Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for oral contraception and for hormone replacement therapy. Certain compositions of the invention contain androgens, preferably methyltestosterone to be taken in conjunction with estrogens and progestins.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 23, 1998
Date of Patent:
October 31, 2000
Assignees:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Wake Forest University
Abstract: An exercise system is provided comprising a rocking chair and a footstool. The rocking chair comprises a seat, a back support, a base, and one or more rockers for producing a rocking or lilting motion. Rocking resistance is provided for requiring that an additional force be applied to the rocking chair to maintain a rocking motion. The footstool comprises a foot rest positionable relative to the rocking chair such that the feet of a user are supported on a foot support surface of the foot rest when the user is seated upon the rocking chair. The height and angle of the foot rest are adjustable. A method for selectively exercising specific muscle groups in a user's legs with the exercise system is also provided.
Abstract: A catheter system facilitates blood treatments such as apheresis that require simultaneous withdrawal and return of blood to a patient at high flow rates. A multi-lumen catheter has an external coupling device connected to a pump and blood treatment device. All of the lumens are designed to be used in the blood treatment process. The catheter includes two or more lumens for withdrawing blood and a return lumen for returning treated blood. The combined flow resistance of the withdrawal lumens is less than or equal to the flow resistance of the return lumen so that the flow rate of blood through the withdrawal lumens does not require a pressure differential sufficient to collapse the lumens. High flow rates are achievable through the catheter by using a pair of withdrawal lumens instead of a single, large withdrawal lumen. The lumens may be used for general medical use when the catheter system is not being used for exchange treatments.
Abstract: The invention provides detectably-labeled compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A, B, C, D, E, F, R, X, Y and Z have any of the meanings given in the specification, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are useful in competitive assays to assay for the presence of .sigma.2 receptors. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such a compound of formula (I), methods for their use and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds of formula (I).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2000
Assignee:
Wake Forest University
Inventors:
Robert H. Mach, Kenneth T. Wheeler, Biao Yang, Steven R. Childers
Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the control of inflammation. More specifically there are provided herein dietary fatty acid regimens that may be used to inhibit the increase of serum arachidonic acid when GLA is provided as a dietary supplement.
Abstract: A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented of isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.
Abstract: A system and method for producing three-dimensional representations of an object. A first series of projected images of the selected object is recorded in a first projection plane and a second series of projected images of the selected object is recorded in a second projection plane. The first and the second series of projected images are rendered at a common magnification. The first set of projected images is then integrated into a first three-dimensional volume and the second set of projected images is integrated into a second three-dimensional volume. The three-dimensional representation of the object is then produced by combining one projected image from the first set of projected images with one projected image from the second set of projected images. Alternatively, the three-dimensional representation is produced by merging the first three-dimensional volume with the second three-dimensional volume.
Abstract: A nutritional composition and methods of using same for treating and preventing renal failure is provided. The nutritional composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of a source protein including meat proteins. Furthermore, the nutritional composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of specific amino acids, peptides, and/or polypeptides. The specific amino acids, peptides and polypeptides are selected such that they counteract a pathophysiologic mechanism contributing to the renal failure.
Abstract: A method of treating hepatitis virus infection is disclosed. The method comprising administering to a human subject in need of such treatment an effective hepatitis virus-combatting amount of an alkyl lipid or alkyl lipid derivative.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 22, 1998
Date of Patent:
February 29, 2000
Assignees:
Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Inventors:
Susan L. Morris-Natschke, Louis S. Kucera
Abstract: Biologically active derivatives of the tropane ring system are provided which selectively bind either to the 5-HT or DA reuptake site, leading to compounds which have use for the treatment of clinical depression, attention deficit disorder, obesity and cocaine addiction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 13, 1998
Date of Patent:
January 11, 2000
Assignees:
Wake Forest University, The Research Foundation of State University of New York
Inventors:
Huw M. L. Davies, Norman Kong, Steven R. Childers
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p<0.05) and ovariectomized females (p<0.08). 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-l concentrations (p<0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p<0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females. Also, 17.alpha.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 12, 1998
Date of Patent:
November 30, 1999
Assignees:
Wake Forest University, American Home Products Corporation
Inventors:
Scott A. Washburn, Thomas B. Clarkson, Michael R. Adams, Thomas C. Register, J. Koudy Williams, Janice D. Wagner, J. Mark Cline, Steven J. Adelman
Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising viral vectors derived from the paramyxovirus, simian virus 5 (SV5). The SV5 vectors of the present invention are designed so that the HN protein that binds to sialic acid is not expressed, and in certain embodiments a foreign membrane bound protein is expressed on the viral surface that targets the virus to particular cells or tissues. The vector then is able to deliver a toxin or cytotoxic agent to the target cell. Also disclosed are nucleic acid segments useful as viral genomes and methods of producing viral vectors.
Abstract: A method of treating viral infections, and in particular HIV-1, hepatitis B virus and herpes viruses, is disclosed. The method comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an infection-combating amount of a phospholipid or phospholipid derivative.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 5, 1999
Assignee:
Wake Forest University
Inventors:
Louis S. Kucera, Susan L. Morris-Natschke, Khalid S. Ishaq
Abstract: Methods of using phytoestrogens, in particular, isoflavones in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis and related disease conditions in females. One method comprises administering a therapeutically effective dosage of a phytoestrogen to females with endometriosis, females having symptoms related to endometriosis, or to females at risk of developing or suffering recurrence of endometriosis. In another method, at least one phytoestrogen may be administered singly or in combination with at least one hormonal therapeutic agent such as GnRH analogs, androgens, progestins, estrogens or any combination thereof. The therapeutically effective dosage of the phytoestrogen or the combination therapeutic ranges between about 25 and about 250 mg/day.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 1997
Date of Patent:
August 24, 1999
Assignee:
Wake Forest University
Inventors:
Claude L. Hughes, Jr., J. Mark Cline, Thomas B. Clarkson, Daniel B. Whitesides
Abstract: A computer system and a computer-implemented method are provided for interactively displaying a three-dimensional rendering of a structure having a lumen and for indicating regions of abnormal wall structure. A three-dimensional volume of data is formed from a series of two-dimensional images representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure. An isosurface of a selected region of interest is created by a computer from the volume of data based on a selected value or values of a physical property representing the selected region of interest. A wireframe model of the isosurface is generated by the computer wherein the wireframe model includes a plurality of vertices. The vertices of the wireframe model are then grouped into populations of contiguous vertices having a characteristic indicating abnormal wall structure by the computer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 25, 1997
Date of Patent:
July 6, 1999
Assignee:
Wake Forest University
Inventors:
David J. Vining, Gordon W. Hunt, David K. Ahn, David R. Stelts, Yaorong Ge, Paul F. Hemler, Tiffany W. Salido
Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting a gastric reflux in the esophagus or in the throat of a subject. The basis of the method is the detection of the presence of pepsin or pepsinogen at higher than normal levels. Detection is preferably by an immunoassay technique.
Abstract: The use of the cloned genes for the ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter to screen for compounds that inhibit or activate bile acid cotransporter activity is disclosed. When expressed in the cell membrane of a suitable host cell, the cotransporters coded for by these clones transport bile acids with the proper enzymatic and pharmacological profiles including ion dependence, bile acid substrate affinity and bile acid substrate specificity. Also disclosed are vectors comprising a cloned gene encoding an ileal/renal bile acid transporter and cells transformed with such vectors for screening compounds that modulate ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter activity. The cloned genes are useful for obtaining the ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter gene sequences to screen for candidate substances that modulate ileal/renal bile acid cotransporter gene expression.
Abstract: A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.