Abstract: This invention relates to radiolabeled peptides and methods for producing such peptides. Specifically, the invention relates to technetium-99m (Tc-99m) labeled leukocyte-binding peptides, methods and kits for making such peptides, and methods for using such peptides to image sites of infection and inflammation in a mammalian body.

Abstract: This invention relates to radiolabeled peptides and methods for producing such peptides. Specifically, the invention relates to technetium-99m (Tc-99m) labeled leukocyte-binding peptides, methods and kits for making such peptides, and methods for using such peptides to image sites of infection and inflammation in a mammalian body.

Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: This invention relates to radiolabeled peptides and methods for producing such peptides. Specifically, the invention relates to technetium-99m (Tc-99m) labeled leukocyte-binding peptides, methods and kits for making such peptides, and methods for using such peptides to image sites of infection and inflammation in a mammalian body.

Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides an improved service node containing at least one service application, a conversion process and a TCP/IP service circuit handler for communicating with a TCP/IP-driven external peripheral device over a communications link. According to a preferred embodiment, by selecting a switch as the TCP/IP-driven external peripheral device, the call capacity of the improved service node can also be increased. This is preferably accomplished by receiving an incoming call into the external switch, notifying the improved service node of the incoming call, and creating an instance of the service application on the service node, which service application is associated with the incoming call. The service application requests the switch place a corresponding outgoing call--which it does. The switch then hairpins the incoming and outgoing calls together and notifies the service application of their connection.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for measuring the diameter of an artery utilizes an ultrasonic imaging plane that is rotated slightly from the centerline of an artery to produce a "skew" image of the artery. The invention detects edge points on the image of near and far walls of the artery. It fits curves to the near and far end edge points and measures distances between the curves. Alternatively, it fits one curve to all the edge points and measures a parameter (such as minor diameter of an ellipse) of the curve. Finally, it estimates arterial diameter from the measurement.

Abstract: A system modified so that an axial ram rod, centering jag and configuring die can be used to simultaneously tamp or size a projectile while forming the projectile into a hollow-nose type which mushrooms when configuring a spherical or double-ogival projectile into the mushrooming-type; and a kit comprising a case and sealing lid enabling a user in the field to optionally select a centering jag conforming to the caliber of the weapon being loaded, and for optionally forming a hollow-nose projectile with a "punch" characteristic in accordance with the nature of the target.

Abstract: Aqueous detergent compositions giving good mildness, good lather volume and lather creaminess contain acyl isethionate, a zwitterionic detergent which is a quaternised amino acid, usually a betaine, and another anionic detergent. Proportions and ratios are specified and alkanolamides are absent or limited in amount. Incorporation of the additional anionic detergent, such as ether sulphate, has surprisingly little adverse effect and provides economy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid compositions comprising acyl isethionate and betaines, to compositions comprising acyl isethionate and amidosulfosuccinate, and to compositions comprising acyl isethionate, betaine and amidosulfosuccinate.

Abstract: A sliding lance guide flexible lance system (10) is attached to a hand hole (12) of a nuclear power plant steam generator by means of flange (14) of tilt module (16). A rail (18) extends from the tilt module (16) to a support stand (20) and is attached to the stand (20) by a pivot (22) so that the rail (18) is free to rotate with the tilt module (16). A tilt drive motor (24) is attached to the tilt module (16). A flexible lance (26) extends into the rail (18) for extension through a lance guide shoe (27). The lance guide shoe (27) deflects the lance from the rail (18) into the tube gap of the steam generator. The lance guide shoe (27) is slideably mounted in the rail (18), and is attached to a lance guide belt (30), which extends within and along the rail (18). Similarly, the flexible lance (26) extends within and along the rail (18). A lance guide belt sprocket drive (40) is mounted on support (33) to engage the lance guide belt (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the location and removal of foreign objects from a difficult to access geometry utilizes a flexible lance (12) formed of individual hose bar segments (14) strung on cables (16) to give a structure that is flexible along its length and fairly rigid in a direction transverse to its length. Extending from working channels (18) of nozzle block (20) of the lance (12) are a pair of multi-prong retrievers (22). A miniaturized Videoprobe camera (24) is provided in the nozzle block (20) between the two retrievers (22). The retrievers are each connected to an actuating cable (26), which extends through the flexible lance (12) to a manual control (28). The camera (24) is connected by a cable (30) to suitable video processing circuits for generation of images on a video display (32). The cable (30) also houses a fiber optic bundle which conveys light to the area being serviced by the lance (12).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in blood is disclosed. The LDL is contacted with an enzyme which modifies it in a manner such that the LDL is rapidly removed endogenously by the patients' own metabolic processes. The enzyme may be introduced into the patient by injection, transdermal transport, nasal insufflation and ingestion. Additionally, the enzyme may be contained in a reactor for both in vivo and extracorporeal use.

