The present disclosure provides patterned biomaterials having organized cords and extracellular matrix embedded in a 3D scaffold. According, the present disclosure provides compositions and applications for patterned biomaterials. Pre-patterning of these biomaterials can lead to enhanced integration of these materials into host organisms, providing a strategy for enhancing the viability of engineered tissues by promoting vascularization.

The present disclosure provides patterned biomaterials having organized cords and extracellular matrix embedded in a 3D scaffold. According, the present disclosure provides compositions and applications for patterned biomaterials. Pre-patterning of these biomaterials can lead to enhanced integration of these materials into host organisms, providing a strategy for enhancing the viability of engineered tissues by promoting vascularization.

The present disclosure provides patterned biomaterials having organized cords and extracellular matrix embedded in a 3D scaffold. According, the present disclosure provides compositions and applications for patterned biomaterials. Pre-patterning of these biomaterials can lead to enhanced integration of these materials into host organisms, providing a strategy for enhancing the viability of engineered tissues by promoting vascularization.

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, and Formula Id and salts, hydrates and isomers thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of promoting bone formation in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id. The present invention also provides orthopedic and periodontal devices, as well as methods for the treatment of renal disease, diabetes bone loss, and cancer, using a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id.

##STR00001##

In one aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, and Formula Id and salts, hydrates and isomers thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of promoting bone formation in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id. The present invention also provides orthopedic and periodontal devices, as well as methods for the treatment of renal disease, diabetes bone loss, and cancer, using a compound of Formula I, Formula Ia, Formula Ib, Formula Ic, or Formula Id.

##STR00001##

A sphere-like cell aggregate according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a core part containing neural retina; and a covering part continuously or discontinuously covering at least a portion of a surface of the core part.

A sphere-like cell aggregate according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a core part containing neural retina; and a covering part continuously or discontinuously covering at least a portion of a surface of the core part.

A method of making a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol is provided, the method comprising reacting a thioketal ester with a non-pyrophoric reducing agent to form a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol. The hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol can be 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diethanol. The non-pyrophoric reducing agent can be a sodium aluminum hydride, for example, sodium bis (2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride. The thioketal ester can be dimethyl 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diacetate. A biodegradable matrix prepared by reacting a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol with an isocyanate is provided. A method of making a biodegradable polyurethane composite is also provided.

A method of making a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol is provided, the method comprising reacting a thioketal ester with a non-pyrophoric reducing agent to form a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol. The hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol can be 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diethanol. The non-pyrophoric reducing agent can be a sodium aluminum hydride, for example, sodium bis (2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride. The thioketal ester can be dimethyl 2,2-(propane-2,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)) diacetate. A biodegradable matrix prepared by reacting a hydroxyl-terminated thioketal diol with an isocyanate is provided. A method of making a biodegradable polyurethane composite is also provided.

The present disclosure teaches methods of controlling the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix. The methods relate to the application of pressure, and optionally, in combination with heat, to a polymeric coating.