Abstract: Novel non-crystalline, porous bioactive glass and ceramic materials that permit the in vitro formation of bone tissue when exposed to a tissue culture medium and inoculated with cells are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of treating bioactive glass materials to control pH so that when the glass is exposed to a tissue culture medium and then inoculated with cells, bone tissue growth occurs in vitro. The glass material disclosed is preferably formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: A method for selecting cell lines expressing increased cell adhesion properties or promoting cell differentiation by culturing cells in increasing concentrations of adhesion ligand containing media. Cell lines produced by such method.

Abstract: A composition containing powdered Lactobacillus brevis subsp. coagulans is used to enhance the immunological functions of a patient, particularly with respect to increasing interferon production, 2-5A synthetase activity and Natural Killer activity.

Abstract: Provided are serum-free media for tissue culture containing tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and methods for culturing animal cells using these media.

Abstract: A method of producing undifferentiated avian cells expressing an embryonic stem cell phenotype is disclosed. The method comprises collecting avian cells from an avian blastoderm prior to formation of the primitive streak, then depositing the avian cells in contact with a mouse fibroblast feeder cell layer, and then growing the avian cells on the mouse fibroblast feeder cell layer in the presence of a media containing leukemia inhibitory factor in a differentiation-inhibiting amount for a time sufficient to produce a sustained avian cell culture. Cell cultures produced by the aforesaid process and veterinary pharmaceutical formulations containing such cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fixed-dried human blood platelets and processes for preparing the same are disclosed. The platelets, upon reconstitution: adhere to thrombogenic surfaces; do not adhere to non-thrombogenic surfaces; undergo shape change (spreading) upon adhering to a thrombogenic surface; adhere to one another to form a hemostatic plug upon adhering to a thrombogenic surface; and release their granular contents. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the same are also disclosed. The platelets are preferably fixed by means of a fixative such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, or glutaraldehyde, or fixed by means of a permanganate fixate. The platelets are preferably dried by lyophilization.

Abstract: This invention relates to Lactobacillus, skim milk, Lactobacillus Growth Factor (LGF) and Lactobacillus compositions and methods of employing the compositions for preventing urogenital infections. More particularly, this invention relates to the ability of strains of hydrophobic or hydrophilic Lactobacillus to adhere to biomaterials, and intestinal, vaginal and uroepithelial cells, to resist the action of certain antimicrobial agents and to dominate the urogenital flora.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an expanded non-transformed cell culture comprising the steps of: (1) preparing partially purified, minced tissue; (2) concentrating the resulting cells and tissue pieces; (3) resuspending the concentrated tissue cells and pieces in a culture medium capable of supporting sustained cell division that is contained in a culture vessel; (4) incubating the cells; and (5) passaging the cells periodically. The present invention further provides clonal strains of cells derived from the above-mentioned cell culture, medium and conditioned medium designed for the culturing of such cells, including pancreatic, thyroid, parathyroid, and parotid cells, and the use of cultured pancreatic cells to form pancreatic pseudotissues composed of matrix-embedded aggregated (pseudoislets) or individual cells, to treat blood sugar disorders in mammals, and to test for cytotoxicity and autoimmune activities with reference to pancreatic endocrine cells.

Abstract: Novel non-crystalline, porous bioactive glass and ceramic materials that permit the in vitro formation of bone tissue when exposed to a tissue culture medium and inoculated with cells are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of treating bioactive glass materials to control pH so that when the glass is exposed to a tissue culture medium and then inoculated with cells, bone tissue growth occurs in vitro. The glass material disclosed is preferably formed from SiO.sub.2, CaO, Na.sub.2 O and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and the porous, non-crystalline structure is most preferably created by melting the constituents, cooling and pulverizing the resulting glass, and then forming and hot pressing the powder. The glass of the present invention may be formed to produce templates that are useful for various indications, as well as granules that may be formed into a paste.

