Abstract: Stacks (16) of sheet material are moved on a conveyor (12, 14) between air manifolds (18, 20) and guide pins (19, 21); so that, drying gas is directed between the sheets of the stacks to cause the stacks to expand to form fluffed stacks 28 through which air moves readily to dry the sheets. A compression roller (26) is used to expel air from the fluffed stack and return the stack essentially to its original height. A reduction in tendency to curl is achieved in low relative humidity environments for sheets of photographic film.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for further reducing the size of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are defined as having an effective average particle size of less than about 400 nm. The present invention separates the nanoparticles further using electric fields.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of x-ray diagnostic imaging the blood pool, liver, spleen and/or lymph system of a mammal comprising administering a contrast effective amount of a succinic acid derivative disubstituted with benzoic acid residue as a contrast agent having the structure: ##STR1## R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl of from 2 to 18 carbon atoms; A.sub.r is ##STR2## R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of NCH.sub.2, NHAc, and ##STR3## wherein R is an alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms;R.sup.6 is H, alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## NHC--COH and CONHCH.sub.3, having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.R.sup.5 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and A.sub.c is acyl.This invention further relates to novel contrast agents having the above structure wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are C.sub.2 H.sub.5, to x-ray contrast compositions comprising such agents, and to method of x-ray diagnostic imaging utilizing such agents.

Abstract: Dispersible particles consisting essentially of a crystalline anticancer agent having a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than about 1000 nm. Anticancer compositions comprising the particles exhibit reduced toxicity and/or enhanced efficacy, and can be administered by IV bolus injection.

Abstract: A process for improving adhesion of a thermoplastic polymeric resin on a casting surface by using an electrostatic pinning wire in conjunction with a conductive shield. The method includes the steps of extrusion casting a sheet of molten polymer from a die, directing the cast sheet onto a moving, chilled and electrically grounded casting surface to solidify the polymer and extending a conductive wire transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sheet with the sheet between the wire and the chilled surface before the sheet contacts the chilled surface. An elongated conductive uninsulated shield parallel to the wire with the wire between the shield and the sheet is provided and a bias voltage is applied to the wire and the shield. The bias voltage of the wire is in the range of 6 to 15 kV, and the bias voltage of the shield is adjusted to be at least 5 kV lower than the voltage of the wire to maintain a desired current flowing from the wire and the shield to the sheet.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein (Z--COO is the residue of an iodinated aromatic acid; n is an integer from 0 to 20;R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, hydroxy, acylamino, acetamidoalkyl, acetamidoaryl, --COO-alkyl, --COO-aryl, --COO-aralkyl, --CO-alkyl, --CO-aryl, --CO-heterocyclyl, cyano or heterocyclyl;R.sup.5 is H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl, heterocyclyl, or a Z-CO.sub.2 -CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 (CR.sup.3 R.sup.4).sub.n group, wherein Z, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and n are as defined above, m is an integer from 0 to 10, p is an integer from 0 to 10, and m+p.gtoreq.1 are useful as contrast agents in x-ray imaging compositions and methods.

Abstract: A coating apparatus (10) for coating a radiation-sensitive emulsion (30) on a photographic support (24) is fabricated from hopper bars (12) having a ceramic coating surface (20). An initial surface finish treatment is first applied to the ceramic coating surface, after which the coating surface is polished, to decrease the roughness of the coating surface sufficiently to prevent the formation of streaks in the emulsion coating layer or layers on the support.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of x-ray diagnostic imaging the blood pool, liver, spleen, and/or lymph system of a mammal comprising administering a contrast effective amount of a mixed carbamic anhydride as a contrast agent having the structure ##STR1## X is H, NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or CONR.sup.1 R.sup.3, R.sup.1 is H or alkylR.sup.2 is COR.sup.3R.sup.3 is H, alkyl or arylY is NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or CONR.sup.1 R.sup.3 andN is NR.sup.1 R.sup.4 andR.sup.4 is H, alkyl, aryl or CH(R.sup.5)CO.sub.2 R.sup.1.This invention further relates to novel mixed carbamic anhydride contrast agents having the above structure to x-ray contrast compositions comprising such agents, and to methods of x-ray diagnostic imaging utilizing such agents.

Abstract: This invention discloses a composition comprised of nanoparticles having a non-ionic surfactant as a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof and a charged phospholipid as a cloud point modifier associated therewith, which cloud point modifier is present in an amount sufficient to increase the cloud point of the surface modifier. A preferred non-ionic surfactant surface modifier is a poloxamine or tyloxapol, and preferred charged phospholipid cloud point modifiers include dimyristoyl phosphatidyl glycerol. This invention further discloses a method of making nanoparticles having a non-ionic surfactant as a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface and a charged phospholipid as a cloud point modifier associated therewith, comprised of contacting said nanoparticles with the cloud point modifier for a time and under conditions sufficient to increase the cloud point of the surface modifier.

