Abstract: A viable disc regenerative composition has a micronized material of nucleus pulposus and a biological composition made from a mixture of mechanically selected allogeneic biologic material derived from bone marrow having non-whole cellular components including vesicular components and active and inactive components of biological activity, cell fragments, cellular excretions, cellular derivatives, and extracellular components; and wherein the mixture is compatible with biologic function and further includes non-expanded whole cells. The biological composition is predisposed to demonstrate or support elaboration of active volume or spatial geometry consistent in morphology with that of disc tissue. The viable disc regenerative composition extends regenerative resonance that compliments or mimics disc tissue complexity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a representation of a trajectory of a target agent in an environment. In one aspect, the representation of the trajectory of the target agent in the environment is a concatenation of a plurality of channels, where each channel is represented as a two-dimensional array of data values. Each position in each channel corresponds to a respective spatial position in the environment, and corresponding positions in different channels correspond to the same spatial position in the environment. The channels include a time channel and a respective motion channel corresponding to each motion parameter in a predetermined set of motion parameters.

Abstract: Provided are polysaccharide compositions capable of controllable hydrolytic degradation and suitable for controlled release of therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for synthesizing such compositions and a variety of applications in which the compositions may be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of selective aquaporin inhibitors, e.g., of aquaporin-4 or aquaporin-2, e.g., certain phenylbenzamide compounds, for the prophylaxis, treatment and control of aquaporin-mediated conditions, e.g., diseases of water imbalance, for example edema (particularly edema of the brain and spinal cord, e.g., following trauma or ischemic stroke, as well as the edema associated with glioma, meningitis, acute mountain sickness, epileptic seizures, infections, metabolic disorders, hypoxia, water intoxication, hepatic failure, hepatic encephalopathy, diabetic ketoacidosis, abscess, eclampsia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and lupus cerebritis, as well as edema consequent to microgravity and/or radiation exposure, as well as edema consequent to invasive central nervous system procedures, e.g.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a representation of a trajectory of a target agent in an environment. In one aspect, the representation of the trajectory of the target agent in the environment is a concatenation of a plurality of channels, where each channel is represented as a two-dimensional array of data values. Each position in each channel corresponds to a respective spatial position in the environment, and corresponding positions in different channels correspond to the same spatial position in the environment. The channels include a time channel and a respective motion channel corresponding to each motion parameter in a predetermined set of motion parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a representation of a trajectory of a target agent in an environment. In one aspect, the representation of the trajectory of the target agent in the environment is a concatenation of a plurality of channels, where each channel is represented as a two-dimensional array of data values. Each position in each channel corresponds to a respective spatial position in the environment, and corresponding positions in different channels correspond to the same spatial position in the environment. The channels include a time channel and a respective motion channel corresponding to each motion parameter in a predetermined set of motion parameters.

Abstract: A blood brain barrier shuttle comprising a brain effector entity and a brain targeting peptide.

Abstract: A high concentration baclofen solution is provided suitable for therapeutic use in a medical setting. A high concentration solution of baclofen in multivalent physiological ion solution such as artificial cerebrospinal fluid is provided with concentrations of baclofen of 10 mg/ml. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid is particularly advantageous as a baclofen solvent. A medical package is also provided for baclofen delivery to patients suffering from spasticity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of harvesting, processing and storing a plurality of proteins from a mammalian feto-placental unit. The method includes dissecting a mammalian uterus to harvest at least one component of the mammalian feto-placental unit; blast freezing the component; and storing the blast frozen component; wherein the blast frozen component includes the proteins. In one embodiment, the method includes lyophilizing the blast frozen component to remove at least some water from the blast frozen component thereby creating a freeze-dried form; and storing the lyophilized component; wherein the lyophilized component includes the proteins. The invention also provides a composition including proteins from at least one lyophilized, blast frozen component of a harvested mammalian feto-placental unit reconstituted with a fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of harvesting, processing and storing a plurality of proteins from a mammalian feto-placental unit. The method includes dissecting a mammalian uterus to harvest at least one component of the mammalian feto-placental unit; blast freezing the component; and storing the blast frozen component; wherein the blast frozen component includes the proteins. In one embodiment, the method includes lyophilizing the blast frozen component to remove at least some water from the blast frozen component thereby creating a freeze-dried form; and storing the lyophilized component; wherein the lyophilized component includes the proteins. The invention also provides a composition including proteins from at least one lyophilized, blast frozen component of a harvested mammalian feto-placental unit reconstituted with a fluid.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel matrix serves as an effective acellular scaffold for axonal regeneration and facilitates functional nerve recovery.

