MRI Scanner Bore Covering

This invention pertains to a bore covering for creating controlled environments and specifically for maintaining temperature within the bore of an MRI scanner. The bore covering includes a covering sheet with fastening means (e.g., weak-tack adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive or low-tack adhesive) around its inner surfaces that permits reversible attachment to the scanner. The adhesive ends can be peeled away to expose an edge of the bore opening or the entire sheet may be constructed with peel away gaps so that warm air can be pumped into the bore.

Diffusion Through Skull as Route of Delivery for Treatment of Brain Injury and Disease

Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) often results from head impact and is a major cause of death and disability. Brain injuries vary in severity and can be associated with hemorrhaging, swelling, inflammation, and death of brain tissue. Inventors at NINDS developed a novel approach to treating brain injuries that involves transcranial application of small molecules.

Human and Veterinary Cancer Therapeutic Agent Utilizing Anthrax Toxin-Based Technology

Due to the disorganized nature of blood vessels that run through tumors, chemotherapeutic agents often fail to penetrate tumors and kill cancer cells at the tumor’s center. This can lead to ineffective chemotherapeutic treatments, because tumors can quickly grow back if the entire tumor is not destroyed. NIH researchers have developed a therapeutic agent that solves this problem facing current chemotherapy treatments.

Monoclonal Antibodies That Recognize the Human Type I Interferon Receptor and Block Interferon Signaling

Type I interferons play a critical role in both innate and adaptive immunity through the stimulation of the IFNAR1 which initiates interferon signaling in response to viral and bacterial infections. However, abnormal interferon signaling is associated with human diseases, such as lupus. The present invention discloses six hybridomas that produce mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for the extracellular domain of human IFNAR1. Two of the monoclonal antibodies are able to bind IFNAR1 and reduce interferon signaling.

Aortic Access from Vena Cava for Large Caliber Transcatheter Cardiovascular Interventions

The invention pertains to a device and method for transcatheter correction of cardiovascular abnormalities, such as the delivery of prosthetic valves to the heart. Featured is a device implant for closing a caval-aortic iatrogenic fistula created by the introduction of a transcatheter device from the inferior vena cava into the abdominal aorta. The occlusion device includes an expandable transvascular implant with an elastomeric surface capable of extending between a vein and artery which conforms to the boundaries of an arteriovenous fistula tract between the artery and vein.

Dipicolylamine-based Nanoparticles for Delivery of Ligands

Many potential nucleic acid therapeutics have not transitioned from the research laboratory to clinical application in large part because delivery technologies for these therapies are not effective. Most nucleic acid delivery technologies are lipid-based or positively charged and require chemical or physical conjugation with the nucleic acid. These delivery systems are often therapeutically unacceptable due to toxicity or immune system reactivity.

Real-time PCR Assay for Detection of Pneumococcal DNA and Diagnosis of Pneumococcal Disease

CDC scientists have developed a real-time PCR assay for diagnosing pneumococcal disease using amplification of the bacterial gene encoding pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA). Pneumococcal isolation and identification is often complicated by 1) antimicrobial suppression of growth in culture and 2) contamination by normal flora alpha-streptococci. Further, pneumococcal detection by culture and serological methods can be time-consuming, relatively expensive, laborious and, ultimately, indeterminate.

Diagnostic Assays Utilizing Real-Time Taqman or Seminested RT-PCR for Parechovirus Detection and Discrimination

The CDC developed a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Taqman assay and an RT-semi nested PCR (RT-snPCR) assay for the detection of parechoviruses. Similar to enteroviruses, parechoviruses are responsible for gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous system infections. All tests target conserved regions in the 5'-nontranslated region (5-'NTR) of the parechovirus genome and share forward and reverse primers. The Taqman probe and RTsnPCR nested primer target the same conserved site but vary in length.