Some implementations provide a method for imaging one or more peripheral nerves in a region of a subject, which method includes: introducing a dose of an iron-based agent into the subject, wherein the dose causes a reduction of a T2 relaxation time of the subject's blood; and acquiring, from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, one or more fluid-sensitive MRI images of the region of the subject that has received the dose. The magnetic resonance (MR) signals from the subjects blood in the region is substantially reduced in response to the dose of the iron-based agent.

The present technology relates to the field of drug delivery. For example, the present technology provides methods of delivering a therapeutic to a cell where the method includes administering to a cancer cell a drug delivery composition. In this exemplary method, the drug deliver composition includes a (super)paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle core, where the nanoparticle core includes a coat non-covalently attached to a therapeutic, and the coat includes at least one of poly(acrylic acid), carboxymethyl dextran, and polyglucose sorbitol carboxymethylether.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for cell processing, including delivery of imaging agents into cells. The methods and systems may comprise the use of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device may comprise a channel comprising a compressive element. The compressive element may be configured to reduce a volume of the cell and facilitate the formation of one or more transient pores in a cell membrane of the cell. The one or more pores may permit one or more imaging agents to enter the cell. Also provided are modified cells produced using the disclosed methods and systems and methods of imaging the modified cells in a subject.

The present invention relates to the diagnosis of clinical conditions characterized by undesirable and/or abnormal selectin expression. In particular, the invention provides for the use of fucoidans for the detection of selectins using imaging techniques including ultrasonography, scintigraphy and MRI. Selectin-targeted imaging agents are provided that comprise at least one fucoidan moiety associated with at least one detectable moiety. Methods and kits are described for using these imaging agents in the diagnosis of clinical conditions such as thrombosis, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, stroke and ischemic brain trauma, neurodegenerative disorders, tumor metastasis and tumor growth, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods of preparing red blood cell mimetics and functionalized red blood cell mimetics, and methods of making and using those mimetics, are provided.

The present invention provides stem cells loaded with bi-functional magnetic nanoparticles (nanoparticle-loaded stem cells (NLSC)) that both: a) heat in an alternating magnetic field (AMF); and b) provide MRI contrast enhancement for MR-guided hyperthermia. The nanoparticles in the NLSC are non-toxic, and do not alter stem cell proliferation and differentiation, the nanoparticles do however, become heated in an alternating magnetic field, enabling therapeutic applications for cancer treatment. Due to the fact that circulating stem cells home to tumors and metastasis, and participate in neovascularization of growing tumors, the NLSC of the present invention allows tracking of the tissue distribution of infused stem cells and selective heating of targeted tissues with AMF. NLSC can deliver hyperthermia to hypoxic areas in tumors for sensitization of those areas to subsequent treatment, thus delivering therapy to the most treatment-resistant tumor regions. The heating of diseased tissue either results in direct cell killing or makes the tumor more susceptible to radio- and/or chemotherapy. The targeted hyperthermia provided by the present invention has clinical potential because it is associated with fewer side effects, and can also be used in combination with conventional treatment modalities, significantly enhancing their effectiveness. The NLSC of the present invention can be used for MR image-guided hyperthermia in oncology, in stem cell research for cell tracking and heating, and for elimination of mis-injected stem cells.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a nanoemulsion and a preparation method therefor, the nanoemulsion comprising an oil component, a surfactant, and an aqueous component, wherein the aqueous component comprises a water-soluble active ingredient, a polysaccharide, and hyaluronic acid.

A method of diagnosing a likelihood of onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in a subject is provided. The method requires determining vascularization changes in different regions of the brain on the basis of a quantitative cerebral blood volume (qCBV) map of the subject's brain. The qCBV is obtained from one or more quantitative ultrashort time-to-echo contrast-enhanced (QUTE-CE) MRI images of the brain. A method of treating a subject for ADRD is provided. Diagnostic markers for onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease are also provided.

The invention relates to nano-particles comprising metallic ferromagnetic nanocrystals combined with either amorphous or graphitic carbon in which or on which chemical groups are present that can dissociate in aqueous solutions. According to the invention there is provided nano-particles comprising metal particles of at least one ferromagnetic metal, which metal particles are at least in part encapsulated by graphitic carbon. The nano-particles of the invention are prepared by impregnating carbon containing bodies with an aqueous solution of at least one ferromagnetic metal precursor, drying the impregnated bodies, followed by heating the impregnated bodies in an inert and substantially oxygen-free atmosphere, thereby reducing the metal compounds to the corresponding metal or metal alloy.

The present invention provides stem cells loaded with bi-functional magnetic nanoparticles (nanoparticle-loaded stem cells (NLSC)) that both: a) heat in an alternating magnetic field (AMF); and b) provide MRI contrast enhancement for MR-guided hyperthermia. The nanoparticles in the NLSC are non-toxic, and do not alter stem cell proliferation and differentiation, the nanoparticles do however, become heated in an alternating magnetic field, enabling therapeutic applications for cancer treatment. Due to the fact that circulating stem cells home to tumors and metastasis, and participate in neovascularization of growing tumors, the NLSC of the present invention allows tracking of the tissue distribution of infused stem cells and selective heating of targeted tissues with AMF. NLSC can deliver hyperthermia to hypoxic areas in tumors for sensitization of those areas to subsequent treatment, thus delivering therapy to the most treatment-resistant tumor regions. The heating of diseased tissue either results in direct cell killing or makes the tumor more susceptible to radio- and/or chemotherapy. The targeted hyperthermia provided by the present invention has clinical potential because it is associated with fewer side effects, and can also be used in combination with conventional treatment modalities, significantly enhancing their effectiveness. The NLSC of the present invention can be used for MR image-guided hyperthermia in oncology, in stem cell research for cell tracking and heating, and for elimination of mis-injected stem cells.