Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an acellular dermal matrix, and to an acellular dermal matrix produced by same, and more particularly, to a method for producing an acellular dermal matrix, in which sucrose is added to base ingredients consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol, and a base solvent or solution so as to produce a cryoprotectant, the solution is injected into the skin below the epidermis and dermis from which cells have been removed, and freeze-drying is then performed.

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: The invention is directed to a method of detecting a biological substance in the nasal secretion and diagnosing a disease following the detection of the biological substance wherein the biological substance is not related to a respiratory disease. The invention also provides treatment of the diseases following the detection of the biological substance and/or diagnosis of the disease. In some embodiments, the diseases are cancer, hepatitis, smell loss, taste loss, diabetes, and leprosy. The invention also provides a kit for diagnosing a disease. The present invention includes methods of analyzing samples from the nose for the detection of biological substances. In particular, nasal secretion or nasal mucus is collected and analyzed for biological substances. The results of this analysis are then suitable for use in diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of suitability of therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to topical ophthalmic compositions for treating or preventing epithelial lesions or ophthalmic disorders, including dry eye or keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in a subject using miR-155 specific inhibitors are described.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of making an aligned ECM scaffold useful in refractive correction of the eye and repair of the cornea. Methods of use of the scaffold as well as a scaffold construct are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein TPV1 is a method of treating ocular and systemic conditions by administering IL-10 and TPV134R polypeptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of delivering nucleic acids, including dsRNA, to mammalian target cells in vivo via intercellular transfer, wherein the dsRNA is delivered to or expressed in a first cell different from the target cell, wherein the first cell facilitates delivery of the dsRNA to the target cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for implantation in the subretinal space of an eye, the composition including amniotic membrane, which may be cryopreserved human amniotic membrane, and a plurality of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells or RPE equivalent cells present at the amniotic membrane. The amniotic membrane may be intact, epithelially denuded, or otherwise treated. The invention includes the use of amniotic membrane for the culturing of RPE cells thereon, forming a surgical graft for replacement of Bruch's membrane as a substrate, and for the transplanting of RPE cells to the subretinal space. The composition does not elicit immunological reactions to alloantigens or to RPE specific autoantigens; and exerts anti-inflammatory, and angiogentic, and anti-scarring effects. The invention includes methods and kits for making or using composites including amniotic membrane and RPE cells. Also disclosed is a device for harvesting RPE cells.

Abstract: The invention encompasses isolation, culture and characterization of goblet cells in vitro from mammalian conjuctiva. Goblet cells can be cultured from conjunctiva of such mammals as, e.g., humans, rats, mice, rabbits and the like. In another aspect of the invention, the culture of goblet cells has a concentration of pure goblet cells of 10% or greater. In a further embodiment, the invention comprises an immortalized goblet cell line.

Abstract: The invention encompasses isolation, culture and characterization of goblet cells in vitro form mammalian conjuctiva. Goblet cells can be cultured from conjunctiva of such mammals as, e.g., humans, rats, mice, rabbits and the like. In another aspect of the invention, the culture of goblet cells has a concentration of pure goblet cells of 10% or greater.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, surgical techniques, grafts, cell and tissue isolation techniques, and a method for transplanting retinal cells, including photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroidea within their normal configuration, or all three tissues in a co-transplantation procedure are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous PEDF to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous PEDF inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor by assaying for the presence of PEDF within the tumor. The invention further provides a method of inhibiting endothelial cell migration, a method of stimulating the growth of hair in a mammal, a method for inhibiting the growth of a tumor, a method of inducing differentiation of a neuroblastoma cell, a method of slowing the growth of a neuroblastoma cell, and method of treating ischemic retinopathy in a mammal. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of PEDF.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor be assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ocular tissue regeneration inducer which comprises, as an active ingredient, a hydrophilic polymer mainly composed of alkylene glycol units or vinyl monomeric units having a nondissociating hydrophilic group. The composition can induce the regeneration of ocular tissues such as the cornea, the crystalline lens, and the vitreous body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor be assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

Abstract: Cis-polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate taste receptor cells in the mouth. The addition of free fatty acids to foods, such as low calorie fat substitutes or sugar substitutes, can make the foods more palatable. Certain ion channels in taste receptor cells are directly sensitive to extracellular applications of free fatty acids. Free fatty acids inhibit the "delayed rectifying potassium channel" in taste receptor cells. Fatty acids exhibiting these properties are those having at least two double bonds, at least one of which is in the cis confirmation, i.e., cis-polyunsaturated fatty acids. The time for taste receptor cells to return to the "resting" state is longer following fatty acid stimulation than for other taste stimuli, thus increasing the taste receptor cell sensitivity to other stimuli, i.e., sugar or other sweet stimuli.

