Award Data

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We have raised murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to a conserved region of the CD4 binding site of gp120 (CD4bs) that neutralize genetically diverse HIV strains. The MAbs have a novel mechanism of action. They hydrolyze multiple molecules of gp120, thereby imparting MAb increased biological efficacy. About 10% of HIV infected subjects develop resistance to cur ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Therapy to Improve Wound Healing with DNA Expression Vector for HIF 11 and Electroporation Impaired wound healing is a tremendous problem for individuals with diabetes. Patients with diabetes are at risk for developing foot ulcers. These non-healing ulcerations on the foot are disabling, and their progression leads to amputation of the lower extremity. Diabetes ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Over 7.5 million high school students participate in high school sports programs and an additional 2 million students join these athletic teams each year. Adolescent athletes are at risk for using performance enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids, unregulated sport supplements, and illicit drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, few evidence-based substance abus ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Premature, very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; d1500 g) and low-birth-weight (LBW; 1500-2499 g) infants are at increased risk for long-term encephalopathy. 25-50% of the 63,000 VLBW infants born annually in the U.S. have majorlong-term cognitive or neurobehavioral deficits. Postnatal cerebral ischemia appears to play an important role in long-term cognitive sequelae. ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Assessment and management of circulatory shock in critically ill patients requires rapid measurement of two critical variables: mixed venous oxyhemoglobin saturation (venous SO2) and total blood hemoglobin concentration [Hgb] to identify insufficient oxygen delivery and anemia and to determine the need for therapy with fluids, inotropic or vasodilator drugs or ...

Our goal is to evaluate the efficacy of the FDA approved drug Carbidopa for the treatment of gouty arthritis in mouse modelsCarbidopa is used to treat Parkinson s diseasebut always in combination of L DOPAnever alone by itselfGouty arthritis is caused by deposition of monosodium urateMSUcrystals in jointsinitiating inflammation and arthritisInterestinglygout is not always directly related to incre ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Methamphetamine use among gay and bisexually identified men (GBM) and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is strongly associated with HIV infection due to the concomitant high-risk sexual behaviors that often occur while using the drug. As a result, HIV prevalence is significantly higher among MSM that report frequent use of methamphetamine and highest among ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Summary We propose to develop a non-invasive method to predict mammalian oocyte quality by analyzing the surrounding cumulus cells' gene expression patterns (cGEP). The result of the cGEP assay---a cGEP score---can be used to predict embryo quality and ultimately the embryo transfer (ET) results. This technology, if success, will for the first time ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Bacterial biofilm formation on medical implants is a serious clinical problem. Biofilms can turn a simple implant into a serious complication. Recently we showed that the covalent attachment of micrograms of organo-selenium to the surface of an orthodontic device will inhibit the formation of a biofilm without harmful side-effects. This has recently (2009) led ...

PROJECT SUMMARY Genomic instabilityinduced by DNA damageand partly mitigated by DNA repair and antioxidantsplays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many major human diseasessuch as neurodegenerationcancer and cardiovascular diseasetogether with agingThere is a critical need for automated assays that can perform these assessmentsand bring them into greater routine usewhich will help advance our ...