Biodegradable pharmaceutical compositions comprising 1,3-propanediol and its esters are provided. The 1,3-propanediol and its esters in the pharmaceutical composition are biologically derived, and as such, the pharmaceutical compositions exhibit a low anthropogenic CO.sub.2 emission profile.

Compositions, methods, systems/devices and media are provided for maintaining a harvested organ in a functioning and viable state prior to implantation. The organ perfusion apparatus includes a preservation chamber for storing the organ during the preservation period. A perfusion circuit is provided having a first line for providing an oxygenated fluid to the organ, and a second line for carrying depleted fluid away from the organ. The perfusion apparatus also includes a device operably associated with the perfusion circuit for maintaining the organ at a substantially normothermic temperature.

The present invention is directed to obtaining a cell population comprising mesenchymal stem cells that are excellent in proliferative capability and osteoblastic differentiation capability and are useful for the regeneration of periodontal tissues. The present invention is also directed to providing a cell sheet and a method for producing a cell sheet, comprising, as a material, a cell population comprising mesenchymal stem cells that are excellent in proliferative capability and osteoblastic differentiation capability and are useful for the regeneration of periodontal tissues. A cell population having alkaline phosphatase activity before calcification induction of 1 U or more is selected and obtained from a cell population comprising mesenchymal stem cells derived from a dental or periodontal tissue. A cell sheet is obtained by the following steps (a) to (c): (a) obtaining a cell population comprising mesenchymal stem cells and having alkaline phosphatase activity; (b) culturing the cell population in a calcification induction medium, and proliferating the cell population on a plastic substrate; and (c) recovering and washing a sheet-shaped cell population formed on the plastic substrate.

The invention relates to methods for producing one or more compounds of interest, comprising ex vivo perfusing a liver or liver tissue and optionally a kidney or kidney tissue with a perfusion liquid comprising a precursor of said one or more compounds of interest, wherein said precursor is a compound that is metabolized in the liver and/or kidney, and purifying said one or more compounds of interest from the perfusate, bile, urine, perfused liver or liver tissue and/or perfused kidney or kidney tissue.

A method for controlling at least one pump in a perfusion apparatus for delivering a fluid to at least one organ through a plurality of vessels for maintaining the viability of the at least one organ, the method including supplying a fluid to a first vessel of an organ and to a second vessel of an organ; measuring a first parameter of the fluid flowing in the first vessel and a second parameter of the fluid flowing in the second vessel; and executing direct control of the second parameter of the fluid flowing in the second vessel to influence the first parameter of the fluid flowing in the first vessel.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing macular degeneration in a subject. The disclosure also provides compositions and methods for preserving organs and tissues for transplantation, and for preventing cellular injury in organs or in subjects.

Disclosed are compositions comprising umbilical tissue, wherein the umbilical tissue comprises one or more engineered channels. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a previously cryopreserved umbilical tissue, wherein after cryopreservation and subsequent thawing the umbilical tissue comprises: a) viable cells native to the umbilical tissue; b) tissue integrity of native umbilical tissue; c) one or more growth factors that are native to the umbilical tissue; and d) depleted amounts of one or more types of functional immunogenic cells. Disclosed are methods of producing compositions comprising umbilical tissue, wherein the umbilical tissue comprises one or more engineered channels. Also disclosed are methods of treating damaged tissue comprising administering to the site of the damaged tissue compositions comprising umbilical tissue, wherein the umbilical tissue comprises one or more engineered channels.

A system, method, and device for preserving blood and its components is described. The system and method generally include a device having a body defining a chamber, the chamber being configured to receive at least one bag containing blood or its components, the at least one bag being permeable to gas, for example, xenon. A cover is hermetically sealable to the body. An inlet is in fluid communication with the chamber. A pressure indicator is configured to indicate pressure in the chamber, the pressure indicator including a conduit containing a liquid. A portion of the conduit is transparent such that the liquid is visible. A source of pressurized gas, such as xenon, is provided to provide the pressurized gas to the chamber.

The present invention provides compositions comprising desiccated biologics comprising a cell, protein, virus, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, or lipid, or any combination thereof, along with at least one membrane penetrable sugar, and at least one membrane impenetrable sugar, wherein the moisture content is from 5% to 95%, and to methods of preparing the same, and to methods of treating animals using the same.

Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.