Abstract: Methods of isolating membrane vesicles from a biological fluid sample are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise providing a biological fluid sample comprising membrane vesicles; filtering the biological fluid sample through a filtration module comprising a filter having an average pore diameter of between about 0.01 um and about 0.15 um; and collecting from the filtration module a retentate comprising the membrane vesicles, thereby isolating the membrane vesicles from the biological fluid sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using beta glucans to treat conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density as well as methods for promoting bone growth in situations where enhanced bone growth is desirable. In the invention methods beta glucans are administered so as to enhance the development of osteoblasts and the inhibition of the development and recruitment of osteoclasts. The inhibition of the recruitment and development of osteoclasts, coupled with the enhancement of osteoblast maturation by beta glucans leads to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation, making beta glucans ideal agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone resorption diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using beta glucans to treat conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density as well as methods for promoting bone growth in situations where enhanced bone growth is desirable. In the invention methods beta glucans are administered so as to enhance the development of osteoblasts and the inhibition of the development and recruitment of osteoclasts. The inhibition of the recruitment and development of osteoclasts, coupled with the enhancement of osteoblast maturation by beta glucans leads to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation, making beta glucans ideal agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone resorption diseases.

Abstract: Methods of isolating membrane vesicles from a biological fluid sample are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise providing a biological fluid sample comprising membrane vesicles; filtering the biological fluid sample through a filtration module comprising a filter having an average pore diameter of between about 0.01 um and about 0.15 um; and collecting from the filtration module a retentate comprising the membrane vesicles, thereby isolating the membrane vesicles from the biological fluid sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using beta glucans to treat conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density as well as methods for promoting bone growth in situations where enhanced bone growth is desirable. In the invention methods beta glucans are administered so as to enhance the development of osteoblasts and the inhibition of the development and recruitment of osteoclasts. The inhibition of the recruitment and development of osteoclasts, coupled with the enhancement of osteoblast maturation by beta glucans leads to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation, making beta glucans ideal agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone resorption diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using beta glucans to treat conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density as well as methods for promoting bone growth in situations where enhanced bone growth is desirable. In the invention methods beta glucans are administered so as to enhance the development of osteoblasts and the inhibition of the development and recruitment of osteoclasts. The inhibition of the recruitment and development of osteoclasts, coupled with the enhancement of osteoblast maturation by beta glucans leads to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation, making beta glucans ideal agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone resorption diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using beta glucans to treat conditions associated with bone loss or low bone density as well as methods for promoting bone growth in situations where enhanced bone growth is desirable. In the invention methods beta glucans are administered so as to enhance the development of osteoblasts and the inhibition of the development and recruitment of osteoclasts. The inhibition of the recruitment and development of osteoclasts, coupled with the enhancement of osteoblast maturation by beta glucans leads to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation, making beta glucans ideal agents for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone resorption diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the electrophoretic separation of biomolecules, including but not limited to proteins, peptides, DNA and RNA. The methods of this invention are particularly useful when applied to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the electrophoretic separation of biomolecules, including but not limited to proteins, peptides, DNA and RNA. The methods of this invention are particularly useful when applied to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: A water wettable permselective membrane for use in hemodialysis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration applications and a device containing the same are provided. The membrane having the above properties comprises a hydrophobic-base polymer, such as a polysulfone or polyethersulfone polymer, and a block copolymer additive wherein one of the blocks of the copolymer additive is a hydrophilic polymer and the other block is a hydrophobic polymer that is analogous in structure to the hydrophobic-base polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peritoneal dialysis solution which comprises as an osmotically active agent an osmotically effective amount of a mixture of peptides, the mixture consisting substantially of peptides having a molecular weight of about 300 to about 2000 daltons, and an equivalent weight between about 150 to about 1500.

Abstract: An affinity support is provided containing a high flux semipermeable hydrogel membrane surface-modified with an affinity ligand, such as a protein which may be an antibody or enzyme, or a cell receptor complement, useful for affinity separation of biological macromolecules, including insoluble proteins, cells, and cell fragments, from solution. The exclusion limit (molecular weight cut-off) of the matrix is selected to substantially restrict immobilized protein or other ligand to the surface thereof for maximization of available ligand binding capacity. The exclusion limit is also selected to permit reagent(s) used for the matrix/ligand linkage to penetrate into and form covalent bonds with the membrane on the interior surfaces of the membrane for optimizing packing densities of the affinity ligand exterior to the membrane.

