Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for preventing surgical adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and/or surgical articles involved in the surgery are separated by a biomaterial provided in the form of a non-crosslinked, decellularized and purified mammalian tissue (e.g. bovine pericardium). The biomaterial effectively inhibits fibrosis, scar formation, and surgical adhesions, while also serving as a scaffold for recellularization of the tissue site.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating movement of eukaryotic cells with migratory capacity. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating movement of cells of hematopoietic, neural, epithelial, or mesenchymal origin, in a specific site in a subject. The foregoing are useful, inter alia, in the treatment of conditions characterized by a need to modulate migratory-cell movement associated with specific sites in a subject. More specifically, specific sites include sites of inflammation and modulation of migratory-cell movement is movement away from an agent source, or repulsion. Other sites include tumor sites, sites of pathogenic infection, and germ cell bearing sites.

Abstract: Provided is a preparation process of diglycerides which comprises reacting a fatty acid or lower alkyl ester thereof with glycerin in the presence of an immobilized partial glyceride lipase while removing water, which is generated upon reaction, out of the system. The reaction is preferably terminated when the acid value (AV) of the reaction mixture satisfies the following range: 50R-60>AV>70R-150 (with the proviso that AV>0). The present process makes it possible to efficiently prepare a high purity of diglycerides without impairing lipase activity even under reduced pressure. The present process is effective without being influenced by variations in reaction conditions such as fatty acid/glycerin ratio, reaction temperature or enzyme concentration. Particularly, even when the fatty acid/glycerin ratio is high, a high purity of diglycerides can be produced at a high reaction yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for freezing or freeze-drying spermatozoa or sperm heads thereof, wherein the composition enables the spermatozoa or sperm heads thereof to maintain chromosome integrity at a temperature of about +4° C. to about ?200° C. Also provided is a container containing the composition. The present invention further provides a method for maintaining chromosome integrity of spermatozoa or sperm heads during freezing or freeze-drying. The present invention also provides methods for freezing or freeze-drying spermatozoa to obtain at least one spermatozoan capable of fertilizing an oocyte to produce a live offspring. Also provided are frozen or freeze-dried spermatozoa produced by these methods, and containers containing the frozen or freeze-dried spermatozoa. Finally, the present invention provides methods for producing a live mammalian offspring from an oocyte fertilized with a rehydrated freeze-dried (or thawed or freeze-thawed) spermatozoan.

Abstract: D-enzyme compositions are described comprising an amino acid residue sequence that defines an polypeptide able to catalyze an enzymatic reaction.

Abstract: Test system for the determination of in-vivo active hemostasis proteases or of trypsin or subtilisin in biological fluids and the usage thereof to determine the in-vivo activation of hemostasis or to diagnose pancreatitis.

Abstract: An osteogenic composition is prepared by a process including the steps of subjecting demineralized bone to an extraction medium to produce an insoluble extraction product and a soluble extraction product, separating the insoluble extraction product and the soluble extraction product, drying the soluble extraction product to remove all or substantially all of the moisture in the soluble extraction product, and combining the dried soluble extraction product of step c) with demineralized bone particles. Preferably, the process does not involve heating.

Abstract: A proteinaceous material has been found to show similar activity and treatment response to that of disease causing prions, such as CJD. A prion model which incorporates the proteinaceous material has a variety of applications. The model has an ability to be cultured either in vivo or in vitro, allowing rapid screening of potential drugs for treating animals or humans, or methods of treating food products or items which may come into contact with prions, such as medical or dental devices. Several treatment methods and materials have been developed using the model.

Abstract: A compound body can be constructed, using secondary cell wall polymers of prokaryotic microorganisms as bonding agent to anchor a monomolecular lattice to a support, with or without functional groups attached to the lattice. The lattice may be comprised of lipid or crystalline cell surface layer proteins. The support is illustrated by a micro-filtration membrane, a cell surface ultra-filtration membrane (SUM), and a micelle, respectively.

Abstract: Provided is a preventive, ameliorant or remedy for hypertension excellent in both blood pressure lowering action and blood pressure-rise suppressing action and having high safety. This preventive, ameliorant or remedy for hypertension comprises a coffee bean extract.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating and preventing neurological disorders which have a significant inflammatory component. The methods of the present invention involve extracting blood from a patient, subjecting the blood ex vivo to at least one stressor selected from the group consisting of an oxidative environment, thermal stress and UV light, and then re-administering the blood to the patient, thereby reducing inflammation.

