Abstract: In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules (100), each tube is loaded into a holder (52), brought to a welding station (80), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder (52). A number of holders can 2 be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member (50), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station (80) and an ejection station (90). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism (40). The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fluorophore labelled substances in an electrophoretic separation medium comprises illuminating means (1) for illuminating the fluorophore labelled substances (8), detecting means (7) for detecting fluorescence emitted by said fluorophore labelled substances upon illumination, and illumination varying means (9) for varying the illumination of the fluorophore labelled substances (8) to vary the intensity of the fluorescence.

Abstract: A method for the separation of a predetermined compound comprising i) partitioning the compound in a two-phase (system A) in which at least one of the phases is rich (phase 1) and the other is poor (phase 2) in a thermoseparating polymer (I), ii) collecting one phase (phase 1 or phase 2) containing said compound, and iii if desired, further working up said compound from the phase collected in step ii, characterized a) in that polymer (I) is a micell-forming thermoseparating polymer, and b) in that phase 2 possibly contains at least one agent that is cloud point-decreasing for thermoseparating polymer (I), such as a polymer (II) that is incompatible with polymer (I) or a salt.

Abstract: A fraction collector (1) for dispensing liquid from a liquid source into receptacles (23) carried on a rotatable turntable (6), wherein the turntable is connected to the fraction collector casing (5) via a support arm (7) such that the turntable is rotatably mounted at one end of said support arm, and said support arm at its other end being rotatably mounted to the fraction collector casing. Thereby it is possible to align any position of the turntable under a dispensing tube (4) to dispense a liquid into a receptacle placed anywhere on the turntable.

Abstract: A method for detecting a mutation in a target nucleic acid sequence that comprises attaching oligonucleotide primers to a substrate, wherein the oligonucleotide primers have a sequence that is complementary to the target nucleic acid sequence, and wherein the oligonucleotide primers are grouped according to the identity of the first base which would be expected to be added to the primer through the process of primer extension; hybridizing to the oligonucleotide primers a sample nucleic acid sequence which possibly contains a mutation; extending each oligonucleotide primer by one base using a reaction mixture comprising labeled ddNTPs; and detecting a mutation in the sample nucleic acid sequence by detecting the presence of a labeled ddNTP which does not correspond to the identity of the base expected to be added to the primer through the process of primer extension. Mutations may be detected in mRNA or DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of gas-containing vesicles wherein a mixture of gas, liquid and vesicle membrane forming material is passed through a zone in which it is subject to shear forces exerted by surfaces moving relative to each other at a speed of at least 20 m/s.

Abstract: A process for preparing 5-amino-N,N′-bis(R)isophthalamides, where A is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 1,3-dihydroxyisopropyl, useful as intermediates in preparing iodinated diagnostic agents, which comprises reacting a di-lower-alkyl 5-nitroisophthalate with a compound of the formula RNH2 in the presence of a basic catalyst and without isolating the intermediate 5-nitro-N,N′-bis(R)isophthalamide, catalytically hydrogenating the latter.

Abstract: Prostate abnormalities such as cancer may be detected by ultrasonic determination of the in-flow kinetics of contrast agent-containing blood in the prostate and/or by observation of disease-related asymmetries in the spoke-like vascular pattern of the prostate.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns (“mini-columns”), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and, a machine readable instruction code Bet for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis.

Abstract: A method for adsorption of a substance from a liquid sample on a fluidized bead or stirred suspension, in which the beads used comprise a base matrix and exhibit a structure having affinity to the substance, characterized in that the structure is covalently bound to the base matrix via an extender. Populations of beads in which the beads contain a filler incorporated in a base matrix and an extender are also described.

Abstract: Process for, in layers of a porous matrix, exhibiting the groups A, introducing a functionality using a reagent I, introducing the functionality by a reaction with the groups A. The characterizing feature is that the matrix is contacted with a functional deficiency of reagent I and that conditions and reagent I are chosen so that the reaction between reagent I and the groups A is more rapid than diffusion of reagent I in the matrix.

