Award Data

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): C. perfringens epsilon-toxin (ETX) is a potential biological weapon included in the list of category B priority agents. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify and perform in vivo testing of new inhibitors of E TX using a novel approach for the inactivation of pore-forming toxins developed at Innovative Biologics, Inc. It is based on the blocking of th ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Sphingolipids are being increasingly recognized as key mediators of inflammatory cascades of critical importance in multiple diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Most importantly, sphingosine 1-phosphate produced by sphingosine kinase (SK) mediates the effects of tumor necrosis factor-1 and interleukin-12, pro-inflammatory cytokines ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed research involves the development of assistive technology that is based upon a force-feedback joystick. The Barron Associates Joystick Appliance (BAJA) is targeted at individuals with neuromuscular problems in their arms and/or hands and will compensate for many deficiencies in the operator's own movement capabilities, including lack of strength, ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of this project is to create a sprayable surgical adhesive which would satisfy the surgical need for a strong, easy-to-use adhesive to adhere planar flaps of tissue. This novel adhesive will reduce fl uid accumulation after surgery by eliminating dead space in the wound and maintaining tissues in position for natural healing to occur. Seroma ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Diabetes remains the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. Most amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer, so that successfully treating, or better still preventing, foot ulcers should reduce the n umber of diabetes related amputations. The majority of foot ulcers in diabetic patients are the result of loss of protective sensation (LOPS) s ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Many oxygenators clinically available for pediatric (and adult) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) utilize heparin coatings such as Carmeda BioActive Surface on device surfaces, including the microporous hollow fibers, to improve biocompatibility. Despite application of these coatings, significant inflammatory and coagulation-related complications, as ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this Phase II SBIR Luna Innovations will perform human subject tests of the EN-TACT(tm) Patient Monitor to determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of compartment syndrome as compared to slit-catheter m easurements of intramuscular pressure (IMP), the current gold standard measurement. A Phase I animal model showed that the EN-TACT(tm) Patient ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, has been weaponized as an agent of biowarfare. The deliberate release of weaponized Y. pestis would likely occur via aerosol dissemination resulting in an outbreak of the highly lethal and contagious pneumonic plague. Therefore there is a critical need for new agents to combat infection by the antibiotic-resi ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Ischemic stroke is a major source of illness burden in the US. Stroke survivors are at high risk for recurrence and therefore they are an important group for secondary prevention. However, gaps in knowledge among stroke survivors, including inadequate knowledge of the early warning signs of stroke, inadequate understanding of the purpose and goals of rehabilit ...

SUMMARYOF OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop a comprehensive curriculum of geriatric mental health education using Web-based interactive video documentary presentations. 2. Modify the presentations of each topic so that can be used to meet the educational needs of medical students, residents, as well as nursing, social work, pharmacy and psychology and will meet the requirements for CME and CE credits to prof ...