Abstract: Provided is a method of contacting a subject, cell, or tissue with an amphiphilic block copolymer to treat a viral infection. The resulting effect can be treating a disease caused by a virus, inhibiting viral replication, inhibiting an unfolded protein response of a virus, preventing death of tissue infected by a virus, or promoting cell repair and recovery to increase survival of cells infected by a virus. The hydrophobic block of the amphiphilic block copolymer binds to an exposed hydrophobic domain of the virus. Further provided is an amphiphilic block copolymer comprising three or more hydrophobic substituents or an alkylene spacer on a hydrophobic block of the copolymer.

Abstract: To achieve, an in vivo repair of injured mammalian nerve tissue, an effective amount of a biomembrane fusion agent is administered to the injured nerve tissue. The application of the biomembrane fusion agent may be performed by directly contacting the agent with the nerve tissue at the site of the injury. Alternatively, the biomembrane fusion agent is delivered to the site of the injury through the blood supply after administration of the biomembrane fusion agent to the patient. The administration is preferably by parenteral administration including including intravascular, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal injection of an effective quantity of the biomembrane fusion agent so that an effective amount is delivered to the site of the nerve tissue injury.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for refolding of proteins in an aqueous solution. In particular, biocompatible multiblock copolymer surfactants such as poloxamers, meroxapols, poloxamines, or polyols are used to catalyze proper refolding without changing the protein composition, and restore the protein to its native conformation and native biological function. The methods can be practiced both in vivo and in vitro. The biocompatible multiblock copolymer surfactants can be used for renaturation of recombinantly expressed proteins, and for renaturation of proteins that are unfolded due to heat, irradiation, mechanical shearing, electrical shock, frostbite, chemical stress, and other abiotic or biotic stresses.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for refolding of proteins in an aqueous solution. In particular, biocompatible multiblock copolymer surfactants such as poloxamers, meroxapols, poloxamines, or polyols are used to catalyze proper refolding without changing the protein composition, and restore the protein to its native conformation and native biological function. The methods can be practiced both in vivo and in vitro. The biocompatible multiblock copolymer surfactants can be used for renaturation of recombinantly expressed proteins, and for renaturation of proteins that are unfolded due to heat, irradiation, mechanical shearing, electrical shock, frostbite, chemical stress, and other abiotic or biotic stresses.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for refolding of proteins in an aqueous solution. In particular, biocompatible multiblock copolymer surfactants such as poloxamers, meroxapols, poloxamines, or polyols are used to catalyze proper refolding without changing the protein composition, and restore the protein to its native conformation and native biological function. The methods can be practiced both in vivo and in vitro. The biocompatible multiblock copolymer surfactants can be used for renaturation of recombinantly expressed proteins, and for renaturation of proteins that are unfolded due to heat, irradiation, mechanical shearing, electrical shock, frostbite, chemical stress, and other abiotic or biotic stresses.

Abstract: A garment device convertible to one or more facemasks wherein the garment device has a plurality of detachable cup sections. Each of the cup sections has a filter device, an inner portion positionable adjacent to the inner area of the user's chest, and an outer portion positionable adjacent to the outer area of the user's chest. The garment device has at least one securing device detachably coupling the inner portions of the cup sections to one another, and the garment device has at least one other securing device attached to the outer portion of at least one of the cup sections. This other securing device is operable to: (a) detachably couple the outer portions of the cup regions to one another; and (b) for each one of the cup sections, attach the outer portion of said cup region to the inner portion of said cup region after said cup region is detached from the other cup region, thereby converting the garment device to a plurality of facemasks.

