Abstract: The methods and reagents described in this invention are used to analyze circulating tumor cells, clusters, fragments, and debris. Analysis is performed with a number of platforms, including flow cytometry and the CELLSPOTTER® fluorescent microscopy imaging system. Analyzing damaged cells has shown to be important. However, there are two sources of damage: in vivo and in vitro. Damage in vivo occurs by apoptosis, necrosis, or immune response. Damage in vitro occurs during sample acquisition, handling, transport, processing, or analysis. It is therefore desirable to confine, reduce, eliminate, or at least qualify in vitro damage to prevent it from interfering in analysis. Described herein are methods to diagnose, monitor, and screen disease based on circulating rare cells, including malignancy as determined by CTC, clusters, fragments, and debris. Also provided are kits for assaying biological specimens using these methods.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. In addition, non-magnetically labeled cells are imaged for viability in a modified slide configuration. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet.

Abstract: A system for enumeration of cells in fluids by image cytometry is described for assessment of target populations such as leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. A small, permanent magnet is inserted directly into the chamber containing the labeled sample. The magnets are coated with PDMS silicone rubber to provide a smooth and even surface which allows imaging on a single focal plane. The cells are illuminated and the images of the fluorescent light emitted by the target cells are captured by a CCD camera. Image analysis performed with a novel algorithm provides a count of the cells on the surface that can be related to the target cell concentration of the original sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of arylsubstituted piperazines, of Formula I pharmaceutical compositions containing them and intermediates used in their manufacture. The compounds of the invention selectively inhibit binding to the &agr;-1a adrenergic receptor, a receptor which has been implicated in benign prostatic hyperplasia. As such the compounds are potentially useful in the treatment of this and other disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of arylsubstituted piperazines, of Formula I pharmaceutical compositions containing them and intermediates used in their manufacture. The compounds of the invention selectively inhibit binding to the &agr;-1a adrenergic receptor, a receptor which has been implicated in benign prostatic hyperplasia. As such the compounds are potentially useful in the treatment of this and other disease.

Abstract: This invention relates a to a series of heterocyclic substituted piperazines of Formula I methods of treatment, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and intermediates used in their manufacture. The compounds of the invention selectively inhibit binding to the &agr;-1a adrenergic receptor, a receptor which has been implicated in benign prostatic hyperplasia. As such the compounds are potentially useful in the treatment of this disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of arylsubstituted piperazines, of Formula I ##STR1## pharmaceutical compositions containing them and intermediates used in their manufacture. The compounds of the invention selectively inhibit binding to the .alpha.-1a adrenergic receptor, a receptor which has been implicated in benign prostatic hyperplasia. As such the compounds are potentially useful in the treatment of this and other disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of heterocyclic substituted piperazines of Formula I ##STR1## pharmaceutical compositions containing them and intermediates used in their manufacture. The compounds of the invention selectively inhibit binding to the (.alpha.-1.sub.a adrenergic receptor, a receptor which has been implicated in benign prostatic hyperplasia. As such the compounds are potentially useful in the treatment of this disease.

Abstract: A wound treatment material which absorbs wound fluid without overdrying the wound, provides physical cushioning for the wound, and releases an antimicrobial agent (iodine) in a controlled manner to kill harmful micro-organisms without irritating the wound area or adversely affecting would healing. The wound treatment material comprises crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex which is water insoluble, but water-absorbent and water-swellable. When the complex or a wound treatment preparation containing the complex is applied to a wound, i.e., becomes hydrated, and an equilibrium is established between the complex and the wound at the wound/complex interface. Iodine is releaed from the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex by a diffusion controlled process which responds to the reduction in concentration of free iodine in the wound fluid in equilibrium with the complex. The greater the rate of iodine depletion in the wound, the greater the rate of iodine release from the polymer-iodine complex.