Abstract: Provided herein is a copper-free, non-toxic click hydrogel that exhibits minimal swelling. The hydrogel may be used as a sealant and/or as a delivery vehicle for local administration of substances of interest, such as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Inflammatory processes, particularly those arising from trauma or injury to the region of a bone joint, are causative of osteoarthritis (OA). A composition comprising microRNA-122, microRNA-122 mimic, and/or an inhibitor of microRNA-451 reduces or inhibits inflammatory mediators in articular chondrocytes and related cells. When administered to a subject at risk of developing OA, development of OA and/or progression of OA disease are inhibited, and cartilaginous structures are preserved in the joint. Since joint injury is associated with subsequent development of OA, the treatment is particularly suitable following an acute injury to a joint.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for a polymer hydrogel created by a cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne that proceeds rapidly without catalyst to produce the polymer hydrogel in less than ninety seconds. The polymer hydrogel can be used in in vivo applications for the localized delivery of therapeutic agent in aqueous solutions. An example of therapeutic delivery of a protein in a mouse model is demonstrated.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for a polymer hydrogel created by a cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne that proceeds rapidly without catalyst to produce the polymer hydrogel in less than ninety seconds. The polymer hydrogel can be used in in vivo applications for the localized delivery of therapeutic agent in aqueous solutions. An example of therapeutic delivery of a protein in a mouse model is demonstrated.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for a polymer hydrogel created by a cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne that proceeds rapidly without catalyst to produce the polymer hydrogel in less than ninety seconds. The polymer hydrogel can be used in in vivo applications for the localized delivery of therapeutic agent in aqueous solutions. An example of therapeutic delivery of a protein in a mouse model is demonstrated.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for a polymer hydrogel created by a cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne that proceeds rapidly without catalyst to produce the polymer hydrogel in less than ninety seconds. The polymer hydrogel can be used in in vivo applications for the localized delivery of therapeutic agent in aqueous solutions. An example of therapeutic delivery of a protein in a mouse model is demonstrated.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions of microbead carriers for delivery of cells and other biologically active substances to diseased or damaged tissue in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for a polymer hydrogel created by a cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne that proceeds rapidly without catalyst to produce the polymer hydrogel in less than ninety seconds. The polymer hydrogel can be used in in vivo applications for the localized delivery of therapeutic agent in aqueous solutions. An example of therapeutic delivery of a protein in a mouse model is demonstrated.

Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of inhibiting or preventing calcification of hydrogels. Such methods may include combining the hydrogel with a buffer solution having a pH lower than 7.4; forming hydrogel by crosslinking alginate in a solution comprising a bisphosphonate compound; and/or forming hydrogel by crosslinking polyanionic polymer with a polyvalent cation that is not Ca2+. Compositions that may be used in such methods are also provided herein. Also provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of bone regeneration and/or formation that include administering hydrogel that does not encapsulate biological material that affects calcification and/or bone formation to an area of a subject's body that is in need of bone formation and/or regeneration.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward methods for assisting in interpreting medical images, especially useful for segmenting images produced by computed tomography or micro-computed tomography. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to method comprising initially identifying the images of the bones from a medical image, estimating a preliminary boundary of the bones, and subsequently segmenting the bones using a snake algorithm initialized by the preliminary boundary of the bones. The results can then be used to establish morphometric measurements from the medical images based on the segmented bone boundaries. In one embodiment of the present invention, the snake algorithm used is a continuous parametric Fourier series representation to fit and optimize the preliminary boundary of the bones to a more accurate representation of the segmented bone boundary from the data included in the image.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions of microbead carriers for delivery of cells and other biologically active substances to diseased or damaged tissue in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Implantable biomaterials, particularly hydrogel substrates with porous surfaces, and methods for enhancing the compatibility of biomaterials with living tissue, and for causing physical attachment between biomaterials and living tissues are provided. Also provided are implants suitable for load-bearing surfaces in hard tissue repair, replacement, or augmentation, and to methods of their use. One embodiment of the invention relates to an implantable spinal disc prosthesis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for a polymer hydrogel created by a cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne that proceeds rapidly without catalyst to produce the polymer hydrogel in less than ninety seconds. The polymer hydrogel can be used in in vivo applications for the localized delivery of therapeutic agent in aqueous solutions. An example of therapeutic delivery of a protein in a mouse model is demonstrated.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward methods for assisting in interpreting medical images, especially useful for segmenting images produced by computed tomography or micro-computed tomography. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to method comprising initially identifying the images of the bones from a medical image, estimating a preliminary boundary of the bones, and subsequently segmenting the bones using a snake algorithm initialized by the preliminary boundary of the bones. The results can then be used to establish morphometric measurements from the medical images based on the segmented bone boundaries. In one embodiment of the present invention, the snake algorithm used is a continuous parametric Fourier series representation to fit and optimize the preliminary boundary of the bones to a more accurate representation of the segmented bone boundary from the data included in the image.

Abstract: Implantable biomaterials, particularly hydrogel substrates with porous surfaces, and methods for enhancing the compatibility of biomaterials with living tissue, and for causing physical attachment between biomaterials and living tissues are provided. Also provided are implants suitable for load-bearing surfaces in hard tissue repair, replacement, or augmentation, and to methods of their use. One embodiment of the invention relates to an implantable spinal disc prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improving tissue growth and device integration in vivo. Substrates and devices coated with an ?2?1 or ?5?1 integrin-specific ligand are provided. The substrates and devices coated with an ?2?1 or ?5?1 integrin-specific ligand are shown to have greater tissue formation on the surface relative to controls, in particular greater bone formation.

Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of inhibiting or preventing calcification of hydrogels. Such methods may include combining the hydrogel with a buffer solution having a pH lower than 7.4; forming a hydrogel by crosslinking alginate in a solution comprising a bisphosphonate compound; and/or forming a hydrogel by crosslinking a polyanionic polymer with a polyvalent cation that is not Ca2+. Compositions that may be used in such methods are also provided herein. Also provided herein according to some embodiments of the invention are methods of bone regeneration and/or formation that include administering a hydrogel that does not encapsulate biological material that affects calcification and/or bone formation to an area of a subject's body that is in need of bone formation and/or regeneration.

Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of manufacturing implant devices. In methods described herein, implant devices are exposed to a reactive gas that includes a reactive species, and optionally, an inert gas, at elevated temperatures, for a duration sufficient to generate a high density of nanoscale structures on the exposed surface of the device. Also provided are implant devices formed by methods described herein.

Abstract: Implantable biomaterials, particularly hydrogel substrates with porous surfaces, and methods for enhancing the compatibility of biomaterials with living tissue, and for causing physical attachment between biomaterials and living tissues are provided. Also provided are implants suitable for load-bearing surfaces in hard tissue repair, replacement, or augmentation, and to methods of their use. One embodiment of the invention relates to an implantable spinal disc prosthesis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing encapsulated cells having an average diameter of less than about 200 ?m are provided. Methods for using the disclosed encapsulated cells are also provided.