The invention is based on the realisation that inflamed plaques in blood vessel walls, which are potentially vulnerable to rupture, can be detected at elevated temperatures which are lower than previously realised. In particular, the low temperatures at which inflamed plaque can be detected are often associated with systems in which blood flow is generally close to normal in particular temperature differences above zero but not more than 0.39.degree. C. have been found to be indicative of the pr...

Emulsions preferably of nanoparticles formed from high boiling liquid perfluorochemical substances, said particles coated with a lipid/surfactant coating are made specific to regions of activated endothelial cells by coupling said nanoparticles to a ligand specific for .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 integrin, other than an antibody. The nanoparticles may further include biologically active agents, radionuclides, or other imaging agents.

Diagnostic and therapeutic compositions in the form of complexes for enhancing transmembrane transport of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent and methods for their use. The complexes contain the .alpha., .gamma., or bis isomers of folate receptor-binding analogs of folate, a metal chelated by a ligand, and in one embodiment, a chemotherapeutic agent.

A gas emulsion forming composition comprising a dry, hollow, particulate, approximately microspherical material permeated with a gas or gas mixture, which upon dissolution in aqueous liquid forms a gas emulsion comprising a plurality of bubbles surrounded by a layer of at least a first and a second surfactant, wherein the first surfactant consists essentially of a phospholipid or mixture of phospholipids having at least one acyl chain which comprises at least 10 carbon atoms, and comprising at l...

Iodinated and/or brominated derivatives of aromatic dihydroxy monomers are prepared and polymerized to form radio-opaque polymers. The monomers may also be copolymerized with other dihydroxy monomers. The iodinated and brominated aromatic dihydroxy monomers can be employed as radio-opacifying, biocompatible non-toxic additives for other polymeric biomaterials. Radio-opaque medical implants and drug delivery devices for implantation prepared from the polymers of the present invention are also dis...

Highly hydrophilic indole and benzoindole derivatives that absorb and fluoresce in the visible region of light are disclosed. These compounds are useful for physiological and organ function monitoring. Particularly, the molecules of the invention are useful for optical diagnosis of renal and cardiac diseases and for estimation of blood volume in vivo.

Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

There is provided a personal care product having a body side liner, a baffle and an indicator strip with two ends. The indicator has an amine sensitive dye near at least one end. The indicator extends from the target area just below the liner to just above the baffle such that the dye deposit is visible to an unaided eye. The dye changes color in the presence of amines which are characteristic of infection, thus alerting the user to the possibility of infection. Such an indicator placed in a fem...

A peptide-chelate conjugate with affinity for the ST receptor is disclosed, wherein the chelate is tetradentate. The peptide-chelate conjugate of the invention may be labelled with a radiometal to provide a metal complex. A radiopharmaceutical composition comprising the metal complex is provided. which is suitable for the diagnostic imaging of colorectal cancer. Also provided for in the invention is a kit for the preparation of the radiopharmaceutical preparation.

The invention relates to new peptide-based compounds and their use in diagnostic optical imaging. More specifically the invention relates to the use of such peptide-based compounds as targeting vectors that bind to receptors associated with angiogenesis. The compounds are labeled with fluorescein and may be used as contrast agents in optical imaging in diagnosis of angiogenesis-related diseases.