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.

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.

Use of Antihistamine Compounds for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus

The vast majority of people infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) will have chronic infection. Over decades, this can lead to liver disease and liver cancer. In fact, HCV infection is the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S. Several new drugs have recently come into the market that will likely change the HCV treatment paradigm. However, the effectiveness of these new drugs can vary depending on the HCV genotype. Thus, there is still the need for additional new therapeutics against HCV.

Astrocyte Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells with StemPro Embryonic Stem Cell Serum Free Medium for Research and Potential Therapeutic Use

This technology includes an innovative method for differentiating astrocytes from neural stem cells (NSCs). The process involves using Life Technologies StemPro embryonic stem cell serum-free medium to initially guide NSCs towards a neuronal lineage. Over a period of 28-35 days, as the cells are continually passaged, neurons gradually die off, leading to the proliferation of astrocytes. By the end of this differentiation protocol, approximately 70% of the cells exhibit markers characteristic of mature astrocytes, specifically GFAP.

A3 Adenosine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators

Selective A3AR agonists are sought as potential agents for treating inflammatory diseases,
chronic pain, cancer and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NIDDK investigators have invented 
new chemical composition as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the A3AR. These chemical 
compounds contain sterically constrained, bridged modifications and cycloalkyl rings of various 
sizes, as well as modifications of the 4-arylamino group. The compounds have added 

Novel Inactivated Zika Vaccine Candidate Based on Purified Wild-type Zika Virus — for Zika Vaccine and Diagnostic Assay Development

Zika virus (ZIKV) spreads to people primarily through bite by infected Aedes mosquitoes. ZIKV infection during pregnancy can cause stillbirths or affect the fetus by causing serious birth defects, such as microcephaly and other brain defects. Although uncommon, adults with ZIKV can also develop Guillain-Barre syndrome and other neurological disorders. According to the World Health Organization’s July 2019 report, a total of 87 countries and territories have had evidence of mosquito-borne transmission of ZIKV.

Monoclonal Antibodies for Detection of Stachybotrys chartarum (a Fungus)

CDC NIOSH researchers have developed a simple and rapid detection technique for Stachybotrys chartarum (a type of mold that commonly grows on wet building materials) by producing monoclonal antibodies which reacts with proteins in Stachybotrys chartarum. These antibodies can be used in immunologic detection assays to detect and possibly quantify Stachybotrys chartarum in environmental samples, and to our knowledge, they do not cross react with other fungi.

Nucleic Acid Detection of the Fungal Pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum from Clinical and Environmental Samples

This invention relates to detecting Histoplasma capsulatum by PCR using oligonucleotide probes specific for the fungus. Histoplasmosis is a mycotic infection of varying severity, usually localized in the lungs. Caused by H. capsulatum, infections are usually symptomatic but can develop into chronic disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Diisocyanate Specific Monoclonal Antibodies for Occupational and Environmental Monitoring of Polyurethane Production Exposure-related Asthma and Allergy and Clinical Diagnosis

CDC researchers have developed monoclonal antibodies useful as diagnostics for diisocyanate (dNCO) exposure and for toxicity characterization of specific dNCOs. Currently, dNCOs are used in the production of all polyurethane products and are the most commonly reported cause of occupational-induced asthma and also linked to allergic contact dermatitis. Presumptive diagnosis of dNCO asthma is presently dependent on criteria such as work history, report of work-related asthma-like symptoms and nonspecific airway reactivity to methacholine challenge.
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