Abstract: Provided are biomaterials and methods useful for promoting large blood vessel growth in a subject. An example biomaterial includes a crosslinked hydrogel and a peptide chemically attached to the hydrogel wherein the peptide comprises an extracellular epitope of a cadherin protein. An example method includes administering to an area of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial provides artery growth, arteriole growth, a combination thereof in the area of administration.

Abstract: A hybrid composite and method for producing a polymer network are provided. The hybrid composite includes nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA) and polyurethane. The method for producing a polymer network includes reacting nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles with lysine derived triisocyanate (LTI) to form a nHA/LTI hybrid prepolymer and reacting the prepolymer with a thioketal (TK) diol to form a nHA/poly(thioketal urethane) (PTKUR) hybrid polymer network.

Abstract: A polymeric nanocarrier and method of treating a bone disease are provided. The polymeric nanocarrier includes an amphiphilic copolymer including a hydrophobic block and a hydrophilic block, where the hydrophilic block comprises a random copolymer. The method of treating a bone disease includes administering the polymeric nanocarrier to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes nanoparticles that comprise a plurality of assembled polymers. In some embodiments the polymers comprise a first block that includes hydrophilic monomers, the first block substantially forming an outer shell of the nanoparticle, and a second block that includes cationic monomers and hydrophobic monomers, the second block substantially forming a core of the nanoparticle. In some embodiments a polynucleotide is provided that is bound to the cationic monomers of the nanoparticle. The presently-disclosed subject matter also comprises methods for using the present nanoparticles to include RNAi in a cell as well as methods for making the present nanoparticles.

Abstract: A hybrid composite and method for producing a polymer network are provided. The hybrid composite includes nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA) and polyurethane. The method for producing a polymer network includes reacting nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles with lysine derived triisocyanate (LTI) to form a nHA/LTI hybrid prepolymer and reacting the prepolymer with a thioketal (TK) diol to form a nHA/poly(thioketal urethane) (PTKUR) hybrid polymer network.

Abstract: A biodegradable scaffold, a low-molecular weight thioketal, and a method of forming a biodegradable scaffold are provided. The biodegradable scaffold includes a thioketal and an isocyanate, where the thioketal is linked to the isocyanate to form the scaffold. The low-molecular weight thioketal includes 2,2-dimethoxypropane and thioglycolic acid, wherein the thioketal includes at least two hydroxyl terminal groups. The method of forming the biodegradable scaffold includes blending a thioketal with an excess isocyanate, forming a quasi-prepolymer, mixing the thioketal, the quasi-prepolymer, and a ceramic, and then adding a catalyst to form the biodegradable scaffold. The thioketal is a low-molecular weight thioketal having at least two hydroxyl terminal groups.

Abstract: A biodegradable scaffold, a low-molecular weight thioketal, and a method of forming a biodegradable scaffold are provided. The biodegradable scaffold includes a thioketal and an isocyanate, where the thioketal is linked to the isocyanate to form the scaffold. The low-molecular weight thioketal includes 2,2-dimethoxypropane and thioglycolic acid, wherein the thioketal includes at least two hydroxyl terminal groups. The method of forming the biodegradable scaffold includes blending a thioketal with an excess isocyanate, forming a quasi-prepolymer, mixing the thioketal, the quasi-prepolymer, and a ceramic, and then adding a catalyst to form the biodegradable scaffold. The thioketal is a low-molecular weight thioketal having at least two hydroxyl terminal groups.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the finding that certain treatments (e.g., surface modifications) to particulate materials can provide surprising and unexpected benefits and/or features to composites and/or compositions as described herein. In some embodiments, such benefits and/or features may render particular composites and/or compositions particularly useful in a certain therapeutic context (e.g, for repair of tibial plateau, femoral head, craniofacial, or lateral mandibular body defects). The present invention demonstrates that certain composites and/or compositions wherein the particular material is or comprises defatted bone have surprising and beneficial attributes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present inventions comprise composites of polyurethane(s), osteoconductive matrix, and, optionally, a growth factor. Embodiments further comprise methods of making such composite and uses thereof. The osteoconductive matrix can be a tricalcium phosphate, bioglass, or the like, and can include particles that are surface modified. Growth factors can be provided in powder form, including bone morphogenic proteins such as rhBMP-2. A composition may be moldable and/or injectable. After implantation or injection, a composition may be set to form a porous composite that provides mechanical strength and supports the in-growth of cells.

Abstract: A biodegradable scaffold, a low-molecular weight thioketal, and a method of forming a biodegradable scaffold are provided. The biodegradable scaffold includes a thioketal and an isocyanate, where the thioketal is linked to the isocyanate to form the scaffold. The low-molecular weight thioketal includes 2,2-dimethoxypropane and thioglycolic acid, wherein the thioketal includes at least two hydroxyl terminal groups. The method of forming the biodegradable scaffold includes blending a thioketal with an excess isocyanate, forming a quasi-prepolymer, mixing the thioketal, the quasi-prepolymer, and a ceramic, and then adding a catalyst to form the biodegradable scaffold. The thioketal is a low-molecular weight thioketal having at least two hydroxyl terminal groups.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes biodegradable scaffolds. Exemplary biodegradable scaffolds comprise a plurality of polythioketal polymers, and a plurality of polyisocyanates, where at least one polyisocyanate is linked to at least one polymer to form the scaffold. Thus, certain embodiments of scaffolds comprise a cross-linked network of the polythioketal polymers and the polyisocyanates. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes methods for treating tissue, such as skin or bone tissue, in a subject in need thereof. Treatment methods comprise contacting the tissue with an effective amount of the biodegradable scaffold. Furthermore, the presently-disclosed subject matter includes methods for making the present biodegradable scaffolds.

