Patents Issued in February 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9562234
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique to duplicate and translocate any large region in a chromosome of a fungus belonging to Aspergillus across a wide range, so that it will possible to stably and systematically acquire an Aspergillus strain having a novel trait, which was un-acquirable by conventional techniques. The present invention relates to a transformant of the fungus belonging to Aspergillus wherein a transformation marker gene with deficiency of a terminal part at the 5? or 3? end of its coding region is integrated into an outside of a target region in a chromosome of the fungus subject to duplicated translocation, and a transformation marker gene with deficiency of a terminal part at the 3? or 5? end of its coding region is integrated into an outside of a region in another chromosome of the fungus to be replaced with the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KIKKOMAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9562235
    Abstract: A method of increasing tolerance of a plant to an abiotic stress or increasing biomass, vigor or yield of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising upregulating within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide of a microRNA or a precursor thereof, wherein the microRNA is selected from the group consisting of miR-156, miR-169, miR-164, miR-159, miR-167, miR-529, miR-168, ppt-miR395, sof-miR408a, ath-miR408, miR-1039, miR-1091, miR-1118, miR-1134 and miR-1129, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to the abiotic stress or increasing the biomass, vigor or yield of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: A.B. Seeds Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Maor
  • Patent number: 9562236
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to transcription terminators. For example, methods and materials related to transcription terminators and nucleic acid molecules (e.g., vectors and constructs) that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide operably linked to a transcription terminator are provided. In addition, plants, plant cells, and plant seeds having a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide operably linked to a transcription terminator are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ceres, Inc.
    Inventors: Delin Liang, Nickolai Alexandrov, Yu-Ping Lu
  • Patent number: 9562237
    Abstract: Methods of inhibiting metastasis in cancer patients are provided, wherein the methods comprise reducing TGF? signaling, for example, by reducing TGF? receptor II expression in myeloid cells. Vectors comprising a TGF? receptor II RNAi nucleic acid sequence operably linked to a myeloid specific promoter also are provided. A method of diagnosing cancer in an individual by determining TGF? receptor II expression in myeloid cells in the individual is provided. Additionally, a method of modulating TGF? activity in myeloid cells in a cancer patient comprising administering a regulator of at least one of the GSK3 and PI3K pathways to the patient is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Li Yang
  • Patent number: 9562238
    Abstract: Expression-enhancing nucleotide sequences for expression in eukaryotic systems are provided that allow for enhanced and stable expression of recombinant proteins in eukaryotic cells. Enhanced expression and stability regions (EESYRs) are provided for expression of a gene of interest in a eukaryotic cell. Chromosomal loci, sequences, and vectors are provided for enhanced and stable expression of genes in eukaryotic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Robert Babb, James P. Fandl
  • Patent number: 9562239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of process of producing a fermentation product, comprising: liquefying a starch-containing material to dextrins with an alpha-amylase in the presence of an asparaginase and/or an amino acid oxidase; saccharifying the dextrins to a sugar with a glucoamylase; and fermenting the sugar using a fermenting organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NOVOZYMES NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Rogerio Prata, Alison Robey, Todd Forman, Suzanne Clark, Eder Manzini Bordin
  • Patent number: 9562240
    Abstract: A method of biologically producing an aromatic carboxylic acid by contacting a substrate containing an aromatic carboxylic acid having a para-hydroxy group with a biocatalyst that removes the para-hydroxy group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Jae Choi, Jin Ho Ahn, Jong Won Byun, Young Wan Ha
  • Patent number: 9562241
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a muconate pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a muconate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce muconate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun
  • Patent number: 9562242
    Abstract: This invention belongs to the field of biochemical engineering and relates to a method of cyclic utilization of water during separation of succinic acid made by fermentation. This invention uses water from separation process for aerobic growth of E. coli AFP111 and production of succinic acid by anaerobic fermentation, obtaining final succinic acid concentration of 55 g/L and yield of 91.6%. Compared with results of fermentation using culture medium prepared from tap water, succinic acid concentration and productivity increased by 8.5% and 8.46%, respectively. An outstanding advantage of this invention is recovery and utilization of evaporated water during separation of succinic acid, realizing cyclic use of water during industrial production of succinic acid, which is an environment-friendly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Min Jiang, Min Zhang, Jiangfeng Ma, Hao Wu, Liya Liang, Rongming Liu, Guangming Wang, Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 9562243
    Abstract: A yeast cell with reduced pyruvate to oxaloacetate conversion activity, and a method of producing lactate using the yeast cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngkyoung Park, Changduk Kang, Jiyoon Song, Juyoung Lee, Seunghyun Lee, Kwangmyung Cho
