Abstract: MRI contrast agents that employ paramagnetic agents and chemical exchange saturation transfer (paraCEST) and which are coupled to targeted particulate delivery vehicles provide sufficient concentration of the paraCEST contrast agents to obtain useful images of target tissues or organs. In addition, the image contrast may be switched on or off with a presaturation radio frequency pulse, avoiding the necessity obtaining pre-injection and post-injection images.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the progression of cartilage degeneration diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples. One can determine whether a cartilage degeneration condition is progressing, regressing, or remaining stable by quantitating collagen synthesis and degradation markers in patient samples and comparing the value obtained to a reference value. When a joint affected by cartilage degeneration in question expresses collagen synthesis and degradation markers, a change in this value is indicative of a change in the progression of the cartilage degeneration condition. The methods and apparatus of the invention allow accurate determination of the therapeutic effects certain cartilage degeneration drug treatments, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis drug treatments, so are also useful for pharmaceutical efficacy studies in mammals.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for ameliorating at least one symptom or aspect of atherosclerosis. The methods include administration of targeted carrier compositions comprising a therapeutic agent effective in ameliorating at least one aspect of atherosclerosis coupled to a targeting ligand effective is targeting the therapeutic agent to tissue associated with atherosclerotic plaque.

Abstract: Compounds useful for associating with nanoparticle or microparticle emulsions to obtain magnetic resonance images permit control of the relaxivity of the signal and readily associate with the particulate components.

Abstract: Emulsions preferably of nanoparticles formed from high boiling liquid perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made specific to regions of activated endothelial cells by coupling said nanoparticles to a ligand specific for ?v?3 integrin, other than an antibody. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, or other imaging agents.

Abstract: A decoy inactive carrier composition is administered simultaneously with a targeted composition containing vehicles for delivering a desired agent to a biological target. This simultaneous administration enhances the delivery of the targeted composition to the desired location in a subject.

Abstract: Emulsions preferably of nanoparticles formed from high boiling liquid perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made specific to regions of activated endothelial cells by coupling said nanoparticles to a ligand specific for ?v?3 integrin, other than an antibody. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, or other imaging agents.

Abstract: A method for trimerizing collagenous molecule monomers comprising the step of contacting a collagen domain and a non-collagenous trimerization domain is provided. In addition, methods of trimerizing heterologous peptides is provided. Trimerizing polypeptides, vectors, cells, and trimerized polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Emulsions preferably of nanoparticles formed from high boiling liquid perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made specific to regions of activated endothelial cells by coupling said nanoparticles to a ligand specific for ?v?3 integrin, other than an antibody. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, or other imaging agents.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enhanced ultrasound detection based upon changing temperature and ultrasound reflectivity of a temperature-dependent contrast agent bound to an ultrasound target are disclosed. The methods and devices can be used for enhanced imaging alone or in conjunction with drug delivery, with therapeutic approaches such as hyperthermia or cryotherapy or with other imaging modalities.

Abstract: Compounds useful for associating with nanoparticle or microparticle emulsions to obtain magnetic resonance images permit control of the relaxivity of the signal and readily associate with the particulate components.

Abstract: Emulsions comprising nanoparticles formed from high boiling perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made target-specific by directly coupling said nanoparticles to a targeting ligand. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, and/or other imaging agents.

Abstract: Emulsions preferably of nanoparticles formed from high boiling liquid perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made specific to regions of activated endothelial cells by coupling said nanoparticles to a ligand specific for ?v?3 integrin, other than an antibody. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, or other imaging agents.

Abstract: An improved contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging comprises particles to each of which is coupled a multiplicity of chelating agents containing paramagnetic ions. In the improved agent, the position of the ion is offset from the surface of the particle so as to improve the relaxivity imparted by the contrast agent. A tether offsetting the chelate from the surface of the particle may optionally contain cleavage sites permitting more facile excretion of the chelated paramagnetic ion.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting restenosis in blood vessels expanded by angioplasty are described. The method comprises administering blood vessel wall-targeted emulsion containing an anti-restenotic agent.

Abstract: Emulsions comprising nanoparticles formed from high boiling perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made target-specific by directly coupling said nanoparticles to a targeting ligand. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, and/or other imaging agents.

Abstract: A method for ligand-based binding of lipid encapsulated particles to molecular epitopes on a surface in vivo or in vitro comprises sequentially administering (a) a site specific ligand activated with a biotin activating agent; (b) an avidin activating agent; and (c) lipid encapsulated particles activated with a biotin activating agent, whereby the ligand is conjugated to the particles through an avidin-biotin interaction and the resulting conjugate is bound to the molecular epitopes on such surface. The conjugate is effective for imaging by x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance or positron emission tomography. Compositions for use in ultrasonic imaging of natural or synthetic surfaces and for enhancing the acoustic reflectivity thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enhanced ultrasound detection based upon changing temperature and ultrasound reflectivity of a temperature-dependent contrast agent bound to an ultrasound target are disclosed. The methods and devices can be used for enhanced imaging alone or in conjunction with drug delivery, with therapeutic approaches such as hyperthermia or cryotherapy or with other imaging modalities.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for ameliorating at least one symptom or aspect of atherosclerosis. The methods include administration of targeted carrier compositions comprising a therapeutic agent effective in ameliorating at least one aspect of atherosclerosis coupled to a targeting ligand effective is targeting the therapeutic agent to tissue associated with atherosclerotic plaque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an RF probe for use with a medical imaging apparatus, the probe comprising an intracorporeal self-tuned resonator coil for receiving a signal indicative of an image of an interior portion of a body. The resonator coil is preferably coupled to a transmission medium having a characteristic impedance such that the resonator coil is substantially self-matching with the transmission medium's characteristic impedance. Preferably the resonator coil comprises an open wound conductor having a plurality of turns. The length of the resonator coil can be used to tune the resonator coil to a desired frequency, such as the Larmour frequency. Further, a return lead of the transmission medium is preferably coupled to an end of the conductor, and a signal lead of the transmission medium is preferably coupled to a point on the winding, thereby defining a turns ratio for the resonator coil.