Methods of Treating or Preventing Pruritis (Itch)

This technology provides a novel method of treating or preventing pruritis (itch) using natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb) blocking agents. Itch (also known as pruritis) is a sensation that may be perceived as an unpleasant skin irritation and may drive an urge to scratch. Conditions such as, for example, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, renal failure, liver cirrhosis and some cancers may cause persistent itch. Itch is triggered by somatosensory neurons expressing the ion channel TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1).

mNFHcre Transgenic Mice

Knockout mouse is a valuable model to study biological functions of target genes. When Cre expressing mice are bred with mice containing a loxP-flanked gene, the gene between the loxP sites will be deleted in the offsprings. Scientists at the NIH have generated mNF-H-cre transgenic mouse lines that express Cre recombinase under the control of the promoter of the neurofilament-H gene, which is expressed in the late stage of neuronal maturation. The transgenic mice express cre in neurons (but not astrocytes) with highest expression in the cortex and hippocampus.

KCNN4 Knockout Mice for Mechanistic Research

This technology includes a transgenic allele for a mouse knockout model for the KCNN4 gene. Secretion of fluids from these salivary glands requires the coordination of multiple water and ion channel proteins. Notably, the majority of these channels have been shown to be up-regulated by increased calcium concentrations. The relevant calcium-activated potassium channels are split into the small, intermediate, and large conductance channels (called the SK, IK, and BK channels). The KCNN4 gene plays a part in the IK and BK channels.

Human Monoclonal Antibodies That Target Plasmodium Falciparum Sporozoites

Malaria is one of the worlds deadliest infectious diseases, causing an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths annually, with children in the regions of Africa and South Asia being most vulnerable. Approx 2,000 cases of malaria are reported in the United States each year, by travelers from malaria-risk countries. Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, which introduces Plasmodium sporozoites into the bloodstream of the human host.

3D Bioprinting of Cardiac Patch with Anisotropic and Perfusable Architecture for the Repair of Damaged Cardiac Muscle

This technology includes a novel cardiac patch which was 3D printed to repair damaged cardiac tissue. Based on biological and anatomical understanding of myocardial tissue, a novel 3D bioprinting technique was developed to directly fabricate the cellularized and vascularized cardiac patch with anisotropic fiber and perfusable vessel architecture. The design will integrate biomimetic aligned myocardial fibers and perfusable blood vessels to create a thick, functional cardiac patch, suitable for the human heart implantation.

Stapled Peptides for Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases and Inflammation

The invention is directed to small molecule mimetics of apolipoproteins that have an inter-helical hydrocarbon bond, which stabilizes helix formation.

Apolipoproteins facilitate the transport of lipids and cholesterol in the body. Mimetics of apolipoproteins have been used to treat cholesterol-related disorders. However, these mimetics are susceptible to degradation in biological fluids and as a result, their ability to bind cholesterol becomes diminished over time.

Development of an Efficient and Affordable Protein Purification System to Study Protein Functions and Structures

This technology includes a semi-automatic and affordable protein purification system that produces purified proteins with yields and purities comparable to an automatic protein purification system for less than 10% of its cost, which can be used for studying protein structure and function, as well as antibody purifications and drug screenings. Additionally, the new system is flexible and customizable for use with both custom-made and commercial pre-made resin columns with either gravity flow or low-pressure configurations.

Java Applet for Modeling Human Metabolism and Energy Expenditure for Adaptive Dieting and Exercise Regimens

Known methods for predicting weight loss fail to account for slowing of metabolism as weight is lost and therefore overestimate the degree of weight loss. While this limitation of the 3500 Calorie per pound rule has been known for some time, it was not clear how to dynamically account for the metabolic slowing. The invention provides a Java applet for modeling of human metabolism to improve the weight change predictions. The model has been validated using previously published human data and the model equations have been published.

Polyclonal Antibodies to Apolipoprotein L1 for Use in Basic Science Research

This technology includes antibodies to apolipoprotein L1 (ApoL 1) to be used in basic science laboratory studies. ApoL 1 is a protein that is present within cells and circulates as component of high-density lipoprotein. Its functions are not well understood. Recently APOL 1 genetic variants have been shown to be highly associated with kidney disease in African Americans.
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