Abstract: Methods are provided for modulating the activity of multimeric ubiquitin-protein E3 ligases including, but not limited to, E6AP ligase activities. The methods reduce the level of oligomer formation such as homotrimeric E6AP ligase to reduce the enzyme activity. Alternatively, agents are provided that can promote the association of the ligase monomers, thereby increasing the ligase activity. Accordingly, novel therapeutic strategies are provided that are useful for the treatment of pathologies resulting from mutations in the genes encoding the ligases and which adversely increase or decrease a ubiquitination reaction.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 14, 2015
Publication date:
July 30, 2015
Applicant:
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Abstract: A method for the characterization of chromosomal inversions using anti-parallel probes is described. Reporter species are attached to oligonucleotide strands designed such that they may hybridize to portions of only one of a pair of single-stranded sister chromatids which may be prepared by the CO-FISH procedure. If an inversion has occurred, these marker probes will be detected on the second sister chromatid at the same location as the inversion on the first chromatid. Further, one or more reporter species are replaced with anti-parallel probes that hybridize at known locations along the second sister chromatid such that the position and size of the inversion may be identified/estimated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2011
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignees:
KROMATID, INC., COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method comprising combining a chelating agent, one or more non-aqueous organic solvents and one or more metallic compounds to produce an oxide ceramic solid in a non-aqueous solution based reaction, wherein the oxide ceramic solid contains metal-oxygen-metal bonds. The oxide ceramic solid can comprise, for example, a gel or a powder. Various devices, including electrolyte interfaces and energy storage devices, are also provided. In one embodiment, the oxide ceramic solid is a cubic garnet having a nominal formula of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 21, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Jeffrey Sakamoto, Ezhiyl Rangasamy, Hyunjoong Kim, Yunsung Kim, Ryan Patrick Maloney
Abstract: In one aspect, a heterogeneous catalyst comprises calcium hydroxide and lanthanum hydroxide, wherein the catalyst has a specific surface area of more than about 10 m2/g. In another aspect, a heterogeneous catalyst comprises a calcium compound and a lanthanum compound, wherein the catalyst has a specific surface area of more than about 10 m2/g, and a total basicity of about 13.6 mmol/g. In further another aspect, a heterogeneous catalyst comprises calcium oxide and lanthanum oxide, wherein the catalyst has a specific surface area of more than about 10 m2/g. In still another aspect, a process for preparing a catalyst comprises introducing a base precipitant, a neutral precipitant, and an acid precipitant to a solution comprising a first metal ion and a second metal ion to form a precipitate. The process further comprises calcining the precipitate to provide the catalyst.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
K.Y. Simon Ng, Shuli Yan, Steven O. Salley
Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes at least one magnetic shape memory (MSM) element containing a material configured to expand and/or contract in response to exposure to a magnetic field. Among other things, the MSM element may be configured to pump fluid through a micropump by expanding and/or contracting in response to the magnetic field. The magnetic field may rotate about an axis of rotation and exhibit a distribution having a component substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Further, the magnetic field distribution may include at least two components substantially orthogonal to one another lying in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The at least one MSM element may contain nickel, manganese, and gallium. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be enhanced by contacting a PCR reagent and DNA material with the MSM element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 16, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
Boise State University
Inventors:
Kari Ullakko, Peter Mullner, Greg Hampikian, Aaron Smith
Abstract: A modification of the existing INSM1 promoter region has been discovered that incorporated DNA elements that silence expression of neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells and that has increased the effectiveness and safety of using the INSM1 promoter for tumor treatment. One modification was addition of one or two tandem copies of neuronal restrictive silencer elements (NRSEs) derived either from the mouse nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) or the rat superior cervical ganglion 10 (SCG10) promoters. These NRSEs were placed in the expression construct either directly upstream or downstream of the INSM1 promoter sequence. The most effective expression construct was the nAChR NRSE element positioned downstream of the INSM1 promoter. This expression construct increased the tissue specificity of the INSM1 promoter without a significant decrease in its activity. In addition, the modified INSM1 promoter was placed into a viral vector, adenovirus 5.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 2010
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
Abstract: Methods for predicting a disease free time interval (DFI) for a cancer patient under consideration for initial or further chemotherapy treatment are disclosed. The methods include obtaining a biological sample from a patient and detecting a copy number of chromosome region A1 and/or C2. The mean copy number per cell is correlated with a DFI for the subject. The chemotherapy can include doxorubicin and/or L-asparaginase treatment. Also provided are kits for predicting DFI in a subject with cancer and computer readable storage media for performing the presently disclosed methods.
