To solve the problem of differentiating veins from lymphatics in MRI images, among other uses, the disclosed embodiments relate to compositions, kits, systems, and methods that include an MRI contrast agent and an MRI suppression agent that is also a blood pool agent. Using appropriate MRI techniques, the MRI suppression agent will suppress signal in its location, while signal enhanced by the MRI contrast agent in other locations will not be suppressed. The result is a clarified MRI image with only non-vascular regions enhanced.

A method for preparing a chitosan complex film comprises: (1) reacting polyvinyl alcohol-124 with butanedioic anhydride to obtain a modified polyvinyl alcohol; (2) formulating the modified polyvinyl alcohol-124 into a 0.4 wt % aqueous solution, then adding the aqueous solution containing 0.4 wt % of modified polyvinyl alcohol-124 dropwise into an acetic acid solution at a concentration of 0.4 wt % chitosan to obtain a mixed solution; (3) adjusting the pH value of the mixed solution with a 0.01 wt % NaOH solution to pH 5.5, and removing surface bubbles after standing for one hour to obtain a casting solution; (4) pouring the casting solution into a culture dish, placing the culture dish into an oven at 60 C. and drying to a constant weight to obtain the chitosan complex film. The materials used in the method are inexpensive, and the reaction is not complicated, so the cost of the product is not high.

The invention relates to aqueous dispersions, comprising particles based on a magnetic iron oxide with dimensions of 20 nm, the surface of which is modified by the grafting of aminated groups R with a covalent bonding to the surface of said particles, wherein the isoelectronic point of particles with such a modified surface is 10. The invention further relates to a method for production of said aqueous suspensions and a method for modification of the surface of the particles present in said dispersions, in particular, by the immobilisation of polysaccharides such as dextrans, particularly for the formulation of magnetic compositions which may be administered in vivo and in particular for the formulation of injectable compositions of contrast agents for MRI.

A method includes administering to a subject (i) a pharmacological agent that binds to receptors in a subject, and (ii) a radiotracer to alter a functional state and occupancy of the receptors in the subject. The method also includes acquiring imaging data of brain tissue in the subject comprising the receptors. The imaging data include positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data and functional magnetic resonance (fMR) imaging data. The method further includes calculating (i) a dynamic response of the functional state to the pharmacological agent and the radiotracer based on the fMR imaging data, and (ii) a dynamic response of the receptor occupancy to the pharmacological agent and the radiotracer based on the PET imaging data.

Iron oxide complexes, pharmacological compositions and unit dosage thereof, and methods for their administration, of the type employing an iron oxide complex with a polyol, are disclosed. The pharmacological compositions employ a polysaccharide iron oxide complex, wherein the polysaccharide is a modified polyol such as a carboxyalkylated reduced dextran. The complex is stable to terminal sterilization by autoclaving. The compositions are suitable for parenteral administration to a subject for the treatment of iron deficiencies or as MRI contrast agent. The complex is substantially immunosilent, provide minimal anaphylaxis and undergo minimal dissolution in vivo. The pharmacological compositions of the complex contain minimal free iron which can be quantified by a variety of methods.

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 improves an existing contrast agent, especially, a T1 contrast agent, and adopts a strategy in which the T1 contrast material is partially coated on a support surface to which a hydrophilic functional group is exposed. The partial coating strategy adopted in the present invention improves both the stability and contrast performance of T1 contrast agent nanoparticles, and such a strategy leads to very interesting technical development.

The present disclosure presents nanoparticle compositions for use in the treatment, prevention, or imaging of a disease (e.g., cancer), methods of treating, preventing, or imaging a disease in a subject in need thereof with the nanoparticle compositions, and methods of preparing the nanoparticle compositions of the disclosure. The nanoparticle compositions can include a magnetic nanoparticle ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, or a combination thereof, and a dextran coating functionalized with one or more amine groups.

The present invention improves an existing contrast agent, especially, a T1 contrast agent, and adopts a strategy in which the T1 contrast material is partially coated on a support surface to which a hydrophilic functional group is exposed. The partial coating strategy adopted in the present invention improves both the stability and contrast performance of T1 contrast agent nanoparticles, and such a strategy leads to very interesting technical development.