI contrast media.

Abstract: Novel triarylmethyl free radicals, their use as image enhancing agents in MRI, in particular to their use in Overhauser enhanced MRI of a sample for determining oxygen concentration of said sample.

Abstract: The invention provides iodinated bis phenyl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula (I) (wherein each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety may be the same or different; each denotes a hydrogen or iodine atom or a group M, two or three non-adjacent R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting iodine atoms and one, two or three R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting M groups; X denotes a group providing a 1, 2 or 3 atom chain linking the two C.sub.6 R.sub.5 groups, preferably where X is or contains in the bridging chain a carbonyloxy group each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 group being a triodophenyl group or a group in which each R is other than hydrogen; and each M is independently a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety, M preferably being a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety comprising a monohydroxy- or polyhydroxy-alkyl group) and isomers, especially stereoisomers and rotamers, thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides iodinated bis phenyl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula I ##STR1## (wherein each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moeity may be the same or different; each R denotes a hydrogen or iodine atom or a group M, two or three non-adjacent R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting iodine atoms and one, two or three R groups on each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 moiety denoting M groups;X denotes a group providing a 1, 2 or 3 atom chain linking the two C.sub.6 R.sub.5 groups, preferably where X is or contains in the bridging chain a carbonyloxy group each C.sub.6 R.sub.5 group being a triodophenyl group or a group in which each R is other than hydrogen; and each M is independently a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety, M preferably being a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety comprising a monohydroxy- or polyhydroxy-alkyl group) and isomers, especially stereoisomers and rotamers, thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R' and R" independently of each other are hydrogen or alkyl, or R' and R" together form a 3 to 6 membered alkylene chain;n is 1 or 2;R.sup.1 is phenyl which may be substituted one or more times with halogen, CF.sub.3, alkoxy, alkyl, or amino; andR.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently of each other are hydrogen, halogen, amino, CF.sub.3, alkyl or alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable addition salt thereof.The compounds are useful as pharmaceuticals, for example, in the treatment of ischemia, anoxia, migraine and psychosis.

Abstract: The application discloses benzimidazole derivatives, pharmaceutical preparations comprised the compounds, their preparation and use in the treatment of disorders of the Central Nervous System such as ischemia, migraine, epilepsia, psychosis, Parkinsonism and depression.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease in a mammal, including a human, responsive to blockade of potassium channels, which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 independently of each other are hydrogen, CF.sub.3, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, OH, C.sub.1-6 -alkyl, C.sub.1-6 -alkoxy or phenyl; andR.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently of each other are hydrogen, halogen, CF.sub.3, C.sub.1-6 -alkyl, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, OH or C.sub.1-6 -alkoxy,and a method as above wherein 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-indole is employed,and a method as above wherein depression, memory disorders, Alzheimers disease and diabetes 2 is treated,and further a method as above wherein the active ingredient is administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition thereof, in which it is present together with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent.