A magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent system configured to be usable within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system as the MRI system is scanning. The MR contrast agent system includes a non-magnetic container having a propylene-parahydrogen gas mixture therein, a non-magnetic gas valve, a non-magnetic reactor, and a non-magnetic mouthpiece. The non-magnetic container is coupled to the non-magnetic gas valve and the non-magnetic gas valve is coupled to the non-magnetic reactor. The non-magnetic reactor is configured to convert the propylene-parahydrogen gas mixture to a hyperpolarized gas as the propylene-parahydrogen gas mixture passes through the non-magnetic reactor. The non-magnetic mouthpiece is configured to allow passage of the hyperpolarized gas into a subject.

There is disclosed a system for delivery of a drug in vivo. In the delivery system, the extent of the delivery of the drug is monitorable and/or controllable by using chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI). The delivery system has elements of a solvent system of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or its analogs for carrying the drug, detecting the delivery and/or biodistribution the drug, and/or interaction of the drug compartmentalized in vivo by way of directly imaging the solvent system by the CEST MRI due to the inherent contrast of the solvent system.

A method and a system for thermally or hyperthermally treating an object. A precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) embolic agent is prepared and enhanced with a magnetic nanoparticle (NP). A delivery device is advanced to a target area and the PHILIONP embolic agent is injected directly at the target area. The PHIL and IONPS are observed in-situ using complementary imaging and an impulse is applied to the target area to generate heat sufficient to thermally ablate or induce hyperthymia at the target area. Additional impulses applied to the target areas at later times generate heat sufficient to ablate or induce hyperthymia at the target.

The present invention relates to the use of a methacrylate or acrylate modified polysaccharide; or a single-chain polysaccharide methacrylate or acrylate-based nanoparticle, having a surface tension measured by Du Noy Ring method equal to or lower than 63 mN/m, as oil-in-water emulsion stabilizer; and an oil-in-water emulsion stabilizer composition, and an oil-in-water emulsion containing them. It also relates to processes for their preparation, and their uses.

Compositions and methods for stimulating NK cell expansion and cytotoxicity are described. Therapeutic compositions and methods using expanded and stimulated NK cells are described.

The disclosure provides nanoemulsion compositions and methods of making and using thereof to deliver a bioactive agent such as a nucleic acid to a subject. The nanoemulsion composition comprises a hydrophobic core based on inorganic nanoparticles in a lipid nanoparticle that allows imaging as well as delivering nucleic acids. Methods of using these particles for treatment and vaccination are also provided.

A biothiol-activatable composition is disclosed that is configured to dissociate in the presence of a concentration of biomolecules that are excreted normally by a liver of a living subject comprising a noble metal nanoparticle, a reporter molecule, a linker molecule that is conjugated to the noble metal nanoparticle and to the reporter molecule, but displaceable in the presence of the biomolecules, and wherein the reporter molecule is released in the presence of the biomolecules. The noble nanoparticle is preferably a gold nanoparticle; the reporter molecule preferably comprises at least one of a fluorescent dye molecule, a radioactive molecule or an MRI agent and the linker molecule is preferably a thiol molecule displaceable by biothiols in the liver. In another aspect, the reporter molecule dissociates from the composition in the presence of a concentration of glutathione similar to what is found in liver sinusoids of a normally functioning liver.

Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides and their use in the detection and diagnosis of cancer are described. Also described are methods for detecting and staging cancer that use the compounds of the invention. Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides are useful for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to cells or tumors that express TRPV6.

Disclosed are methods of imaging a cancer cell, the method comprising applying a first alternating electric field at a first frequency to the cancer cell for a first period of time, wherein application of the first alternating electric field at the first frequency to the cancer cell for the first period of time increases permeability of cell membranes of the cancer cell; introducing a nanoparticle to the cancer cell, wherein the increased permeability of the cell membranes enables the nanoparticle to cross the cancer cell membrane; and imaging the cancer cell.

Described herein are magnetic adhesive compositions. The adhesive compositions can comprise a curable matrix comprising one or more reactive precursor molecules, and a population of magnetic particles dispersed within the curable matrix. The magnetic particles can each comprise a magnetic particle core and shell at least partially encapsulating the magnetic particle core. The magnetic particles can be present in an effective amount to induce and direct flow of the adhesive composition under an applied magnetic field. As a consequence, a magnetic field can be used to control application and/or curing of these adhesive composition at a desired location. For example, these adhesive compositions can be applied as a flowable fluid, and subsequently directed to flow to a desired location prior to curing (and/or held at a desired location during curing). Accordingly, also provided are methods of adhering surfaces using these adhesive compositions.