Abstract: Methods of imaging distribution of myeloperoxidase activity in a subject are disclosed. These methods include the use of bioluminescent substrates, including luminol and wavelength-shifted analogues of luminol. Bioluminescent myeloperoxidase substrates that emit light at longer wavelengths compared to luminol are shown to be useful for imaging myeloperoxidase activity in vivo. The disclosed methods can be used for imaging sites of inflammation and other pathological conditions associated with abnormal levels of MPO activity in vivo. Methods of synthesis of luminol analogues are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of diagnostically or therapeutically effective compounds comprising novel aza-bicycloalkane based cyclic peptides, acting as a targeting moiety towards integrin receptors.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T.sub.1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, the imaging agent includes a carbon-13 enriched alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention describes the modification of polypeptides, more particularly channel proteins with a thiol reactive agent so as to introduce an azide group. The present invention further describes vesicles comprising channel proteins modified according to the invention, which upon reaction with a phosphine open up thereby releasing the content of the vesicles. The reagents, polypeptides and vesicles described in the present invention have in vivo and in vitro applications in both drug delivery and imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for myelin basic protein detection comprises identifying a subject at risk of or diagnosed with a myelin-associated neuropathy, parenterally administering to the subject the agent, and determining myelination in the subject by detecting binding to myelin basic protein. Methods for the detection of myelin and a quantitative measurement of its local concentration in a sample using an agent with specific binding to myelin basic protein are also provided as is a kit containing the agent or its derivatives for use in detecting myelin basic protein.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.

Abstract: The invention is a pharmaceutical product which may be authenticated, comprising identifying markers disposed in the pharmaceutical product. The pharmaceutical product is selected from the group consisting of a pill, a tablet, a caplet, and a capsule. The identifying markers are gel pellets made from a hydroscopic medium having an indicia imprinted thereon and expand volumetrically when contacted with a liquid.

Abstract: The present invention describes chemically modified avidins that have higher permanence in treated tissues compared to wild type avidin. Avidin oxidation is performed by periodate incubation in the presence of the low affinity ligand HABA which, occupying the biotin binding sites, prevents protein denaturation during the oxidation step. Periodate oxidation generates CHO groups from avidin mannose ring opening that, once injected, react with tissue NH2 residues to form stable Schiff's bases. The anchored avidins maintain the ability to bind biotinylated agents endowed of therapeutic activity, like radiolabeled biotins, stem cells and somatic cells, useful for brachytherapies like Intraoperative Avidination Radionuclide Therapy (IART®) or degenerative or genetic diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of imaging vesicular monoamine transporters and to labeled compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of making labeled compounds useful in imaging vesicular monoamine transporters. This invention also relates to compounds, and methods of monitoring progression of a disease related to vesicular monoamine transporters.

Abstract: Provided are a novel probe for a hair cell for clearly identifying various conditions of a hair cell, and a labelling method for a hair cell using the probe for a hair cell, more particularly, a probe for a hair cell containing, as an active agent, a staining compound represented by the general formula (I)

Abstract: A method of fluorescence imaging is disclosed that uses a non-labeled fluorescent microsphere comprising a primary amine polymer, wherein the microsphere does not contain an additional fluorescent substance, and wherein at least one primary amine group in the primary amine polymer has the structure of —N?R—, in which R is a residue after the reaction of an aldehyde-type cross-linking substance, and the other primary amine groups have the structure of —NH2. The fluorescence color of the microspheres can be adjusted by selecting different aldehyde-type cross-linking substances or combinations, and the fluorescence intensity of the microspheres can be controlled not only by the addition of the aldehyde-type cross-linking substances and the time of the cross-linking reaction, but also by adjusting the diameters of the microspheres.

Abstract: A contrast agent for angiography is disclosed, in particular, for examining animal or human bodies or components thereof such as members or organs thereof, comprising an essentially oil-based apolar contrast component for X-ray examinations, the contrast component having a contrast component viscosity in the range of 30-100 mPas. The contrast agent is characterised in that the contrast component is present in a mixture with at least one further apolar component, the viscosity of which is less than or at most equal to the contrast component viscosity. Methods for angiography examination are also disclosed, in which such a contrast agent or also a polar contrast agent are used at least periodically and applications of such contrast agents.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.

Abstract: An engineered lipoprotein including (a) a core particle or a plurality of core particles, each core particle has (i) an inner part comprising a hydrophilic active agent and a hydrophilic portion of an amphiphilic cholesterol and (ii) an outer part including a hydrophobic portion of the amphiphilic cholesterol, (b) a layer surrounding the core particle or a plurality of core particles, the layer includes a phospholipid, (c) an apoprotein associated with the layer, and optionally, (d) a homing molecule associated with at least one of the apoprotein or the phospholipid.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of metal nanoparticles for the preparation of a composition for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease by MRI.

Abstract: An ultrasound contrast agent composed of at least one kind of low-boiling water-insoluble substance (with a boiling point lower than 37° C.) and at least one kind of high-boiling water-insoluble substance (with a boiling point higher than 37° C.). The former vaporizes to absorb ultrasonic energy upon application of ultrasound, thereby causing the latter to vaporize secondarily, with the resulting bubbles producing an echo image. It is less liable to bumping and hence safe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent and a method for enhancing a contrast of an image of fluorescent staining of a lumen of the digestive tract with an intravenously administered fluorescent dye, wherein the agent for enhancing a contrast is an agent for a lumen of the digestive tract containing an aqueous solution having a buffer capacity and having a pH of 6 to 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to the subjects characterized in the patent claims, namely metal chelates having a perfluorinated PEG radical, processes for their preparation, and their use, processes for their preparation and their use in NMR and X-ray diagnosis, radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy, and in MRT lymphography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and more particularly to encapsulated contrast agents and methods for using the same.