iBridge Network Innovations

Device to Decrease Relative Humidity in Exhaled Gas for Patients on Mechanical Ventilation

2012-02-11T12:06:00Z

Mechanical ventilators are used to assist or replace spontaneous breathing. Normal air expired from a ventilated patient is typically humid and significant “rainout” of water condensation can occur in ventilator circuits. A significant problem for patients on long term care is that aspiration of contaminated condensate from exhaled gas in these circuits increases risks of microbial contamination and is a known contributing factor in the development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Excessive water gurgling in the expiratory portion of the ventilator circuit can cause various problems with the ventilator itself, including; an inappropriate breath trigger of the ventilator, erroneous volume measurement due to the expiratory flow sensor becoming wet and inaccurate pressure readings along with associated alarms.

Method to Rapidly Enhance Extracellular Matrix Content of Tissue Engineered Constructs

2012-02-11T12:06:01Z

Articular cartilage is the connective tissue at the ends of long bones that provides load-bearing properties due to its specialized extracellular matrix (ECM). Due to the limited capacity of avascular articular cartilage for self-repair once damaged, several treatment strategies take tissue engineering approaches to repair cartilage and stimulate healing. However, many cell-based tissue-engineered constructs for articular cartilage are mechanically soft and have an imbalance between its ECM components. While normal cartilage has a collagen:glycosaminoglycan (COL:GAG) ratio of 2-10:1, the ratio in engineered cartilage is less than 1:1—even after prolonged culture. Attempts to increase the matrix content and mechanical properties of cell-based, tissue-engineered cartilaginous constructs (including modification of culture media, culture conditions, and/or mechanical stimuli) have yielded mechanically soft tissues that are unable to withstand normal, physiologic stresses. The fabrication of cartilaginous constructs that more closely approximates a normal COL:GAG ratio and content of normal cartilage may allow for improved mechanical properties and more rapid functioning of such constructs in the mechanically demanding environment of the in vivo joint.

Novel Small Molecule Biomarker For Detection Of Breast Cancer and its Risk

2012-02-11T12:54:07Z

Researchers at the University of California, Davis campus have discovered a novel metabolic pathway in human breast and propose this pathway as a new paradigm in molecular etiology of breast cancer.<p\> </p\>

Porous Carbon On-chip Energy Storage Devices

2012-02-11T02:20:25Z

With the development of wireless sensors networks, there is an urgent need for compact power sources. The challenge to developing planar devices to meet these needs is the integration of the electrodes’ high surface area material necessary to ensure a high capacitance. with acceptable performances. To meet this challenge, investigators at University of California at Berkeley have developed polymer derived porous carbon material for on-chip energy storage devices The high porosity of the fabricated material leads to a high specific capacitance and hence, high energy density. The process is highly compatible with planar micro-/nanotechnology. The material is stable at high temperature (< 900°C), and can be used to fabricate on-chip storage devices such as microsupercapacitors able to operate at high temperature.

Self-Adaptive Asymmetric On-line Boosting for Detecting Anatomical structures

2012-02-11T10:44:47Z

Boosting algorithms are commonly used in machine learning
and pattern recognition for object detection. There are a variety of available
and popular boosting algorithms including AdaBoost, TotalBoost, MadaBoost etc.,
with subtle differences in their weighting of training data and hypotheses. Most
training data has an imbalanced number of positive and negative samples, thereby
requiring an asymmetric learning algorithm. Existing asymmetric algorithms
require preset parameters that are not capable of adjusting the asymmetric loss
criterion during training and the preset parameters are chosen heuristically due
to a lack of general rules of selecting. However, choosing preset parameters is
impossible in medical image analysis because different applications may require
different parameters.

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a
novel self-adaptive, asymmetric on-line boosting (SAAOB) method for detecting
anatomical structures in CT pulmonary angiography. This method utilizes a new
asymmetric loss criterion with self adaptability according to the ratio of
exposed positive and negative samples. Moreover, the method applies advanced
formulates to situations and updates a sample’s importance weight based on those
different situations i.e. true positive, false positive, true negative, false
negative.

This method demonstrates a significant improvement of
performance in more realistic sample scenarios having imbalanced conditions.

Potential Applications

Automated detection of anatomical structures in any
imaging modality

Benefits and Advantages

The asymmetric loss function is self-adjusting during
on-line training
Updates sample’s importance weight based on
classification result and sample’s label
Validated from balanced condition (1 positive: 1
negative) to extremely imbalanced condition (1 positive: 1000 negative) with
high accuracy
Does not need preset parameters

Download Original PDF

For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr. Liang’s
departmental webpage

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Shape-based analysis of right ventricular dysfunction associated with acute pulmonary embolism

2012-02-11T02:20:39Z

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is the third most common
cause of death in the US with at least 600,000 cases occurring annually. APE
results from migration of emboli to the lungs and obstruction of pulmonary blood
vessels. If detected in early stages of development, the high rate of mortality
caused by APE may be reduced significantly. A better understanding of the
biomechanics of the cardiac right ventricle (RV) and the contribution of APE to
RV dysfunction may provide insight into biomarker identification and subsequent
early diagnosis of APE.

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a
method of detecting early stage APE using measured biomechanical changes to the
cardiac right ventricle. It was found that RV dysfunction due to APE exhibits
several characteristic signs including (1) waving paradoxical motion of the RV
inner boundary, (2) decrease in local curvature of the septum, (3) lower
positive correlation between the movement of inner boundaries of the septal and
free walls of the RV, (4) slower blood ejection by the RV, and (5) discontinuous
movement observed particularly in the middle of the RV septal wall.

Using these characteristic features, early stage APE can be
diagnosed and prognosis of APE can be more accurately determined.

Potential Applications

Early stage detection of APE
Determination of APE prognosis

Benefits and Advantages

Early detection increases chance or survival
Plurality of functional biomarkers for better diagnostic
ability
Development of effective methods for detecting and
visualizing abnormal RV characteristics

Download Original PDF

For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr. Liang’s
departmental webpage

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A Transgenic Zebrafish model for Melanoma using BRAF and other cell cycle mutan

2012-02-11T10:55:15Z

This work has created a zebrafish model of both benign nevi and malignant melanoma, a model that offers faithful recreation of the human melanomagenesis and attractive adaptability for investigative research. Transgenic zebrafish bearing human, mutated BRAF (V599E) cDNA, expressed in under the melanocytes-specific mitfa (nacre) gene promoter, develop benign, ectopic melanocyte proliferation, resembling human nevi. In a genetic background carrying a p53 mutation [homozygous Met246Lys missense mutation of the zebrafish zp53 gene, corresponding to a mutation seen in human cancers and demonstrated to inhibits radiation-induced apoptosis in the fish], expression of the V599E BRAF in melanocytes leads to the development of melanomas in the fish, arising over time from nevi and displaying characteristic similar to human malignant melanoma. This research has defined a valuable platform for the study of both pre-malignant nevi and malignant melanoma.

Zebrafish represent a genetically tractable species, allowing experiments on genetically identical individuals, allowing introduction of new mutations at will, and allowing genetic screens for novel mutations that result in a desired phenotype. Their short generation time and large numbers of offspring allow rapid expansion of new genetic lineages. Zebrafish are large enough to be surgically manipulated (allowing excision of tumors, implantation, transplantation, etc.) yet are small enough to be raised economically in large numbers. The advantage of rearing large numbers of genetically identical fish is manifest both in large scale population studies (where large numbers of identical individuals can be exposed to a limited number of treatments to accurately evaluate weak environmental variables) and in screening (where fish can be exposed to a large number of potential therapeutic compounds for in vivo, high throughput, drug screening). As vertebrates, zebrafish shared the same developmental program of melanocyte generation from neural crest progenitors as seen in mammals, and the mammalian and zebrafish melanocytes share biochemical and cell biological features and share expression of many homologous genes. The fish nevi and melanomas are relevant models for their human counterparts, sharing histological similarities and showing involvement of mutations in homologous genes in melanomagenesis.

