Showing papers by "University of Texas System published in 2002"

Method and apparatus for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, or plaque at risk of reducing blood flow in a vessel, by a identifying a region of elevated temperature along a living vessel wall. The disclosure that human atherosclerotic plaque with measurable temperature heterogeneity has the morphological characteristics of plaque that is likely to ulcerate provides a new and sensitive technique for detecting and treating these dangerous plaques before myocardial infarction and its consequences occur. The disclosed methods are advantageous over conventional plaque detection techniques because they are capable of differentiating between those plaques that are at great risk of rupture, fissure, or ulceration, and consequent thrombosis and occlusion of the artery and those that are not presently at risk. Infrared heat-sensing catheters useful for identifying potentially fatal arterial plaques in patients with disease of the coronary or other arteries are also described. In some embodiments a coherent infrared fiber optic bundle is employed to radially and longitudinally explore a luminal wall to identify inflamed, heat-producing, atherosclerotic plaque. Certain other methods and devices are disclosed which are particularly suited for non-invasively identifying and then monitoring the progression or amelioration of an inflamed plaque in a patient, and for monitoring for onset of inflammation in an implanted arteriovenous graft. Also disclosed are thermocouple basket catheters and thermistor basket catheters which are also capable of detecting temperature heterogeneity along a vessel wall.

Methods for creating woven devices

Abstract: Self-expandable, woven intravascular devices for use as stents (both straight and tapered), filters (both temporary and permanent) and occluders for insertion and implantation into a variety of anatomical structures. The devices may be formed from shape memory metals such as nitinol. The devices may also be formed from biodegradable materials. Delivery systems for the devices include two hollow tubes that operate coaxially. A device is secured to the tubes prior to the implantation and delivery of the device by securing one end of the device to the outside of the inner tube and by securing the other end of the device to the outside of the outer tube. The stents may be partially or completely covered by graft materials, but may also be bare. The devices may be formed from a single wire. The devices may be formed by either hand or machine weaving. The devices may be created by bending shape memory wires around tabs projecting from a template, and weaving the ends of the wires to create the body of the device such that the wires cross each other to form a plurality of angles, at least one of the angles being obtuse. The value of the obtuse angle may be increased by axially compressing the body.

Methods and apparatuses for navigating the subarachnoid space

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for navigating a subarachnoid space in a vertebrate organism including percutaneously introducing a device into the spinal subarachnoid space at an entry location. Navigation of the spinal subarachnoid space is disclosed for the purpose of reaching a desired location in the subarachnoid space or the intracranial space, including areas in and around the spinal cord and brain. Once a desired location is reached, methods and devices for cooling or heating the desired location to cause physiologic changes are suggested.

Applications of light-emitting nanoparticles

Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.

Process for production of nanoparticles and microparticles by spray freezing into liquid

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for the production of microparticles and nanoparticles of materials that can be dissolved. The system and method of the present invention provide quicker freezing times, which in turn produces a more uniform distribution of particle sizes, smaller particles, particles with increased porosity and a more intimate mixing of the particle components. The system and method of the present invention also produce particles with greater surface area than conventional methods. One form of the present invention provides a method for the preparation of particles. An effective ingredient is mixed with water, one or more solvents, or a combination thereof, and the resulting mixture is sprayed through an insulating nozzle located at or below the level of a cryogenic liquid. The spray generates frozen particles.

Compositions, kits, and methods for identification, assessment, prevention, and therapy of breast cancer

Abstract: The invention relates to newly discovered nucleic acid molecules and proteins associated with breast cancer. Compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating human breast cancers are provided.

Isolation of soil with a low temperature barrier prior to conductive thermal treatment of the soil

Abstract: Freeze wells may be used to isolate an area for soil remediation. Freeze wells may form a frozen barrier around a treatment area. The frozen barrier may inhibit fluid from entering into the treatment area. The frozen barrier may also inhibit migration of contamination out of the treatment area. The frozen barrier may be used to surround all of the perimeter of the treatment area. A frozen barrier may also be formed above or below a treatment area. Freeze wells may be activated in advance of soil remediation so that a frozen barrier is formed when soil remediation is begun. The soil remediation may be accomplished by any type of soil remediation system, including a thermal soil remediation system. Heaters of a thermal soil remediation system may be may be placed close to the frozen barrier without the barrier being broken through during remediation.

