Abstract: New and sensitive methods for imaging the perfusion of tissues and the extravasation of blood out vessels have been developed. The present invention is useful in the imaging of microperfusion in organ tissues (e.g., heart, liver, brain and kidneys) to aid in evaluating the perfusion status of organs on the level of the smallest blood vessels (i.e. capillaries). The present invention also provides methods and compositions for imaging and evaluating macrophages and plaque, e.g., vulnerable plaque. Such evaluations are important in a number of clinical diagnoses, including assessing organ damage associated with angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke, and the like, as well as assessing vessel leakages associated with aneurisms, diffuse bleedings after trauma, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and pharmaceutical compositions, e.g., nanoparticulate drug delivery vehicles, for delivering pharmaceutically active agents to tissues and areas containing mononuclear phagocytes e.g., macrophages in order to treat inflammatory diseases or disorders, e.g., a mononuclear phagocyte-associated disease or disorder, infected biological areas or tissue, injured tissue, or disease tissue. The inflamed, infected, injured, or diseased tissue can be accessible through the blood stream, using a nanoparticulate drug delivery vehicle injected into vascular beds (such as for example arterial and venous beds). Alternatively, the nanoparticulate drug delivery vehicle and pharmaceutically active agent of the invention may be administered locally, to treat specific areas or tissues, e.g., inflamed, infected, injured, or diseased tissue. In one embodiment, the nanoparticulate drug delivery vehicle is formulated as a contrast agent.

Abstract: New and sensitive methods for imaging the perfusion of tissues and the extravasation of blood out vessels have been developed. The present invention is useful in the imaging of microperfusion in organ tissues (e.g., heart, liver, brain and kidneys) to aid in evaluating the perfusion status of organs on the level of the smallest blood vessels (i.e. capillaries). The present invention also provides methods and compositions for imaging and evaluating macrophages and plaque, e.g., vulnerable plaque. Such evaluations are important in a number of clinical diagnoses, including assessing organ damage associated with angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke, and the like, as well as assessing vessel leakages associated with aneurisms, diffuse bleedings after trauma, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biologically active peptides with reduced toxicity and methods of preparing them. The peptides of the invention, which can be unsubstituted or N-terminal substituted have the formula: wherein X is a biologically active amphiphilic ion channel-forming peptide or protein, T is a lipophilic moiety or hydrogen, and W is T or hydrogen. Preferably T is: wherein R is a hydrocarbon (alkyl or aromatic or alkylaromatic) having at least 2 and no more than 10 carbon atoms. T is preferably an octanoyl group. The peptides and proteins of the invention have improved antimicrobial and anti-tumor biological activity while exhibiting reduced toxicity. A preferred method of reducing toxicity involves the formation of related methane sulfonate derivatives or analogues. Additionally, the compounds of the invention may be used to treat sepsis, septic shock, and lung infections, such as those occurring in cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: Orally administered colonic purgative formulations and methods of its use for effecting partial or complete purgation of the colon in mammals, the formulations consisting of non-aqueous admixtures of a purgative salt selected from the group consisting of Mg.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2, MgHPO.sub.4, Mg(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4).sub.2, MgSO.sub.4, MgCl.sub.2, Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, magnesium tartrate and mixtures, thereof, administered in tablet or capsule form in purgative effective concentrations. Preferred embodiments make use of at least one or more magnesium phosphate salts, more preferably dibasic magnesium phosphate; other preferred embodiments include the addition of binders, dispersants and buffers which do not adversely affect osmolality or effectiveness of the purgative formulations.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to human mRNAs or pre-mRNAs coding or VCAM-I are used in a therapeutic treatment of sepsis (sepsis, the sepsis syndrome, septic shock and all other manifestations of the sepsis disease, including but not inclusive of, adult respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure, or cardiovascular dysfunction).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of septic shock d inflammatory complications of shock. A process for selectively inhibiting the expression of the human ELAM-I mRNA transcript using at least one oligonucleotide which is substantially complementary to at least a portion of the ELAM-I gene is disclosed, as are composition comprising the oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment of septic shock and inflammatory complications of shock. A process for selectively inhibiting the expression of the human ICAM-I mRNA transcript using at least one oligonucleotide which is complementary to at least a portion of the human ICAM-I mRNA is disclosed, as are oligonucleotides which are complementary to portions of the ICAM-I mRNA and compositions comprising the oligonucleotides.

Abstract: A novel immuno-dye reagent capable of detecting the presence of endotoxin in samples has been developed. The immuno-dye reagent comprises a solution of new methylene blue and an anti-endotoxin monoclonal antibody specific to a selected endotoxin. The immuno-dye reagent can be used in an assay to detect endotoxin by reacting the immuno-dye reagent with an endotoxin suspect pH adjusted sample, under hydrophobic conditions. The immuno-dye reagent can also be used in any application where binding of endotoxin is crucial, such as purifying endotoxin-contaminated solutions.

Abstract: An agent and treatment for a subject susceptible to septic shock. The subject is treated with a PKC inhibitor, preferably wit a PKC inhibitor selected from the group consisting of lipid analogues. Preferred among the lipid analogues are sphingosine and its analogues. The inhibitors of this invention are administered, preferably by infusion in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, in a range of 0.1 to 50 mg/Kg body weight preferably in the range of 0.5 to 25 mg/Kg body weight and most preferably in the range of 1 to 5 mg/Kg body weight.