Symbolic Transfer Entropy to Assess Feedback Connectivity in the Brain

2012-02-11T05:58:35Z

Symbolic Transfer Entropy to Assess Feedback Connectivity in the Brain

CApacity Planning Tools and INformatics (CAPTAIN) Decision Support System for Phase 1 Trials Performance Sites

2012-02-11T05:57:46Z

CApacity Planning Tools and INformatics (CAPTAIN) Decision Support System for Phase 1 Trials Performance Sites

Video Mashup Software

2012-02-11T12:25:59Z

Video Mashup Software

Teaching Video: Surgical Excision of a Multi-Lobular, Recurrent, Bartholin Duct Cyst

2012-02-11T05:58:49Z

Teaching Video: Surgical Excision of a Multi-Lobular, Recurrent, Bartholin Duct Cyst

Classify the Political Leaning of News Articles Using Graph Propagation

2012-02-11T10:49:43Z

Classify the Political Leaning of News Articles Using Graph Propagation

Monte Carlo Simulation Code

2012-02-11T10:45:04Z

Monte Carlo Simulation Code

Digital Tissue Microarray and Digital Laser Capture Microdissection

2012-02-11T10:45:09Z

Digital Tissue Microarray and Digital Laser Capture Microdissection

A Harmonic Balance Finite Element Method for the Steady-State Simulation of Synchronous Machines

2012-02-11T11:37:13Z

A Harmonic Balance Finite Element Method for the Steady-State Simulation of Synchronous Machines

A Method For The Generation and Use of Global Network Reputation

2012-02-11T12:47:40Z

A Method For The Generation and Use of Global Network Reputation

Patient Modeling From Multispectral Input Image Volumes

2012-02-11T11:37:17Z

Patient Modeling From Multispectral Input Image Volumes

A Novel Method to Screen New Molecular Entities (NMEs) for Pharmacological Activity Against Lung Cancer

2012-02-11T11:37:19Z

In vitro screening systems utilize static cell culture models to assess the biological activity of the molecules to be tested on animals. However, about 90% of these lead candidates fail clinical trials since current biochemical and biological assays cannot reliably translate pharmacological acidity of new molecular entities (NMEs). Current screening utilizes static design, which does not account for the in vivo mechanical forces
that a cell may experience in its respective microenvironment. Observations suggest that in vivo mechanical forces play an important role in the response of cells to therapy. This invention proposes to screen NMEs in 2D cell cultures and 3D tissue models in the presence of simulated in vivo forces. The invention demonstrates a new and improved approach for screening anti-lung cancer agents in 2D cell culture, and 3D tissues models in the presence of simulated in vivo forces that mimic respiration. To date no anti-lung cancer drugs have ever been screened in the presence of simulated lung forces in vivo.
The invention also consists of an in vitro device, a 24, 48, or 96 well plate defining one or more culture cell wells, that includes one or more mechanisms to actuate the one or more mechanical stressing members. This device can be beneficial for improvements with in vitro screening under mechanical stress. The
plates can be designed for drug screening applications and for compatibility with standard plate readers. Also, the plates can be configured for high throughput screening of drugs in 2D and 3D cultures.

Novel Single Dose Sterilant for Male and Female Companion and Feral Animals

2012-02-11T11:37:20Z

Despite the fact that surgical sterilization of companion animals is the most common procedure performed by veterinarians, a high number of unwanted pets and related rates of euthanasia still occur. Current non-surgical alternatives to sterilization are unsuitable for use in a field setting due to their lack of cross-gender effect, poor efficacy and toxic side effects. Thus a safe, permanent, easily administered single dose sterilant for use in both male and female animals will reduce the large number of unwanted pets and the burden to pet owners, animal control and veterinary facilities. This invention entails a novel, nonhormonal compound that administered in a single dose can sterilize both male and female companion animals. Proof of concept has been shown in mice, rats and rabbits. The compound is not positive in hERG assays, non-mutagenic, and exhibits 100% bioavailability and desirable pharmacokinetics for use as a single dose sterilant.

KU is willing to enter into a Confidential Disclosure Agreement for the purpose of negotiating a License Agreement. If you are interested in learning details of this invention, please contact: Aswini K. Betha, Ph.D., Licensing Associate, KUCTC; Phone: 913-588-5713; Email: abetha@ku.edu

New Molecular Technique for Neural Tracing

2012-02-11T11:37:28Z

One of the main challenges in systems neuroscience is to correlate the actions of neurons, synapses, and circuits with specific behaviors. Neuroscientists employ neural tracing techniques to identify and localize neuron populations underlying specific behaviors, effectively providing a bridge between in vivo stimuli and in vitro analysis of circuit functions. Current techniques are based mainly upon immediate early gene expressions (IEG). Besides the associated problems of low signal-to-noise ratio and poor specificity, other drawbacks associated with the use of current IEG-based reporters has been the difficulty in determining the cell type of labeled neurons and the inability to express additional reporter genes to monitor neural activity or manipulate neuronal properties.