Abstract: To achieve, an in vivo repair of injured mammalian nerve tissue, an effective amount of a biomembrane fusion agent is administered to the injured nerve tissue. The application of the biomembrane fusion agent may be preformed by directly contacting the agent with the nerve tissue at the site of the injury. Alternatively, the biomembrane fusion agent is delivered to the site of the injury through the blood supply after administration of the biomembrane fusion agent to the patient. The administration is preferably by parenteral administration including including intravascular, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intraperitoneal injection of an effective quantity of the biomembrane fusion agent so that an effective amount is delivered to the site of the nerve tissue injury.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a composition for controlling wound scar production containing a calcium antagonist and a protein synthesis inhibitor. The method can be used to minimize wound scars, such as hypertrophic wound healing disorders keloids and burn scar contractures in humans or other mammals, particularly those individually prone to excesssive scarring Calcium antagonist treatment can also be used to control diseases associated with excessive scarring. such as cirrhosis of the liver, constructive pericarditis Dupuytren's disease of the hand, plantar fibrosis of the foot, and various other fibromatoses.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an oriented tissue-equivalent formed by contracting a collagen solution with connective tissue cells. In the method of the present invention, the contraction of collagen fibrils by the connective tissue cells is restrained along an axis of cell alignment defined by at least two structural members within the gel, whereby the connective tissue cells align along the axis thereby producing an oriented tissue-equivalent.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a mechanical testing apparatus for determining the mechanical properties of an oriented tissue-equivalent, while simultaneously providing a suitable cell culture environment. The mechanical testing apparatus comprises an incubator equipped with means for controlling the atmosphere and means for controlling the temperature inside said incubator. Located within the incubator chamber are means for securing, in a desired location, the oriented tissue-equivalent to be mechanically tested. Further, the apparatus is equipped with means for controlling the length of the oriented tissue-equivalent, means for determining the force generated by the oriented tissue-equivalent, means for determining the length of the oriented tissue-equivalent and means for conditioning and recording force and length measurements.

Abstract: Novel methods for the treatment of tissue damage resulting from cell membrane permeabilization due to electrical injury are disclosed. Such methods include treatment with a surface active copolymer which is herein shown to promote membrane repair. The administration of Poloxamer 188 is shown to reduce tissue inflammation and damage following electrical injury in vivo. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of cell and tissue damage after electrical injury using a surface active copolymer in combination with a high energy phosphate compound capable of recharging cellular energy stores and potentiating cell repair and survival. Compositions comprising surface active copolymers for intravenous, intramuscular, and topical use are also disclosed, along with novel compositions comprising a combination of a surface active copolymer and a high energy phosphate compound.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for controlling wound scar production by administering a calcium antagonist, alone or in a combination with or followed by a steroid, to the wound site. The method can be used to minimize wound scars, such as hypertrophic wound healing disorders, keloids and burn scar contractures in humans or other mammals, particularly those individually prone to excesssive scarring.

Abstract: A method for improving the size and appearance of a scar associated with a fibromatosis, a keloid, or a hypertrophic wound healing disorder comprises stimulating collagenase activity in the scar. Preferably, stimulating collagenase activity is accomplished by covering said scar with a thermal insulating material that elevates the surface temperature of the scar. Further disclosed is a method for improving the size and appearance of a scar comprises covering said scar with a thermal insulating material that elevates the surface temperature of the scar and that contains a therapeutically effective amount of a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an oriented tissue-equivalent formed by contracting a collagen solution with connective tissue cells. In the method of the present invention, the contraction of collagen fibrils by the connective tissue cells is restrained along an axis of cell alignment defined by at least two structural members within the gel, whereby the connective tissue cells align along the axis thereby producing an oriented tissue-equivalent. In a preferred embodiment fibroblast cells are used to contract a collagen gel to form connective tissue into a ligament configuration.

Abstract: Novel methods for prophylaxis and treatment of tissue damage resulting from cell membrane permeabilization are disclosed. Compositions comprising a surface active copolymer are employed to prevent permeabilization or to promote membrane repair. Methods for enhancement of cell survival following membrane permeabilization in vitro are also disclosed, along with methods for increasing the efficacy of transfection of cells with foreign exogenous macromolecules, in particular DNA, also involving treatment of permeabilized cells with a surface active copolymer. Also disclosed are novel methods for prophylaxis and treatment of tissue damage, and for enhancement of cell survival and transfection efficacy, using a surface active copolymer in combination with high energy phosphate compounds which are capable of recharging cellular energy stores and thereby potentiating cell repair and survival.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for controlling hypertrophic wound healing disorders by administering calcium channel blockers to the wound site. Calcium channel blockers are found to regulate fibroblast biosynthesis and can therefore be used to therapeutically control diseases characterized by excessive fibroblast biosynthesis.