Abstract: A biocompatible cell device having an internal foam scaffold to provide a growth surface for encapsulated cells which produce a biologically active molecule.

Abstract: Oral drugs and functional foods of the present invention contain type-II collagen denatured (fragmented) under specific conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been considered to be an autoimmune disease against type-II collagen as an antigen. Since denatured type-II collagen of the invention induces high oral immune tolerance and inhibits immune responses against type-II collagen, it can prevent and treat RA. Particularly, RA can effectively be prevented and treated by simple oral administration of type-II collagen.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, surgical techniques, grafts, cell and tissue isolation techniques, and a method for transplanting retinal cells, including photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroidea within their normal configuration, or all three tissues in a co-transplantation procedure are provided.

Abstract: An intrinsic aldose reductase inhibitor is isolated and purified from mammalian cells, such as rat or human kidney cells. The intrinsic aldose reductase inhibitor may be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of certain conditions related to diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an epidermal gel secretion of Arabian Gulf catfish which is useful in enhancing wound healing, alleviating muscle spasms and pain, and treating dermatological disorders.

Abstract: This invention is directed to cryopreservation of harvested mammalian tissues and living cultured tissue equivalents made by in vitro technology. The invention involves immersing a mammalian tissue or cultured tissue equivalent in a cryoprotectant solution, agitating the cryoprotectant solution and the immersed tissue to achieve effective penetration of the cryoprotectant solution into the tissue, and then freezing the tissue at a very slow freezing rate at 0.3.degree. C. or less/min. In the freezing step, extracellular ice formation is initiated by seeding. The cryopreserved tissue may be stored for indefinite periods of time prior to use. The cultured tissue equivalent is an in vitro model of the equivalent human tissue, such as skin or cornea, which, when retrieved from storage can be used for transplantation or implantation in vivo or for screening compounds in vitro.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis in mammals which comprises orally administering a composition obtained by separating water-insoluble undenatured Type II collagen containing animal tissue from animal tissue not containing Type II collagen, subdividing and sterilizing said tissue under conditions which do not change the original structure of the Type II collagen, in an amount effective and for time effective to alleviate such symptoms.

Abstract: An intrinsic aldose reductase inhibitor is isolated and purified from mammalian cells, such as rat or human kidney cells. The intrinsic aldose reductase inhibitor may be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of certain conditions related to diabetes.

Abstract: A method of producing a wound healing preparation comprising shocking a club cell producing creature such as an Ariid catfish to stimulate secretion of the contents of such club cells, collecting the secreted materials by collecting epidermal materials of the creature as a gel.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition useful as an edible supplement for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis for oral consumption by mammals, said composition comprising animal tissue containing water-insoluble Type II collagen, which has been separated from non-Type II collagen containing tissue and has been sterilized in subdivided form without changing the original structure of the Type II collagen.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preparing animal tissue containing water-insoluble undenatured Type II collagen for use in treating autoimmune arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: An intrinsic aldose reductase inhibitor is isolated and purified from mammalian cells, such as rat or human kidney cells. The intrinsic aldose reductase inhibitor may be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of certain conditions related to diabetes.

Abstract: This invention provides a therapeutic pill comprising animal tissue containing a therapeutic amount of Type II collagen and a method of preparing animal tissue containing Type II collagen for treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in humans.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed which utilize implanted glucose sensitive living cells to monitor blood glucose levels. The implanted cells produce a detectable electrical or optical signal in response to changes in glucose concentration in surrounding tissue. The signal is then detected and interpreted to give a reading indicative of blood glucose levels. Capsules containing glucose sensitive cells and electrodes for detecting electrical activity are also disclosed. Method of monitoring blood glucose are also described utilizing the systems and capsules disclosed.

Abstract: A physiologically active substance is extracted from infected tissues inoculated with a poxvirus. The novel substance of the present invention has inhibitory action against the formation of kallikrein, thus is useful as drugs such as antiinflammatory, analgesic and antiallergic agents.