Abstract: The mechanism of hypertension following acute NO synthase blockage is via endothelin-mediated vasoconstriction. Thus, NO appears to inhibit endothelin activity by blocking its expression and not as a chronic direct acting vasodilator. Administration of an endothelin antagonist to a patient in a ‘normal’ physiological state may result in specific regional vasodilation. This treatment finds utility in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 1998
Date of Patent:
June 25, 2002
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
James D. Banting, Jeremy P. W. Heaton, Michael A. Adams
Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a method of normalizing the timing of sexual response in a mammal comprising the administration of an amount of a central nervous system sexual response initiator in an amount sufficient to produce genital vasodilation but less than the amount required to produce effective vasocongestive arousal.
The method is applicable not only to adjusting or normalizing the timing of sexual response in humans, but in the breeding of valuable commercial animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, swine and the like and domesticated pets such as dogs and go cats.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the prophylactic treatment of long-term tissue degradation in the genital organs comprising the administration to a mammal of a central nervous system sexual response initiator in an amount sufficient to produce genital vasodilation but less than the amount required to produce effective vasocongestive arousal.
Abstract: The present invention provide a method of treating sexual dysfunction in a female, including the vasculogenic symptoms of delayed vaginal engorgement, diminished vaginal lubrication, pain or discomfort with intercourse (dyspareunia), diminished vaginal sensation, diminished vaginal orgasm, diminished clitoral sensation or diminished clitoral orgasm, or of combating vaginal pain by stimulating peripheral pelvic nerve release of nitric oxide (NO). The method comprises administering to a female in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound which acts on a mid-brain pathway to increase blood flow to the ilio-hypogastric-pudendal artery bed and stimulate the release of nitric oxide (NO) from peripheral NANC nerve cells. The preferred compound for the method of this invention is apomorphine or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or pro-drugs.
Abstract: A novel class of thermal hysteresis (antifreeze) proteins (THP) that have up to 100 times the specific activity of fish antifreeze proteins has been isolated and purified from the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Internal sequencing of the proteins, leading to cDNA cloning and production of the protein in bacteria has confirmed the identity and activity of the 8.4 to 10.7 kDa THP. They are novel Thr- and Cys-rich proteins composed largely of 12-amino-acid repeats of cys-thr-xaa-ser-xaa-xaa-cys-xaa-xaa-ala-xaa-thr. At a concentration of 55 &mgr;g/mL, the THP depressed the freezing point 1.6° C. below the melting point, and at a concentration of ˜1 mg/mL the THP or its variants can account for the 5.5° C. of thermal hysteresis found in Tenebrio larvae. The THP function by an adsorption-inhibition mechanism and produce oval-shaped ice crystals with curved prism faces.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 26, 1997
Date of Patent:
May 21, 2002
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Laurie A. Graham, Yih-Cherng Liou, Virginia K. Walker, Peter L. Davies
Abstract: A method for diagnosing hypoxia, endothelial dysfunction, a vascular or circulatory condition of a subject, in which the level of expression of a gene, and/or the level of a metabolite or metabolic by-product in a biological test sample is measured and compared to a control sample so as to assess the vascular condition of the subject, is described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 23, 2002
Assignee:
Queens University at Kingston
Inventors:
Michael A. Adams, Jeremy P. W. Heaton, Charles H. Graham, Susan E. Brien
Abstract: Compounds and methods for mitigating neurodegeneration, effecting neuroprotection and/or effecting cognition enhancement in a subject are described. Neurological or cognitive conditions are treated by administering to a subject an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising a nitrate ester, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 10, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2002
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Gregory R. J. Thatcher, Brian M. Bennett, James N. Reynolds, Roland J. Boegman, Khem Jhamandas
Abstract: A polymethacrylate or other bone cement composition having analgesic properties is described. Bone cements containing up to 5% by weight of a local anaesthetic agent, such as lidocaine, have been demonstrated to elute sufficient lidocaine to provide an analgesic effect in vivo.
Abstract: A novel method to enhance translocation of molecules across or into cellular membranes using a plastid protein transport gene is described. The method can also be used to incorporate substances into membranes of organisms. Nucleic acid constructs include those which express a plastid protein transport protein or its equivalent in cells of all organisms.
Abstract: Methods and compounds useful for the inhibition of convulsive disorders, including epilepsy, are disclosed. The methods and compounds of the invention inhibit or prevent ictogenesis and epileptogenesis. Methods for preparing the compounds of the invention are also described.
