Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a collagenous construct comprising casting a support matrix comprising fibrin and viable collagen-producing cells onto a support material, wherein said cells include human dermal fibroblasts, incubating in situ said support matrix in a collagen-inducing medium thereby, inducing or enhancing collagen production by said cells to form a collagenous construct, and degrading said fibrin, and rendering said collagenous construct free of said viable collagen-producing cells.

Abstract: Methods of forming soft connective tissue compositions such as skin equivalents, compositions made by the methods and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for tissue regeneration, particularly for treating skin lesions such as wounds. In one aspect, the invention provides a wound healing composition comprising living cells such as fibroblasts within a support matrix such as fibrin, in which the cells have a wound healing phenotype, and in which the composition is single layered and has been incubated for up to about 8 days to allow development of the wound healing phenotype. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful especially for assisting the process of wound healing, particularly chronic open lesions that are slow to heal or resistant to healing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the repair of subcutaneous or dermal tissue in a subject, comprising in one aspect the injection of a suspension of allogeneic dermal fibroblasts into the subject. By injecting a suspension of allogeneic cells, the invention provides, for example, long-term augmentation of the subadjacent tissue without the disadvantages that accompany the preparation and/or use of presently available materials such as autologous fibroblasts cells or collagen. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the augmentation of subcutaneous or dermal tissue in a subject, which method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a suspension of allogeneic dermal fibroblasts; and (ii) injecting an effective volume of the suspension into tissue subadjacent to the subcutaneous or dermal tissue so that the tissue is augmented. The method is preferably cosmetic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for tissue regeneration, particularly for treating skin lesions such as wounds. In one aspect, the invention provides wound healing composition characterised by the higher expression levels of phenotypic marker genes such as apolipoprotein D, matrix metalloprotease (2), collagen 3a1 and smooth muscle actin than the housekeeping gene ribosomal protein L32. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful especially for assisting the process of wound healing, particularly chronic open lesions that are slow to heal or resistant to healing.

Abstract: Baldness or hair loss has been treated using pharmaceutical drugs and/or hair transplant surgery. The present invention relates to an improved method for treating baldness. In one aspect, there is provided a method for inducing hair follicle formation in a dermal layer lying beneath an outer skin surface, comprising delivering inductive dermal sheath cells and/or inductive dermal papilla cells directly into the dermal layer using a controlled delivery device. Delivery of the inductive cells need not be into pre-existing pores. Use of a controlled delivery device for the treatment of baldness is a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Baldness or hair loss has been treated using pharmaceutical drugs and/or hair transplant surgery. The present invention relates to an improved method for treating baldness. In one aspect, there is provided a method for inducing hair follicle formation in a dermal layer lying beneath an outer skin surface, comprising delivering inductive dermal sheath cells and/or inductive dermal papilla cells directly into the dermal layer using a controlled delivery device. Delivery of the inductive cells need not be into pre-existing pores. Use of a controlled delivery device for the treatment of baldness is a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that when a tooth primordium is inserted into a mammalian jaw and tooth formation follows, new alveolar bone around the new tooth forms. The present invention is based on the idea of stimulating new tooth formation via the implantation of tooth primordia at selected places in the jaw (e.g. at four points in the molar regions) to result in the formation of bony protuberances which could facilitate denture retention. The teeth may then be removed from the jaw of the patient to leave the new alveolar bone.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing cardiovascular pathologies by administering a compound of the formula (I): wherein Z is C?O or a covalent bond; Y is H or O(C1-C4)alkyl, R1 and R2 are individually (C1-C4)alkyl or together with N are a saturated heterocyclic group, R3 is ethyl or chloroethyl, R4 is H or together with R3 is —CH2—CH2— or —S—, R5 is I, O(C1-C4)alkyl or H and R6 is 1, O(C1-C4)alkyl or H with the proviso that when R4, R5, and R6 are H, R3 is not ethyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, effective to activate or stimulate production of TGF-beta to treat and/or prevent conditions such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke is provided. Useful compounds include idoxifene and salts thereof. Further provided is a method for identifying a compound that is a TGF-beta activator or production stimulator is provided. Another embodiment of the invention is an assay or kit to determine TGF-beta in vitro.

Abstract: The invention is directed to collagenous tissues which have been treated to remove non-collagenous components such as cells, cellular debris, and other extracellular matrix components, such as proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, normally found in native tissues. Treatment of the tissue with alkali, chelating agents, acids and salts removes non-collagenous components from the collagenous tissue matrix while controlling the amount of swelling and dissolution so that the resultant collagen matrix retains its structural organization, integrity and bioremodelable properties. The process circumvents the need to use detergents and enzymes which detrimentally affect the cell compatibility, strength and bioremodelability of the collagen matrix. The collagenous tissue matrix is used for implantation, repair, or use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: Baldness or hair loss has been treated using pharmaceutical drugs and/or hair transplant surgery. The present invention relates to an improved method for treating baldness. In one aspect, there is provided a method for inducing hair follicle formation in a dermal layer lying beneath an outer skin surface, comprising delivering inductive dermal sheath cells and/or inductive dermal papilla cells directly into the dermal layer using a controlled delivery device. Delivery of the inductive cells need not be into pre-existing pores. Use of a controlled delivery device for the treatment of baldness is a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A Raman module comprises a detecting unit for measuring the output power of a WDM signal traveling along a fiber section, and a spectral gain estimating unit for determining an estimated vector gain Gainmeas based on the output power alone. The Raman pump signal is controlled with a gain GainRA evaluated based on the estimated gain Gainmeas so that all channels have a similar gain. The spectral gain estimating unit comprises a fiber gain model and an input signal adjust unit. The model receives the output power, assumes a predicted input power for each channel and provides a corresponding estimated output power for each channel. The input signal adjust unit adjusts the predicted input power based on an error signal provided by the model. The gain is then calculated from the predicted input powers and the estimated output powers. The detecting unit demultiplexes a fraction of the WDM signal into n sub-band and detects sub-band optical power PB1, . . . PBn.

