Abstract: The present invention provides a water soluble, non-peptidic polymer comprising two or more alkylene oxide-based oligomers linked together by hydrolytically degradable linkages such as carbonates. Typically, the oligomer portion of the polymer is an amphiphilic triblock copolymer having a central propylene oxide block or butylene oxide block positioned between two ethylene oxide blocks. The polymer can be hydrolytically degraded into oligomers under physiological conditions. In aqueous media, the polymer preferably forms thermally reversible, hydrolytically degradable hydrogels that can be used, for example, for drug delivery and related biomedical applications.

Abstract: A stable composition with a benzimidazole derivative, such as Omeprazole, which does not contain a separating layer between the active compound and an enteric coating layer. Instead, the enteric coating layer is applied as a solution with a pH value of at least 6.5, and more preferably in a range of from about 7 to about 10, directly to the benzimidazole derivative substrate. This solution, with the optional addition of a plasticizer, can be directly coated onto the substrate without any necessity for an intermediate layer. Furthermore, in this pH range, the enteric coating is optionally applicable in an aqueous solution, thereby obviating the need for organic solvents for dissolving the enteric coating material. The resultant formulation maintains the stability of the benzimidazole derivative during storage and at the same time protects the product during passage through the acidic environment of the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a cancer cell in an individual, methods of grading a cancer, and methods of treating a cancer. The methods involve use of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles that comprise a moiety that provides for selective association with, and/or metabolic uptake into, a cancer cell.

Abstract: There is provided a novel chain-end functionalized PEO of formulas (I) to (IV) prepared via living anionic polymerization and chain-end functionalization, as well as a simple method of preparing nano-sized transition metal or metal salt particles using the same, which can be readily stabilized even in an aqueous medium. The water-soluble PEO-based polymers having various functional groups (including a drug group such as vitamin and anti-cancer agent) and the process of preparing nano-sized transition metal or metal salt particles using the same can be advantageously used in the development of new materials for drug delivering system and imaging, e.g., a contrast agent and an anti-cancer agent simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention relates to creating a copper (Cu)-based nanoparticle and a method for making the same. The Cu-based nanoparticles can further be incorporated with additional therapeutic or diagnostic compounds and used for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to animal models of anxiety and depression. Specifically, this invention relates to an in vivo high utility, high-throughput model for screening anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs in fowl chicks with stress vulnerability. This new animal model utilizes an inexpensive avian model, measures spontaneous behaviors in very young animals, and is capable of detecting and/or differentiating a compound's anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects. This new animal model is especially useful in detecting and/or differentiating a compound's anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant subjects. Animal costs are less than 10% of rodent costs and the assay can be run in a high-throughput mode.

Abstract: A bio-adhesive supramacromolecular complex of the general formula: wherein R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of an alkane unsubstituted or substituted with alkoxy groups; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of C1-6 alkyl; R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted aliphatic or aromatic alkyl; R5 is independently selected from the group consisting of H or C1-6 alkyl; W is a hydrogen-bond accepting functional group-containing entity; Y is a carboxylic acid ester or amide linkage; R is an independently selected peptide linking group; T1, T2, T3 and T4 are independently selected polymer residues; and m1, m2, m3, n1 and n2 are integers selected from at least 25; and wherein P has a molecular weight of about 1×103 to 1×107 and Q has a molecular weight of about 1×103 to 1×107. The complex provides controlled nitric oxide release over a longer period of time than prior art compounds in the locally delivery systems.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a magnetic nanocomposite with multi-biofunctional groups, which comprises a core and a shell wrapping the core, wherein the core contains magnetic nanoparticles, and wherein the shell is made of a conductive polymer with multi-biofunctional groups where a medicine, an antibody or a fluorescent label can be attached.

Abstract: Provided is a fluorescent labeling material, including zinc oxide nanoparticles each surface-modified with an organic compound having an amino group placed at an outer end thereof. Also provided is a fluorescent labeling agent to be used in vivo or in vitro, including the fluorescent labeling material, in which: EDC or the like is bound thereto through the amino group; and a substance capable of selectively binding to a target to be fluorescently labeled, such as an antibody, is linked thereto.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing pure dicalcium phosphate ceramics or dicalcium phosphate/hydroxyapaite (HA) biphasic ceramics for medical applications in hard tissue areas to be used as implant materials. These ceramic implant materials are in granular form or in block form, and are prepared by using an acidic phosphate compound, a basic calcium phosphate compound comprising HA, and water. The dicalcium phosphate ceramic comprises either dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4.2H2O, DCPD) or dicalcium anhydrous (CaHPO4, DCPA). Wherein, when the acidic phosphate compound is provided in an amount stoichiometrically equal to or in excess relative to the basic calcium phosphate compound, a reaction product is the DCPD or DCPA ceramic; when the acidic phosphate compound is provided in the amount stoichiometrically less than the basic calcium phosphate compound, the reaction product is the DCPD/HA or DCPA/HA biphasic ceramic.

