Abstract: Administered anticraving compositions are disclosed for treating patients addicted to alcohol comprising an effective amount of at least one alpha-pyrone compound formulated into a physiologically acceptable carrier medium. Additionally, a method of oral administration of the anticraving compounds is disclosed where an effective amount of at least one alpha-pyrone compound is formulated into a wine, beer or distilled spirit where the alcohol has been removed and replaced by one or more kavapyrones.

Abstract: A polymorphic form of 9-nitrocamptothecin is provided, the polymorph being characterizable as having, by differential scanning calorimetry, an endotherm at between 273.9 to 275.9° C., and an exotherm at between 279.3 and 281.3° C.

Abstract: A novel chocolate product for use in delivering medicaments and/or nutrients to animals, particularly humans, specially formulated so that the craving for such product by animals, particularly humans, is significantly greater than the craving for chocolate conventionally used in pharmaceutical compositions and the concentration, optimization, and the addition of endogenous and exogenous ingredients to increase such craving as well as to treat specific indications. The chocolate product contains: from about 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plaster containing an active agent, comprising at least one cover membrane and an active membrane which is based on a skin-compatible matrix containing a molecular sieve which is loaded with at least one active agent. The molecular sieve/active agent adduct releases the active agent when the active membrane comes into contact with the skin, in conjunction with the transpired water of the skin. The inventive plaster is characterised in that the molecular sieve/active agent adduct also contains water of crystallisation, to the extent that the molecular sieve is partially hydrated compared to a sufficient basic molar quantity (m) of water of crystallisation, the molecular sieve with the reduced molar quantity (m?) of water of crystallisation being loaded with the active agent (Z, Z1, Z2) so that when the active membrane comes into contact with the skin, water is absorbed and the active agent is desorbed, whereupon the water of crystallisation content of the molecular sieve increases.

Abstract: Palladium-substituted Bacteriochlorophyll derivatives are administered to a subject suspected of having a tumor and the patient is then irradiated and the fluorescence of the suspected area is measured. A high fluorescence indicates a tumor site. A preferred derivative is Pd-Bacteriopheophorbide a.

Abstract: An implantable or insertable medical device is provided which comprises (a) a superoxide dismutase mimic and (b) a polymeric release region. Upon administration to a patient, the polymeric release region controls the release of the superoxide dismutase mimic, which is beneficially selected from a metal-chelate superoxide dismutase mimic and a nitroxide superoxide dismutase mimic. Also provided is a method of making an implantable or insertable medical device.

Abstract: Irritation upon injection of a formulation containing propofol is reduced or substantially eliminated by administering a stable, sterile, and antimicrobial aqueous dispersion comprising a water-insoluble microdroplet matrix of mean diameter from about 50 nm to about 1000 nm consisting essentially of about 1% to about 15% of propofol, up to about 7% of a propofol-soluble diluent, and about 0.8% to about 4% of a surface stabilizing amphiphilic aent. The aqueous phase includes a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polyhydroxy tonicity modifier. The propofol-containing dispersion is devoid of additional bactericidal or bacteriostatic preservative agents.

Abstract: The invention concerns a product inhibiting transduction of G heterotrimeric protein signals combined with another anti-cancer agent, in particular farnesyltransferase inhibitors, taxol or gemcitabin, for simultaneous, separate or prolonged therapeutic use in cancer treatment.

Abstract: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophilic stabilizers. The laminarized surfactants can be in the form of liposomes. The suspensions are obtained by exposing the laminarized surfactants to air or a gas before or after admixing with an aqueous phase.

Abstract: A composition and method of fabrication are presented with which nanoparticles may be used as a tool to deliver drugs to a specific target within or on a mammalian body. Specifically, by using stabilizers other than Dextran 70.000 during the polymerization process, according to the present invention, surfactants, which were deemed necessary coating material in the prior art, are no longer required. This is a significant simplification of the fabrication procedure. Many substances are useful as stabilizers, but the preferred stabilizers comprise Dextran 12.000 or polysorbate 85. In the present invention a drug is either incorporated into or adsorbed onto the stabilized nanoparticles. This drug/nanoparticle complex is then administered to the organism on any route such as by oral application, injection or inhalation, whereupon the drug exerts its effect at the desired site of pharmacological action.

