Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical or wound dressing comprising a sheet of gellan gum and an antifibrotic agent. Methods of producing dressings comprising gellan gums and biologically active agents area also produced.

Abstract: Apparatus for the non-invasive in-vivo determination of changes in tissue, e.g. the myelination, of the optic nerve (ON) in a biological subject, said apparatus comprising: a laser source for generating an excitation laser beam; an optical system including a fundus camera operatively associated with the laser source for use in obtaining a fundus image for illuminating the optic nerve (ON) of a subject with the excitation laser beam; a detector (13) operatively associated with the optical system and configured to detect a Raman spectrum from the optic nerve (ON) and/or surrounding cerebral spinal fluid; and a processor provided with a computer program for comparing the detected Raman spectrum to at least one reference spectrum. The reference spectrum may correspond to the myelination of the optic nerve in a normal, healthy subject, for determining the changes in the myelination of the optic nerve of the subject based on the detecting and comparing steps from the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical or wound dressing comprising a sheet of gellan gum and an antifibrotic agent. Methods of producing dressings comprising gellan gums and biologically active agents area also produced.

Abstract: Described herein are surgical or wound dressings comprising a sheet of gellan gum and an antifibrotic agent. Methods for producing dressings comprising gellan gums and biologically active agents are also described.

Abstract: The application discloses hydrogel wound treatment formulation containing collagen and decorin, and optionally fibrin. This is especially useful for the treatment of the eye. Wound dressings comprising the formulation are also provided, for example in the form of a gellan sheet.

Abstract: Described herein is a transmembrane delivery system comprising: a pharmaceutically active moiety; and a polypeptide of up to 20 amino acids in length comprising a continuous region of at least 2, more typically at least 4 basic amino acids. Typically the system comprises a polypeptide which has the formula: (B)n(A)m where B is a basic amino acid A is an acidic amino acid, m and n are integers, and n is at least 4, and m is less than n.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene silencing molecule, which is adapted to down-regulate expression of a gene encoding a peptide involved with the Rho-A inhibitory pathway. The gene silencing molecule is used to promote neuron survival and axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). The invention also provides compositions and methods of using same to improve neural survival and promote axonal growth.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene silencing molecule, which is adapted to down-regulate expression of a gene encoding a peptide involved with the Rho-A inhibitory pathway. The gene silencing molecule is used to promote neuron survival and axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS). The invention also provides compositions and methods of using same to improve neural survival and promote axonal growth.

Abstract: Devices useful in the delivery of DNA encoding neurotrophic agents, anti-fibrotic agents, and related compositions are disclosed herein for use in the treatment of central and/or peripheral nervous system injury. Methods of making and using the disclosed devices and DNA are also described. In various embodiments, the invention also discloses compositions and devices that may further include a targeting agent, such as a polypeptide that is reactive with an FGF receptor (e.g., bFGF), or another ligand that binds to cell surface receptors on neuronal cells, or a support cell. The invention also discloses methods of promoting neuronal survival and regeneration via transfection of an axon as it grows through a device or composition of the present invention, or via transfection of a repair cell.

Abstract: Devices useful in the delivery of DNA encoding neurotrophic agents, anti-fibrotic agents, and related compositions are disclosed herein for use in the treatment of central and/or peripheral nervous system injury. Methods of making and using the disclosed devices and DNA are also described. In various embodiments, the invention also discloses compositions and devices that may further include a targeting agent, such as a polypeptide that is reactive with an FGF receptor (e.g., bFGF), or another ligand that binds to cell surface receptors on neuronal cells, or a support cell. The invention also discloses methods of promoting neuronal survival and regeneration via transfection of an axon as it grows through a device or composition of the present invention, or via transfection of a repair cell.

Abstract: The invention features a method for promoting neural growth in vivo in the mammalian central nervous system by delivering a composition comprising a combination of neurotrophins to promote neural growth. Active fragments, cognates, congeners, mimics, analogs, secreting cells and soluble molecules thereof, and DNA molecules, vectors and transformed cells capable of expressing them are similarly utilizable in the methods of the instant invention.

Abstract: Devices useful in the delivery of DNA encoding neurotrophic agents, anti-fibrotic agents, and related compositions are disclosed herein for use in the treatment of central and/or peripheral nervous system injury. Methods of making and using the disclosed devices and DNA are also described. In various embodiments, the invention also discloses compositions and devices that may further include a targeting agent, such as a polypeptide that is reactive with an FGF receptor (e.g., bFGF), or another ligand that binds to cell surface receptors on neuronal cells, or a support cell. The invention also discloses methods of promoting neuronal survival and regeneration via transfection of an axon as it grows through a device or composition of the present invention, or via transfection of a repair cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preventing, suppressing or treating a CNS pathology characterized by a deleterious accumulation of extracellular matrix in a tissue by contacting the tissue with an agent that inhibits the extracellular matrix producing activity of TGF-.beta.. The methods can be used to prevent, suppress or treat scar formation in the CNS. Agents that are useful in the present methods include neutralizing anti-TGF-.beta. antibodies, Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides, decorin and its functional equivalents such as biglycan, and TGF-.beta. antagonists. The present invention further provides methods for preventing, suppressing or treating a CNS pathology characterized by the insufficient accumulation of extracellular matrix. Agents that enhance the production of extracellular matrix, such as TGF-.beta., can be used in such methods.