Abstract: Affinity membranes are prepared by activation of polyamide microporous films. In particular, the films are activated with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole, 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium.sup.(+) toluene-4-sulfonate.sup.(-), trichlorotriazine, or derivatives thereof, followed by binding of ligand to the activated sites. The polyamide microporous activated films include composite films comprising polyamide covalently bound to a polyhydroxyl compound such as a polysaccharide.

Abstract: Hydrophilic semipermeable membranes based on copolymers of acrylonitrile and hydroxy-C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid are provided. The membranes have a substantial water regain at equilibrium, a wide range of ultrafiltration rates, and low solute adsorption by ion-exchange or hydrophobic interaction mechanisms. The membranes are particularly suitable for processing protein containing fluids, especially biological fluids such as blood or plasmas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a peritoneal dialysis solution which comprises as an osmotically active agent an osmotically effective amount of a mixture of peptides, the mixture consisting substantially of peptides having a molecular weight of about 300 to about 2000 daltons, and an equivalent weight between about 150 to about 1500.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the preparation of infusion grade water for use in the preparation of parenteral solutions. The apparatus is comprised of a two component system including a chemical purification unit and an endotoxin filter receiving assembly. Chemical purification of the water is achieved by treating the feed water [any potable water source] using a sequence of carbon adsorption, reverse osmosis, deionization, and membrane filtration. The chemically pure water from this system is used as a feed water to a low molecular weight cutoff membrane ultrafilter, which is an integral part of a presterilized manifold with receiving bags. The receiving bags may contain premeasured solutes in sterile nonpyrogenic powder form or in concentrated solution form to yield by dilution typical parenteral solutions ready for administration.

Abstract: An implant device for peritoneal dialysis which permits a flexible catheter to be removed and replaced without invasive surgery. The catheter is passed through a substantially rigid tubular percutaneous device and a flexible sleeve member which together form a continuous conduit from the body exterior through the peritoneal wall. The catheter is associated with a percutaneous tubular device so as to be removable and replaceable through the sleeve member after implantation. The catheter preferably has a relatively weak memory which gives it a tendency to maintain a compact coiled configuration near the peritoneal wall. The catheter may extend through the percutaneous device or, more preferably, terminates within the interior cavity of the percutaneous device and is sealed from the environment by means of a septum closure within the device cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring, analyzing and quantitating in real time the concentrations of metabolites in serum by analyzing the dialysate solutions which are being equilibrated with the blood via a hemodialyzer. Thus, access to certain metabolically important species is provided without the necessity of blood sampling. The apparatus includes at least one ion-selective electrode coupled with the dialysate effluent stream, and the electrode EMF is converted to dialysate concentrations based on precalibration. The dialysate concentrations, in turn, are related to serum levels by factors governing mass transfer through the dialyzer.

Abstract: An ion-exchange hollow fiber is prepared by introducing into the wall of the fiber polymerizable liquid monomers, and polymerizing the monomers therein to form solid, insoluble, cross-linked, ion-exchange resin particles which embed in the wall of the fiber. Excess particles blocking the central passage or bore of the fiber are removed by forcing liquid through the fiber. The fibers have high ion-exchange capacity, a practical wall permeability and good mechanical strength even with very thin wall dimensions. Experimental investigation of bundles of ion-exchange hollow fibers attached to a header assembly have shown the fiber to be very efficient in removing counterions from solution.

Abstract: Hollow synthetic fibers useful in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, gas separation and the like, having high hydraulic permeability to the solvent and capable of operation at pressures from 600 psi and up, are prepared by forming a solution of a fiber-forming polymer in a suitable solvent, adding to the solution a second polymer soluble in the solvent but with limited compatibility with the first polymer when their total concentration increases on coagulation, extruding the resulting solution through an orifice equipped for coaxial extrusion so that coagulating fluid within tube flow results, precipitating with a liquid which is miscible with the solvent for the fiber-forming material, is a non-solvent for the first polymer and a solvent for the second, contacting the extruded solution with the precipitating liquid either coaxially through the extrusion device or by passing the extrudate through the precipitating liquid, and finally washing the resulting hollow fiber free of residual solvents and non-solvents