Abstract: A method of conjugating a carboxylate-containing molecule to an amine-containing macromolecule to form a substituted macromolecule is provided. The method includes (a) forming a first solution by dissolving a substance comprising at least one macromolecule having free amine groups in an aqueous basic solution; (b) forming a second solution by combining at least one carboxylate-containing molecule with at least one acid acceptor in an aprotic solvent; (c) adding at least one carboxylate activating agent to the second solution to form an activated carboxylate-containing molecule; (d) combining the first solution and second solutions to form a multiphasic solution; and (e) isolating the resultant substituted macromolecule from the mixture. A substituted macromolecule produced by the aforementioned method is also provided.

Abstract: An in situ breast tumor temperature profile measuring probe includes a rod, thermal sensors and electrical output leads. The thermal sensors are formed in spaced apart holes in an outer insulating layer of the rod and a common electrical input lead to provide an electrical input signal to the thermal sensors is disposed below and has portions exposed at the holes and electrically connected to the thermal sensors. The thermal sensors receive the electrical input signal from the common electrical input lead, sense the temperature of biological matter adjacent to the thermal sensors and produce an electrical output signal correlated thereto. Each electrical output lead mounted to the outer insulating layer is in electrical contact with a different one of the thermal sensors to receive the electrical output signal from the one thermal sensor and output the same.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (“MR”) contrast-enhancing agents comprise poly(amino acid) backbone chain conjugated to chelating moieties that comprise a plurality of carboxylic acid groups that form coordination complexes with paramagnetic ions. A method for detecting atherosclerotic plaque areas comprises administering at least one of these contrast agents into a subject; and obtaining and comparing MR images of and MR signals from the plaque areas before and after administering the contrast agent. The method can be used to assess an effectiveness of a prescribed course of treatment for atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Linear extended polymeric paramagnetic chelates for use as MRI contrast agents are synthesized by conjugating DTPA chelator moieties to higher than 90% of the monomer residues of the polyamino acid backbone chain. The resulting polymer can be labeled with Gd, since each chelator moiety holds a Gd ion, and the resulting conformation is of an unfolded, extended linear type, capable of entering small pores and moving around obstacles in the extracellular space of tissues. The efficient production of these extended polymers is critical for the application of such contrast agents to medical imaging. One such agent is a reptating polymer containing technetium-99.

Abstract: Linear extended polymeric paramagnetic chelates for use as MRI contrast agents are synthesized by conjugating DTPA chelator moieties to higher than 90% of the monomer residues of the polyamino acid backbone chain. The resulting polymer can be labeled with Gd, since each chelator moiety holds a Gd ion, and the resulting conformation is of an unfolded, extended linear type, capable of entering small pores and moving around obstacles in the extracellular space of tissues. The efficient production of these extended polymers is critical for the application of such contrast agents to medical imaging. One such agent is a reptating polymer containing technetium-99.

Abstract: Linear extended polymeric paramagnetic chelates for use as MRI contrast agents are synthesized by conjugating DTPA chelator moieties to higher than 90% of the monomer residues of the polyamino acid backbone chain. The resulting polymer can be labeled with Gd, since each chelator moiety holds a Gd ion, and the resulting conformation is of an unfolded, extended linear type, capable of entering small pores and moving around obstacles in the extracellular space of tissues. The efficient production of these extended polymers is critical for the application of such contrast agents to medical imaging. One such agent is a reptating polymer containing technetium-99.

Abstract: In a method for characterizing the angiogenesis status of a tumor in a living subject, timed magnetic resonance images of the subject into whom a reptating polymer contrast agent containing chelating diethylentriaminepentacetic acid dosed with gadolinum has been introduced are obtained. At least two images taken at different times are compared in order to determine the percentage image enhancement in a tumor region of interest. A contrast agent including a reptating polymer containing technetium-99 is used with a nuclear medicine version of this technique.

