Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes light-activated ruthenium compounds. In some embodiments the compounds release one or more ligands when exposed to light, and in specific embodiments the light includes a wavelength of about 500 nm to about 1000 nm. The present compounds can also comprise an overall charge, wherein the overall charge can be a positive overall charge or a negative overall charge. Further still, embodiments include methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering a compound and then exposing a site of the subject to light.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 17, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 22, 2016
Assignee:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Abstract: Microneedles and their use as a physical skin permeation enhancement technique facilitate drug delivery across the skin in therapeutically relevant concentrations. Micropores created in the skin by MNs reseal because of normal healing processes of the skin, thus limiting the duration of the drug delivery window. Pore lifetime enhancement strategies can increase effectiveness of MNs as a drug delivery mechanism by prolonging the delivery window. Fluvastatin (FLU) was used to enhance pore lifetime by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol, a major component of the stratum corneum lipids. The skin recovered within a 30-45-min time period following the removal of occlusion, and there was no significant irritation observed due to the treatment compared to the control sites. Thus, it can be concluded that localized skin treatment with FLU can be used to extend micropore lifetime and deliver drugs for up to 7 days across MN-treated skin.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 23, 2014
Publication date:
March 17, 2016
Applicants:
University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Abstract: A power plant includes a boiler, a steam turbine, a generator driven by that steam turbine, a condenser, a post combustion processing system and an energy storage system including at least one electrochemical cell to store excess electrical energy generated by the generator during period valley demand and release thermal energy for power plant operations at other times.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 15, 2016
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Inventors:
Kunlei Liu, James Kyle Neathery, Joseph Eugene Remias, Cameron Anthony Lippert, Nick Edward Holubowitch
Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and related compositions for increasing the population size of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in patients that may benefit from reconstitution of stem cells and/or differentiated cells of the blood lineage. The present methods enable the production of HSCs ex vivo and in vivo by reducing latexin expression and/or latexin activity within HSC exposed to various antagonists. Inhibition of latexin expression and/or latexin activity by various antagonists can promote HSC proliferation and/or inhibit HSC apoptosis. Antagonists that can reduce latexin expression and/or latexin activity can be utilized to regenerate endogenous HSCs within patients affected with disorders, diseases, cancers, or therapies for such conditions, that result in the depletion or reduction in HSCs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 15, 2016
Assignee:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 8, 2015
Publication date:
March 3, 2016
Applicants:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation, North Carolina State University
Inventors:
Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
Abstract: A novel transition metal trimer compound/catalyst is disclosed. A method of increasing the overall mass transfer rate of acid gas scrubbing solvents utilizing that catalyst is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2013
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2016
Assignee:
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Joseph E. Remias, Cameron A. Lippert, Kunlei Liu, Susan Anne Odom, Rachael Ann Burrows
Abstract: A flow through filter assembly includes a trivalent and tetravalent metal ion capturing agent and a flow controller providing a predetermined flow rate which allows capture of the trivalent and tetravalent metal ions by the capturing agent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 16, 2016
Assignees:
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation, The Curators of the University of Missouri, Alkymos, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert A. Yokel, Wesley R. Harris, Christopher D. Spilling, Robert Joseph Kuhn, Vasiliy Paul Abramov, Jason Matthew Lone
Abstract: The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 24, 2015
Publication date:
February 4, 2016
Applicant:
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Abstract: The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 24, 2015
Publication date:
January 28, 2016
Applicant:
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2012
Date of Patent:
January 5, 2016
Assignees:
North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2012
Date of Patent:
January 5, 2016
Assignees:
North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes thermophilic glucan phosphatase polypeptides. In some embodiments the polypeptide includes non-native laforin polypeptides, or fragments and/or variants thereof, and in some instances the polypeptide can alter the biophysical properties of starch in vitro or in planta. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes isolated polynucleotides encoding the present polypeptides, methods for processing starch by exposing starch to the present polypeptides, and methods for making the present polypeptides.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2014
Date of Patent:
December 29, 2015
Assignee:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Abstract: A novel computational method and generation of mutant butyrylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis is provided. The method includes molecular modeling a possible BChE mutant and conducting molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations thereby providing a screening method of possible BChE mutants by predicting which mutant will lead to a more stable transition state for a rate determining step. Site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and protein activity is conducted for mutants determined computationally as being good candidates for possible BChE mutants, i.e., ones predicted to have higher catalytic efficiency as compared with wild-type BChE. In addition, mutants A199S/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/A328W/Y332G, A199S/S287G/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G, and A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/E441D all have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine compared with wild-type BChE.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 24, 2014
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2015
Assignee:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Chang-Guo Zhan, Hoon Cho, Hsin-Hsiung Tai
Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally relate to anti-cocaine therapeutics. Specifically, some embodiments of the invention relate to highly efficient, thermostable, and long-lasting cocaine esterase (CocE) mutants that can protect against the toxic and reinforcing effects of cocaine in subjects. Provided herein are mutant CocE polypeptides displaying thermostable esterase activity. Also provided are methods of treating cocaine-induced conditions in a subject in need via administration of mutant CocE as well as methods for high-throughput screening of candidate esterase polypeptides.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 1, 2015
Assignees:
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, The Regents of the University of Michigan, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Donald Landry, Chang-Guo Zhan, James H. Woods, Roger Sunahara, Diwahar L. Narasimhan, Joanne MacDonald, Victor Yang, Mei-Chuan Holden Ko, Shi-Xian Deng, John J. Tesmer, Tien-Yi Lee, Young Min Kwon, Daquan Gao
Abstract: A temporary fracture stabilization device includes a first intramedullary fixation rod, a second intramedullary fixation rod, a first extramedullary connector, a second extramedullary connector and a fastener. A field kit for temporary fracture stabilization is also disclosed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 16, 2014
Publication date:
November 19, 2015
Applicant:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 17, 2010
Date of Patent:
November 17, 2015
Assignees:
North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
Abstract: A flexible sheet of aligned carbon nanotubes includes an array of aligned nanotubes held in a polymer matrix material. The carbon nanotubes have an average length of between about 50 microns and about 500 microns. The polymer matrix has an average thickness of between about 10 microns and about 500 microns. The flexible sheet has a density of about 0.2 to about 1.0 g/cc and includes between about 98 to about 60 weight percent aligned carbon nanotubes and between about 2 and about 40 weight percent polymer. A tape of aligned carbon nanotubes, a method for producing a tape of aligned carbon nanotubes, a method of producing the flexible aligned carbon nanotube sheet material and a method of increasing unidirectional heat conduction from a work piece are also disclosed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 13, 2013
Publication date:
November 5, 2015
Applicant:
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Abstract: A chemical processing cell includes an upstream membrane and a downstream membrane. The upstream membrane generates a first reaction product. The downstream membrane converts the first reaction product to a second reaction product.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2012
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2015
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Inventors:
Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Scott R. Lewis, Saurav Datta
Abstract: Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) polypeptide variants of the presently-disclosed subject matter have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine, as compared to wild-type BChE. Pharmaceutical compositions of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a BChE polypeptide variant having an enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine. A method of the presently-disclosed subject matter for treating a cocaine-induced condition includes administering to an individual an effective amount of a BChE polypeptide variant, as disclosed herein, to lower blood cocaine concentration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2014
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2015
Assignee:
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Inventors:
Chang-Guo Zhan, Fang Zheng, Wenchao Yang