Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of treating a wound (e.g., to suppress scar formation) in an individual in need thereof comprising contacting the wound with an effective amount of a composition comprising (i) Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs), (ii) a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs, (iii) a lysate of WJSCs, (iv) a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs exposed to apoptotic skin cells and keloid cells, or (v) a combination thereof. The invention is directed to a medical dressing (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs), a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs, a lysate of WJSCs, a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs exposed to apoptotic skin cells and keloid cells, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer product and a method for preparing the polymer product comprising electrospinning from a dope solution comprising at least one polymer and at least one cross-linking agent to prepare and/or fabricate the polymer product. In certain embodiments, the cross-linking agent comprises at least one catecholamine or at least one polyphenol, wherein the method comprises (i) electrospinning the biocompatible polymer product using a dope solution comprising a polymer and at least one catecholamine or at least one polyphenol and (ii) exposing the polymer product to at least one gaseous alkaline reagent. The dope solutions and polymer products of the invention can further include antimicrobial agents, metal ions, and other substances.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite is provided. The composite includes a hydrogel and a fibrous component containing a plurality of fibers. Length of each of the plurality of fibers is less than about 1,000 ?m. A method of preparing a fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite is also provided. The method includes coating a hydrogel precursor solution on a substrate to form a hydrogel precursor film, depositing the plurality of fibers onto the hydrogel precursor film, and allowing the hydrogel precursor film to form a hydrogel film, thereby forming the fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite. A scaffold containing the fiber-reinforced composite, and a tissue repair method using the fiber-reinforced composite are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of treating a wound (e.g., to suppress scar formation) in an individual in need thereof comprising contacting the wound with an effective amount of a composition comprising (i) Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs). (ii) a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs. (iii) a lysate of WJSCs. (iv) a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs exposed to apoptotic skin cells and keloid cells, or (v) a combination thereof. The invention is directed to a medical dressing (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs), a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs, a lysate of WJSCs, a cell culture medium that has been conditioned with WJSCs exposed to apoptotic skin cells and keloid cells, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite is provided. The composite includes a hydrogel and a fibrous component containing a plurality of fibers. Length of each of the plurality of fibers is less than about 1,000 ?m. A method of preparing a fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite is also provided. The method includes coating a hydrogel precursor solution on a substrate to form a hydrogel precursor film, depositing the plurality of fibers onto the hydrogel precursor film, and allowing the hydrogel precursor film to form a hydrogel film, (ii) thereby forming the fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite. A scaffold containing the fiber-reinforced composite, and a tissue repair method (iii) using the fiber-reinforced composite are also provided.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions for the expansion and differentiation of stem cells.

Abstract: There is provided a process of preparing at least one fiber structure comprising: (a) contacting at least one viscous material with at least one non-solvent, the non-solvent having a first flow rate; and (b) allowing formation of the fiber structure in the presence of the non-solvent at a second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate or is about zero. There is provided a process of preparing at least one fiber structure, wherein the fiber structure is a fiber scaffold, comprising: (a) contacting at least one viscous material with at least one non-solvent, the non-solvent having a first flow rate; and (b) obtaining at least one fiber and assembling the obtained fiber(s), or allowing the obtained fiber(s) to be assembled, in the form of a fiber scaffold. There is also provided a fiber structure obtainable by any process according to the invention and an apparatus for preparing a fiber structure.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite is formed using a shrinkable die. A composite of fiber and resin is placed in the die and is compressed by shrinking the die to form a desired transverse cross-section. Optionally, the die is bent along its lengthwise extent to shape the composite in the die. After shrinking and optional shaping, the composite is cured to form the fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: A nano-sized or micro-sized fiber comprising particles capable of at least partially detoxifying a toxic agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a semi-permeable barrier layer that is permeable to oxygen and impermeable to moisture; and a scaffold fiber layer formed by electrospinning fibers on one side of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for forming an orthodontic device having a fibre reinforced composite is provided. The fibre reinforced composite has a fibre material within a matrix phase material. The fibre material comprises braided fibre material having a braid angle in the range from about 3° to about 87°, and more particularly in the range from about 10° to about 45°. The fibre reinforced composite is formed from a method which includes the steps of impregnating the fibre material with a monomer resin, shaping the fibre that is impregnated with the resin into a defined cross sectional shape suitable for use in the orthodontic device, and polymerising the monomer resin in the impregnated fibre to form the fibre-reinforced composite.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers were microbraided around a mandrel to make a tubular guide tube for nerve regeneration. The polymer used for the fibers was one of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (10:90 PLGA) and chitosan. These polymers are biodegradable and biocompatible. The tubes were studied for their surface morphology and swelling behavior. Biological performance of the tubes was examined in the rat sciatic nerve model with a 12 mm gap. One month after implantation nine out of ten rats showed successful nerve regeneration. Morphometric analysis of regenerated nerves confirmed the quality of the regeneration compatible with those offered by other types of biodegradable nerve guide tubes. The tubes were flexible, permeable and showed no swelling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite nanofiber construct comprising: at least a first nanofiber comprising at least a polymer and at least a calcium salt nanoparticle, wherein the ratio of polymer to calcium salt nanoparticle is between the range of 99:1 and 10:90 weight percent; and at least a second nanofiber comprising at least a polymer and at least a calcium salt nanoparticle, wherein the ratio of polymer to calcium salt nanoparticle is between the range of 100:0 and 70:30 weight percent. The present invention also provides a method of preparing the composite nanofiber construct.

Abstract: Nano-sized hydroxyapatite particles are formed in a method comprising the steps of preparing a reaction solution containing a mixture of calcium ions and phosphate ions, stirring the reaction solution at a defined stirring speed, at a defined pH range and at a defined temperature range to form a suspension of hydroxyapatite seed particles, and subjecting the suspension of hydroxyapatite particles to microwave radiation for a defined time period, while maintaining the stirring speed, to form a suspension of nano-sized hydroxyapatite particles. The suspension of hydroxyapatite particles may preferably be aged for a period of time prior to the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite is formed using a shrinkable die. A composite of fiber and resin is placed in the die and is compressed by shrinking the die to form a desired transverse cross-section. Optionally, the die is bent along its lengthwise extent to shape the composite in the die. After shrinking and optional shaping, the composite is cured to form the fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: An orthodontic device comprising a fibre reinforced composite is provided. The fibre reinforced composite comprises a fibre material within a matrix phase material. The fibre material comprises braided fibre material having a braid angle in the range from about 3° to about 87°, and more particularly in the range from about 10° to about 45°. The fibre reinforced composite is formed from a method comprising the steps of impregnating the fibre material with a monomer resin, shaping the fibre that is impregnated with the resin into a defined cross sectional shape suitable for use in the orthodontic device, and polymerising the monomer resin in the impregnated fibre to form the fibre-reinforced composite.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers were microbraided around a mandrel to make a tubular guide tube for nerve regeneration. The polymer used for the fibers was one of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (10:90 PLGA) and chitosan. These polymers are biodegradable and biocompatible. The tubes were studied for their surface morphology and swelling behavior. Biological performance of the tubes was examined in the rat sciatic nerve model with a 12 mm gap. One month after implantation nine out of ten rats showed successful nerve regeneration. Morphometric analysis of regenerated nerves confirmed the quality of the regeneration compatible with those offered by other types of biodegradable nerve guide tubes. The tubes were flexible, permeable and showed no swelling.