Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel use of a gold nanocluster for treating hypercholesterolemia or hypercholesterolemia-associated diseases, for example, atherosclerosis. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the gold nanocluster has a particle size ranging from about 1 to 10 nm, and consists of, a gold nanocluster formed by a plurality of gold nanoparticles, and a plurality of DHLAs coated on the gold nanocluster.

Abstract: A probe for monitoring new bone formation and osseointegration containing an integrin ?5?1 ligand conjugated to a near-infrared fluorescent dye in which the integrin ?5?1 ligand is a cyclic peptide lacking an RGD sequence. Also disclosed is a bone repair and osteogenesis-monitoring probe formed of a bisphosphonate conjugated to a gold nanoparticle, the probe having a size of 1 nm to 10 nm. Further disclosed are two methods for monitoring bone formation, each of which is carried out by administering the above probes and obtaining a near-infrared fluorescence image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster about 0.1 to 20 nm in diameter. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the expression of a pro-inflammatory molecule in a cultured cell, including contacting the cultured cell with the said DHLA coated gold nanocluster. Still disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that includes the present DHLA coated gold nanocluster. The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating the inflammatory disease in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ocular lens and a pharmaceutical composition. The ocular lens of the present disclosure is characterized in having a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanoclusters absorbed thereon. The pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure comprises a DHLA coated gold nanocluster, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the DHLA coated gold nanoclusters are capable of reducing intracellular ROS levels, promoting tissue repair, and inhibiting pathological angiogenesis. Accordingly, also disclosed herein are methods of treating ocular conditions by uses of the present contact lens or pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster about 0.1 to 20 nm in diameter. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the expression of a pro-inflammatory molecule in a cultured cell, including contacting the cultured cell with the said DHLA coated gold nanocluster. Still disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that includes the present DHLA coated gold nanocluster. The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating the inflammatory disease in the subject.

Abstract: A method for enhancing anti-oxidation activity of a solution containing gold nanoclusters binding with ligands and its making process are disclosed, The method for enhancing anti-oxidation activity of a solution containing gold nanoclusters binding with ligands comprises: Treat a solution containing gold nanoclusters binding with ligands by UV light, and a wavelength range of the UV light is 300˜400 nm.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for forming a solution containing gold nanoclusters binding with ligands, the process comprises the following steps: provide a aqueous solution that comprises a gold precursor, a base and ligands; perform a reduction reaction by adding a reductant into the aqueous solution to form a liquid containing gold nanoclusters binding with the ligands; concentrate the liquid containing the gold nanoclusters binding with the ligands to a solid; dissolve the solid into water to form a crude solution; and perform a purification process by passing the crude solution through a membrane or a dialysis tube to obtain the solution containing the gold nanoclusters binding with the ligands.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups is disclosed. First, a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, wherein the surface of the nanoparticle comprises a plurality of first active groups. Next, a plurality of functional ligands are provided, wherein the functional ligand comprises at least one second active group and at least one third active group. Then, a binding process is performed to bind the nanoparticle with the functional ligand, wherein the first active group connects with the second active group. After the binding process, a converting process and a separation process are performed to isolate a plurality of nanoparticles with a controlled number of the fifth active groups. The controlled number is integers from 0 to 10.

Abstract: A medical contrast agent made of microbubbles containing Au nanoclusters is provided. The shell of the microbubbles contains fluorescent Au nanocluster-albumin complex, and the core contains air or fluorocarbons. The method for preparing the microbubbles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups is disclosed. First, a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, wherein the surface of the nanoparticle comprises a plurality of first active groups. Next, a plurality of functional ligands are provided, wherein the functional ligand comprises at least one second active group and at least one third active group. Then, a binding process is performed to bind the nanoparticle with the functional ligand, wherein the first active group connects with the second active group. After the binding process, a separation process is performed to isolate a plurality of nanoparticles with a controlled number of the third active groups. The controlled number is integers from 0 to 10.

Abstract: A medical contrast agent made of microbubbles containing Au nanoclusters is provided. The shell of the microbubbles contains fluorescent Au nanocluster-albumin complex, and the core contains air or fluorocarbons. The method for preparing the microbubbles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tunable fluorescent gold nanocluster. The tunable fluorescent gold nanocluster is formed by mixing gold trichloride (AuCl3) with toluene solvent without reductant. The tunable fluorescent gold nanocluster emits blue fluorescence that can be red shifted through ultrasonic vibration. The spectral region of the tunable fluorescent gold nanocluster is from 400 nm to 550 nm.

Abstract: A medical contrast agent made of microbubbles containing Au nanoclusters is provided. The shell of the microbubbles contains fluorescent Au nanocluster-albumin complex, and the core contains air or fluorocarbons. The method for preparing the microbubbles is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluorescent gold nanocluster, comprising: a dihydrolipoic acid ligand (DHLA) on the surface thereof, wherein the fluorescent gold nanocluster generates fluorescence by the interaction between the dihydrolipoic acid ligand and the nanocluster and the particle diameter of the fluorescent gold nanocluster is between 0.5 nm and 3 nm, wherein the wavelength of the emission fluorescence of the fluorescent gold nanocluster is between 400 nm and 1000 nm. In addition, the fluorescent gold nanocluster is used as bioprobes and/or applied in fluorescent biological label, clinical image as contrast medium, clinical detection, clinical trace, and clinical treatment etc.

Abstract: A frequency modulated ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus for bone fractures and a method for generating frequency modulated ultrasonic waves are revealed. The frequency modulated ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus includes a control interface, a control unit, a waveform generator circuit and a transducer. The control interface is used to set a plurality of parameters. The control unit coupled to the control interface generates a control signal according to those parameters. The waveform generator circuit is coupled to the control unit and is generating a waveform signal according to the control signal. The transducer converts the waveform signal and produces an ultrasonic wave. The present invention provides different parameters for modulating a frequency of ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic waves with different frequencies are used to treat bone fractures during the bone healing process of living animals. Thus the fracture healing is speeded up and the recovery time is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for cultivating cells, wherein the system comprises a bioreactor, a pump, and an electromagnetic module comprising a coil and an electromagnetic stimulator. The cells are disposed within the bioreactor. The pump, connected to the bioreactor, is used to drive gas into the bioreactor, so as to ensure a sufficient gas supply for the cells. Additionally, the electromagnetic stimulator, connected to the coil, is used to provide a plurality of first signals, and the first signals are transported to the coil. Then the induced electromagnetic field is produced by the coil, whereby the induced electromagnetic field is applied on the cells within the bioreactor. Moreover, this invention also discloses the method for cultivating cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluorescent gold nanocluster, comprising: a dihydrolipoic acid ligand (DHLA) on the surface thereof, wherein the fluorescent gold nanocluster generates fluorescence by the interaction between the dihydrolipoic acid ligand and the nanocluster and the particle diameter of the fluorescent gold nanocluster is between 0.5 nm and 3 nm, wherein the wavelength of the emission fluorescence of the fluorescent gold nanocluster is between 400 nm and 1000 nm. In addition, the fluorescent gold nanocluster is used as bioprobes and/or applied in fluorescent biological label, clinical image as contrast medium, clinical detection, clinical trace, and clinical treatment etc.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an amphiphilic polymer, comprising a polymer backbone, at least one hydrophobic side chain, and at least one hydrophilic side chain wherein one end of the hydrophobic side chain is bound to the polymer backbone and one end of the hydrophilic side chain is bound to the polymer backbone. The polymer backbone is derived from a homopolymer or copolymer of an anhydride. In addition, the present invention discloses a water-soluble polymer micell having the above described amphiphilic polymer and forming method and applications thereof.