Abstract: The present invention provides for treating neurodegeneration caused by nerve compression syndrome or entrapment neuropathy comprising administering human acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), fibrinogen, aprotinin and divalent calcium ions to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Fragments of CXCL12 Gamma A chemokine having improved chemotaxis activity in vivo defined by an unprecedented capacity to associate and immobilise on extracellular glycans.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of lowering body weight by administering an FGF-21 compound in combination with a GLP-1 compound. In addition, the present invention also provides methods to treat obesity by administering an FGF-21 compound in combination with a GLP-1 compound. The present invention also discloses combinations useful in the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Described is a spray-on hydrogel comprising water-soluble PEG polymers that cross-link in situ to form a hydrogel such that the cross-links are reversible. The hydrogel can be useful as a drug delivery composition, wound dressing or surgery adjuvant. Polyethylene glycol polymer and cross-linker solutions are sprayed simultaneously through a common orifice. Cross-linking via formation of thioether or disulfide bonds is initiated upon mixing, providing rapid gelation. The hydrogel components can be derivatized with RGD peptides or analogs thereof to promote retention in/on a body compartment such as the skin, surface of the eye, or a mucosa such as the vaginal mucosa. The cross-links are reversed using a reducing solution enabling easy removal of the hydrogel by dissolution. Processes for preparation of the cross-linker, RGD derivatized PEG and RGD-linked agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds from hydrogels is presented. The method involves administering to a cell a hydrogel in which a therapeutic compound is noncovalently bound to heparin. The hydrogel may contain covalent and non-covalent crosslinks.

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: The present invention provides a recombinant fusion protein which stimulates the rejuvenation and reactivation of skin and epidermal cells for improving skin appearance, smoothing wrinkles and freckles, and whitening skin. Particularly, the present invention provides various types of products for improving skin, which contain recombinant fusion protein of human serum albumin (HSA) with cytokine peptides (EGF, FGF, KGF, HGH, HGF, PDGF, GCSF, interferon, IL-11 or IGF) by genetic engineering technology. The fusion protein can be used independently or in a combination or combination with yeast fermentation products, or with varied emulsifiers, thickeners, moisturizer, preservatives, yeasts and ferments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clottable concentrate of platelet growth factors for therapeutic and/or cosmetic use, preferably comprising the growth factors PDGF, TGT-?, IGF, EGF, CTGF, bFGF and VEGF. In a preferred embodiment, the clottable concentrate of platelet growth factors does not induce blood cell-related transfusion reactions. The present disclosure also relates to a method for preparing a clottable concentrate of platelet growth factors including the steps of contacting a platelet concentrate with a solvent and/or a detergent, incubating the platelet concentrate with the solvent and/or detergent for a period of at least 5 minutes to 6 hours, at a pH maintained in a range from about 6.0 to about 9.0, and at a temperature within the range of from 2° C. to 50° C., preferably within the range of from 25° C. to 45° C., and removing the solvent and/or the detergent by oil extraction and/or chromatographic means.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising isolated elastin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier wherein the human elastin is substantially insoluble in water with a molecular weight greater than 100 kDa. The present invention further provides methods and kits for soft tissue augmentation.

Abstract: A device comprising a scaffold coated with a protein having at least 83% identity to the amino acid sequence of the core protein of domain I of a mammalian perlecan, wherein at least one glycosaminoglycan is attached to the protein is described. The device may be used in vitro or in vivo to induce replication and/or differentiation of connective tissue cells and to repair tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and systems for treating a subject at risk for, with, or suspected of having, myocardial ischemia using hepatocyte secretory factors (e.g., AGP2, BMPER, FGF21, NRG4, and/or TFF3) or using factors that promote liver cell migration to ischemic myocardial tissue (e.g., IL-6 and/or MMP-2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for wound healing and skin reconstruction containing a peptide, wherein the peptide is a self-assembling peptide which is an amphiphilic peptide having 8 to 200 amino acid residues with periodic repeats of alternating hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids, and forms a stable ?-sheet structure in an aqueous solution in the presence of a monovalent ion. The material for wound healing and skin reconstruction of the present invention is capable of healing a wound area of mammals quicker than spontaneous recovery without leaving any scars, wherein the material has no potential risk of infectious disease such as virus transmission.

Abstract: The use of the long pentraxin PTX3 (PTX3) or one of its functional derivatives is described for the preparation of medicament which inhibits the biological activity of the growth factor FGF-2, useful for the prevention and treatment of diseases brought about by an altered activation of said growth factor FGF-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition, for augmentation and regeneration of living tissue in a subject, comprising a population of porous microparticles of a biodegradable polymer, one or more mammalian cell populations, and optionally, a biocompatible adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to synergistic therapies for the treatment of vitiligo. Particularly, the invention is directed to a composition for the reduction of wrinkles on skin, the acceleration of wound healing, and the darkening of hair including a peptide and an acceptable carrier. The peptide may be selected from the group consisting of the peptide of SEQ. ID 1, the peptide of SEQ. ID 2, the peptide of SEQ. ID 3, the peptide of SEQ. ID 4, the peptide of SEQ. ID 5, the peptide of SEQ. ID 6, the peptide of SEQ. ID 7, and the peptide of SEQ. ID 8.

Abstract: The disclosure provides nucleic acid molecules encoding chimeric polypeptides, chimeric polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising chimeric polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for prophylaxis and therapy of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms present in biofilms adherent to cell surfaces comprising the step of administering to an individual in need thereof a composition comprising a combination of at least one compound chosen from the group of peroxidase, lactoferrin, lactoferrin peptides, lysozyme and immunoglobulins and at least one growth factor.

Abstract: Isolated protein complexes are provided comprising growth factors such as IGF-I, IGF-II, EGF, bFGF, KGF, VEGF or PDGF, or at least domains thereof that enable binding to and activation of both a growth factor receptor, and an integrin receptor-binding domain of vitronectin or fibronectin. These protein complexes may be in the form of oligo-protein complexes or single, synthetic proteins where the growth factor and vitronectin or fibronectin sequences are joined by a linker sequence. In particular forms, vitronectin or fibronectin sequences do not include a heparin binding domain and/or polyanionic domain. Also provided are uses of these protein complexes for stimulating or inducing cell migration and/or proliferation which may have use in wound healing, tissue engineering, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments such as skin replacement and skin replenishment and treatment of burns where epithelial cell migration is required.

Abstract: Described, in certain aspects of the invention, are multilaminate medical graft products, as well as methods for preparing and using the same. An illustrative multilaminate medical graft product of the invention comprises a first layer of remodelable extracellular matrix (ECM) material bonded to a second layer of remodelable ECM material, wherein the first material layer is enriched with a growth factor relative to the second material layer. Such a remodelable ECM material may be comprised of submucosa from a warm-blooded vertebrate, for example, porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to hyaluronidase as an adjuvant to increase the injection volume and dispersion of large diameter synthetic membrane vesicles containing one or more therapeutic agents. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to compositions comprising hyaluronidase and large diameter synthetic membrane vesicles containing a therapeutic agent, and methods of administration of the same. Methods of making large diameter synthetic membrane vesicles containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient and their use in combination with hyaluronidase as medicaments are provided.

Abstract: An agonist of the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor and an angiogenic growth factor can be used in combination in methods of therapy to stimulate cardiac revascularization, to stimulate vascular endothelial cell proliferation, to stimulate vascular endothelial cell migration and to promote repair of cardiac tissue.

Abstract: A functionalized electrospun matrix for the controlled-release of biologically active agents, such as growth factors, is presented. The functionalized matrix comprises a matrix polymer, a compatibilizing polymer and a biomolecule or other small functioning molecule. In certain aspects the electrospun polymer fibers comprise at least one biologically active molecule functionalized with low molecular weight heparin.

Abstract: Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.

Abstract: Novel biodegradable compositions are disclosed. The biodegradable compositions include at least one hydroxyl-terminated component and at least one bioactive peptide in a linear chain. The compositions may be utilized as medical devices including drug delivery devices, tissue adhesives and/or sealants.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to the ability of SAP to suppress the differentiation of monocytes into fibrocytes. It also relates to the ability of IL-4 and IL-3 to enhance the differentiation of monocytes into fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for binding SAP, decreasing SAP levels and suppressing SAP activity are provided. Methods of using, inter alia, CPHPC, the 4,6-pyruvate acetyl of beta-D-galactopyranose, ethanolamines, high EEO agarose, IL-4, and IL-13, and anti-SAP antibodies and fragments thereof to increase monocyte differentiation into fibrocytes are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications, including wound healing. Wound dressings are also provided. Finally, the disclosure may include assays for detecting the ability of various agents to modulate monocyte differentiation into fibrocytes and to detect monocyte defects.

Abstract: Maternal diabetes can lead to a developmental malformation of an embryo. A developmental malformation caused by maternal diabetes is commonly referred to as a diabetic embryopathy. There is currently no effective treatment for reducing or inhibiting a diabetic embryopathy. To this end, the present invention is drawn to novel methods of treating a diabetic embryopathy.

Abstract: FGF18 is known to stimulate the proliferation of chondrocytes, bone, and nervous tissue, resulting in repair of diseased tissue. When an IL-1 antagonist is administered in addition to FGF18, the effects on the IL-1 mediated disease and also, the effect on cartilage, bone, and nervous cell proliferation, are found to be greater than administration of FGF18 or the IL-1 antagonist alone. The present invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition that combines FGF18 with IL-1 antagonist and methods of treating IL-1 mediated disease using this pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of the peptide compound Pro-Ala-Leu-Pro-Glu-Asp-Gly-Gly-Ser-Gly-Ala-Phe-Pro-Pro-Gly-His-Phe-Lys-Asp-Pro-Lys-Arg-Leu-Tyr as a therapeutic agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions preferably in form of a lyophilisate or liquid buffer solution or artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute containing the peptide Pro-Ala-Leu-Pro-Glu-Asp-Gly-Gly-Ser-Gly-Ala-Phe-Pro-Pro-Gly-His-Phe-Lys-Asp-Pro-Lys-Arg-Leu-Tyr optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient and/or diluent.

Abstract: Described are medical devices configured for use in cosmetic surgery. The medical devices include an elongate body member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of gaps defined therebetween. At least a portion of the body member is associated with one or more layers of a collagenous extracellular matrix (ECM) material. The elongate member can include one or more tissue engaging members. In preferred embodiments, the collagenous extracellular matrix material includes one or more native or non-native bioactive components.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding FGF21 mutant polypeptides, FGF21 mutant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 mutant polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: There is provided an FGF2 substitute containing medicinal composition which comprises, as an active ingredient, a chimeric protein comprising the amino acid sequence of an FGF1 protein in which a partial sequence including a sequence of at least positions 62-83 within a sequence of positions 41-83 is substituted with a partial sequence at the corresponding positions in the amino acid sequence of an FGF2 protein; and the remaining region is formed of the amino acid sequence of FGF1. In particular, this medicinal composition is used for wound healing and for the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced damage, and it exhibits a pharmacological action superior to that of an FGF2 medicinal composition, and further, it can be easily formulated into a preparation.

Abstract: Mixtures, such as gels or pastes, comprising freeze-milled cartilage particles and exogenous growth factors are used for repairing chondral defects. Such mixtures may be applied to constructs comprising cancellous bone for implantation at the defect site. Suitable growth factors include variants of FGF-2, particularly variants that include a sole amino acid substitution for asparagine at amino acid 111 of the ?8-?9 loop of the FGF-2 peptide. Such FGF-2 variants are released slowly and continuously at a constant rate from cartilage pastes. In other embodiments, the amino acid substituted for asparigine is glycine. Other variants that may be used include FGF-9 variants having truncated chains and a sole amino acid substitution in the ?8-?9 loop of the FGF-9 peptide either for tryptophan at amino acid 144 or for asparagine at amino acid 143.

Abstract: Described are medical compositions including a collagenous ECM particulate dispersed in a carrier. Such medical compositions can be applied to at least a portion of a surface of a sheet of collagenous ECM material to form a medical product. Medical compositions and products as described herein find particular use in wound repair. Related methods of manufacture and use are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aptamers that comprise a nucleic acid sequence that has a specific affinity for a target. These aptamers can be used as delivery vehicles to deliver specific agents to particular sites. Alternatively, targeted aptamers can also be used with detection techniques to determine the presence of absence of specific targets in heterogeneous backgrounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating skin pigmentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cyclic Prolyl Glycine (“cyclic PG” or “cPG”) and analogs and mimetic s thereof, as neuroprotective agents for the treatment and or prevention of neurological disorders including but not limited to cerebral ischemia or cerebral infarction resulting from a range of phenomena, such as thromboembolic or hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral basospasms, hypoglycemia, cardiac arrest, status epilepticus, perinatal asphyxia, anoxia such as from drowning, pulmonary surgery, and cerebral trauma, as well as to the treatment and prevention of chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, and as anticonvulsants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising biologically active proteins linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of using such compositions in treatment of glucose-related diseases, metabolic diseases, coagulation disorders, and growth hormone-related disorders and conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for sustained release of a pharmaceutically active compound, the composition comprising a vesicular phospholipid gel. More particularly, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one proteinaceous substance as the pharmaceutically active compound in encapsulated form, the at least one proteinaceous substance being a biologically active protein, peptide or polypeptide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for the production of said pharmaceutical composition comprising dual asymmetric centrifugation and to the use of said pharmaceutical composition for immunotherapy and/or for stimulating selective tissue regeneration in the treatment of surgical defects in the course of surgical interventions.

Abstract: A porphyrin metal complex that can form a stable oxygen complex and acts effectively as an oxygen infusion, which comprises: a transition metal ion M of period 4 or 5 coordinating to a porphyrin derivative represented by the following general wherein R1 is an alicyclic hydrocarbon group which may contain a substituent, R2 is an alkylene group and R3 is a group which does not hinder the coordination of an imidazolyl group to M.