The invention relates to a novel use of ultrafine nanoparticles as an imaging agent in a method for diagnosing a renal disorder. The invention also relates to the use of ultrafine nanoparticles as an imaging agent in methods for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of a renal disorder treatment.

Methods and compositions are provided for objectively characterizing a pathological lesion in a patient. The method comprises: introducing into the patient a contrast enhancing agent; subjecting the patient to magnetic resonance imaging to obtain an image; and applying a 3-D autocorrelation function to a subdomain of interest of the image to obtain at least one 3-D autocorrelation spectrum. The method may further comprise comparing the at least one 3-D autocorrelation spectrum to a pre-existing 3-D autocorrelation spectrum that is characteristic for the pathological lesion. In one example, the methods and compositions may be useful for identifying and objectively characterizing amyloid plaque deposits characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease.

Disclosed is a lymph targeting nuclear magnetic contrast agent using a brown algae polysaccharide as a carrier, and a preparation method and a use thereof. A macromolecular contrast agent with good water solubility was prepared by using the brown algae polysaccharide as the carrier, using mannose or mannose derivatives as a mannose receptor (MBP) recognition group, and using a paramagnetic metal ion chelate as a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging group. The binding capacity of lymphoid tissue was improved. The mannose or mannose derivative group introduced into the synthesized contrast agent molecule achieves the goal of binding to the enriched mannose receptors in the lymphoid tissues. At the same time, after the contrast agent is injected subcutaneously, both lymph vessels and lymph nodes were clearly visualized under MRI scanning The intensification rate and enhancement time of the lymph node signal at one side of the animal body injected with the contrast agent was significantly enhanced, so as to achieve a clear mapping and precise positioning of the lymph nodes and the lymph vessels. It is of great significance for the detection and diagnosis of lymph system diseases.

Processes of preparing defined monomer sequence polymers are disclosed, in which a backbone portion of the polymer is first prepared by performing one or more sequential monomeric coupling reactions with intervening membrane diafiltration purification/isolation steps, followed by a step of decorating the backbone portion with one or more side chains at predetermined positions along its length. The process represents an improvement on prior art techniques, which impose limitations on the size of the side chains that may be present. Defined monomer sequence polymers that are obtainable by the processes are also disclosed.

This invention relates to biotechnology, more particularly, to water-soluble polymeric delivery systems for the imaging, evaluation and/or treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Using modern MR imaging techniques, the specific accumulation of macromolecules in arthritic joints in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats is demonstrated. The strong correlation between the uptake and retention of the MR contrast agent labeled polymer with histopathological features of inflammation and local tissue damage demonstrates the practical applications of the macromolecular delivery system of the invention.

Nanostructures that, after in vivo administration, are excreted in the urine via the kidneys without being phagocytosed by macrophages and/or metabolized, and their use as pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. A nanostructure for in vivo administration contains (i) a spherical core formed by crosslinking one to three dextran molecules with an average molecular weight of 10,000 Da or less using a crosslinker and (ii) a discontinuous shell with divalent or trivalent iron ions coordinationally bonded to crosslinker-derived hydrophilic groups on the surface of the spherical core; and has (iii) a mass ratio of dextran to iron ranging from 100:2 to 100:10, and a charge ranging from 20 mV to 0 mV.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting cells for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes, e.g., delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents to a cell. Nanoparticles and polymers functionalized with capture molecules, reporter molecules, and/or therapeutic agents are provided for the treatment or prevention of disease, including neurological diseases associated with neuroinflammation, and cancer.

Nanocarriers are synthesized with polymers that respond to lower pH and/or ROS by being degraded. The compositions may be utilized to selectively deliver payloads within patients by responding to lower pH and/or ROS at localities within the patient. The present invention also features methods of synthesizing nanocarriers that are degraded by lower pH and/or ROS.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting cells for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes, e.g., delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents to a cell. Nanoparticles and polymers functionalized with capture molecules, reporter molecules, and/or therapeutic agents are provided for the treatment or prevention of disease, including neurological diseases associated with neuroinflammation, and cancer.

Nanoparticles for use as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents are described. The nanoparticles are made up of a polymeric support and a manganese-oxo or manganese-iron-oxo cluster having magnetic properties suitable of a contrast agent. The manganese-oxo clusters may be Mn-12 clusters, which have known characteristics of a single molecule magnet. The polymer support may form a core particle which is coated by the clusters, or the clusters may be dispersed within the polymeric agent.