Abstract: A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition includes providing a tissue culture frame and a segment of small intestinal submucosa and positioning the segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame. Smooth muscle and urothelial cells are isolated from a tissue specimen of a subject and cultured, and then seeded upon the segment of small intestinal submucosa, thereby forming a urinary tract tissue graft. A tissue culture frame in which such a urinary tract tissue graft may be formed is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention involves the discovery that synthetic thyroid hormones can be used as compositions to reduce intraocular pressure in vivo. Methods of screening synthetic thyroid hormones for effect on intraocular pressure, aqueous pressure, hydraulic conductivity, hyaluronic acid secretion, and extracellular matrix assembly are provided. Methods of treating glaucoma and treating excess intraocular pressure with synthetic thyroid hormones and compositions therefore are also provided.

Abstract: Activated polymeric bicine derivatives such as as well as conjugates made therewith are disclosed. Methods of making and using the bicine derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: D-enzyme compositions are described comprising an amino acid residue sequence that defines an polypeptide able to catalyze an enzymatic reaction. The D-enzyme has an amino acid residue sequence consisting essentially of D-amino acids.

Abstract: An improved platelet gel wound healant, and methods of preparation and use thereof for healing wounds are disclosed. The improved wound healant comprises a therapeutically effective amount of activated growth factors and ascorbic acid with optional one or more additional anti-oxidant such as vitamin A and/or E, and optional one or more antibiotics.

Abstract: A process for preparing (R)-hydroxy ester (II) from alpha-keto ester I comprising adding the alpha-keto ester I to a mixture comprising the ketoreductase enzyme and non-ketoreductase enzyme components, wherein the ketoreductase enzyme has a molecular weight between 36000 and 38000, and wherein the ketoreductase enzyme has an N-terminal amino acid sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of (SEQ. ID NO. 1) Ala-Ile-Pro-Asp-Asn-Ala-Val-Leu-Glu-Gly-Ser-Leu- Val-Lys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Gly (SEQ. ID NO. 4) Met-Ala-Ile-Pro-Asp-Asn-Ala-Val-Leu-Glu-Gly-Ser- Leu-Val-Lys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Gly, and (SEQ. ID NO. 2) Met-Ala-Lys-Ile-Asp-Asn-Ala-Val-Leu-Pro-Glu-Gly- Ser-Leu-Val-Leu-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Asn-Gly.

Abstract: A synthetic urine formulation, a kit including the synthetic urine formulation and a method of preparing synthetic urine are described. The urine formulation includes urine components in dried form, concentrated form or normal concentration and a compound that, when added to water, increases the temperature of the water (a “heat activator”). When the urine components are present in dried form, the synthetic urine can be provided in one or two parts. When present in concentrated form or in normal concentration, the heat activator must be provided separately. Lithium chloride is a preferred heat activator. The components can be provided in kit form, including a measuring cup with a fill line, the powdered, concentrated or normal concentration synthetic urine components, and the heat activator. Optionally, but preferably, the kit also includes a temperature measuring device to ensure that the appropriate temperature is reached.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the localized delivery of supplemented tissue sealants, wherein the supplemented tissue sealants comprise at least one composition which is selected from one or more antibodies, analgesics, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory compounds, antimicrobial compositions, antiproliferatives, cytokines, cytotoxins, drugs, growth factors, interferons, hormones, lipids, demineralized bone or bone morphogenetic proteins, cartilage inducing factors, oligonucleotides polymers, polysaccharides, polypeptides, protease inhibitors, vasoconstrictors or vasodilators, vitamins, minerals, stabilizers and the like. Further provided are methods of using the site-specific supplemented tissue sealants, including preparation of a biomaterial.

Abstract: This invention provides a fibrin sealant dressing, wherein said fibrin sealant may be supplemented with at least one composition selected from, for example, one or more regulatory compounds, antibody, antimicrobial compositions, analgesics, anticoagulants, antiproliferatives, antiinflammatory compounds, cytokines, cytotoxins, drugs, growth factors, interferons, hormones, lipids, demineralized bone or bone morphogenetic proteins, cartilage inducing factors, oligonucleotides polymers, polysaccharides, polypeptides, protease inhibitors, vasoconstrictors or vasodilators, vitamins, minerals, stabilizers and the like. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and/or using the unsupplemented or supplemented fibrin sealant dressing.