Abstract: A method for detecting, locating and diagnosing tumors by labeling hyaluronic acid with a diagnostic agent, administering the labelled hyaluronic acid compound to a patient, and utilizing an appropriate imaging method to detect said labelled hyaluronic acid compound in or on the patient.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detecting the presence of and quantifying the concentration of viable microorganisms in a liquid sample are provided. Enzymes present in viable microorgansims reduce an indicator reagent to produce a visible color change. No titrations or dilutions of the sample are necessary. Variations of the test are described which can be used to detect a threshold level of viable microorganisms, to detect the presence or absence of viable microorganisms and to quantify the concentration of viable microorganisms in a liquid sample. The results are obtained rapidly with those for the detection available within thirty minutes and those for the quantification available within thirteen hours.

Abstract: The invention provides a metal chelate forming peptide having an amino acid sequence of three amino acid residues represented by: X1-X2-Cys, wherein X1 represents an amino acid residue other than Cys residue; X2 represents an amino acid residue other than Cys residue and Pro residue; functional groups at the N-terminus, C-terminus and side chain may be substituted with protecting groups; and each of the amino acid residues may be any of D-form and L-form. Further, the invention provides a complex of the peptide with a physiologically active peptide, protein or other substance; a labeled reagent obtained by labeling the peptide or the complex with a metal radionuclide; and a radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic composition comprising the metal radionuclide-labeled reagent.

Abstract: This invention relates to radiodiagnostic agents and reagents for preparing such agents, and also methods for producing radiolabeled radiodiagnostic agents. Specifically, the invention relates to technetium-99m (.sup.99m Tc) labeled agents, methods and kits for making the agents, and methods for using the agents to image pathological sites, including sites of infection, inflammation, cancer and atherosclerosis in a mammalian body. Specifically the agents and reagents are derivatives of oligosaccharides, more specifically .beta.-glucans.

Abstract: A structurally modified protein is provided that will bind to a tumor-associated structure wherein the amino group in at least one basic amino acid in the binding protein is structurally modified to convert the amino group, --NH.sub.2, to the grouping --NH--CO--X--NHR in which R is H or an amino protecting group and the grouping --CO--X--NHR is the residue of a peptide of the formula NHR--X--COOH capable of acting as a substrate for a phosphokinase.

Abstract: Enhanced drug delivery to tumor tissue is obtained by attaching drug molecules to elongated polypeptide carrier molecules several orders of magnitude longer than wide. These are chosen to have a high net negative charge. The carrier molecules are created by unfolding long polypeptides by a large degree of substitution with steric hindrance molecules, such as diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) with at least 90% substitution. This causes the conformation to be worm-like as evidenced by a measure of persistence length, with a diameter small enough squeeze through the pore structures of tumor tissue but not so small as to pass through pores of vessels in normal tissue. The length is determined by optimizing two processes, blood circulation lifetime, and tumor uptake. The elongated conformation may cause the complex to become entwined with stroma in tumor interstitium and become trapped.

Abstract: A conjugate of a tumor cell-targeting protein or polypeptide and a nucleic acid-targeting small molecule labeled with an Auger electron-emitting radionuclide is useful for tumor therapy. The tumor cell-targeting protein or polypeptide may be an antibody or fragment thereof, a hormone or a growth factor.

Abstract: High affinity linked, branched or linear repeat peptides containing two or more biological-function domains and at least one medically useful metal ion-binding domain are labeled with medically useful metal ions for use in a variety of diseases and pathologic conditions, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Such peptides include high affinity chemotactic peptides containing a biological-function domain which includes at least two linked N-formyl-MLF (SEQ. ID NO. 2) sequences and high affinity repeat and branched peptides containing two or more YIGSR (SEQ. ID NO. 1) sequences.

Abstract: A tracer, such as a radioisotope, is conjugated to a hemoglobin-like protein, such as normal hemoglobin, for use as an in vitro diagnostic imaging agent.

Abstract: Peptides containing a biological-function domain and a medically useful metal ion-binding domain are labeled with medically useful metal ions for use in diagnosis and treatment of a variety of pathologic conditions. The peptides have the amino acid sequence(R.sub.1)--?Y.sub.1 !.sub.n --(R.sub.2),(R.sub.1)--?Y.sub.1 --(R.sub.2)--Y.sub.1 !.sub.n --(R.sub.3)and(R.sub.1)--?Y.sub.1 --(R.sub.2)--Y.sub.2 !.sub.n --(R.sub.3)wherein the medically useful metal ion-binding domain is ?Y.sub.1 !.sub.n, ?Y.sub.1 --(R.sub.2)--Y.sub.1 !.sub.n or ?Y.sub.1 --(R.sub.2)--Y.sub.2 !.sub.n, in which n is a number between 1 and about 6 and Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are amino acids with a sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen which is available for binding to metal ions, or can be made available for binding to metal ions; the biological-function domain is an amino acid sequence containing from 1 to about 20 amino acids located in any one or more of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 ; and those portions of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for non-pyrogenously preparing a radioisotope-labeled reagent that includes a plurality of raw material-holding containers, reaction vessels, and columns connected to each other by transfer tubes that are hermetically sealed such that the raw materials can be introduced into the appropriate reaction vessels in the appropriate order through the transfer tubes using a force fed inert gas.

