Abstract: Compositions, methods, and kits for vaginal administration of progesterone are described.

Abstract: Prolongation compositions for prolonging the presence of drugs in blood.

Abstract: The invention provides fatty acid niacin conjugates; pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of the fatty acid niacin conjugate; and methods for treating or preventing a metabolic disease comprising the administration of an effective amount of the fatty acid niacin conjugate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for extending the half-life of a therapeutic agent. One or more half-life extending moieties may be attached to a therapeutic agent, thereby extending the half life of the therapeutic agent. The modified therapeutic agents (mTAs) comprising one or more half-life extending moieties attached to a therapeutic agent may be used to treat a disease or condition in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vesicle, a conjugate, a composition comprising the vesicle or the conjugate, for use in delivering a drug to the brain, and a method for administering the same. The composition of the present invention is a composition for administration to a subject according to a dosing regimen, comprising a carrier for drug delivery, wherein the dosing regimen comprises administering the composition to a subject who has been fasted or caused to have hypoglycemia and inducing an increase in blood glucose level in the subject, and the carrier is modified at the outer surface thereof with a GLUT1 ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides random copolymers containing zwitterions and one or more functional agents, and methods of preparing such random copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biocarrier for delivery of a bioactive substance near/into a target cell, comprising a bioactive substance-loaded core with a first electricity, and one or more block copolymer, each block copolymer comprising a zwitterionic block and an anchoring block with an initial electricity opposite to the first electricity, wherein the anchoring block binds to the core by electrostatic attraction, and the zwitterionic block extends outwardly to increase the biocarrier stability in mammalian blood. Additionally, the present invention also discloses a method of using the biocarrier.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs), monodisperse populations of MSNPs and related protocells which exhibit single cell binding specificity to the substantial exclusion of non-targeted cells. For example, MSNPs and protocells of the invention may be used to target specific delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells or to specific blood vessel types (e.g. in the arterial, venous and/or capillary vessels or any combination of vessels). Related protocells, pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic and diagnostic methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a conjugate of a domain I ?2GP1 polypeptide with a water-soluble polymer, wherein the polymer is bound via two cysteine residues derived from a disulfide bridge in the domain I ?2GP1 polypeptide.

Abstract: A drug composition comprising a charged moiety coupled to a therapeutic compound is disclosed. The charged moiety is configured to interact with at least one type of component of opposite charge in a biological tissue to create an in situ depot for prolonged drug delivery. The biological tissue may be eye tissue or any tissue containing charged components.

Abstract: Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of using such modulators to treat proliferative disorders are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), in particular pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimers having a C2-C3 double bond and an aryl group at the C2 position in each monomer unit, and their inclusion in targeted conjugates. The differing substituent groups may offer advantages in the preparation and use of the compounds, particularly in their biological properties and the synthesis of conjugates, and the biological properties of these conjugates.

Abstract: The invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various cancer cells containing a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety. The targeting and therapeutic moieties are linked via an acid cleavable linkage that increases therapeutic efficacy of the immunoconjugate.

Abstract: Albumin and doxorubicin are bonded through reaction. The bonded albumin and doxorubicin are added with a gold-nanoparticles solution for reaction. After being purified with water in a column, the liquid phase of gold-nanoparticles is changed into a phosphate buffer for obtaining an anticancer drug having doxorubicin bonded with gold nanoparticles. Thus, with the high biocompatibility and the big surface areas, gold nanoparticles are used in biological applications and used as carriers for increasing drug accumulation on tumor. The bonding between gold nanoparticles and doxorubicin increases stability of doxorubicin. Besides, doxorubicin has tumor-killing effect for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a CITED4 polypeptide and/or a microRNA-222 or precursor (e.g., pre-miR-222) or mimic thereof, for treating a cardiovascular disease or pathological condition, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, and for promoting post-myocardial infarction cardiac remodeling in heart tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods of modulating the expression of gene or the production of a protein by transfecting target cells with nucleic acids. The compositions disclosed herein demonstrate a high transfection efficacy and are capable of ameliorating diseases associated with protein or enzyme deficiencies.

Abstract: Gadolinium complexes for use as contrast agents, and methods for making and using the gadolinium complexes, are described. The contrast agent complexes preferably have a net positive charge, and can electrostatically interact with glycosaminoglycans to improve the delineation of fine tears within cartilage, detection of cartilage degeneration, or assessment of cartilage thickness, morphology, or glycosaminoglycan content via magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging contrast agent comprising a biodegradable polymer backbone grafted with a photoacoustic contrast agent is provided. A method of preparing a photoacoustic imaging contrast agent, and a method of imaging living tissue are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools to diagnose numerous infectious disease states or conditions. The present invention represents a clear advance in the art which presently relies on tissue biopsy for diagnoses of these disease states. The novel imaging probe is capable of detecting infected cells, as well tissue. This represents a quantum step forward in the diagnosis and staging of NHL using non-invasively molecular imaging techniques. This novel probe will also be useful to monitor patients response to therapeutic treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of these disease states or conditions. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states. Pharmaceutical compositions are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are isotopically labeled calcofluor derivatives and uses of such to detect fungi, such as filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus species, such as by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I): wherein L, R1-R5, A, B, M, and n are as defined in the specification, as well as a method of preparing the compound. Also disclosed are a method of blood-pool imaging in a mammal and a method of imaging a lymph node in a mammal, comprising use of the compound.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds, compositions, and methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring pathogenic disease using positron emission tomography. Also described are conjugates of the formula B-L-P, wherein B is a radical of a targeting agent selected from vitamin receptor binding ligands (such as folate), PSMA binding ligands, or PSMA inhibitors; L is a divalent linker comprising aspartic acid, lysine, or arginine, and P is a radical of an imaging agent or radiotherapy agent, such as a radionuclide or radionuclide containing group, or a radical of a compound capable of binding a radionuclide, such as a metal chelating group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for pretargeting delivery of alpha-emitting radionuclides, such as 213Bi or 225AC to a target cell or tissue, such as a cancer cell or a tumor. In preferred embodiments, the pretargeting method comprises: a) administering a bispecific antibody comprising at least one binding site for a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and at least one binding site for a hapten; and b) administering a hapten-conjugated targetable construct that is labeled with an alpha-emitting radionuclide. More preferably, the bispecific antibody is rapidly internalized into the target cell, along with the radionuclide. In most preferred embodiments, the bispecific antibody is made as a dock-and-lock (DNL) complex.

Abstract: Chelates resulting from the complexation of picolinate cross-bridged cyclams of formula (I), wherein n and the substituents L1-L4 and R1-R5 are as defined, with metallic cations. Picolinate cross-bridged cyclam ligands of formula (I), the use of chelates in nuclear medicine and the use of ligands in cations detection or epuration of effluents are also described.

Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, provides methods, reagents, compositions, and kits for the radiolabeling of proteins, for example, of proteins useful for positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (e.g., for diagnostic and therapeutic applications), using sortase-mediated transpeptidation reactions. Some aspects of this invention provide methods for the conjugation of an agent, for example, a radioactive agent or molecule to diagnostic or therapeutic peptides or proteins. Compositions comprising sortagged, radiolabeled proteins as well as reagents for generating radiolalebed proteins are also provided. Kits comprising reagents useful for the generation of radiolabeled proteins are provided, as are precursor proteins that comprise a sortase recognition motif.

Abstract: A plasma installation includes at least two separate components being a vessel for an object to be processed and a plasma unit having an electrical plasma source for igniting a plasma in the vessel. The plasma unit has no additional subassembly for other media so that the plasma unit can be constructed in a structurally particularly simple manner and readily operated. In a particularly preferred manner, the vessel comprises a vessel body of glass. The vessel body is preferably constructed in one piece and surrounds the object completely. The plasma can be ignited spaced apart from the plasma unit by means of a high-frequency generator, an induction coil and/or a magnetron of the electrical plasma source.

Abstract: Static fluid disinfecting system and related methods. Implementations of a method of disinfecting a fluid include statically contacting a fluid included in in a container with an open-celled foam where the open-celled foam is coated with a quaternary organosilane coating produced from a quaternary ammonium organosilane reagent where the fluid contains one or more microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for providing microbial control and/or disinfection/remediation of an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially free of, e.g., hydration, ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to provide microbial control and/or disinfection/remediation in the environment, preferably both on surfaces and in the air.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for employing aromatherapy and binaural sounds for inducing a state of relaxation in a user who may be anxious, upset, or experiencing sleeping difficulties. The apparatus comprises a shape memory foam pillow, a pair of stereo speakers, an aromatherapy diffuser, a pillowcase comprised of heat-transfer fabric, an optional vibrating device, a canopy and a housing to support these elements. The user connects a smartphone or digital audio device to the speakers, activates the aromatherapy diffuser and the vibrating device, and lays his or her head down on the pillow beneath the canopy. Ideally, the smartphone or music device should have a meditation or binaural sound application, which would be tuned to a specific beat frequency, such as 10 Hertz. The combined action of essential oil vapors and binaural sounds should enable the user to relax or sleep more soundly.