Rate of occurrence and pathogenic effect of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli virulence factors in international travelers.

Abstract: One or more putative enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) virulence factors (aggA, aggR, aspU, or aafA) were identified in 60 (70%) of 86 EAEC isolates from travelers with diarrhea compared with a rate of 7 (8%) of 90 in patients with diarrhea who were infected with nonadherent E. coli (odds ratio, 27.36; 95% confidence interval, 11.30 to 65.91). The presence of aggR or one or more virulence factors in EAEC from patients with diarrhea was associated with a statistically increased concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in feces compared with that in EAEC negative for these factors: for aggR positive (9 of 12 [75%]; median, 800 pg/ml) versus aggR negative (5 of 18 [28%]; median, 0), P < 0.05; and for isolates positive for ≥1 virulence factor (13 of 21 [62%]; median, 360 pg/ml) versus those negative for ≥1 virulence factor (1 of 9 [11%]; median, 0), P < 0.05. Other fecal cytokines (IL-1β and IL-1ra) were found in increased concentrations (P < 0.05 when at least one EAEC virulence factor was present compared with the concentrations when EAEC negative for multiple virulence factors was found in patients with diarrhea. Putative virulence factors were commonly found in EAEC from patients with diarrhea, and the pathogenicity of many strains was suggested by showing an association between the presence of plasmid-borne virulence factors and the presence of fecal cytokines. The different patterns of virulence factors of EAEC revealed several clusters demonstrating diversity among the isolates from the various regions.

Radiation injury of the lung after three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy

Abstract: OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study is to describe the CT patterns of radiation injury in the lungs of patients who have undergone three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy (CRT).MATERIALS AND METHODS. Over a 36-month period, the chest CT scans of 19 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who were treated with 3D CRT were reviewed. CT scans were evaluated for findings of radiation injury (ground-glass opacities, consolidation, bronchiectasis, and volume loss). The presence, extent, and distribution of these findings were reached by consensus.RESULTS. Radiation pneumonitis limited to a small area immediately around the tumor was present in all patients who were imaged within 3 months after completion of the treatment (n = 7). Radiation-induced fibrosis occurred in all patients (n = 19). Three distinct patterns of fibrosis were consistently present, and these were classified as modified conventional, masslike, and scarlike. Modified conventional fibrosis (consolidation, volume loss, and bronch...

Forming and modifying dielctrically-engineered microparticles

Abstract: Engineered microparticles, libraries of microparticles, and methods relating thereto. The microparticles are distinguishable based on differences in dielectric response to an applied electric field. In different embodiments, the dielectric differences may be engineered through, but not limited to, dielectrically dispersive materials, surface charge, and/or fluorescence. Gangliosides may be incorporated with the microparticles to control aggregation. Vesicles including erythrocyte ghosts may be used as a basis for microparticles. The microparticles may utilize a biotin streptavidin system for surface functionalization

Method and apparatus for fabricating orthognathic surgical splints

Abstract: A method of forming a surgical splint to receive a patient's dentition and thereby align the upper jaw and the lower jaw during surgery includes generating a CT computer model of bone structure, generating a digital dental computer model of the patient's dentition, and then combining the CT computer model and the digital dental computer model to form a composite computer model. The composite computer model may be displayed, and at least one of the upper jaw and lower jaw repositioned relative to the patient's skull and the composite computer model to form a planned position computer model. Using this desired position computer model, a computer model surgical splint of the patient's dentition may be formed, which is then input into a fabrication machine to form a surgical splint. A workstation includes a CT machine (52), a digital scanner (54), a computer (56), an input command mechanism (60), a display (58), and a fabricating machine (62).

Identification of bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase subunits modified by the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal.

