Abstract: New and improved compounds for use in radiodiagnostic imaging or radiotherapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is the 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 to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. A method for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. A method for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent is further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated phenols; in particular; it relates to a process including the direct iodination, with suitably activated iodine, of 3,5-disubstituted phenol compounds to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodophenols, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves.

Abstract: Method for automatic processing and evaluation of images, particularly diagnostic images, comprising an image processing tool in the form of a software program which is executable by the computer hardware and which image processing tool processes image data of a digital input image generating a modified digital output image whose image data are outputted in a graphical and/or alphanumerical format highlighting certain predetermined features or qualities of the corresponding regions of an imaged body or object, characterized in that the image processing tool comprises a first image detecting module which is an image processing module based on image processing non expert algorithms and which furnishes at its output a modified image file which modified image data are further processed by a classification or evaluation module which is a second image processing module comprising an image processing tool consisting in an expert image processing algorithm such as a classification or prediction algorithm the output o

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: The present invention relates to new compounds useful for the stimulation of the production of antibodies. Said compounds comprises a saccharidic tumor antigen and a polymeric scaffold. The present invention also encompasses conjugated compounds useful in ELISA assay for the selection of antibodies against saccharidic antigens.

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: Image processing method that includes the steps of considering each image point as a node of an artificial neural network, and of processing the image as function of values of the nodes and of connections of each image point undergoing processing with neighboring image points, the image points of the processed image being obtained by iterative evolution steps of parameters defining the appearance as evolution steps of the value of nodes or by iterative evolution steps of values of the set of connections or by a combination of the evolutions, wherein the processing occurs by evolution iterative steps that are functions of connections of neighboring image points with the image point under examination, each of the neighboring image points being further considered as neighboring one or more or all adjacent image points, the functions providing immediate feedback contributions for determining appearance values of all other image points.

Abstract: The present invention generally refers to a process for the preparation of L-thyroxine derivatives. More in particular, the present invention relates to a iodination reaction of an aromatic derivative with an appropriate iodinating agent, so to afford the related iodinated compound as disodium salt, which may represent a useful intermediate for the synthesis of the L-thyroxine mono-sodium salt, and the free form thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relies on a process for the preparation of chelated compounds, comprising the selective interaction between a solid matrix and a chelating agent. In more details, the present invention enables the preparation of chelated compounds useful as diagnostic agents, in high yields and in a reliable way.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of gadobenate dimeglumine complex in a solid form. In particular, said solid form is conveniently obtained by spray-drying a corresponding liquid suspension at a given temperature and concentration. The present invention is particularly advantageous for the industrial scale as the solid form may be obtained by employing water as a solvent, which is a non-toxic solvent, easy to handle and basically not requiring troublesome health or safety precautions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the syntheses of thiol-containing radiopharmaceuticals without the need for purification starting from chelators containing disulfide bonds. This is done by providing a method that reduces disulfide bonds on a precursor molecule or a precursor compound in the presence of phosphine compounds, thus freeing thiols for metal complexation.

Abstract: The invention discloses the use of ionic and non-ionic radiographic contrast agents for combined X-ray and nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention refers to human antibodies derived from human antibody libraries prepared from atherosclerotic plaques. It further refers to human antibodies able to immunologically recognize both human transgelin or fragments thereof and a protein with at least 50% similarity to OmpK36 (Outer membrane protein, Klebsiella, K36; GI: 295881594) or fragments thereof. Human transgelin is preferably transgelin 1 (Accession N° Q01995, GI:48255907). The antibodies further recognize an antigen in the atherosclerotic plaque and are useful for the preparation of immunodiagnostic reagents or assays to detect atherogenic diseases. The invention also relates to the use of anti-TAGLN monoclonal antibodies, showing cross-reactivity with a bacterial antigen having at least 50% similarity with OmpK36, for detecting antigens in the atherosclerotic plaque or as atherosclerotic related reagents in an immuno-competition assay.

Abstract: The present invention discloses antibodies or fragments thereof able to bind isolated coronary plaque samples and processes for their production using host cells containing DNA sequences encoding for said antibodies of fragments thereof. Methods for screening ligands to said isolated samples are also described, and compositions containing said antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the synthesis of a iodinating agent, being said iodinating agent iodine chloride (ICI.) In particular, the present invention relates to a process for the electrochemical preparation of ICI, as a useful iodinating agent in the preparation of iodinated organic compounds for use as contrast agents or their precursors in the synthesis of the same.

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

Abstract: A method for coding pixels or voxels of a digital or digitalized two dimensional or three dimensional image includes the steps of: providing a digital image in which each pixel or voxel is defined by a variable in a grey scale image, or by HSV or RGB values in a color image; generating a vector univocally associated to the target pixel or voxel and having components generated as a function of the values of the pixels or voxels in a window that includes the target pixel or voxel and neighboring pixels or voxels. The function of the values of the target pixel or voxel and of the pixels or voxels in the window corresponds to the characteristic parameters of the numerical matrix representing the pixels or voxels of the window or of a transformation of the numerical matrix.

Abstract: Stabilized radiopharmaceutical formulations are disclosed. Methods of making and using stabilized radiopharmaceutical formulations are also disclosed. The invention relates to stabilizers that improve the radiostability of radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic compounds and formulations containing them. In particular, it relates to stabilizers useful in the preparation and stabilization of targeted radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic compounds, and, in a preferred embodiment, to the preparation and stabilization of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic compounds that are targeted to the Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-Receptor).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated anilines; in particular, it relates to a process including the direct iodination, with suitably activated iodine, of 3,5-disubstituted anilines to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodoanilines, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves.

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 as defined 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.