Abstract: Compositions and blends of biopolymers and copolymers are described, along with their use to prepare biocompatible scaffolds and surgically implantable devices for use in supporting and facilitating the repair of soft tissue injuries.

Abstract: Compositions and blends of biopolymers and copolymers are described, along with their use to prepare biocompatible scaffolds and surgically implantable devices for use in supporting and facilitating the repair of soft tissue injuries.

Abstract: The present disclosure is broadly concerned with petrolatum-based compositions as a suspension matrix for the active ingredients. The disclosure is also concerned with processes for forming stable emulsions of active ingredients in petrolatum.

Abstract: The disclosure provides stable formulations of cationic biocides that are primarily used in the treatment and prevention of infections. The disclosure is also concerned with processes for forming stable emulsions of cationic biocides and petrolatum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain polyhydroxylated pentacyclic triterpene acids of formula (I) for use as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of a disease, disorder or condition that responds to a reduction of the HMG-CoA reductase activity in a mammal, preferably a human being. The present invention further relates to certain mixtures and plant extracts comprising euscaphic acid and tormentic acid, wherein the amount of euscaphic acid to tormentic acid exceeds a certain ratio. Further, the present invention also relates to a formulation, preferably pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulation, comprising one or more of said compounds of formula (I), a composition according to the present invention or a plant extract according to the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are described, including materials and methods for making molecules and materials that have a specific binding domain of a PlGF2. Embodiments include, for instance, medicaments, biomaterials, biomolecules, molecular fusions, and vaccines.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for accurately determining the alleles present at a locus that is broadly applicable to any locus, including highly polymorphic loci such as HLA loci, BGA loci and HV loci. Embodiments of the disclosed methods are useful in a wide range of applications, including, for example, organ transplantation, personalized medicine, diagnostics, forensics and anthropology.

Abstract: The invention relates to material compositions comprising adult stem cells obtained from exocrine gland tissue and a supporting matrix having the shape of a thread structure and/or of a net. The supporting matrix preferably consists of a plastic material which is physiologically acceptable and degradable in the body. The material compositions of the invention are in particular suited for use in regenerative medicine, e.g. for regeneration of injured or damaged myocard tissue.

Abstract: A method for preventing stroke in a patient suffering from atrial fibrillation, wherein the patient has at least one risk factor for major bleeding events, the method comprising administering to the patient 110 mg b.i.d. of dabigatran etexilate, optionally in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A composition and a method of treatment utilizing a combination of statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors), a class of drug used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, with mixtures of an omega-3 fatty acid formulation containing about 90% or more omega 3 fatty acids by weight including a combination of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a weight ratio of EPA:DHA of from 5.7 to 6.3, wherein the sum of the EPA, DHA and DPA represent about 82% by weight of the total formulation and about 92% of the total omega 3 fatty acid content of the composition are taught.

Abstract: A method for preparing tissue for medical applications, in particular tissue for use for an artificial heart valve, wherein the method has the steps of decellularizing the tissue by means of a detergent and subsequently cross-linking the collagen fibers of the tissue by means of a suitable cross-linking agent. At least one lipopeptide, such as surfactin, for example, is used as the detergent for decellularization.

Abstract: A method of inducing or promoting hair growth on the scalp of a subject, comprising the steps of (i) providing an ECM composition including at least one ECM material, (ii) administering inciting event means to a target skin location on the subject to induce an inciting event, and (iii) administering a therapeutically effective amount of said ECM composition to the target skin location. In some embodiments, the ECM composition includes at least one additional biologically active agent.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

Abstract: A prepared tissue for medical use with a patient is provided. Methods for preparing such tissue are also provided. Implantable tissue is provided by harvesting a tissue, such as but not limited to a pericardium tissue, and exposing the tissue to various cleaning, rinsing, treatment, separating, and fixation steps. The tissue of at least one embodiment is cleaned with distilled water, rinsed with isopropyl alcohol, and treated with a glutaraldehyde solution. The prepared tissue may be allowed to dry or partially hydrated prior to packaging and shipment. As such, the tissue can be implanted into the receiving patient in either a dry or wet state. The relatively thin yet strong tissue material is adapted for implanting within or grafting to human tissue. By way of example, the tissue may be used in a shunt, a valve, as graft material, as a patch, as a prosthetic tissue in a tendon and/or ligament, and a tissue product for wound management.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing gelled, solubilized extracellular matrix (ECM) compositions useful as cell growth scaffolds. Also provided are compositions prepared according to the methods as well as uses for the compositions. In one embodiment a device, such as a prosthesis, is provided which comprises an inorganic matrix into which the gelled, solubilized ECM is dispersed to facilitate in-growth of cells into the ECM and thus adaptation and/or attachment of the device to a patient.

Abstract: A tissue-derived hydrogel, as well as methods of making and using such hydrogels, are provided.

Abstract: The invention features the production of an amine-reactive proteoglycan, specifically chondroitin sulfate or hyaluronic acid. This material can be provided in powder (solid) or liquid form and combined with blood derivatives including serum, platelets, platelet rich plasma, bone marrow, or with other tissue products to form hydrogels. The properties (physical and biological) are different for each of these hydrogels and can be further manipulated by controlling the conditions under which the hydrogels are formed. Such properties include the biodegradability of the hydrogel, the compressibility, the adhesive strength, the presence of pharmaceutical agents or therapeutic cells, and resiliency.

Abstract: Methods for treating a cardiovascular disorder comprising concomitant administration of one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) based compositions directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated with the cardiovascular disorder, and provision of ventricular assistance. In a preferred embodiment, the ECM based compositions include an ECM material derived from a mammalian source.

Abstract: A composition for reconstruction, replacement or repair of damaged or diseased biological tissue comprising an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition that includes an ECM scaffold component derived from a mammalian source and at least one additional bioactive component selected from the group consisting of a statin and a chitin derivative.

Abstract: Provided herein are tissue protective peptides derived from or sharing consensus sequences with portions of cytokine receptor ligands, including Erythropoietin (EPO), that are generally located on or within the region of the cytokine receptor ligand that faces away from a receptor complex while the ligand is bound to the receptor. Also provide herein are fragments, chimeras, as well as peptides designed to mimic the spatial localization of key amino acid residues within the tissue protective receptor ligands, e.g., EPO; methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder using tissue protective peptides; and methods for enhancing excitable tissue function using tissue protective peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing acellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and nonimmunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-tem durability and function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a population of purified perivascular stem cells (PSC) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) and a supernatant of stem cell free from the stem cell, a composition comprising any of these, and a method of using and making them.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix and therapeutic uses thereof. Methods for treating, repairing or regenerating defective, diseased, damaged or ischemic cells, tissues or organs in a subject, preferably a human, using a decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix of the invention are provided. Methods of preparing cardiomyocyte culture surfaces and culturing cells with absorbed decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removing antigens from tissues by sequentially destabilizing and/or depolymerizing cytoskeletal components and removing and/or reducing water-soluble antigens and lipid-soluble antigens. The invention further relates to tissue scaffolding and decellularized extracellular matrix produced by such methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in a subject using miR-155 specific inhibitors are described.

Abstract: This application is directed to means for embolic delivery of therapeutic agents to an afflicted organ in the body of a patient.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing gelled, solubilized extracellular matrix (ECM) compositions useful as cell growth scaffolds. Also provided are compositions prepared according to the methods as well as uses for the compositions. In one embodiment a device, such as a prosthesis, is provided which comprises an inorganic matrix into which the gelled, solubilized ECM is dispersed to facilitate in-growth of cells into the ECM and thus adaptation and/or attachment of the device to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is about a transdermal method that deliveries nutrients from fresh animal organs to the systemic circulation of the human body by applying the juice or chopped pieces of the fresh animal organs on the skin of the human body and allowing the nutrients to absorb through the layers of the exposed skin. The present invention aims to preserve the Yin and Yang energies naturally present in fresh organs and other foods that are lost in cooking and processing of foods. The present invention uses the full skin area transdermal delivery method by soaking the whole body in the juice of the fresh animal organs as well as the partial skin area transdermal delivery method by exposing certain parts of the human skin area to the fresh juices or chopped fresh animal organs and allowing the nutrients to enter the systemic circulation of the human body.

Abstract: A method for producing sterile, decellurized bioprosthetic tissue comprising: (a) contacting a human tissue with a hypotonic solution to produce a lysed tissue, (b) contacting the lysed tissue with a first surfactant to produce a surfactant-treated tissue, (c) contacting the surfactant-treated tissue with a nuclease enzyme solution to produce an enzyme-treated tissue, (d) contacting the enzyme-treated tissue with a cleaning solution comprising a second surfactant, a chaotropic agent or a mixture thereof to produce a decellurized tissue and (e) contacting the decellurized tissue with a bioburden reducing agent to produce the final bioprosthetic tissue. Kits to be used in conjunction with said method, as well as, the bioprosthetic tissue produced via said method are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising a lipid carrier and a mitochondria.

Abstract: A medical device, said medical device, comprises: a first component having a non-biological material; a second component having a cloned biological material, said second component being attached to said first component, wherein said first component and said second component are operatively associated in a non-living medical device for at least one of treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism. In another aspect, a method comprises: preparing a cloned biological material from a tissue or an organ; attaching said biological material to a medical device; interfacing said biological material with the non-biological material; providing treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism.

Abstract: Extracellular matrix material is disclosed which is created by subjecting a target area to non-thermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE) with a pulsed electrical field to kill cells in the absence of thermal damage. The dead cellular material may be removed and the remaining non-cellular matrix material may be implanted into a repair site to be treated medically or cosmetically.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for cardiac therapy. Such compositions include extracellular-matrix (ECM)-based products that can be used to support tissue repair. The compositions can be used for various purposes. In some cases, they can be introduced into a subject in order to preserve and/or repair damaged heart tissue.

Abstract: Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), preferably a variant form such as Apolipoprotein A-I Milano (ApoA-IM), alone or more preferably in combination with a lipid carrier such as phospholipids or other drug, can be administered locally before or during bypass surgery on diseased coronary, peripheral, and cerebral arteries, surgery to implant grafts or transplanted organs, or angioplasty, or to stabilize unstable plaques. In an alternative embodiment, the apolipoprotein is not provided directly, but the gene encoding the apolipoprotein is provided. The gene is introduced into the blood vessel in a manner similar to that used for the protein, where the protein is then expressed. The technique can also be used for delivery of genes for treatment or prevention or restenosis or other cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A biological surgical patch made by a method that includes the steps of providing a natural animal tissue that has a substrate, crosslinking and fixing the substrate, minimizing the antigens from the substrate, tanning the substrate, and incorporating an active layer in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for modifying antigenic carbohydrate epitopes within a xenographic bioprosthetic tissue by oxidation of vicinal diols to form aldehydes or acids and subsequence reductive amination of aldehydes to form stable secondary amines, or amidation or esterification of acids to form stable amides or esters. Advantageously, methods provided herein mitigate the antigenicity of the bioprosthetic tissue while leaving the overall tissue structure substantially undisturbed, and thereby enhance the durability, safety and performance of the bioprosthetic implant.

Abstract: Novel implantable tissue fixation methods and compositions are disclosed. Methods and compositions of tissue, fixed using polymeric and/or variable length crosslinks, and di- or polymercapto compounds are described. Also described are the methods and compositions wherein the tissue is fixed using biodegradable crosslinkers. Methods and compositions for making radio-opaque tissue are also described. Methods and compositions to obtain a degradable implantable tissue-synthetic biodegradable polymer composite are also described. Compositions and methods of incorporating substantially water-insoluble bioactive compounds in the implantable tissue are also disclosed. The use of membrane-like implantable tissue to make an implantable drug delivery patch are also disclosed. Also described are the compositions and methods to obtain a coated implantable tissue. Medical applications implantable tissue such as heart valve bioprosthesis, vascular grafts, meniscus implant, drug delivery patch are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of creating an atrioventricular bypass tract for a heart comprises growing mesenchymal stem cells into a strip with two ends, attaching one end of the strip onto the atrium of the heart, and attaching the other end of the strip to the ventricle of the heart, to create a tract connecting the atrium to the ventricle to provide a path for electrical signals generated by the sinus node to propagate across the tract and excite the ventricle.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating defects in peripheral nerves are provided. The devices can include acellular arterial tissue matrices that facilitate regrowth of nerve tissue across a gap or defect in a peripheral nerve.

Abstract: An acellular matrix glue and a method of making is disclosed. Specifically, an acellular matrix glue that is useful in preparing a reinforced acellular matrix for medical applications including tissue engineering and hernia repair.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the discovery that serpina3n, a secreted protein, binds to and inhibits granzyme B activity. The invention thus provides cells that include a polynucleotide encoding a granzyme B inhibitory serpin, pharmaceutical compositions including a granzyme B inhibitory serpin or a polynucleotide encoding a granzyme B inhibitory serpin, methods for treating a patient in need of immunosuppression by administration of a granzyme B inhibitory serpin, and methods of transplanting cells (e.g., islet cells) expressing a granzyme B inhibitory serpin.

Abstract: The invention describes the use of PPAR agonists of the formulae (I) or (II) for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Abstract: Stretch-induced increased hemodynamic load adversely affects endothelial cell function and is an important contributor to thromboembolus formation in heart failure, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, venous insufficiency, and pulmonary hypertension, and in thrombus occluded vein grafts. Local thrombus formation and thromboenbolic events can be reduced by inhibiting the TGF-beta signaling pathway or TGF-beta per se. Inhibitors can be administered to patients or veins (prior to interposition) at risk for thromboembolic events or local thrombus formation. Inhibitors can be applied to harvested veins to be used as arterial grafts.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for treating a tissue or organ in a subject by directly administering an effective amount of an exogenous, decellularized extracellular matrix or a mixture of extracellular matrix and mesenchymal stem cells into the intended site of activity, such as bone marrow cavity. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods of treating bone marrow to increase the number of circulating progenitor and stem cells. In some other embodiments of the invention, the decellularized extracellular matrix to be directly administered is configured to be a time released therapeutic.

Abstract: A method of increasing blood supply to an ischemic area with a cultured vessel in situ, comprising: 1) selecting a narrow artery responsible to an ischemic area; 2) selecting a vein drawing blood from the ischemic area and can be spared from venous blood return, multiple venous lateral system, and volume conserving venous system; 3) making a hole or flap on opposite lateral walls and wall complex of the artery and vein; 4) connecting the artery and vein so that at least 20% by volume blood in the artery will be lead into the venous network while resistance adjustment remains but total resistance is reduced. The connection allows blood flow through the lumen created between two openings in the vein and artery, and comprises an extravascular wrapping configured to provide extravascular support and promote endothelial cell growth over the interior surface of the connection between vessels.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and method for regenerating cardiomyocytes in treating or repairing heart muscle damages or injuries caused by an ischemic disease. The pharmaceutical composition contains an active ingredient compound with a backbone structure of Formula (I). The active ingredient compound is capable of (a) increasing viability of myogenic precursor cells to enable said precursor cells to survive through an absolute ischemic period; (b) reconstituting a damaged blood supply network in said heart region where said injured muscle is located; and (c) enhancing cardiomyogenic differentiation efficiency of said precursor cells down cardiac linage, said steps being performed simultaneously or in any particular order.

Abstract: Polypeptides corresponding to stable, circulating degradation products of troponin I (TnI) are described. The fragments comprise a sequence of the N-terminus of native cardiac TnI with 95-115 amino acid and additionally include fragments lacking about the 20-30 N-terminal amino acids. Utilities of these fragments and antibodies thereto include sensitive detection of myocardial infarction and purification of antibodies sensitive to the detection of troponin I degradation products.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates compositions and methods for the treatment of vascular grafts both ex vivo and in vivo. Ex vivo treatment comprises completely removing a vessel (i.e., vein or artery) from the body and treating with the compositions of the present invention. In vivo treatment comprises treating the vessel in vivo without removing the vessel completely from the body (albeit one or both ends of the vessel may be closed off in order to focus the treatment in the desired area and/or avoid systemic treatment). In one embodiment, at least a portion of the smooth muscle cells of a vessel (e.g., vein or artery) are transfected ex vivo or in vivo with a vector capable of expressing at least one phosphatase. In a preferred embodiment, smooth muscle cells are transfected with adenovirus vector comprising the gene encoding PTEN.

Abstract: The invention is compositions of extracellular matrix that comprise mammalian extracellular matrix from two or more tissue sources in a mammal. The invention also includes methods of using these compositions to regenerate tissue or generate new tissue at sites of defects or wounds in mammals.