Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by b ocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of tocopherol incorporating a co-solvent and, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans by various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering a taxane composition for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect, the compositions are not diluted prior to administration. Some embodiments provide methods for administering a taxane as a bolus injection or an intravenous infusion in less than about 30 minutes. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for administering a taxane to provide high concentrations of the taxane in blood or in tumors. Another aspect provides methods for administering a taxane to provide anti-tumor activities against solid tumors. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against tumors that were resistant to conventional taxane administration methods. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against colorectal tumors.

Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the animal to be imaged and which therefore undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to the animal. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering a taxane composition for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect, the compositions are not diluted prior to administration. Some embodiments provide methods for administering a taxane as a bolus injection or an intravenous infusion in less than about 30 minutes. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for administering a taxane to provide high concentrations of the taxane in blood or in tumors. Another aspect provides methods for administering a taxane to provide anti-tumor activities against solid tumors. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against tumors that were resistant to conventional taxane administration methods. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against colorectal tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering a taxane composition for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect, the compositions are not diluted prior to administration. Some embodiments provide methods for administering a taxane as a bolus injection or an intravenous infusion in less than about 30 minutes. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for administering a taxane to provide high concentrations of the taxane in blood or in tumors. Another aspect provides methods for administering a taxane to provide anti-tumor activities against solid tumors. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against tumors that were resistant to conventional taxane administration methods. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against colorectal tumors, bladder carcinoma, or gastrointestinal tumors.

Abstract: A method of making an emulsion of tocopherol incorporating a co-solvent and, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans by various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with a solid phase sample collection medium, alternatively facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include whole cells or cellular components, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Methods, kits and adapter devices relating to the breast pump device are also provided. Yet additional methods, devices, accessories, and materials are provided for laboratory handling and processing of breast fluid samples and for related diagnostic methods.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating corneal diseases mediated by elevated protease activity include ocular administration of protease inhibitors. One or more protease inhibitors selected from an aspartic, serine, cysteine, or metallo-protease inhibitor are administered to an ocular fluid, surface, or tissue, preferably by topical administration, to inhibit proteolytic activity associated with a corneal disease or condition, for example keratoconus. Antiproteolytic formulations of the invention may include carriers that prolong the retention and/or enhance delivery of the protease inhibitor. These formulations can also include other therapeutic agents such as antiinflammatory or antibiotic drugs. In preferred aspects of the invention, antiproteolytic formulations are administered during periods of closed eye tear production. Also provided within the invention are implant devices for corneal delivery of a protease inhibitor.

Abstract: Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with a solid phase sample collection medium, alternatively facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include whole cells or cellular components, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Methods, kits and adapter devices relating to the breast pump device are also provided. Yet additional methods, devices, accessories, and materials are provided for laboratory handling and processing of breast fluid samples and for related diagnostic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a system and a site for enhancing the efficiency of transactions involving a vendor of a good or service bidding on a contract to provide that good or service to a client desiring the good or service.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods are provided for obtaining biological samples of mammary fluid or mammary fluid components by administering oxytocin to a patient to stimulate expression of mammary fluid. During or after mammary fluid expression, a biological sample is collected in the form of whole mammary fluid, whole cells or cellular components, other selected liquid or solid fractions of the mammary fluid, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired Constituents of mammary fluid. Methods and kits are also provided for determining the presence or amount of a breast disease marker in biological samples of mammary fluid or mammary fluid components obtained according to the above sample collection methods. Also provided within the invention are novel breast pump and breast pump adapter devices which incorporate a solid phase sample collection medium integrated within the breast pump or adapter or otherwise fluidly connected therewith.

Abstract: Invention is directed to polychelants and their metal chelates which are useful in diagnostic imaging. The polychelants comprise a plurality of macrocyclic chelant moieties, eg. DOTA residues, conjugated by thiourea, urea or glycinamide linkages to a backbone moiety through a donor atom.

Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a liquid having a boiling point below the temperature of the animal to be imaged and which therefore undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to the animal. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or "microbubbles," comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: A method of activating an ultrasound contrast agent such that an increased number of microbubbles are produced and subsequent ultrasound images using the activated agent is enhanced. Hypobaric methods are disclosed which provide significant increases in bubble population per unit volume over unactivated solutions. The method is particularly useful for the activation of the dispersed phase in a gas or liquid in liquid emulsion.

Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a high vapor pressure chemical which undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to an organism. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.