Abstract: A novel macromer or mixture thereof is described herein, comprising isocyanatophenyl ether terminal moieties and at least two residues of a water-soluble polymer having a molecular weight ranging from 80 to 10,000 adjacent to the ether group of the isocyanatophenyl ether terminal isocyanate moieties, thereby forming at least two ether linkages in the macromer or mixture thereof. A method for making a polyisocyanate macromer is also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent coated with carboxylated mannan, particularly a carboxylated mannan coated superparamagnetic MRI contrast agent specifically targeting antigen presenting cells and having excellent in vivo stability, and a method for producing the same. The MRI contrast agent coated with carboxylated mannan of the present invention can provide excellent in vivo stability and biocompatibility owing to its high surface negative charge, and can be introduced specifically into antigen presenting cells owing to mannose of mannan, so as to visualize the antigen presenting cells and the tissue containing the antigen presenting cells in MRI.

Abstract: A ligand and a metal complex having the ligand are provided. The ligand and a paramagnetic metal ion form a metal complex with high stability, high relaxivity and high biocompatibility. The metal complex of the present invention is applicable to the preparation of MRI contrast agents for detecting atherosclerosis. The MRI contrast agent includes a peptide sequence specific to a matrix metalloprotease, and can be recognized by a pathological thrombocyte to target a specific site, so as to enhance the imaging contrast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing particles of a compound of interest. In a method according to the invention a solution is provided of the compound of interest in a solvent. This solution is thickened or gelled and particles are formed. The invention further relates to a particle that is obtainable by the invention.

Abstract: A reagent for conjugation to a biomolecule, wherein the reagent is a single molecule with at least three functional parts and has schematic structure (I): a) wherein a trifunctional cross-linking moiety is coupled to b) an affinity ligand via a linker 1, said affinity ligand being capable of binding with another molecule having affinity for said ligand, to c) an effector agent, optionally via a linker 2, said effector agent exerting its effect on cells, tissues and/or humorous molecules in vivo or ex vivo, and to d) a biomolecule reactive moiety, optionally via a linker 3, said moiety being capable of forming a bond between the reagent and the biomolecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging comprising a chelating ligand and a transition metal ion, said ligand carrying a substituent capable of reacting chemically or biochemically with a target substance while bringing about a change in the spin state.

Abstract: Disclosed are CEST paramagnetic agents comprising a substrate (SH) containing mobile protons bonded to a paramagnetic chelate (SR) containing a metal selected from iron (11) (high-spin configuration), iron (111), cobalt (11), rhodium (11), copper (11), nickel (11), cerium (111), praseodymium (111), neodymium (111), dysprosium (111), erbium (111), terbium (111), holmium (111), thulium (III), ytterbium (III) and europium (111).

Abstract: A system is described for long-term controlled release delivery of a drug or a therapeutic agent. According to the invention, one or more drugs or therapeutic agents contained in microspheres are mixed with a temperature sensitive hydrogel which is then introduced directly to the desired situs of the drug or therapeutic agent. The temperature sensitive hydrogel may also contain a drug or a therapeutic agent, for example, a pain relieving drug, for a short-term controlled release. The temperature sensitive hydrogel is in liquid state at room temperature, but upon injection, shortly becomes gelatinous. This system is particularly suitable for treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions, for example, tumors, discogenic back pain, or arthritis, warranting localized administration of a drug or a therapeutic agent. In addition, the specification provides a method for production of a drug- or therapeutic agent-containing microspheres.

Abstract: A composition including a solution suitable for introduction into a blood vessel comprising particles including a treatment agent and a tunable stimuli-responsive polymer. A method including introducing a delivery device into a blood vessel; and introducing a solution into the blood vessel, the solution including particles comprising a treatment agent and a tunable stimuli-responsive polymer. A method including combining a treatment agent and a tunable stimuli-responsive polymer; and forming particles of the combination suitable for delivery through a blood vessel.

Abstract: A composite that includes a polymeric material having a void structure and particulate ceragenin material (i.e., ceragenin particles) associated with the void structure. The average particle size of the ceragenin particles in the composite is in a range from 5 nm to 20 ?m, 50 nm to 10 ?m, 100 nm to 5 ?m, or 1 ?m to 10 ?m. The composite has a high loading of ceragenin particles (e.g., about 10% to about 25%, by weight). The composite has good polymer stability, the ability to release ceragenins from the ceragenin particles disposed in the composite over a sustained period of time at a characteristic elution rate, and the ability to kill large numbers of bacteria and other susceptible microbes over the sustained period of time.