Abstract: The present invention addresses the need for an improved delivery system that is able to specifically target the skin for improved bioavailability and minimization of side effects resulting from administration of the active ingredient or ingredients. One aspect of the present invention is a targeting composition comprising: (1) a skin care agent or an agent that is a cosmeceutical agent; (2) an intermediate release linker bound to the skin care agent or cosmeceutical agent; (3) a targeting moiety bound to the intermediate release linker, the targeting moiety for binding the targeting composition to native collagen fibers; and (4) optionally, a carrier component to enhance delivery to the skin. The present invention also describes methods of use of these targeting compositions.

Abstract: An injectable composition having dermal filling and tissue expanding activity comprises: (1) a quantity of elastin sufficient to bring about dermal filling and tissue expansion when injected into a subject in need of dermal filling and tissue expansion; and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further comprise collagen; in other alternatives, the composition can further comprise hyaluronic acid; and one or more of the elastin, the collagen, and the hyaluronic acid, if present can be cross-linked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. The elastin, however, is the primary filler, even if collagen or hyaluronic acid are included in the composition. Proanthocyanidin can act as a cross-linker and as a protector of elastin against UV degradation. Proanthocyanidin combined with a collagen or gelatin-hyaluronic acid matrix can inhibit matrix degradation and contraction with fibroblasts.

Abstract: An injectable composition having dermal filling and tissue expanding activity comprises: (1) a quantity of elastin sufficient to bring about dermal filling and tissue expansion when injected into a subject in need of dermal filling and tissue expansion; and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further comprise collagen; in other alternatives, the composition can further comprise hyaluronic acid; and one or more of the elastin, the collagen, and the hyaluronic acid, if present can be cross-linked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. The elastin, however, is the primary filler, even if collagen or hyaluronic acid are included in the composition.

Abstract: An injectable composition having dermal filling and tissue expanding activity comprises: (1) a quantity of elastin sufficient to bring about dermal filling and tissue expansion when injected into a subject in need of dermal filling and tissue expansion; and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further comprise collagen; in other alternatives, the composition can further comprise hyaluronic acid; and one or more of the elastin, the collagen, and the hyaluronic acid, if present can be cross-linked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. The elastin, however, is the primary filler, even if collagen or hyaluronic acid are included in the composition. Proanthocyanidin can act as a cross-linker and as a protector of elastin against UV degradation. Proanthocyanidin combined with a collagen or gelatin-hyaluronic acid matrix can inhibit matrix degradation and contraction with fibroblasts.

Abstract: An injectable composition having dermal filling and tissue expanding activity comprises (1) a quantity of elastin sufficient to bring about dermal filling and tissue expansion when injected into a subject in need of dermal filling and tissue expansion, and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further comprise collagen, in other alternatives, the composition can further comprise hyaluronic acid, and one or more of the elastin, the collagen, and the hyaluronic acid, if present can be cross-linked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. The elastin, however, is the primary filler, even if collagen or hyaluronic acid are included in the composition.

Abstract: An injectable composition having dermal filling and tissue expanding activity comprises (1) a quantity of elastin sufficient to bring about dermal filling and tissue expansion when injected into a subject in need of dermal filling and tissue expansion, and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further comprise collagen, in other alternatives, the composition can further comprise hyaluronic acid, and one or more of the elastin, the collagen, and the hyaluronic acid, if present can be cross-linked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is demineralized bone putty composition comprises: (1) demineralized bone matrix (DBM); and (2) a lipid fraction selected from the group consisting of lecithin and a mixture of lecithin and triglycerides containing unsaturated fatty acids. The putty composition is moldable, biocompatible, slowly resorbable, insoluble in tissue fluids, and non-extrudable. The composition delivers a biologically active product to animals and humans that will enhance bone formation at sites where bone is lost, deficient, or present in suboptimal amounts. The composition can further comprise calcium, an antioxidant such as Vitamin E or Vitamin C, or a hydrophilic polymer such as methylcellulose, a methylcellulose derivative, carboxymethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is demineralized bone putty composition comprises: (1) demineralized bone matrix (DBM); and (2) a lipid fraction selected from the group consisting of lecithin and a mixture of lecithin and triglycerides containing unsaturated fatty acids. The putty composition is moldable, biocompatible, slowly resorbable, insoluble in tissue fluids, and non-extrudable. The composition delivers a biologically active product to animals and humans that will enhance bone formation at sites where bone is lost, deficient, or present in suboptimal amounts. The composition can further comprise calcium, an antioxidant such as Vitamin E or Vitamin C, or a hydrophilic polymer such as methylcellulose, a methylcellulose derivative, carboxymethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: A demineralized bone putty composition comprises: (1) demineralized bone matrix (DBM); and (2) a lipid fraction selected from the group consisting of lecithin and a mixture of lecithin and triglycerides containing unsaturated fatty acids. The putty composition is moldable, biocompatible, slowly resorbable, and soluble in tissue fluids, and non-extrudable. The composition delivers a biologically active product to animals and humans that will enhance bone formation at sites where bone is lost, deficient, or present in suboptimal amounts. The composition can further comprise calcium, an antioxidant such as Vitamin E or Vitamin C, or a hydrophilic polymer such as methylcellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: A demineralized bone putty composition comprises: (1) demineralized bone matrix (DBM); and (2) a lipid fraction selected from the group consisting of lecithin and a mixture of lecithin and triglycerides containing unsaturated fatty acids. The putty composition is moldable, biocompatible, slowly resorbable, and soluble in tissue fluids, and non-extrudable. The composition delivers a biologically active product to animals and humans that will enhance bone formation at sites where bone is lost, deficient, or present in suboptimal amounts. The composition can further comprise calcium, an antioxidant such as Vitamin E or Vitamin C, or a hydrophilic polymer such as methylcellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: A method for alleviating arthritis in mammals by the oral administration of a pharmaceutical composition compound of native Type II collagen in helical form and sulfated polysaccharides found in mammalian cartilage, the Type II collagen and sulfated polysaccharides being ionically bound.

