Mucus-penetrating liposomal nanoparticles and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The nanoparticles contain one or more lipids, one or more PEG-conjugated lipids, and optionally one or more additional materials that physically and/or chemically stabilize the particles. The nanoparticle have an average diameter of about 100 nm to about 300 nm, preferably from about 100 nm to about 250 nm, more preferably from about 100 nm to about 200 nm. The particles are mobile in mucus. The liposomes can further contain one or more therapeutic, prophylactic, and/or diagnostic agent to be delivered to a mucosal surface, such as the CV tract, the colon, the nose, the lungs, and/or the eyes. The liposomes can further contain one or more CEST agents to allow real time imaging of the particles in a live animal. The particles may also further contain an imaging agent, such as a fluorescent label.

The present disclosure is directed to nanoconjugates that cross the blood-brain barrier and methods of their therapeutic use.

A preparation method for a magnetic composite for treating and diagnosing cancer. The method may include a step of pyrolyzing a precursor of a magnetic nanoparticle in the presence of a conjugated polymer. The preparation method for a magnetic composite can produce a magnetic composite economically and efficiently because a magnetic composite comprising a magnetic nanoparticle coated with a conjugated polymer can be prepared by a single process.

Provided are compositions for rapid detection of lymph nodes. The compositions include magnetic particles, such as iron oxide, and a solute present in an amount that results in a hypoosomotic solution. Methods for detecting lymph nodes also are provided.

Provided herein are theranostic compositions comprising a Janus nanoparticle-coated microbubble that are useful for imaging (e.g., MRI, or ultrasound) and for delivering a therapeutic or bioactive agent (e.g., nucleic acid(s), drugs, etc), among other uses.

Multimodal optical and magnetic resonance imaging methods based on the use of persistent luminescence nanoparticles. Use of mesoporous persistent luminescence <<core-shell>> complexes for theranostic applications.

An aqueous approach to synthesize capped SnS quantum dots (QDs) followed by optional capping molecule extension by attaching one or more extending molecules to the capping molecule via peptide bond formation at elevated temperature. The capped SnS QDs may have a capping molecule:Sn:S molar ratio of 16:3:1 to 16:12:1. A suspension of SnS QDs was heat-treated at 200 C. for 0.5-4 hrs. The obtained SnS QDs showed an NIR emission peak at 820-835 nm with an excitation wavelength at 690 nm. The as synthesized SnS QDs were found to have high positive zeta potential of 30 mV and thus were toxic to cells. By neutralizing the SnS QDs the cytotoxicity was reduced to an accepted level. The heat-treatment step can be obviated by adding a glycerol solution containing S.sup.2 anions and capping molecule to a glycerol solution of Sn.sup.2+ ions.

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.

Methods are provided for the generation of nanostructures suitable for use in magnetic resonance imaging where the nanostructures have at least one dimension of about 2 nm or less. In particular, the methods comprise the selective use of incubation temperatures that result in the controlled removal of ligands from metallic cores to which they are attached, allowing the metallic cores or the precursor moieties to unite to form nanostructures of defined and predictable shapes, but having at least one dimension significantly less that at least one other dimension. Accordingly, the nanostructures of the disclosure may be ultrathin sheets, rods, whiskers and the like, or even structures that are thin and porous resembling rice grains. The temperatures useful in the methods of the disclosure are less than 300 C. and allow for progressive elevation of the incubation temperature. The methods are especially advantageous for synthesizing nanoparticles that may be administered to an animal or human subject for imaging with magnetic resonance. Accordingly, the nanostructures of the disclosure comprise a metallic core, most typically, but not necessarily limited to, a ferrite moiety that can be a ferrous or ferric ion alone or in combination with other metallic elements. However, the methods of the disclosure are also suitable for generating nanostructures with non-ferrous cores such as magnesium or manganese cores.

Provided are a preparation method of iron oxide-based paramagnetic or pseudo-paramagnetic nanoparticles, iron oxide-based nanoparticles prepared by the same, and a T1 contrast agent including the same. More particularly, the disclosure describes a method for preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles having a extremely small and uniform size of 4 nm or less based on thermal decomposition of iron oleate complex, iron oxide-based paramagnetic or pseudo-paramagnetic nanoparticles prepared by the same, and a T1 contrast agent including iron oxide-based paramagnetic or pseudo-paramagnetic nanoparticles.