Compositions or an assembly of a series of biomimetic compounds include chemical structures that mimic or structurally resemble a nucleic acid base pair. Complexes of nanotubes and agents are useful to deliver agents into the cells or bodily tissues of individuals for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Exemplary compounds include those of Formula (I), (III), (V) or (VII), or of Formula (II), (IV), (VI) or (VIII).

##STR00001##

The present invention involves implants suitable for surgical implantation into subjects. In some embodiments the implants comprise a biocompatible scaffold material and blood vessels containing engineered endothelial cells—such as E4ORF1+ engineered endothelial cells or engineered endothelial cells that express certain marker molecules. The present invention provides implants, methods for preparing such implants, and methods of treatment utilizing such implants.

Methods, compositions and kits for producing functional chondrocytes, skeletal cells, bone marrow stromal cells, and progenitor cells thereof are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in producing chondrocytes, osteoblasts, stromal cells, and progenitor cells thereof in vivo, or in vitro for transplantation, for experimental evaluation, as a source of lineage- and cell-specific products, and the like, for example for use in treating human disorders of the cartilage, bone and hematopoietic system. In some embodiments, specific combinations of protein factors are identified for reprogramming non-skeletal cells into bones, hematopoietic stroma, and chondrocytes, which may be provided in vitro or in vivo.

A microporous gel system for certain applications, including biomedical applications, includes an aqueous solution containing plurality of microgel particles including a biodegradable crosslinker. In some aspects, the microgel particles act as gel building blocks that anneal to one another to form a covalently-stabilized scaffold of microgel particles having interstitial spaces therein. In certain aspects, annealing of the microgel particles occurs after exposure to an annealing agent that is endogenously present or exogenously added. In some embodiments, annealing of the microgel particles requires the presence of an initiator such as exposure to light. In particular embodiments, the chemical and physical properties of the gel building blocks can be controlled to allow downstream control of the resulting assembled scaffold. In one or more embodiments, cells are able to quickly infiltrate the interstitial spaces of the assembled scaffold.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medicines, and in particular, to a composite scaffold material, a preparation method therefor and use thereof. The present disclosure provides a composite scaffold material, including a charged fiber framework material. The fiber framework material is coated with positively charged biocompatible materials and negatively charged biocompatible materials alternately, by means of electrostatic attraction. The composite scaffold material of the present disclosure overcomes the defects of traditional scaffold materials, such as poor hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, histiocyte adhesion ability, and biological induction activity. The composite scaffold material has better applicability when used for tissue adhesion, closure, leaking stoppage, hemostasis, isolation, repair, and adhesion prevention, and can also be used for preparing a drug carrier (e.g., sustained release carrier) and a tissue engineering scaffold material. Therefore the composite scaffold material has a wide range of industrial uses.

An implantable medical product and method of use for substantially reducing or eliminating harsh biological responses associated with conventionally implanted medical devices, including inflammation, infection and thrombogenesis, when implanted in in a body of a warm blooded mammal. The bioremodelable pouch structure is configured and sized to receive, encase and retain an electrical medical device therein and to allow such device to be inserted into the internal region or cavity of the pouch structure; with the pouch structure formed from either: (a) first and second sheets, or (b) a single sheet having first and second sheet portions. After receiving the electrical device, the edges around the opening are closed by suturing or stapling. The medical device encased by the bioremodelable pouch structure effectively improves biological functions by promoting tissue regeneration, modulated healing of adjacent tissue or growth of new tissue when implanted in the body of the mammal.

The invention relates to compositions comprised of albumin and clottable proteins including fibrinogen and to use thereof e.g., for treating bleeding. In particular, the compositions are comprised of albumin and one or more clottable proteins, wherein the albumin and the one or more clottable proteins are present at a total concentration of at least 90% by total protein weight, wherein the clottable protein fibronectin is present at an amount of less than about 0.5% by total protein weight or is absent, and wherein the weight ratio of the albumin to the clottable protein fibrinogen is at least 1:15, respectively.

A method of manufacturing a resorbable, macroporous bioactive glass scaffold comprising approximately 15-45% CaO, 30-70% SiO.sub.2, 0-25% Na.sub.2O, 0-17% P.sub.2O.sub.5, 0-10% MgO and 0-5% CaF.sub.2 by mass percent, produced by mixing with pore forming agents and specified heat treatments.

The invention relates to a method for predicting or diagnosing a risk of bioprosthetic valve degeneration. Further, the invention relates to a medical device, in particular a bioprosthetic valve coated with EPCR less prone to degeneration and/or calcification once implanted.

The present invention relates to enhancing mechanical properties of tissue such as collagenous or collagen-containing or elastin-containing tissue (e.g., tendons, ligaments, and cartilage) and treating related musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal conditions or injuries.