Abstract: Provided are chalcogenoxanthylium compounds which can effectively be used as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy, virucides in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and reversal agents of Pgp function in cancer cells. Further provided is a general method for the preparation of chalcogenoxanthylium compounds.

Abstract: Asymmetric cyanine dyes of Formula I bind nucleic acid but not red blood cell membrane, and function as photosensitizers when rigidly bound but not when free in solution. Unbound dye thus causes minimal oxidative damage. The dyes do not substantially accumulate in red blood cells, thereby minimizing hemolysis due to oxidative damage. Biological fluids can be disinfected by mixing the fluid with these asymmetric cyanine dye that binds to nucleic acid, irradiating the mixture, and recovering clinically significant components from the biological fluid and/or assaying the fluid for pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the rapid and efficient collection and purification of activated monocytes. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide means for effecting the collection and purification in an aseptic environment. The method involves filtering a blood component mixture through a monocyte-adhering filter; washing the blood component mixture; backflushing the filter with a physiological solution; and backflushing the filter with Dextran-40/serum albumin.

Abstract: An electronic circuit assembly having a fiducial on a lower layer substrate. The fiducial is viewed through a through hole that is aligned with the fiducial and extends through an upper layer substrate that is adjacent the lower layer substrate. The fiducial and the through hole provide a high contrast between the fiducial and the surrounding substrate permitting viewing and recognition of substrate orientation by a computer vision system.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of bacteria in a platelet or red blood cell sample is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: lysing a substantial portion of the platelets or red blood cells; staining the bacteria using a membrane permeable nucleic acid stain; filtering the sample using a membrane filter with a suitable pore size so that a material containing the stained bacteria is retained on the membrane filter; and analyzing the material retained on the membrane filter using epifluorescence microscopy and/or digital image acquisition and analysis to determine the presence of bacteria in the sample. The method allows the detection of bacterial contamination in platelets or red blood cells at clinically significant levels in a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: An electronic circuit assembly having a fiducial on a lower layer substrate. The fiducial is viewed through a through hole that is aligned with the fiducial and extends through an upper layer substrate that is adjacent the lower layer substrate. The fiducial and the through hole provide a high contrast between the fiducial and the surrounding substrate permitting viewing and recognition of substrate orientation by a computer vision system.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of bacteria in a platelet or red blood cell containing sample is disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: lysing a substantial portion of the platelets or red blood cells; staining the bacteria using a membrane permeable nucleic acid stain; filtering the sample using a membrane filter with a suitable pore size so that a material containing the stained bacteria is retained on the membrane filter; and analyzing the material retained on the membrane filter using epifluorescence microscopy and/or digital image acquisition and analysis to determine the presence of bacteria in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing the level of active pathogenic contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, found in whole blood and blood components. The method comprises adding to a red blood cell-containing composition at least one phenothiazin-5-ium dye in an amount effective to reduce the level of active pathogenic contaminants and at least one blocking compound in an amount effective to enhance pathogen inactivation and protect red blood cells from hemolysis, and irradiating the red blood cell-containing composition with light of an appropriate intensity and wavelength for a time sufficient to reduce the level of active pathogenic contaminants in the red blood cell-containing composition. An irradiated red blood cell-containing composition comprising red blood cells, a phenothiazin-5-ium dye and a blocking compound is also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for inactivating pathogenic contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and leukocytes, frequently found in whole blood or blood components, such as red blood cells or plasma, which comprises treating whole blood or blood components with an amphiphilic phenothiazin-5-ium dye and light. Preferred amphiphilic phenothiazin-5-ium dyes are those having the formula ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.1 ', R.sub.2, and R.sub.2 ' is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a nitrile, an aralkyl group, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an amine group, and a hydrogen atom, each of R.sub.3, R.sub.3 ', R.sub.4, R.sub.4 ', R.sub.5 and R.sub.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for inactivating pathogenic contaminants in whole blood, plasma, cellular blood components, or in any combination thereof, by adding a phenthiazin-5-ium dye(s) thereto and irradiating said dye-containing composition for an effective length of time with light of wavelengths from 560 to 800 nm or red light, of an effective intensity, whereby the irradiation in conjunction with the dye(s) inactivate substantially all pathogenic contaminants contained therein. The methods of this invention inactivate pathogenic contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, without substantially altering the whole blood, plasma, cellular blood components, or combinations thereof, such that they are suitable for transfusion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a microencapsulated potassium salt encapsulated in a shell wall consisting essentially of from about 85% to about 97% ethyl cellulose and from about 3% to about 15% of an amphiphile based on the weight of the shell wall; wherein the weight of said shell wall is from about 3% to about 15% of the total weight of the microencapsulated potassium salt.

Abstract: A sustained release composition for releasing a biologically active compound into an aqueous liquid environment comprises said biologically active compound dispersed in a bioerodible matrix, the matrix comprising a mixture of (a.) 5% to 95% by weight of a solid water-dispersible polyether diol having a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 20,000K selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols and polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide block copolymers, and(b.) 95 to 5% by weight of an erosion rate modifier which is an amphiphilic compound insoluble in the aqueous liquid.Dosage forms comprising the erodible matrix are prepared by molding, particularly by injection molding.

Abstract: A sustained release composition for releasing a biologically active compound into an aqueous liquid environment comprises the biologically active compound dispersed in a bioerodible matrix, the matrix comprising a mixture of(a.) 5% to 99.5% by weight of a solid water-dispersible polyether diol having a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 20,000, and(b.) 95 to 0.5% by weight of an erosion rate modifier component comprising a combination of stearyl alcohol and stearic acid.Dosage forms comprising the erodible matrix are prepared by molding, particularly by injection molding.