Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) gene which is prepared by inserting an inherent or foreign intron between exons 4 and 5 in HGF cDNA, which has a base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. The gene has high expression efficiency and simultaneously expresses two heterotypes of HGF and dHGF (deleted variant HGF). Further the gene may be used for treating or preventing ischemic or liver diseases.

Abstract: An agonist of the VEGF receptor is useful in the treatment of a disease associated with retarded fetal growth, such as intra-uterine growth retardation. The VEGF agonist may be a VEGF peptide or a gene construct encoding or expressing such a peptide.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of prelamin A pre peptide and homologues or analogs thereof for the induction of cell differentiation and tissue or organ growth and repair processes. The invention extends to virtually any cell, including both embryonic and non-embryonic stem cells, such as stem cells that are progenitors for a wide variety of cell and tissue types. Also disclosed is the use of prelamin A pre peptide and prelamin A to determine and establish cell morphology and tissue architecture. Treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions, as well as cosmetic, general health, and anti-aging applications are described.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to establish a system for reliably differentiating an ES cell into a hepatic cell. The present invention provides a method for inducing the differentiation of an ES cell into a hepatic cell, which comprises, in the presence of an M15 cell, culturing a mammal-derived ES cell in the presence of activin and bFGF, and then culturing the ES cell in the presence of dexamethasone, HGF, and oncostatin M.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases or disorders in a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human) including, e.g., diseases or disorders caused by biological agents, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The compositions include a delivery vector (e.g., a viral vector, such as an Ad5 vector) encoding an interferon (e.g., IFN-?), and are provided to the subject by, e.g., intranasal or pulmonary administration.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods for isolation and culture of umbilical cord blood stem cells, cells isolated by the methods, and therapeutic uses for those cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing the occurrence or progression of a cancer or pre-cancerous condition associated with expression, or over-expression of human cytidine deaminases of the APOBEC3 family. The invention also relates to drug screening assays designed to identify compounds that regulate the activity, or level of expression, of hA3A, hA3C and hA3H. The invention further relates to transgenic mice, as well as cells derived from said mice, that have been genetically engineered to express, or over-express hA3A, hA3C and/or hA3H. Such mice may be utilized to screen for, or identify, compounds that modulate the activity, or expression, of the human cytidine deaminases. The present invention also provides topical compositions such as cosmetic lotion, crème, or sunscreen for use on the skin, which comprise one or more inhibitors of human cytidine deaminase activity.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for modulating an immune reaction between lymphocytes and a body recognized by the lymphocytes as foreign. The method exploits the immunomodulating activity of a new class of progenitor cells termed HUCPVCs derived from the perivascular region of human umbilical cord. The method can also employ soluble factors exuded by cultured HUCPVCs. The method is useful to treat immune disorders including graft versus host disease, autoimmune disorders, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for expanding a stem cell population. More particularly, the invention relates, inter alia, to methods and compositions for expanding a stem cell population, particularly a hematopoietic stem cell population.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to effectively prepare a fish embryo with a correct chromosomal ploidy by nuclear transplantation in which an exogenous fish nucleus is transplanted in a cytoplasmic recipient. For this object, the invention comprises a step of preparing a fish embryo by transplanting a fish cell nucleus to an unfertilized egg. The step of preparing a fish embryo comprises a step of imposing physical and/or chemical stress to the unfertilized egg after activation. By imposing such stress, the stage of haplosis in a female nucleus which happens at the early stage of a series of developmental steps occurring in an unfertilized egg is suppressed and the correct ploidy of an obtained embryo is at least secured.

Abstract: Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes in chemically defined media.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel nucleic acid sequences, vectors comprising such nucleic acid sequences, host cells comprising such vectors, and transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acid sequences, and related molecules and methods relating thereto. Such novel nucleic acid sequences, vectors comprising such nucleic acid sequences, host cells comprising such vectors, and transgenic animals comprising such nucleic acid sequences, and related molecules and methods provide conditional overexpression of genes, such as myostatin, and transgenic animals conditionally overexpression genes, such as myostatin.

Abstract: In order to examine whether or not a germ cell derived from a donor fish, which has been transplanted into a recipient fish of a different species by a surrogate fish technique, grows or matures in the gonad of the recipient fish, it is necessary to use, as an indicator, a trait that is specifically expressed in the germ cell and can be used to distinguish the recipient fish from the donor fish. Vasa gene, which is a germ cell-specific gene, is specific to a primordial germ cell and a spermatogonium/an oogonium, and it is not expressed in a somatic cell. In the present invention, the Vasa gene sequences of a tuna, a chub mackerel, a spotted mackerel, an eastern little tuna, and a drumfish are determined, and the expression of such gene is used as a marker for a germ cell. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to specifically detect only a tuna Vasa gene in Vasa gene sequences that are highly conserved in fishes, without sequencing.

Abstract: A method for preparing isolated hepatocytes is disclosed. The method comprises: a) culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a medium comprising hepatic growth factor (HGF) to cause the MSCs to differentiate toward hepatocytes, wherein the MSCs are isolated from bone marrow or umbilical cord blood; b) culturing cells from a) in a medium comprising HGF and oncostatin M (OSM) to facilitate the cell differentiation toward hepatocytes; and c) culturing cells from b) in a medium comprising OSM to cause the differentiated cells to mature into hepatocytes, and thereby producing the isolated hepatocyte cells.

Abstract: A method is described to identify secreted proteins identified with stages of malignancy of cancer. The proteins are initially identified by trapping them with a fluorescent protein containing vector that can insert in any gene. The secreted proteins are initially identified by their fluorescence. Secreted proteins identifying tumors with specific degrees of malignancy are isolated to determine if they can serve as markers of cancer progression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell culture methods and compositions that are essentially serum-free and comprise a basal salt nutrient solution and an ErbB3 ligand.

Abstract: Animal models and methods wherein homoplasmic and heteroplasmic mtDNA mutation(s) are induced in an animal (e.g., a mouse) to cause or facilitate the development of a disorder (e.g., disease, malformation, defect, abnormality or other disorder). In at least some embodiments, the mtDNA mutation(s) will cause or facilitate the development of an age-related disorder, such as a cardiac disease, cardiomyopathy, muscle disease, cancer, abnormaly in tissues of high cellular turnover, heart dysfunction, graying of hair, alopecia, auditory function loss, cochlear degeneration, immune cell loss, anemia, male germ cell loss leading to lack of sperm and infertility, skeletal muscle mass loss (sarcopenia), neurodegeneration, increased presence of apoptotic markers, and loss of bone mass.

Abstract: A method of treating a natural soft skeletal tissue injury in a patient the method comprising administering to the patient a composition of mesenchymal stem cells in liquid suspension enriched compared to the natural source of said cells, or tenocytes derived therefrom. The method is particularly suited to the regeneration of tendons in competitive mammals, such as the superficial digital flexor tendon of the horse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell culture methods and compositions that are essentially serum-free and comprise a basal salt nutrient solution and an ErbB3 ligand.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for preparing a substantially pure population of endothelial progenitor cells wherein said cells express Flk-1, CD34, ?5?1 integrin fibronectin, and vWF and exhibit an adherent phenotype and methods for using the same to decrease the severity of lung injury, prevent pulmonary edema, restore endothelial barrier function, induce productive wound healing and angiogenesis, and increase survival rate in acute lung injury (ALI).