Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing large amounts of human growth factors from human adipose-derived stem cells. More specifically, the invention provides a method capable of synthesizing human growth factors in significantly large amounts by culturing adipose-derived stem cells extracted from human adipose cells in suitable media and conditions. Also, stem cell culture media produced according to the method of the invention, and human growth factors isolated from the culture media, can be advantageously used as raw materials for drugs and cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to increase oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells through administration of prolactin or a prolactin inducing agent.

Abstract: A nutritional Composition for a subject, comprising prolactin identical or similar or analogous to prolactin found in a natural food source, and at least one protective layer, wherein release of said prolactin from the composition in said subject is the result of an environmental event.

Abstract: The invention provides engineered biomaterials derived from plant products. The engineered biomaterials are useful for biomedical applications. The engineered biomaterials are able to support the growth of animal cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of promoting neuronal outgrowth in a neuron. The method comprises contacting the neuron with an effective amount of hypoxanthine, to thereby promote neuronal outgrowth of the neuron. The hypoxanthine may be contacted in the absence of xanthine oxidase and/or in the absence of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF), and/or in the absence of exogenous D-mannose, and/or in the absence of exogenous oncomodulin, and/or in the absence of exogenous TGF-B. The neuron may be an optic nerve neuron or a retinal neuron and/or an injured neuron. Neurons may be from the central nervous system (CNS) or the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The methods are useful for treating an injured neuron, for example to an optic nerve neuron, resulting from branch and central vein/artery occlusion, trauma, edema, angle-closure glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma. Methods of treatment of various neurological injuries and diseases, as well as therapeutic compositions, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for the improvement of recovery following bone-impacting injury or surgery. The formulations of the present invention preferably include platelet-rich plasma with a pharmaceutical agent. The pharmaceutical agent may be a glucocorticoid hormone or other organic pharmaceutical agent. Particularly preferred pharmaceutical agents include dexamethasone, melatonin, purmorphamine, 17?-estradiol, vitamin K2 (menaquinone-4, MK4), bisphosphonates, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. The formulations of the present invention may be directly administered to a surgical or injury site where improved bone growth is desired. The formulations may also be applied to or otherwise incorporated into scaffolding structural components commonly employed in the medical field to promote bone structure and growth. The pharmaceutical agent may be employed in an immediate release form or a sustained release form.

Abstract: A multiphasic microfiber for a three-dimensional tissue scaffold and/or cellular support is provided in one aspect that includes at least one biocompatible material. The multiphasic microfiber optionally has a first phase and at least one distinct additional phase and is formed by electrohydrodynamic jetting. Further, such microfibers optionally have one or more biofunctional agents, which may be surface-bound moieties provided in spatial patterns. Multiphasic microfibers formed in accordance with the disclosure may form, in some cases, three-dimensional fiber scaffolds with precisely engineered, micrometer-scaled patterns for cellular contact guidance, which may thus support and/or promote cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, repair, and/or regeneration for tissue and bioengineering applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions devices and methods for treating bone and/or cartilage defects, and a method for manufacturing such a composition or device. In a certain embodiment, the invention provides a device and/or composition for treating bone and/or cartilage defects, having at least one collagen, for example of animal origin, and further containing at least one substance having an osteo-inductive or chondro-inductive activity, at least one differentiation and/or growth factor having osteo-stimulative and/or chondro-stimulative effect, and at least one filling material, in which the composition is in the form of a lyophil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a cartilage disorder, including cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders. The method involves contacting the cartilage with an IGF-1 analog with altered affinity for IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) or an IGFBP displacer peptide that prevents the interaction of an IGF with an IGFBP and does not bind to a human IGF receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to composition and a method of using the composition for modulating proliferation, invasiveness, the expression of a biomarker of an abnormal cell, of reducing the risk of a patient cell becoming abnormal, or of modulating proliferation of a carcinoma-associated fibroblast or of a tumor-associated macrophage. The invention also relates to a method of culturing the composition to produce molecules that modulate abnormal cell proliferation, invasiveness, or metastasis. The composition comprises a biocompatible matrix and cells engrafted thereon.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods and reagents for the diagnosis of female infertility, prognostic indicators for female infertility, compounds for the treatment of female infertility, compounds and methods for contraception. Methods and compounds are based on the levels of ebaf in endometrial tissue. Methods for diagnosing endometrial receptivity and bleeding function by screening a biological sample such as an endometrial tissue sample, or bodily fluid for the presence of ebaf. A contraceptive compound containing an effective amount of ebaf and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A diagnostic kit for timing contraception containing reagents for screening a sample for the presence of ebaf. A method of treating endometrial irregularities by down-regulating the expression of ebaf.

Abstract: An osteogenic enhancer composition for bone and cartilage repair and methods of using the same are described.

Abstract: Improvements on the basic method used for BEAMing increase sensitivity and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The improvements have permitted the determination of intrinsic error rates of various DNA polymerases and have permitted the detection of rare and subtle mutations in DNA isolated from plasma of cancer patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods and compositions for the treatment of and management of symptoms for thyroid eye disease. The methods include administering to a patient having thyroid eye disease an agent that interferes with hyaluronan synthesis in an amount that is effective to inhibit hyaluronan synthesis in a retro-ocular space. The pharmaceutical compositions hat includes a carrier suitable for ophthalmic delivery and an agent that interferes with hyaluronan synthesis. Combination therapies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable pliable bone blocks comprising a solid block of cortical bone characterized by a length, width and thickness, having a first and a second face on opposite sides of the block. The first and second faces have a plurality slot features. The angle of incidence of the slot features of the first face and the x-axis and the angle of incidence of the slot features of the second face and the x-axis (a2) are such that the slots would intersect if they were in the same plane. Methods are provided for making implantable pliable bone blocks.

Abstract: Thermal responsive compositions for treating bone diseases are provided. The thermal responsive composition for treating bone diseases includes a bone growth factor and a biodegradable copolymer. The biodegradable copolymer has a structure of Formula (I) or Formula (II): A-B-BOX-B-A??(Formula I) and B-A-B-(BOX-B-A-B)n-BOX-B-A-B??Formula (II), wherein, A includes a hydrophilic polyethylene glycol polymer, B includes a hydrophobic polyester polymer, BOX is a bifunctional group monomer of 2,2?-Bis(2-oxazoline) and used for coupling the blocks A-B or B-A-B, and n is an integer and the same or more than 0.

Abstract: A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and/or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions), methods of making such novel compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a leg ulcer comprising contacting the leg ulcer with a collagen biofabric. The leg ulcer may be a venous, arterial, diabetic or decubitus (pressure) ulcer. The invention further provides kits comprising one or more pieces of collagen biofabric for the treatment of a leg ulcer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Norrin or a functional fragment thereof in the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with an increased TGF-beta activity. In particular, the use of said Norrin or functional fragment thereof to treat fibrotic diseases/disorders or proliferative disorders, like cancers, is part of this invention.

Abstract: A skin care composition comprising an isolated Asteroidea body fluid or extract thereof is described. Uses and methods of use of the composition for the prevention and/or treatment of a skin disorder or condition, such as skin-aging signs, are also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wound healing device. Such wound healing device utilizes novel wound healing compositions embedded onto or into a natural plant-derived cloth-based matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating ocular and systemic conditions by administering a TGF-?.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an improved apparatus and packaging system to more expeditiously hydrate or reconstitute medical grafts and to effectively and uniformly seed the medical grafts with biological components and cells. The systems generally comprise a container comprising entry port, at least one substrate cavity, and top, side and bottom walls defining an inner surface. The entry port is configured to receive the biological solution. The cavity is in communication with the entry port and includes the porous substrate maintained under negative pressure. The container volume is substantially the same as a volume of the porous substrate. The side and bottom walls are configured to promote a laminar flow of the biological solution received through the entry port.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a polysaccharide which is excreted by the Vibrio diabolicus species for the regeneration and protection of the non-mineralised connective tissue of the periodontium.

Abstract: This invention relates to biomaterials, said biomaterials for use in methods to control and/or induce bone growth. Particularly, the invention relates to macroporous calcium phosphate biomaterials pre-loaded with certain amounts of osteoclastic activity inhibitors for use in methods to control and/or induce bone growth in primates.

Abstract: A system for growing tissue based upon layers of an inorganic extracellular matrix, wherein each layer of the inorganic matrix is designed to dissolve at a separate rate and result in sequential growth factor delivery upon its dissolution.

