The disclosure provides hydrogel compositions comprising polysaccharides with repeat units and methods of synthesis and usage.

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical and/or dietetic composition for increasing the impact of the immune defense of higher living beings, wherein bacteria of the species Lactobacillus fermentum from at least one of the strains K1-Lb1 or K1-Lb6 or K2-Lb4 or K6-Lb4 or K7-Lb1 or K8-Lb1 or K9-Lb6 are contained in order to control the adaptive and natural immune defense by means of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells and/or bacteria of the species Lactobacillus fermentum from at least one of the strains K2-Lb6 or K11-Lb3 are contained in order to strengthen the native immune defense.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing attachment of soft tissues to a metal prosthetic device. In one embodiment a construct is provided comprising a metal implant having a porous metal region, wherein said porous region exhibits a nano-textured surface.

Activated fatty acids, pharmaceutical compositions including activated fatty acids, methods for using activated fatty acids to treat a variety of diseases, and methods for preparing activated fatty acids are provided herein.

Described herein are compositions and methods for the inhibition of miR-21 activity. The compositions have certain nucleoside modification patterns that yield potent inhibitors of miR-21 activity. The compositions may be used to inhibit miR-21, and also to treat diseases associated with abnormal expression of miR-21, such as fibrosis and cancer.

Provided herein are methods, compositions, and uses relating to inhibitors of stem cell factor. For example, provided herein are antibodies targeting stem cell factor and methods for treating fibrotic and tissue remodeling diseases.

A compound according to formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, cyclopropyl, or pyrazolyl, wherein said pyrazolyl is optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The present invention is directed to novel non-woven fabrics containing growth and differentiation factor proteins. Said fabrics are specifically designed to accelerate tissue regeneration and wound healing processes of mammalian tissues. Furthermore, the invention provides wound dressings, pads or implants comprising the novel non-woven fabrics.

A pegylated type I interferon for use in treating an infectious disease, cancer, or myeloproliferative disease in a subject in need thereof, wherein a 50 to 540 μg dose of the pegylated type I interferon is administered to the subject at a regular interval for a treatment period, the interval being 3 to 8 weeks.

Anti-IL-6 antibodies and antirheumatics are useful to treat and suppress IL-6 related conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.