  • Patent number: 9562244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a photosynthetic product, the method comprising maintaining a photosynthetic plant or algal cell suspension culture, in the presence of water, light and a carbonic acid-enriched growth medium. The carbonic acid may, for example be provided by feeding the photosynthetic plant cell suspension culture with a carbonic acid solution, a solid or liquid precursor thereof, or a gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and one or more other gases. The invention also provides a method for producing a photosynthetic product, the method comprising maintaining a photosynthetic plant or algal cell suspension culture, in the presence of water, light and a carbon source selected from carbon dioxide and carbonic acid, wherein the culture is maintained at a pH of less than 7.0, preferably 4.5 to 5.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NATURALLY SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Andrew Whitton
  • Patent number: 9562245
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the fermentative preparation of sulphur-containing amino acids chosen from the group of L-methionine, L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-homocysteine and L-homocystine, comprising the steps: a) provision of a microorganism of the family Enterobacteriaceae or of a microorganism of the family Corynebacteriaceae which has an increased thiosulphate sulphurtransferase activity compared with the particular starting strain; b) fermentation of the microorganism, from a) in a medium which contains an inorganic source of sulphur chosen from the group of salt of dithiosulphuric acid or a mixture of a salt, of dithiosulphuric acid and a salt of sulphuric acid, a fermentation broth being obtained, and c) concentration of the sulphur-containing amino acid in the fermentation broth from b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: EVONIK DEGUSSA GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Schneider, Stella Molck, Brigitte Bathe
  • Patent number: 9562246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism of the genus Escherichia having enhanced L-tryptophan productivity, which has been modified to express yeast anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase in order to be able to produce L-tryptophan at high concentration, and to a method for producing L-tryptophan, comprising a step of culturing the microorganism. The microorganism of the genus Escherichia can produce L-tryptophan, and thus can be advantageously used in the pharmaceutical industry and the feed industry, particularly for animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hyung Joon Kim, Ju No Jang, Kyung Rim Kim, Keun Cheol Lee, Young Bin Hwang, Hyeong Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 9562247
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for industrially producing a branched glucan having a cyclic structure. The method for producing a branched glucan having a cyclic structure comprises the steps of: (1) preparing a mixed liquid which contains a branching enzyme in which starch granules are suspended at a concentration of 5% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less, and allowing the branching enzyme to act on starch in the starch granules, wherein a temperature of the mixed liquid at the time of preparation is 0° C. or higher and not higher than the gelatinization starting temperature of the starch granule; and (2) elevating the temperature of the mixed liquid to 85° C. or higher and 129° C. or lower, wherein in the method, none of ?-amylase, ?-amylase, amyloglucosidase and ?transglucosidase is added to the mixed liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takaha, Kouji Odan, Michiyo Yanase, Iwao Kojima, Tsunehisa Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9562248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NOVOZYMES INC.
    Inventors: Ye Liu, Lan Tang, Junxin Duan
  • Patent number: 9562249
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an innate DNA sequence within the complete genome sequence of Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 which resembles the structure of an actinomycete integrative and conjugative element (AICE). Related AICEs were used for establishing genetic manipulation tools for other bacteria in the past. In this document, we describe the unique features of the specific AICE found in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 which are clearly distinct from any other known AICE as a whole, but share minor parts with varying sequence similarity with other characterized AICEs from other species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Klein, Klaus Selber, Hermann Wehlmann, Winfried Rosen, Alfred Pühler, Patrick Schwientek, Jörn Kalinowski, Udo Wehmeier
  • Patent number: 9562250
    Abstract: A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Stephen J Benkovic, Frank Salinas
  • Patent number: 9562251
    Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express novel recombinant genes encoding steviol biosynthetic enzymes and UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce steviol or steviol glycosides, e.g., rubusoside or Rebaudioside A, which can be used as natural sweeteners in food products and dietary supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Evolva SA
    Inventors: Ganesh M. Kishore, Jorgen Hansen, Jens Houghton-Larsen, Esben Halkjær Hansen, Michael Dalgaard Mikkelsen, Sabina Tavares, Charlotte Blom
  • Patent number: 9562252
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of preventing and eliminating trisulfide bonds in proteins such as antibodies. In one embodiment, trisulfide bonds in proteins are converted to disulfide bonds as part of chromatographic purification procedures. In another embodiment, the formation of trisulfide bonds in proteins is inhibited by implementation of methods described herein during the cell culture production of such proteins. In another embodiment, monoclonal antibodies are produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Biogen MA Inc.
