Patents Assigned to University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
  • Publication number: 20240156779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, or cancer cachexia, or inhibiting abnormally increased white adipose tissue browning, or decreasing the risk of a kidney stone in a subject, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a negative allosteric modulator of parathyroid hormone (PTH) type 1 receptor (PTHR) signaling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Ieva Sutkeviciute, Jean-Pierre Vilardaga, Jiyoung Lee, Ivet Bahar, Burak Kaynak
  • Publication number: 20240156370
    Abstract: A portable hearing screening and amplification device structured to be coupled to a headset includes: a housing, a plurality of buttons, a plurality of indicators, a microphone circuit, an output circuit, a power source, and a controller. Upon passing a background noise test, the portable hearing screening and amplification device is structured to transmit a plurality of hearing screening tones to the headset for a user for testing of the plurality of hearing screening tones and complete the hearing screening based on responses of the user related to the plurality of hearing screening tones, the responses including a number of hearing screening tones that the user has perceived during the hearing screening. Based on a determination that the number of hearing screening tones perceived is less than a prerequisite number, the portable hearing screening and amplification device is further structured to switch to amplification mode and provide amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Vipperman, Catherine Palmer, Erik Rauterkus, Jacalynn Ona Sharp, Christopher Dumm, Joseph Lyle Koch
  • Patent number: 11983943
    Abstract: A computational systems pathology spatial analysis platform includes: (i) a spatial heterogeneity quantification component configured for generating a global quantification of spatial heterogeneity among cells of varying phenotypes in multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data; (ii) a microdomain identification component configured for identifying a plurality of microdomains for tissue samples based on the global quantification, each microdomain being associated with a tissue sample; and (iii) a weighted graph component configured for constructing a weighted graph for the multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data, the weighted graph having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges each being located between a pair of the nodes, wherein in the weighted graph each node is a particular one of the microdomains and the edge between each pair of microdomains in the weighted graph is indicative of a degree of similarity between the pair of the microdomains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Srinivas C. Chennubhotla, Filippo Pullara, Douglass L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240148862
    Abstract: Methods are provided for promoting, reducing, or desensitizing various immune responses by delivery of sub-immunogenic doses of an allergen, alone or with other agents, or by delivery of antigens and adjuvants to a cutaneous microenvironment of a subject. Microneedle arrays can be used in connection with this delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Louis D. Falo, JR., Adriana Teresita Larregina De Morelli
  • Patent number: 11972858
    Abstract: A method of characterizing cellular phenotypes includes receiving multi-parameter cellular and sub-cellular imaging data for a number of tissue samples from a number of patients or a number of multicellular in vitro models, performing cellular segmentation on the multi-parameter cellular and sub-cellular imaging data to create segmented multi-parameter cellular and sub-cellular imaging data, and performing recursive decomposition on the segmented multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data to identify a plurality of computational phenotypes. The recursive decomposition includes a plurality of levels of decomposition with each level of decomposition including soft/probabilistic clustering and spatial regularization, and each cell in the segmented multi-parameter cellular and subcellular imaging data is probabilistically assigned to one or more of the plurality of computational phenotypes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Srinivas C. Chennubhotla, Filippo Pullara, Samantha A. Furman
  • Publication number: 20240131075
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating an autoimmune disorder in a subject in need thereof. These methods include administering to the subject a pharmaceutical preparation comprising isolated matrix bound vesicles (MBV) derived from extracellular matrix. The administration can be systemic. In some embodiments, the subject has rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Stephen Badylak, George S. Hussey, Raphael Crum
  • Publication number: 20240124410
    Abstract: Small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between B-cell lymphoma 10 protein (BCL10) and mucosa- associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1), thereby inhibiting both the protease and scaffolding activities of MALT1, and MALT1- dependent downstream signaling, including IL-6 and IL-10 secretion by B-cell lymphoma cells and IL-2 transcription and secretion by Jurkat T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Peter C. Lucas, Linda M. McAllister, Heejae Kang, Beibei Chen, Lisa Maurer, Dong Hu, Jing Cheng, Linda Klei, Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska
  • Publication number: 20240122980
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that include (a) an extracellular scFv comprising a light chain variable domain (VL) a heavy chain variable domain (VH), wherein the scFv specifically binds to an antigen of interest; (b) a CD8 hinge domain and transmembrane domain; and (c) a cytoplasmic domain comprising (i) a TIM-3 cytoplasmic domain and an intracellular signaling domain, wherein (a)-(c) are in N-terminal to C-terminal order. Also disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding these CARs, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids, and the use of these compositions for treating a subject, such as a subject with a tumor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Lawrence Patrick Kane, Jason Lohmueller
  • Patent number: 11945847
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the inducing neurodegenerative disease pathologies. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric polypeptide, comprising: a first nucleotide sequence encoding a light-induced oligomerization domain and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a neurodegenerative disease in target protein. Disclosed herein is a method of inducing a neurodegenerative disease pathology in a cell, comprising the steps: introducing into the cell an expression vector encoding a chimeric polypeptide, comprising: a first nucleotide sequence encoding a light-induced oligomerization domain and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a low complexity domain from a neurodegenerative disease target protein, wherein the first nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a promoter; expressing the chimeric polypeptide; and inducing oligomerization of the chimeric polypeptide by stimulation with blue light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Christopher James Donnelly, Jacob R. Mann
  • Patent number: 11944426
    Abstract: A load cell apparatus includes a base member, a cap member, a number of first members provided between the base member and the cap member and forming at least a portion of a support wall of the load cell apparatus, and a plurality of strain gauges directly coupled to the number of first members, the plurality of strain gauges being positioned to measure an axial load applied to the load cell in a direction extending from the cap member to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Pearlman, Jonathan A. Duvall, Samuel T. Bucior
  • Publication number: 20240099924
    Abstract: A system for assisting a user with navigating a set of stairs includes a pulley system positioned adjacent to the stairs, the pulley system including a first pulley, a second pulley, and an elongated member coupled to and looped around the first pulley and the second pulley. The system further includes a motor coupled to the first pulley, a sensing assembly operatively coupled to the pulley system, the sensing assembly being structured and configured to sense that a force is being applied to or that is about to be applied to the elongated member by the user, and a controller coupled to the motor and the sensing assembly. The controller is structured and configured to, responsive to the sensing assembly sensing the force, turn the motor on to drive the first pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Alexandra Delazio, Alton E. James, III, David M. Brienza, Jonathan L. Pearlman, Paulina M. Villacreces, MD Rayhan Afsar, Todd Hargroder
  • Publication number: 20240102836
    Abstract: A linear variable differential pitot tube includes a primary solenoid, a first secondary solenoid, a second secondary solenoid, wherein the primary solenoid is positioned in between the first secondary solenoid and the second secondary solenoid, wherein the first secondary solenoid and the first secondary solenoid have identical geometries, and a high permeability magnetic core, the high permeability magnetic core being structured to move relative to the primary solenoid, the first secondary solenoid, and the second secondary solenoid. Also, a system and method for measuring the localized velocity of a flow of a fluid using the linear variable differential pitot tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: HENG BAN, GREGORY E.J. KINZLER
  • Publication number: 20240101625
    Abstract: EphA2 T-cell epitope are provided herein. The epitopes include peptides corresponding to specific fragments of human EphA2 protein containing one or more T-cell epitopes, and conservative derivatives thereof. The EphA2 T-cell epitopes are useful in an assay, such as an ELISPOT assay, that may be used to determine and/or quantify a patient's immune responsiveness to EphA2. The epitopes also are useful in methods of modulating a patient's immune reactivity to EphA2, which has substantial utility as a treatment for cancers that overexpress EphA2, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The EphA2 epitopes also can be used to vaccinate a patient against EphA2, by in vivo or ex vivo methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Walter J. Storkus, Michael S. Kinch
  • Publication number: 20240091271
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the engraftment and proliferation of cells in fat-associated lymphoid clusters (“FALCs” or “milky spots”), which may be used to generate functional ectopic tissue. The present disclosure further provides methods and compositions for grafting and proliferating cells, in FALCs by activating the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LT?R) and/or NF-?B-inducing kinase (NIK) signaling pathway. The present disclosure also provides for methods and compositions to establish ectopic liver tissue in FALCs (milky spots) and to use such ectopic liver tissue for therapeutic benefit, and provides methods and compositions to generate ectopic kidney tissue in FALCs, which can be used in a subject for therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventor: Eric Lagasse