Abstract: An insertable intracavity probe for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and therapy of a region of interest proximal to a cavity, the probe having a substantially rigid probe shell for insertion into the cavity. The probe shell is adapted to incorporate at least one device for imaging the region of interest. A guide track is incorporated in the probe shell and is adapted to guide at least one biopsy or therapy device to the region of interest during imaging. Intracavity regions include cervical, rectal, and other regions associated with internal cavities of a patient.

Abstract: An in situ breast tumor temperature profile measuring probe (12) includes a rod (20), thermal sensors (22) and electrical output leads (24). The thermal sensors (22) are formed in spaced apart holes (30) in an outer insulating layer (26) of the rod (20) and a common electrical input lead (28) to provide an electrical input signal to the thermal sensors (22) is disposed below and has portions (28a) exposed at the holes (30) and electrically connected to the thermal sensors (22). The thermal sensors (22) receive the electrical input signal from the common electrical input lead (28), sense the temperature of biological matter adjacent to the thermal sensors (22) and produce an electrical output signal correlated thereto. Each electrical output lead (24) mounted to the outer insulating layer (26) is in electrical contact with a different one of the thermal sensors (22) to receive the electrical output signal from the one thermal sensor (22) and output the same.

Abstract: An in situ breast tumor temperature profile measuring probe includes a rod, thermal sensors and electrical output leads. The thermal sensors are formed in spaced apart holes in an outer insulating layer of the rod and a common electrical input lead to provide an electrical input signal to the thermal sensors is disposed below and has portions exposed at the holes and electrically connected to the thermal sensors. The thermal sensors receive the electrical input signal from the common electrical input lead, sense the temperature of biological matter adjacent to the thermal sensors and produce an electrical output signal correlated thereto. Each electrical output lead mounted to the outer insulating layer is in electrical contact with a different one of the thermal sensors to receive the electrical output signal from the one thermal sensor and output the same.

Abstract: In a method for characterizing the angiogenesis status of a tumor in a living subject, timed magnetic resonance images of the subject into whom a reptating polymer contrast agent containing chelating diethylentriaminepentacetic acid dosed with gadolinum has been introduced are obtained. At least two images taken at different times are compared in order to determine the percentage image enhancement in a tumor region of interest.

Abstract: Linear extended polymeric paramagnetic chelates for use as MRI contrast agents are synthesized by conjugating DTPA chelator moieties to higher than 90% of the monomer residues of the polyamino acid backbone chain. The resulting polymer can be labeled with Gd, since each chelator moiety holds a Gd ion, and the resulting conformation is of an unfolded, extended linear type, capable of entering small pores and moving around obstacles in the extracellular space of tissues. The efficient production of these extended polymers is critical for the application of such contrast agents to medical imaging. One such agent is a reptating polymer containing technetium-99.

Abstract: In a method for characterizing the angiogenesis status of a tumor in a living subject, timed magnetic resonance images of the subject into whom a reptating polymer contrast agent containing chelating diethylentriaminepentacetic acid dosed with gadolinum has been introduced are obtained. At least two images taken at different times are compared in order to determine the percentage image enhancement in a tumor region of interest.

Abstract: A thermal sensor array includes a dielectric layer including a plurality of individual thermal sensors and a pattern of deposited electrical interconnections facing at least one surface of the dielectric layer for providing electrical connections from each of the plurality of individual thermal sensors, the dielectric layer and the pattern of deposited electrical interconnections being surface-conformable. The thermal sensor array can be used in a diagnostic tool that further includes: a scanning device coupled to the pattern of deposited electrical interconnections for obtaining sensor signals from the thermal sensors; and a computer for processing the sensor signals to estimate temperature distributions.

Abstract: Cooking speed and efficiency are increased in radiant ovens by reducing the intensity of energy emitted by the oven's radiant energy source that does not deeply penetrate food. Undesired photochemical reactions in the cooked food are also reduced or eliminated. In one embodiment, the radiant energy source includes at least one lamp having a coating that reflects at least some of the radiant energy that does not deeply penetrate food. In another embodiment, a plate that reflects or absorbs at least some of the radiant energy that does not deeply penetrate food is disposed between the radiant energy source and a location within the oven where food to be cooked is placed.

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.