Abstract: A method for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue includes: a) treating a tissue sample with a protease and b) testing the protease-treated tissue sample for the presence of protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen. Methods can be carried out for preparing a cartilage cell culture, and for preparing a cartilage cell-loaded implant. Protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen can be used for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue. A kit can be used for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injectable biocompatible composition based on a polymeric support as well as to a method for producing it, which composition which comprises at least one hydrophilic polymer, wherein the polymer is polymerizable in situ to form a gel, and wherein the hydrophilic polymer is crosslinkable serum albumin or crosslinkable serum protein. The composition can be used in the restoration, the reconstruction, and/or the replacement of tissues and/or organs, or as a drug release implant in mammals. The composition is particularly suitable for treating cartilage disorders of a diseased or injured articular site in a mammal.

Abstract: An in vitro method of prognostically assessing tissue regeneration capacity and/or cellular potency and/or the prospects of success of an implantation and/or transplantation, wherein the transcriptome and/or the gene expression of cells, the gene expression originating from the transcriptome, are analyzed.

Abstract: A method for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue includes: a) treating a tissue sample with a protease and b) testing the protease-treated tissue sample for the presence of protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen. Methods can be carried out for preparing a cartilage cell culture, and for preparing a cartilage cell-loaded implant. Protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen can be used for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue. A kit can be used for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: An in vitro method of prognostically assessing tissue regeneration capacity and/or cellular potency and/or the prospects of success of an implantation and/or transplantation, wherein the transcriptome and/or the gene expression of cells, said gene expression originating from the transcriptome, are analyzed.

Abstract: A method of determining identity, purity and/or potency of chondrocytes in vitro includes a) isolating and, optionally, culturing chondrocytes from a biological sample, and b) determining gene expression of at least one marker in the chondrocytes selected from the group consisting of FLT-1, IL-1beta, BSP-2, and type I collagen.

Abstract: A biocompatible composition which comprises crosslinkable serum albumin, crosslinkable serum protein and/or crosslinkable derivatives derived therefrom, and which is polymerizable to give a hydrogel-forming material, is used in a method for the prevention of pathological adhesions.

Abstract: A method of preparing a product, preferably in the form of a functionalized high molecular weight component such as, for example, a functionalized protein includes passing a first liquid comprising a component A along one side of a semi-permeable membrane and passing a second liquid comprising a component B along another, preferably opposing, side of the membrane, wherein the membrane excludes passage of component A but allows passage of component B, and after passage of component B through the membrane, a chemical reaction takes place between component A and component B, preferably with the formation of covalent bonds.

Abstract: A method of determining identity, purity and/or potency of chondrocytes in vitro includes a) isolating and, optionally, culturing chondrocytes from a biological sample, and b) determining gene expression of at least one marker in the chondrocytes selected from the group consisting of FLT-1, IL-1beta, BSP-2, and type I collagen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting and/or preventing angiogenesis, the method comprising the step of administering a biocompatible composition, which is polymerizable to a hydrogel-forming material and which is based on a hydrophilic polymer, for inhibiting and/or preventing angiogenesis or endothelial cell proliferation, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is crosslinkable serum albumin or crosslinkable serum protein, in a subject in need of being treated. The invention furthermore relates to a method for inhibiting and/or preventing angiogenesis or endothelial cell proliferation in a subject in need thereof, comprising the step of administering a polymerized hydrogel-material, which has been obtained by polymerizing a serum-albumin- or serum-protein-based composition.

Abstract: An implant includes a support material, cartilage cells and/or precursor cells thereof, and a cartilage-specific collagen type. A method for preparing the implant, to a therapeutic composition, includes cartilage cells and/or precursor cells thereof and a cartilage-specific collagen type. The implant and the therapeutic composition are suitable in particular for treating damage and/or diseases relating to the human and/or animal musculoskeletal system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injectable biocompatible composition based on a polymeric support as well as to a method for producing it, which composition which comprises at least one hydrophilic polymer, wherein the polymer is polymerizable in situ to form a gel, and wherein the hydrophilic polymer is crosslinkable serum albumin or crosslinkable serum protein. The composition can be used in the restoration, the reconstruction, and/or the replacement of tissues and/or organs, or as a drug release implant in mammals. The composition is particularly suitable for treating cartilage disorders of a diseased or injured articular site in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subject with arthritis or an arthritic disease or preventing arthritis or arthritic disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that attenuates annexin function. Also provided are various methods of screening for agents and genes that increase collagen synthesis, decrease collagen degradation, or reduce or delay apoptosis, and methods of using the identified agents or nucleic acids for attaining or maintaining cartilage homeostasis, promoting cartilage repair, increasing collagen synthesis, decreasing collagen degradation, or reducing or delaying apoptosis. The invention also provides methods of decreasing mineralization of vesicles derived from chondrocytes and of promoting endochondral bone growth using agents that attenuates annexin function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subject with arthritis or an arthritic disease or preventing arthritis or arthritic disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that attenuates annexin function. Also provided are various methods of screening for agents and genes that increase collagen synthesis, decrease collagen degradation, or reduce or delay apoptosis, and methods of using the identified agents or nucleic acids for attaining or maintaining cartilage homeostasis, promoting cartilage repair, increasing collagen synthesis, decreasing collagen degradation, or reducing or delaying apoptosis. The invention also provides methods of decreasing mineralization of vesicles derived from chondrocytes and of promoting endochondral bone growth using agents that attenuates annexin function.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an image of an object, particularly a soft tissue material. A generated x-ray beam is transmitted through the soft tissue material. A transmitted beam is directed at an angle of incidence upon a crystal analyzer. An image of the object is detected from a beam diffracted from the crystal analyzer either at or near a peak of a rocking curve of the crystal analyzer. The method and system of this invention is particularly useful for analyzing images of cartilage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subject with arthritis or an arthritic disease or preventing arthritis or arthritic disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that attenuates annexin function. Also provided are various methods of screening for agents and genes that increase collagen synthesis, decrease collagen degradation, or reduce or delay apoptosis, and methods of using the identified agents or nucleic acids for attaining or maintaining cartilage homeostasis, promoting cartilage repair, increasing collagen synthesis, decreasing collagen degradation, or reducing or delaying apoptosis. The invention also provides methods of decreasing mineralization of vesicles derived from chondrocytes and of promoting endochondral bone growth using agents that attenuates annexin function.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an image of an object, particularly a soft tissue material. A generated x-ray beam is transmitted through the soft tissue material. A transmitted beam is directed at an angle of incidence upon a crystal analyzer. An image of the object is detected from a beam diffracted from the crystal analyzer either at or near a peak of a rocking curve of the crystal analyzer. The method and system of this invention is particularly useful for analyzing images of cartilage.