Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising agents having cardiac protective activity isolated from epicardial progenitor cells and derivatives thereof, and methods for the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The invention features methods of diagnosing inflammatory disease based on the elevated presence microparticles (MP) expressing certain receptors. The invention also features methods of decreasing fibrosis in the liver by administering MP to subjects with liver fibrosis.

Abstract: A peptide-comprising extract derived from fish is described. Also disclosed is a process for obtaining a peptide-comprising extract derived from fish, as well as an extract obtained by this process. Compositions comprising such an extract are also described. Uses of such extracts/compositions, as well as corresponding methods of treatment, for example to prevent and/or treat an inflammatory and/or immune disease-related discomfort in a subject, are also described.

Abstract: A composition for preventing and treating fatty liver is disclosed. The composition includes a lactoferrin and a trivalent chromium compound. The trivalent chromium compound of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) chloride hexahydrate, chromium (III) chloride, chromium (III) acetate, chromium (III) sulfate, chromium picolinate, chromium nicotinate, chromium GTF, chromium yeast extract, other inorganic salts of trivalent chromium, other organic salts of trivalent chromium, and combinations thereof. The composition of the present invention can provide a beneficial effect in preventing and treating fatty liver by effectively reducing multiple risk factors of fatty liver disease.

Abstract: 2-(Aminomethyl)-5-chlorobenzylamide derivatives and their use as inhibitors of coagulation factor Xa are provided. The compounds are suitable for the treatment and prophylaxis of cardiovascular and thrombotic events.

Abstract: An injectable composition having dermal filling and tissue expanding activity comprises (1) a quantity of elastin sufficient to bring about dermal filling and tissue expansion when injected into a subject in need of dermal filling and tissue expansion, and (2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can further comprise collagen, in other alternatives, the composition can further comprise hyaluronic acid, and one or more of the elastin, the collagen, and the hyaluronic acid, if present can be cross-linked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly.

Abstract: Contrary to current opinion that nitrite in general oxidizes hemoglobin with elimination of active nitric oxide, deoxygenated hemoglobin reacts with low concentration inorganic nitrite to produce very stable iron nitrosyl hemoglobin which on delivery into the body is converted to a hemoglobin capable of nitric oxide delivery and provides vasodilator and antiplatelet activity. This provides basis for ameliorated risk blood product transfusions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the identification of CD4+ T-cell epitopes in the sequences of various proteins, namely, human cytokines and cytokine receptors, as well as the production of peptides which when incorporated into the protein sequence, are no longer capable of initiating the CD4+ T-cell response. In some embodiments, the present invention provides means and compositions suitable for reducing the immunogenicity of cytokines and cytokines receptors such as interferon-?, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1, erythoropoietin, and thrombopoietin.

Abstract: A method mixes a first component, a second component, and a buffer material. The first component includes an electrophilic polymer material comprising poly(ethylene glycol) having a functionality of at least three. The second component includes a nucleophilic material comprising a natural or synthetic protein at a concentration of about 25% or less that, when mixed with the first component within a reaction pH range, cross-links with the first component to form a non-liquid, three-dimensional barrier. The buffer material includes tris-hydroxymethylaminomethane having a pH within the reaction pH range. The method applies the mixture to adhere to a tissue region.

Abstract: The invention comprises a composition of matter and method of its use for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in humans. The composition is a modified anticholinergic alpha-neurotoxin. Alpha-neurotoxin solution, such as cobratoxin, is filter sterilized to remove bacteria. It is modified using H2O2. Any suitable preservative for parenteral administration can be employed such as methyl paraben, benzalkonium chloride or metacreosol. It is preferred that the composition is administered every other day or daily. The composition may be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously. Parenterally, either subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is preferred.

Abstract: Cell penetrating suppressor of cytokine signaling (CP-SOCS) molecules engineered to be resistant to intracellular degradation are discussed. Methods of treating diseases associated with cytokine signaling include one or more CP-SOCS degradation resistant molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and detecting diseases associated with lung. The present invention provides one or more proteins or fragments thereof, peptides or nucleic acid molecules differentially expressed in lung cancer (LCAT) and antibodies binds to LCATs. The present invention provides that LCATs are used as targets for screening agents that modulates the LCAT activities. Further the present invention provides methods for treating diseases associated with lung.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix and therapeutic uses thereof. Methods for treating, repairing or regenerating defective, diseased, damaged or ischemic cells, tissues or organs in a subject, preferably a human, using a decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix of the invention are provided. Methods of preparing cardiomyocyte culture surfaces and culturing cells with absorbed decellularized cardiac extracellular matrix are provided.

Abstract: The present specification generally relates to hydrogel compositions and methods of treating a soft tissue condition using such hydrogel compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition containing at least one nutritive, at least one disinfecting or decontaminating and/or at least one protease-inhibiting active compound and/or active compound complex for the external care and/or treatment of wounds of the human or animal body.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of conditions mediated by endothelial function in mammals is provided. The composition includes a milk protein hydrolysate generated by treating milk or milk whey protein with a proteolytic enzyme having subtilisin or subtilisin-like activity and/or glutamyl endopeptidase or glutamyl endopeptidase-like activity. The composition is useful in the management of vascular conditions.

Abstract: For an implantable device intended for use in the human body an in-vivo colonization with autologous cells is often desired. The devices, especially prosthetic devices like implant tissues, grafts, shunts, vessels, organs or a part of organs are commonly derived from animal or human origin and comprise a collagen-based tissue matrix. The invention proposes a coating deposited on a surface of the device and comprising the matrix protein CCN1 as an extracellular matrix-associated protein mediating cell adhesion or cell migration.

Abstract: It has been discovered that enterostatin inhibits angiogenesis in an in vitro adipose tissue angiogenesis model. In concentrations from about 10?6 to about 10?9 M, enterostatin effectively blocked the angiogenic response. Enterostatin will be effective in treating noncancerous and cancerous diseases that involve an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. This, antiangiogenic activity was confirmed in two additional tissue cells lines (liver and neuronal cells) using a microarray analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a scaffold coated and/or impregnated with at least one bioactive agent. This is accomplished by culturing at least one cell in the same medium as a scaffold, but without physical contact between the at least one cell and the scaffold. The system includes a container having a surface defining an interior compartment. A medium is disposed within the interior compartment. At least one cell is disposed within the medium, the at least one cell being capable of producing at least one bioactive agent. Further, a scaffold is disposed within the medium. The scaffold is physically separated from the at least one cell such that there is no contact between the scaffold and the at least one cell. Thus, as the at least one cell produces at least one bioactive agent, such as a growth factor, the at least one bioactive agent enters the medium, and contacts and coats and/or impregnates the scaffold.

Abstract: The invention relates to the stimulation of the synthesis and of the activity of an isoform of lysyl oxidase, and more particularly of the LOXL (lysyl oxidase-like) isoform. The invention relates notably to a method of identifying an active principle which stimulates the formation of elastic fibers. The aim of the invention is mainly to provide such a method of identification so as to provide compositions which enable stimulating the formation of elastic fibers.