    Inventors: Rashmi Rohit Kshirsagar, Alan Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9562253
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining a sample from a patient; applying, to the sample, a reagent to cause bacterial cells to release adenosine triphosphate (ATP) when the sample includes the bacterial cells; applying another reagent that reacts with the ATP to form a colorimetric agent; detecting whether the sample changes in appearance as observed by an unaided eye of a practitioner when a concentration of the agent is greater than a threshold; identifying a time period from when the other reagent is applied to when the change in appearance is detected; and determines a severity, of a bacterial infection, based on the time period. The severity corresponds to a severity level when the time period is less than a duration of a point of care visit by a first amount, or a higher severity level when the time period is less than the duration by more than the first amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: POINT OF CARE DIAGNOSTICS, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Turner
  • Patent number: 9562254
    Abstract: Procedures are provided to evaluate the effectiveness of slow-acting antibacterial agents such as metal salts on reduction of bacterial oral biofilm. In the modified process, the exposure time of the agent is increased from the usual 3 minutes to 7-15 minutes, e.g., about 10 minutes, and the duration increased to 5-12 days, e.g., about 8 days instead of the conventional 3 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Shashank Potnis, Navin Lewis
  • Patent number: 9562255
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Mitrecin A polypeptide useful in prevention and treatment of one or more bacteria. Also provided is a method to kill or prevent growth of one or more bacteria comprising contacting the one or more bacteria with a Mitrecin A polypeptide. The target bacteria can be selected from the group consisting of a Gram-positive bacterium, a Gram-negative bacterium, or both. In one embodiment, the present invention is drawn to a polynucleotide encoding a Mitrecin A polypeptide, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a host cell comprising the polynucleotide, or a composition comprising the Mitrecin A polypeptide, the polynucleotide, the vector, or the host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Heath Farris
  • Patent number: 9562256
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for conducting a non-invasive analysis of a bodily fluid to determine the presence and level of a certain constituent carried by the bodily fluid. An indicator formulation of the device changes color in response to exposure to the constituent to provide a visible indication of the presence and level of the constituent carried by the bodily fluid. A carrier substrate of the device is constructed of a material having voids providing a high void volume within the substrate. The device is made by applying a chromagen to the carrier substrate to create a chromagen-laden carrier member. Then, a selected reagent having a particular constituent-specific formulation is applied to the chromagen-laden member. The selected reagent then combines with the chromagen thereby establishing the indicator formulation within the carrier substrate in place for reception of a sample of the bodily fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Pop Test LLC
    Inventors: Randice Lisa Altschul, Neil David Theise, Myron Rapkin, Rebecca O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9562257
    Abstract: Inhibitors of the tmRNA pathway have antibacterial activity with broad species specificity, including B. anthracis and other pathogens of military and civilian interest. Identified cyclic or linear peptides are further selected by in vivo selection methods, kill bacterial pathogens when added exogenously, and/or eliminate plasmids carrying antibiotic resistance or virulence genes. The molecular target of each cyclic peptide is in the tmRNA pathway and the tmRNA pathway is inhibited in vitro and in vivo by the addition of the peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kenneth C Keiler, Stephen J Benkovic
  • Patent number: 9562258
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample of DNA is described herein in which a test sample comprising single stranded DNA is exposed to a DNA probe and a nicking endonuclease under conditions that would permit sequence-specific hybridization of the probe to a complementary target sequence. The probe comprises a sequence complementary to the target sequence to be detected and this sequence also includes a recognition sequence for the nicking endonuclease. If the sample contains the target sequence, the probe hybridizes to the target and is cleaved by the nicking endonuclease, which leaves the target intact. Observing the presence of probe cleaved by the nicking endonuclease indicates the presence of the target nucleotide sequence in the sample of DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Georgetown University
    Inventors: Mark Danielsen, Joel Credle, Eugene A. Davidson, Kenneth L. Dretchen
  • Patent number: 9562259
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for analyzing chromosomal translocations, and in particular to analysis of chromosomal translocation by in situ hybridization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiro Nitta, Mike Farrell, Wenjun Zhang, Tom Grogan
  • Patent number: 9562260
    Abstract: An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BIOMERIEUX, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Kluttz, Geoff A. McKinley, Fabio Gennari, Michel Guy, Christopher Cotter, Luigi Catazariti, Louis Graziano, Bruno Colin, Cecile Paris, Jacque Dachaud
