Abstract: Articles and insulating systems include a wicking layer, an incompressible insulation layer, and a water scavenging system comprising a superhydrophobic layer in operative communication with one or more water collecting components.

Abstract: Lipid nanoparticle compositions for use in immunomodulation and treatment of autoimmune and related diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes are provided along with methods for using same.

Abstract: Articles and insulating systems include a wicking layer, an incompressible insulation layer, and a water scavenging system comprising a superhydrophobic layer in operative communication with one or more water collecting components.

Abstract: Example substances and methods relating to contrast agents are provided. An example method includes combining a surface active protein, a stabilizer, and a dispersion media to form a solution. The example method may further include aerating the solution in a gas to form a contrast agent comprising at least one microbubble formed from an interaction between the surface active protein and the stabilizer. A diameter of the at least one microbubble may be proportional to a pressure of an external environment of the contrast agent, such that measurement of the diameter may allow for measurement of the pressure.

Abstract: A topical composition includes a nanoemulsion of a plurality of hydrophobic particles having a hydrophilic coating therein. The hydrophobic particles are derived from the same or different hydrophobic material and each hydrophobic particle has a melting point below the melting point of the respective hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic particles comprise a mean particle size of less than about 10 nm, and the nanoemulsion further includes one or more pharmaceutically active agents.

Abstract: A biomaterial implant may include a collagen membrane. The biomaterial implant may further include a plurality of nanoparticles embedded in the collagen membrane. Furthermore, at least one nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles may include a polymer shell and a bio-active therapeutic agent encapsulated by the polymer shell.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent release system may be provided. The therapeutic agent release system may include a plurality of polymer shells having a diameter of about 50-200 nanometers. The therapeutic agent release system may further include a bio-active therapeutic agent encapsulated by each of the polymer shells and being configured to heal an injury and increase a wound electric signal of the injury thereby increasing a healing rate of the injury. Each of the polymer shells may have a degradation profile configured to control a release of the bio-active therapeutic agent through the polymer shell to the injury over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Example substances and methods relating to contrast agents are provided. An example method includes combining a surface active protein, a stabilizer, and a dispersion media to form a solution. The example method may further include aerating the solution in a gas to form a contrast agent comprising at least one microbubble formed from an interaction between the surface active protein and the stabilizer. A diameter of the at least one microbubble may be proportional to a pressure of an external environment of the contrast agent, such that measurement of the diameter may allow for measurement of the pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: A method for preparing a collagen membrane includes applying an influence of an electric field to a collagen solution positioned between capacitor plates; adding a buffer solution to the acidic collagen solution to form a collagen gel; assembling a plurality of collagen gel layers; and performing a dehydrothermal cross-link on the plurality of collagen gel layers to form a cross-linked collagen membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: A therapeutic patch includes at least one layer of a nanofiber fabric and at least one of a plurality of stem cells or a plurality of stem cell-derived paracrine factors embedded in the nanofiber fabric. The therapeutic patch is produced such that the nanofiber fabric is formed of a nanofiber web.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.