Patents Assigned to The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans
  • Compositions and methods for in vivo excision of HIV-1 proviral DNA
    Patent number: 11274305
    Abstract: Methods and kits for excising HIV-1 DNA in vivo are provided, which employ Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-Associated (cas) proteins. Vectors harboring nucleic acids encoding one or more guide RNA, wherein said guide RNA hybridizes with a target HIV-1 DNA are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, United States Government as Represented by The Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Alexandra L. Howell, Susan K. Eszterhas
  • as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for NAFLD, NASH, metabolic syndrome, and hepatic fibrosis
    Patent number: 11274303
    Abstract: An oligonucleotide that inhibits expression of an OLMALINC nucleic acid molecule, such as a small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) molecule, can be used for inhibiting the expression of OLMALINC in a subject. Methods of assaying for OLMALINC in a tissue sample can be used for detecting a disorder associated with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes in a tissue sample obtained from a subject. A method of ameliorating symptoms associated with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of an oligonucleotide of the invention or an antibody or equivalent thereof that specifically binds to and inactivates an OLMALINC nucleic acid molecule. Representative examples of a disorder associated with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes include, but are not limited to, a disorder of appetite, glycemia, body weight, liver steatosis, NASH, NAFLD, or a lipid disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND
    Inventors: Paivi E. Pajukanta, Joseph R. Pisegna, Jihane N. Benhammou, Arthur Ko, Jussi Pihlajamäki
  • Inhibitors of the N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor
    Patent number: 11261152
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds and methods for inhibiting or degrading the N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor, as well as methods for treating cancers such as prostate cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Matthew Rettig, Michael E. Jung, D. Elshan Nakath G. Ralalage, Jiabin An
  • Combination of cotinine plus antioxidant for treatment-resistant depression and correction of astrocytes functional deficit induced by depression and other neuropathological
    Patent number: 11260050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of a) treating any of depression induced by chronic stress; depression in a subject afflicted with PTSD; anxiety induced by chronic stress; anxiety in a subject afflicted with PTSD; cognitive impairment induced by chronic stress; altered morphology and/or reduced number of GFAP+ cells in hippocampus and/or frontal cortex induced by chronic stress; working memory impairment in a subject afflicted with PTSD; b) inhibiting or reversing loss of GFAP+ cells in hippocampus and/or frontal cortex induced by chronic stress; c) decreasing consolidation of contextual fear memory in a subject afflicted with PTSD; d) enhancing extinction of fear memory in a subject afflicted with PTSD; or e) increasing calcineurin A expression in a subject afflicted with PTSD using a combination of cotinine and an antioxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, UNIVERSIDAD SAN SEBASTIAN
    Inventor: Valentina Echeverria Moran
  • Visual cycle modulators
    Patent number: 11253489
    Abstract: A method of treating an ocular disorder in a subject in need thereof includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a retinal sequestering compound of formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Krzysztof Palczewski, Philip Kiser, Jianye Zhang, Mohsen Badiee, Gregory Tochtrop
  • System and medication box for improving medication adherence
    Patent number: 11246806
    Abstract: A medication adherence system and corresponding medication box for improving medication adherence. The system includes the medication box, which is transparent and has a machine-readable marker, such as a QR code, on or beneath the floor thereof. The marker is capable of being scanned and read through the transparent bottoms of individual chambers. Data embedded in the marker includes, but is not limited to, the user's medication plan, the date and time when the medication is to be ingested, and instructions for recording the date and time when the marker is scanned and read. The underlying software program/application processes this information and provides an indication as to the user's compliance with the medication plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventors: William Diehl Kearns, Kimberly Ann Crosland, Jeffrey D. Craighead, James Leonard Fozard
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation coil alignment apparatus
    Patent number: 11247064
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil having a central axis and an array of electrical contacts. The array of electrical contacts can be configured to contact a conductor on a target area of a target surface. Processing circuitry can be configured to detect an engagement between the conductor and at least two electrical contacts of the array of electrical contacts. A plurality of range sensors can be spaced from the central axis of the transcranial magnetic simulation coil. A display can be configured to display a location corresponding to the engagement between the conductor and the at least two electrical contacts, a distance between each range sensor and the target surface, and a rotation of a coil with respect to a reference angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Punit Vaidya
  • Method for Eye Lens Removal Using Cavitating Microbubbles
    Publication number: 20220040000
    Abstract: A surgical method of cataract fragmentation and extraction via microbubble cavitation is described. In particular, gas-filled microbubbles are injected into a lens capsule of a subject's eye, and cavitation of the microbubbles is activated by applied ultrasound energy. The ultrasound energy can be applied from an external device. The cavitation fragments cataract tissues without damaging other tissue, such as the lens capsule. Fragmented lens material is then aspirated from the lens capsule. The method can be used alone or in conjunction with other methods, such as phacoemulsification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California, United States Government represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Robert H. Grubbs, Marshall L. Stoller, Ying Han, Frank L. Brodie
  • Chemical inhibition of the E3 ligase subunit FBXO7 confers neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory activity by stabilizing mitochondria
    Patent number: 11242339
    Abstract: A method for treating a neurodegenerative disease or an inflammatory disorder in a subject, comprising administering to the subject in need thereof, a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, of formula II: wherein each of R3-R7 is independently H, halogen, optionally-substituted alkyl, amino, alkoxy or hydroxy; R8 is an optionally-substituted heterocycloalkyl; and a is 0 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Rama K. Mallampalli, Beibei Chen, Charleen T. Chu, Yuan Liu
  • Method of reducing the effects of aging-associated impairment of neurogenesis comprising modulating c-c chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3)
    Patent number: 11236340
    Abstract: Methods of treating an adult mammal for an aging-associated impairment are provided. Aspects of the methods include modulating CCR3, e.g., by modulating eotaxin-1/CCR3 interaction, in the mammal in a manner sufficient to treat the mammal for the aging-associated impairment. A variety of aging-associated impairments may be treated by practice of the methods, which impairments include cognitive impairments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Anton Wyss-Coray, Thomas A. Rando, Markus Britschgi, Kaspar Rufibach, Saul A. Villeda
  • Combination immunotherapy
    Patent number: 11236139
    Abstract: The invention is based on the disclosure provided herein that secondary lymphoid organ chemokine (SLC) inhibits the growth of syngeneic tumors in vivo. Thus, the invention provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an SLC to the mammal in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor, including monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. Exemplary checkpoint molecules include CTLA-4, a CTLA-4 receptor, PD-1, PD1-L1, PD1-L2, 4-1BB, OX40, LAG-3, TIM-3 or a combination thereof. SLCs useful in the methods of the invention include SLC polypeptides, variants and fragments and related nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Steven M. Dubinett, Sherven Sharma, Jay M. Lee
  • RECOMBINANT POLYPEPTIDES COMPRISING MODIFIED MHC CLASS II DRa1 DOMAINS AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20210380660
    Abstract: Recombinant polypeptides comprising a modified DR?1 domain are provided. In some embodiments, the polypeptides include the modified DR?1 domain, an antigenic peptide, and optionally a linker sequence. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the recombinant polypeptides, methods of treating inflammatory disease using said recombinant polypeptides or pharmaceutical compositions, and expression constructs comprising nucleic acids that encode the recombinant polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicants: Oregon Health & Science University, The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Roberto Meza-Romero, Arthur A. Vandenbark, Halina Offner
  • METHOD OF DELIVERING GENES AND DRUGS TO A POSTERIOR SEGMENT OF AN EYE
    Publication number: 20210369863
    Abstract: A multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle and method of treating diseases of the posterior segment of the eye is presented. The functionalized polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer effectively delivers drugs and/or genes to the posterior eye, thereby providing for the effective, non-invasive, and topical treatment of diseased in the posterior eye. The multifunctional dendrimer nanoparticle has shRNA-encoding DNA and small molecule drug encapsulated cyclodextrin complexed to the outer surface of the dendrimer for delivery to the posterior segment of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affair
