Abstract: A myocardial imaging agent for humans is a technetium(III) complex ligated in the planar positions by a tetradentate ligand such as (acac).sub.2 en and in the axial positions by an ether containing phosphine ligand such as tris(3-methoxy-1-propyl)-phosphine. The agent exhibits extremely rapid blood clearance after injection into a human and has a sufficiently high heart/liver and heart/lung ratios to provide effecitve myocardial images. A kit for preparing the above myocardial agent is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the formation of intramolecular amide bonds by the action of cyanogen, under mild reaction conditions, in the preparation of cyclic amides, including lactams, in biologically active compounds. A compound containing at least one carboxylic acid group and at least one primary or secondary amino group is reacted with cyanogen to form an intramolecular amide bond. The method has utility in the synthesis of B-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and their derivatives, in enzyme modification, in cyclization of peptides, and in covalent cross-linking of proteins.

Abstract: A sterile pyrogen free Re.sup.196 or Re.sup.188 radiopharmaceutical is prepared by reducing radioactive perrhenate in the presence of a bone seeking ligand to form a solution including complexed Re-ligand compound together with impurities such as uncomplexed perrhenate, ReO.sub.2 and free ligand. The radiopharmaceutical is obtained by a low pressure purification method. The solution is added to a separation column, preferably an ion exchange column, and a first portion is eluted and discarded. The radiopharmaceutical is collected in a second eluted portion defined as having 25-85% of the activity of the Re on the column, less than 10% unligated perrhenate and less than 1% ReO.sub.2. This can be used as is to image and treat metastatic bone leasions. A simple kit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state microanemometer with improved sensitivity and response time is micromachined out of a single deep level doped semiconductor crystal and includes four corner supports interconnected to four spanning members which form the resistor legs of a Wheatstone bridge. The bottom of the supports are electrostatically bonded to a glass plate, thus thermally isolating the resistor legs a predetermined distance above the top surface of the plate and electrically isolating the supports. Electrically conductive material deposited on the four corner supports provides electrical contacts which enable a voltage to be applied across the resistor legs. Preferably, an n.sup.+ material is diffused into the region of the crystal located beneath the electrically conductive material, and the exposed surfaces of the crystal are sealed with a passivation layer.

Abstract: A composition of matter having the following general formula ##STR1## wherein L represents 2-hydroxy isobutyric acid. This composition of matter is useful in improving the reaction efficiency or yield when bonding rhenium to a chelating ligand preferably a polydentate sulfur, selenium, phosphorous or nitrogen ligand. This provides a method to bond radioactive rhenium to various chelating ligands for a radiopharmaceutical. Further, this also provides a method to bond a radioactive rhenium to a protein such as a monoclonal antibody. This in turn provides a method to provide beta emitting radiation to cancer cells.

Abstract: A myocardial imaging agent for humans is a technetium(III) complex ligated in the planar positions by a tetradentate ligand such as (acac).sub.2 en and in the axial positions by an ether containing phosphine ligand such as tris(3-methoxy-1-propyl)phosphine. The agent exhibits extremely rapid blood clearance after injection into a human and has a sufficiently high heart/liver and heart/lung ratios to provide effective myocardial images.

Abstract: A method of detecting anti-neoplastics particularly adriamycin by shining visible light through a filter at the anti-neoplastic. The filter effectively removes light which is not in the absorption spectrum of the anti-neoplastic. Light which is reflected off of the anti-neoplastic as well as fluorescing light is then permitted to pass through a second filter and into a detector. The second filter is designed to filter out any light emitted by the light source and permit basically only light that is fluorescing from the anti-neoplastic. The light passing through the filter is then detected by a detector. In one embodiment, the second filter is a pair of glasses and the detector is the eye of an individual. The light source can be portable providing a hand held light source to quickly scan the environment. This is effective in detecting extremely dilute concentrations of adrimycin.

Abstract: A useful brain perfusion imaging agent comprises ##STR1## wherein R completes a four or five member ring. The agent is stable in vitro permitting its use up to six to eight hours after preparation.

Abstract: An electrode having a coating comprising at least two layers, at least one layer being a polymer network cross-linked by high energy radiation or chemically, and a method of producing such an electrode. The electrode is useful as a sensor for molecular oxygen, or as an ampermometric sensor with an enzyme or antibody immobilized in the cross-linked polymer layer.

