The present invention relates generally to treatment methods using sono-responsive embolic agents and ultrasound to monitor the location or travel of the embolic agents. The embolic agents may be modified to alter wettability for enhanced treatment of various disease states.

The present invention provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant of derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fragment, variant, fusion or derivative is capable of killing or attenuating the growth of microorganisms. Related aspects of the invention provide corresponding isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care. Also provided are a method of killing microorganisms in vitro and a medical device associated with the pharmaceutical composition.

Disclosed embodiments describe a reconstructed filament comprising natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe a wool comprising: a plurality of staple fibers formed of reconstructed filaments, wherein the reconstructed filaments comprise natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe a yarn spun from staple fibers, the yarn comprising: staple fibers comprising reconstructed filament, wherein the reconstructed filament comprises natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe an item comprising a reconstructed filament, wherein the reconstructed filament comprises natural protein fibrils and an additive.

The present invention provides polypeptides comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant of derivative thereof, wherein the polypeptide, fragment, variant, fusion or derivative is capable of killing or attenuating the growth of microorganisms. Related aspects of the invention provide corresponding isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors and host cells for making the same. Additionally provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, as well as methods of use of the same in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care. Also provided are a method of killing microorganisms in vitro and a medical device associated with the pharmaceutical composition.

A surgical sealant consisting of (1) a first agent comprising a gelatin derivative, wherein the gelatin derivative (a) has a weight average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 50,000; (b) has a hydrophobic group bonded thereto, the hydrophobic group being an alkyl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms; (c) has a molar ratio of imino group/amino group of the gelatin derivative ranging from 1/99 to 30/70; and (d) comprises a structure represented by the following formula: GltnNHCHR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein Gltn represents a gelatin residue, R.sup.1 is the hydrophobic group, and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or the hydrophobic group; and (2) a second agent comprising a crosslinking agent for the gelatin derivative.

The current disclosure provides compositions and methods for wound closure. The disclosure provides an device comprising: a) a material with a surface comprising a modified fibrinogen or a modified fibrin, wherein the modified fibrinogen or modified fibrin is more resistant to fibrinolysis than an unmodified fibrinogen or an unmodified fibrin, respectively; and b) one or more dispersible fibrinolysis inhibitors in contact with the surface comprising a plasmin inhibitor; and c) optionally, a thrombin agent or platelets.

The present invention relates to a self-assembling polypeptide for use as tissue adhesive. The present invention also relates to the use of a self-assembling polypeptide as tissue adhesive. Further, the invention is directed to the use of a self-assembling polypeptide to glue one or more cosmetic compounds on skin, mucosa, and/or hair. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a self-assembling polypeptide for use in gluing one or more pharmaceutical compounds on tissue, skin, mucosa, and/or hair.

A sustained release pharmaceutical formulation for pain management comprises an active ingredient, and a water-miscible and hygroscopic network-forming material, the active ingredient being dispersed within the water-miscible and hygroscopic network-forming material. The pharmaceutical may comprise a hydrophobic component, wherein the active ingredient dispersed within the water-miscible and hygroscopic network-forming material are together dispersed in hydrophobic component. Optionally, the pharmaceutical formulation may be combined with a reinforcing member for providing a system for sustained release of the pharmaceutical formulation for pain management.

Disclosed embodiments describe a method for manufacturing a staple fiber based on natural protein fiber. The method may include: providing a protein suspension, the protein suspension comprising fibrils of the natural protein fiber; directing the protein suspension through a nozzle onto a surface for forming a protein based fiber; drying the protein suspension on the surface; extracting the fiber from the surface; and providing the staple fiber. Disclosed embodiments may further describe a fiber based raw wool. The raw wool may include staple fibers, wherein the staple fibers are reconstructed on the basis of protein fibrils and are mechanically subdivided from natural protein fibers, wherein the protein fibrils are interlocked by hydrogen bonds, and wherein the raw wool comprises an unoriented, entangled, fluffy network of staple fibers.

The application relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a natural fiber based staple fibers. The application further relates to the staple fibers, staple fiber based raw wool and products comprising such. A method comprises providing a cellulose suspension (101, 310, 510) including water, refined cellulose fibrils and at least one rheology modifier, directing the cellulose suspension through a nozzle (102, 320, 520) onto a surface (300, 400, 500), drying the cellulose suspension onto the surface (103, 300, 400, 500) for forming a fiber (350, 550), and cutting the cellulose suspension on the surface for forming staple fibers (105).