Abstract: A bone morphogenetic fusion protein and a method of preparation of the bone morphogenetic fusion protein. The bone morphogenetic fusion protein comprises a purification tag and a bone morphogenetic active fragment. A method of preparing bone morphogenetic fusion protein comprises purifying and renaturing bone morphogenetic protein to provide an active bone morphogenetic fusion protein preparation. Methods of use of the bone morphogenetic fusion protein are also provided.

Abstract: A composition and method for enhancing the appearance of the skin, the composition containing a mixture of essential amino acids, a penetrant, a neucleotide, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Abstract: An artificial skin is prepared by impregnating a collagen matrix with a transforming growth factor-.beta. having a collagen-binding site to bind the growth factor to the collagen matrix, incubating the impregnated matrix with a source of fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells to form a captured population of mesenchymal stem cells within the impregnated matrix and incubating the resultant matrix with a source of keratinocytes which epithelialize the matrix to form an artificial skin. The collagen matrix is preferably in the form of a collagen sheet. The transforming growth factor-.beta. can be transforming growth factor-.beta..sub.1, transforming growth factor-.beta..sub.2 or transforming growth factor-.beta..sub.3. Preferably, the transforming growth factor-.beta. having a collagen binding site is a fusion protein having a purification tag, at least one proteinase site, an extracellular matrix binding site and a transforming growth factor active fragment.

Abstract: A process is described to purify collagen fibers while allowing the individual constituent molecules to retain their native configuration and 3-dimensional arrangement characteristic of the tissues from which they are derived. Collagenous tissues used as sources of purified collagen and for manufacturing bioprosthesis contain significant amounts of other substances (elastin, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, cell derived materials, etc.). This process becomes therefore useful to selectively preserve the collagen in its native conformation and to eliminate contaminants. The method described allows for enzymatic removal of all extraneous materials while preserving the native collagen molecules in their original fiber configuration.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for improving the biostability of tissue implant devices. The processes comprise methods for treating harvested tissue with calcification inhibitor, tissue crosslinking reagent, and reagents capable of forming additional tissue reaction sites providing bioprosthetic devices having enhanced amounts of tissue bound calcification inhibitor. After long-term implantation, the treated tissue remains calcification free and exhibits a high degree of physical stability which minimizes the risk of mechanical failure.

Abstract: A dual phase solvent carrier system for topically applying at least one pharmaceutically active compound comprised of the active compound dissolved in at least one delivery solvent and at least one fugitive solvent, with a particularly useful composition for topically treating dermatophytic infections comprised of of griseofulvin, benzyl alcohol and at least one fugitive solvent.

Abstract: A method of making implantable ligament and tendon prostheses from natural collagen-containing tissues is described. The tissues used are those wherein the collagen fibers are aligned in one direction such as in ligaments or tendons. The method comprises disrupting the interfibrillar matrix physically by mechanical means such as a roller or rollers in order to generate an expanded network of fibers that are more easily further treated chemically and which also generate a more favorable substrate for tissue ingrowth after implantation. Prostheses made from separated collagen fiber bundles which retain their natural configuration and length (as opposed to reconstituted collagen), exhibit improved softness and flexibility when compared with prostheses made from conventional chemically fixed (e.g., glutaraldehyde cross-linked) tendons which have not been separated as described herein.

Abstract: A coating and integral treatment for improving the biophysical stability of bioprosthetic devices after implantation, particularly with respect to calcification, and, specifically, a method for treating animal tissues, such as heart valves, to provide improved biophysical stability in allograft and heterograft transplantations. The increased stability results, in-part, from the creation of a three-dimensional matrix of a primary structural component of the prosthetic device and covalently attached calcification inhibitors. Other materials, some having additional stabilizing effects, may be utilized to form additional bridges or fill the interstitial gaps in the matrix. After implantation, the resultant modified device exhibits minimal surface for intramatrix growth of calcium phosphate crystals, and additionally, may inhibit platelet aggregation, enzymatic degradation and host rejection, while minimizing the risk of mechanical failure, in the host organism.