Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760-x) mm Hg at 37° C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37° C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37° C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel materials and methods for use in treating patients afflicted with oncological disorders, such as tumors. One aspect of the invention concerns methods for treating tumors comprising the administration of drug loaded pH-sensitive microspheres to a patient in need of anticancer therapy. The pH-sensitive microspheres have a swelling transition with the pH range found in or near tumor tissue. When the microspheres swell, the loaded drug is released into the microenvironment of the tumor tissue. The subject invention also pertains to novel microspheres useful in the methods of the invention. The microspheres are capable of effectively releasing a loaded substance at a predetermined pH. The subject invention also concerns novel methods for synthesizing the microspheres of the present invention.

Abstract: Low density microspheres, methods for preparing same, and use of same as contrast agents are described. The microspheres have a void having a volume that comprises at least about 75% of the total volume of the microspheres, and which contains a gas or the vapor of a volatile liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, tetraalkyl silanes and perfluorocarbons.

Abstract: The invention shows a method for obtaining temporally spaced images of tissues, including blood vessels, to reveal blood flow abnormalities within those tissues and vessels.

Abstract: A stable pharmaceutical composition comprising a mixture of (i) an ibuprofen medicament; (ii) a domperidone medicament and (iii) a carrier material characterized in that the carrier material is substantially free of providone and comprises at least one diluent combined with at least one release modifying agent.

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. One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to these gas-filled microbubbles used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.

Abstract: Therapeutic sources for use in the practice of brachytherapy comprise a radioactive composite that includes (a) a polymeric matrix and (b) a radioactive powder, e.g. Pd-103 or I-125, consisting essentially of very fine radioactive particles that are randomly and essentially uniformly dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The composite may be in the shape of one or more solid cylindrical rods surrounded by a non-radioactive sleeve. Alternatively it may be a hollow rod, suture, film, sheet, or microspheroidal particles. The composite may be shaped by molding, extrusion or other methods, may be made with a flexibility suitable to its intended use or may be encapsulated in a metallic capsule.

Abstract: The invention features a method of identifying a candidate drug for treating functional dyspepsia. The invention also features a method of diagnosing a patient with functional dyspepsia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for contrast-enhanced imaging of sexual response. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized X-ray tomography (CT), ultrasound, and optical imaging using contrast agents to measure blood flow during sexual response, especially female sexual response. The invention relates to methods of analyzing normal sexual function and sexual dysfunction and provides a means for evaluating and screening potential therapeutic compounds for enhancing sexual function or treating sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: A microbubble preparation formed of a plurality of microbubbles comprising a first gas and a second gas surrounded by a membrane such as a surfactant, wherein the first gas and the second gas are present in a molar ratio of from about 1:100 to about 1000:1, and wherein the first gas has a vapor pressure of at least about (760?x) mm Hg at 37 C., where x is the vapor pressure of the second gas at 37 C., and wherein the vapor pressure of each of the first and second gases is greater than about 75 mm Hg at 37 C.; also disclosed are methods for preparing microbubble compositions, including compositions that rapidly shrink from a first average diameter to a second average diameter less than about 75% of the first average diameter and are stabilized at the second average diameter; kits for preparing microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as ultrasound contrast agents.

Abstract: The present invention covers halogenated derivatives of boronated phorphyrins containing multiple carborane cages having the formula which selectively accumulate in neoplastic tissue within the irradiation volume and thus can be used in cancer therapies including, but not limited to, boron neutron-capture therapy and photodynamic therapy. The present invention also covers methods for using these halogenated derivatives of boronated porphyrins in tumor imaging and cancer treatment.

Abstract: 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclodedecane butyltriols of general formula IA in which R1 means hydrogen or a metal ion equivalent independent of one another and R2 means a butyltriol radical as well as their salts with organic or inorganic bases or amino acids are valuable pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microspheres and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microspheres. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microspheres have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced. In particular, the microspheres may be 15-20 ?m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: An anti-fungal product for delivering at least two different anti-fungals that is comprised of three dosage forms with different release profiles with each anti-fungal being present in at least one of the dosage forms.

Abstract: A nasal passage cleaning composition according to the invention comprises water and salt as a base, and contains a mucolytic agent such as alum and/or zinc sulphate to shrink the mucosa and allow sinus passage drainage, decreasing pressure in the infected sinus an alleviates sinus headache and face ache. A preferred mucolytic agent is n-acetyl-L-cystine, which is used to dissolve or soften mucus in the nasal passages, though methyl salicylate may also be used to disintegrate crusted mucus, acting also as a topical anti-inflammatory agent and as a pain relieving agent to reduce pain and discomfort.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare gas-filled, porous microparticles having a polymer matrix interior which are useful as ultrasound echogenic contrast agents. An oil-in-water suspension is formed, both phases are frozen, then the aqueous and nonaqueous frozen phases are removed by sublimation. The resulting porous microparticles can receive a gas and be used as an ultrasound contrast agent.