Abstract: Present inventions present composites of bone particles and polyurethane(s), as well as methods of making such composite and uses thereof. A porous composite comprises a plurality of bone particles; and polyurethanes with which the bone particles are combined. To prepare a porous composite, a composition comprise a plurality of bone particles, polyurethane precursors including polyisocyanate prepolymers and polyols, water and catalyst. A composition is either naturally moldable and/or injectable, or it can be made moldable and/or injectable. After implantation or injection, a composition may be set to form a porous composite that provides mechanical strength and supports the in-growth of cells. Inventive composites have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength for most orthopedic applications.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes nanoparticles that comprise a plurality of assembled polymers. In some embodiments the polymers comprise a first block that includes hydrophilic monomers, the first block substantially forming an outer shell of the nanoparticle, and a second block that includes cationic monomers and hydrophobic monomers, the second block substantially forming a core of the nanoparticle. In some embodiments a polynucleotide is provided that is bound to the cationic monomers of the nanoparticle. The presently-disclosed subject matter also comprises methods for using the present nanoparticles to include RNAi in a cell as well as methods for making the present nanoparticles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present inventions comprise composites of bone particles and polyurethane(s), as well as methods of making such composite and uses thereof. Certain embodiments further comprise a growth factor that can be provided in powder form. Growth factors may be bone morphogenic proteins, such as rhBMP-2. A porous composite comprises a plurality of bone particles, polyurethanes with which the bone particles are combined, and at least one growth factor. A composition may be moldable and/or injectable. After implantation or injection, a composition may be set to form a porous composite that provides mechanical strength and supports the in-growth of cells. Inventive composites have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength for most orthopedic applications.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes biodegradable scaffolds. Exemplary biodegradable scaffolds comprise a plurality of polythioketal polymers, and a plurality of polyisocyanates, where at least one polyisocyanate is linked to at least one polymer to form the scaffold. Thus, certain embodiments of scaffolds comprise a cross-linked network of the polythioketal polymers and the polyisocyanates. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes methods for treating tissue, such as skin or bone tissue, in a subject in need thereof. Treatment methods comprise contacting the tissue with an effective amount of the biodegradable scaffold. Furthermore, the presently-disclosed subject matter includes methods for making the present biodegradable scaffolds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter provide composites that comprise a tissue graft and a biofilm dispersal agent. The tissue graft can be bone tissue graft, a soft tissue graft, or the like. In specific embodiments the tissue graft is a polyurethane graft and in other embodiments the tissue graft is bone particles, such as demineralized bone matrix. The biofilm dispersal agent can be one or more D-amino acids. The presently-disclosed subject matter further includes methods for treating tissue of a subject that comprise administering the present composites as well as methods for manufacturing the present composites.

Abstract: A biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethane composition synthesized by reacting isocyanate groups of at least one multifunctional isocyanate compound with at least one bioactive agent having at least one reactive group —X which is a hydroxyl group (—OH) or an amine group (—NH2). The polyurethane composition is biodegradable within a living organism to biocompatible degradation products including the bioactive agent. Preferably, the released bioactive agent affects at least one of biological activity or chemical activity in the host organism. A biodegradable polyurethane composition includes hard segments and soft segments. Each of the hard segments is preferably derived from a diurea diol or a diester diol and is preferably biodegradable into biomolecule degradation products or into biomolecule degradation products and a biocompatible diol. Another biodegradable polyurethane composition includes hard segments and soft segments.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes polyurethane composites that include tissue component(s), as well as methods of making such composites and uses thereof. The polyurethane component can comprise a polyisocyanate prepolymer and a polyol. The tissue component can be a polysaccharide. Exemplary composites can be moldable and/or injectable, and can cure into a porous composite that provides mechanical strength and/or supports the in-growth of cells. Inventive composites have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shaped areas, voids, or the like. Exemplary composites can be used for treating wounds.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the finding that improvements can be achieved in manufacture of isocyanates through the use of a substitute for or a precursor of phosgene. Methods and compositions utilized in accordance with the present invention can be useful in situations in which it is difficult to use phosgene, and in particular gaseous phosgene. In some embodiments, a substitute for or a precursor of phosgene used in accordance with the present invention for preparing isocyanates is or comprises diphosgene (ClCO2CCl3).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present inventions comprise composites of polyurethane(s), osteoconductive matrix, and, optionally, a growth factor. Embodiments further comprise methods of making such composite and uses thereof. The osteoconductive matrix can be a tricalcium phosphate, bioglass, or the like, and can include particles that are surface modified. Growth factors can be provided in powder form, including bone morphogenic proteins such as rhBMP-2. A composition may be moldable and/or injectable. After implantation or injection, a composition may be set to form a porous composite that provides mechanical strength and supports the in-growth of cells.