Described herein are self-assembling protein molecules for delivering a payload, for example, a toxic anti-cancer agent, a cancer immunotherapy, a toxic anti-cancer agent and a cancer immunotherapy, or an imaging agent, to specific tissues. Examples of self-assembled proteins include clathrin and derivatives of clathrin.

The present invention describes methods and compositions for non-invasively assessing the molecular structure of biocompatible hydrogels using MRI analysis. It is shown that biocompatible hydrogels prepared from polymerizing macromolecules that are attached to a paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic contrast agents form reporter gels wherein monitoring of the changes in the structure of the hydrogels by MRI is facilitated by the presence of such paramagnetic, superparamagnetic or ferromagnetic agents in the biocompatible hydrogel.

Provided is a fluoride nanophosphor using, as cores, luminescent nanoparticles expressed by Chemical Formula 1.
LiEr.sub.1-x-yL.sub.yF.sub.4:Tm.sup.3+.sub.x  [Chemical Formula 1] (In Chemical Formula 1, x is a real number satisfying 0≤x≤0.3, y is a real number satisfying 0≤y≤0.8 and is selected within a range satisfying 0≤x+y≤0.9, and L is any one selected from the group consisting of yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), and a combination thereof.)

Described herein are methods of management of functional dyspepsia in a patient by administering an amylin analogue or a CCK composition to the patient. Methods of diagnosing such patient include a standard gastric-emptying assessment using a standardized solid meal along with measurements of blood glucose levels. Another method of diagnosing such patient includes a gastric-emptying scintigraphy assessment with labeled carbohydrates or other assessments to diagnose rapid carbohydrate gastric emptying.

This invention provides block copolymer (BCP) encapsulated nanoparticles. The BCP-encapsulated nanoparticles are used in methods for targeting a tumor, in methods of imaging a tumor and in methods of treating cancer including hyperthermia of tumors. This invention further provides processes for preparation of BCP-encapsulated nanoparticles.

A system and method of imaging tissue includes administering a contrast agent having charged gold nanoparticles in suspension into a vessel of the subject, such that the nanoparticles are carried into the tissue; and performing microwave imaging of the tissue after administering the contrast agent. In embodiments, the nanoparticles have a tissue-selective protein tag. In embodiments, images are taken prior to administering the contrast agent, and further images may be taken during an agent—washout period after imaging with contrast agent. The contrast agent is injectable, with the nanoparticles suspended as a colloid in a biocompatible, isotonic, carrier. In particular embodiments, the nanoparticles have median diameter of less than fifty nanometers, or less than five nanometers, and may have a tissue-selective protein tag. A microwave imaging system has injection apparatus with the gold-nanoparticle agent, and is configured to take, and difference, pre and post contrast images as well as washout images.

An MRI contrast composition includes a liposome and a europium metal complex disposed within the liposome. The europium metal complex includes a europium metal ion and a multi-dentate ligand selected from the group consisting of cryptands and thiacryptands and one or more counter-ions that balances a charge of the europium metal ion and the multi-dentate ligand, the europium metal ion being switchable between a 2+ and 3+ oxidation state. The contrast composition advantageously provides an oxidation-responsive dual-mode contrast agent because it would enhance either T.sub.1-weighted images or CEST images depending on the oxidation state of Eu.

The invention relates to a method for producing an adjusted nanoparticle composition comprising ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with dextran-T10, compositions obtained thereby, and uses of such compositions. The adjusted compositions have improved parameters such as lower batch-to-batch variance and improved stability, and are useful as magnetic imaging agents.

The present invention discloses biocompatible, stable curcumin or its derivatives coated ultra-small super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPION) for biomedical applications. Disclosed herein is also a simple one-pot process for the synthesis of biocompatible, stable curcumin or its derivatives coated ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in absence of a linker or binder. The curcumin or its derivatives coated ultra-small super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles of the present invention retains the medicinal, radical scavenging and fluorescence properties of curcumin.

The present invention provides a magnetic nanoparticle composition, comprising an iron oxide particle core conjugated with a capping agent and having wüstite structure and antiferromagnetic properties, wherein the empirical formula of iron oxide is defined as Fe.sub.xO with x in the range of about 0.83 to about 0.96. Also provided are a method of manufacturing the same, a contrast agent comprising the same, and methods of using the same for acquiring a magnetic resonance image and for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent.