Abstract: The invention relates to the use of certain derivatives of D-mannopyranoside for controlling angiogenesis. These compounds have a pro-angiogenic activity, and can particularly be used for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating cardiovascular diseases or for treating muscular atrophy. The invention also relates to certain D-mannopyranoside derivatives, to a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition containing said derivatives, and to the use of such a cosmetic composition for preventing and/or treating hair loss.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions, methods, and devices for delivering angiogenic factors and signaling molecules to a target tissue, and controlling the release of these factors and signaling molecules to spatially and temporally restrict their release and dissemination, for the purposed promoting angiogenesis in target tissues.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a scaffold coated and/or impregnated with at least one bioactive agent. This is accomplished by culturing at least one cell in the same medium as a scaffold, but without physical contact between the at least one cell and the scaffold. The system includes a container having a surface defining an interior compartment. A medium is disposed within the interior compartment. At least one cell is disposed within the medium, the at least one cell being capable of producing at least one bioactive agent. Further, a scaffold is disposed within the medium. The scaffold is physically separated from the at least one cell such that there is no contact between the scaffold and the at least one cell. Thus, as the at least one cell produces at least one bioactive agent, such as a growth factor, the at least one bioactive agent enters the medium, and contacts and coats and/or impregnates the scaffold.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising a first isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a FGF-9 polypeptide and optionally one or more isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes another angiogenic polypeptide. There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising an isolated. The compositions provided herein may be useful for controlling angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis.

Abstract: A method of making and using a monolithic alginate implant is described. The implant is formed by providing an uncrosslinked, highly pure and high molecular weight alginate solution and injecting the alginate solution into a patient at a predetermined site to form a gel body comprising the monolithic alginate implant. Spontaneous crosslinking of the monolithic alginate implant occurs at the predetermined site without the addition of an exogenous crosslinker. The implant may be used for treating medical conditions requiring support of sphincter musculature, reconstructive surgery, or cosmetic reconstruction, for the treatment of wrinkles on the hand, face, or décolleté, or for increasing volume, for example in the case of (HIV-induced) lipoatrophy of the breasts, and for the treatment of selected diseases, including gastrooesophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence or vesicoureteral reflux disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controlling the release of growth factors for the promotion of angiogenesis. The growth factors or a polymer matrix are modified by photoactive compounds, such that the growth factors are not released into an active form until they are irradiated with light. The disclosure also relates to tissue engineering scaffolds comprising one or more polymers and at least two growth factors.

Abstract: Provided herein are modified relaxin polypeptides wherein the B chain comprises the core amino acid sequence CGR-XXX-R-XX-I/V-XX-CG (SEQ ID NO:1), where X is any amino acid. Also provided are modified relaxin polypeptides comprising at least an A and a B chain, wherein the A and B chains are derived from different naturally occurring relaxins and wherein the B chain comprises the core amino acid sequence CGR-XXX-R-XX-I/V-XX-CG (SEQ ID NO:1), where X is any amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and composition of a depot implant for optimal delivery of growth factors to treat bone avascular necrosis, in that such depot implant is constructed to be in a cylinder (rod) or sphere shape and have a natural or synthetic polymer scaffold with or without impregnated calcium phosphate particles. The density of the depot is higher than a typical BMP sponge carrier to facilitate its implantation and slower release of the growth factor. The scaffold is such that it has adequate porosity and pore size to facilitate growth factor seeding and diffusion throughout the whole of the bone structure resulting in increased new blood vessel growth and density in the avascular necrotic bone. In addition, the shape of the depot implant allows for delivery through a cannula or large bore needle.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide novel peptidomimetics that contain a macrocycle. Such compounds are neuroprotective and have utility as therapeutic agents for treatment of diseases, injuries and other conditions characterised by neuronal degeneration and/or death. Compounds are also useful for manufacture of medicaments useful for treatment of such conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide methods for therapeutic use of cyclic G-2-allylProline (cG-2-allylP) to treat peripheral neuropathies, including toxin-induced peripheral neuropathy and diabetic as well as manufacture of medicaments including tablets, capsules, and other orally active compositions containing cG-2-allylP, as well as injectable solutions that are useful for treatment of such conditions.