Abstract: A therapeutically effective amount of soluble phospholipase A.sub.2 is administered into a subject for lowering the low density lipoproteins ("LDL") in the blood. Phospholipase A.sub.2 modifies the plasma LDL by hydrolyzing the phospholipids present in LDL. As a result, the modified LDL is rapidly removed from the bloodstream by the catabolic processes.

Abstract: A system (10) for lancing sludge deposits (12) from within a bundle (14) of vertically extending steam generator tubes (16) of a PWR steam generator secondary side assembly (18) has a flexible lance (28) mounted in a lance guide/housing transporter (30). The transporter (30) is movable along blowdown lane (20) to position end (32) of the flexible lance opposite one of the inter-tube lanes (26) so that the flexible lance (28) may be inserted along the selected inter-tube lane (26). A rigid lance guide (34) on the transporter (30) has a curved end (36) configured to turn the flexible lance (28) at a chosen angle, such as 90.degree., so that the flexible lance (28) will be fed into the selected inter-tube lane (26). The transporter has a drive (37) for advancing the flexible lance (28) through end (36) of the lance guide (34) and into the inter-tube lane (26).

Abstract: A cleaning composition for example in the form of a bar comprises at least 10 wt % fatty acid soap and at least 5 wt % non-soap detergent active wherein at least some of the said soap is in the delta phase. The non-soap detergent can for example be acyl isethionate. The presence of delta phase soap improves the properties of for example the bar comprising the composition. The composition can be made by subjecting to high shear energy a mixture maintained at a temperature of less than 40.degree. C. and containing at least 10 wt % fatty acid soap, at least 5 wt % non-soap detergent active and sufficient moisture to ensure the generation of at least some soap in the delta phase.

Abstract: The metabolic activity of the adrenal gland can be monitored by intravenously injecting an infusate composed of low density lipoproteins labelled with a radioisotope that is suitable for extracorporeal imaging and subsequently measuring the intensity of radioisotope accumulation in organs of the body. By monitoring the accumulation at the sites of the adrenal glands, the metabolic activity can be localized and the level of activity can be assessed.

Abstract: Silicate free detergent granules contain a seed crystal for calcium carbonate, such as calcite, a non-soap detergent active, especially an anionic active and a sugar such as sucrose to provide good mechanical strength, good dispersibility and other benefits. An alkali metal (e.g. sodium) carbonate may be present in the granules. The granules may be used as such to wash fabrics or may be added to a composition containing sodium carbonate and other conventional ingredients. The granules may be made by spray-drying or pan granulation.

Abstract: Vascular diseases including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a conjugate diagnostic reagent to a patient and then detecting the location and concentration of the conjugate reagent within the patient's vascular system. The conjugate reagents have a target-seeking, biologically active molecule as one component and a labeling means capable of extracorporeal detection as the other component. The biologically active molecules (BAMs) are chosen to have affinity for structural elements of the arterial wall which are either not present in the normal wall but are found in atherosclerotic or arteritic lesions, or which are not available to the blood-borne reagent within normal arterial walls, but are exposed to the reagent in atherosclerotic or arteriotic lesions.