Abstract: Provided herein is a composition for cartilage formation or regeneration comprising a NELL gene product and a method of treating cartilage-related conditions using such a composition.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this invention pertains to the creation of “Sparse Matrix” libraries of compounds. The sparse matrix libraries of this invention typically span an n-dimensional parameter (property) space at extremely sparse intervals and thereby provide a relatively small library of compounds (e.g., a library of about 200 or fewer compounds) that can be used to quickly and efficiently screen the compound parameter space for one or more desired physical, chemical, or biological properties (e.g., binding specificity, binding avidity, ?toxicity, solubility, mobility, cell permeability, serum half-life, biocompatibility, etc.).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a bone growth factor, and more particularly to compositions including NELL1, articles of manufacture including NELL1 and methods of using NELL1 to induce bone formation. This invention also provides methods for the expression and purification of NELL1 and NELL2 peptides.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a bone growth factor, and more particularly to compositions including NELL1, articles of manufacture including NELL1 and methods of using NELL1 to induce bone formation. This invention also provides methods for the expression and purification of NELL1 and NELL2 peptides.

Abstract: This invention also provides a purified or isolated population of ADSCs that can differentiate into a cell of the leiomyogenic lineage, e.g., smooth muscle or skeletal muscle. In yet another aspect, the population additionally can be differentiated into a lineage selected from the group consisting of osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic and neuronal. This invention further provides a composition comprising a substantially homogeneous expanded population of smooth muscle cells. This invention provides a composition comprising a substantially homogeneous expanded population of skeletal muscle cells. Also provided herein is an isolated composition comprising a purified adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) or progeny of said ADSC and an effective amount of laminin or heparin, effective to induce leiomyogenic differentiation. Diagnositic and therapeutic uses for these compositions are provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a class of compounds comprising peptides of the sequence (X-Y-Z)n, wherein X is an amino acid selected from aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, alanine and glutamine, and Y and Z are amino acids selected from alanine, serine, threonine, phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, and their derivatives. These compounds have the property of binding tightly and specifically to calcified surfaces, making them useful for a variety of applications including remineralization of tooth and bone surfaces, diagnosis of bone and tooth defects, treatment of bone and tooth defects, and analysis of the presence and location of calcified deposits both in vitro and in vivo and in industrial, synthetic, medical, dental, and research applications where identification, localization, or manipulation of calcification is desirable.

Abstract: Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition for treating, preventing or ameliorating a bone or cartilage condition and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic instruments is disclosed. Each of the instruments includes a substantially non-cutting pilot portion, a relatively short working portion, and a flexible shank portion which is of a substantially smaller average circumferential span than the working portion. The working portion of one instrument may have a maximum circumferential span as that of the blank from which it is made. The instrument may be treated with either a surface treatment and/or a bulk treatment. The instrument may have a handle at its distal end for manual manipulation, or may be adapted for attachment to a mechanical handpiece. The non-cutting pilot, the short length of the working portion, and the flexibility of the shank combine to allow the instrument to be used in curved root canals without causing undue change in the natural root canal contours.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic instruments is disclosed. Each of the instruments includes a substantially non-cutting pilot portion, a relatively short working portion, and a flexible shank portion which is of a substantially smaller average circumferential span than the working portion. The working portion of the instrument has a maximum circumferential span larger than that of the blank from which it is made. The instrument may have a handle at its distal end for manual manipulation, or may be adapted for attachment to a mechanical handpiece. The non-cutting pilot, the short length of the working portion, and the flexibility of the shank combine to allow the instrument to be used in curved root canals without causing undue change in the natural root canal contours.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition for cartilage formation or regeneration.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a NELL peptide are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic instruments is disclosed. Each of the instruments includes a substantially non-cutting pilot portion, a relatively short working portion, and a flexible shank portion which is of a substantially smaller average circumferential span than the working portion. The working portion of one instrument may have a maximum circumferential span as that of the blank from which it is made. The instrument may be treated with either a surface treatment and/or a bulk treatment. The instrument may have a handle at its distal end for manual manipulation, or may be adapted for attachment to a mechanical handpiece. The non-cutting pilot, the short length of the working portion, and the flexibility of the shank combine to allow the instrument to be used in curved root canals without causing undue change in the natural root canal contours.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic instruments is disclosed. Each of the instruments includes a substantially non-cutting pilot portion, a relatively short working portion, and a flexible shank portion which is of a substantially smaller average circumferential span than the working portion. The working portion of the instrument has a maximum circumferential span larger than that of the blank from which it is made. The instrument may have a handle at its distal end for manual manipulation, or may be adapted for attachment to a mechanical handpiece. The non-cutting pilot, the short length of the working portion, and the flexibility of the shank combine to allow the instrument to be used in curved root canals without causing undue change in the natural root canal contours.

Abstract: This invention also provides a purified or isolated population of ADSCs that can differentiate into a cell of the leiomyogenic lineage, e.g., smooth muscle or skeletal muscle. In yet another aspect, the population additionally can be differentiated into a lineage selected from the group consisting of osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic and neuronal. This invention further provides a composition comprising a substantially homogeneous expanded population of smooth muscle cells. This invention provides a composition comprising a substantially homogeneous expanded population of skeletal muscle cells. Also provided herein is an isolated composition comprising a purified adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) or progeny of said ADSC and an effective amount of laminin or heparin, effective to induce leiomyogenic differentiation. Diagnositic and therapeutic uses for these compositions are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a bone growth factor, and more particularly to compositions including NELL1, articles of manufacture including NELL1 and methods of using NELL1 to induce bone formation. This invention also provides methods for the expression and purification of NELL1 and NELL2 peptides.