Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for assessing macrophage involvement in the inflammation of one or more joints of a subject. In certain aspects, the disclosed method includes the steps of administering to the subject a composition comprising a mannosylated dextran construct with an imaging moiety conjugated thereto; acquiring one or more planar images of a first joint of the subject; defining a region of interest (ROI) comprising the first joint; defining a joint specific reference region (RR); determining a MARTAD value of the joint by assessing the ratio of average pixel intensity of the ROI to the average pixel intensity of the RR; and comparing the MARTAD of the first joint to a normal MARTAD value for a corresponding joint, and wherein macrophage involvement is indicated by a joint specific MARTAD value that exceeds the normal MARTAD value by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions and methods for imaging and/or detecting tumors. In certain embodiments, the imaging and/or detection is targeted to tumor associated macrophages. In some embodiments, a mannosylated dextran construct is used to target and/or detect tumor associated macrophages. In some embodiments, the tumor may be one or more visceral tumors. In some embodiments, the detected and/or targeted tumor may be one or more metastatic tumors.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for diagnosing, imaging, and quantifying non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque. Embodiments of compositions described herein comprise mannosylated dextran compounds along with other carbohydrate molecules comprising, for example, a diagnostic agent and a diagnostic moiety. The compounds and methods embodied herein produce superior localization and results for imaging, anatomically locating, and quantifying non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of ?-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof; of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of &ohgr;-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof; of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of &ohgr;-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof; of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleuciné or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of &ohgr;-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof; of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of &ohgr;-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof, of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of .omega.-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof; of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A liquid enteral nutritional product has been formulated which has utility, for example, for persons with cancer who are not currently undergoing radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. The nutritional product is characterized by a fatty acid profile wherein, by weight: (a) the ratio of the sum of the n-3 to n-6 fatty acids is in the range of 1.37 to 1.70; (b) Eicosapentaenoic Acid (23:6n-3) is about 2.7-3.0% of total fatty acids.; and (c) Docosahexaenoic Acid (22:6n-3) is about 1.3-1.4% of total fatty acids. Preferably the nutritional product also contains intact protein, .beta.-carotene, carnitine and taurine.