Abstract: The present invention describes Photolabile Compounds methods for use of the compounds. The Photolabile Compounds have a photoreleasable ligand, which can be biologically active, and which is photoreleased from the compound upon exposure to light. In some embodiments, the Photolabile Compounds comprise a light antenna, such as a labeling molecule or an active derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the light is visible light, which is not detrimental to the viability of biological samples, such as cells and tissues, in which the released organic molecule is bioactive and can have a therapeutic effect. In another embodiment, the photoreleasable ligand can be a labeling molecule, such as a fluorescent molecule.

Abstract: A method is described to treat chronic pain syndromes by treating extracorporeally a patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A patient's CSF is treated extracorporeally using a moiety that targets an antigen in the CSF. This moiety facilitates removal of the CSF antigen. The cleansed CSF is then returned to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified process, which is shorter in time, for propagation of proliferating cells, such as e.g. progenitor or stem cells, by means of a biphasic culturing system having a differentiation supporting component and a proliferation supporting component, and to the use of the stem cell cultures obtained in this way for cell therapy purposes. The present invention invention describes a method, which is highly efficient to prime stem or progenitor cells to differentiation using non-attachment matrices and differentiation supporting component. The cells produced therefrom may be used to treat a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: A composition of neural tissue is made of spinal cord tissue harvested from a spinal cord of a mammal. The spinal cord tissue is harvested from vertebral column of the mammal. The spinal cord tissue is harvested post mortem. The mammal is one of a primate, an equine, a bovine, a porcine or other mammalian animal. The spinal cord tissue is dried or has the water content in the tissue reduced or eliminated by freeze drying or hypothermic dehydration.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to treatment of neurological disorders and nervous system injuries. The invention specifically provides methods of using modulators of particular target proteins to modulate degeneration of neurons or portions thereof, such as axons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an antisecretory protein or homologues thereof having the same properties, or certain fragments thereof in the manufacture of a medicament or a medical food for inducing improved rescue of injured or diseased nervous tissue, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and/or migration of an embryonic stem cell, adult stem cell, progenitor cell and/or a cell derived from a stem cell or progenitor cell, for treating a condition characterized by or associated with loss and/or gain of cells. In a preferred embodiment, the condition is a neurotrauma or a condition or disease of the CNS and/or PNS and/or ANS, for example, Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and prophylaxis of cancer. In particular, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical agent comprising strontium, amino acid(s) and mineral element(s), and its use in the preparation of an agent useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of cancer. The invention also relates to a method for treatment and prophylaxis of cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for preparing neural scaffolds. The scaffolds comprise tissue taken from the spinal cord and/or dura mater of vertebrate and can be processed to form gels or sheets. Methods of treating patient with CNS injury are also presented.

Abstract: Methods for treating a cardiovascular disorder comprising concomitant administration of one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) based compositions directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated with the cardiovascular disorder, and provision of ventricular assistance. In a preferred embodiment, the ECM based compositions include an ECM material derived from a mammalian source.

Abstract: The invention provides methodologies and apparatus for producing acellular soft-tissue implants, both in small quantities and in commercializable quantities. Such soft-tissue implants include vascular graft substitutes. An acellular graft is produced by subjecting the tissue sample to an induced pressure mediated flow of an extracting solution, followed by inducing a pressure mediated flow of a treating solution, then washing the treated tissue to produce the acellular graft. The acellular grafts produced are uniform and nonimmunogenic. The inventive method allows for the production of multiple decellularized soft tissue implants, where processing time is significantly less than prior art processes and the number of implants produced per day is increased over prior art processes. In clinical use, the decellularized grafts produced exhibit significantly improved in long-tem durability and function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for preparing neural scaffolds. The neural scaffold biomaterial comprises tissue taken from the spinal cord of a vertebrate and can be processed to form gels or sheets. Methods of treating patient with CNS injury are also presented.