Abstract: An air freshener canister includes a container, a nipple thereon and a cap threadably matable therewith. The cap can be positioned along the length of the nipple from a closed position with the cap rim against the exterior surface of the container and an open position wherein there is spacing between the rim and exterior surface. A volatile liquid in the container emits air freshener vapors. A wick runs from the liquid to the nipple. When the cap is in the open position, vapors escape from the wick through the spacing. When the cap is in the closed position the vapors are prevented from escaping. When the cap is removed from the nipple the container may be refilled with the volatile liquid. The escape of vapors may be increased or decreased by positioning the cap on the nipple to increase or decrease the spacing.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an aqueous suspension comprising chitin nanofibrils in a complex with at least one metal selected from the group Ag, Cu and Bi and at least one thickener, as well as to a process for the preparation thereof. Moreover, the present invention provides a process for the manufacturing of biomedical materials from said suspension, and biomedical articles based on said materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a metastable silver nanoparticle composite, a process for its manufacture, and its use as a source for silver ions and/or colorimetric signaling In various embodiments, the composite comprises, consists essentially of or consists of metastable silver nanoparticles that change shape when exposed to moisture, a stability modulant that controls the rate of the shape change, and a substrate to support the silver nanoparticles and the modulant.

Abstract: A hot melt wetness indicator composition that includes a water insoluble thermoplastic polymer, an anionic surfactant, a leuco dye, and a component selected from the group consisting of acid, rosin-based tackifying agent, plasticizer and combinations thereof, and is homogeneous is disclosed. The hot melt wetness indicator composition exhibits a color change after contact with water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayer composition comprising: a first layer comprising a first material which is at least partially impregnated with a second material wherein the first material is a gel material and the second material is a flexible porous material, and a second layer comprising a low friction material wherein the composition is adapted so that the first layer is in fluid flow communication with a wound or skin of a wearer in use.

Abstract: Systems and methods of blocking a biological vessel are provided. The systems and methods may comprise introducing to the vessel an amphiphilic peptide. The peptide may comprise at least thirteen amino acids that may alternate between a hydrophobic amino acid and a hydrophilic amino acid. The peptide may form a beta-sheet spontaneously in an aqueous solution in the presence of a cation.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to dissolvable hydrogel compositions and methods of uses, e.g., but not limited to, in wound management. Accordingly, methods for wound management involving the dissolvable hydrogel compositions are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the dissolvable hydrogel composition comprises an adhesive thioester hydrogel, which can facilitate adherence of the dissolvable hydrogen composition to a surface (e.g., a wound) and can be controllably dissolved later upon addition of a thiolate compound to release the dissolvable hydrogel composition from the surface (e.g., the wound).

Abstract: An artificial ligament prosthesis which is notable in that it comprises a layer totally or partly consisting of PCL fibres. The ligament prosthesis is a biodegradable and “biointegrable” artificial ligament which makes it possible to take away all the apprehensions and uncertainties due to non-degradable synthetic supports. It is a prosthetic structure inspired by and similar to the native tissue, which is biodegradable while being sterilisable. It can optionally be seeded in order to facilitate the formation of functional tissues with controlled cell and tissue activity, having the required mechanical properties. The prosthesis maybe slowly resorbable in order to be gradually replaced with a functional tissue identical to that of the native ligament.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped collagen tissue implant comprised of collagen molded in a particular shape and methods of manufacture thereof. The shaped tissue implants of the invention generate tissue structures that retain their size, shape, flexibility, and texture after implantation into a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for sterilizing implantable biomaterials. In particular, the invention relates to a process for sterilizing collagen-containing implantable biomaterials and storage thereafter.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparations and methods of creating preparations of reconstituted amniotic membrane utilizing amniotic fluid, for use as combination tissue grafts in surgical and minimally invasive medical therapy of injury and disease. The preparations maximize available quantities of viable mesenchymal stem cells and non-cellular bioactive compounds to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The tissue graft preparations are liquids and/or semi-viscous fluids which may be intraoperatively transplanted at the recipient site using a needless syringe or by non-operative percutaneous injection through a hypodermic needle.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparations of amniotic membrane-derived tissue grafts standardized for the concentration amniotic membrane and its constituent components by dry weight. The standardized amniotic membrane tissue graft is used by physicians and other healthcare providers in the surgical and minimally invasive medical therapy of a wide range of injuries and disease processes. The preparations maximize available quantities of non-cellular bioactive compounds and viscosity to enhance therapeutic efficacy for the desired application. The standardized amniotic membrane tissue graft preparations are semi-viscous fluids or gels which may be intraoperatively transplanted at the recipient site using a needless syringe, by non-operative percutaneous injection through a hypodermic needle, or by direct application.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injectable amniotic membrane tissue graft product for percutaneous, minimally invasive, surgical, and topical therapy of injury and disease and methods of applying such tissue grafts to a subject at a particular location. The injectable preparations maximize and standardize available quantities of non-cellular biological compounds to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The tissue graft preparations are semi-viscous fluids with standardized properties which may be intraoperatively transplanted at the recipient site using a needless syringe, by non-operative percutaneous injection through a hypodermic needle, or direct topical application to open cutaneous wounds and external soft tissue defects.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparations and methods of creating preparations of reconstituted amniotic membrane utilizing amniotic fluid, for use as combination tissue grafts in surgical and minimally invasive medical therapy of injury and disease. The preparations maximize available quantities of viable mesenchymal stem cells and non-cellular bioactive compounds to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The tissue graft preparations are semi-viscous fluids which may be intraoperatively transplanted at the recipient site using a needless syringe or by non-operative percutaneous injection through a hypodermic needle.