Abstract: A formulation for male contraception comprising a progestin possessing both estrogenic and androgenic properties is remarkably effective for spermatogenesis suppression in males. The progestin Norethisterone (NET), particularly its derivatives Norethisterone acetate and Norethisterone enanthate in sufficient doses induce oligozoospermia or azoospermia in males. Formulations further comprising an androgen, such as a testosterone derivative such as a testosterone ester, particularly testosterone undecanoate, are especially effective male contraceptive formulations.

Abstract: Preparations whereby reduction or acceleration of the gastric emptying rate can be noninvasively evaluated: and a method of evaluating the gastric emptying rate by using these preparations. Thus, reduction or acceleration of the gastric emptying rate can be safely and conveniently examined. Namely, theses preparations are useful in objectively diagnosing the gastric motor function, as well as in evaluating and judging the drug effect or therapeutic effect of a drug concerning the gastric motor function on individual patients.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel compounds that can be used to prepare radiolabeled compounds in an effective manner. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of synthesizing radiolabeled compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of particulate materials as contrast agents in in vivo light imaging.

Abstract: A composition comprising a guest/host assembly having a spheroidal host assembly comprised of a hexamer of a methylene-bridged trihydroxybenzene tetramer and a guest component encapsulated within the spheroidal host assembly to provide a highly stable guest/host assembly. A guest component, specifically a pharmaceutically active agent, is encapsulated within the spheroidal host assembly to provide a guest/host assembly exhibiting a high stability, being stable upon a solubilization in a mixture of acetone and water in a one-to-one ratio for a period of one day at a temperature of 37° C. The pharmaceutically active agent encapsulated within the spheroidal hexamer is selected from the group consisting of Depakote, Wellbutrin, Allegra, Neurontin, Zovirax, and Claritin. A process for the preparation of a hexameric complex, as described above, from a methylene-bridged tetramer solubilized in an amphiphilic organic solvent. An activator is incorporated into the amphiphilic solvent containing the tetramer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to contrast agents for diagnostic imaging with prolonged blood retention. In particular, this invention relates to novel compounds that are characterized by an image enhancing moiety (IEM); a protein plasma binding moiety (PPBM); and a blood half-life extending moiety (BHEM). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and to methods of using the compounds and compositions for blood half-life extension and contrast enhancement of diagnostic imaging.

Abstract: Tropane derivatives having a high binding affinity and selectivity for dopamine transporters bear, on the tropane backbone either a carboxylic ester or isoxazole moiety, as well as a substituted phenyl moiety. The compounds have utility both as pharmaceutical and as imaging agents, when one or more atoms are radioactive.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products monitor in vivo detected radiation in a target localized site within a subject, over a selected time period, to do one or more of: (a) quantify a radiation dose received at a local site; (b) assess bioreceptiveness to a particular treatment time or type; (c) evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a radiolabeled analyte corresponding to a non-radiolabeled analyte; (d) monitor or evaluate metabolic activity; or (e) evaluate a tumor prior to or after a therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A formulation to deliver a full-spectrum of Vitamin E isomers for improved antioxidant capacity, bioavailability, dissolution and efficacy. The formulation includes dl-?-tocopheryl acetate or dl-?-tocopheryl succinate (synthetic Vitamin E), natural Vitamin E and mixed tocopherols, such as ?-, ?-, ?- and ?-tocopherol, as well as four isomers (?, ?, ? and ?) of tocotrienols. This formulation is designed to deliver at least 17-times the antioxidant capacity of synthetic Vitamin E (dl-?-tocopheryl acetate), and at least twice the antioxidant capacity of natural Vitamin E (d-?-tocopherol) as measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The potent antioxidant capacity of this formula affords protection against oxidative damage of cell membranes, heart disease, cancer and eye and skin disease.

Abstract: A liposome containing a hydrophobic iodine compound represented by the following general formula (I) as a membrane component: R1—CO2—R2 wherein R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted 2,3,5-triiodophenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted 3,4,5-triiodophenyl group; and R2 represents a hydrocarbon group having 10 or more carbon atoms, and an X-ray contrast medium, which comprises said liposome which is used for radiography of a vascular disease.