Abstract: A biocompatible meniscal repair device is disclosed. The tissue repair device includes a scaffold adapted to be placed in contact with a defect in a meniscus, the scaffold comprising a high-density, dry laid nonwoven polymeric material and a biocompatible foam. The scaffold provides increased suture pull-out strength.

Abstract: A binding partner for the TSH receptor, which binding partner comprises, or is derived from, a human monoclonal or recombinant antibody, or one or more fragments thereof, reactive with the TSH receptor, uses thereof, methods of diagnosis and therapy employing the same, and anti-idiotypic antibodies thereto.

Abstract: A biocompatible meniscal repair device is disclosed. The tissue repair device includes a scaffold adapted to be placed in contact with a defect in a meniscus, the scaffold comprising a high-density, dry laid nonwoven polymeric material and a biocompatible foam. The scaffold provides increased suture pull-out strength.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide comprising, contiguously, a first amino acid sequence being at least 90% homologous to amino acid coordinates 1-398 of SEQ ID NO: 2, a tryptophan residue and a second amino acid sequence being at least 90% homologous to amino acid coordinates 400-523 of SEQ ID NO:2. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences encoding this polypeptide and uses of same in the treatment of medical conditions associated with ion channel insufficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for treating skin comprising an acylated short chain bioactive peptide and fulvic acid, and optionally colloidal gold. The invention further relates to a method for topically administering the composition in an amount therapeutically effective to reduce wrinkles by building the dermal fibroblast matrix. The invention further relates to a method of treating wrinkled skin by topically administering the composition to an individual in need of such treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing agonist-activity to a cytokinin receptor, which comprises (1) bringing an examinee substance into contact with a transformed cell into which DNA coding the cytokinin receptor is introduced and (2) measuring the existence or the quantity of intracellular signal transduction from the cytokinin receptor expressed in the transformed cell, and, a method for analyzing antagonist activity to a cytokinin receptor, which comprises (1) bringing an examinee substance and a substance having agonist-activity to the cytokinin receptor into contact with a transformed cell into which DNA coding the cytokinin receptor is introduced and (2) measuring the existence or the quantity of intracellular signal transduction from the cytokinin receptor expressed in the transformed cell, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an improved nutritional composition, methods of improving digestion, and methods of enhancing the bioavailability of TGF-?.

Abstract: Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.

Abstract: Methods for detecting phosphorylation of receptor tyrosine kinases (“RTKs”) upon activation are provided. The method employs cells comprising two fusion products: (1) an RTK fused to a small fragment of ?-galactosidase and (2) a phosphotyrosine binding peptide fused to the large fragment of ?-galactosidase, where the 2 fragments weakly complex to form an active enzyme, and optionally a construct for a cytosolic RTK phosphorylating kinase, when the RTK does not autophosphoryate. To detect phosphorylation a ?-galactosidase substrate is added to the cells, whereby product formation indicates the occurrence of phosphorylation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of using a bioabsorbable medical device that includes RGD attached to the device via a spacer compound. The method comprises implanting in a human being a bioaborbable device, e.g., a bioabsorbable stent, including a chemo-attractant for endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions for the administration of chromium that include at least two components: a hydrophilic chromium complex and a lipophilic chromium complex, and methods of using the same. Also provided are compositions for the administration of chromium that include a first “fast-acting” chromium complex and a second “slow-acting” chromium complex, wherein the first chromium complex is absorbed more quickly than the slow-acting chromium complex, and methods of using the same. Also provided herein are methods for treating, preventing, and improving conditions associated with cardiometabolic syndrome, by identifying a subject in need of treatment, prevention, or improvement of a condition associated with cardiometabolic syndrome, and providing a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a fast-acting chromium complex and a slow-acting chromium complex, to the individual.

