Abstract: A method for in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro regeneration of cartilage, collagen and bone remodeling by intermittently applied hydrostatic pressure consisting of repeated periods of applied hydrostatic pressure followed and interrupted by periods of recovery. The intermittent hydrostatic pressure is applied at physiological levels 5-10 MPA for an interval of 4 hours followed by a recovery period up to about 20 hours. The interval loading results in the selective inhibition of matrix degrading enzymes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that attract inflammatory cells into the joint cavity and in selective decrease of gene expression of growth factors that are inhibitory to type II collagen expression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remarkably simple method for the in vitro production of three-dimensional, vital and mechanically stable cartilage or bone tissue and to the use thereof as a transplantation material for treating cartilage or bone defects and degenerative diseases such as rheumatism or arthrosis, and to the use thereof in testing active substances and physical factors. The invention is also directed to the cartilage or bone tissue and therapeutical formulations produced thereby, e.g. injection solutions comprising such tissue.

Abstract: A minimally invasive spinal disc defect repair method is disclosed. The method relates to insertion of disc defect repair materials that are substantially two-dimensionally shaped and which allow for insertion and preferably self retention within the disc defect with plugging of the annulus fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid exchange cell culture technique and tissue repair cells (TRCs) made by these methods, as well as methods using these cells. The method includes a new wash step which increases the tissue repair properties of the TRCs of the invention. This wash step allows for the production of TRC populations with greater tissue repair and anti -inflammatory capabilities. Embodiments of the present invention include a post-culture process for cultured cells that preferably includes the steps of: a wash process for removing unwanted residual culture components, a volume reduction process, and a harvesting process to remove cultured cells. Preferably, all these steps are performed within a aseptically closed cell culture chamber by implementing a separation method that minimizes mechanical disruption of the cells and is simple to automate. The harvested cells may then be concentrated to a final volume for the intended use.

Abstract: A method to increase self-renewal of an undifferentiaded human stem cell culture or cell line, by reducing or eliminating the presence of the protein “p18”.

Abstract: A process for the production of a valuable compound, comprising the steps of a) fermentation of a filamentous bacterial or fungal strain (e.g. a Streptomyces strain or an Aspergillus strain) in a fermentation medium wherein a carbohydrate during fermentation is added in a cyclic pulse dosing/pause way, wherein the pulse dosing time is shorter than the pause time and b) recovery of the valuable compound from the fermentation broth.

Abstract: A tissue engineering composition adapted for application to an interior surface of a body lumen of a patient. The composition comprises (a) a carrier medium that is adapted to flow and to stably adhere the composition to the body lumen and (b) microcapsules, which are dispersed within the carrier medium and which contain one or more living cells encapsulated within a coating that includes a biodegradable polymer. The composition promotes growth of the cells on the lumen surface subsequent to application of the composition to the lumen.

Abstract: A composition of lysozyme and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is active against the papilloma virus in both humans and animals. The composition can be used to treat women suffering from cervical cancer. The composition can also be used to treat cows and horses suffering sarcoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and methods for culturing stem cells, and in particular, for culturing ocular stem cells and the use of stem cells cultured using the devices and methods of the invention for the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a tissue cell culture system whereby a call tissue can be efficiently and quickly proliferated in vivo and the onset bacterial infection in an injured part can be avoided in the course of a treatment. More specifically, a closed cell culture system (1) characterized in that a defection (2) of a tissue on the body surface or inside the body is tightly sealed to form a closed environment free from the invasion of bacteria, etc. and then a solution appropriate for cell culture is circulated in the tissue defection thus sealed to thereby regenerate the defective tissue; and a method of administering a drug which comprises dissolving a remedy in the perfusion with the use of the above system and thus promoting the treatment of the defection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to precursor cells to hepatic stellate cells, compositions comprising same and methods of isolating same. The surface antigenic profile of the precursors is MHC class Ia negative, ICAM-1+, VCAM-1+, ?3-integrin+. In addition to expression of these surface markers, the cells also express the intracellular markers desmin, vimentin, smooth muscle ?-actin, nestin, hepatocyte growth factor, stromal derived factor-1? and H1x homeobox transcriptional factor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for reconstructing artificial female reproductive organs. The constructs and methods of the invention can be used for ameliorating congenital malformations and disorders of female reproductive tract using tissue engineered female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes. These tissue engineered female reproductive organs can be generated by perfusing cultured cell populations derived from cells of the female reproductive tissues, such as uterine, vaginal, cervical, fallopian tube epithelial cells as well as smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed collagen type II powder compositions for inducing cartilage formation in an individual, method of preparing the compositions and use of the compositions in treating connective tissue disorder, replenishing skin viscoelasticity. The compositions are administered through an orally ingestible delivery medium for absorption into the gastrointestinal tract. The compositions are administered through a topical delivery medium for absorption into a dermis of the individual.

Abstract: A method for the pre-treatment of an intervertebral disc prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc. A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space to come into contact with the portion of the endplate. The fluent treatment material is operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space. Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the prevention and treatment of burn induced compartment syndrome facilitates the rapid and efficient deployment of enzymatic compositions to the affected limb or limbs of a burn victim suffering from a circumferential burn. The apparatus includes a flexible, water-impermeable generally cylindrical covering layer. The covering layer has an inner surface facing the limb and an outer surface. The covering layer has a proximal sealable open end through which the burned limb is inserted and a distal closed end. An enzymatic escharotomy agent is contained within the covering layer. The covering layer retains the enzymatic escharotomy agent in close proximity to the burned limb, and the apparatus is enclosed within a sterile sealed package evacuated from moisture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a chemotactic hematopoietic stem cell product comprising an enriched population of CD34+ cells containing a subpopulation of cells having chemotactic activity, methods of preparing these compositions and use of these compositions to treat or repair vascular injury, including infarcted myocardium.

Abstract: The present invention provides wound dressings, optionally surgically implantable, containing biodegradable, polymers and hydrogels having allogenic or autologous precursor cells, such as stem cells and progenitor cells dispersed within. Alternatively, the wound dressings can have conditioned medium obtained from the precursor cells dispersed within. The wound dressings promote tissue restoration processes at a site of application or implantation. Additional bioactive agents can also be dispersed within the polymer/hydrogel matrix, which can be formulated to biodegrade at a controlled rate by adjusting the composition. Methods are also provided for using such biodegradable wound dressings as a delivery device or carrier for the precursor cells, conditioned medium and bioactive agents, or as coatings on implantable medical devices, to promote tissue restoration at a lesion site.

Abstract: A vaginal treatment composition that rapidly forms a gel when placed into contact with monovalent or polyvalent cations, such as sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) cations naturally found in vaginal mucosa, is provided. The gel may form in less than about 1 hour, in some embodiments less than about 1 minute, and in some embodiments, less than about 30 seconds. Among other things, such rapid gelation reduces the likelihood of leakage during use. In addition, because the gel may form intravaginally, it is more likely to retain its structure and shape over an extended period of time. In this manner, the gel may provide the prolonged release of a therapeutic agent that inhibits and/or treats vaginal infection. For instance, the gel may remain within the vagina for about 2 to about 48 hours to provide the desired effect.

Abstract: Methods and materials for making an apparatus which duplicates the functionality of a physiological system id provided.

Abstract: A biochemically defined culture medium for culturing engineered Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, which is essentially free from protein, lipid and carbohydrate isolated from an animal source, having water, an osmolality regulator, a buffer, an energy source, amino acids including L-glutamine, an inorganic or recombinant iron source, and a synthetic or recombinant growth factor, and optionally non-ferrous metal ions vitamins and cofactors. Also cells adapted to grow in such a culture medium.