Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles and methods of using them for detecting reactive oxygen species are disclosed. In particular, methods of using SERS nanoparticles to detect and quantify reactive oxygen species Synthesis and monitor oxidative stress and disease-relevant changes in levels of reactive oxygen species are provided.

The disclosure is directed to a spherical particle comprising lanthanide hydroxide, a method of preparing the particle, the particle for use in medical applications, a suspension, a composition, a method of obtaining a scanning image, and the particle for use in the treatment of a subject.

The present invention relates to various compositions and methods of using these compositions for imaging natriuretic peptide receptors using, for example, positron emission tomography.

A delivery assembly includes a console including a vial containment region and a vial engagement mechanism extending from the console within the vial containment region. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage a vial assembly. The delivery assembly further includes a sled assembly removably coupled to the console at the vial containment region and a safety shield removably coupled to the console over the vial containment region such that the vial engagement mechanism and the sled assembly are encapsulated within the safety shield when the safety shield is coupled thereto. The sled assembly, the vial assembly, and the safety shield are configured to inhibit radioactive emissions from within the vial containment region.

Described herein are methods of treating cancer by inducing favorable effects on tumor microenvironment (e.g., including macrophage polarization, cytokine profile, and/or immunophenotype) via administration of nanoparticles (e.g., silica-based ultra-small nanoparticles and nanoparticle conjugates such as nanoparticle drug conjugates). In certain embodiments, the methods may be used in concert with, or as part of, checkpoint inhibition therapy (e.g., anti-PD1) or radiotherapy, or a combination of both radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Selenium (Se) nanostructures are synthesized using bacteria, and the synthetic method provides options for specific functionalization of the nanostructures, targeting, as well as options for crystal form of and for additives to the composition. In addition to drug delivery and imaging options, the synthesized Se nanostructures provide methods of inhibiting drug resistant bacterial cells and cancer cells without cytotoxicity towards normal human cells and dermal fibroblasts. The green chemistry methods for synthesizing Se nanostructures do not produce toxic byproducts and do not require toxic reagents in comparison to traditional chemical synthetic methods for making Se nanostructures, while simultaneously producing new therapeutic benefits and treatments.

Silica nanorings, methods of making silica nanorings, and uses of silica nanorings. The silica nanorings may be surface selective functionalization, with one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) group(s), one or more display group(s), one or more functional group(s), or a combination thereof. The silica nanorings may have a size of 5 to 20 nm. The silica nanorings may be made using micelles. The absence or presence of the micelles during PEGylation and/or functionalization allows for the surface selective functionalization. The silica nanorings may be used in various diagnostic and/or treatment methods.

A glass material that includes: from about 0.55 to about 0.85 mole fraction of SiO.sub.2; from about 0.01 to about 0.23 mole fraction of Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, or a combination of Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O; from about 0.05 to about 0.28 mole fraction of: Y.sub.2O.sub.3, BaO, or a combination of Y.sub.2O.sub.3 and BaO; and optionally Ta.sub.2O.sub.5. In the glass material, the sum of the Y.sub.2O.sub.3, the BaO and the optional Ta.sub.2O.sub.5 is from about 0.10 to about 0.31 mole fraction. The glass material may be in the form of microspheres. The microspheres may be used for vascular embolization and/or radiologic imaging.

A radiotherapy treatment system and method used for conducting radiographic X-ray imaging on a target organ during radiographic treatment. The system comprises (a) an x-ray beam source configurable to deliver an X-ray beam to a target organ, (b) optical means for converging and shaping said beam to a cone-shaped X-ray beam of photons which hit the target organ simultaneously, (c) multiple high-Z nanoparticles attachable to the target organ, said high-Z nanoparticles absorbing said X-ray radiation and emitting X-ray fluorescence (XRF) photons, (d) at least one XRF detector for detecting said XRF photons ejecting out of a patient's body, and (e) control means for controlling the radiotherapy treatment procedure.

The x-ray beam is focusable on a section in the target organ where the concentration of said high-Z nanoparticles leading to a desirable emission of said XRF photons, and in case the emission of said XRF photons decreases, the x-ray beam is movable to refocus on the section in the target organ where the emission of said XRF photons is desirable.

Provided is a lung disease drug delivery carrier. The lung disease drug delivery carrier includes a disc particle having a diameter of 2 μm to 4 μm. The disc particle is injected into the human body. The disc particle includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactide (PLA), polyglycolide (PG), polyphosphazene, polyiminocarbonate, polyphosphoester, polyanhydride, polyorthoester, and combinations thereof, polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), and a drug. The disc particle is decomposed after 24 hours after being injected into the human body and delivers or releases the drug into a lung. The lung disease drug delivery carrier is accumulated in the lung, and the lung disease includes pulmonary fibrosis.