Abstract: This disclosure provides for an improved method of stabilizing spray-dried bacterial extracts with a composition comprising a stabilizer such that the extracts can be used in cell-free protein synthesis. Also provided herein are formulations for stable, spray-dried bacterial extracts that have increased protein synthesis activity compared to spray-dried bacterial extracts that do not contain a stabilizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of enhancing the solubility and/or the rate of dissolution of a Class II or Class IV low solubility molecule, a method of producing a spray-dried composition, and a spray-dried composition comprising a Class II or Class IV low solubility molecule, albumin and an agent that prevents self-aggregation of albumin.

Abstract: Protein particles are prepared by causing or allowing protein molecules dispersed in a liquid medium at a concentration of 8 mg.mL?1 or greater to react in the presence of a zero-length crosslinker, so as to produce protein particles comprising protein molecules that are covalently bonded together. The protein particles may be produced with sizes in the sub-micron range with closely defined sizes and size distributions. The particles have applications in many fields, but are useful inter alia for the delivery of therapeutic agents and other agents, eg imaging contrast agents, to the body.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin from a yeast culture medium which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises separating the yeast from the culture medium to yield an albumin solution; subjecting the albumin solution to positive mode cation exchange, affinity, and positive mode anion exchange chromatography; and concentrating and formulating the albumin with sodium octanoate and sodium chloride.

Abstract: Protein particles are prepared by causing or allowing protein molecules dispersed in a liquid medium at a concentration of 8 mg.mL-1 or greater to react in the presence of a zero-length crosslinker, so as to produce protein particles comprising protein molecules that are covalently bonded together. The protein particles may be produced with sizes in the sub-micron range with closely defined sizes and size distributions. The particles have applications in many fields, but are useful inter alia for the delivery of therapeutic agents and other agents, eg imaging contrast agents, to the body.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises passing albumin (preferably expressed and secreted by transformed yeast) through positive mode cation exchange and then positive mode anion exchange chromatography. Other steps may also be employed, ultrafiltration, gel permeation chromatography, affinity chromatography binding the albumin by using blue dyes) and affinity chromatography binding contaminants by using an aminophenylboronic acid resin. Elution of albumin, with a compound having affinity for albumin, from a material having no specific affinity for albumin is also disclosed, as is removal of ammonium ions with a counter-ion.

Abstract: An algorithm for selecting audio content including an audio database, a user preference learning routine, and an audio selection routine. The user preference learning routine is capable of explicitly learning by a manual entry made by the user concerning his/her favorite audio selections. The user preference learning routine is capable of implicitly learning by recording the selections made by the user through a preference input. The preference input queries the user whether he/she liked or disliked a particular audio selection. Initially, random selections are provided to the user. If the user does not like the audio selection it is skipped. If the user liked the selection it is recorded. As the user listens or doesn't listen to audio selections, a profile is developed that identifies the user's preferences. The audio selection routine chooses the next audio selection to be played for the user. There are at least two methods of making the audio selection.

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: The present invention relates to a process for purifying the protein human serum albumin extracted from serum or recombinant human albumin produced by transforming a microorganism with a nucleotide coding sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of human serum albumin. The present invention provides highly purified albumin.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises passing albumin (preferably expressed and secreted by transformed yeast) through positive mode cation exchange and then positive mode anion exchange chromatography. Other steps may also be employed, for example ultrafiltration, gel permeation chromatography, affinity chromatography binding the albumin (for example using blue dyes) and affinity chromatography binding contaminants (for example using an aminophenylboronic acid resin). Elution of albumin, with a compound having affinity for albumin, from a material having no specific affinity for albumin is also disclosed, as is removal of ammonium ions with a counter-ion.

Abstract: An algorithm for selecting audio content including an audio database, a user preference learning routine, and an audio selection routine. The user preference learning routine is capable of explicitly learning by a manual entry made by the user concerning his/her favorite audio selections. The user preference learning routine is capable of implicitly learning by recording the selections made by the user through a preference input. The preference input queries the user whether he/she liked or disliked a particular audio selection. Initially, random selections are provided to the user. If the user does not like the audio selection it is skipped. If the user liked the selection it is recorded. As the user listens or doesn't listen to audio selections, a profile is developed that identifies the user's preferences. The audio selection routine chooses the next audio selection to be played for the user. There are at least two methods of making the audio selection.

Abstract: A process for forming microcapsules comprising (i) providing a solution of a protein in an aqueous solvent and (ii) spraying the said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules, characterised in that the aqueous solution contains a liquid of greater volatility than water. The protein is preferably albumin and the volatile liquid is preferably ethanol. The microcapsules may be used as ultrasound echogenic contrast 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 median 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 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (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 microsphere have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median 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 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: Microspheres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (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 microsphere have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median 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 &mgr;m, targeted to selected areas of the body or of prolonged life in the circulation.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an image of a part of a patient, comprising: (a) providing microcapsules which have been formed by (i) providing a solution of a material in an aqueous solvent containing water and a liquid of greater volatility than water and (ii) spraying the said solution into a gas such that the aqueous solvent evaporates, thereby forming hollow microcapsules suitable for use as an echogenic contrast agent, (b) injecting the microcapsules into a patient, and (c) subjecting the patient to ultrasonic energy to obtain an image based on the ultrasound reflectivity transmissibility or resonance of the microcapsules, characterized in that at least 5 minutes elapse between steps (b) and (c). The patient can be exercised between administration and imaging without having to be reinjected.

Abstract: Transcytosis of a physiologically-active agent that exerts its action following passage across endothelia, epithelia or mesothelia containing the GP60 receptor is enhanced by formulation with or conjugation to a transcytosis enhancer or vehicle selected from albumin and fragments thereof, anti-GP60 antibody and fragments thereof, GP60 peptide fragments, and PDI (protein disulphide isomerase) and fragments thereof.

Abstract: A method of generating an ultrasound image comprising the steps of (i) introducing into the location to be imaged an ultrasound contrast agent obtained by spraying a solution or suspension of a wall forming material into a heated gas to form hollow microcapsules, (ii) exposing the microcapsules to ultrasound energy at an insonation frequency of less than 3.5 MHz and (iii) creating an image based on the scattering of the ultrasound energy by the microcapsules.

Abstract: A method of generating an ultrasound image comprising the steps of (i) introducing into the location to be imaged an ultrasound contrast agent obtained by spraying a solution or suspension of a wall forming material into a heated gas to form hollow microcapsules, (ii) exposing the microcapsules to ultrasound energy of an intensity of at least 100 kPa and (iii) creating an image based on the scattering of the ultrasound energy by the microcapsules.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcaspsules.Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin.The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.