    Inventors: Shyam S. Mohapatra, Subhra Mohapatra, Eleni Markousta
  • Method for diagnosing, preventing, and treating neurological diseases
    Patent number: 11173150
    Abstract: The invention provides for methods of treating autism associated with Desulfovibrio overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, said method comprising administering to the patient suffering from said autism a treatment course of aztreonam in an amount effective to treat autism in the patient, thereby treating autism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Government As Represented By The Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Sydney M. Finegold
  • Method of diagnosis and treating gastrointestinal and neurological diseases associated with species of genus
    Patent number: 11174521
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of diagnosis and treating autism associated with an overgrowth of beta2-toxin-gene-positive Clostridium perfringens in the gut of an autistic subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to the subject (e.g. a subject having an overgrowth of beta2-toxin-gene-positive Clostridium perfringens in the gut) one or more agents to reduce or eliminate beta2-toxin-gene positive Clostridium perfringens in the subject so as to relieve one or more symptoms of autism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Sydney M. Finegold, Paula Carlson
  • Method for eye lens removal using cavitating microbubbles
    Patent number: 11166846
    Abstract: A surgical method of cataract fragmentation and extraction via microbubble cavitation is described. In particular, gas-filled microbubbles are injected into a lens capsule of a subject's eye, and cavitation of the microbubbles is activated by applied ultrasound energy. The ultrasound energy can be applied from an external device. The cavitation fragments cataract tissues without damaging other tissue, such as the lens capsule. Fragmented lens material is then aspirated from the lens capsule. The method can be used alone or in conjunction with other methods, such as phacoemulsification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California, United States Government represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Robert H. Grubbs, Marshall L. Stoller, Ying Han, Frank L. Brodie
  • Cholesterol lowering drugs for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
    Patent number: 11160826
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with cholesterol lowering agents including, but not limited to, statins and cyclodextrins, for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Sharon Demorrow, Matthew MacMillin
  • Device and method for preventing immediate access to an object
    Patent number: 11161684
    Abstract: A device for preventing immediate access to an object such as a key to a gun safety lock includes a platform adapted to receive the object. A container receives the platform and object. The container is filled with a fusible liquid such as water, the water is frozen and forms a body around the object. The container may include indicia such as photographs, quick response codes and telephone numbers for suicide prevention hotlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: The United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Pittsburgh—Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Sabah Ocasio, Heather Caron, Garrett G. Grindle, Rory A. Cooper, Benjamin Gebrosky, Katherine E. Gaines
  • Systems for detecting and quantifying nucleic acids
    Patent number: 11156582
    Abstract: This invention is based, in part, on our discovery of an essentially one-step, label-free system comprising a sensing unit having a redox current reporter and a nucleic acid sequence complementary to that of a target nucleic acid of interest or sufficiently complementary to that of the target nucleic acid or a sequence therein to specifically bind the target nucleic acid. The sensing unit is bound to an electroconductive substrate (e.g., a carbon- or metal-containing microelectrode (e.g., a gold microelectrode)), and the system includes a signal amplification mechanism that does not rely upon a redox enzyme and thereby overcomes a fundamental limitation of microelectrode DNA sensors that fail to generate detectable current in the presence of only small amounts of a target nucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: GEORGIA STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC., THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventors: Gangli Wang, Tanyu Wang, Didier Merlin
  • METHODS AND KITS FOR ASSESSING NEUROLOGICAL AND OPHTHALMIC FUNCTION AND LOCALIZING NEUROLOGICAL LESIONS
    Publication number: 20210321955
    Abstract: A method for detecting, diagnosing or screening for concussion in a subject includes a) tracking eye movement of at least one eye of the subject, b) analyzing eye movement of at least one eye of the subject, c) calculating a statistical test for eye movement of at least one eye of the subject as compared to a normal or mean eye movement, and d) detecting, diagnosing or screening for an impairment based on the calculated statistical test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicants: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    Inventor: Uzma Samadani