  • Patent number: 9562261
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for identifying and characterizing polynucleotide sequences in a sample which may include a heterogeneous sample. Some of the methods and kits are directed to the identification and characterization of a virus in a sample, which may include HIV capable of cause AIDS or AIDS-like symptoms. The virus may be HIV-1, and may also include drug resistant mutations. The methods may include reacting a mixture that includes, in addition to nucleic acid isolated from the sample, at least one oligonucleotide capable of specifically hybridizing to HIV nucleic acid where the oligonucleotide includes at least one non-natural base. In addition, the methods may include detection of one or more mutations in HIV nucleic acid that are associated with drug resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael James Moser
  • Patent number: 9562262
    Abstract: A fluidic centripetal apparatus for testing components of a biological material in a fluid is presented. A bottom-fillable chamber is coupled to an entry channel for receiving the fluid, the chamber inlet being provided at an outer side of the bottom-fillable chamber. A container is wholly provided in a retention chamber and contains a liquid diluent, until it releases it upon application of an external force, restoring the fluidic connection between the liquid diluent and the fluid in the retention chamber. The retention chamber can have a flow decoupling receptacle for receiving the fluid, located at the outer side of the retention chamber and interrupting a fluidic connection between the entry and exit of the retention chamber. A test apparatus and a testing method using a fluidic centripetal device for testing components of a biological material in a fluid are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: Université Laval, Genepoc Inc.
    Inventors: Régis Peytavi, Sébastien Chapdelaine
  • Patent number: 9562263
    Abstract: The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ionian Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K Maples, Rebecca C. Holmberg, Andrew P. Miller, Jarrod Provins, Richard Roth, Jeffrey Mandell
  • Patent number: 9562264
    Abstract: The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ionian Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K Maples, Rebecca C. Holmberg, Andrew P. Miller, Jarrod Provins, Richard Roth, Jeffrey Mandell
  • Patent number: 9562265
    Abstract: Provided herein are primers comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to a portion of a RhD gene. Also provided herein are methods of determining a RhD zygosity in a subject. Also provided are methods of detecting a weak D allele in a subject. Further provided are kits for determining an RhD zygosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Jan Rohozinski
  • Patent number: 9562266
    Abstract: Sensors for target entities having functionalized thereon, at least one amine-terminated aptamer specific to the target entity, and methods of making and using the same are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Toledo
    Inventors: Brent D. Cameron, Dong-Shik Kim, Rui Zheng, Byung-Wook Park
  • Patent number: 9562267
    Abstract: Provided is a standard plasmid for assaying a genetically modified plant, a method for quantitatively analyzing a target transgene within the genetically modified plant using the standard plasmid, and a kit for quantitatively analyzing the genetically modified plant including the standard plasmid, wherein the standard plasmid of the present invention is possible to be utilized for assaying a genome containing a 5-enoyl-4-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene or a cry1Ab gene, and in particular, significantly useful as a standard material capable of analyzing whether the genetically modified plant such as soybean RRS or GM maize MON810 is incorporated or an incorporation ratio thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND SCIENCE
    Inventors: Hyong Ha Kim, Woo Jeong Kim, Su Kyung Lee, Jung Keun Suh, Young Hye Seo
  • Patent number: 9562268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting the risk of a patient for developing adverse drug reactions, particularly SJS or TEN. It was discovered that an HLA-B allele, HLA-B* 1502, is associated with SJS/TEN that is induced by a variety of drugs. The correlation with HLA-B* 1502 is most significant for carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN, wherein all the patients tested have the HLA-B* 1502 allele. In addition, another HLA-B allele, HLA-B*5801, is particularly associated with SJS/TEN induced by allopurinol. Milder cutaneous reactions, such as maculopapular rash, erythema multiforme (EM), urticaria, and fixed drug eruption, are particularly associated with a third allele, HLA-B *4601. For any of the alleles, genetic markers (e.g., HLA markers, microsatellite, or single nucleotide polymorphism markers) located between DRB1 and HLA-A region of the specific HLA-B haplotype can also be used for the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Yuan-Tsong Chen, Shuen-lu Hung, Wen-hung Chung, Jer-Yuarn Wu
  • Patent number: 9562269
    Abstract: Methods are provided to determine the entire genomic region of a particular HLA locus including both intron and exons. The resultant consensus sequences provides linkage information between different exons, and produces the unique sequence from each of the two genes from the individual sample being typed. The sequence information in intron regions along with the exon sequences provides an accurate HLA haplotype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Chunlin Wang, Michael N. Mindrinos, Mark M. Davis, Ronald W. Davis, Sujatha Krishnakumar
