Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated phenols, —in particular, it relates to a process including the electrochemical iodination of 3,5-disubstituted phenols of formula (1) to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodophenols of formula (2), which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves. Furthermore, the present invention includes the electrochemical iodination of 3,5-disubstituted anilines of formula (6) to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodoanilins of formula (7).

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of antibodies or fragments thereof using a prokaryotic host cell containing DNA sequences encoding for said antibodies of fragments thereof, wherein said DNA sequence is derived from a coronary plaque sample. Compositions containing said antibodies are also provided. Ligands to said antibodies and compositions containing said ligands are also described.

Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is a metal chelator having the structure: wherein R1-R5 and FG are define herein (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N—O—P is the linker containing at least one non-alpha amino acid with a cyclic group, at least one substituted bile acid or at least one non-alpha amino acid, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. In the preferred embodiment, M is an Aazta metal chelator or a derivative thereof. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy or phototherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. Methods and kits for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent are further provided.

Abstract: Device for localized thermal ablation of lesion tissues, particularly tumoral tissues or the like, which device comprises: a probe or needle intended to be positioned with the end tip at the lesion tissue or tumoral tissue area to be removed; which probe or needle support at least a light guide as an elongated member like a thin wire or thread, one of the ends thereof is an end emitting heating electromagnetic energy and which light guide ends at said end of the probe or needle by a tip irradiating said electromagnetic energy, particularly as a laser light and the other end thereof is connected to a source generating the electromagnetic energy; means for controlling the activation/deactivation of the source generating the electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Device for localized thermal ablation of lesion tissues, particularly tumoral tissues or the like, which device comprises: a probe or needle intended to be positioned with the end tip at the lesion tissue or tumoral tissue area to be removed; which probe or needle support at least a light guide as an elongated member like a thin wire or thread, one of the ends thereof is an end emitting heating electromagnetic energy and which light guide ends at said end of the probe or needle by a tip irradiating said electromagnetic energy, particularly as a laser light and the other end thereof is connected to a source generating the electromagnetic energy; means for controlling the activation/deactivation of the source generating the electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Device for localized thermal ablation of lesion tissues, particularly tumoral tissues or the like, which device comprises: a probe or needle intended to be positioned with the end tip at the lesion tissue or tumoral tissue area to be removed; which probe or needle support at least a light guide as an elongated member like a thin wire or thread, one of the ends thereof is an end emitting heating electromagnetic energy and which light guide ends at said end of the probe or needle by a tip irradiating said electromagnetic energy, particularly as a laser light and the other end thereof is connected to a source generating the electromagnetic energy; means for controlling the activation/deactivation of the source generating the electromagnetic energy. Characterized in that in combination it comprises means for the controlled distribution of the heating action on the lesion tissue area generated by the electromagnetic energy emitted by the irradiating tip inside a volume having a predetermined size.

Abstract: The present invention provides radioactive metal heterocomplexes of formula (I): [(Me=N—R)L1L2]+Z? wherein Me, R, L1L2 and Z? have the meanings indicated in the description. The complexes include a trivalent radioactive metal-imido group, typically a technetium-or rhenium-imido group, strongly stabilized by the presence of an ancillary tridentate hetero-diphosphine ligand L1, which allows the formation of substitution-inert [(Me=N—R)L1] moieties. Such moieties are fixed in an intermediate [(Me=N—R)Y2L1)]+ compound which contains two labile, cispositioned, Y ligands, where Y is preferably an halide group. The latter are easily replaced by a bidentate ligand L2 to give the final [(Me=N—R)L1L2]+ Z?heterocomplexes. The complexes of the invention are useful for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals: in fact, a bioactive fragment which confers biological target-seeking properties can be introduced either on the L2 framework or the imido R group.

Abstract: The present invention refers to diagnostically or radiotherapeutically useful compounds which are able to selectively bind to lectins, having formula (I) wherein R, R?, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the specification; the process for their preparation and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: Fibrin-binding peptides having high binding affinity and excellent physical characteristics compared to previously known fibrin-binding peptides are provided. These fibrin-binding peptides may be conjugated to a detectable label or a therapeutic agent and used to detect and facilitate treatment of pathological conditions associated with the presence of fibrin such as thrombic, angiogenic and neoplastic conditions. These peptides may be used in imaging processes such as MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging (e.g. PET, scintigraphic imaging., etc.). The peptides may also be used therapeutically. The present invention also provides processes and methods for making and using such peptides and conjugates thereof.

Abstract: In a method for registering biomedical images such as at least a first and a second digital or digitalized image or set of cross-sectional images of the same object, within the first image or set of images a certain number of landmarks, so called features are individuated by selecting a certain number of pixels or voxels. The position of each pixel or voxel selected as a feature is tracked from the first to the second image or set of images by determining the optical flow vector from the first to the second image or set of images for each pixel or voxel selected as a feature. Registration of the first and second images or set of images is carried out by applying the inverse optical flow to the pixels or voxels of the second image or set of images.

