Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stabilized cross-linked hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component that are covalently linked, and at least one stabilizing or enhancing agent, wherein the first high molecular weight component and the second high molecular weight component are each selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides. This stabilized hydrogel matrix may be prepared as bioactive gels, pastes, slurries, cell attachment scaffolds for implantable medical devices, and casting or binding materials suitable for the construction of medical devices. The intrinsic bioactivity of the hydrogel matrix makes it useful as a gel or paste in multiple applications, including as a cell attachment scaffold that promotes wound healing around an implanted device, as gels and pastes for induction of localized vasculogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair, and regeneration, as a wound adhesive, and for tissue bulking.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a chronic ulcer, such as a diabetic ulcer, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to the ulcer, the matrix composition comprising gelatin and a long chain carbohydrate. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration. The matrix may be injected into one or more locations within the ulcer, underneath the ulcer and/or around the periphery of the ulcer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stabilized bioactive hydrogel matrix coating for substrates, such as medical devices. The invention provides a coated substrate comprising a substrate having a surface, and a bioactive hydrogel matrix layer overlying the surface of the medical device, the hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component, the first and second high molecular weight components each being selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides, wherein at least one of the first and second high molecular weight components is immobilized (e.g., by covalent cross-linking) to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of stimulating hair growth, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to an intradermal or subdermal site where hair growth is desired, the matrix composition comprising gelatin, such as denatured collagen, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating vascularization at a site in a mammal, said method comprising contacting said site with a matrix comprising gelatin and a nitric oxide inhibitor. The gelatin is preferably denatured collagen. The nitric oxide inhibitor may be a sulfonated moiety. The inhibitor may be an L-arginine analog, such as aminoguanidine, N-monoethyl L-arginine, N-nitro-L-arginine and D-arginine. The matrix may further comprise a nitric oxide scavenger, such as dextran, heparin, cysteine and cystine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stabilized cross-linked hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component that are covalently linked, and at least one stabilizing or enhancing agent, wherein the first high molecular weight component and the second high molecular weight component are each selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides. This stabilized hydrogel matrix may be prepared as bioactive gels, pastes, slurries, cell attachment scaffolds for implantable medical devices, and casting or binding materials suitable for the construction of medical devices. The intrinsic bioactivity of the hydrogel matrix makes it useful as a gel or paste in multiple applications, including as a cell attachment scaffold that promotes wound healing around an implanted device, as gels and pastes for induction of localized vasculogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair, and regeneration, as a wound adhesive, and for tissue bulking.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stabilized bioactive hydrogel matrix coating for substrates, such as medical devices. The invention provides a coated substrate comprising a substrate having a surface, and a bioactive hydrogel matrix layer overlying the surface of the medical device, the hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component, the first and second high molecular weight components each being selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides, wherein at least one of the first and second high molecular weight components is immobilized (e.g., by covalent cross-linking) to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a chronic ulcer, such as a diabetic ulcer, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to the ulcer, the matrix composition comprising gelatin and a long chain carbohydrate. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration. The matrix may be injected into one or more locations within the ulcer, underneath the ulcer and/or around the periphery of the ulcer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of stimulating hair growth, comprising administering a therapeutic amount of a hydrogel matrix to an intradermal or subdermal site where hair growth is desired, the matrix composition comprising gelatin, such as denatured collagen, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The matrix may further include polar amino acids, nitric oxide inhibitors and super oxide inhibitors. Injection is a preferred method of administration.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a highly sensitive nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting the presence or absence of the pseudo rabies virus (PVR). The method targets a 674 base-pair region of the pseudorabies virus gII gene. Nucleotide sequences for highly specific novel primers derived from this gII region are also disclosed. These primers are used with the nested polymerase chain reaction method to amplify targeted nucleotide sequences within the 674 base-pair region of the gII gene. The novel primers and optimized reaction conditions of the nested polymerase chain reaction method enable significantly greater specificity for the viral DNA in tissue suspected of harboring the latent pseudorabies virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating vascularization at a site in a mammal, said method comprising contacting said site with a matrix comprising gelatin and a nitric oxide inhibitor. The gelatin is preferably denatured collagen. The nitric oxide inhibitor may be a sulfonated moiety. The inhibitor may be an L-arginine analog, such as aminoguanidine, N-monoethyl L-arginine, N-nitro-L-arginine and D-arginine. The matrix may further comprise a nitric oxide scavenger, such as dextran, heparin, cysteine and cystine.

Abstract: A cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix for long term storage and proliferation of cells is provided. The cell culture medium and hydrogel matrix include an effective amount of polar amino acids, the polar amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, histidine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. The cell culture medium comprises about 5 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. The hydrogel matrix comprises about 3 to about 150 mM of polar amino acids. Arginine and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the cell culture medium. Arginine, lysine, and glutamic acid are preferably supplemented in the hydrogel matrix. A method of maintaining viability and functioning of a transplant is also provided. The method of maintaining viability of a transplant includes encapsulating the cells in a hydrogel matrix and injecting the encapsulated cells into the host organism.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of cellular moieties, including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based polymer moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby, an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties wherein a collagen based hydrogel is processed to present a liquid phase at host temperature and functions as a substrate for cellular attachment with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma, and an improved method for the harvesting tissue from organs.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of cellular moieties, including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby, an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties wherein a collagen based hydrogel is processed to present a liquid phase at host temperature and functions as a substrate for cellular attachment with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma, and an improved method for the harvesting tissue from organs.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of cellular moieties, including hormones, wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a nonimmunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylylene or other aromatic based polymeric moiety having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby, an improved matrix for the storage, manufacture, functional testing, and viral infection testing of cellular moieties wherein a collagen based hydrogel is processed to present a liquid phase at host temperature and functions as a substrate for cellular attachment with additives effective for limiting thermal and pressure trauma, and an improved method for the harvesting tissue from organs.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor for determining the level of a target chemical in a biological fluid includes an electrochemical system including a enzyme substrate which reacts with the target chemical to yield a system signal related to the concentration in the biological fluid of said target chemical. The biosensor includes a first membrane for immobilizing the enzyme substrate. The first membrane has a porosity permitting passage therethrough of the target chemical to react with the enzyme substrate and a surface exposed to the biological fluid characterized by electron donor site susceptible to facilitating attachment thereon of proteins and fibrin which impair the system signal. A second membrane is bonded to the electron donor sites of the first membrane.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of hormones wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylyene having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby.