A method for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue includes: a) treating a tissue sample with a protease and b) testing the protease-treated tissue sample for the presence of protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen. Methods can be carried out for preparing a cartilage cell culture, and for preparing a cartilage cell-loaded implant. Protease-resistant fragments of type II collagen and/or type I collagen can be used for the in vitro detection of cartilage tissue and/or for the in vitro determination of the purity of cartilage tissue. A kit can be used for carrying out the methods.

One complementary DNA (cDNA) encodes a collagenase enzyme of Lucilia sericata that includes an identified sequence. Optionally, the cDNA is applied to wound healing.

The present invention relates to RNAi constructs with improved tissue and cellular uptake characteristics and methods of use of these compounds in dermal applications.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the embryo implantation rate in a mammalian uterus, by administering to the uterus of a mammal an effective amount of an extracellular matrix remodeling enzyme, as well as to a product comprising an extracellular remodeling enzyme.

Disclosed herein are improved collagenase-containing formulations and methods of preparing the same. The collagenase-containing formulations comprise a collagenase, about 30 mM to about 240 mM of a disaccharide, about 50 mM to about 800 mM of mannitol, and about 6 mM to about 10 mM of a Tris-HCl. Lyophilized and reconstituted formulations are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to the use of contact lenses for treating one or more ophthalmologic conditions. In some embodiments, the contact lenses may be used to treat presbyopia, induced myopia, computer vision syndrome (CVS), insufficient accommodation, or a condition associated with insufficient accommodation. The contact lens may include a number of regions having different geometries (e.g., curvature, width, diameter) depending on the flattest keratonomy of the cornea to achieve a suitable fit. For example, the contact lens may include an optic zone surrounded by an inner peripheral region and an outer peripheral region surrounding the inner peripheral region, each exhibiting varying degrees of curvature. The fitted contact lens may be selected based on a measured sagittal depth and/or eccentricity of the cornea. When fitted, an appropriate amount of fluid may accumulate between the cornea of the eye and the contact lens. In addition, the lens may exhibit a sufficient amount of apical clearance such that when the wearer blinks, the lens moves no more than 1 mm on the eye. Further, the lens and the eye may be mutually structured such that bubbles greater than 0.5 mm in diameter are prevented from forming between the contact lens and the eye. The contact lens may be used in combination with a suitable bioactive agent providing for enhanced visual correction.

An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct is described herein. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described. Also described herein is a multicellular organoid including at least two tumor cells or cell lines that are of the same tissue type, but are distinct from one another (e.g., distinct in morphology, growth rate, and/or or at least one mutation); and at least one type of non-cancerous (i.e., normal or differentiated) tissue cells, wherein the at least one type of non-cancerous tissue cells are of the same tissue type as the at least two tumor cells or cell lines. In some embodiments, the at least two tumor cells or cell lines and/or the non-cancerous tissue cells are labeled with and/or comprise a detectable compound, optionally so that each of the different cells can be distinguished from each other (e.g., optically and/or electrically distinguished).

Fusion proteins containing active agonist or antagonist fragments of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) coupled to a collagen-binding domain are presented. The fusion proteins can be used to promote bone growth, to promote hair growth, to prevent cancer metastasis to bone, to promote immune reconstitution with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, to promote mobilization of bone marrow stem cells for collection for autologous stem cell transplant, and to treat renal osteodystrophy. Pharmaceutical agents comprising a collagen-binding polypeptide segment linked to a non-peptidyl PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or antagonist are also presented.

An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct is described herein. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described. Also described herein is a multicellular organoid including at least two tumor cells or cell lines that are of the same tissue type, but are distinct from one another (e.g., distinct in morphology, growth rate, and/or at least one mutation); and at least one type of non-cancerous (i.e., normal or differentiated) tissue cells, wherein the at least one type of non-cancerous tissue cells are of the same tissue type as the at least two tumor cells or cell lines. In some embodiments, the at least two tumor cells or cell lines and/or the non-cancerous tissue cells are labeled with and/or comprise a detectable compound, optionally so that each of the different cells can be distinguished from each other (e.g., optically and/or electrically distinguished).

Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods are disclosed.