Abstract: A new and improved method for extending the half life of pharmaceutical compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy uses a novel linker to attach a diagnostic or therapeutic moiety to a targeting peptide or another diagnostic or therapeutic moiety. The resulting compound may have the general formula M-N—O—P-Q, wherein M is the diagnostic or therapeutic moiety, N—O—P is the linker of the present invention, and Q is the targeting peptide. In another embodiment the compounds may have the formula M-N—O—P-M, wherein M is independently a diagnostic or therapeutic moiety and N—O—P is the linker of the invention. Methods for imaging or treating a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound are further provided. Methods for radiotherapy of a patient using the compounds are further provided, as are methods for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent from the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probiotic compositions and kits thereof, comprising live bacteria belonging to the natural flora of the human body cavity such as intestine and vaginal tract, in particular, strains of lactobacillus or bifidobacterium species, and low molecular-weight non-proteinaceous iron chelators capable of lowering the iron concentration over the whole physiological pH-range of relevance to levels that inhibit growth of pathogens, but which allow for the growth of the bacteria of the composition.

Abstract: A new and improved method for extending the half life of pharmaceutical compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy uses a novel linker to attach a diagnostic or therapeutic moiety to a targeting peptide or another diagnostic or therapeutic moiety. The resulting compound may have the general formula M-N-O-P-Q, wherein M is the diagnostic or therapeutic moiety, N-O-P is the linker of the present invention, and Q is the targeting peptide. In another embodiment the compounds may have the formula M-N-O-P-M, wherein M is independently a diagnostic or therapeutic moiety and N-O-P is the linker of the invention. Methods for imaging or treating a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound are further provided. Methods for radiotherapy of a patient using the compounds are further provided, as are methods for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent from the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic imaging and provides compositions of ultrasound contrast agents, particularly gas-filled microvesicles suspensions, in combination with vital dyes. The compositions of the invention are advantageously used in the visualization of the lymphatic system, particularly for the detection of the sentinel lymph node or nodes of a tumor.

Abstract: A new and improved method for extending the half life of pharmaceutical compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy uses a novel linker to attach a diagnostic or therapeutic moiety to a targeting peptide or another diagnostic or therapeutic moiety. The resulting compound may have the general formula M-N-O-P-Q, wherein M is the diagnostic or therapeutic moiety, N-O-P is the linker of the present invention, and Q is the targeting peptide. In another embodiment the compounds may have the formula M-N-O-P-M, wherein M is independently a diagnostic or therapeutic moiety and N-O-P is the linker of the invention. Methods for imaging or treating a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound are further provided. Methods for radiotherapy of a patient using the compounds are further provided, as are methods for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent from the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents for the diagnosis and treatment of tumours that expose altered proteins on the cell surface.

Abstract: The invention provides chemical conjugates between an immunoglobulin Fab fragment and molecular entities imparting diagnostic or therapeutic utility, whereby the only sites of conjugation on the Fab fragment are one or both of the sulfhydryl groups deriving from the selective and quantitative reduction of the inter-chain disulfide bond of said Fab fragment and whereby said molecular entities imparting diagnostic or therapeutic utility have at least one free sulfhydryl-reactive group, characterized in that the conjugation stoichiometric molar ratio molecular entity to Fab fragment is in the range from 0.95 to 1.05 or in the range from 1.95 to 2.05. The invention also provides a process for preparing said conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: Compounds able to chelate paramagnetic metal ions and the use thereof as contrast agents in the technique known as “Magnetic Resonance Imaging” (M.R.I.).

Abstract: Compounds able to chelate paramagnetic metal ions and the use thereof as contrast agents in the technique known as “Magnetic Resonance Imaging” (M.R.I.), which consist of at least two chelating agents conjugated via a multivalent linker group, to a bile acid.

Abstract: Blood pool imaging contrast agents containing paramagnetic bi- and tri-valent metal ion chelates of bile acid conjugates with molecules having chelating activity are used in magnetic resonance imaging of the vascular system and particularly the coronaries.

Abstract: Devices, and a method for the use thereof, for the standardization of signal intensity in the formation of magnetic resonance images of the human body, said devices including one or more straight, bent or flexible closed tubes with an external diameter not greater than 3 cm, an internal diameter of not less than 0.2 cm and a length of not less than 8 cm, made of susbtantially diamagnetic material, other than glass, preferably a plastic material, particularly polyvinyl chloride, each of them being filled with aqueous solutions or gels containing paramagnetic components, said tubes being kept close to the body either by means of the positioning devices of the body to which they are fixed permanently or temporarily, or by fixings which, on one side, can be fixed to the human body and on the other keep the tubes in the required positior.

Abstract: The present invention refers to pharmaceutical and diet formulations for the prophylaxis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: Branched, dendrimeric macromolecules having a central nucleus and a series of polyoxaalkylene chains that radiate from the nucleus and spread into the surrounding space branching a cascade fashion until the desired size results. Molecules formed in this manner are free of excessive functional crowding on their outer surfaces. Synthetic methods of preparing these molecules and their uses are described.

Abstract: A packaging ready for the use for the oral administration of air-free diagnostic contrast solutions or suspensions comprising an air-tight collapsible container, equipped with a distributing beak with a sealing detachable cap, containing a diagnostic degassed aqueous composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Lactobacillus strains and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of dendrimeric-type branched macromolecules, comprising polyoxaalkylene chains, as catalysts or coadjuvants of phase transfer catalysis reactions.

Abstract: This invention refers to injectable aqueous formulations containing radiopaque contrast agents useful for X-ray imaging of human or animal body. This invention specially deals with injectable aqueous solutions of mixtures of non-ionic and water-soluble iodinated aromatic compounds preferably constituted by: a) compounds comprising an aromatic nucleus at least triiodo-substituted; b) compounds comprising at least two aromatic nuclei variably bound together, each one at least triiodo substituted.

Abstract: Novel compounds containing a polyiodinated aromatic or heteroaromatic residue and their chelate complexes with ions of metal elements with atomic number from 20 to 31, 39, from 42 to 44, 49 and from 57 to 83, and their salts with physiologically tolerable organic and inorganic bases are useful contrast agents for preparation of diagnostic formulations to obtain images of organs and/or tissues of human and animal body through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance or X-rays or the combination of both nuclear magnetic resonance and X-rays.

Abstract: Novel paramagnetic metal ion chelates and their use as contrast agents in the diagnostic technique known as "magnetic resonance imaging" (M.R.I.) of the gastrointestinal tract and particularly of the liver, are described. The novel compounds result from the conjugation of a bile acid with a chelating agent and are capable of chelating the ions of bivalent and trivalent metals. The compounds have formula A-L-B in which A is the residue of a bile acid and derivatives of a bile acid, B is the residue of a chelating agent of a bivalent or trivalent metal ion having an atomic number of 20 to 31, 39, 42, 43, 44, 49, 57 to 83, L is a ligand between A and B.

Abstract: The present invention refers to new contrast media particularly suited for X-ray diagnostic procedures of the human and animal body and also to the new compounds of general formulae (I) and (II).