A method for obtaining epithelial organoids is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing one or more epithelial ducts, epithelial duct fragments and/or epithelial stem cells isolated therefrom in contact with an extracellular matrix in the presence of a basal medium, wherein the medium is free of FGF and/or nicotinamide. Organoids obtained by the methods described herein, and uses thereof, are also provided.

Methods for treating joint diseases, disorders, and conditions, such as osteoarthritis, with a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are provided. The composition can contain TIMPs as part of amniotic fluid, or the TIMPs can be isolated from another source or recombinantly produced. The methods are particularly useful for treating osteoarthritis associated with degradation of articular cartilage by proteases. Also provided are methods of lubricating a joint, such as an osteoarthritic joint.

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.

Multi component fibres for the reduction of the damaging activity of wound exudate components such as protein degrading enzymes and inflammatory mediators in wounds, the fibres comprising: from 10% to 100% by weight of the fibres of pectin and a sacrificial proteinaceous material in a weight ratio of 100:0 to 10:90 pectin to sacrificial proteinaceous material and from 0% to 90% by weight of the fibres of another polysaccharide or a water soluble polymer.

Compositions comprising a reverse-temperature sensitive hydrogel comprising a biopolymer such as a polysaccharide and a synthetic polymer, and a compound in an amount that reversibly inhibits respiratory enzyme complex I, and methods of using the composition, are provided.

Methods for treating joint diseases, disorders, and conditions, such as osteoarthritis, with a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are provided. The composition can contain TIMPs as part of amniotic fluid, or the TIMPs can be isolated from another source or recombinantly produced. The methods are particularly useful for treating osteoarthritis associated with degradation of articular cartilage by proteases. Also provided are methods of lubricating a joint, such as an osteoarthritic joint.

The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods comprising abiotic, synthetic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with affinity and specificity to peptide toxins, enzymes, signaling proteins and other large biomacromolecules. The synthetic polymer NPs are an improvement over the current art due to insusceptibility to phospholipase attack, a mechanism common to many venoms. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods relate to synthetic polymer NPs with affinity and specificity to three finger toxins (3FTX) and phospholipase A2. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods are useful for delaying or preventing tissue necrosis due to envenomation.

Disclosed herein are elastic, bioresorbable encasements for medical implants, methods for making the same and uses thereof.

Methods for treating joint diseases, disorders, and conditions, such as osteoarthritis, with a composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are provided. The composition can contain TIMPs as part of amniotic fluid, or the TIMPs can be isolated from another source or recombinantly produced. The methods are particularly useful for treating osteoarthritis associated with degradation of articular cartilage by proteases. Also provided are methods of lubricating a joint, such as an osteoarthritic joint.

A conical shaped venous valve structure formed from collagenous mammalian tissue. The valve structure includes a plurality of fluid flow modulating means that open and allow antegrade blood to be transmitted out of the valve structure and, into and through an associated cardiovascular vessel, when the valve structure is disposed in the cardiovascular vessel and the antegrade blood exhibits a positive pressure relative to the exterior pressure, whereby a negative hydrostatic pressure gradient is generated or present proximate the flow modulating means and/or a first positive pressure differential between first internal valvular pressure and first external valvular pressure is generated proximate the flow modulating regions, and close and prevent retrograde blood from flowing into the valve structure and, thereby, cardiovascular vessel, when a positive hydrostatic pressure gradient is generated or present proximate the flow modulating means and/or the first positive pressure differential transitions to a second pressure differential between second internal valvular pressure and second external valvular pressure, the second pressure differential being lower than the first positive pressure differential.