| BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120058475 | Detection of Chromosomal Inversions - A method and a kit for the identification of chromosomal inversions is described. Chromosomal inversions are difficult to detect unless they are quite large. The improved ability to detect chromosomal inversions is important to a number of medical applications, such as cancer and birth defects, as examples. Reporter species are attached to oligonucleotide strands designed such that they may hybridize to portions of only one of a pair of single-stranded sister chromatids prepared by the CO-FISH procedure, as an example. If an inversion has occurred, these marker probes will be detected on the sister chromatid at the same location as the inversion on the first chromatid. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120045396 | POROUS STRUCTURES WITH MODIFIED BIODEGRADATION KINETICS - Biodegradation kinetics of biodegradable porous objects, such as porous silicon objects, can be controlled by a molecular weight of polymer chains, such as polyethylene glycol chains, disposed on an outer surface of the object. Provided are biodegradable porous objects, which have their biodegradation kinetics controlled by a molecular weight of the disposed polymer chains. Also provided are methods of making such biodegradable porous objects as well as methods of using such biodegradable porous objects for delivery of active agents, such as therapeutic agents and/or imaging agents. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120039875 | DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS INVOLVING PTEN AND BREAST CANCER - Patients with ErbB2-overexpressing cancers can be given an ErbB2 targeting agent as a therapeutic regimen but not all patients are responsive. The present invention concerns the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic methods and compositions for evaluating potential efficacy of an ErbB2 targeting agent in an ErbB2-overexpressing cancers by evaluating PTEN expression, which is predictive of responsiveness or resistance to ErbB2 targeting agents such as trastuzumab. Low PTEN expression is predictive of a patient who will respond poorly to trastuzumab. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120022096 | PRO-NEUROGENIC COMPOUNDS - This technology relates generally to compounds and methods for stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, including post-natal hippocampal and hypothalamic neurogenesis) and/or protecting neuronal cell from cell death. Various compounds are disclosed herein. In vivo activity tests suggest that these compounds may have therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, normal aging, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, stroke, radiation therapy, chronic stress, abuse of a neuro-active drug, retinal degeneration, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, physiological weight loss associated with various conditions, as well as cognitive decline associated with normal aging, chemotherapy, and the like. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120003159 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING CONTRAST IN IMAGING - Examples of compositions of liposomes and methods of making the same containing high concentrations of contrast-enhancing agents for computed tomography are provided. Example compositions of such liposomes, when administered to a subject, provide for increased contrast of extended duration, as measured by computed tomography, in the bloodstream and other tissues of the subject. Also provided are example methods for making the liposomes stable, that is, resistant to leakage of the contrast-enhancing agents, including the extrusion of the liposomes at high pressures and at high flow rates per total pore area of the extrusion filters. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110312899 | HDL Particles for Delivery of Nucleic Acids - Disclosed are high density lipoprotein-nucleic acid particles, wherein the particles include (a) an apolipoprotein; (b) a nucleic acid component comprising a therapeutic nucleic acid segment; and (c) a polypeptide comprising a positively charged region, wherein the positively-charged region of the polypeptide associates with the nucleic acid component. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include a) an apolipoprotein; (b) a nucleic acid component comprising a therapeutic nucleic acid segment; and (c) a polypeptide comprising a positively charged region. Methods that concern the particles and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also set forth, as well as kits. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110311452 | INFLAMMATION TARGETING PARTICLES - Opsonizable micro- or nanoparticles, that contain at least one active agent, such as an imaging or therapeutic agent; that have a positive surface charge and that do not contain on their surface targeting ligands, such as antibodies, peptides or aptamers, can be used to treating and/or monitoring a condition associated with an inflammation, such as a cytokine stimulated inflammation. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110274624 | CONTRAST AGENTS IN POROUS PARTICLES - MRI imaging compositions are disclosed comprising non-chelated MRI contrast agents in the pores of at least one porous microparticle or nanoparticle. The compositions of the invention have been found to exhibit increased relaxivity and therefore, enhanced MRI imaging. The non-chelated contrast agents include T1 contrast agents, such as those including Gd(III) or Mn(II). Methods of MRI imaging and methods of making the compositions are also disclosed. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110266521 | POROUS AND NON-POROUS NANOSTRUCTURES - Disclosed are a variety of porous and non-porous wire-like structures of microscopic and nanoscopic scale. For instance, disclosed are structures that comprise a porous object that comprises: (i) a first region; and (ii) a second region adjacent to the first region along an axis of the object, where the first region has at least one porous property different from that of the second region. Also disclosed are structures that include: (i) a high resistivity silicon; and (ii) a cross-section that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the object. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such structures. For instance, the present invention provides methods of making a porous object by: (i) obtaining an etchable substrate; (ii) forming on a surface of the substrate a patterned porosification assisting metal layer that has at least one opening; and (iii) subsequently exposing the substrate to a first etching solution and a second etching solution to form respectively a first region and a second region of a porous object. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110200567 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF LUNG DISEASES AND DISORDERS - A method of treating injured or diseased alveolar epithelial tissue in the lung of a mammal comprising transplanting into the lung a population of differentiated transgenic stem cells, or progeny thereof, which have an alveolar type II phenotype, effective to repair at least a portion of the injured or diseased alveolar epithelial tissue; an expression vector for transgenically modifying stem cells, comprising a DNA sequence encoding human surfactant protein C promoter operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding at least one drug-resistance gene; transgenic stem cells comprising such expression vector; and a method of preparing such transgenic stem cells and progeny thereof, a high percentage of which have an alveolar type II phenotype. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199084 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING - Methods and systems for displaying microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of a region of interest (ROI) in a patient are disclosed. Methods and systems for tissue segmentation and atlas-based tissue segmentation in ROI of a patient using diffusion MRI data are also described. A method for studying microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of a region of interest (ROI) in a patient includes acquiring, via an imaging system, diffusion magnetic resonance (MRI) data in the ROI by using an Icosahedral Diffusion Tensor Encoding Scheme (IDTES); computing, via the imaging system, mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) by using logarithm-moment algorithm (LMA); and displaying, on a display, the microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of ROI based on the computed MD and FA. The diffusion MRI data includes diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data or diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. In some cases, displaying the microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of ROI takes place in real time. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110189220 | MUSHROOM COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING - The present subject matter relates to a novel mushroom composition and methods for making and using the same. In one aspect, the subject matter involves a composition comprising a combination of mushrooms or components derived from mushrooms selected from the group consisting of Reishi | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110171681 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR REGULATION OF STEM CELL SURVIVAL, PROLIFERATION, AND DIFFERENTIATION BY PROTEIN UBIQUITINATION - Compositions and methods for regulating in vitro cell growth are disclosed, and for providing undifferentiated stem cells or embryonic cells that are suitable for transplantation into damaged tissues or organs, or for use in tissue repair. A representative method includes causing the overexpression or underexpression of GalT binding protein (GtBP), also referred to as GalT associated protein (GTAP), in a cell such that ubiquitination of at least one cellular protein associated with cell adhesion and/or cell-to-cell interaction is correspondingly increased or decreased, causing inhibition of cell growth when GTAP is overexpressed and causing enhanced cell growth when GTAP is underexpressed by the cell. As a result, growth of the cell is altered or regulated. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110150868 | DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS INVOLVING PTEN AND BREAST CANCER - Patients with ErbB2-overexpressing cancers can be given an ErbB2 targeting agent as a therapeutic regimen but not all patients are responsive. The present invention concerns the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic methods and compositions for evaluating potential efficacy of an ErbB2 targeting agent in an ErbB2-overexpressing cancers by evaluating PTEN expression, which is predictive of responsiveness or resistance to ErbB2 targeting agents such as trastuzumab. Low PTEN expression is predictive of a patient who will respond poorly to trastuzumab. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110104124 | MESODERMAL-LIKE CELL POPULATION FOR TREATING ISCHEMIA IN MAMMALS - Compositions containing an effective amount of mesodermal-like multipotent mammalian mononuclear cells that express both CD34 and M-cadherin cell surface markers are used for preventing, treating or reducing the severity of tissue ischemia or an ischemia associated disorder in a mammal. Such uses may include repopulating an in vivo site with new myocytes and/or vascularizing an ischemic or adjacent tissue. Detection of the level and/or distribution of CD34 | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110071403 | FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED FLUORESCENCE LYMPHATIC MAPPING FOR DIAGNOSING, ACCESSING, MONITORING AND DIRECTING THERAPY OF LYMPHATIC DISORDERS - Methods and imaging agents are used to functionally image lymph structures and to identify, diagnose, assess, monitor and direct therapies for lymphatic disorders. Embodiments of the methods utilize highly sensitive optical imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy techniques capable of rapid temporal resolution to non-invasively track or monitor packets of imaging agents flowing in one or more lymphatic structures in human patients to provide quantitative information regarding lymph propulsion and functionality of the lymphatic structures. An imaging agent comprises a fluorophore labeled peptide capable of binding integrin α | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110071306 | BIOMASS REFINING BY SELECTIVE CHEMICAL REACTIONS - A method is disclosed for the acid hydrolysis of carbohydrates in or from biomass, using a solvent system including an aqueous ether, where the ether form a majority of the system, which affords high yields to the platform chemicals such as 2-furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The later can also undergo a domino reaction to chemicals including levulinic acid, particularly with oxygenated anions and greater water content. A total dissolution and reaction of biomass occurs under a range of relatively mild conditions (combined Severity range ˜2.2-2.6). Lignin and lignin derived products can be easily separated by precipitation. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110066208 | ILEAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - The disclosure is a method of treatment for obesity, in an individual in need thereof comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the distal small intestines or ileum, and administering electrical stimulation in trains of pulses or repetitive pulses, where the electrical stimulation is effective, at least in part in, stimulating the vagal afferent and efferent activity, of the distal small intestines or ileum, in the individual. The stimulation of the vagal afferent and efferent activity leads to the regulation of the ileal brake. Specifically, the electrical stimulation is provided in trains of pulses. Also, described is a method of treatment for functional gastrointestinal disease by ileal electrical stimulation. Further this invention provides a method of treatment for an eating disorder comprising administering ileal electrical stimulation effective, at least in part, in stimulating the vagal and sympathetic pathways. The stimulatory electrodes are placed by laparoscopic, endoscopic or surgical means. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110060222 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARACTERIZING INHOMGENEITIES USING AXIAL SHEAR STRAIN ELASTOGRAPHY - The present invention relates to systems and methods for characterizing inhomogeneities in deformable target bodies. More particularly, the disclosure relates to methods and systems for axial-shear strain elastography (ASSE) and their use in analyzing inclusions such as but not limited to, tumors as well as directing cancer therapies such as HIFU. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110052660 | CERAMIC SCAFFOLDS FOR BONE REPAIR - Ceramic articles as functional biodegradable scaffolds with graded porosity are made by a process that includes a hardening step in which the liquid of a liquid-containing ceramic composition is extracted from the ceramic composition by exposing the ceramic composition to a solvent in which the liquid in the composition is soluble before the ceramic composition is solidified into the final ceramic article. An exemplary calcium phosphate porous ceramic article constructed in accordance with the process is useful as an implant to repair a bone defect. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110052591 | Variants of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Beta - Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences that encode novel variants of mouse or human thyroid stimulating hormone-β proteins are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic applications to prevent, treat or reduce the severity of thyroid stimulating hormone-β-related disorders. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110028331 | DETECTION OF MUTATIONS IN ACTA2 AND MYH11 FOR ASSESSING RISK OF VASCULAR DISEASE - A method of detecting in an individual an increased risk of hyperplastic vasculomyopathy, or a vascular disease resulting therefrom is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a DNA genome sample from the individual and detecting in the sample a missense mutation in a gene which is a component of a smooth muscle cell contractile unit. In some embodiments the gene is ACTA2 and in some embodiments the gene is MYH11. In some embodiments, the gene is sequenced and then compared to a panel of control gene sequences which are representative of the same gene in individuals without vascular disease or who are at low risk of developing hyperplastic vasculomyopathy, to detect any missense mutations in the gene. The presence of a missense mutation in the gene indicates an increased risk of hyperplastic vasculomyopathy. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110020479 | METHODS FOR MODULATING EICOSANOID METABOLISM - The inventive subject matter relates to methods for modulating an eicosanoid metabolic process in cells of an animal in need thereof, which comprises administering to the animal an amount of the inventive compositions effective for regulating the activity of an eicosanoid oxygenase. In particular, the inventive subject matter relates to methods for modulating arachadonic acid metabolism by administering an amount of the inventive compositions effective for regulating the activity of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110015695 | GASTROINTESTINAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF PANCREATITIS - A method of preventing acute pancreatitis comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the stomach of an individual in need thereof; and administering repetitive trains of short pulse gastrointestinal electrical stimulation effective for suppressing the inflammatory response in the pancreas is provided herein. The electrodes are placed by laproscopic, endoscopic or surgical means. The gastrointestinal stimulation activates vagal reflexes. The activation of the vagal reflexes is via the gastric and pancreatic afferents. The gastrointestinal stimulation also activates the axonal reflexes. The activation of the axonal reflexes is via the dichotomous branches of the spinal nerves. The electrical stimulation is administered concurrently with an endoscopic procedure or immediately following an endoscopic procedure. Also, provided herein is a method of preventing inflammation of a visceral organ comprising positioning a stimulatory electrode in proximity of descending efferents in the vagus, innervating the visceral organ, of an individual in need thereof, and administering repetitive trains of short pulse electrical stimulation effective in activating nicotinic receptors. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110008457 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING LIPID COMPOSITION - The present subject matter relates to a novel herbal and oil composition and methods for modulating fatty acid composition and metabolism in an animal. In one aspect, the subject matter involves a composition comprising rosemary extract, oregano extract, and a polyunsaturated oil. In a particular embodiment, the polyunsaturated oil is fish oil or a derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the present subject matter relates to methods for modulating essential dietary fatty acid composition of lipoprotein particles or cell membranes, modulating essential fatty acid metabolism, regulating the activity of lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases, improving cardiovascular health, and/or inhibiting cell proliferation diseases and disorders. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100310527 | LIPOSOME MEDIATED DELIVERY OF LINEAGE DETERMINING FACTORS - Methods and compositions are provided for lineage predetermination of cellular transplants including through liposome mediated transfection with aqueous protein extracts from populations of differentiated mammalian cells, or cellular fractions thereof, wherein the differentiated mammalian cells are enriched in one or more of adipocytes, chondrocytes, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, skeletal muscle cells, cardiac pacemaker cells, Schwann cells, pancreatic islet cells, hematopoietic cells, myeloblasts, neurons, and osteoblasts. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100279419 | DETECTION OF SALIVA PROTEINS MODULATED SECONDARY TO DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU OF THE BREAST - A method of differentiating among the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ in the breast, benign fibroadenoma of the breast, and non-cancerous breast tissue in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises: measuring the concentration of at least one protein biomarker selected from a group of forty-nine differentially expressed proteins in the saliva of persons with DCIS, or benign fibroadenoma, or in persons who are cancer-free. The resulting test data is compared to a reference panel. From the comparison the presence in the subject of either ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, or benign fibroadenoma of the breast is determined. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100172845 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTIONS - Disclosed are compositions and improved methods for effective treatment of Mycobacterial infections in susceptible animals. Also disclosed are regimens for preventing, reducing, or ameliorating the emergence of symptoms of | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100074958 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TARGETING FENESTRATED VASCULATURE - Targeting of a fenestrated vasculature at a body site by micro or nanoparticles can be increased by using particles that have a radius substantially equal to a critical radius of a normal vasculature at the body site. The particles can be used for treating or monitoring a physiological condition responsible for the fenestrated vasculature. A method of improving an ability of micro or nanoparticles to target fenestrated blood vessels in a body site by selecting particles from a population of the micro or nanoparticles, where the selected particles have a radius that permits enhanced delivery into the fenestrated blood vessels. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100063423 | ULTRASONIC BATH TO INCREASE TISSUE PERFUSION - The present invention describes a method of using an ultrasonic bath to enhance tissue perfusion, enhance the development of collateral blood vessels and/or enhance collateral circulation in an extremity in need thereof. Also described is an ultrasonic bath adapted to hold media and to permit the immersion of an extremity and comprising one or more ultrasonic transducers to generate and transmit ultrasonic energy to the extremity or the inventive method | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100021443 | METHOD OF PREPARING LUNG ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL TYPE II CELLS DERIVED FROM EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS - A method of preparing a population of in vitro cultured cells of alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cell lineage derived from at least one embryonic stem cell is disclosed which comprises (a) culturing said at least one embryonic stem cell in vitro in a medium comprising Matrigel®, to produce differentiated cells without formation of an embryonic body, wherein at least some of the differentiated cells are of ATII cell phenotype; (b) identifying the differentiated cells of ATII cell phenotype by detecting expression of at least one biomarker of ATII cells; (c) isolating the differentiated cells having ATII cell phenotype; and (d) cloning the isolated cells to produce a population of cells having ATII cell phenotype. The resulting cells are preferably >99% pure ATII phenotype lineage and are potentially useful therapeutically for treating lung injury and disease. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100003271 | NITRIC OXIDE INCREASES SWITCHING OF T CELLS INTO T REGULATORY CELLS - An ex vivo method of expanding a population of regulatory T-cells includes culturing a starting population of cells containing CD4 | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090270758 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING INFORMATION PROCESSING SPEED OF THE BRAIN - A device is disclosed which comprises a display adapted to display a sequence of rapidly alternating images, and a keypad electrically coupled to the display, for entering a perceived sequence by a user. The device is configured to compare a perceived sequence input by the user to the displayed sequence, and to measure the speed of visual perception of the user. Also disclosed are methods of visually, non-invasively assessing an individual's speed of visual perception (visual window of integration), or detecting any changes that have occurred in the individual's speed of visual perception. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090210956 | COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR CLUSTERIN-MEDIATED STEM CELL THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND HEART FAILURE - Methods and compositions are disclosed for inhibiting, deterring or preventing apoptosis of cardiac myocytes, transplanted stem cells, vascular stem cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells by means of expressing or synthesizing clusterin. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for producing recombinant clusterin, or its biologically active peptides, and for induction of clusterin-associated lipoproteins or enzymes for deterring or preventing inflammatory injury and apoptosis induced by oxLDL, oxysterols, cytokines, and Fas Ligand. Also disclosed is an induction method and composition for enhancing expression of ALDH and ALDH-associated enzymes or co-factors to prevent cytotoxicity or detoxification. Therapeutic methods providing new expression or overexpression of clusterin in vascular or cardiac tissue are expected to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, stabilize existing atherosclerotic plaques, and repair failing or damaged cardiac tissue. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20080311607 | Methods and Compositions for Regulation of Stem Cell Survival, Proliferation, and Differentiation by Protein Ubiquitination - Compositions and methods for regulating in vitro cell growth are disclosed, and for providing undifferentiated stem cells or embryonic cells that are suitable for transplantation into damaged tissues or organs, or for use in tissue repair. A representative method includes causing the overexpression or underexpression of GalT binding protein (GtBP), also referred to as GalT associated protein (GTAP), in a cell such that ubiquitination of at least one cellular protein associated with cell adhesion and/or cell-to-cell interaction is correspondingly increased or decreased, causing inhibition of cell growth when GTAP is overexpressed and causing enhanced cell growth when GTAP is underexpressed by the cell. As a result, growth of the cell is altered or regulated. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080277578 | Nanoporous substrates for the analytical methods - Nanoporous materials can be used to enrich samples for subsequent analysis of substances contained in the sample. The method is shown to enrich the yield of species in the low molecular weight proteome, allowing detection of small peptides in the low nanomolar range. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080206344 | ENDOCYTOTIC PARTICLES - Endocytosis of an active agent into a cell having surface receptors can be enhanced by using particles that have a radius no less than an endocytotic threshold determined based on a surface density of the receptors, a surface density of the moieties and interaction parameters that include at least one of a receptor-moiety spring constant and a non-specific interaction strength. | 08-28-2008 |