Abstract: Compositions for nucleus pulposus regeneration is provided. Such composition may comprise a scaffolding material and a pore creating agent dispersed within the scaffolding material. The pore creating agent is removed from the scaffolding material in vivo, after the composition is administered to a patient. The pore creating agent may include an active agent, such as a growth factor, which may be released as the pore creating agent is being gradually removed from the scaffolding material. In addition, removal of the pore creating agent results in a porous scaffold for cells capable of regeneration of nucleus pulposus, either existing in situ or delivered separately, to attach to for further proliferation and regeneration.

Abstract: Catheter injectable depot compositions are provided that include a bioerodible, biocompatible polymer, a solvent having miscibility in water of less than or equal to 7 wt. % at 25° C., in an amount effective to plasticize the polymer and form a gel therewith, a thixotropic agent, and a beneficial agent. The solvent comprises an aromatic alcohol, an ester of an aromatic acid, an aromatic ketone, or mixtures thereof. The compositions are have substantially improved the shear thinning behavior and reduced injection force, rendering the compositions readily implanted beneath a patient's body surface by injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for sequentially and separately reducing infection and/or inflammation and regenerating tissue at a lesion site, by contacting the lesion site with a biodegradable scaffold that first delivers one or more agents at the lesion site to reduce infection and/or inflammation and then delivers one or more agents to regenerate tissue at the lesion site after inflammation is reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clottable concentrate of platelet growth factors for therapeutic and/or cosmetic use, preferably comprising the growth factors PDGF, TGT-?, IGF, EGF, CTGF, bFGF and VEGF. In a preferred embodiment, the clottable concentrate of platelet growth factors does not induce blood cell-related transfusion reactions. The present disclosure also relates to a method for preparing a clottable concentrate of platelet growth factors including the steps of contacting a platelet concentrate with a solvent and/or a detergent, incubating the platelet concentrate with the solvent and/or detergent for a period of at least 5 minutes to 6 hours, at a pH maintained in a range from about 6.0 to about 9.0, and at a temperature within the range of from 2° C. to 50° C., preferably within the range of from 25° C. to 45° C., and removing the solvent and/or the detergent by oil extraction and/or chromatographic means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant fusion protein which stimulates the rejuvenation and reactivation of skin and epidermal cells for improving skin appearance, smoothing wrinkles and freckles, and whitening skin. Particularly, the present invention provides various types of products for improving skin, which contain recombinant fusion protein of human serum albumin (HSA) with cytokine peptides (EGF, FGF, KGF, HGH, HGF, PDGF, GCSF, interferon, IL-11 or IGF) by genetic engineering technology. The fusion protein can be used independently or in a combination or combination with yeast fermentation products, or with varied emulsifiers, thickeners, moisturizer, preservatives, yeasts and ferments.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising isolated elastin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier wherein the human elastin is substantially insoluble in water with a molecular weight greater than 100 kDa. The present invention further provides methods and kits for soft tissue augmentation.

Abstract: A sustained-release drug composition consisting essentially of microparticles of hyaluronic acid having a high molecular weight or an inorganic salt thereof and a protein or peptide drug encased in said microparticles, wherein the average size of said microparticles ranges from 0.1 to 40 ?m.

Abstract: A method is described for using an E-domain peptide for the induction of apoptosis in a cancer cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods for using a-type E-domain peptide from trout IGF and/or a b-type E-domain peptide from human IGF for the induction of apoptosis in a broad spectrum of cancer cells. The peptide species can be a homologue of the E-domain of IGF-1 or a fusion protein comprising the E-domain of IGF-1. It can be administered to one or more cancer cells alone or in a pharmaceutically acceptable composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targets of loss of imprinting (LOI) affected IGF2 gene products in pre-malignant tissues, where methods of inhibiting those targets, including IGFR1, are disclosed to prevent tumor development in subjects at risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The present invention also relates to methods of identifying increased risk in developing CRC in a subject, including methods of assessing the efficacy of a chemotherapeutic regimen. Further, the present invention relates to methods for identifying anti-neoplastic agents.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for alleviating the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome are provided. The compositions are based on use of a transdermal gel formulation delivery system for androgens, either alone or in combination with other hormones.

Abstract: Synthetic oxysterols can be made and can be used for the treatment of bone disorders, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological disorders.

