Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents for delivery of agents to biological surfaces and/or the modulation of nutrient absorption through the intestinal lining as well as methods for the manufacture of and the use of these compositions for treating disorders including diabetes type II and clinical obesity that require a modulation of certain nutrients to the body.

Abstract: Self-assembled gel compositions including a gelator, e.g., an enzyme-cleavable gelator, e.g., having a molecular weight of 2500 or less, are described. The self-assembled gel compositions can encapsulate one or more agents. Methods of making the self-assembled gel compositions, and methods of drug delivery using the self-assembled gel compositions are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein is a face mask that has a flexible filter body that is configured to fit over at least the mouth and the nose of a wearer. The face mask includes a shape-preserving strip extending along the periphery of the filter body. The shape-preserving strip is integral with the filter body and is configured to sufficiently seal the face mask against the wearer's face to minimize or prevent entry and/or exit of airborne particulate matter.

Abstract: An implantable, autonomously growing medical device is disclosed. The device may have an outer, braided outer element that holds an inner core. Degradation and/or softening of the inner core permits the outer element to elongate, allowing the device to grow with surrounding tissue. The growth profile of the medical device can be controlled by altering the shape/material/cure conditions of the inner core, as well as the geometry of the out element.

Abstract: Self-assembled gel compositions including a gelator, e.g., an enzyme-cleavable gelator, e.g., having a molecular weight of 2500 or less, are described. The self-assembled gel compositions can encapsulate one or more agents. Methods of making the self-assembled gel compositions, and methods of drug delivery using the self-assembled gel compositions are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents for delivery of agents to biological surfaces and/or the modulation of nutrient absorption through the intestinal lining as well as methods for the manufacture of and the use of these compositions for treating disorders including diabetes type II and clinical obesity that require a modulation of certain nutrients to the body.

Abstract: Among other things, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for an elastomeric cross-linked polyester material. Such an elastomeric cross-linked polyester material, in some embodiments, comprises a plurality of polymeric units of the general formula (-A-B-)p, wherein p is an integer greater than 1; and a plurality of urethane cross-links each of which covalently links two polymeric units to one another, which two linked polymeric unit each had at least one free hydroxyl or amino group prior to formation of the crosslink.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents for the modulation of nutrient absorption through the intestinal lining as well as methods for the manufacture of and the use of these compounds for treating disorders requiring a modulation of certain nutrients to the body including diabetes type II and clinical obesity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents for the modulation of nutrient absorption through the intestinal lining as well as methods for the manufacture of and the use of these compounds for treating disorders requiring a modulation of certain nutrients to the body including diabetes type II and clinical obesity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents for delivery of agents to biological surfaces and/or the modulation of nutrient absorption through the intestinal lining as well as methods for the manufacture of and the use of these compositions for treating disorders including diabetes type II and clinical obesity that require a modulation of certain nutrients to the body.

Abstract: Method and compositions for inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells comprised by a cochlear cell population, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells.

Abstract: The present inventions in various aspects provide elastic biodegradable polymers. In various embodiments, the polymers are formed by the reaction of a multifunctional alcohol or ether and a difunctional or higher order acid to form a pre-polymer, which is cross-linked to form the elastic biodegradable polymer. In preferred embodiments, the cross-linking is performed by functionalization of one or more OR groups on the pre-polymer backbone with vinyl, followed by photopolymerization to form the elastic biodegradable polymer composition or material. Preferably, acrylate is used to add one or more vinyls to the backbone of the pre-polymer to form an acrylated pre-polymer. In various embodiments, acrylated pre-polymers are co-polymerized with one or more acrylated co-polymers.

Abstract: This invention discloses drug-delivery compositions, methods of making prodrugs, and methods of drug delivery using a self-assembled gelator. The backbone of the gelator can contain a drug or prodrug, such as acetaminophen or salicin. Additional drugs or agents can be encapsulated in the gelator. Enzymatic or hydrolytic cleavage can be used to release the drugs.

Abstract: This invention discloses drug-delivery compositions, methods of making prodrugs, and methods of drug delivery using a self-assembled gelator. The backbone of the gelator can contain a drug or prodrug, such as acetaminophen or salicin. Additional drugs or agents can be encapsulated in the gelator. Enzymatic or hydrolytic cleavage can be used to release the drugs.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents for delivery of agents to biological surfaces and/or the modulation of nutrient absorption through the intestinal lining as well as methods for the manufacture of and the use of these compositions for treating disorders including diabetes type II and clinical obesity that require a modulation of certain nutrients to the body.

Abstract: An implantable, autonomously growing medical device is disclosed. The device may have an outer, braided outer element that holds an inner core. Degradation and/or softening of the inner core permits the outer element to elongate, allowing the device to grow with surrounding tissue. The growth profile of the medical device can be controlled by altering the shape/material/cure conditions of the inner core, as well as the geometry of the out element.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions including formulated sucralfate or other aluminum-crosslinked sulfated agents and one or more biologically active substances to mucosal surfaces within the GI tract and methods for the manufacture and the use of these compositions.

Abstract: Among other things, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for an elastomeric cross-linked polyester material. Such an elastomeric cross-linked polyester material, in some embodiments, comprises a plurality of polymeric units of the general formula (-A-B-)p, wherein p is an integer greater than 1; and a plurality of urethane cross-links each of which covalently links two polymeric units to one another, which two linked polymeric unit each had at least one free hydroxyl or amino group prior to formation of the crosslink.

Abstract: Method and compositions for inducing the self-renewal of stem/progenitor supporting cells comprised by a cochlear cell population, including inducing the stem/progenitor cells to proliferate while maintaining, in the daughter cells, the capacity to differentiate into hair cells.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with noninvasive ultrasound and sonosensitizers, potently synergize with selected immunomodulators to hyperactivate dendritic cells and macrophages at desired locations and times within the body. Together with the tumor antigens provided by dying/dead tumor cells, these signals can result in activation of adaptive immune responses. This approach is useful for eliciting T cell responses within tumors present in any tissue of the body.