Abstract: A polymer article having structure (I), where P comprises the basic polymer and groups —L—CH(—X(R1)p)—CH2(—Y(R2)p); L is a part of a pending group utilized for introducing —X(R1)p and —Y(R2)p; X and Y are halogen, N, S and O; R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, acyl or R2 when X is N, O or S; R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl in which the alkyl part may contain 1-18 carbons, or —R3(—NH—CR4═O)q or —R3(—NH2)q, —CR4═O or poly alkyloxy that may have been terminally acylated or alkylated; p is an integer 0-3, with the provisos a) p depends on X being halogen, O, S or N, and b) that if several groups R2 are present they may be identical or different; R3 is alkyl, —O-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, phenylalkyl, with up to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and R4 is C1-18 alkyl. q is an integer>O representing that one or more hydrogens in R3 may have been replaced with —NH2 or —NH—CR4═O.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a detection device for a spectrophotometer system, and in particular to a light detection device with an analogue input and a digital output. The object of the present invention is to provide a more accurate detection device, which requires substantially less space for accommodating the detection device in a spectrophotometer. This object is solved by using a successive approximation A/D converter (16) which has internal sample and hold circuits, and which heretofore has been used in the audio industry. This will increase the accuracy of the detection device and make it more resistant against disturbances. It will also decrease the space required for such detection device, down to one third compared to conventional detection devices.

Abstract: Local aberrations in the perfusion and/or compliance of vasculated tissue may be detected by contrast agent-enhanced ultrasound imaging procedures wherein a sequence of ultrasound image data is generated in respect of a region of interest in vasculated tissue, the image data is processed to generate waveforms representative of arterial pulsatility, and these waveforms are analyzed for variations such as phase distortions which are characteristic of local aberrations in tissue perfusion and/or compliance.

Abstract: This invention describes a new type of X-ray contrast agents. It has been found that iodinated alkenes containing one or several C═C double bonds substituted with electronic neutral substituents and iodine can be used as X-ray contrast agents. Also new iodoalkene compounds are described.

Abstract: Chelating agents, in particular dipyridoxyl and aminopolycarboxylic acid based chelating agents, and their metal chelates, when linked directly or indirectly to at least one nitric oxide releasing moiety, or when use in combination with nitric oxide or a nitric oxide releasing moiety have been found to be effective in treating a variety of disorders. In particular, such compounds may be used in treating conditions associated with the presence of free radicals in the body, e.g. reperfusion injuries, and in reducing the cardiotoxicity of anti-tumor agents, e.g. anthracyclines and/or paclitaxel.

Abstract: Ultrasonic visualization of a subject, particularly of perfusion in the myocardium and other tissues, is performed using novel gas-containing contrast agent preparations which promote controllable and temporary growth of the gas phase in vivo following administration and can therefore act as deposited perfusion tracers. The preparations include a coadministerable composition comprising a diffusible component capable of inward diffusion into the dispersed gas phase to promote temporary growth thereof. In cardiac perfusion imaging the preparations may advantageously be coadministered with vasodilator drugs such as adenosine in order to enhance the differences in return signal intensity from normal and hypoperfused myocardial tissue respectively.

Abstract: A cyanine dye having the structure has an overall positive charge greater than +1, by virtue of the presence of one to five positively charged N or P or S atoms, and also has a reactive or functional group by which it may be linked to a biomolecule or a solid surface.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a sequence of a polynucleotide of interest, comprising the steps of: a) incorporating one member of a specific binding pair at the end of each strand of a double stranded polynucleotide of interest, the number being of the same type for both strands, b) immobilizing both strands of the polynucleotide to a solid support provided with the other member of the specific binding pair, c) annealing sequencing primers to the immobilized strands, d) sequencing both strands by the chain termination method. The polynucleotide of interest is preferably amplified before or in connection with step a) and most preferably by polymerase chain reaction extension. The invention also comprises a kit for use in analyzing the sequence of a polynucleotide of interest.

Abstract: Polymerases from the Pol I family which are able to efficiently use ddNTPs have demonstrated a much improved performance when used to sequence DNA. A number of mutations have been made to the gene coding for the Pol II family DNA polymerase from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus with the aim of improving ddNTP utilisation. “Rational” alterations to amino acids likely to be near the dNTP binding site (based on sequence homologies and structural information) did not yield the desired level of selectivity for ddNTPs. However, alteration at four positions (Q472, A486, L490 and Y497) gave rise to variants which incorporated ddNTPs better than the wild type, allowing sequencing reactions to be carried out at lowered ddNTP:dNTP ratios. Wild type Pfu-Pol required a ddNTP:dNTP ratio of 30:1; values of 5:1 (Q472H), 1:3 (L490Y), 1:5 (A486Y) and 5:1 (Y497A) were found with the four mutants; A486Y representing a 150-fold improvement over the wild type.