Abstract: Embodiments provide dual modality probes for imaging phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and other anionic membrane surfaces. In various embodiments, the probes were constructed by utilizing a) the high selectivity of synthetic zinc (II) dipicolylamine coordination complexes (Zn-DPA) for targeting externalized PS which over-expresses in apoptotic and necrotic cells, b) a near-infrared (NIR) dye for optical imaging, and c) a widely used clinically approved radionuclide for PET (or SPECT) imaging. A variety of linking elements were incorporated into the probes between the Zn-DPA and radionuclide motif to modulate the pharmacokinetics. The in vitro and in vivo data of radiolabeled dipicolylamine probes demonstrated their utilities for imaging PS exposure with multiple imaging modalities.

Abstract: Serial-solvent biomaterials are described. Embodiments include materials made in an organic solvent that are stripped of the solvent and used in a patient, where they imbibe water and form a hydrogel. These materials are useful for, among other things, delivering therapeutic agents, tissue augmentation, and radiological marking.

Abstract: A nanocrystal formulation in the form of a nano-emulsion includes a continuous aqueous phase and at least one dispersed oily phase, in which the oily phase has at least one amphiphilic lipid and at least one solubilising lipid, and in which the aqueous phase has a cosurfactant. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the formulation as well as uses within the fields of medical imaging, thermotherapy or phototherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating or limiting development of age-related macular degeneration, as well as methods for identifying compound suitable for such use.

Abstract: Pain factors are labeled with targeted agents or markers delivered into the body. The labeled pain factors are imaged with appropriate imaging tools in a manner allowing selective identification and localization of areas of pain source or transmission. The labeled pain factors allow spatial differentiation in the imaging sufficient to specify the location of the pain so as to drive therapeutic decisions and techniques in order to treat the pain. Pain factors labeled and imaged in this manner may include one or more of nerve factors, blood vessel factors, cellular factors, and inflammation factors. Labeled markers may include for example radioactive materials (e.g. tritiated or iodinated molecules) or other materials such as metal (e.g. gold) nanoparticles.

Abstract: Non-aggregating resorbable calcium phosphosilicate nanoparticles (CPNPs) are bioconjugated to targeting molecules that are specific for particular cells. The CPNPs are stable particles at normal physiological pH. Chemotherapy and imaging agents may be integrally formed with the CPNPs so that they are compartmentalized within the CPNPs. In this manner, the agents are protected from interaction with the environment at normal physiological pH. However, once the CPNPs have been taken up, at intracellular pH, the CPNPs dissolve releasing the agent. Thus, chemotherapeutic or imaging agents are delivered to specific cells and permit the treatment and/or imaging of those cells. Use of the bioconjugated CPNPs both limits the amount of systemic exposure to the agent and delivers a higher concentration of the agent to the cell. The methods and principals of bioconjugating CPNPs are taught by examples of bioconjugation of targeting molecules for breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and leukemia.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance contrast agent has a medium, and a contrast structure dispersed in the medium. The contrast structure comprises a magnetic material arranged to create a local region of a local magnetic field such that nuclear magnetic moments of a material when arranged within the local region precess at a characteristic Larmor frequency about a total magnetic field in the local region while in use, the characteristic Larmor frequency being identifiable with the contrast structure, and the total magnetic field in the local region being a substantially spatially uniform magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents.

Abstract: Oxide, oxysulfide, or phosphate host particles with a self-assembled organo-phosphonate monolayer covalently bonded thereto are disclosed. Methods for coating the host particles and use of rare earth ion-doped particles in imaging methods and photodynamic therapy methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluorescent emulsion, to a diagnostic reagent containing the same, and to the use thereof in the preparation of a diagnostic reagent for in vivo fluorescence imaging.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same for treating symptoms related to allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, symptoms of the common cold and certain cancers.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for effectively and accurately measuring a patient response upon administration of one or more drugs to the patient. The methods are more sensitive than current methodologies. Also described herein are compositions comprising an analgesic and a sufficient amount of an antihistamine to enhance the analgesic properties of the analgesic. With respect to these compositions, the methods described herein are useful for evaluating qualities of pain, definite improvement, and one or more bodily functions of a subject afflicted with pain. The compositions described herein are useful in improving the quality of pain in a subject or a bodily function of a subject afflicted with pain or definite improvement of a subject afflicted with pain.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same for treating symptoms related to allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, symptoms of the common cold and certain cancers.

Abstract: A method and a kit for detecting myelin basic protein are provided. The method comprises administering an agent, which binds to myelin basic protein (MBP), to a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy, and determining myelination by detecting the agent resided in the subject. The amount of the agent present in the subject is indicative of a myelin-associated neuropathy. A method of quantifying an amount of MBP present in a tissue sample is also provided, wherein the method comprises contacting the tissue sample with the same agent, detecting the agent present in the tissue sample; and quantifying an amount of the agent present in the tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a pharmaceutical composition for a liver-receptor imaging injection, the pharmaceutical composition including a bi-functional compound which has a ASGPR specificity, wherein the bi-functional compound includes a backbone of alpha-amino acid (or the derivatives thereof) and a poly-galactosamine chain (or a poly-lactose chain) connected to the alpha-amino acid. Thereby, the pharmaceutical composition can quantify potential of liver storage ability and evaluate severity of the course of liver disease. A liver-receptor imaging injection using the same and the one-step dispensing method thereof are also provided to improve defects of iodine-labeled and overcome disadvantages of the reduced labeling-yield and the instability after autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: The invention provides an antigen or drug delivery complex containing a complex of an antigen or drug and a cationic molecule, and an anionic molecule encapsulating the same. The antigen or drug delivery complex can be used as a main component of a drug delivery system that delivers various antigens and drugs to a particular cell or organ.

Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds that modulate the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg) in vivo and in vitro, i.e., compounds that act on the transcription factors that increase or decrease expression of Foxp3.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the preparation of gas-filled microbubbles, and methods of using for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. In particular, the methods of the invention allow for the preparation of gas-filled microbubbles having narrow size distributions and defined ultrasonic properties.

Abstract: A surface coating for a medical device is provided that may prevent or slow the formation of medical biofilms on the surface of the device. Covalent attachment of certain analogues of N-acyl L-homoserine lactones onto a medical device may provide the advantage of slowing biofilm formation in a manner that is targeted to the surface of the medical device and not the patient. Such a device may allow healthcare providers to prevent bacterial buildups on the surfaces of the device, which may lead to biofilm formation.

Abstract: A process of evaluating blood-brain barrier permeability of a stroke rat by using fluorescent substance is disclosed. This process uses an Evans blue dye having spontaneous fluorescence properties, in combination with the use of a new non-invasive in vivo imaging system (IVIS), to obtain fluorescent signals so as to assess the change in the blood-brain barrier permeability of rodents after a cerebral artery stroke model surgery. In operation, an Evans blue dye is injected into a stroke rat of middle cerebral artery occlusion model. A non-invasive in vivo imaging system is used to detect the fluorescence distribution of the whole brain, and obtain images combined by the fluorescence images and optical images for the whole brain tissue. Thereby, the change in the blood-brain barrier permeability of the stroke rat can be completely realized.