Abstract: The present invention describes a novel process for the conformal coating of polymer fibers of nonwoven substrates. This process is based on modification of polymer fiber surfaces by controlling the degree of etching and oxidation to improve adhesion of initiators to the surface and to facilitate subsequent conformal polymer grafting. The modified fiber surfaces render new functionalities to the surface, such as increased hydrophilicity, attached ligands or changed surface energy. The invention includes the modified polymer fibers produced by the process described herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignees:
Pathogen Removal and Diagnostic Technologies, Inc., North Carolina State University
Inventors:
Yong Zheng, Samana Roy Chowdhury, Patrick Vasconcelos Gurgel, Haiyan Liu, Ruben G. Carbonell
Abstract: Nucleotide sequences are disclosed that may be used to impart herbicide resistance to green plants. The sources of novel herbicide resistance were originally isolated in mutant rice plants. The sequences impart pre-emergence resistance, post-emergence resistance, or both pre-emergence resistance and post-emergence resistance to multiple herbicides. To date, resistance has been demonstrated against at least the following herbicides: imazethapyr, imazapic, imazapyr, imazamox, sulfometuron methyl, imazaquin, chlorimuron ethyl, metsulfuron methyl, rimsulfuron, thifensulfuron methyl, pyrithiobac sodium, tribenuron methyl, and nicosulfuron. Green plants transformed with these sequences are resistant to these herbicides and to derivatives of these herbicides, and to at least some of the other herbicides that normally inhibit acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), particularly imidazolinone and sulfonylurea herbicides.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 2, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
Abstract: Equol (7-hydroxy-3(4?hydroxyphenyl)-chroman), the major metabolite of the phytoestrogen daidzein, specifically binds and blocks the hormonal action of 5?-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in vitro and in vivo. Equol can bind circulating free DHT and sequester it from the androgen receptor, thus altering growth and physiological hormone responses that are regulated by androgens. These data suggest a novel model to explain equol's biological properties. The significance of equol's ability to specifically bind and sequester DHT from the androgen receptor have important ramifications in health and disease and may indicate a broad and important usage for equol in the treatment and prevention of androgen-mediated pathologies. Thus, equol can specifically bind DHT and prevent DHT's biological actions in physiological and pathophysiological processes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignees:
Brigham Young University, Colorado State University Research Foundation
Inventors:
Edwin Douglas Lephard, Trent D. Lund, Robert J. Handa
Abstract: A high-speed atomic force microscope (HSAFM) is disclosed herein. The HSAFM includes a cantilever, a piezotube, an optical detector, a circuit element, and a feedback controller. The cantilever has a probe, and the piezotube is arranged in proximity to the probe. The optical detector is configured to detect deflection of the cantilever, and the circuit element is abutting a first end of the cantilever and is configured to exert a force on the cantilever to resist deflection of the cantilever. The circuit element is communicably connected to the optical detector by a first feedback loop. The feedback controller is communicably connected to the piezotube and configured to modulate the piezotube along the Z-axis towards and away from the probe. And the feedback controller is communicably connected to the optical detector through a second feedback loop.
Abstract: Embodiments of magnetorheological systems, devices, and associated methods of control are described below are described herein. In one embodiment, a magnetorheological device includes an magnetorheological fluid, a shaft proximate and mechanically coupled to the magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic flux through the magnetorheological fluid along a magnetic flux path. The magnetorheological device also includes a sensor positioned in the magnetic flux path and configured to measure a current value of magnetic inductance of the magnetic flux flowing through the magnetorheological fluid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
Washington State University
Inventors:
Hakan Gurocak, Doruk Senkal, Berk Gonenc
Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for forming an acyloxy carboxylic acid or a derivative of the acid. A hydroxy acid compound is reacted with a carboxylic acid in a reaction vessel and in the presence of a catalyst, such as in a reactive distillation column containing the catalyst. The reaction product formed in the reaction vessel includes an acyloxy carboxylic acid compound, which can be removed continuously from the vessel in a product stream. Another product stream containing unreacted (excess) carboxylic acid and/or reaction byproducts such as water can be separately removed continuously from the reaction vessel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 7, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Dennis Miller, Carl T. Lira, Lars Peereboom, Aspi K. Kolah
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the cancer state of a subject using lecithin:retinol acyl transferase (LRAT) gene promoter methylation status. Methods of analyzing and quantifying LRAT gene promoter methylation level are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to methods of determining the prognosis for s subject having cancer by assessing LRAT mRNA expression and LRAT protein expression. Methods of cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 19, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignees:
Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Inventors:
Francis Barany, Yu-Wei Cheng, Philip Paty, Daniel Notterman
Abstract: The present invention relates to primary and secondary electrochemical energy storage systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to such systems as battery cells, especially battery cells utilizing metal fluorides with the presence of phosphates or fluorophosphates, which use materials that take up and release ions as a means of storing and supplying electrical energy.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 31, 2015
Publication date:
July 23, 2015
Applicant:
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
Abstract: A low back pressure mouthpiece for accurate detection of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) includes a conduit for receiving the exhaled breath from the subject. An oxidizing filter for sample conditioning, wherein the conduit and oxidizing filter operate to produce a back pressure of less than 4 cm H2O; and a device for measuring the level of one or more components of the received exhaled breath.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 27, 2013
Publication date:
July 23, 2015
Applicant:
Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
Inventors:
Erica Forzani, Nongjian Tao, Xiaojun Xian, Francis Tsow
Abstract: Methods for forming useful films using recombinant spider silk protein are discussed. In one embodiment, the method involves dissolving silk protein in a sufficient quantity to form a film suspended in a solvent. The solution is then mixed with a compound selected from water, acids, imidazole crosslinking agents, antibiotics, nanoparticles, surfactants and combinations thereof. Solubilisation of the protein in the solution is effected by microwave exposure. Once solubilized the microwave treated solution is poured onto a suitable substrate and dried in order to result in the final film, the protein may be plant, mammal or bacterially derived.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 17, 2014
Publication date:
July 23, 2015
Applicant:
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Randolph V. Lewis, Justin A. Jones, Chauncey L. Tucker
Abstract: Chlorophyll fluorescence may be studied in response to a variety of environmental cues or conditions by growing phototrophic organisms under actinic illumination. Such illumination may be punctuated or disrupted to gain information about the photosynthetic properties or performance of the phototrophic organism. Instruments or devices for carrying out the method are also described.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 30, 2013
Publication date:
July 23, 2015
Applicant:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
David Kramer, Jeffrey Cruz, Christopher Hall, William Kent Kovac, Robert Zegarac
Abstract: Disclosure is provided for imidazole derivative compounds that prevent, remove and/or inhibit the formation of biofilms, compositions comprising these compounds, devices comprising these compounds, and methods of using the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 21, 2015
Assignee:
North Carolina State University
Inventors:
Christian Melander, John Cavanagh, Robert W. Huigens, III, T. Eric Ballard, Justin J. Richards