Abstract: Nanoparticulate crystalline substances formulated with stabilizers and pharmaceutically acceptable clays to enhance contact between the crystalline substances and the gastrointestinal tract. These formulations have improved safety profiles, a low potential for absorption, are not viscous and are not contraindicated for GI perforations or intestinal obstructions. The properties of the surfactant stabilizers are independent of the crystalline drug used and largely determine the extent to which the formulation coats the GI tract.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein Z--COO).sub.m is the residue of a polyiodinated aromatic acid; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4;n is an integer from 1 to 20;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy or aryloxy;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are independently H, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, hydroxy or acylamino; andR.sup.5 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl or acetamidoalkyl;are useful as contrast agents in x-ray imaging compositions and methods.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a silver halide emulsion. The precipitation of the emulsion is carried out away from the rotary agitator. The reactant solutions are introduced into the reactor very close to the tip of one or more ultrasonic horns that are placed away from the agitator. The ultrasonic horns are efficient sources for controlling micromixing, while the agitator controls the macromixing in the reactor.

Abstract: An X-ray contrast composition comprising particles consisting essentially of a non-radioactive crystalline organic x-ray contrast agent having a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than 400 nm, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor is useful in x-ray diagnostic medical imaging methods. The agents can be delivered to a specific tissue or fluid site, for example, the blood pool, liver or spleen. In one embodiment involving intravenous administration, preferred compositions provide effective imaging of the blood pool for remarkably long times.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprised of nanoparticles containing an x-ray diagnostic compound, having a high molecular weight nonionic surfactant as a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof and a cloud point modifier associated therewith.The present invention is also directed to a method for making nanoparticles comprising(i) contacting said nanoparticle containing an x-ray diagnostic compound with a high molecular weight nonionic surfactant for a time and under conditions sufficient to form a nanoparticle with the surfactant adsorbed on the surface thereof; and(ii) contacting the so treated nanoparticle with a cloud point modifier for a time and under conditions sufficient to form a nanoparticle containing an x-ray diagnostic compound, having a nonionic surfactant as a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof and a cloud point modifier associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprised of nanoparticles having tyloxapol adsorbed on the surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, said nanoparticle contains a diagnostic or therapeutic agent therein. In a further preferred embodiment, the nanoparticles contain a further surface modifier associated therewith. This invention further discloses a method of making nanoparticles having tyloxapol adsorbed on the surface, said method comprising contacting said nanoparticles with tyloxapol for a time and under conditions sufficient to provide a nanoparticle-tyloxapol composition. The present invention is also directed to a method of diagnosis comprising administering to a mammal a contrast effective amount of particles of nanoparticles having tyloxapol adsorbed on the surface thereof, and generating a diagnostic image of said mammal.

Abstract: Dispersible particles consisting essentially of a crystalline anticancer agent having a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than about 1000 nm. Anticancer compositions comprising the particles exhibit reduced toxicity and/or enhanced efficacy, and can be administered by IV bolus injection.

Abstract: Azole-fused peptides useful as Substance P antagonists and analgesics, for example ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## represents ##STR3## wherein X is O, S or NH and * is D, or as intermediates therefor are prepared by azole and peptide forming methods.

Abstract: Dispersible particles consisting essentially of a crystalline drug substance having a surface modifier adsorbed on the surface thereof in an amount sufficient to maintain an effective average particle size of less than about 400 nm, methods for the preparation of such particles and dispersions containing the particles. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the particles exhibit unexpected bioavailability and are useful in methods of treating mammals.

Abstract: A polynucleotide synthesizer comprises a supply mechanism for supplying a) liquid reactants for synthesizing peptides or polynucleotides, b) liquid reagents that assist in the synthesis, and c) a wash liquid; a reactor column; a connecting device for fluidly connecting the supply mechanism with the column; apparatus for positively displacing with gas pressure, liquid reactants and reagents, and wash liquid from the supply mechanism into the connecting device; and a controller connected to the column for allowing liquid to flow under the force of the gas pressure and at a controlled rate, into a temporary storage chamber and for thereafter emptying the chamber.

Abstract: A merocyanine dye having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are H, alkyl, alkoxy or aryl,R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are H or any of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, R.sub.1 and R.sub.7, R.sub.2 and R.sub.8 can together comprise the atoms necessary to form a fused aromatic ring on the benzene radical to which they are attached;R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 comprise alkyl of from 1-18 carbon atoms provided that the sum of the carbon atoms in R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is at least 8;R.sub.9 is an alkylene group of 2-9 nuclear carbon and hetero atoms; andZ.sup.+ is a cation.This dye is useful in a method for inactivating viruses comprising contacting the viruses with the compound and exposing the resulting mixture to visible light to excite and inactivate the viruses. The compounds are also useful in the irradiation-induced inactivation of leukemia cells.