Abstract: Provided is a method of causing a cell to migrate to a scaffold. Also provided is a method of treating a mammal that has a cartilage defect. Further provided is a tissue scaffold comprising stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?). Additionally, a method of making a tissue scaffold capable of recruiting a cell is provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition for treating, preventing or ameliorating a bone or cartilage condition and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex comprising a TGF-?1 inhibitor peptide and a cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof. A TGF-?1 inhibitor peptide emulsion comprising cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone is also provided. Processes for the preparation of said complex and said TGF-?1 inhibitor peptide emulsion are also described, as well as its use for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or condition mediated by a TGF-?1.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods utilizing engineered surgical irrigants providing delivery of components with therapeutic or other secondary benefits. Engineered irrigants provide targeted delivery of desired agents, including agents for propulsion of nano-devices, agents including molecular probes, gene expression agents, magnetically orientable agents, agents for discrete tissue temperature detection and tissue regeneration agents.

Abstract: Methods for treating an injured cardiac tissue in a subject are provided herein. Methods for improving survival, engraftment and proliferation of stem cells in a cardiac tissue are provided. Also provided are methods for generating cardiac cells. Further provided are compositions for generating cardiac cells in a subject.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions), methods of making such novel compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: Tissue regeneration or grafting is promoted utilizing a structure including a multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material which includes a purified collagen barrier sheet material derived from natural collagen-containing tissue, the barrier sheet material including a barrier layer with an outer smooth barrier face and a fibrous face opposite the smooth barrier face. The structure further includes a matrix layer of collagen sponge material adjacent to the fibrous face. The matrix layer of collagen sponge material is resorbed by a body of a subject at a substantially faster rate than the barrier sheet material.

Abstract: Recombinant NELL peptides and methods of preparing the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing neural stem cell numbers or neurogenesis by using prolactin. The method can be practiced in vivo to obtain more neural stem cells in situ, which can in turn produce more neurons or glial cells to compensate for lost or dysfunctional neural cells. The method can also be practiced in vitro to produce a large number of neural stem cells in culture. The cultured stem cells can be used, for example, for transplantation treatment of patients or animals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases or conditions. In addition, since neural stem cells are a source for olfactory neurons, the present invention also provides methods of increasing olfactory neurons and enhancing olfactory functions.

Abstract: An injectable, high potency (high capillary force) composite comprised of bioceramic spheres having a smooth porous macroarchitecture and porous microarchitecture with interconnected pores and may be combined with various electrospun polymer fibers, thus achieving a biphasic composite implant device whereby a primary phase stabilizes, reinforces, restricts and constricts the expansion of dysfunctional and diseased cardiac muscle tissue, and a secondary phase providing a matrix structure within the bioceramic composite for the regeneration of dysfunctional and diseased cardiac tissue; an injectable composite implant material containing pharmaceutical agents or may contain stem cells, and other DNA materials; an injectable, high potency, bioceramic composite material providing a specific means to alter cardiac muscle geometry so as to normalize cardiac wall stress, aid in the reduction of local stresses in the border zone or in the actual infarct as well as multiple peri-infarct border zone modifications that h

Abstract: The invention discloses a bone implant and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method of the bone implant comprises a step of coating or mixing type II collagen with at least one porous bone material comprising metals, bio-ceramics, natural biopolymers and synthetic polymers. Another manufacturing method of the bone implant comprises the steps of loading type II collagen with or without at least one porous bone material in a container, and lyophilizing the type II collagen to generate a type II collagen sponge construct with or without the porous bone material as the bone material. The manufactured bone implants are effective, with or without loading cells having differentiation tendency towards osteogenesis, to facilitate bone repair upon introduction of the bone implant into various osseous defects.

Abstract: The present application discloses matrix compositions to support the repair of tissue defects such as an injury to tendon tissue, ligament tissue, vascular tissue, dermal tissue, or muscle tissue. A matrix described herein comprises a polyester polymer entangled with a polysaccharide polymer. Also disclosed are methods of preparing a matrix, and methods of using a matrix in the repair of tissue. In certain configurations, a matrix can comprise a polyester cross-linked with a polysaccharide, which can be an oxidized polysaccharide. In some configurations, a matrix can further comprise one or more additional components, such as a growth factor or an anti-infective agent. In some configurations, a matrix can be a viscous fluid or a paste, while in other configurations a matrix can be comprised by a solid such as a plug, a granule or a membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for purifying a target protein group. The method comprises the steps of contacting a sample comprising at least 95% of the target protein group and at most 5% of contaminating proteins with a library of binding moieties having different binding moieties, binding the contaminating proteins and a minority of the target protein group to the library of binding moieties, separating the unbound target protein group from the proteins bound to the library of binding moieties and collecting the unbound target protein. The collected target protein is more pure than the target protein group in the sample.