Abstract: The non-toxic proteolytic C fragment of tetanus toxin (TTC peptide) has the same ability to bind nerve cells and be retrogradely transported through a synapse as the native toxin. A hybrid protein encoded by the LacZ-TTC gene fusion retains the biological functions of both proteins in vivo, i.e. retrograde transynaptic transport of the TTC fragment and ?gal enzymatic activity. After intramuscular injection, enzymatic activity can be detected in motoneurons and connected neurons of brainstem areas. This strategy is useful for the delivery of a biological activity to neurons from the periphery to the central nervous system. Such a hybrid protein can also be used to map synaptic connections between neural cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for wound healing and skin reconstruction containing a peptide, wherein the peptide is a self-assembling peptide which is an amphiphilic peptide having 8 to 200 amino acid residues with periodic repeats of alternating hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids, and forms a stable ?-sheet structure in an aqueous solution in the presence of a monovalent ion. The material for wound healing and skin reconstruction of the present invention is capable of healing a wound area of mammals quicker than spontaneous recovery without leaving any scars, wherein the material has no potential risk of infectious disease such as virus transmission.

Abstract: The invention provides injection vehicles suitable for administering particulate suspensions, such as polymer-based formulations, as well as associated pharmaceutical formulations, articles of manufacture, and kits. Other aspects of the invention included methods for producing and administering pharmaceutical formulations. The injection vehicles of the invention are superior to conventional injection vehicles in that they include a pseudoplastic composition that improves injectability, which facilitates delivery of the desired dose. The injection vehicles of the invention also allow the use of smaller-bore needles than are usually necessary to inject polymer-based formulations, reducing the pain associated with injection of such formulations.

Abstract: Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. Compositions of the subject invention comprise one or more chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG)-degrading enzymes that promote axonal penetration into damaged nerve tissue. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods. The invention also pertains to kits for nerve repair.

Abstract: A device and technique for the performance of distraction osteogenesis of bone with controlled drug delivery using a bead chain consisting of two bands and a series of drug delivery capsules placed in a precise manner such that the relative motion of the bone segments brings the wires, pins, or screws into contact with the capsules and divides them. This action sequentially delivers the drug to the distraction zone throughout the distraction osteogenesis process.

Abstract: An isolated protein complex is provided which includes a growth factor, growth factor binding protein and vitronectin. Preferably, the isolated protein complex includes an insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 or insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 and vitronectin. Also provided are methods of modulating cell proliferation and/or migration by administering said protein complex for the purposes of wound healing, skin repair and tissue replacement therapy. Conversely, by using agents that disrupt growth factor protein complexes formed in vivo, growth factor-driven cell proliferation and/or migration may be suppressed such as for the purposes of treating cancers, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and wounds prone to hypertrophic scarring.

Abstract: The invention relates to substituted N-(4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)butanamid derivatives which modulate androgen receptors to treat conditions such as: osteoporosis, peridontal disease, bone fracture, frailty, and sarcopenia.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for in vivo delivery of a composition into the human or animal central nervous system or spinal cord, wherein the composition comprises a non-toxic, proteolytic fragment of tetanus toxoid in association with at least a molecule having a biological function, and said molecule is capable of in vivo retrograde axonal transport and transynaptic transport into the CNS or spinal cord of the human or animal. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises a fragment C and a fragment B of tetanus toxoid or a fraction thereof of at least 11 amino acid residues. The composition can further comprise a fraction of fragment A of tetanus toxoid.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cyclic Prolyl Glycine (“cyclic PG” or “cPG”) and analogs and mimetic s thereof, as neuroprotective agents for the treatment and or prevention of neurological disorders including but not limited to cerebral ischemia or cerebral infarction resulting from a range of phenomena, such as thromboembolic or hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral basospasms, hypoglycemia, cardiac arrest, status epilepticus, perinatal asphyxia, anoxia such as from drowning, pulmonary surgery, and cerebral trauma, as well as to the treatment and prevention of chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, and as anticonvulsants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for sustained release of a pharmaceutically active compound, the composition comprising a vesicular phospholipid gel. More particularly, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one proteinaceous substance as the pharmaceutically active compound in encapsulated form, the at least one proteinaceous substance being a biologically active protein, peptide or polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for the production of said pharmaceutical composition comprising dual asymmetric centrifugation and to the use of said pharmaceutical composition for immunotherapy and/or for stimulating selective tissue regeneration in the treatment of surgical defects in the course of surgical interventions.