Patents Assigned to University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
  • 20-HETE FORMATION INHIBITORS
    Publication number: 20220144797
    Abstract: This disclosure provides novel heterocyclic compounds and methods for inhibiting the enzyme CYP4. Further disclosed methods include: a method of inhibiting the biosynthesis of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in a subject in need thereof and a method of producing neuroprotection and decreased brain damage by preventing cerebral microvascular blood flow impairment and anti-oxidant mechanisms in a subject experiencing or having experienced an ischemic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Lee Apostle McDermott, David Koes, Samuel M. Poloyac, Shabber Mohammed
  • ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES TARGETING STAT3
    Publication number: 20220133824
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Thorne, Daniel J. Byrd
  • ONCOLYTIC VIRUSES TARGETING STAT3
    Publication number: 20220133825
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Stephen Howard Thorne, Daniel J. Byrd
  • PDLIM2 AS A BIOMARKER FOR CANCER AND AS AN ANTI-CANCER TREATMENT TARGET
    Publication number: 20220135634
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating cancer (e.g., lung cancer) in a subject by increasing the expression of PDZ-LIM domain containing protein 2 (PDLIM2) in the subject, or a functional fragment thereof. The present disclosure further provides methods of using PDLIM2 as a marker for determining and monitoring a subject's responsiveness to an anti-cancer treatment, providing a prognosis about a cancer in a subject, and selecting an effective anti-cancer treatment for a subject. The present disclosure also provides in vitro methods of screening anti-cancer agents by assessing whether the expression of PDLIM2 is restored by an anti-cancer agent in a cancer cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Zhaoxia QU, Gutian XIAO
  • ONE-STEP GENE THERAPY FOR DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY VIA GENE REPLACEMENT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATION
    Publication number: 20220136005
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a dual-cassette gene vehicle comprising cassettes for expression of both a mini-dystrophin gene and NF-?B/p65-shRNA gene in cardiac muscle tissue and skeletal muscle tissue, which is an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, wherein the mini-dystrophin gene is operably linked to a construct comprising a muscle-specific first promoter and a modified Mcken (MCK) enhancer and wherein the NF-?B/p65-shRNA gene is under the control of a second promoter. Also are provided pharmaceutical compositions comprising such gene vehicles and a method for ameliorating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) employing such gene delivery vehicles and pharmaceutical compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Bing WANG, Freddie FU
  • TREATMENT OF OCULAR CONDITIONS UTILIZING A HISTONE/PROTEIN DEACETYLASE INHIBITOR
    Publication number: 20220125729
    Abstract: A method for treating an ocular disorder in a subject comprising administering a therapeutic agent-loaded carrier to an ocular site of the subject in need thereof, wherein the therapeutic agent is a histone deactylase inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Steven R. Little, Michelle L. Ratay
  • USE OF OVARIAN-DERIVED HYDROGELS FOR RESTORATION OF REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION AND HEALTH IN WOMEN
    Publication number: 20220125856
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for restoring reproductive health and/or fertility in a subject by delivering immature follicles to the subject using an ovarian-derived hydrogel. The present disclosure also provides methods for treating ovarian-associated diseases using ovarian-derived hydrogels or their derivatives for delivery of therapeutic agents to the subject in need thereof. The present disclosure further provides kits for restoring reproductive health and/or fertility, and kits for treating ovarian-associated diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, UPMC
    Inventors: Michael Joseph BUCKENMEYER, Kyle E. ORWIG, Bryan Nicklaus BROWN, Meena SUKHWANI
  • METHODS OF TREATMENT USING PHENYL INDOLE ALLOSTERIC INHIBITORS OF P97 ATPASE
    Publication number: 20220112179
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of inhibiting p97 and compounds and compositions useful in such methods. Diseases and conditions the can be treated with the compounds and compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders susceptible to treatment by inhibition of p97.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, National Institutes of Health, A Component of the United States Department of Health and Human Servi, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Donna M. Huryn, Peter Wipf, Matthew G. LaPorte, Raffaele Colombo, Marina Kovaliov, Chaemin Lim, Celeste Natalie Alverez, Zhizhou Yue, Lalith Palitha Samankumara, Alexander Julian Chatterley, Yongzhao Yan, Mary Liang, Neal J. Green, Eric T. Baldwin, William J. Moore, Michelle Arkin, R. Jeffrey Neitz, Kean-Hooi Ang, Clifford Bryant, Stacie Bulfer
  • CO2 HYDROGENATION AND FISCHER-TROPSCH TO OLEFINS CATALYST
    Publication number: 20220111361
    Abstract: The invention relates to nanocatalysts composed of iron oxide nanoparticles supported on porous interconnected carbon nanosheets (CNS) fabricated from the carbonization of potassium citrate, that are remarkably active for CO2 hydrogenation and Fischer-Tropsch to Olefins (FTO) synthesis, as well as a method for directly converting CO2 and H2 to C2-C4 olefins and direct FTO synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (NETL)
    Inventors: Sittichai NATESAKHAWAT, Christopher MATRANGA, Douglas KAUFFMAN, Congjun WANG, Yunyun ZHOU
  • NEUROPROTECTIVE PEPTIDES AND METHODS OF THEIR USE
    Publication number: 20220106360
    Abstract: Neuroprotective peptides derived from the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv2.2 are described. The peptides promote dispersal of the cognate channel Kv2.1 in neurons, thereby blocking pro-apoptotic potassium efflux, and preserving cell viability after apoptotic injury. Methods of preventing and treating neuronal damage, such as neuronal damage following ischemic stroke, by administering the neuroprotective peptides are described. Fusion of the neuroprotective peptides to a cell-penetrating peptide to promote cellular uptake is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Elias Aizenman, Jason Arnold Justice, Anthony John Schulien