Abstract: The invention comprises 1) an oral composition, including an oral rehydration composition or solution, comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from epidermal growth factor (EGF) and agonists to the epidermal growth factor receptor, 2) a kit comprising an oral rehydration composition containing an effective amount of a compound selected from epidermal growth factor and agonists to the epidermal growth factor receptor, and 3) methods for the treatment and prevention of dehydration and diarrhea, and enhancing intestinal healing, reducing bacterial colonization, reducing the incidence of weight loss, increasing food uptake, enhancing rehydration, and enhancing mucosal healing in an animal having diarrhea.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder or a predisposition to a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder by measuring the level or biological activity of soluble endoglin. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, using compounds that alter soluble endoglin levels or biological activity.

Abstract: The use of lipopeptides as inducers of NF-?B for the protection of mammals from the effects of apoptosis is described.

Abstract: A polymeric prodrug composition including a hydrogel, a biologically active moiety and a reversible prodrug linker. The prodrug linker covalently links the hydrogel and the biologically active moiety at a position and the hydrogel has a plurality of pores with openings on its surface. The diameter of the pores is larger than that of the biologically active moiety at least at all points of the pore between at least one of the openings and the position of the biologically active moiety.

Abstract: Featured are a biocompatible, injectable, self-setting, cohesive, bone-bonding and remodeling calcium phosphate composite material and its use in methods of repairing defective bone, e.g., in vertebroplasty augmentation and kyphoplasty.

Abstract: A method of enhancing eyelash and eye brow hair growth utilizes insulin and/or IFG-1 alone or in combination with other known hair growth promoting therapeutic, pharmaceutical, biochemical and biological agents to increase the effect of various therapeutic hair regrowth strategies to enhance eyelash and eye brow hair growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel receptors for the signaling of PTH and/or fragments of PTH, and the role of cPTH in bone development. The novel PTH receptors identified are selected from the group consisting of LRP5/6, TGF?RII, BMPRII (long form and short form), ActRIIA, and ActRIIB. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel screening tool for identifying compounds that improve bone mass by affecting certain pathways that promote or downregulate bone-forming activity. This promotion of bone-forming activity could provide for treatments for bone-loss or bone density disorders and/or kidney disease. The invention further encompasses the compounds, PTH ligands, and fragments of PTH ligands described herein; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, PTH ligands, or fragments of PTH ligand; and methods of increasing bone density using the compounds, PTH ligands, or fragments of PTH ligands.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions of peptide analogs that are active in blood or cleavable in blood to release an active peptide. The peptide analogs have a general formula: A-(Cm)x-Peptide (SEQ ID NO: 76), wherein A is hydrophobic moiety or a metal binding moiety, e.g., a chemical group or moiety containing 1) an alkyl group having 6 to 36 carbon units, 2) a nitrilotriacetic acid group, 3) an imidodiacetic acid group, or 4) a moiety of formula (ZyHisw)p (SEQ ID NO: 50), wherein Z is any amino acid residue other than histidine, His is histidine, y is an integer from 0-6; w is an integer from 1-6; and p is an integer from 1-6; wherein if A has alkyl group with 6 to 36 carbon units x is greater than 0; and Cm is a cleavable moiety consisting of glycine or alanine or lysine or arginine or N-Arginine or N-lysine, wherein x is an integer between 0-6 and N may be any amino acid or none. The peptide analogs are complexed with polymeric carrier to provide enhanced half-life.

Abstract: A method of retaining growth factors on a substrate for release at a treatment region comprises immobilizing an antagonist of the growth factor on a substrate and binding of the growth factor to the antagonist. In one aspect, the substrate is provided on a bioimplant. The resulting bioimplant allows for activity of the growth factor to continue at the region of implantation. According to the method of the invention, exogenous growth factors can be used to stimulate the repair of various tissues and organs at the site requiring repair, and be protected from inactivation, sequestration or degradation. The invention also provides bioimplants and methods of delivering growth factors.