The present invention provides a safe polymer nanoparticle composite with few side effects, and an MRI contrast agent incorporating said polymer nanoparticle composite. The polymer nanoparticle composite is capable of specifically accumulating on a tumor tissue to selectively extract the tissue, exhibiting high contrast even when used in small amounts, and enabling imaging over prolonged periods of time. This polymer nanoparticle composite is characterized by containing a block copolymer that includes a non-charged hydrophilic polymer chain segment and an anionic polymer chain segment, and MnCaP.

In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

The present invention provides new methods for inflammation and infection imaging and related medical applications thereof. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of inflammation and/or infection. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for the treatment or prevention of inflammation and/or infection. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for monitoring the effect of inflammation and/or infection treatment, and/or methods for monitoring an inflammation and/or infection treatment regimen. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for selecting subjects for an inflammation and/or infection treatment. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for determining the dosage of a drug for the treatment of inflammation and/or infection.

Described are drug carriers useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided drug release comprising a shell capable of releasing an enclosed biologically active agent as a result of a local stimulus, e.g. energy input, such as heat, wherein the shell encloses a .sup.19F MR contrast agent. Preferably, the carrier also acts as a contrast enhancement agent for MRI based on the principle of Chemical Exchange-dependent Saturation Transfer (CEST). To this end the shell encloses a cavity that comprises a paramagnetic chemical shift reagent, a pool of proton analytes, and the .sup.19F contrast agent, and wherein the shell allows diffusion of the proton analytes.

The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of gadobenate dimeglumine complex in a solid form. In particular, said solid form is conveniently obtained by spray-drying a corresponding liquid suspension at a given temperature and concentration. The present invention is particularly advantageous for the industrial scale as the solid form may be obtained by employing water as a solvent, which is a non-toxic solvent, easy to handle and basically not requiring troublesome health or safety precautions.

A nanophosphor in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fluoride-based nanoparticle co-doped with Ce.sup.3+ and one selected from a group consisting of Tb.sup.3+, Eu.sup.3+ and a combination thereof. The nanophosphor may be excited by a single wavelength of ultraviolet rays to emit various colors of green, yellow, orange, red and the like, and exhibit high photostability without photoblinking. The nanophosphor may be utilized as a bio imaging contrast agent, a transparent display device, an anti-counterfeit code and the like.

A non-pyrogenic preparation containing nanoparticles synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria for medical or cosmetic applications. The nanoparticles are constituted by a crystallized mineral central part including predominantly an iron oxide, as well as a surrounding coating without material from the magnetotactic bacteria.

The present invention relates to Tau-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and uses thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to Tau-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and conjugates thereof with conjugated to a superparamagnetic nanoparticle. The molecules of the present invention may be used in visualizing damage from traumatic brain injury.

The present invention relates to silica hollow nanoparticles having inside their cavity a metal core consisting of inorganic nanostructures coated by a protective agent and agglomerated with a polymeric aggregating agent, useful in particular in medicine in the bio-imaging techniques and/or in the radio-therapeutic or chemo-therapeutic techniques; the invention moreover refers to a process for the preparation of such nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to the provision of nanoparticular formulations comprising a PEG-alkyl block copolymer and a near infrared fluorescent dye, the preparation of these nanoparticular formulations, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the nanoparticular formulations of the present invention, as well as their use as contrast medium.