Abstract: Dermatitis is treated by topically applying a composition including melanocyte stimulating hormone to the epidermal portion of the infected skin. Preferably, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone is applied in a concentration in the range of about 5.times.10.sup.-5 M/cm.sup.2. This is an effective treatment against a broad range of dermatitis. Occlusion of the affected site enhances response.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composition capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation in mammalian blood induced by adenosine diphosphate or arachidonic acid, which comprises forming an aqueous extract of dried and powdered seeds of the plant Paullinia cupana (guarana), centrifuging the solution and filtering the supernatant. A fraction of this aqueous extract obtained by thin-layer chromatographic fractionation on silica gel plates, which is free of salicylic acid, xanthines and nicotinic acid, is capable of deaggregating platelet aggregations in mammalian blood induced by adenosine diphosphate or arachidonic acid as well as inhibiting platelet aggregation. This fraction is eluted with ethanol, and centrifuged to removed gel. The supernatant may be dried and reconstituted with distilled water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing novel 4-[1-oxoalkyl]-2,5-oxazolidinediones, (4-1 OOD), and their use in a stereoselective method of producing beta-lactam-containing compounds which include several biologically active compounds such as the well-known families of penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. The method of the present invention involves generally the reaction of the above-described 4-[1-oxoalkyl]-2,5-oxazolidinediones so produced with a thiol amine having a geometry amenable to forming the precursor of the desired beta-lactam-containing compound or, in one scheme, forming the beta-lactam-containing compound itself directly. This is done either by direct reaction of the 4-1 OOD with a thiol amine (which by one pathway proceeds directly to the beta-lactam-containing compound) or by first converting the 4-1 OOD to its 2-[1-oxoalkyl]-2-amino acid form before its reaction with the thiol amine; and then forming the beta lactam by action of cyanogen).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting the method is disclosed for non-invasive, quantitative respirator fit testing. The method includes the step of having the wearer properly position the respirator over his nose and mouth, inhale to create a negative pressure inside the respirator cavity volume, hold his breath and record the pressure differential versus time decay rate between the pressure inside the respirator cavity volume and that of the surrounding environment. The method may also include establishing a leakhole of known dimension, repeating the above steps and determining the volume of the respirator cavity based upon the results of the recorded differential pressure versus time by comparing the result to calibration curves.The apparatus of the present invention includes modifying a conventional face mask respirator by providing the respirator with a pressure sensor and a leakhole of known dimension.

Abstract: Cancer of the oral cavity is treated by sensitizing malignant and premalignant tissue and non-selectively irradiating the entire oral cavity with a destructive laser. The strength or intensity of the light is adjusted so that nonsensitized tissue is not damaged. A special holder adapted to permit irradiation of the entire oral cavity from two fiber optic diffusers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition of matter having the following general formula ##STR1## wherein L represents 2-hydroxy isobutyric acid. This composition of matter is useful in improving the reaction efficiency or yield when bonding rhenium to a chelating ligand preferably a polydentate sulfur, selenium, phosphorous or nitrogen ligand. This provides a method to bond radioactive rhenium to various chelating ligands for a radiopharmaceutical. Further, this also provides a method to bond a radioactive rhenium to a protein such as a monoclonal antibody. This in turn provides a method to provide beta emitting radiation to cancer cells.

Abstract: A heterogeneous glass silicone membrane is formed by reacting in situ a silane monomer and an aqueous catalyst solution. The polymerization reaction is controlled so that the polymerization occurs within the porous glass support member. This is caused by allowing the aqueous catalyst to permeate into the glass support member at the same time the silane monomer is permeating into the member from the opposite side. By controlling monomer amount, temperature, catalyst amount and the like the polymerization occurs under controlled conditions inside the support member.Further a molecular sieve can be formed by pyrolysis of the formed heterogeneous membrane. Both the heterogeneous membrane and the molecular sieve can be used in a separation of gases.

Abstract: A cationic .sup.99m Tc.sup.III myocardial imaging agent is disclosed which has a relatively negative redox potential. This prevents in vivo reduction of the Tc(III) to Tc(II). The redox potential of the Tc(III) is controlled by complexing the Tc with both hard and soft atoms. Preferably four of the atoms complexed to the Tc(III) are hard atoms such as nitrogen or oxygen and the remaining two are soft atoms such as phosphorous or arsenic. These imaging agents are particularly useful in imaging the human heart.

Abstract: A new and improved cell assay has been developed for mutagens and potential carcinogens to precisely identify the predominant type of mutation(s) each such compound induces in the DNA of cells. The test utilizes, for example, a selectable genetic marker such as adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) which is now extensively characterized on the DNA, protein and cellular phenotype levels. Specific mutations such as transitions, transversions, point insertions or point deletions are engineered at specific known sites in a mouse APRT gene deduced from the determined gene sequence, such that the gene cannot be properly expressed. These mutant genes are then introduced into non-reverting APRT deficient mammalian cells. These hybrid constructs represent the basic test medium for detection of mutagenic activity. The tester cells are treated with mutagens known to preferentially induce specific DNA mutations in mammalian cells.

Abstract: Pure perihenate is isolated from a aqueous crude solution of perrhenate by first associating the perrherate with a lipophilic counter ion such as tetrabutyl ammonium. This is added to the solution in a form such as tetrabutyl ammonium bromide. Tetrabutyl ammonium perrhenate is formed. The aqueous mixture is then added to a reverse phase separation column such as a C.sub.18 Sep Pak filter which has been previously loaded with the lipophilic counter ion. The aqueous portion of the crude mixture is eluted from the column with water. Subsequently the purified perrhenate associated with the lipophilic counter ion is removed with a less polar solvent such as ethanol. Pertechnetate can also be separated from an aqueous mixture in the same manner. These procedures are particularly suited for isolating relatively pure radioactive forms of perrhenate and pertechnetate such as Re.sup.186 O.sub.4.sup.-, Re.sup.188 O.sub.4.sup.-, and .sup.99m TcO.sub.4.sup.-.

Abstract: Cancer of the oral cavity is treated by sensitizing malignant and premalignant tissue and non-selectively irradiating the entire oral cavity with a destructive laser. The strength or intensity of the light is adjusted so that nonsensitized tissue is not damaged. A special holder adapted to permit irradiation of the entire oral cavity from two fiber optic diffusers is also disclosed.