The present invention provides preparations of MSCs with important therapeutic potential. The MSC cells are non-primary cells with an antigen profile comprising less than about 1.25% CD45+ cells (or less than about 0.75% CD45+), at least about 95% CD105+ cells, and at least about 95% CD166+ cells. Optionally, MSCs of the present preparations are isogenic and can be expanded ex vivo and cryopreserved and thawed, yet maintain a stable and uniform phenotype. Methods are taught here of expanding these MSCs to produce a clinical scale therapeutic preparations and medical uses thereof.

A method for multi-parametric x-ray fluorescence imaging with maximized detection sensitivity and minimized radiation dose for a biological/living sample (10) containing a first marker substance comprises the steps of irradiation of the sample (10) with x-ray radiation (1), with x-ray fluorescence (2) of the first marker substance being excited, spatially resolved detection of the x-ray fluorescence (2) of the first marker substance, and determination of a distribution of the first marker substance in the sample (10) from the x-ray fluorescence (2) of the first marker substance, wherein the sample (10) contains at least one further marker substance which is excited to x-ray fluorescence (2) by the x-ray radiation (1), wherein fluorescence lines (3) of the first and the at least one further marker substances are different, at least one of the first and the at least one further marker substances is coupled with active ingredient molecules and/or ligand molecules provided for a specific interaction with the sample (10) or contained in cells, in order to be able to trace these, the detection comprises a spectrally resolved detection of the x-ray fluorescence (2) of the first and the at least one further marker substances, and additionally at least one distribution of the at least one further marker substance in the sample (10) is determined from the detected x-ray fluorescence (2) of the first and the at least one further marker substances. An imaging device (100) for multi-parametric x-ray fluorescence imaging and an optimized selection method for a marker substance kit for introducing marker substances into a sample (10) are also described.

A lifting device for lifting the bed of a truck comprises a bracket configured to be coupled to an undercarriage of the truck and a lifting mechanism coupled to the bracket. The lifting mechanism extends from the bracket to the underside of the bed and moves between a retracted position where the bed is supported by the undercarriage and an extended position where at least a portion of the bed is raised relative to the undercarriage.

Provided herein are methods for reducing neoplastic progenitor cell proliferation and alleviating symptoms associated in individuals diagnosed with or thought to have Essential Thrombocythemia (ET). Also provided herein are methods for using telomerase inhibitors for maintaining blood platelet counts at relatively normal ranges in the blood of individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having ET.

The present invention provides preparations of MSCs with important therapeutic potential. The MSC cells are non-primary cells with an antigen profile comprising less than about 1.25% CD45+ cells (or less than about 0.75% CD45+), at least about 95% CD105+ cells, and at least about 95% CD166+ cells. Optionally, MSCs of the present preparations are isogenic and can be expanded ex vivo and cryopreserved and thawed, yet maintain a stable and uniform phenotype. Methods are taught here of expanding these MSCs to produce a clinical scale therapeutic preparations and medical uses thereof.

The present invention relates to inorganic powder coated with biocompatible polymer and a cosmetic composition comprising same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an organic/inorganic composite powder in which the rough surface of the inorganic powder is treated with biocompatible polymer, thereby improving dispersibility and feeling of use and to a cosmetic composition comprising said composite powder so as to achieve improved feeling of use and tight adhesion when applied to the skin.

The present invention relates to an X-ray attenuation-based biometric imaging technology and includes a core structure comprising an X-ray attenuating material; and a shell layer formed on the core structure and made of a material having biocompatibility and non-reactivity in vivo, and it has the effect of enabling simple and rapid cancer diagnosis by plain X-ray imaging, such as those used for non-invasive chest X-ray.

A method of imaging an organism includes introducing a composite nanoparticle into a circulating fluid of an organism to form a circulating fluid mixture in the organism is provided. The composite nanoparticle comprises a core comprising at least one of a contrast agent and a magnetic material, and at least one layer of biocompatible material surrounding the core. The method further includes receiving an image of at least a portion of the organism where the circulating fluid has circulated, removing at least a portion of the circulating fluid mixture from the organism at a first rate, applying a magnetic field to the removed portion of the circulating fluid mixture to selectively remove the composite nanoparticle from the circulating fluid mixture and to produce a filtered fluid mixture, and returning the filtered fluid mixture to the circulating fluid of the organism at a second rate.

The present invention is directed to protocells for specific targeting of hepatocellular and other cancer cells which comprise a nanoporous silica core with a supported lipid bilayer; at least one agent which facilitates cancer cell death (such as a traditional small molecule, a macromolecular cargo (e.g. siRNA or a protein toxin such as ricin toxin A-chain or diphtheria toxin A-chain) and/or a histone-packaged plasmid DNA disposed within the nanoporous silica core (preferably supercoiled in order to more efficiently package the DNA into protocells) which is optionally modified with a nuclear localization sequence to assist in localizing protocells within the nucleus of the cancer cell and the ability to express peptides involved in therapy (apoptosis/cell death) of the cancer cell or as a reporter, a targeting peptide which targets cancer cells in tissue to be treated such that binding of the protocell to the targeted cells is specific and enhanced and a fusogenic peptide that promotes endosomal escape of protocells and encapsulated DNA. Protocells according to the present invention may be used to treat cancer, especially including hepatocellular (liver) cancer using novel binding peptides (c-MET peptides) which selectively bind to hepatocellular tissue or to function in diagnosis of cancer, including cancer treatment and drug discovery.

Contrast agents for x-ray imaging including stabilized metal nanoparticles and encapsulated nanoparticles, as well as methods for imaging tissue with these agents, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of dual energy x-ray imaging using metal nanoparticle contrast agents or encapsulated metal nanoparticles.