Abstract: An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for promoting regeneration of a tissue, methods for preventing or reducing inflammation of a tissue, methods for preventing or reducing fibrosis of a tissue, methods for increasing a mass of a tissue, methods for increasing a level of oxygen available to a tissue, methods for increasing a rate of metabolic waste removal from a tissue, methods for increasing blood perfusion to a tissue, and methods of treating severe muscle tissue damage in a subject in need thereof by contacting the tissue with a composition that is suitable for applying cyclic mechanical compression to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for promoting regeneration of a tissue, methods for preventing or reducing inflammation of a tissue, methods for preventing or reducing fibrosis of a tissue, methods for increasing a mass of a tissue, methods for increasing a level of oxygen available to a tissue, methods for increasing a rate of metabolic waste removal from a tissue, methods for increasing blood perfusion to a tissue, and methods of treating severe muscle tissue damage in a subject in need thereof by contacting the tissue with a composition that is suitable for applying cyclic mechanical compression to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of muscular dysfunction or increasing muscle strength and/or decreasing muscle fatigue in a subject using a composition that includes a biguanide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, e.g., at a low dosage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a compound for bioactivity, comprising contacting a candidate bioactive compound with an organized tissue, and measuring in at least a cell of the organized tissue a biological parameter that is associated with bioactivity, wherein a change in the biological parameter that occurs as a result of the contacting step is indicative of bioactivity of the candidate compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of delivering a bioactive compound to an organism that involves growing individual cells in vitro under conditions that allow the formation of an organized tissue, at least a subset of the cells containing a foreign DNA sequence which mediates the production of the bioactive compound; and implanting the organized tissue into the organism, whereby the bioactive compound is produced and delivered to the organism.

Abstract: The invention relates to organized tissues that are implanted into an organism wherein they become vascularized. The invention also relates to methods of using an organized tissue that is vascularized following implantation into an organism, for delivery of a bioactive compound. The invention also relates to methods of producing an organized tissue that is vascularized following implantation into an organism.

Abstract: A method and device for delivery of a tissue to an organism uses a catheter or stent to deliver organized tissue to an anatomic site. Organized tissue may, in certain preferred embodiments, be grown in vitro in a catheter or stent, or in vitro independent of the catheter or stent, and then transferred to the catheter or stent. The organized tissue is transported to a desired anatomic site in vivo via catheter or stent. The organized tissue may be retrieved from the anatomic site to terminate treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a compound for bioactivity, comprising contacting a candidate bioactive compound with an organized tissue, and measuring in at least a cell of the organized tissue a biological parameter that is associated with bioactivity, wherein a change in the biological parameter that occurs as a result of the contacting step is indicative of bioactivity of the candidate compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of delivering a bioactive compound to an organism that involves growing individual cells in vitro under conditions that allow the formation of an organized tissue, at least a subset of the cells containing a foreign DNA sequence which mediates the production of the bioactive compound; and implanting the organized tissue into the organism, whereby the bioactive compound is produced and delivered to the organism.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a compound for bioactivity, comprising contacting a candidate bioactive compound with an organized tissue, and measuring in at least a cell of the organized tissue a biological parameter that is associated with bioactivity, wherein a change in the biological parameter that occurs as a result of the contacting step is indicative of bioactivity of the candidate compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of delivering a bioactive compound to an organism that involves growing individual cells in vitro under conditions that allow the formation of an organized tissue, at least a subset of the cells containing a foreign DNA sequence which mediates the production of the bioactive compound; and implanting the organized tissue into the organism, whereby the bioactive compound is produced and delivered to the organism.

Abstract: A sleeved organized tissue is formed of a biocompatible structure surrounding organized tissue in at least one dimension and along a length of the tissue In certain preferred embodiments the tissue is attached to the sleeve, subjecting the organized tissue to internal tension within the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of delivering a bioactive compound to an organism that involves growing individual cells in vitro under conditions that allow the formation of an organized tissue, at least a subset of the cells containing a foreign DNA sequence which mediates the production of the bioactive compound; and implanting the organized tissue into the organism, whereby the bioactive compound is produced and delivered to the organism.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing tissue specimens in vitro includes an expandable membrane for receiving a tissue specimen thereon, a mechanism for expanding the membrane and the tissue specimen, and a controller for controlling the expanding mechanism. The controller is operative for applying an activity pattern to the membrane and a tissue specimen thereon which includes simultaneous continuous stretch activity and repetitive stretch and release activity. The continuous stretch activity and the repetitive stretch and release activity simulate the types of activity to which cells are exposed in vivo due to growth and movement, respectively, and they cause the cells of tissue speciments grown in the apparatus to develop as three-dimensional structures similar to those grown in vivo.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for growing tissue specimens in vitro wherein the apparatus includes an expandable membrane for receiving a tissue specimen thereon, a mechanism for expanding the membrane and the tissue specimen, and a controller for controlling the expanding mechanism. The controller is operative in accordance with the method for applying an activity pattern to the membrane and a tissue specimen thereon which includes simultaneous continuous stretch activity and repetitive stretch and release activity. The continuous stretch activity and the repetitive stretch and release activity simulate the types of activity to which cells are exposed in vivo due to growth and movement, respectively, and they cause the cells of tissue specimens grown in the apparatus in accordance with the method to develop as three-dimensional structures similar to those grown in vivo.

Abstract: A radon detection system which enables accurate and certifiably tamper proof results to be achieved while positioned in an unattended test site environment over an extended time period. Such system includes a radon monitoring device mounted with a housing and appropriately provided with a series of external and internal sensors to determine whether any attempt has been made during the test period to invalidate or tamper with the results.