Compounds comprising R-G-Cysteic Acid (i.e., R-G-NH—CH(CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H)COOH or Arg-Gly-NH—CH(CH.sub.2—SO.sub.3H)COOH) and derivatives thereof, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, stereoisomers, multimers, cyclic forms, linear forms, drug-conjugates, pro-drugs and their derivatives. Also disclosed are methods for making and using such compounds including methods for inhibiting cellular adhesion to RGD binding sites or delivering other diagnostic or therapeutic agents to RGD binding sites in human or animal subjects.

Biocompatible phase invertible proteinaceous compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. Phase invertible compositions in accordance with the invention are prepared by combining a liquid proteinaceous substrate and a liquid crosslinking composition, where the liquid crosslinking composition includes a macromolecular crosslinking agent. Also provided are kits for use in preparing the subject compositions. The subject compositions, kits and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

A catheter is disclosed comprising a sheath surrounding an inner lumen. The inner lumen is configured to receive a fluid. The sheath includes a sheath portion that comprises a hydrophilic material, wherein the hydrophilic material is in direct contact with the fluid. The hydrophilic material helps resist formation of air bubbles along the inner lumen.

Provided is a use for a peptide in surface-treating a medical device or medical material to be used in contact with blood, with which it is possible to obtain a medical device or medical material that can achieve highly efficient vascular endothelialization through the use of a peptide uniquely binding to vascular endothelial cells. Also provided are: a peptide suitable for use in said surface treatment; a method for producing a medical device or medical material surfaced-treated with said peptide and to be used in contact with blood; and a surface treatment agent including said peptide, said agent to be used in surface-treating a medical device or medical material to be used in contact with blood. In the present invention, a medical device or medical material is surface-treated using a peptide that includes any one of ten specific amino acid sequences and uniquely binds to the surface of endothelial progenitor cells.

This invention relates to shape memory block copolymers comprising: at least one switching segment having a T.sub.trans from 10 to 70° C.; and at least one soft segment, wherein at least one of the switching segments in linked to at least one of the soft segments by at least one linkage, and wherein the copolymer transforms from a first shape to a second shape by application of a first stimulus and the copolymer transforms back to the first shape from the second shape by application of a second stimulus. The shape memory block copolymers may be biocompatible and biodegradable.

This invention relates to shape memory block copolymers comprising: at least one switching segment having a T.sub.trans from 10 to 70° C.; and at least one soft segment, wherein at least one of the switching segments in linked to at least one of the soft segments by at least one linkage, and wherein the copolymer transforms from a first shape to a second shape by application of a first stimulus and the copolymer transforms back to the first shape from the second shape by application of a second stimulus. The shape memory block copolymers may be biocompatible and biodegradable.

Radiopaque polymer compositions and methods for making the compositions are provided. These radiopaque polymer compositions include polymer compositions comprising a crosslinked polymer network, the network comprising a first repeating unit derived from a monofunctional monomer and a second repeating unit derived from a multifunctional non-iodinated monomer wherein neither of the two monomers is fluorinated. Devices formed from radiopaque polymer compositions are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a chitosan matrix having good mechanical properties comprising the steps of a) preparing a solution of chitosan, b) pouring the solution of a) into a mould in order to form a layer, c) lyophilizing the layer of b) in order to obtain a matrix of chitosan, d) sterilizing the matrix obtained in c) by water vapor treatment. The invention also relates to the matrices obtained and to surgical implants comprising such matrices. The invention further relates to a method for increasing the suture retention strength of a chitosan matrix obtained by lyophilization of a chitosan solution, and to a method for for decreasing the solubilization rate in hydrochloric acid of a chitosan matrix obtained by lyophilization of a chitosan solution, comprising the step of sterilizing said matrix by a water vapor treatment.

Provided herein are chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic and research use. Further provided herein are antiviral and antimicrobial lectin compounds and methods of their use.

The present invention provides a means effective for bone regeneration or bone augmentation.

Provided is a method of bone regeneration or bone augmentation, comprising: implanting a porous composite at a site in need of the bone regeneration or bone augmentation, and administering parathyroid hormone (PTH) to a subject in need of the bone regeneration or bone augmentation, wherein the porous composite comprises calcium phosphate.