Abstract: Bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) was inactivated by the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with pseudo-first-order kinetics Cytochrome c oxidase electron transport activity decreased by as much as 50% when the enzyme was incubated for 2 h at room temperature with excess HNE (300-500 microM) HNE-modified CcO subunits were identified by two mass spectrometric methods: electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) All of the experimentally determined molecular masses were in excellent agreement with published sequence values with an accuracy of approximately 1 part per 10000 mass units for subunits smaller than 20 kDa and approximately 1 part per 1000 mass units for the three subunits larger than 20 kDa Both MS methods detected six CcO subunits with an increased mass of 156 Da after reaction with HNE (subunits II, IV, Vb, VIIa, VIIc, and VIII); this result indicates a single Michael-type reaction site on either a lysine or histidine residue within each subunit Reaction of HNE with either subunit VIIc or subunit VIII (modified approximately 30% and 50-75%, respectively) must be responsible for CcO inhibition None of the other subunits were modified more than 5% and could not account for the observed loss of activity Reaction of HNE with His-36 of subunit VIII is most consistent with the approximately 50% inhibition of CcO: (1) subunit VIII is modified more than any other subunit by HNE; (2) the time dependence of subunit VIII modification is consistent with the percent inhibition of CcO; (3) His-36 was identified as the HNE-modified amino acid residue within subunit VIII by tandem MS analysis

Crosslinked and crosslinkable hollow fiber mixed matrix membrane and method of making same

Abstract: A composition of and a method of making high performance mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes is described The membranes have a high resistance to plasticization by use of a predetermined amount of crosslinking The preferred polymer material for the membrane is a polyimide polymer continuous phase comprising ester crosslinks and a molecular sieve material dispersed within the polymer continuous phase The resultant mixed matrix hollow fiber membrane exhibits a high permeance of C02 in combination with a high C02/CH4 selectivity Another embodiment provides a method of making the mixed matrix hollow fiber membrane from a monesterified polymer followed by final crosslinking after hollow fiber formation

Apparatus for fabricating nanoscale patterns in light curable compositions using an electric field

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for patterning a liquid on a substrate, with the apparatus including, a template having a pair of spaced-apart recessions with a protrusion disposed therebetween, with the protrusion being spaced-apart from the substrate a first distance and each of the pair of spaced-apart recessions being spaced-apart from the substrate a second distance, with the second distance being greater than the first distance; and a source of voltage in electrical communication with the template to produce an electric field between the template and the substrate, with a strength of the electrical field being inversely proportional to the first and second distances.

Method and apparatus for differential phase optical coherence tomography

Abstract: One form of the present invention is a dual channel optical reflectometer composed of four separate paths (100, 102, 104 and 106), interconnected through a path coupler (108). The source path (100), optically connected to the path coupler (108), is comprised of a light source (110) that is optically coupled to a birefringent optical fiber (112). A depolarizer (114) is placed in-line in the optical fiber (112) and is of sufficient length (116) to insure complete decorrelation with independent phase components that are separated by virtue of the birefringent nature of the optical fiber (112). The reference path (102) is comprised of another birefringent optical fiber (118) that is optically connected to the path coupler (108) on one end, and has the other end optically aligned with a collimating lens (120) that collimates the light emitted from the second end of optical fiber (118) into a scanning delay line (122).

Towards the development of computational tools for evaluating phylogenetic network reconstruction methods.

Abstract: We report on a suite of algorithms and techniques that together provide a simulation flow for studying the topological accuracy of methods for reconstructing phylogenetic networks. We implemented those algorithms and techniques and used three phylogenetic reconstruction methods for a case study of our tools. We present the results of our experimental studies in analyzing the relative performance of these methods. Our results indicate that our simulator and our proposed measure of accuracy, the latter an extension of the widely used Robinson-Foulds measure, offer a robust platform for the evaluation of network reconstruction algorithms.

Method for delivering energy to tissue and apparatus

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering energy to a tissue. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes an energy delivery component and an inflatable member disposed around the energy delivery component. At a minimum, the inflatable member is constructed of a flexible inner wall and a flexible outer wall, which, taken together, enclose a cavity therebetween. The inflatable member is expanded such that the inflatable member's outer wall contacts the tissue's surface. Cooling fluid is disposed in the cavity, and energy is delivered to the energy delivery component so that at least a portion of the energy delivered to the energy delivery component passes through the inflatable member's inner wall, through the cooling fluid disposed in the cavity, through the inflatable member's outer wall, and into the tissue. Various apparatus suitable for use in delivering energy to tissues are also disclosed, as is a method for treating GERD or otherwise reducing reflux of a subject's stomach contents into the subject's esophagus.

