Abstract: A controlled release multidrug formulation for improving locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury comprising: (a) a first composition comprising a first bioactive agent, encapsulated within a first polymeric particle; (b) a second composition comprising a second bioactive agent, encapsulated within a second polymeric particle, wherein the second polymeric particle is encapsulated within the first polymeric particle; and (c) a third composition comprising a third bioactive agent, encapsulated within either the first or the second polymeric particle, wherein the second composition is released subsequently to the release of the first composition, and wherein the first bioactive agent is a neurotrophic factor, the second bioactive agent is a collagen synthesis inhibitor, and the third bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclic AMP (cAMP), an adenylate cyclase activator and a Rho inhibitor.

Abstract: Red blood cell-derived vesicles (RDV) as a nanoparticle drug delivery system. The RDV are smaller than one micrometer, capable of encapsulating and delivering an exogenous substance into cells. The substance may be at least one selected from the group consisting of fluorophores, nucleic acids, superparamagnetic compounds and therapeutic agents. The RDV are capable of delivering encapsulated substances into cells including stem cells. The delivered substance within the cell or stem cell may be traced or tracked using a suitable device either in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: Non-human animal models for frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U) are disclosed. The invention relates to a transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a transgene operably linked to a neuronal specific promoter effective for an increased expression of the transgene in the brain of the mouse, in which the transgene comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). The transgenic mouse exhibits reduced or impaired learning and memory capacity, and may further exhibits progressively impaired or reduced motor functions. Methods of using such animal models are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and kits for performing a two-phase optical assay for one or more than one analyte without intrinsic optical contrast in a sample are disclosed. The method requires use of a functionalized microparticle immobilized with two or more than functional components and an additional set of one or more than one functional component. The assay can be performed in one single container and does not need a wash step.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a composition comprising non-ionic, radioactive gold nanoparticles (R-GNPs) are disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing an aqueous composition comprising gold (Au-197) ions in the absence of a template; and b) exposing the aqueous composition in the absence of the template to neutron irradiation to generate the composition comprising the non-ionic R-GNPs. Alternatively, the method comprises: a) providing an aqueous composition comprising gold (Au-197) nanoparticles (GNPs) in the absence of a template; and b) exposing the aqueous composition comprising the GNPs in the absence of the template to neutron irradiation and thereby generating the composition comprising the non-ionic R-GNPs. Compositions that comprises mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and non-ionic R-GNPs encapsulated within pores and/or channels and further anchored to the surfaces of the MSNs, and methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of wound healing, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment with an effective amount of a polypeptide comprising amino acid sequence or a conservative variant thereof having EGF-like domain of thrombomodulin. The invention also relates to a composition for the use of accelerating wound healing, comprising a polypeptide comprising amino acid sequence or a conservative variant thereof having EGF-like domain of thrombomodulin.

Abstract: A method for treating ischemia that would benefit from angiogenesis is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising: a) a fragment of human thrombomodulin in a therapeutically effective amount; and b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; wherein the fragment comprises the amino acids Ala242 to Ser515 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: A method for changing a globular protein structure into a fibrillar protein structure. The method comprising the steps of providing a globular protein, forming a solution containing the globular protein, adding a detergent to the solution containing the globular protein, applying the solution to a molecular sizing column with a pore size of at least 70 kDa and eluting with a solution containing detergent. A method for changing an unfolded protein structure into a fibrillar protein structure. The method comprising the steps of providing a globular protein, forming a solution containing the globular protein, adding a urea to the solution to unfold the globular protein, applying the solution to a molecular sizing column and eluting with a solution containing detergent. A method for treating cancer comprising the steps of providing a protein, changing the protein into a fibrillar structure, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the fibrillar structure protein to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A charged mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based drug delivery system for controlled release and enhanced bioavailability is disclosed. The system comprises a positively charged MSN, which has a silica matrix and an array of pores and/or nanochannels in the matrix. The entire substance of the matrix, all the surfaces and the pores and/or nanochannels comprise a plurality of silanol (Si—OH) and quaternary ammonium functional groups. The bioavailability of a negatively charged bioactive compound can be increased by loading it into the pores and/or nanochannels. The silanol (Si—OH) functional groups on the surfaces lining the walls of the pores and/or nanochannels are free to deprotonate in a fluid having pH above the pI of the positively charged MSN and lead to a sustained release of the negatively charged drug from the pores and/or nanochannels, and thereby enhance the bioavailability of the drug.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse expressing JSRV Env transgene that is operably linked to a surfactant protein C promoter (SPCp) is disclosed. The transgenic mouse is prone to developing a lung tumor and serves as an animal model for human lung carcinoma.

