Abstract: A process for production of a nonwoven fabric, which comprises a step wherein a thermoplastic polymer is dissolved in a mixed solvent composed of a volatile good solvent and a volatile poor solvent, a step wherein the resulting solution is spun by an electrospinning method and a step wherein a nonwoven fabric accumulated on a collecting sheet is obtained, is employed to provide a nonwoven fabric having a surface area sufficiently large as a matrix for cell culturing in the field of regenerative medicine, with large gaps between filaments and a low apparent density suitable for cell culturing.

Abstract: A cellulose derivative which has a suitable elastic modulus and viscosity when it is dissolved in water and is useful as an adhesion barrier. The cellulose derivative has a molecular weight of 5×103 to 5×106 and is composed of a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (a), (b), (c) and (d) in predetermined amount: (X in the formula (c) is an alkali metal, and R4 and R5 in the formula (d) are each independently an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 10 to 28 carbon atoms).

Abstract: A cylindrical body is produced which is composed of a fiber structure with a basis weight of 1-50 g/m2 and having a diameter of 0.5-50 mm and a bellows-shaped section, wherein the crest-to-crest spacing of the bellows-shaped section is no greater than 2 mm and the crest-to-valley depth of the bellows-shaped section is 0.01-1 mm; collagen is added to the cylindrical body to produce a composite including the cylindrical body and collagen.

Abstract: A hyaluronic acid compound which is a reaction product between hyaluronic acid and a phosphatidyl ethanolamine. This compound has biocompatibility and bio-safety, and can be formed into a hydrogel or molded form having a certain shape. Making use of these properties, it is used to treat a knee joint, prevent the accretion of a tissue after an operation and keep a skin wet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb film made of a biodegradable polymer which has biodegradation properties as an anti-adhesion membrane for preventing adhesion after an operation, is excellent in handling properties, and exhibits a satisfactory adhesion preventive effect stably over a desired period of time, and to a production process of the same. Above all, the invention provides an anti-adhesion membrane of a honeycomb film made of polylactic acid as a biodegradable polymer and a phospholipid and a production process of the same.

Abstract: A cylindrical body is produced which is composed of a fiber structure with a basis weight of 1-50 g/m2 and having a diameter of 0.5-50 mm and a bellows-shaped section, wherein the crest-to-crest spacing of the bellows-shaped section is no greater than 2 mm and the crest-to-valley depth of the bellows-shaped section is 0.01-1 mm; collagen is added to the cylindrical body to produce a composite including the cylindrical body and collagen.

Abstract: A tissue regeneration substrate comprising a film with a honeycomb structure composed primarily of a polymer compound and a phospholipid. A tissue regeneration complex comprising the tissue regeneration substrate and cells held in the tissue regeneration substrate. The substrate is particularly suitable for regeneration of cartilage tissue, and allows growth of cartilage tissue in a three-dimensional fashion.

Abstract: A cellulose derivative which has a suitable elastic modulus and viscosity when it is dissolved in water and is useful as an adhesion barrier. The cellulose derivative has a molecular weight of 5×103 to 5×106 and is composed of a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (a), (b), (c) and (d) in predetermined amount: (X in the formula (c) is an alkali metal, and R4 and R5 in the formula (d) are each independently an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 10 to 28 carbon atoms).

Abstract: A process for production of a nonwoven fabric, which comprises a step wherein a thermoplastic polymer is dissolved in a mixed solvent composed of a volatile good solvent and a volatile poor solvent, a step wherein the resulting solution is spun by an electrospinning method and a step wherein a nonwoven fabric accumulated on a collecting sheet is obtained, is employed to provide a nonwoven fabric having a surface area sufficiently large as a matrix for cell culturing in the field of regenerative medicine, with large gaps between filaments and a low apparent density suitable for cell culturing.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition having an inhibitory effect on the overproduction and the accumulation of extracellular matrix, said composition comprising as an active ingredient a compound that inhibits the biological activity of galectin-3, which pharmaceutical composition can serve as a therapeutic or preventive agent for glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy or tissue fibrosis, as well as the use of said compound for the production of pharmaceuticals for the above-mentioned use, and a method for inhibition of the overproduction and accumulation of the extracellular matrix.