Abstract: Provided is a bone regeneration agent comprising an inactivated cell construct derived from stem cells as a source material, the inactivated cell construct at least containing a mineral and an extracellular matrix. The bone regeneration agent has osteoconductive and osteoinductive abilities, and is inexpensively producible and size-controllable. Also provided is a method comprising the steps of: (1) inducing differentiation of stem cells into mineral-producing cells in agitated culture under the condition of 0.01 to 1.00 Hz to give a cell aggregate at least containing a mineral and an extracellular matrix, or (1?) inducing differentiation of stem cells genetically engineered to overexpress a protein associated with bone formation into mineral-producing cells in agitated or static culture, to give a cell aggregate at least containing a mineral and an extracellular matrix, and (2) inactivating the cell aggregate obtained in the preceding step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a bilayer scaffold through single process comprising: preparing a first polymer aqueous solution; adding a second polymer into the first polymer aqueous solution and stirring a reactant; adding a surfactant into the stirred reactant and stirring the reactant at high temperature and high speed; freeze-drying the stirred reactant thereby obtaining a sponge; dipping the sponge in a cross-linking agent thereby rendering be cross-linked; and freeze-drying the cross-linked reactant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue scaffold materials with microspheres of one density embedded in hydrogel of a different density. The disclosed materials have improved ability to facilitate cellular invasion and vascularization for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The inventors have found that materials having components with different densities promotes invasion of cells, including desirable cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial precursor cells, into the scaffold.

Abstract: A printed tissue construct comprises one or more tissue patterns, where each tissue pattern comprises a plurality of viable cells of one or more predetermined cell types. A network of vascular channels interpenetrates the one or more tissue patterns. An extracellular matrix composition at least partially surrounds the one or more tissue patterns and the network of vascular channels. A method of printing a tissue construct with embedded vasculature comprises depositing one or more cell-laden filaments, each comprising a plurality of viable cells, on a substrate to form one or more tissue patterns. Each of the one or more tissue patterns comprises one or more predetermined cell types. One or more sacrificial filaments, each comprising a fugitive ink, are deposited on the substrate to form a vascular pattern interpenetrating the one or more tissue patterns. The vascular pattern and the one or more tissue patterns are at least partially surrounded with an extracellular matrix composition.

Abstract: A method of reducing the deterioration of a wetted hydrophilic coating comprising water at the time of sterilization by radiation is provided. The method comprises the step of reducing the amount of oxygen in an atmosphere in contact with the wetted hydrophilic coating in addition to any reduction in oxygen provided by oxygen scavengers that may be present in the wetted hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: Invasive medical devices including a substantially non-eluting antimicrobial treatment are disclosed. One or more external and/or internal surfaces of the medical device include a substantially non-eluting copper-coated surface that assists in preventing microbial colonization of the coated surface. This in turn reduces the incidence of infection to the patient originating from the medical device. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube that defines at least one lumen, at least one extension leg including a luer connector, and a bifurcation hub including at least one fluid passageway that provides fluid communication between the extension leg and the lumen. A substantially non-eluting copper coating is disposed on a surface of at least one of the lumen, the extension leg, the luer connector, and the fluid passageway. The coating is applied via an electroless deposition process. A water-shed coating is disposed on the copper coating.

Abstract: Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.