Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic spinal conditions, degenerative disc disease, back pain and/or other tissue pathologies. Patients with ischemic spine disease can be categorized into subsets that are deemed to have potential to respond to therapy. In particular, therapies are disclosed which involve stimulation of neovascularization so as to increase perfusion of spinal and other anatomies.

Gold nanoparticles are conjugated to phosphatidylserine-specific ligands for targeting and binding to surface-exposed phosphatidylserine on tumor cells and tumor vasculature. The ligand may be an annexin (e.g., annexin V). Tumor contrast is significantly increased using the targeted gold nanoparticles. Breast cancer tumors as small as 4 mm, for example, were detectable via computed tomography (CT) within 4 hours after injection of the conjugates, demonstrating usefulness of the conjugates as imaging agents. The targeted gold nanoparticle conjugate may further have a drug conjugated thereto that can be used therapeutically, for example, for cancer treatment. The gold nanoparticle conjugates can also be used for photothermal therapy and can be used in concert with an X-ray radiation treatment for cancer treatment.

There is provided a radiolabelled peptide-based compound for diagnostic imaging using positron emission tomography (PET). The compound may thus be used for diagnosis of malignant diseases. The compound is particularly useful for imaging of somatostatin overexpression in tumors, wherein the compound is capable of being imaged by PET when administered with a target dose in the range of 150-350 MBq, such as 150-250 MBq, preferable in the range of 191-210 MBq.

Metal-organic frameworks with bismuth cluster nodes (Bi-MOFs) and methods of using the Bi-MOFs as contrast agents in medical imaging systems, such as computerized tomography (CT) systems, are provided. Contrast compositions that include the Bi-MOFs in a carrier in forms suitable for administration to a patient are also provided. The Bi-MOFs include those with Bi.sub.6 nodes connected by multitopic organic linkers.

Metal-organic frameworks with bismuth cluster nodes (Bi-MOFs) and methods of using the Bi-MOFs as contrast agents in medical imaging systems, such as computerized tomography (CT) systems, are provided. Contrast compositions that include the Bi-MOFs in a carrier in forms suitable for administration to a patient are also provided. The Bi-MOFs include those with Bi.sub.6 nodes connected by multitopic organic linkers.

The present invention is directed towards a system and method for transarterial chemoembolization using differently sized drug-eluting microsphere beads filled with drugs and determining a delivered drug concentration using an imaging system.

The present invention provides amphiphilic telodendrimers that aggregate to form nanocarriers characterized by a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic exterior. The nanocarrier core may include amphiphilic functionality such as cholic acid or cholic acid derivatives, and the exterior may include branched or linear poly(ethylene glycol) segments. Nanocarrier cargo such as hydrophobic drugs and other materials may be sequester in the core via non-covalent means or may be covalently bound to the telodendrimer building blocks. Telodendrimer structure may be tailored to alter loading properties, interactions with materials such as biological membranes, and other characteristics.

An imaging contrast composition comprising an iodinated contrast agent and a ligand secured to the iodinated contrast agent is disclosed, the ligand comprising a reactive group capable of bonding to a capture substrate. A method of removing iodinated radiocontrast agents from a patient is disclosed, the method comprising providing an iodinated radiocontrast agent containing a reactive group; providing a capture substrate for insertion into a patient's bloodstream; administering the iodinated radiocontrast agent to the patient; conducting procedure CT scan or procedure using fluoroscopy; and sequestering the iodinated radiocontrast agent on the capture substrate.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a diagnostic X-ray composition. The composition comprises a non-ionic X-ray contrast agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for secondary production of X-ray compositions comprising X-ray contrast agents with a high dissolution temperature. When using the process of the invention, precipitation is avoided and degradation of the contrast agent is reduced. The process of the invention includes heat treatment of iodinated X-ray contrast agents at low pH.

An improved local anesthetic solution with diminished bitter taste includes an anesthetic agent, an anesthetic solution vehicle, and a bitterness suppressant. The bitterness suppressant includes one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: a sugar selected from the group consisting of monosaccharide sugars, disaccharide sugars, polysaccharide sugars, and combinations of the any of the foregoing; sweet-tasting compounds; acids; amino acids; salts; miscellaneous suppressant substances; and combinations of any of the foregoing. The improved local anesthetic solution optionally includes one or more additional agents selected from the group consisting of: buffering agents; vasoconstrictors; preservative compounds; stabilizers; contrast media agents; and combinations of any of the foregoing.