  • Patent number: 9562270
    Abstract: The invention provides for a diagnostic test to monitor cancer-specific genetic abnormalities to diagnose cervical cell disorders and predict which patients might progress to cancer. Genetic abnormalities are detected by identification in chromosomal copy number of chromosome 3 and chromosome 5 using FISH analysis of probes targeted to 3q and/or 5p.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NeoDiagnostix
    Inventors: Gregory Anton Endress, Madhvi Upender, Elizabeth Light, Colyn Cain
  • Patent number: 9562271
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the detection of Candida species in biological samples, such as human tissue samples. The invention features species specific nucleic acid probes that can hybridize to target nucleic acid molecules in Candida species and can be used in a variety of detection assays, such as fluorescence based assays or NMR based assays. The compositions and methods of the invention can be used to rapidly and accurately detect one or more Candida species in patients and can be used to assist in point-of care-decisions for treating Candida infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: T2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lori Anne Neely
  • Patent number: 9562272
    Abstract: The use of salt-inducible kinase 3 allows screening for a substance having an effect of increasing cartilage volume and/or an effect of normalizing chondrocyte differentiation. A modified chondrocyte in which the expression or function of salt-inducible kinase 3 gene is inhibited or enhanced can be used to ameliorate a disease associated with reduced cartilage volume and/or a disease associated with impaired cartilage growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Noriyuki Tsumaki, Hiroshi Takemori
  • Patent number: 9562273
    Abstract: A tilting converter comprising a container (2), defining a first longitudinal axis X, having a bottom (2?); a support ring (3), coaxial to the container (2) and distanced from said container, provided with two diametrically opposite supporting pins (6), defining a second axis Y orthogonal to the first axis X, adapted to allow a rotation of the converter about said second axis Y; a suspension system, connecting said container (2) to said support ring (3), comprising groups (12) of first suspension devices (7), said groups (12) being arranged substantially equidistant to each other along a cylindrical side surface coaxial to the first axis X, in a position between the support ring (3) and the bottom (2?); each of said first suspension devices (7) being provided with a plurality of longitudinal elastic elements, each longitudinal elastic element being arranged alongside the next so as to define a laying plane, and a gap (15, 15?) is provided between one longitudinal elastic element and the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alfredo Poloni
  • Patent number: 9562274
    Abstract: An ultra-high strength stainless steel alloy with enhanced toughness includes in % by weight: 0 to 0.06% carbon (C); 12.0 to 18% chromium (Cr); 16.5 to 31.0% cobalt (Co); 0 to 8% molybdenum (Mo); 0.5 to 5.0% nickel (Ni); 0 to 0.5% titanium (Ti); 0 to 1.0% niobium (Nb); 0 to 0.5% vanadium (V); 0 to 16% tungsten (W); balance iron (Fe) and incidental deoxidizers and impurities. The heat treating method includes the steps of austenitizing at least once followed by quenching, tempering and sub-zero cooling to obtain no more than about 6-8% retained austenite in the finished alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventor: Warren M. Garrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9562275
    Abstract: A method for producing highly pure platinum on an industrial scale, as well as the use of said highly pure platinum. According to the method, a hexahalogenoplatinate is reduced to platinum in acidic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: HERAEUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventors: Joachim Kralik, Martin Stettner, Hermann Von Eiff, Jan Schapp
  • Patent number: 9562276
    Abstract: Articles suitable for use in high temperature applications, such as turbomachinery components, and methods for making such articles, are provided. One embodiment is an article. The article comprises a material comprising a plurality of L12-structured gamma-prime phase precipitates distributed within a matrix phase at a concentration of at least 20% by volume, wherein the gamma-prime phase precipitates are less than 1 micrometer in size, and a plurality of A3-structured eta phase precipitates distributed within the matrix phase at a concentration in the range from about 1% to about 25% by volume. The solvus temperature of the eta phase is higher than the solvus temperature of the gamma-prime phase. Moreover, the material has a median grain size less than 10 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard DiDomizio, Judson Sloan Marte, Pazhayannur Ramanathan Subramanian
  • Patent number: 9562277
