Blood-brain barrier permeable peptide compositions that contain variable antigen binding domains from camelid and/or shark heavy-chain only single-domain antibodies are described. The variable antigen binding domains of the peptide compositions bind to therapeutic and diagnostic biomarkers in the central nervous system, such as the amyloid-beta peptide biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. The peptide compositions contain constant domains from human IgG, camelid IgG, and/or shark IgNAR. The peptide compositions include heavy-chain only single-domain antibodies and compositions with one or more variable antigen binding domain bound to one or more constant domains.

There is described a method for the preparation of a hyperpolarised target molecule, wherein said molecule comprises at least one OH, NH or SH moiety, via proton exchange from a polarisable molecule, said method comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a fluid containing a transfer catalyst; parahydrogen; and a polarisable molecule containing at least one exchangeable proton, such as, an OH, NH or SH moiety; (ii) applying a magnetic field or radio frequency excitation such that hyperpolarisation is transferred from parahydrogen to the polarisable molecule when bound to the magnetisation transfer catalyst; (iii) separately or simultaneously introducing a target molecule, wherein said target molecule contains at least one OH, NH or SH exchangeable proton, enabling hyperpolarisation transfer via proton exchange with the polarisable molecule.

There is described a method for the preparation of a hyperpolarised target molecule, wherein said molecule comprises at least one OH, NH or SH moiety, via proton exchange from a polarisable molecule, said method comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a fluid containing a transfer catalyst; parahydrogen; and a polarisable molecule containing at least one exchangeable proton, such as, an OH, NH or SH moiety; (ii) applying a magnetic field or radio frequency excitation such that hyperpolarisation is transferred from parahydrogen to the polarisable molecule when bound to the magnetisation transfer catalyst; (iii) separately or simultaneously introducing a target molecule, wherein said target molecule contains at least one OH, NH or SH exchangeable proton, enabling hyperpolarisation transfer via proton exchange with the polarisable molecule.

A multi-component nanoconstruct for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications includes at least three nanoparticles linked together to form the nanochain. The nanoparticles are linked to form the nanochain by linking first linkers and/or second linkers disposed on separate nanoparticles.

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.

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a colloidal aqueous suspension of stable zeolite nanocrystals having framework structures comprising at least one cation selected from Gd, Fe, Cu and Ce, said structures being loaded with a gas selected from O.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof, to the colloidal aqueous suspension of zeolite nanocrystals obtained by such a process, and to the use of said suspension in therapy, more particularly in cancer therapy and hypoxia-related diseases and/or in diagnosis.

A composition including magnetic nanoparticles for use in the treatment of a tissue volume including pathological cells in an individual, wherein a portion only of the tissue volume is occupied by the magnetic nanoparticles upon administration of the composition to the individual and the magnetic nanoparticles are excited by radiation.

A kit for calibrating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using defined concentration of .sup.19F isotopes as well as a device for calibrating a MRI system using the kit. Further, a method for calibrating a MRI system employing the kit as well as to an entity comprising a defined concentration of .sup.19F isotopes to be used in the calibration of a MRI system.

A kit for calibrating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using defined concentration of .sup.19F isotopes as well as a device for calibrating a MRI system using the kit. Further, a method for calibrating a MRI system employing the kit as well as to an entity comprising a defined concentration of .sup.19F isotopes to be used in the calibration of a MRI system.

The present invention provides preparations of MSCs with important therapeutic potential. The MSC cells are non-primary cells with an antigen profile comprising less than about 1.25% CD45+ cells (or less than about 0.75% CD45+), at least about 95% CD105+ cells, and at least about 95% CD166+ cells. Optionally, MSCs of the present preparations are isogenic and can be expanded ex vivo and cryo-preserved and thawed, yet maintain a stable and uniform phenotype. Methods are taught here of expanding these MSCs to produce a clinical scale therapeutic preparations and medical uses thereof.