Award Data

Historically organophosphorus compounds such as insecticides and nerve agents have been susceptible to decomposition by proteinaceous enzymes. Organophosphate hydrolases (OPH) represent a practical method to deactivate such compounds peripherally and on surfaces. However, when such organophosphates are ingested, the use of proteinaceous enzymes such as OPH can be problematic because of their tende ...

DESCRIPTION: (Verbatim from the Applicant's Abstract) Active Signal Technologies, in partnership with the Brain Attack Team of the University of Maryland Medical Center, proposes to develop a novel portable, non-invasive system that will enable rapid identification of stroke. Approximately 750,000 people suffer a stroke each year and over 80 percent of thes ...

Active Signal Technologies proposes to further develop its self applied, electrodeless home monitoring device for sleep apnea with the ultimate goal of making clinical diagnosis available to a much larger population of sleep disorder patients than currently possible. Preliminary results from Phase I have shown that much of the diagnostically rich airflow information captured in the sleep lab with ...

DESCRIPTION (Abstract, from the application): Automated karyotyping is an important procedure in cytogenetics labs worldwide. Multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) is a recent development that uses multicolor chromosome painting probes and multispectral image analysis to identify subtle and complex chromosomal rearrangements. It promises to make ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to develop innovative image compression techniques to make the digital storage, archiving, and communication of cytogenetics images much more efficient and faster, thereby significantly reducing the storage and transfer costs of digital cytogenetics imaging instruments in clinical diagnosis and i ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The deliberate release of Bacillus anthracis spores remains an imminent threat both in terms of bioterrorism and biowarfare. Individuals who inhale these spores are at extreme risk of infection and death from anthrax. C urrent prophylaxis and therapy in the event of B. anthracis spore inhalation fall into two categories. Vaccination to protect against future ex ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by investigator): Lyme disease, caused by the gram-negative spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodid tick species, is the leading vector-borne infectious disease in the United States, with a steady rise in the number of cases reported each year. The most common Lyme disease symptom, the classic bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans or EM rash) in endemic areas, ...

Given the possibility to administer prophylactic doses of protein bioscavengers inactivating OP nerve agents before they reach their acetylcholinesterase target, much attention has been given to proteins such as human butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase I. As small nucleic acid catalysts can exhibit triphosphoesterase activities, the identification of new molecules active against nerve agents w ...

Shelter enclosures for military working dogs in the event of a CB attack is a technology gap identified by the Joint Requirements Office. Important parameters to consider in the design of protective enclosures include low weight and size to minimize transport requirements; rapid setup; and accommodation of canine physiological and psychological comfort needs. The overall operational weight of th ...

DESCRIPTION (Applicant's Abstract): The overall goal of this research proposal is to determine the effectiveness of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) for treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. This Phase II proposal will focus on the ability of rhLF to treat the 01 side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a class of drugs widely-us ...