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnesium alloy material, having superior mechanical properties without using special production equipment or processes, and a production process thereof. The magnesium alloy material of the present invention composed of an Mg—Zn—RE alloy comprises essential components in the form of 0.5 to 3 atomic percent of Zn and 1 to 5 atomic percent of RE, with the remainder comprising Mg and unavoidable impurities. The Mg—Zn—RE alloy has a lamellar phase formed from a long period stacking ordered structure and ?-Mg in the alloy structure thereof. The long period stacking ordered structure has at least one of a curved portion and a bent portion and has a divided portion in at least a portion thereof. Finely granulated ?-Mg having a mean particle diameter of 2 ?m or less is formed in the divided portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakata, Yuuichi Yamada, Koji Itakura, Yoshio Okada, Yoshihito Kawamura, Michiaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9562278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for strip guidance in a hot medium, comprising a deflection roller (3, 38) mounted on supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57) and a carrier device holding the supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57). The device is characterized in that one of the supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57) is mounted on the carrier device by means of a floating bearing (5), wherein the floating bearing (5) allows the mounted supporting arm on the carrier device to move parallel to the longitudinal direction of the deflection roller (3, 38), and in that an elastic counter element (12), which acts parallel to the longitudinal direction of the deflection roller (3, 38) upon the supporting arm (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57) mounted on the floating bearing (5), is present and counteracts an increasing distance between the supporting arms (1, 2, 34, 37, 54, 57).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Marc Blumenau, Frank Eisner, Christopher Gusek, Fred Jindra, Rudolf Schoenenberg, Bert-Reiner Willeke, Tobias Denner, Christian Klatt, Jens Wemhoener
  • Patent number: 9562279
    Abstract: A boring cutter body (5) is inserted into a circular hole (3) and is rotated and moved in an axial direction, whereby screw-shaped groove parts (11) are formed by using a tool bit (9) provided on a tip end of an outer peripheral portion, and broken surfaces (15) are formed by breaking tips of ridge parts generated by formation of the groove parts (11). Moreover, the groove parts (11) are processed through electric discharge machining using a wire electrode (17) provided to the boring cutter body (5) behind the tool bit (9) in the rotating direction, thereby forming finely roughened portions (41) having more finely roughened shapes than the broken surfaces (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hasegawa, Shuuji Adachi, Mitsuo Uchiyama, Yoshirou Noguchi, Takahiro Iwasaki, Kimio Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9562280
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a thermally sprayed coating, which has been applied onto the surface of the substrate as a lamellar coating. This coating is formed from a completely or partially plastisized or melted solid starting material, preferably being completely plastisized, which material contains at least one component that is capable or reacting with corroding substances and combining with them to form one or more solid product compounds. The invention also concerns the uses of such a coating and a process for producing such a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Tomi Suhonen, Tommi Varis
  • Patent number: 9562281
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal spraying material (5) for the coating of a surface of a workpiece by means of a thermal spraying method, wherein the spraying material (5) contains zinc. The invention further relates to a thermal spraying method and to a thermally sprayed coating sprayed with the material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: OERLIKON METCO AG, WOHLEN
    Inventors: Arno Refke, Gerard Barbezat, Jacobus Cornelis Doesburg
  • Patent number: 9562282
    Abstract: A transparent conductive film includes a transparent conductive coating provided on at least one surface of an organic polymer film substrate, wherein the transparent conductive coating is a crystalline coating of an indium-based complex oxide having a content of a tetravalent metal element oxide of 7 to 15% by weight calculated by the formula {(the amount of the tetravalent metal element oxide)/(the amount of the tetravalent metal element oxide+the amount of indium oxide)}=100(%), has a thickness in the range of more than 40 to 200 nm, a specific resistance of 1.2×10?4 to 2.0×10?4 ?·cm, main X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to (222) and (440) planes and has a ratio (I440/I222) of (440) peak intensity (I440) to (222) peak intensity (I222) of less than 0.3, and has an internal stress of 700 MPa or less as determined by an X-ray stress measurement method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Sasa, Yusuke Yamamoto, Hironobu Machinaga
  • Patent number: 9562283
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and a method for depositing material onto substrates, particularly optical substrates, to form a coating thereon. The apparatus and method incorporates the use of a series of magnetrons provided to be controlled to sputter deposit material provided in targets mounted therein, on to the substrates. There is provided a voltage to the magnetrons to operate the same and the level of voltage which is required to form required coating or coating layer characteristics is determined by using monitoring apparatus, at least when forming the coating or coating layer for the first time. The appropriate voltage level data for operation of the magnetrons can be held in a database and subsequently used to control the voltage level when forming an identified coating or layers of coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Multilayers LLC
    Inventors: Desmond Gibson, John Michael Walls