Abstract: An image processing system particularly for use with diagnostic images, comprises at least one processing unit, which receives digital images acquired by one or more imaging apparatus and provides output images, processed by means of an image processing program loaded in the memory of the processing unit and executed thereby, characterized in that it consists of a central service unit, comprising an interface to be accessed by remote users, which connect to said central unit by remote communication means.

Abstract: Image processing method wherein each image is composed of an array of image points, so called pixels or voxels particularly in a two-, three-, or more dimensional space respectively each image point being univocally defined by its position within the array of image points and by one or more numerical parameters defining the image point appearance as regards characteristics of brightness, grey, colour shade or the like, and wherein each image point is considered to be a node of an artificial neural network, the image being processed as a function of parameters defining the appearance of each pixel as values of the nodes of said artificial neural network and as a function of connections of each pixel under processing with neighbouring pixels composed of pixels of a predetermined subset of pixels, particularly with neighbouring pixels of said pixel under processing, so called pixel window, while pixels of the new image i.e.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the training and testing of prediction algorithms. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention the method generates optimum training, testing and/or validation data sets from a common general database by applying a genetic algorithm to populations of testing and training subsets used in connection with a given prediction algorithm. In exemplary embodiments the prediction algorithm operated upon is an artificial neural network. As well, in preferred exemplary embodiments, the most predictive independent variables of the records of the common database are automatically selected in a pre-processing phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to aryl-sulphonamido compounds endowed with inhibitory activity against metallo proteases MMP, having formula (I) below wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n and m have the meanings reported in the specification; the invention also refers to the process for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and to their use as therapeutic agents, particularly in the treatment of degenerative disorders.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: Wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, NH2, and NHBoc; and R? is selected from the group consisting of H, CH2Ph and tBu, optionally de-protected. Such compounds may be conjugated with a suitable molecule able to interact with physiological systems; and their chelates with bi-trivalent ions of the metal elements having atomic number ranging between 20 and 31, 39, 42, 43, 44, 49, and between 57 and 83, and radioisotopes chosen among 203Pb, 67Ga, 68Ga, 72As, 113In, 90Y, 97Ru, 62Cu, 64Cu, 52Fe, 52mMn, 140La, 175Yb, 153Sm, 166Ho, 149Pm, 177Lu, 142Pr, 159Gd, 212Bi, 47Sc, 149Pm, 67Cu, 111Ag, 199Au, 161Tb, 51Cr, 167Tm, 141Ce, 168Yb, 88Y, 165Dy, 166Dy, 97Ru, 103Ru, 186Re, 188Re, 99mTc, 211Bi, 212Bi, 213Bi, 214Bi, 105Rh, 109Pd, 117mSn, 177Sn and 199Au, as well as the salts thereof with physiologically compatible bases or acids.

Abstract: A method for encoding pixels of digital or digitized images, i.e., images consisting of a set of image dots, named pixels in two-dimensional images and voxels in three-dimensional images, each of said pixels or voxels being represented by a set of values which correspond to a visual aspect of the pixel on a display screen or in a printed image. According to the invention, the pixels or voxels of at least one portion of interest of the digital or digitized image or each pixel or voxel of the set of pixels or voxels which form the image is uniquely identified with a vector whose components are given by the date of the pixels or voxels to be encoded and by the data of at least one or at least some or of all of the pixels around the pixels to be encoded and arranged within a predetermined subset of pixels or voxels included in the whole set of pixels or voxels which form the image.

Abstract: A novel method of imaging, comprising administration of a radioactive mono-cation, such as, for example, 82Rubidium (positron imaging) or Thallium (SPECT or planar imaging), in combination with a receptor binding ligand that stimulates the influx of cations. The method permits imaging of receptor-expressing tissue. However, unlike imaging methods which rely on a radiolabeled binding ligand, in the instant method the influx of the radioactive mono-cation is measured, not the binding of a radiolabeled ligand. Thus, there is a decreased likelihood of receptor saturation and potentially less radiation exposure for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) through a carboxymethylation reaction occurring in the presence of a suitable alkylating agent and of a base, without the need of monitoring the pH of the reaction environment. The compound of formula (I) is a useful intermediate in the preparation of diagnostic contrast agents for MRI techniques.

Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M—N—O—P—G, wherein M is an optical label or a metal chelator (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N—O—P is the linker, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy or phototherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. Methods and kits for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent are further provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging of a substrate molecule different from water wherein the NMR signal is enhanced by a reversible binding of the substrate molecule to a paramagnetic chelate complex, as well as to the use of a paramagnetic chelate complex in said method and the pharmaceutical composition for use therein.