Abstract: A method of isolating dendritic cells is described. This method involves elutriating peripheral blood samples in at least four flow rates from an elutriation rotor. Calcium ionophore is used to stimulate monocytes isolated during the process into dendritic cells. Treatments for diseases involving re-introduction of activated dentritic cells are also described.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for stimulating the proliferation of V.gamma.2V.delta.2 T cells comprising contacting V.gamma.2V.delta.2 T cells with a V.gamma.2V.delta.2 T cell proliferation stimulating amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a monoalkyl phosphate and an alkenyl pyrophosphate.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the number of human hematopoietic precursor cells in vitro are provided. The methods generally comprise (a) separating human hematopoietic precursor cells from mature hematopoietic cells present in a blood product; (b) inoculating the separated precursor cells into a culture vessel containing a culture medium comprising a nutritive medium and a source of growth factors at a density of between 1.times.10.sup.3 cells/ml and 4.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml; and (c) culturing the cells under conditions and for a time sufficient to increase the number of precursor cells relative to the number of such cells present in the blood product. The culture medium may also include a suitable amount of microcarrier beads. Suitable blood products include bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and peripheral blood. A device for carrying out such methods is also provided.

Abstract: The process of the present invention relates to a three dimensional co-culture process.

Abstract: A contractile smooth muscle cell construct and a method for preparing the smooth muscle cell construct are described. The smooth muscle cell construct is comprised of (i) smooth muscle cells that have been cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the formation of a sheet of smooth muscle cells and (ii) an endogenous fibrous matrix formed by the smooth muscle cells, wherein the smooth muscle cell construct retains the ability to contract in response to vasoactive agonists. The smooth muscle cell construct may be prepared in planar or tubular form and can be used to study or evaluate the contractile responses of smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of evaluating viral reduction capability of a viral inactivation step in a viral inactivation procedure. The method requires spiking a biological product with a virus more than once during the viral inactivation step so that a virus reduction factor can be calculated.

Abstract: Oomycete-caused plant disease, e.g., downy mildew, is controlled using Fusarium proliferatum, and biologically pure cultures of Fusarium proliferatum strains G6, M3, C51 and C173 respectively having accession numbers ATCC 74149, ATCC 74273, ATCC 74274 and ATCC 74275 are provided.

Abstract: In vitro production of clinically useful quantities of mature, differentiated human blood cells by a method in which human pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells, preferably from a universal donor, are incubated in a bioreactor in a growth medium also containing specific recombinant human growth and maturation promoting polypeptide factors in combinations that expand stem cell cultures and promote the maturation and differention of stem cells into erythroid, thrombocytic or granulocytic human blood cells, and harvesting the mature cells. The growth and maturation promoting polypeptides employed include SCGF, Interleukins 1,3,4,5,6, and 11, GM-CSF, M-CSF, G-CSF and EPO. Stem cells may be modified so as to remove histocompatibility and/or blood group antigens, or may be genetically altered by transfection with appropriate DNA-containing vectors, prior to addition to the bioreactor.

Abstract: Osteoplasty material substantially devoid of antigenic proteins, wherein the material contains a natural bone structure in which non-denatured type I collagen is integrated, is prepared by selective extraction of bone tissue of human or animal origin. The selective extractant is an aqueous solution of 2-10 molar urea, and the extraction step is conducted at preferably 10.degree.-30.degree. C.

Abstract: A trans-epithelial appliance having a hemidesmosome formation-inducing protein composition derived from rat bladder carcinoma cells deposited thereon. This composition stimulates cell attachment and may be either the cell matrix or a soluble factor isolated from the conditioned medium. The appliance will be useful for diminishing inflammation and/or infection at the site of entry of the appliance. The appliance may also be used to stimulate gum junctional epithelium adhesion in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. The composition may be used to maintain tissues ex vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment for myocardial infarction and blood clots within a patient, and more specifically to a therapy which enhances clot lysis comprising administering to a patient an antibody directed to .alpha.2-antiplasmin crosslinked to fibrin (.alpha.2AP-Fx) which does not inhibit plasma .alpha.2-antiplasmin (.alpha.2AP). The invention also relates to a treatment for enhancing clot lysis comprising administering an antibody directed toward .alpha.2-antiplasmin crosslinked to fibrin which does not inhibit plasma .alpha.2AP together with a thrombolytic agent.