Abstract: A hyaluronic acid compound which is a reaction product between hyaluronic acid and a phosphatidyl ethanolamine. This compound has biocompatibility and bio-safety, and can be formed into a hydrogel or molded form having a certain shape. Making use of these properties, it is used to treat a knee joint, prevent the accretion of a tissue after an operation and keep a skin wet.

Abstract: A tissue regeneration substrate comprising a film with a honeycomb structure composed primarily of a polymer compound and a phospholipid. A tissue regeneration complex comprising the tissue regeneration substrate and cells held in the tissue regeneration substrate. The substrate is particularly suitable for regeneration of cartilage tissue, and allows growth of cartilage tissue in a three-dimensional fashion.

Abstract: A process for production of a nonwoven fabric, which comprises a step wherein a thermoplastic polymer is dissolved in a mixed solvent composed of a volatile good solvent and a volatile poor solvent, a step wherein the resulting solution is spun by an electrospinning method and a step wherein a nonwoven fabric accumulated on a collecting sheet is obtained, is employed to provide a nonwoven fabric having a surface area sufficiently large as a matrix for cell culturing in the field of regenerative medicine, with large gaps between filaments and a low apparent density suitable for cell culturing.

Abstract: A cylindrical body is produced which is composed of a fiber structure with a basis weight of 1-50 g/m2 and having a diameter of 0.5-50 mm and a bellows-shaped section, wherein the crest-to-crest spacing of the bellows-shaped section is no greater than 2 mm and the crest-to-valley depth of the bellows-shaped section is 0.01-1 mm; collagen is added to the cylindrical body to produce a composite comprising the cylindrical body and collagen.

Abstract: There is provided an elastin molded article having flexibility, a biological absorption property and tear strength which is practically suturable by using a fiber structure comprising aliphatic polyester fibers having an average fiber diameter of 0.05 to 50 ?m as a supporting base material. The elastin molded article is useful as a raw material for a tube or artificial blood vessel to be implanted in a body that has a biological absorption property and has tear strength and flexibility which allow the tube or artificial blood vessel to endure suture at the time of operation or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb film made of a biodegradable polymer which has biodegradation properties as an anti-adhesion membrane for preventing adhesion after an operation, is excellent in handling properties, and exhibits a satisfactory adhesion preventive effect stably over a desired period of time, and to a production process of the same. Above all, the invention provides an anti-adhesion membrane of a honeycomb film made of polylactic acid as a biodegradable polymer and a phospholipid and a production process of the same.

Abstract: Compounds for use in the treatment of heart disease include a superoxide scavenger and an organic nitrate or nitrite moiety. The compounds can be represented by the formula (A)n(B)m, in which A is a superoxide scavenger, B is an organic nitrate or organic nitrite moiety, and n and m are values between 1 and 8. These compounds do not suffer from the problem of patient tolerance that is associated with the use of conventional agents such as organic nitrates.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition having an inhibitory effect on the overproduction and the accumulation of extracellular matrix, said composition comprising as an active ingredient a compound that inhibits the biological activity of galectin-3, which pharmaceutical composition can serve as a therapeutic or preventive agent for glomerular nephritis, diabetic nephropathy or tissue fibrosis, as well as the use of said compound for the production of pharmaceuticals for the above-mentioned use, and a method for inhibition of the overproduction and accumulation of the extracellular matrix.

Abstract: Compounds for use in the treatment of heart disease include a superoxide scavenger and an organic nitrate or nitrite moiety. The compounds can be represented by the formula (A)n(B)m, in which A is a superoxide scavenger, B is an organic nitrate or organic nitrite moiety, and n and m are values between 1 and 8. These compounds do not suffer from the problem of patient tolerance that is associated with the use of conventional agents such as organic nitrates.

Abstract: A protein having human plasmin inhibiting activity, substantially equivalent reactivity with human plasmin to a human .alpha..sub.2 -plasmin inhibitor derived from plasma, a binding ability to human fibrin about 1/4 to about 1/3 of that of the human .alpha..sub.2 -plasmin inhibitor derived from plasma, and a molecular weight of about 50,000 to about 77,000.