Abstract: A novel class of thermal hysteresis, antifreeze proteins (THPs) has been isolated and purified from Choristoneura sp., including the eastern spruce budworm C. fumiferana. The invention provides for nucleic acids which encode these antifreeze proteins. The invention also provides for antibodies reactive to these novel antifreeze proteins. The invention also includes a method for decreasing the freezing point of an aqueous solution by adding these novel antifreeze proteins to the solution.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 1999
Date of Patent:
February 19, 2002
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Virginia K. Walker, Peter L. Davies, Mitra Rahavard, Michael G. Tyshenko
Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining the multi-dimensional topology of a substance (system) within a volume (space). A method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the steps of: acquiring a set of relative values for the density (scalar properties) of the volume, each value for a given location (point) within the volume; interpolating a set of functions to generate a continuous relative density for the volume; identifying critical points of the continuous relative density by using an eigenvector following method; and associating critical points with one another by following a gradient path of the continuous relative density between the critical points, The method is applicable to a wide range of data relating to fields such as crystallography, fluid dynamics, edge detection, and financial markets, to determine the topology of structures contained therein.
Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for modulating amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is modulated by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising a phosphonate group and a carboxylate group, a congener thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. In preferred embodiments, an interaction between an amyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is modulated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 1999
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2001
Assignees:
Neurochem, Inc., Queen's University At Kingston
Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for inhibiting amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is inhibited by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising an anionic group and a carrier molecule, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such that an interaction between an amnyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is inhibited. Preferred anionic groups are sulfonates and sulfates.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 9, 2001
Publication date:
December 6, 2001
Applicant:
Queen's University of Kingston
Inventors:
Robert Kisilevsky, Walter Szarek, Donald Weaver
Abstract: Heterocyclic organoaluminum and organoboron coordination complexes that are photoluminescent and electroluminescent, emitting intense blue light. Methods of synthesizing such compounds, methods of producing photoluminescence and electroluminescence, methods of applying the compounds in thin films, and uses of the compounds of the invention in luminescent probes, electroluminescent displays and the like.
Abstract: Compounds and methods for mitigating neurodegeneration, effecting neuroprotection and/or effecting cognition enhancement in a subject are described. Neurological or cognitive conditions are treated by administering to a subject an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising a nitrate ester, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 30, 2001
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Gregory R. J. Thatcher, Brian M. Bennett, James N. Reynolds, Roland J. Boegman, Khem Jhamandas
Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for inhibiting a glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-associated molecular interaction in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 30, 2001
Assignees:
Queen's University at Kingston, Neurochem, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert Kisilevsky, Allan M. Green, Francine Gervais
Abstract: Amino acid sequences and corresponding nucleic acid sequence of retinoid metabolizing protein found in human, mouse and zebrafish are described, as well as methods of using same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 23, 2001
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
P. Martin Petkovich, Jay A. White, Barbara R. Beckett, Glenville Jones
Abstract: Methods and compounds useful for the inhibition of convulsive disorders, including epilepsy, are disclosed. The methods and compounds of the invention inhibit or prevent ictogenesis and epileptogenesis. Methods for preparing the compounds of the invention are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 1998
Date of Patent:
October 23, 2001
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Donald E. Weaver, Paul H. Milne, Christopher Y. K. Tan, John R. Carran
Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for modulating amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is modulated by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising a phosphonate group and a carboxylate group, a congener thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. In preferred embodiments, an interaction between an amyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is modulated.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 17, 2001
Publication date:
October 4, 2001
Applicant:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Walter A. Szarek, Xianqi Kong, Gregory R.J Thatcher, Boris Gorine
Abstract: Factors and methods for disrupting or inhibiting the association of protomers of a multimeric protein are described. Such inhibition reduces the biological disorders. Particularly, novel neurotrophin antagonists are described. Generally, the antagonist comprises amino acids from positions 68-58 and 108-110 of a neurotrophin, in which the amino acid from position 68 is covalently bound to the amino acid from position 108 and the amino acid from position 58 is covalently bound to the amino acid at position 110 to form a bicyclic structure, in another aspect of the invention transition metal ions are provided for selectively altering the geometry of the receptor binding domains of neurotrophins which allows functionality and activity of the neurotrophins to be selectively reduced. For example Zn2+ alters the conformation of NGF rendering it unable to bind to p75NTR or TrkA receptors or to activate signal transduction and biological outcomes normally induced by this protein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 9, 1997
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2001
Assignee:
Queen's University at Kingston
Inventors:
Richard J. Riopelle, Gregory M. Ross, Magdalena I. Dory, Donald F. Weaver, Igor L. Shamovsky