Abstract: A quantum dot (QD) conjugate comprises a QD and a ligand conjugated with the QD, in which the ligand has at least one thiol and at least one other functional group. The QD conjugate may further comprise a bioactive agent covalently coupled to the ligand to form a bioactive agent-tagged QD conjugate. A method for preparing a QD conjugate comprises the steps of: (1) providing a solution comprising a QD encapsulated within a dendrimer; (2) adding into the solution a ligand; and (3) allowing an exchange between the ligand and the dendrimer for the QD to obtain a ligand-QD conjugate, in which the ligand is covalently conjugated to the surface of the QD. The method may further comprise the step of coupling the ligand-QD conjugate to a bioactive agent to obtain a bioactive agent-tagged ligand-QD conjugate.

Abstract: A method for preparing isolated hepatocytes is disclosed. The method comprises: a) culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a medium comprising hepatic growth factor (HGF) to cause the MSCs to differentiate toward hepatocytes, wherein the MSCs are isolated from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood; b) culturing cells from a) in a medium comprising HGF and oncostatin M (OSM) to facilitate the cell differentiation toward hepatocytes; and c) culturing cells from b) in a medium comprising OSM to cause the differentiated cells to mature into hepatocytes, and thereby producing the isolated hepatocyte cells.

Abstract: Fusion antigen used as vaccine and method of making them. The method includes: (1) selecting a segment of a virus protein sequence that contains a least one epitope; (2) engineering a DNA fragment encoding the selected segment of the virus protein; (3) inserting the DNA fragment into a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) vector to obtain a chimeric gene plasmid, and expressing the chimeric gene plasmid in a host cell to obtain the chimeric vaccinal virus antigen. The PE vector contains a PE fragment, which has a binding domain and a translocating domain, and a carboxyl terminal moiety, which includes an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence. The DNA fragment encoding the selected segment of the virus protein is inserted between the PE fragment and the carboxyl terminal moiety.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel pharmaceutically acceptable salts of aporphine compounds and carboxyl-group containing agents. Also, the present invention discloses methods for preparing the pharmaceutically acceptable salts. These pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in treating and/or preventing hyperglycemic disease and/or several oxidative stress related diseases.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polymer that comprises oxidated hyaluronic acid cross-linked by a dihydrazide is disclosed. The polymer is a hydrogel exhibiting the following properties: a) transparent and colorless; and b) transforming from a liquid state into a gel-matrix at 37° C. These characteristics make it useful as a vitreous humor substitute.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of treating type II diabetes with a polyacetylenic compound of the following formula: in which R1 is H, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkenyl, C1-C20 heterocycloalkyl, C1-C20 heterocycloalkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R2 is H or a monosaccharide residue; R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl; m is 2, 3, or 4; n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and p is 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Abstract: A method of dissolving or disrupting pre-formed or pre-deposited amyloid fibrils and/or inhibiting amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation, or persistence in Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases and/or other amyloidoses in a mammalian subject is disclosed. In the method a therapeutically effective amount of nattokinase is administered.

Abstract: Compositions for promoting growth and/or differentiation of a stem cell are disclosed. The composition comprises: a) a diamond film; b) a stem cell cultured on the diamond film; and c) a medium bathing the stem cell. The stem cell may be a mammalian neural stem cell and the diamond film may comprise a hydrogen-terminated or an oxygen-terminated surface. The hydrogen-terminated surface promotes proliferation and differentiation of a neural stem cell into neurons, and the oxygen-terminated surface promotes a neural stem cell to proliferate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel aporphine derivatives. Also, the present invention discloses that these novel aporphine derivatives can be used for treating oxidative stress induced diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, aging, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease, cancer or brain ischemic disease etc.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing transdermal delivery of a bioactive agent. The method contains the step of applying to a skin tissue an effective amount of a composition comprising: (a) a drug vehicle; (b) a bioactive agent encapsulated within the drug vehicle; (c) a plurality of proteolytic enzyme molecules conjugated onto the surface of the drug vehicle; and (d) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for a period of time effective to deliver the bioactive agent across the skin tissue at a desired dosage.