Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant promoter which comprises the sequence (B) ?SEQ ID NO: 4! below: ##STR1## or a sequence having a high degree of homology with the sequence (B).

Abstract: Method of making gas or air filled microballoons having a mean size in the range of 0.5 to 1000 microns bounded by a 50 to 500 nm thick biodegradable, interfacially deposited, synthetic polymer membrane which is deformable and resilient for use in ultrasonic contrast compositions are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry deposit as a precursor to liposome vesicles, the precursor being a three dimensional expanded structure with bulk density between 0.01 and 0.001 g/cm.sup.3. The invention also concerns a method of making liposome vesicles with an enhanced entrapment capacity by dissolving one or more film forming lipids in at least one organic solvent to form a solution in a reaction vessel, evaporating the solvent to form an expanded three dimensional porous lipid structure, contacting the lipid deposit with an aqueous carrier phase, and producing liposome vesicles entrapping the carrier phase as well as an apparatus comprising an array of tubing or an inert packing which serves as a material support or a matrix surface for the deposition of lipids produced according to the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are injectable suspensions of gas filled microbubbles in an aqueous carrier liquid usable as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. The suspensions comprise amphipathic compounds of which at least one may be a laminarized phospholipid as a stabilizer of the microbubbles against collapse with time and pressure. The concentration of phospholipids in the carrier liquid is below 0.01% wt but is at least equal to or above that at which phospholipid molecules are present solely at the gas microbubble-liquid interface. Also disclosed is a method of preparation of the stable suspensions of air or gas filled microbubbles.

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: 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: Injectable aqueous composition intended for opacifying certain organs with a view to examination by X-rays. This composition is based on liposomes containing, encapsulated thereein, an aqueous solution of an iodinated opacifying agent. The ratio between the weight of iodine encapsulated by the liposomes and the weight of the lipids from which their membrane is formed is not lower than 1.5 mg/mg.

Abstract: Disclosed are injectable suspensions of gas filled microbubbles in an aqueous carrier liquid usable as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. The suspensions comprise amphipathic compounds of which at least one may be a laminarized phospholipid as a stabilizer of the microbubbles against collapse with time and pressure. The concentration of phospholipids in the carrier liquid is below 0.01% wt but is at least equal to or above that at which phospholipid molecules are present solely at the gas microbubble-liquid interface. Also disclosed is a method of preparation of the stable suspensions of air or gas filled microbubbles.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle 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: Gas or air filled microbubble suspensions in aqueous phases usable as imaging contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. They contain laminarized surfactants and, optionally, hydrophillc 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: The invention relates to injectable media for ultrasonic echography in the form of microbubbles or microballoons comprising at least two biocompatible substances A and B (gaseous at the body temperature) forming a mixture which when in suspension with usual surfactants, additives and stabilisers provides useful ultrasound contrast agents. At least one of the components (B) in the mixture is a gas whose molecular weight is greater than 80 daltons and whose solubility in water is below 0.0283 ml per ml of water at standard conditions. The presence of the first component (B) in the contrast medium may vary between 0.15 and 41 volume percent. The other component (A) of the ultrasound contrast media is a gas or a mixture of gases whose molecular weight is below 80 daltons. The second component is present in a proportion of between 59-99.5% by vol., and is preferably chosen from oxygen, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

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: Magnetite particles suitable for injection into the blood stream of patients having enhanced resistance against agglomeration and uptake by the RES of the liver and spleen. The particles essentially consist of an iron oxide core and a phosphoric acid mono alkyl or alkenyl ester or glycerophospholipid/surfactant three dimensional shell surrounding the core. The core and the monoester or a micellar glycerophospholipid form an urchin-like structure which is further interlaced or intertwined with a non-ionic surfactant to produce a protective three dimensional shell which renders particles almost undetectable by the macrophages. Particles prepared according to the invention are kept in the blood circulation for long periods and represent excellent long lasting blood pool agents. Key components in the shell are (a) a polybasic mineral-organic species such as glycero phosphatidic acid in micellar form and (b) a block copolymer having successive hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA which codes for a protein with endochitinase activity or for a precursor thereof, comprising the sequence (a1) (SEQ ID NO. 1).

Abstract: Disclosed are injectable suspensions of gas filled microbubbles in an aqueous carrier liquid usable as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography. The suspensions comprise amphipathic compounds of which at least one may be a laminarized phospholipid as a stabiliser of the microbubbles against collapse with time and pressure. The concentration of phospholipids in the carrier liquid is below 0.01% wt but is at least equal to or above that at which phospholipid molecules are present solely at the gas microbubble-liquid interface. Also disclosed is a method of preparation of the stable suspensions of air or gas filled microbubbles.

Abstract: Injectable aqueous composition intended for opacifying certain organs with a view to examination by X-rays. This composition is based on liposomes containing, encapsulated thereein, an aqueous solution of an iodinated opacifying agent. The ratio between the weight of iodine encapsulated by the liposomes and the weight of the lipids from which their membrane is formed is not lower than 1.5 mg/mg.

Abstract: One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle 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: Liposome vesicles are prepared containing water or very dilute solutions encapsulated therein. These "empty" liposomes are suspended in a carrier liquid containing, dispersed therein, substances of interest to be loaded into the vesicles and incubated for a period of time at temperatures above the lipids transition temperature, whereby loading by transmembrane permeation occurs in high yields.