Abstract: Lipid molecules bearing a cationic charge are described. These cationic lipids are useful in the delivery of biomolecules, such as oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, peptides, diagnostic imaging agents, proteins and drug molecules. In the form of liposomes, they can effectively be used for the intracellular delivery of biomolecules for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Iodine-containing peptides of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, a, m and q have the meanings indicated in the description, agents containing these compounds, the use of compounds as contrast media as well as processes for their production are described.

Abstract: Light-colored alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides corresponding to formula (I)R.sup.1 O--?G!.sub.p (I)which R.sup.1 is an alkyl and/or alkenyl radical containing 4 to 22 carbon atoms, G is a sugar unit containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms and p is a number of 1 to 10, can be produced by a process in which sugars are subjected to acid-catalyzed acetalization with a large excess of primary alcohols, the reaction mixture is neutralized in the presence of reducing agents and is then bleached in known manner. At the same time, the quality of the excess fatty alcohol to be separated off is considerably improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a labelled diagnostic composition for testing presence of or propensity for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease and the like comprising components which mimic essential features of an exogenous lipoprotein transport particle, said composition being capable of metabolisation by normal physiological pathways such that at least one labelled metabolite is detectable in the blood or bodily waste of a patient being tested. Furthermore, it also relates to a method of determining the presence of or propensity for atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease and the like in a patient requiring such determination comprising administering to said patient a labelled diagnostic composition which mimics essential features of an exogenous lipoprotein transport particle, and measuring the quantity of labelled metabolite in the bodily waste or blood of said patient so as to determine the quantity of labelled diagnostic composition successfully metabolised by said patient.

Abstract: A method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of a biological fluid involves a hollow, frustum-shaped disposable device. The smaller end of the frustum has a porous membrane, to which the sample is applied. Preferably, a reagent in the membrane reacts with the analyte to cause a color change. The device is mounted on a meter, which measures the color change and computes from the change the analyte concentration in the sample. Preferably, the devices are released from the meter without touching them, to protect against contamination.

Abstract: Peptide derivatives of leutenizing hormone releasing hormone that are capable of binding radionuclides are provided. The peptide derivatives are readily labeled with isotopes of rhenium or technetium, while retaining their ability to tightly bind LHRH receptors. Methods for preparing the labeled peptides and their use in methods of radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy are described.

Abstract: Bicyclopolyazamacrocyclophosphonic acid compounds are disclosed which may form inert complexes with Gd, Mn or Fe ions. The overall charge of the complex can be varied to alter the in vivo biolocalization. Such complexes can be covalently attached to an antibody, antibody fragment or other biologically active molecule to form conjugates. The complexes and conjugates are useful as contrast agents for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Halogenated oligonucleotides and particularly radiohalogenated oligonucleotides are prepared by reacting a modified oligonucleotide with a trialkylstannylaryl reagent, such as an active ester of 4-(tri-n-butyl)benzoic acid. The modified oligonucleotide has a reactive group, such as an NH.sub.2 group, covalently attached to a terminal phosphate or to a heterocyclic base, which reacts with the trialkylstannylaryl reagent to provide a trialkylstannylaryl-ODN conjugate. The trialkylstannyl group of the trialkylstannylaryl-ODN conjugate is rapidly replaced by halogen upon treatment with electrophilic halogen, such as I.sup.+, that is formed when a halogen salt is treated with an oxidizing agent. The trialkylstannylaryl-ODN conjugate is significantly more lipophilic than the halogenated ODN and is readily separated from the halogenated ODN by simple reverse phase column chromatography.

Abstract: A method of radiolabeling a peptide, e.g., somatostatin or an analogue thereof or vasoactive intestinal peptide, with a radioisotope of technetium or rhenium, comprises the steps of: (a) reacting the peptide with an acetyl-protected t-thiol-containing, amine-reactive bifunctional chelating agent; (b) deprotecting the acetyl-t-thiol group to generate a free t-thiol group; and either (c) admixing the peptide-t-thiol-containing conjugate with a stannous salt; and (d) reacting the mixture of step (c) with pertechnetate or perrhenate, or (c') adding reduced pertechnetate or perrhenate to said peptide-t-thiol-containing conjugate, thereby forming a radiolabeled peptide. Kits for effecting the radiolabeling method, and methods of tumor detection/imaging or therapy are provided.