Abstract: A composition comprising microcapsules, the microcapsules containing both live mammalian ovarian granulosa cells and live mammalian ovarian theca cells, is described. In some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained in separate microcapsules in the composition; in some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained together in the same microcapsules in the composition The composition is can be used for estrogen, and optionally also progesterone, delivery, and hence is preferably free or essentially free of oocytes. Methods of using the same and pharmaceutical formulations containing the same are also described.

Abstract: A method of making an organ or tissue comprises: (a) providing a first dispenser containing a structural support polymer and a second dispenser containing a live cell-containing composition; (b) depositing a layer on said support from said first and second dispenser, said layer comprising a structural support polymer and said cell-containing composition; and then (c) iteratively repeating said depositing step a plurality of times to form a plurality of layers one on another, with separate and discrete regions in each of said layers comprising one or the other of said support polymer or said cell-containing composition, to thereby produce provide a composite three dimensional structure containing both structural support regions and cell-containing regions. Apparatus for carrying out the method and composite products produced by the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells in vitro comprises: (a) providing precursor muscle cells on a support in a tissue media; then (b) cyclically stretching and relaxing the support at least twice along a first axis during a first time period; and then (c) optionally but preferably maintaining the support in a substantially static position during a second time period; and then (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for a number of times sufficient to enhance the functionality of the tissue formed on the support and/or produce organized skeletal muscle tissue on the solid support from the precursor muscle cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of assessing an individual subject's risk of developing prostate cancer, comprising: a) analyzing a nucleic acid sample obtained from the subject and determining a genotype for the subject at a plurality of biallelic polymorphic loci, wherein each of said plurality has an associated allele and an unassociated allele, wherein the genotype is selected from the group consisting of homozygous for the associated allele, heterozygous, and homozygous for the unassociated allele; and b) calculating a cumulative relative risk (CRR) for the subject based on the genotype determined in step (a). A CRR of greater than 1.00 identifies a subject as having an increased risk of developing prostate cancer and also can identify a subject who is a candidate for early PSA screening, prostate biopsy and/or chemoprevention.

Abstract: A computer-based method for determining a prediction of risk and/or an indication of extent of coronary stenosis in a human subject, comprises the steps of: (a) inputting the level of at least one cholesteryl ester measured in a blood sample collected from said subject; and then (b) inputting the age and gender of said subject; and then (c) generating in said computer from said cholesteryl ester level input, said age input and said gender input a prediction of risk and/or an indication of extent of coronary stenosis in said subject. Systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue stretching device configured for orbicular expansion of a tissue placed therein. Methods of use of the device to stretch a tissue as well as for culturing organized tissues are also provided. Stretched and/or cultured tissues produced by these processes are also provided, as well as methods making use of the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a urological condition including administering urine stem cells to said subject in a treatment effective amount; and, in conjunction therewith, administering growth factors to said subject in an amount effective to promote differentiation of said stem cells into skeletal muscle cells. Compositions useful for the same are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: Methods of generating tubular, bioengineered, smooth muscle structures are disclosed as well as bioengineered tissue for tubular organ repair or replacement. The methods can include the steps of obtaining smooth muscle cells; culturing the muscle cells to form a smooth muscle cell construct of directionally oriented smooth muscle cells; disposing the smooth muscle cell construct around a tubular scaffold; and culturing construct and scaffold in a growth media until a smooth muscle cell structure is achieved. The step of obtain smooth muscle cells can further include obtaining autologous smooth muscle cells from a subject. In one preferred embodiment, the muscle cells can first be on a fibrin substrate to form a muscle construct, which is then disposed around a tubular scaffold, for example, a chitosan scaffold. The methods of the present invention can further include connecting two or more tubular structures together to form an elongate composite structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sensing pressure in a region of interest by providing a plurality of metallic particles operatively associated with one another in the region of interest (for example, wherein the metallic particles sustain a plasmon upon excitation), and with the metallic particles configured or positioned in relationship to one another so that a physical property of the particles (for example, the energy of the plasmon) varies in response to pressure; measuring the physical property of the metallic particles that varies in response to pressure; and then determining the pressure in the region of interest from the detected physical property (e.g., resistance, energy of the plasmon). Compositions, articles and formulations for carrying out the method in industrial and biomedical applications are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying and treating patients having altered capacity for LC-PUFA production are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatuses for transfecting a cell with a compound of interest by stressing the cell, e.g. with shear stress. The compound of interest may be nucleic acids, proteins, molecules, nanoparticles, drugs, etc., or any combination thereof. Methods of printing cells with an inkjet printing device are also provided, wherein at least a portion of viable cells (preferably at least 1%) are transfected with a compound of interest. Preferably, at least 25% of the cells are viable after printing. In addition, methods of forming an array of viable cells are provided wherein at least a portion of the viable printed cells (preferably at least 1%) are transfected with at least one compound of interest.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue stretching device including a tissue clamping member defining an area in a Z plane, wherein the tissue clamping member is configured to hold tissue parallel to the Z plane. Methods of use of the tissue stretching device to stretch a tissue as well as for culturing organized tissues are also provided. Stretched and/or cultured tissues produced by these processes are also provided, as well as methods of treatment making use of the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein cells have been expanded in vitro, and methods of use thereof. The cells may be provided in a three dimensional matrix for culturing in vitro and/or implanting in vivo. Methods of seeding cells onto the matrix are also provided.

Abstract: An external fixation assembly includes a plurality of hollow pins that are inserted into a patient's bone. Each pin has an interior bore and a plurality of apertures extending through the pin wall from the bore. The pin may be coupled to a source of vacuum pressure operable to create reduced pressure in the tissue surrounding the pin. A cover is placed around the pin and sealed to provide a fluid-tight enclosure that maintains reduced pressure around the pin. A method for applying external fixation using the fixator pins described above includes the steps of inserting each pin through a skin opening, positioning the pin apertures near selected tissue, covering the skin opening with a sealed enclosure, connecting the pins to a source of vacuum pressure, and activating the source of vacuum pressure to create reduced pressure in the patient's tissue at or near the bone.

Abstract: Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are primers comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to a portion of a RhD gene. Also provided herein are methods of determining a RhD zygosity in a subject. Also provided are methods of detecting a weak D allele in a subject. Further provided are kits for determining an RhD zygosity.

Abstract: Cell tubes that can be used both for pathology collection and subsequent cell processing include a tube with a cell bed at a lower portion of the tube. The tube can include a base member that can be detachable from the tube body. The tubes can be used to form cell (cytology) blocks that incorporate the cell bed. The cell bed can be an inert cell bed of paraffin.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of culturing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells by cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells on a support in vitro for a time sufficient to produce said organized skeletal muscle tissue, including reseeding said organized skeletal muscle tissue by contacting additional precursor muscle cells to said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said solid support, and then repeating said step of cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells in said support in vitro for time sufficient to enhance the density (i.e., increased number of nuclei and/or number of multinucleated cells) of said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said support.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein cells have been expanded in vitro. The kidney cells may include peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney, and preferably produce erythropoietin (EPO). The kidney cells may also be selected based upon EPO production. Methods of producing an isolated population of EPO producing cells are also provided, and methods of treating a kidney disease resulting in decreased EPO production in a patient in need thereof are provided, including administering the population to the patient, whereby the cells produce EPO in vivo.