Abstract: Described herein are methods of management of functional dyspepsia in a patient by administering an amylin analogue or a CCK composition to the patient. Methods of diagnosing such patient include a standard gastric-emptying assessment using a standardized solid meal along with measurements of blood glucose levels. Another method of diagnosing such patient includes a gastric-emptying scintigraphy assessment with labeled carbohydrates or other assessments to diagnose rapid carbohydrate gastric emptying.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to compositions comprising and method for producing alginate microspheres that contain liposomes encapsulating a variety of useful substances. Substances of note that can be encapsulated in liposomes and loaded alginate microspheres include radiotherapeutics (e.g., rhenium-188), radiolabels (e.g., technetium-99m), chemotherapeutics (doxorubicin), magnetic particles (e.g., 10 m iron nanoparticles), and radio-opaque material (e.g., iodine contrast).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing improved information, diagnoses and therapies for dyspepsia and gastric emptying disorders based on gastric protein emptying and gastric carbohydrate emptying data.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of management of functional dyspepsia in a patient by administering an amylin analogue or a CCK composition to the patient. Methods of diagnosing such patient include a standard gastric-emptying assessment using a standardized solid meal along with measurements of blood glucose levels. Another method of diagnosing such patient includes a gastric-emptying scintigraphy assessment with labeled carbohydrates or other assessments to diagnose rapid carbohydrate gastric emptying.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a bone marrow-directing drug delivery material that includes at least one fine particle, wherein the fine particle includes an anionic moiety on a surface of the particle. Also disclosed are uses of the material set forth herein for the prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of a disease of bone, cartilage, bone marrow, or a joint. Also disclosed are methods of preventing, treating, or diagnosing a disease of bone, cartilage, bone marrow, or a joint in a subject, involving administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the material of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, relates to radiolabeled compounds. The invention also relates to radiolabeled liposomes and methods of making and using thereof. The invention also relates to kits for preparing radiolabeled liposomes.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a bone marrow-directing drug delivery material that includes at least one fine particle, wherein the fine particle includes an anionic moiety on a surface of the particle. Also disclosed are uses of the material set forth herein for the prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of a disease of bone, cartilage, bone marrow, or a joint. Also disclosed are methods of preventing, treating, or diagnosing a disease of bone, cartilage, bone marrow, or a joint in a subject, involving administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of the material of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to delivery and retention of active agents to targeted lymph nodes in a mammal using a ligand/anti-ligand pair. More particularly, the invention involves methods, compositions, and kits for delivery and retention of active agents to targeted lymph nodes using compositions comprising a ligand-colloid moiety and compositions comprising an anti-ligand. Active agents may be associated with one or more of the colloid, ligand, or anti-ligand. Conjugation of the ligand and anti-ligand after administration permits retention of aggregated colloid complex in targeted lymph nodes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to delivery and retention of active agents to targeted lymph nodes in a mammal using a ligand/anti-ligand pair. More particularly, the invention involves methods, compositions, and kits for delivery and retention of active agents to targeted lymph nodes using compositions comprising a ligand-colloid moiety and compositions comprising an anti-ligand. Active agents may be associated with one or more of the colloid, ligand, or anti-ligand. Conjugation of the ligand and anti-ligand after administration permits retention of aggregated colloid complex in targeted lymph nodes.

Abstract: A flexible water container carried on the back of the user in a position that does not restrict the active movement of the user during exercise. Connected to the water container is a tube to conduct the water from the container to an irrigation system positioned within a helmet or otherwise placed about the head of the user. A pressurized air bladder is positioned adjacent to the water container in a manner such that pressure within the air bladder has a tendency to force water from the water container into the tube and thus into the irrigation system. The air bladder is inflatable by means a hand pump connected to the bladder through a flexible tube. The irrigation system is constructed and configured so as to appropriately surround the head of the user and further includes a soft, flexible wick material worn about the head for the purpose of conducting water forced from the irrigation system evenly about the user's head.

Abstract: A solderless filter circuit disposed in an electrical connector assembly for filtering electrical signals carried by conductors in the connector assembly including, without solder connections, low cost capacitive and inductive circuit elements providing reliable electrical connection with the conductors, for example in a Pi filter configuration for low pass signal filtering in a convenient filter package. Integrated capacitor elements include modified electrical leads in the form of conductor seats and are packaged with a ferrite block in at least one housing retained within at least one of two mating connectors.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided which is suitable for use in a spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The spark plug is equipped with a specially configured firing tip on each of its electrodes for the purpose of minimizing the demand voltage of the spark plug, as well as extending the life of the spark plug by maximizing the time over which the demand voltage will remain within an acceptable level. For this purpose, the firing tips are configured such that their firing surfaces include at least three edges and three corners which serve as arc initiation sites of a relatively low resistance arc path between the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of diagnosing and treating individuals with diabetes or at risk to develop diabetes mellitus. In particular, gastric emptying determinations are used to assess risk. Risk or early symptoms associated with subsequent development of diabetes mellitus may be controlled or alleviated by delaying gastric emptying. Delay or inhibition of gastric emptying is sufficient to restore gastric emptying within normal ranges as determined by restoration of typical glucose metabolic parameters such as blood glucose and insulin levels to normal or near normal ranges. The method is also useful in prophylactic treatment of individuals at high risk to develop diabetes mellitus, such as the obese, those with a family history of diabetes and those of particular ethnic and minority groups.

Abstract: A method of terminating an electrical cable wherein the insulation of the cable is slit axially inward toward, but not completely to, the conductor and a terminal in crimped into the slit displacing the remaining insulation and establishing electrical contact between the terminal and conductor.

Abstract: An ignition cable assembly includes a cable terminal attached to an end of an ignition cable. The cable terminal is plugged into the end of a boot and terminal subassembly that comprises three parts. These are a base terminal, a snap ring insert and an elastomeric boot. The elastomeric boot houses a replaceable plug seal that engages a ceramic insulator of a spark plug when the ignition cable assembly is plugged onto the spark plug. The ignition cable assembly can be straight, bent or right angled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposome encapsulated protein and to a highly efficient method of radiolabeling liposome encapsulated protein. In particular, a .sup.99m Tc carrier is used to label preformed liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. The liposome-encapsulated .sup.99m Tc labeled hemoglobin is highly stable in vitro and in vivo and is suitable for a variety of clinical uses, including biodistribution imaging studies. The invention also relates to a method of using technetium-.sup.99m labeled liposome encapsulated hemoglobin to label neutrophils. A kit method which could be used for the convenient preparation of .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposome encapsulated hemoglobin for clinical use is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the efficient preparation of radionuclide labeled liposomes and radionuclide-labeled liposome-encapsulated protein. In particular, a .sup.99m Tc carrier is used to label preformed liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposomes and liposome-encapsulated .sup.99m Tc labeled hemoglobin are highly stable in vitro and in vivo and are suitable for a variety of clinical uses, including biodistribution imaging studies. The invention also relates to a method of labeling neutrophils using .sup.99m technetium-labeled liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. A kit method useful for the convenient preparation of .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin for clinical use is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for measuring glucose tolerance in a subject. The methods are useful in a variety of contexts, such as in the diagnosis of diabetes in both human and animal subjects, in assessing gastric emptying times, and even in the diagnosis of insulin resistance. It is proposed that the methods of the present invention will prove to be of particular use in the mass screenings of population, e.g., in screening for type II diabetes mellitus, due to its simplicity and reproducibility. The method is even adaptable to simple finger stick analysis. The invention method includes the use of a potable beverage containing a low total loading dose of glucose in a low osmolar solution. The oral glucose solutions of the present invention empty rapidly from the stomach, thereby eliminating the nausea and vomiting typically associated with oral glucose tolerance tests.