Adaptive Sensitivity Encoding Incorporating Temporal Filtering (TSENSE)

The invention is an accelerated magnetic resonance imaging method developed to reduce the total imaging time for gated, segmented cine imaging or to increase the frame rate when imaging dynamic activity, such as heart motion or brain activity. The invention combines temporal filtering (e.g., the UNFOLD method) with a known spatial sensitivity encoding technique (SENSE or SMASH) to achieve a new technique that is the subject of the invention (TSENSE) having a higher degree of alias artifact rejection than could be obtained using either temporal or spatial filtering individually.

Compositions and Methods for Reducing Serum Triglycerides

This technology includes a vaccine for lowering plasma triglycerides by inducing the formation of autoantibodies against either ANGPTL3 or ANGPTL4, which are inhibitors of Lipoprotein Lipase. This was done by conjugating synthetic peptides based on ANGPTL3 or ANGPTL4 to virus- like particles (VLPS). Injection of the vaccine in animal models was shown to induce the autoantibody against the target and to lower plasma triglycerides.

Isotopes of Alpha Ketoglutarate and Related Compounds for Hyperpolarized MRI Imaging

This technology includes 1-13C-ketoglutarate which can be used for imaging the conversion to hydroxyglutarate (HG) or Gln in cancer cells with an IDH1 mutations by hyperpolarized MRI. The ability to detect the status of IDH1 mutations is clinically prognostic for multiple cancers. These exciting observations are limited by two factors, the major one being that the natural abundance of 13C at position C5 overlaps with 1-13C-2-hydroxyglutarate peak, which limits the sensitivity of analysis and prevents simultaneous observations of HG and Gln formation.

Systems and Methods for Applying Pressure to the Heart for the Treatment of Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

This technology includes structures and methods for cinching a band around the heart for treating conditions including tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). When positioned appropriately along the atrioventricular groove, the band is tightened around the heart which narrows the tricuspid annulus and relieves TR.

Methods to Produce Very Long Chain Fatty Acids (VLCFA) for Use as Nutritional Formulas and as Therapeutics for Disease

This technology includes a new method to prepare very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), which does not use the previously reported toxic mercury amalgam, for use as nutritional supplements, and as therapeutics for various diseases. The key coupling step involves an organocopper mediated coupling of the Grignard regent derived from the bromo alkyl tetraene with a bromoalkyl containing a protected alcohol. After the coupling the alcohol Is deprotected and oxidized to prepare the very long fatty acid. The synthetic approach is flexible and can be used to prepare the other VLCFA compounds.

High Relaxivity Mulitivalent Gadolinium on a Peptide Scaffold for Targeted MRI Applications in Disease Diagnosis

This technology includes a peptide containing alternating Alanine and Lys(DOTA-Gd) residues can be used to increase the MRI relaxivity of a peptide. The low molecular weight construct can be appended to proteins, antibodies and peptides to increase MRI signals. This approach offers advantages over previous dendrimeric constructs.

LZK and DLK Inhibitors to Target LZK and Suppress MYC Expression, Inhibit AKT Activation, and Promote Cancer Cell Death and Tumor Regression

This technology includes the use of LZK and DLK inhibitors to be used for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Specifically, we demonstrate that inhibitors that can be repurposed to target LZK suppresses LZK kinase-dependent stabilization of MYC and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo preclinical cell line xenograft mouse model demonstrates that targeting LZK will suppress tumor growth. We also demonstrate that several additional compounds potently inhibit LZK and could serve as new therapeutic modalities.

Devices and Methods for Cerclage of Luminal Systems

This technology includes a family of transcatheter endovenous intramyocardial tether (MIRTH) procedures to impose myocardial constraint on the LV (MIRTH), LV and RV (SCIMITAR), and cardiac resynchronization procedures. Included is a set of advanced cardiac treatment technologies that focus on minimally invasive procedures for heart patients. The main technology is the transcatheter endovenous intramyocardial tether (MIRTH) procedure, which is designed to apply physical constraint to the left ventricle (LV) of the heart.