The present invention provides compositions relating to nanoparticles, such as nanocapsules, that selectively target cells associated with diseases or disorders (e.g., cancer cells). The present invention further relates to methods relating to the said nanoparticles for imaging, detection, and treatment of diseases or disorders in a subject. The present invention additionally provides kits that find use in the practice of the methods of the invention.

Bolaamphiphilic compounds are provided according to formula I:

##STR00001##

where HG.sup.1, HG.sup.2 and L.sup.1 are as defined herein. Provided bolaamphilphilic compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof are useful for delivering imaging agents into animal or human brain.

Polymeric particles are provided for use in therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures. The particles include poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene and/or a derivative thereof which may be present throughout the particles or within an outer coating of the particles. The particles may also include a core having a hydrogel formed from an acrylic-based polymer. Such particles may be provided to a user in specific selected sizes to allow for selective embolization of certain sized blood vessels or localized treatment with an active component agent in specific clinical uses. Particles of the present invention may further be provided as color-coded microspheres or nanospheres to allow ready identification of the sized particles in use. Such color-coded microspheres or nanospheres may further be provided in like color-coded delivery or containment devices to enhance user identification and provide visual confirmation of the use of a specifically desired size of microspheres or nanospheres.

A synthetic calcium phosphate-based biomedical material comprising gadolinium. The material may comprises a compound having the general chemical formula: Ca.sub.10−yGd.sub.y(PO.sub.4).sub.6−x(SiO.sub.4)x(OH).sub.2−x+y where 0<x<1.3 and 0<y<1.3.

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.

Radiopaque monomers, polymers, and microspheres are disclosed herein. Methods of using the radiopaque monomers, polymers, and microspheres are disclosed herein. Methods of manufacturing radiopaque monomers, polymers, and microspheres are disclosed herein.

The present invention relates to a MRI contrast agent for a liver cancer-specific imaging diagnosis including manganese silicate which releases manganese ion (Mn.sup.2+) under acidic conditions, and a method of characterizing liver tissue using the MRI contrast agent. In a relatively short time, T1-weighted images show different patterns depending on the tissue-specificity such as vascularity, cell density, mitochondrial activity, hepatocellular affinity and the like in normal liver tissues and lesion liver tissues (especially hepatic tumors), and thus, the disease-specific characteristics of liver cancers can be analyzed at appropriate times by analyzing the T1-weighted images. It is expected to be very useful for differentiating the liver cancer types or evaluating the therapeutic effect. Furthermore, it is expected to be useful for diagnosing the diseases occurring in organs other than liver based on the tissue-specificity.

Provided are a composition for removing noise from an MRI, including a compound having a hydrogen bond, and a pad using the same, wherein the composition is applied in a non-invasive way causing no side effects in the human body, the composition is not toxic and thus is safe, the composition is used in the manner of covering an area requiring diagnosis or being attached to an MRI apparatus, and thus has the advantages of improving images of a relatively wide range, and obtaining more accurate image information than restoration of a distorted image by a program, and the composition is expected to be easily commercialized by companies because the costs required to manufacture the composition are low.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of composites and compositions that can be used for therapeutic applications in vivo and/or in vitro. The disclosed composites can comprise cores having magnetic nanoparticles, quantum dots, or combinations thereof and zwitterionic polymeric coatings that facilitate solubility and bioconjugation. The compositions disclosed herein can comprise the composites and one or more biomolecules, drugs, or combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composites, composite components, and methods of making quantum dots for use in the composites.

Provided is a lung disease drug delivery carrier, in which the carrier includes a disc particle made of polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), the disc particle contains therein a drug, the carrier delivers and/or releases the drug therein into a lung, and the disc particle has a size of 1 μm to 5 μm.