Abstract: Tissue equivalents are produced by applying a solution of collagen without cells to a permeable membrane, gelling to produce a collagen gel on the membrane, applying a mixture of collagen and a contractile agent to the collagen gel, gelling the mixture and allowing the resultant gel to undergo radial contraction which is controlled by the collagen gel on the membrane. A suitable contractile agent is fibroblast cells. A skin tissue equivalent is produced by disposing human epidermal cells on the contracted collagen gel and allowing epidermalization to occur. A nutrient medium can be supplied to the cells. An absorbent member may be disposed adjacent the permeable membrane opposite the collagen gel on the membrane. The permeable membrane can be the bottom of an inner well disposed in an outer well for containing a nutrient medium in contact with the membrane. The nutrient medium may be contained in the outer well in an agarose gel in contact with the membrane.

Abstract: A computer system includes a main memory that is able to make use of DRAM memory devices having a relatively high level of bad cells (hard faults). An EDC circuit is provided which uses combinatorial logic to perform a BCH code type of error detection and correction. A primary feature is the recognition that due to use of high density integrated circuits--gate arrays--it is no longer necessary to use sequential logic to decode the multiple-bit error correcting codes. An EDC with 128-bits of data and a check bit field 41-bits wide, using a BCH code, constructed in ASIC sea-of-gates technology using about 87,000 logic gates, can correct 5-bits in error and can detect 6-bits in error. By using multiple-bit EDC in the controller for main memory, it is no longer necessary that all DRAM devices be ostensibly "perfect." A certain density of non-functional memory cells can be tolerated, yet the memory system will still return perfect data.

Abstract: A computer system includes a main memory that is able to make use of DRAM memory devices having a relatively high level of bad cells (hard faults). An EDC circuit is provided which uses combinatorial logic to perform a BCH code type of error detection and correction. A primary feature is the recognition that due to use of high density integrated circuits--gate arrays--it is no longer necessary to use sequential logic to decode the multiple-bit error correcting codes. An EDC with 128-bits of data and a check bit field 41-bits wide, using a BCH code, constructed in ASIC sea-of-gates technology using about 87,000 logic gates, can correct 5-bits in error and can detect 6-bits in error. By using multiple-bit EDC in the controller for main memory, it is no longer necessary that all DRAM devices be ostensibly "perfect." A certain density of non-functional memory cells can be tolerated, yet the memory system will still return perfect data.

Abstract: Non-contact air film conveyors are suited for conveying elongated strips (46) of web material such as photographic film and include a track plate (12) having gas flow apertures (20,24; 72,74) extending through its thickness at angles to the surface of the track plate (.alpha.,.alpha.') and to the direction of movement of the strips (.beta.,.beta.', .gamma.). By directing air flow through some apertures (72,74) counter to the direction of movement, speed and acceleration control is achieved independent of the support given to the strips by air flow through other apertures (20,24). Baffles (28-36) and curved side walls (70,96) direct air back onto the film to flatten it during movement.

Abstract: An air-bearing center-guiding apparatus 10 and a method are disclosed for supporting and laterally center-guiding thin flexible webs of paper or plastic under 15 mils in thickness. The apparatus comprises a web support and guide member 22 having an inner surface and an outer web-facing surface. Parallel rows of elongated spaced-apart guide apertures 34 extend longitudinally along edge regions of the web. Each guide aperture 34 is formed from a cylindrical opening in the web support and guide member 22 and extends substantially perpendicular to the web. Within each aperture a flat-sided dowel 60 is mounted to define a flow passage shaped in cross-section like a segment of a circle 62. Each circular-segment guide aperture 34 has a straight side 54 and a curved side 52 for directing a jet of air against the web edge 56. A plurality of the circular-segment guide apertures 34 develop a guiding force for holding lateral movement of the web to plus or minus 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm).

Abstract: An air-bearing center-guiding apparatus is disclosed for supporting and laterally center-guiding thin, flexible webs of paper or plastic under 15 mils in thickness. The apparatus comprises a web support and guide member 10 having an inner surface 58 and an outer web-facing surface 60. The web support and guide member 10 comprises a base member 14 for supporting an inner ring 22, an end cap 38, and a center ring 28 interposed therebetween. Parallel, circumferentially extending rows of circumferentially elongated and spaced-apart guide apertures 62 are provided in the web support and guide member 10 along edge regions of the web. The guide apertures 62 are formed between end surfaces 46 of the center ring 28 and interengaging end surfaces of the inner ring 22 and end cap rings 38.

Abstract: An air treating gel comprises an aqueous medium, at least one volatile air treating component and a gelling agent, characterized in that the gelling agent consists of the reaction product of a water soluble cellulose derivative and a metal salt.The invention also covers an apparatus for continuously producing the above air treating gel comprising a pair of containers holding the aqueous solution of said cellulose derivative and the slurry of said metal salt and said volatile air treating component respectively, mixing means connected to the containers for mixing and reacting the aqueous solution and slurry to form the gel, and transfer means for continuously transferring the aqueous solution and slurry in predetermined volume proportion from the containers to the mixing means.