A device for use in the repair of an ear drum in a subject in need of such treatment, said device: having a tensile strength Youngs Modulus between approximately 12.5 and 40 MPa; comprising one or more membrane layers, wherein at least one membrane layer comprises a plurality of pores; and wherein the device can support proliferation, migration and/or adhesion of cells selected from the group comprising at least any one or more of: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, vascular cells, mucosal epithelial cells, and stem cells.

The present invention pertains to the field of pharmaceutical chemicals, and relates to a rapamycin derivative of Formula I, and a preparation method, pharmaceutical composition and use thereof. The compounds of the present invention overcome the defects of rapamycin in terms of water solubility and metabolic properties, and some of the compounds have an in vitro anti-tumor activity superior to rapamycin, have less toxicity to normal cells than rapamycin, and have very good druggability.

##STR00001##

This invention provides solid substrates for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, which solid substrate is characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75%, which specific fluid uptake capacity value is determined by establishing a spontaneous fluid uptake value divided by a total fluid uptake value. This invention also provides solid substrates for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, which solid substrate is characterized by having a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees, when in contact with a fluid. This invention also provides solid substrates for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, which said substrate is characterized by a substantial surface roughness (Ra) as measured by scanning electron microscopy or atomic force microscopy. The invention also provides for processes for selection of an optimized coral-based solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function and applications of the same.

Methods for increasing the patency of biodegradable, synthetic vascular grafts are provided. The methods include administering one or more cytokines and/or chemokines that promote outward tissue remodeling of the vascular grafts and vascular neotissue formation. The disclosed methods do not require cell seeding of the vascular grafts, thus avoiding many problems associated with cell seeding. Biodegradable, polymeric vascular grafts which provide controlled release of cytokines and/or chemokines at the site of vascular graft implantation are also provided.

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide compositions including a water-insoluble therapeutic agent and a gallate-containing compound. Other aspects provide methods of using such compositions.

Various aspects of the present invention provide compositions and implantable devices including a water-insoluble therapeutic agent solubilized in a matrix of a gallate-containing compound. Other aspects provide methods of manufacturing and using such compositions and devices.

The present disclosure describes compositions and methods to promote wound healing. The compositions and methods include an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), such as anakinra. The IL-1Ra can be administered topically to a chronic wound including a diabetic ulcer.

The application relates to the delivery of immunomodulatory molecules, including cytokines, to the situs of tissue scaffolds, and wounds including injuries.

Provided is a medical implant including: an implant base having a surface made of a silicon material; a linker having one end attached onto the surface of the implant base; and a cytokine bound to another end of the linker. By inducing the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, a capsular contracture, which is one of the complications that may occur after transplantation of the patient's breast implant, may occur less.

The invention provides a novel, versatile degradable hydrogel composition, and methods thereof, with precisely tunable stiffness, plasticity (e.g., degree of covalent vs. physical crosslinks) and predictive disintegration rates degradation, allowing controlled disintegration and release of therapeutic cells or pharmaceuticals and/or in vitro 3D cell expansion.