A Novel Rapid Point-of Care Diagnostic Method for Infectious and Autoimmune Diseases

Rapid point-of-care, antibody-based testing is not available for the diagnosis of autoimmune and most infectious diseases. For detecting autoantibodies associated with most autoimmune conditions, fluid-phase immunoprecipitation assays are required. However, these assays usually involve radioactivity and are not feasible for point-of-care applications. The subject invention describes methods of using neodymium magnet for diagnosis of infectious and autoimmune diseases including lupus, Sjögren's syndrome, type I diabetes, HIV and Lyme disease.

Potential New Drugs for Treating or Preventing Pruritus

NIH scientists have identified new compositions that could potentially be used to treat or prevent pruritus (itchiness). The newly discovered compounds can block a newly identified itch pathway and might be effective for persistent itch caused by psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, renal failure, liver cirrhosis and chemotherapy. These compounds are different from commonly used antihistamines which induce drowsiness and sedation. These compounds have the potential to be used for human and animals.

Thyclotide Peptide Conjugates With Cell Permeability And Inhibitory Activity

Thyclotides are oligomeric molecules with chiral tetrahydrofuran (THF) diamine units consisting of either R,R or
S,S stereochemistry. Thyclotide sequences with R,R stereochemistry bind to complementary DNA and RNA
sequences with strong affinity and sequence specificity, while thyclotides with S,S stereochemistry have a helical
handedness that does not allow binding to DNA or RNA. Thyclotides are cell permeable and can be used to
suppress microRNA activity in cells. Peptides are oligomeric molecules consisting of amino acids found in

Sidechain Functionalized S-Acylbenzamides With Anti-HIV Activity

HIV infection remains a major medical problem, with approximately 38 million people worldwide living with HIV. Nipamovir and SAMT-247 are simple and inexpensive small molecules that inactivate HIV virus by interference with final maturation steps of the virus. This mechanism provides a high barrier for HIV to develop resistance. In fact, lab experiments designed to encourage HIV to develop resistance to Nipamovir and SAMT-247 have all failed. In animal tests, Nipamovir and SAMT-247 do not display toxic side effects.

Device to Measure Muscle Contractile-Relaxant and Epithelial Bioelectric Responses of Perfused, Intact Tracheal Airways Tissue In Vitro

CDC and collaborative researchers have developed a device allowing for simultaneous measurement of smooth muscle contractile/relaxant activity and transepithelial potential difference (Vt) [or short circuit currents (Isc)] and resistance (Rt) within an intact airway in vitro. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms of lung diseases, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, involves understanding the roles of airway smooth muscle and epithelium.

Occupational Safety: Portable Exposure Assessment System for Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injury

CDC researchers have developed the Portable Exposure Assessment System (PEAS), a field-based, remotely deployed tool to monitor and provide early warning of working conditions that have a high likelihood of musculoskeletal injury. PEAS is a noninvasive, real-time, instrument-based system. Sensor technology simultaneously measures and collects data regarding the body loads and awkward postures imposed by package handling as well as driving-related, low-frequency vibrations.

Swing-Away Winch Cathead Guard

Shrimp boat operators use two trawl retrieval mechanisms mounted on the same winch frame. The main spools are used in the first operation; the shrimpers stand within inches of rotating cathead drums and guide incoming wire rope onto the main spools. Second, lazy lines are wrapped multiple times around each of the two spinning catheads (horizontal beams that raise and secure the anchor). Lastly, the guarding ends are pulled by the operators to cinch the rope to the rotating spool aiding trawl retrieval, but poses a hazard for operators to get entangled in the spinning cathead spools.

Near Real-time, Low-cost, Hand-held Sensors for Measuring Elemental Concentration of Airborne Particles for Indoor or Outdoor Air Quality Monitoring

Airborne particles can have great impact on air quality, weather, and human health. In particular, long-term inhalation of toxic particulate matter in workplaces could pose a significant health risk. NIOSH scientists have developed a new, low-cost approach based on application of atmospheric radio frequency glow discharge (rf-GD) optical emission spectroscopy for near real-time measurement of elemental concentration in aerosols. The method involves collection of aerosol particles on an electrode tip in a coaxial microelectrode system, followed by excitation of the particles using rf-GD.

Camel VHH Nanobodies Bind the S2 Subunit of SARS-CoV-2 and Broadly Neutralize Variants including Omicron

Since its emergence in 2019, COVID-19 infected over 600 million people and over 6 million people have died from the disease. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Neutralizing antibodies have been developed to bind to the receptor binding domain (RBD) on the spike (S) protein. Blocking the interaction of the RBD and the ACE2 receptor, is critical in neutralizing the virus. However, the S2 subunit, is also critical for viral infection and entry into human cells.

Method for Assembling Decellularized Tissue Extracellular Matrix in 3D Tumor Spheroids

Cell culture investigations using spheroids and organoid models have had a major impact on biomedical advancement as alternative sources for costly, in vivo animal testing.  However, these 3-D cell constructs are limited in that they do not integrate extracellular components within the structure important for more reliable and accurate biological responses.  Extracellular matrix (ECM) from decellularized tissues provide a physical scaffolding and offers crucial biochemical and biomechanical cues for cellular constituents.

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