Abstract: Endogenous Sp35 is a negative regulator for neuronal survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination (Negative Regulator). Molecules that block endogenous Sp35 function, such anti-Sp35 antibodies can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of neuron and oligodendrocyte dysfunction. The present invention provides antibodies specific for Sp35, and methods of using such antibodies as antagonists of endogenous Sp35 function. The invention further provides specific hybridoma and phage library-derived monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, and vectors and host cells comprising these antibodies. The invention further provides methods of promoting oligodendrocyte survival and myelination in a vertebrate, comprising administering to a vertebrate in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Sp35 antibody.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating macular edema, as well as other complications of ocular inflammation, through the administration of various stem cell populations and conditioned media thereof. In one embodiment a patient suffering from macular edema is administered an intramuscular dose of media conditioned by placental mesenchymal stem cells at a sufficient concentration and frequency to elicit a reduction in ocular inflammation. Other embodiments of the invention teach intra-ocular, intravenous, sublingual, and oral means of delivery conditioned media from various stem cell populations that has been optimized for anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and immune modulatory properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing 120 to 160 mEq/L of sodium ion, 1 to 6 mEq/L of potassium ion, 75 to 155 mEq/L of chloride ion, and 5 to 45 mEq/L of bicarbonate ion, and provides an artificial cerebrospinal fluid further containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of 10 g/L or less of a reducing sugar, 5 mmol/L or less of phosphoric acid, 5 mEq/L or less of calcium ion, and 5 mEq/L or less of magnesium ion. The artificial cerebrospinal fluid of the present invention can prevent or reduce the incidence of cerebral edema and can further suppress brain cell disorders when used as an irrigation fluid or perfusion fluid in the field of neurosurgery, such as intracranial surgery, or when used as a replenishing fluid for lost cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is about a transdermal method that deliveries nutrients from fresh animal organs to the systemic circulation of the human body by applying the juice or chopped pieces of the fresh animal organs on the skin of the human body and allowing the nutrients to absorb through the layers of the exposed skin. The present invention aims to preserve the Yin and Yang energies naturally present in fresh organs and other foods that are lost in cooking and processing of foods. The present invention uses the full skin area transdermal delivery method by soaking the whole body in the juice of the fresh animal organs as well as the partial skin area transdermal delivery method by exposing certain parts of the human skin area to the fresh juices or chopped fresh animal organs and allowing the nutrients to enter the systemic circulation of the human body.

Abstract: An isolated multipotent neural stem cells has a phenotype identified by expression of the protein ?-tubulin IV and Olig2 and the absence of the proteins NG2, PLP, and GFAP.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that release one or both of a neurotrophin and an inhibitor of the degradation of the neurotrophin within or in the vicinity of a highly innervated tissue. In some embodiments, the method includes regulating the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor of degradation over time. In some embodiments, the method includes monitoring the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The system may include a device or multiple devices for the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor as well as a controller. In some embodiments the system may include a sensor device and/or an imaging device capable of detecting the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The release of the neurotrophin and inhibitor of degradation may be part of a controlled release system and regulated over time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that release one or both of a neurotrophin and an inhibitor of the degradation of the neurotrophin within or in the vicinity of a highly innervated tissue. In some embodiments, the method includes regulating the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor of degradation over time. In some embodiments, the method includes monitoring the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The system may include a device or multiple devices for the release of the neurotrophin and the inhibitor as well as a controller. In some embodiments the system may include a sensor device and/or an imaging device capable of detecting the concentration of the neurotrophin over time. The release of the neurotrophin and inhibitor of degradation may be part of a controlled release system and regulated over time.

Abstract: A medical device, said medical device, comprises: a first component having a non-biological material; a second component having a cloned biological material, said second component being attached to said first component, wherein said first component and said second component are operatively associated in a non-living medical device for at least one of treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism. In another aspect, a method comprises: preparing a cloned biological material from a tissue or an organ; attaching said biological material to a medical device; interfacing said biological material with the non-biological material; providing treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treatment of acne or acneform conditions, particularly but not limited to, acne vulgaris with products generated from culture of stem or progenitor cells. Specifically, compositions of matter are disclosed which are useful for the treatment of acne and acne associated disease states, in particular acne vulgaris, by topical administration of products derived from stem cells or progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method of stimulating neurite outgrowth in a subject may include administering to the subject a formulation that includes a tctex-1-related polypeptide that stimulates neurite outgrowth in vitro.

Abstract: A safe and widely-applicable food intake regulator can be provided by using at least one of a fish brain and parts thereof, which have the activity to regulate suppress food intake.

Abstract: The central nervous system (CNS), i.e. the spinal cord and the brain, contains a large amount of various lipids, collectively called CNS lipids. These lipids are essential for embryonic induction but are also active in the adult body in keeping our cells in healthy normal function. By actively incorporating these normal vital CNS lipids in functional foodstuffs, it is possible to improve the immunity of a person by ingestion of such foodstuffs. The problem associated with the addition of brain substance to the diet is associated with bad taste and unpleasant attributes of the brain substance. The present invention discloses CNS lipids containing foodstuffs without the unpleasant taste and other attributes of the brain substance. The present invention relates to dairy based foodstuffs where normal fats and lipids have been replaced by CNS lipids.

Abstract: In general, the invention features substantially purified MANF and substantially purified nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also features a pharmaceutical composition that includes MANF and a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, methods for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, methods for improving dopaminergic neuronal survival during or following cell transplantation, methods for production of neurons for transplantation, and methods for identifying compounds that modulate or mimic MANF's biological activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of DMBT1, or of the nucleic acid encoding it, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a patient suffering from a disease caused by an agent, which possesses at least one accessible sulphate and/or at least one accessible phosphate group, uses of DMBT1 as a diagnostic for diagnosing the susceptibility of an individual to sulphate or phosphate groups, as well as methods for diagnosis, prophylaxis or treatment of diseases caused by an agent which possesses at least one accessible sulphate and/or at least one accessible phosphate group.