Abstract: An human antibody or antigen-binding fragment of a human antibody that specifically binds and inhibits human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (hPCSK9) characterized by the ability to reduce serum LDL cholesterol by 40-80% over a 24, 60 or 90 day period relative to predose levels, with little or no reduction in serum HDL cholesterol and/or with little or no measurable effect on liver function, as determined by ALT and AST measurements.

Abstract: An improved monocyte activation test is described that is better able to detect non-endotoxin pyrogens in medical products, in which a sample is incubated with a monocyte-containing reagent in an assay system comprising at least one surface comprising polypropylene. The invention also concerns assay systems for use in these tests that include at least one microtiter well having at least one interior surface comprising polypropylene and having a shape such that monocyte-containing reagent is concentrated in the well to provide greater cell to cell contact. The invention also relates to a diagnostic kit that can be used to test for the presence of non-endotoxin pyrogens in a sample.

Abstract: Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.

Abstract: An improved monocyte activation test is described that is better able to detect non-endotoxin pyrogens in medical products, in which a sample is incubated with a monocyte-containing reagent in an assay system comprising at least one surface comprising polypropylene. The invention also concerns assay systems for use in these tests that include at least one microtiter well having at least one interior surface comprising polypropylene and having a shape such that monocyte-containing reagent is concentrated in the well to provide greater cell to cell contact. The invention also relates to a diagnostic kit that can be used to test for the presence of non-endotoxin pyrogens in a sample.

Abstract: F(ab) fragments are isolated from an antibody containing source by contacting the antibody containing source with a papain-polyacrylamide matrix to produce F(ab) and F(c) fragments which are then passed through an antigen-polyacrylamide gel capable of attracting the F(ab) fragments. F(ab)2 fragments are obtained by contacting the antibody containing source with a pepsin-polyacrylamide matrix to produce F(ab)2 and F(c) fragments which are then passed through an antigen-polyacrylamide gel capable of attracting the F(ab)2 fragments. IgG antibodies are obtained by passing an antibody containing source through an antigen-polyacrylamide gel. These processes can be used to purify a wide variety of antibodies which can be used as therapeutic agents and as diagnostic agents. Antivenins produced by these processes have substantially reduced foreign protein levels and hence are less likely to produce immunogenic reactions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of the IL-2 common gamma (c?c) and related molecules for the modulation of signal activities controlled by NIK, and some new such molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one polypeptide of the following (a) to (d): (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions, substitutions or additions in the amino acid sequence of the above (a) and having a platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and/or a platelet adhesion inhibitory activity; (c) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and (d) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions, substitutions or additions in the amino acid sequence of the above (c) and having a platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and/or a platelet adhesion inhibitory activity, as an active component.

Abstract: Concentrated microemulsions comprising: 1) 10-25 parts by weight of a pesticide with a solubility in water 20° C. lower than 1% by weight and having a melting point from 10° C. to 60° C.; 2) 8-25 parts by weight of one or more solvents containing oxygen atoms, having a solubility in water at 20° C. lower than 5% by weight and the Hildebrand solubility parameter in the range 16-21 MPa1/2: 3) 10-20 parts by weight of a polyol; 4) 10-25 parts by weight of one or more non ionic surfactants having a HLB value from 9 to 15; 5) 2-10 parts by weight of one or more anionic surfactants: 6) water up to 100 parts by weight; wherein—the ratio by weight between 2) and 1) ranges from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1;—the ratio by weight between 4)+5) and 1) is in the range 0.5:1-3:1;—the ratio by weight between 4) and 5) ranges from 1:1 to 4.1.

Abstract: A wound healing composition comprising an amount of heat shock protein effective to promote wound healing and a method thereof to apply the composition. A preferred heat shock protein is either full-length hsp90? or the middle domain plus the charged sequence of hsp90?. The composition is topically applied to skin wounds, covering the outer surface of the wound. The heat shock protein acts by promoting migration of both human epidermal keratinocyte and dermal fibroblasts to the wound in order to close, heal, and remodel the wound.