Abstract: Synthetic analogues of lysine and glutamine are provided which function as substrates for the fibrin-stabilising enzyme Factor XIIIa even when labelled with a detectable moiety. The use of suitable protecting groups provides compounds which possess reduced susceptibility to in vivo metabolism especially by peptidases, and are hence useful agents for the diagnosis of thrombosis, embolism, atherosclerosis, inflammation or cancer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mixing and maintaining particulates in liquid suspension, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for holding a fluid containing dispersed particles, a substantially horizontally-disposed mixing plate mounted inside the reservoir, the mixing plate having a plurality of vertical holes extending through the plate, and means for raising and lowering the mixing plate inside the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel engineered derivatives of green fluorescent protein (GFP) which have an amino acid sequence which is modified by amino acid substitution compared with the amino acid sequence of wild type Green Fluorescent Protein. The modified GFPs exhibit enhanced fluorescence relative to wtGFP when expressed in non-homologous cells at temperatures above 30° C., and when excited at about 490 nm compared to the parent proteins, i.e. wtGFP. An example of a preferred protein is F64L-S175G-E222G-GFP. The modified GFPs provide a means for detecting GFP reporters in mammalian cells at lower levels of expression and/or increased sensitivity relative to wtGFP. This greatly improves the usefulness of fluorescent proteins in studying cellular functions in living cells.

Abstract: A medical or surgical device or tool that is designed to be implanted or inserted inside the human or mammalian body, having at least part of its surface coated whereby the ultrasound visibility of said device or tool in vivo is enhanced, wherein the coating comprises one or more of the following: (i) a matrix material containing a plurality of contrast enhancing elements; (ii) magnesium; (iii) a liquid or polymer which alters its ultrasound imaging properties upon elevating the temperature from ambient to physiological temperature; (iv) a liquid or polymer which alters its ultrasound imaging properties as a result of a change in pH; (v) an essentially non-polymeric bio-compatible compound which forms a discontinuous coating. Preferably the device or tool is a radioactive source for use in brachytherapy, and in particular a radioactive seed.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) where: X1 is OH or SH or NH2 or —L-Z; X2 and X3 are the same or different and each is H, C1-4 alkyl, benzyl a protecting group or —L-Z, X4 is H or C1-4 alkyl, L is a linker comprising a chain of 0-10 atoms, Z is a group comprising a detectable moiety which comprise at least one detectable moiety are useful in the diagnosis and prognosis and radiotherapy of metastatic bone disease.

Abstract: A complex of a radiometal or paramagnetic metal ion with a metal chelating agent such as a diaminedioxime has attached thereto a substituent of formula (Y)m—A—NHR)k can function as a substrate for the fibrin-stabilizing Factor XIIIa. The complex is useful for the diagnosis or therapy of thrombosis, embolism, atherosclerosis, inflammation or cancer.

Abstract: Radioactive seeds, particularly 1-125 radioiodine seeds are sterilized by being subjected to dry heat at a temperature of at least 140° C., preferably 150-200° C. A container having loose sterile radioactive seeds therein is disclosed. The container is preferably of glass with a label and a removable heat-resistant silicone closure.

Abstract: Radioactive sources, preferably radioactive seeds, for use in brachytherapy comprising a radioisotope within a sealed biocompatible container, wherein at least one part of a surface of the container is roughened, shaped or otherwise treated so that it is no longer smooth. The surface treatment may enhance the ultrasound visibility of the source and/or reduce the tendency of the source to migrate once implanted in a patient's body. Preferred radioisotopes are palladium-103 and iodine-125.

Abstract: Presented are a novel myosin-like protein particularly expressed in human heart and muscle, isolated nucleic acids encoding the myosin-like protein, compounds and compositions derivable directly or indirectly therefrom, and diagnostic and therapeutic methods for using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids that encode three novel isoforms of human pregnancy associated plasma protein E, hPAPP-E, and fragments thereof, vectors for propagating and expressing PAPP-E nucleic acids, host cells comprising the nucleic acids and vectors of the present invention, proteins, protein fragments, and protein fusions of the novel PAPP-E isoforms, and antibodies thereto. The invention further provides transgenic cells and non-human organisms comprising human PAPP-E isoform nucleic acids, and transgenic cells and non-human organisms with targeted disruption of the endogenous orthologue of the human PAPP-E gene. The invention further provides pharmaceutical formulations of the nucleic acids, proteins, and antibodies of the present invention, and diagnostic, investigational, and therapeutic methods based on the PAPP-E nucleic acids, proteins, and antibodies of the present invention.

Abstract: A complex of a radiometal or paramagnetic metal ion with a metal chelating agent such as a diaminedioxime has attached thereto a substituent of formula —(Y)m—A—NHR, can function as a substrate for the fibrin-stabilizing Factor XIIIa. The complex is useful for the diagnosis or therapy of thrombosis, embolism, atherosclerosis, inflammation or cancer.

Abstract: Radioactive sources, preferably radioactive seeds, for use in brachytherapy comprising a radioisotope within a sealed biocompatible container, wherein at least one part of a surface of the container is roughened, shaped or otherwise treated so that it is no longer smooth. The surface treatment may enhance the ultrasound visibility of the source and/or reduce the tendency of the source to migrate once implanted in a patient's body. Preferred radioisotopes are palladium-103 and iodine-125.

Abstract: Nucleoside analogues or base analogues having structure (I), where X=O or NH or S, Y=N or CHR6 or CR6, W=N or NR6 or CHR6 or CR6 or S, n=1 or 2; each R6 is independently H or O or alkyl or alkenyl or alkoxy or aryl or a reporter moiety; where necessary (i.e. when Y and/or W is N or CR6 where R6 is not O) a double bond is present between Y and W or W and W, and Q is H or a sugar or a sugar analogue or a nucleic acid backbone or backbone analogue.

Abstract: A method for the immobilization of a radioactive anion on the surface of a metal substrate, said method comprising treating the substrate with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a solution of a radioactive anion which forms an insoluble salt with ions of said metal. Preferably, a binding agent will also be present. Preferably, the metal is silver, the radioactive anion is 125I− and the binding agent comprises bromide ions.

Abstract: Nucleoside analogues or base analogues having structure (1), where X=O or NH or S, Y=N or CHR6 or CR6, W=N or NR6 or CHR6 or CR6 or S, n=1 or 2; each R6 is independently H or O or alkyl or alkenyl or alkoxy or aryl or a reporter moiety; where necessary (i.e. when Y and/or W is N or CR6 where R6 is not O) a double bond is present between Y and W or W and W, and Q is H or a sugar or a sugar analogue or a nucleic acid backbone or backbone analogue.

Abstract: Iodinated neuroprobes for mapping monoamine reuptake sites in the brain, and particularly iodinated neuroprobes that can also serve as radiotracers for use in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging of such reuptake sites, are disclosed. Precursors of radiolabeled iodinated neuroprobes, both with and without a radiotracer atom, and kits for preparing the radiolabeled iodinated neuroprobes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 32P or 33P-labelled bisphosphonates as radiotherapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. The 32P- or 33P-labelled bisphosphonates, which are chemically identical to the unlabelled agent, are expected to target the lesion site in an identical manner, but also deliver a significant radiocytotoxic effect to the surrounding cells. This should result, given the favorable energetics of the &bgr; particle emission from the 33P nuclide, in a loss of proliferative capacity of cells associated with the tumor lesion. The relative stability and in vivo localisation of bisphosphonates makes them good candidates as 32P/33P delivery vehicles.

Abstract: The invention concerns scintillation proximity assays performed in multiwell plates where a charge coupled device is used to image the wells. Conventional phosphors emit blue light (350-450 nm) which is absorbed by yellow or brown assay components. This problem is addressed by the use of phosphors that emit radiation of longer wavelength (480-900 nm).

Abstract: A 99mTc complex which contains the moiety Tc═NR, Tc—N═NY or Tc(—N═NY)2, and as a synthetic organic ligand which confers biological target-seeking properties on the technetium complex, where: R is an aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the group —NR1R2; Y is an aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; R1 and R2 are H, aryl groups or substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or cyclic alkyl groups, and are the same or different provided that both are not hydrogen; where at least one of the R or Y groups comprises an aryl group which chelates the 99mTc.

Abstract: Various classes of dyes are provided having acid, ester or amide groups for covalent linking to biomolecules. The dyes may be prepared by use of a compound of formula (I) where R1 comprises a linker and a carboxy including acid, salt, ester including N-hydroxysuccinimide, activated ester or amide group; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are H, C1-C10 alkyl or aralkyl or a group to modify solubility or electronic or spectral properties or a functional linking group: or R4-R5 and/or R2-R4 and/or R2-R3 are linked to form an extended ring system; and R6 is H or CHO or NO.