Abstract: Methods are provided for protecting an individual from adverse long-term effects of neuroinflammation. Inflammatory blockade maintains neurogenesis capability after cranial irradiation by reducing the negative effects of activated microglia on neural precursor cells. These findings have broad implications for a variety of diseases of cognition, involving neuroinflammation and precursor cell dysfunction.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a corresponding pharmaceutical composition for treating damaged cartilage and subchondral bone. Neurogenic compounds in general and neuropeptides in particular have been found to be highly effective in stimulated repair of cartilage and bone damaged due to traumatic injury, ligament disease, and disuse. Preferred active ingredients for use in the method and corresponding pharmaceutical composition include calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK), dynorphin, enkephalin, galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurotensin, somatostatin, substance P (SP), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).

Abstract: A neurodegenerative disease or condition is diagnosed in a subject by obtaining a sample of cerebral spinal fluid from the subject and assaying the sample by an assay method that detects the presence of at least one antiphospholipid autoantibody in the sample, wherein an elevated level of at least one antiphospholipid autoantibody in the sample of cerebral spinal fluid correlates with a neurodegenerative disease or condition in the subject. The neurodegenerative disease or condition may also be diagnosed by assaying a sample of cerebral spinal fluid to detect nitrosylated antibodies, wherein an elevated level of nitrosylated antibodies correlates with a neurodegenerative disease or condition in said subject.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel matrix serves as an effective acellular scaffold for axonal regeneration and facilitates functional nerve recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compositions comprising receptor ligands obtainable by a process comprising fermenting a food material, comprising animal milk or vegetable proteins, with lactic acid bacteria to obtain a fermented food or feed material that comprises ligands of specific adrenoreceptors and/or serotonin receptors. The fermented food or feed material is useful e.g. for reducing and/or stabilizing heart rate in a mammal. It may furthermore be used for treatment and/or relief of erectile dysfunctions and for treatment and/or relief of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), in a mammal.

Abstract: Isolated extracellular matrix from marrow adherent stromal cells and their descendents, which stimulates the growth and survival of a number of different neural cell types, is provided, along with methods for preparation and uses.

Abstract: An isolated human olfactory stem cell can be prepared by culturing human tissue from olfactory neuroepithelium to form neurospheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing the therapeutic effects of a neurotoxin, e.g., a botulinum toxin, where the methods comprise a “wash-down” (e.g., a decreased intake) of a current pain medication and an administration of a neurotoxin. In some embodiments, the present inventions relates to methods for enhancing the therapeutic effects of a neurotoxin for treating pain, e.g., headache pain.

Abstract: An isolated multipotent neural stem cells has a phenotype identified by expression of the protein ?-tubulin IV and Olig2 and the absence of the proteins NG2, PLP, and GFAP.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition useful for making homogeneously mineralized self assembled peptide-amphiphile nanofibers and nanofiber gels. The composition is generally a solution comprised of a positively or negatively charged peptide-amphiphile and a like signed ion from the mineral. Mixing this solution with a second solution containing a dissolved counter-ion of the mineral and/or a second oppositely charged peptide amphiphile, results in the rapid self assembly of the peptide-amphiphiles into a nanofiber gel and templated mineralization of the ions. Templated mineralization of the initially dissolved mineral cations and anions in the mixture occurs with preferential orientation of the mineral crystals along the fiber surfaces within the nanofiber gel. One advantage of the present invention is that it results in homogenous growth of the mineral throughout the nanofiber gel.

Abstract: This invention relates to drug screening using mammalian repulsive guidance molecules and mammalian Neogenin. In addition, the invention provides for methods of preventing, alleviating or treating various disorders of the nervous system, angiogenic disorders or disorders of the cardio-vascular system and malignancies of different etiology by disrupting the interaction between RGM and Neogenin.

Abstract: A method of promoting neuronal regeneration includes administering an agent to at least one neural cell in contact with at least one neural cell growth inhibiting component in an amount effective to promote neuronal regeneration. The agent is selected from the group consisting of a Class I Rho family GTPase, a C1 activator, a Class II Rho family GTPase, and a C2 inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of diminishing the symptoms of neurodegenerative disease in a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) identifying a patient with a neurodegenerative disease, (b) producing a cell culture, wherein the cell culture comprises cells with induced antioxidant response element (ARE) mediated transcription, and (c) transplanting at least a portion of the cell culture into the brain of the patient, wherein symptoms of neurodegenerative disease are diminished.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the field of human stem cells and includes methods and compositions for isolating, propagating, and differentiating human stem cells. The invention provides therapeutic uses of the methods and compositions, including autologous transplantation of treated cells into humans for treatment of Parkinson's and other neuronal disorders.