Abstract: The present invention pertains to stabilized A? oligomer compositions. Methods for generating stabilized A? oligomer compounds are also provided herein. Additionally, screening assays employing the A? oligomer compounds and methods for generating therapeutics with the A? oligomers are also provided. In a particular embodiment, the A? oligomer described herein is comprised of A?42 peptide.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to stabilized A? oligomer compositions. Methods for generating stabilized A? oligomer compounds are also provided herein. Additionally, screening assays employing the A? oligomer compounds and methods for generating therapeutics with the A? oligomers are also provided. In a particular embodiment, the A? oligomer described herein is comprised of A?42 peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for preparing freeze-dried platelets, freeze-dried platelets made by those processes, platelets reconstituted from those freeze-dried platelets, methods of using the platelets for therapeutic, diagnostic, and research purposes, and kits comprising the freeze-dried platelets.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising freeze-dried platelets, microparticles, or both for use as a hemostat, such as for treating bleeding or injuries associated with bleeding. It also provides methods of treating injuries or wounds, and methods of causing blood to clot. Likewise, it provides methods of promoting healing of wounds or of healing wounds.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for storing tissues and cells (typically erythrocytes) having the step of (1) stabilizing the cells with a reversible stabilizing agent. This method typically will have the additional steps of (2) loading the cells with a cryoprotectant, and typically (3) storing the cells in liquid, frozen, or dry state. This method will also typically have the additional step of (4) prior to use, reversing the stabilization reaction. Preferably, the erythrocytes are pre-treated with CO to complex the hemoglobin with CO. It is anticipated that a practical method according to the invention will include reoxygenation of the erythrocytes, and also washing out reagents prior to in vivo use. Another aspect of the present invention is an erythrocyte that has had its shape stabilized by the reversible crosslinking of proteins in the erythrocyte, such as the structural proteins of the cytoskeleton.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for storing tissues and cells (typically erythrocytes) having the step of (1) stabilizing the cells with a reversible stabilizing agent. This method typically will have the additional steps of (2) loading the cells with a cryoprotectant, and typically (3) storing the cells in liquid, frozen, or dry state. This method will also typically have the additional step of (4) prior to use, reversing the stabilization reaction. Preferably, the erythrocytes are pre-treated with CO to complex the hemoglobin with CO. It is anticipated that a practical method according to the invention will include reoxygenation of the eryathrocytes, and also washing out reagents prior to in vivo use. Another aspect of the present invention is an erythrocyte that has had its shape stabilized by the reversible crosslinking of proteins in the erythrocyte, such as the structural proteins of the cytoskeleton.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for storing tissues and cells (typically erythrocytes) having the step of (1) stabilizing the cells with a reversible stabilizing agent. This method typically will have the additional steps of (2) loading the cells with a cryoprotectant, and typically (3) storing the cells in liquid, frozen, or dry state. This method will also typically have the additional step of (4) prior to use, reversing the stabilization reaction. Preferably, the erythrocytes are pre-treated with CO to complex the hemoglobin with CO. It is anticipated that a practical method according to the invention will include reoxygenation of the erythrocytes, and also washing out reagents prior to in vivo use. Another aspect of the present invention is an erythrocyte that has had its shape stabilized by the reversible crosslinking of proteins in the erythrocyte, such as the structural proteins of the cytoskeleton.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method of producing noggregating, filterable dispersion of liposome encapsulated agent or therapeutic of interest, specifically hemoglobin. A key step in the method of the present invention is the addition of a passivating protein prior to hydration of the liposomes with the agent of interest. The resulting dispersion is composed of unilamellar vesicles having a diameter of less than or equal to 0.2 microns.

Abstract: A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of platelets. During lyophilization, carbohydrate-load platelets are supercooled while suspended in a buffer solution including a biocompatible polymer that serves to preserve the structure of the platelets. The supercooled platelets are then frozen at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the suspension. A vacuum is placed on the frozen suspension to remove most of the water therefrom. Then, the temperature of the platelets is increased to the supercooled temperature while the vacuum is maintained. After being sealed under vacuum, the lyophilized platelets may be reconstituted to form viable, transfusable platelets. The reconstituted platelets have a high aggregation index, retain normal agglutination and degranulation capability, and are able to participate in clot formation.

