Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to compounds that are useful as near-infrared fluorescence probes, wherein the compounds include i) a pteroyl ligand that binds to a target receptor protein, ii) a dye molecule, and iii) a linker molecule that comprises an amino acid or derivative thereof. The disclosure further describes methods and compositions for making and using the compounds, methods incorporating the compounds, and kits incorporating the compounds.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a brain cancer cell and/or across the blood-brain barrier. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transport peptides derived from Neisseria outer membrane proteins, such as Laz. The invention also provides synthetic transit peptides comprised of the pentapeptide AAEAP. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer, and specifically brain cancer, as well as other brain-related conditions. Further, the invention provides methods of imaging and diagnosing cancer, particular brain cancer.
Abstract:
A group of hydro-dibenzoporphyrins for example (I) prepared by di-Diels-Alder additions at the A and C or B and D rings of the appropriate divinyl porphyrins have absorption maxima in the range of 700-820 nanometers and are photosensitizing agents. These compounds are useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating biological materials generally to destroy unwanted targets such as viruses, cells and tissues. The use of the compounds of the invention permits irradiation with wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptors or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to home to target tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of photosensitizer to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for locating anatomical features in the skin based on analysis of reflected light, and treating the located anatomical features using high-energy light. A labeling agent can be administered to optically differentiate the anatomical feature.
Abstract:
The disclosed embodiments relate to analyzing tissue samples. A contrast agent can be administered to an animal or human, thereby causing the contrast agent to move through a field-of-view in a tissue sample in the animal or human. Next, the field-of-view can be repeatedly imaged in the tissue sample using, e.g., optical coherence tomography (OCT). The one or more images can then be used to analyze the movement of the contrast agent through the tissue sample. In some embodiments, the contrast agent is endogenously derived from the animal or human to which or whom it is administered, thereby ensuring that the contrast agent is fully biocompatible and non-immunogenic with respect to the animal or human.
Abstract:
Provided are methods and agents for depleting senescent cells endogenous to a subject, involving administering to the subject a binding agent that is selectively toxic to senescent cells in an amount effective to reduce the number of such cells, wherein the binding agent binds selectively to a senescent cell surface protein having a misfolded conformation, relative to said protein in a native conformation.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to sulfonated unsymmetrical pentamethine optical dye compositions, especially dyes suitable for biological applications in vitro , and for in vivo imaging. Improved dye compositions and intermediates are provided, which enable the suppression of undesirable newly-identified impurities. Also provided is the use of the improved dye compositions in the preparation of conjugates with biological targeting molecules.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a staining composition and to the use of the staining composition in staining ocular tissue. In a first aspect, the invention provides a staining composition comprising a vital dye and a density increasing compound chosen from the group consisting of water soluble polymers and small inert molecules.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for the spatially resolved determination of mechanical, physical, chemical and/or biological properties or state variables and/or the change in mechanical, physical, chemical and/or biological properties or state variables in an examination area of an examination object by means of the following steps: a) introducing magnetic particles into the examination area, b) generating a magnetic field with first part-area having a low magnetic field strength and a second part-area having a higher magnetic field strength, c) generating a superposed oscillating or rotating magnetic field in the first part-area, so that at least some of these magnetic particles oscillate or rotate, d) irradiating electromagnetic radiation into the examination area and e) detecting the reflected and/or scattered electromagnetic radiation and determining the intensity, absorption and/or polarization. The invention furthermore relates to a device for carrying out the method. The invention further relates to an optical contrast compositions and a magnetic particle composition having improved imaging properties.