  • Publication number: 20240093157
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various bioreactor devices and systems for growing cellular material, and related methods of growing cellular material. In some cases, a system can include a well plate having a plurality of wells and a bioreactor situated in each well of the well plate. In some cases, a bioreactor can include an inner body which divides the bioreactor into several distinct chambers and facilitates the growth of a multi-tissue sample in the bioreactor. In some cases, a system can include a mechanical actuator situated to mechanically stress tissues grown in a bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Rocky S. Tuan, Hang Lin, Thomas P. Lozito, Peter Alexander, Douglas Allen Nelson, Jr., Riccardo Gottardi
  • Publication number: 20240090810
    Abstract: A neurofeedback system includes an EEG apparatus, a presentation apparatus and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) cause the presentation apparatus to display an overlaid image to the user that comprises a first image flickering at a first frequency and a second image flickering at a second frequency different than the first frequency, the first image being an affective distractor stimulus image and the second image being a task-relevant stimulus image, (ii) receive from the EEG apparatus a number of first steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) signals generated in response the first image of the overlaid image and a number of second SSVEP signals generated in response the second image of the overlaid image, and (iii) calculate feedback indicative of how much attention of the was user allocated to the task-relevant stimulus image versus how much attention of the user was allocated to the affective distractor stimulus image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, UPMC, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mary L. Woody, Murat Akcakaya, Sarah Ostadabbas, Rebecca Price, Xiaofei Huang, Richard T. Gall, Anna Wears, Nastasia O. McDonald, Jennifer Mak
  • Publication number: 20240082430
    Abstract: Provided are ex vivo and in vivo methods utilizing therapeutic genes for treatment of male and female infertility, including non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and comorbid diseases, with or without transmitting the therapeutic gene to offspring of the infertile subject. Germline gene therapy methods are also described to reduce or eliminate disease from families with or without transmission of the therapeutic gene to offspring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Kyle E. Orwig, Chatchanan Doungkamchan, Alexander N. Yatsenko, Aleksandar Rajkovic
  • Publication number: 20240083979
    Abstract: Described herein is a new antidote for the rapid elimination of carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, including brain, heart, and red cell hemoglobin. The disclosed therapy involves the use of modified human globins, particularly neuroglobins modified at residue 64 and cytoglobins modified at residue 81, which bind carbon monoxide with extremely high affinity. The monomeric mutant globins are infused into blood, where they rapidly and irreversibly sequester carbon monoxide, and thus limit toxic effects of carbon monoxide on cellular respiration and oxygen transport and utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Mark T. Gladwin, Jesus Tejero Bravo
  • Publication number: 20240083932
    Abstract: The invention includes a cationic cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl complex according to the general structure (I): wherein, Y is (CH2)n or (CH2)mA(CH2)n, A is O, NSO2R, S, or CR1R2, each of R, R1 and R2 with respect to A is independently alkyl or aryl, n is an integer from 1 to 8, m+n is an integer from 2 to 7, Z is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or CF3, and X is BF4?, ClO4?, PF6?, AsF6?, or SbF6?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: YIMING WANG, YIDONG WANG, RUIHAN WANG
  • Publication number: 20240087750
    Abstract: h A method for using a trained machine learning model to predict risk of incident opioid use disorder (OUD) and/or of N an opioid overdose episode for a subject. The method comprises using at least one computer hardware processor to perform: accessing data associated with the subject, wherein the data comprises values for a plurality of predictors; generating input features for the trained machine learning model from the data; and providing the input features as input to the trained machine learning model to obtain an output indicative of the risk of OUD and/or of the opioid overdose episode for the subject, wherein the trained machine learning model comprises a first plurality of values for a respective first plurality of parameters, the first plurality of values used by the at least one computer hardware processor to obtain the output from the input features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated, University of Pittsburgh- Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States Government as represented by The Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Wei Hsuan Lo Ciganic, Walid Fouad Gellad