Abstract: A process for forming spatially oriented neo-vascular capillaries comprising: (a) providing a combination ultra-thin film (UTF) pattern of at least one cell adhesion promoter and at least one cell adhesion inhibitor wherein the cell adhesion promoters have a linewidth of between about 50-490 .mu.m; (b) seeding the combination UTF pattern with endothelial cells at an initial seeding cell density; (c) adding a first medium for incubating the seeded endothelial cells until the endothelial cells are grown to confluency; (d) replacing the first medium with a second medium at confluency; and (e) allowing the endothelial cells to differentiate into spatially oriented neo-vascular capillaries.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for releasing an active agent into a use nvironment, by disposing this active agent within the lumen of a population of tubules, and disposing the tubules into a use environment, either directly or in some matrix such as a paint in contact with the use environment. The tubules have a preselected release profile to provide a preselected release rate curve. The preselected release profile may be achieved by controlling the length or length distribution of the tubules, or by placing degradable endcaps over some or all of the tubules in the population, or by combinations of these methods. The invention is also a population of tubules having a preselected release profile to provide a preselected release rate curve.

Abstract: A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of cells, specifically red blood cells and platelets, and cell-like matter, which comprises the use of solution including a carbohydrate, and biocompatible polymers to permit reconstitution of transfusably useful cells which are viable by the measure of ATP and 2,3 DPG.

Abstract: A method of fabricating hydrogel particles within liposomes, which entails: a) encapsulating an effective amount of each of one or more hydrogel substances and one or more release agents in liposomes in a liquid medium, b) removing any unencapsulated hydrogel substances and release agents from the liquid medium, c) adding initiator to the liquid medium and into the liposomes, thereby initiating reaction of the one or more hydrogel substances, whereby hydrogel particles are formed in the liposomes, and d) removing any extra-liposomal initiator from the medium.

Abstract: A method of fabricating hydrogel particles of controlled size within liposomes is provided, which entails encapsulating an effective amount of one or more hydrogel-forming substances in liposomes in a liquid medium, removing any unencapsulated hydrogel-forming substances from the liquid medium, adding initiator to the liquid medium and into the liposomes, thereby initiating reaction of the one or more hydrogel-forming substances, and removing any extra-liposomal initiators from the medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition comprising a permeabilizing agent, a preserving agent, and a buffered solvent. This composition is used to prepare the cells for lyophilization cells and to rehydrate the cells to recover them from lyophilization.The process of this invention comprises adding the permeabilizing agent and the preserving agent in a buffered solution to red blood cells, agitating the combination for a period of time sufficient to allow permeation of the preserving agent into the cell, shell freezing the mixture, and lyophilizing the mixture. The dry lyophilized material can then be stored. The cells can be rehydrated using the same composition of permeability agent, preserving agent and buffered solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposome encapsulated protein and to a highly efficient method of radiolabeling liposome encapsulated protein. In particular, a .sup.99m Tc carrier is used to label preformed liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. The liposome-encapsulated .sup.99m Tc labeled hemoglobin is highly stable in vitro and in vivo and is suitable for a variety of clinical uses, including biodistribution imaging studies. The invention also relates to a method of using technetium-.sup.99m labeled liposome encapsulated hemoglobin to label neutrophils. A kit method which could be used for the convenient preparation of .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposome encapsulated hemoglobin for clinical use is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the efficient preparation of radionuclide labeled liposomes and radionuclide-labeled liposome-encapsulated protein. In particular, a .sup.99m Tc carrier is used to label preformed liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposomes and liposome-encapsulated .sup.99m Tc labeled hemoglobin are highly stable in vitro and in vivo and are suitable for a variety of clinical uses, including biodistribution imaging studies. The invention also relates to a method of labeling neutrophils using .sup.99m technetium-labeled liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin. A kit method useful for the convenient preparation of .sup.99m Tc-labeled liposomes or liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin for clinical use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hemoglobin-containing blood substitute preparation is protected from oxtion to methemoglobin. The protected preparation comprises between 10 mM and 60 mM of a compound selected from the group consisting of glutathione (GSH), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and mixtures of these in the aqueous phase of a hemoglobin-containing fluid. Oxidized hemoglobin in a preparation can be restored by adding between 10 mM and 60 mM of a compound selected from the group consisting of glutathione (GSH), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and mixtures of these to a hemoglobin-containing fluid in which the hemoglobin has converted in whole or part to methemoglobin, and storing the fluid at storage temperatures for blood products above the freezing point of the fluid for a time sufficient to convert methemoglobin to hemoglobin.

Abstract: Process for forming tubular microstructures having predetermined shape and dimension from surfactants comprising the steps of selecting a lipid which self-aggregates into a tubular microstructure; selecting a lipid solvating organic solvent in which tubules may form; removing trace water from the selected organic solvent; dissolving the selected lipid in the dried organic solvent; allowing the dissolved lipid to grow into tubular microstructures in the dried organic solvent for a selected period of time and at a temperature below the melting point of the selected lipid.