  • MINIMALLY INVASIVE CELL TRANSPLANT PROCEDURE TO INDUCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF IN VIVO ORGANOGENESIS
    Publication number: 20220096126
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems of transplant cells and growing an ectopic tissue in a lymph node of a subject. In certain embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein enable minimally invasive cell transplantation to treat patients in need thereof In certain embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein include the use of ultrasound endoscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Eric LAGASSE, Paulo Artur CHAVES FONTES
  • Antimicrobial and anti-cancer therapy
    Patent number: 11286287
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to compositions comprised of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) having an alpha helical structure wherein one side is highly hydrophobic. Representative sequences of the antimicrobial peptides include ILKKWW????GLLG?LLG?V??VIK?L??I (SEQ ID No. 2), LKKWWK??KGLLGGLLGKV??VIK (SEQ ID No. 12), and ?KK??KK?KG?LGGL?GK (SEQ ID No. 18). Additional embodiments disclose methods for treating a microbial infection; reducing biofilm; decreasing inflammation; and treating infectious diseases, COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, rhinosinusitis, septicemia, RSV, TB or cancer; in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a therapeutic amount of an antimicrobial peptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Berthony Deslouches, Yuanpu Di
  • MODULATORS OF P97 AAA ATPASE ACTIVITY
    Publication number: 20220089565
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to methods of inhibiting or modulating p97 and compounds and compositions useful in such methods. Diseases and conditions that can be treated with the compounds and compositions of the present technology include, but are not limited to, antibacterial infection, antiviral infection, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders susceptible to treatment by inhibition or modulation of p97.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Donna M. Huryn, Peter Wipf, Matthew G. LaPorte
  • OXIDE INTERFACE DISPLAYING ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLABLE FERROMAGNETISM
    Publication number: 20220084731
    Abstract: A structure includes an electronically controllable ferromagnetic oxide structure that includes at least three layers. The first layer comprises STO. The second layer has a thickness of at least about 3 unit cells, said thickness being in a direction substantially perpendicular to the interface between the first and second layers. The third layer is in contact with either the first layer or the second layer or both, and is capable of altering the charge carrier density at the interface between the first layer and the second layer. The interface between the first and second layers is capable of exhibiting electronically controlled ferromagnetism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Jeremy Levy, Feng Bi, Patrick R. Irvin
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING THE EXTENT OF DISEASE FROM 2-D IMAGES
    Publication number: 20220084193
    Abstract: A disease assessment method includes using a machine learning system and 2-D image data to quantify an extent of disease in the patient, wherein the machine learning system has been previously trained using 3-D image data for each of a plurality of 3-D images obtained from a plurality of subjects, and 2-D image data for each of a plurality of 2-D images obtained from the plurality of subjects, wherein each of the 2-D images is associated with a corresponding one of the 3-D images and is captured at the same time as the corresponding one of the 3-D images or within a certain predetermined time frame of capturing the corresponding one of the 3-D images, and wherein a ground truth for the 2-D images comprises for each of the 3-D images a quantification of an extent of the predetermined disease based on the 3-D image data for the 3-D image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventor: JIANTAO PU
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING INTRACRANIAL COMPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20220071501
    Abstract: System for monitoring intracranial compliance in a patient includes an intracranial pressure sensor, configured to obtain a measurement indicative of an intracranial pressure of a patient, a CO2 sensor, configured to obtain a measurement indicative of a CO2 level of the patient, and a processor, configured to determine an intracranial compliance from the measurements indicative of the intracranial pressure and the CO2 level. Methods for monitoring intracranial compliance in a patient are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Robert Clark, Gilles Clermont, Michael Wolf
  • METHODS OF TREATING ANEURYSMS
    Publication number: 20220054463
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a platelet inhibitor to prevent and/or treat aneurysms. The methods include prevention and/or treatment of aneurysms with the administration of a platelet inhibitor to a subject. The present disclosure further provides kits for performing such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, UPMC
    Inventors: Robert Max Friedlander, Wendy Fellows Mayle, Michael P. D'Angelo, Kamil W. Nowicki
  • METHODS FOR TREATING BLADDER AND URETHRA DYSFUNCTION AND DISEASE
    Publication number: 20220054494
    Abstract: Methods of treating bladder or urethra dysfunction or disease in a subject and methods of increasing bladder smooth muscle contractility or increasing bladder wall volume in a subject are disclosed. In some examples, a purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNPase) inhibitor or purine nucleoside substrate is administered, such as 8-aminoguanine or forodesine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Vanderbilt University, The Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Edwin Kerry Jackson, Lori Ann Birder, Amanda Sue Wolf-Johnston, Roger Dmochowski, Alan J. Wein
  • Drug combinations for protecting against neuronal cell death
    Patent number: 11253594
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for screening drugs that treat neurodegenerative disorders and methods of treating neurodegenerative orders with combinations of said drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Stern, Mark E. Schurdak
  • Toilet seat wrap
    Patent number: D950690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Pittsburgh - Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher Education
    Inventors: Rory A. Cooper, Rosemarie Cooper