Candida glabrata Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Patients Receiving Radiation Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract: Candida glabrata colonization is common in patients receiving radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, but to our knowledge has never been described as the infecting organism with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). This study presents the first three patients described with C. glabrata OPC in this patient population. Patient 1 developed C. glabrata OPC and required fluconazole, 800 mg/day, for clinical resolution. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed a MIC of fluconazole of >64 μg/ml. Elapsed time from initial culturing to treatment decision was 7 days. Patients 2 and 3 developed C. glabrata OPC. They were patients in a study evaluating OPC infections, and cultures were taken immediately. CHROMagar Candida plates with 0, 8, and 16 μg of fluconazole/ml were employed for these cultures. Lavender colonies, consistent with C. glabrata, grew on the 0- and 8-μg plates but not on the 16-μg plate from patient 2 and grew on all three plates from patient 3. Based on these data, a fluconazole dose of 200 mg/day was chosen for patient 2 and a dose of 400 mg/day was chosen for patient 3, with clinical resolution in both. Elapsed time from initial culturing to treatment decision was 2 days. C. glabrata does cause OPC in head and neck radiation treatment patients, and the use of fluconazole-impregnated chromogenic agar may significantly reduce treatment decision time compared to that with conventional culturing and antifungal susceptibility testing.

Measuring circulating therapeutic antibody, antigen and antigen/antibody complexes using elisa assays

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease.

Particle impedance sensor

Abstract: Apparatuses and method for analyzing particles using an impedance sensor. A flow-through impedance sensor may use two in-line electrodes (3a, 3b ) driven in counter phase. A common sensor electrode may be used to detect impedance and determine trajectories through the sensor area. The sensor may be used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to use with microfluidic devices for determining particle characteristics such as position, velocity, size, and concentration as well as detection of bacterial spores and other biological agents of potential use in warfare and bio-terrorism.

A pet camera with individually rotatable detector modules and/or individually movable shielding sections

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a positron emission tomography camera with individually rotatable detector modules and/or individually movable detector modules. Another apparatus, includes a radiation shield including a plurality of individually moveable shield sections. A method , includes generating an emission image of a sample generating a transmission image of said sample while generating said emission image of said sample; and then correcting said emission image with said transmission image.

Dendritic poly (amino acid) carriers and methods of use

Abstract: The present invention concerns a design for dendritic poly(amino acid) polymer carriers, also known as nonlinear polymers, and their applications. These dendritic poly(amino acid) carriers have multiple functional groups at the polymer surface. In addition, they have heterofunctional groups on the poly(amino acid) side chains for drug or diagnostic agent attachment. They are designed to allow sufficient preservation of the binding affinity of the targeting ligand while conjugating therapeutic or diagnostic agents to the polymers. The present invention also describes methods of production of the polymer carriers and methods for the treatment or diagnosis of diseases employing the polymer carriers. The present invention also includes methods to introduce targeting moieties site-specifically to the end of polymer chains.

Method and related composition employing nanostructures

Abstract: A composition of microscopic devices utilizable in a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Each microscopic device includes a nanostructure provided with a ligand for effectively coupling the nanostructure to a predetermined chemical or molecular site. A medical method in part comprises inserting the medical devices into a patient, attaching the nanostructures via the respective ligands to instances of a predetermined type of target structure inside the patient, and thereafter activating the nanostructures to perform a preselected medical diagnostic or therapeutic function.

Melatonin, longevity and health in the aged: an assessment.

Abstract: This brief review considers the potential role of melatonin in the processes of aging, the prolongation of life span and health in the aged. Studies completed to date generally suggest that exogenously administered melatonin may serve to extend life span in invertebrates, but evidence supporting this conclusion in mammals is less compelling. Thus, any conclusion regarding a role for melatonin in extending normal longevity, particularly in mammals, would be premature. With regard to deferring the signs of chemically-induced neurodegenerative conditions in experimental animals, the data are remarkably strong and there is a modicum of evidence that in humans with debilitating diseases melatonin may have some beneficial actions. Indeed, this should be one focus of future research since as the number of elderly increases in the population, the frequency of costly age-related diseases will become increasingly burdensome to both the patient and to society as a whole.

Method and apparatus for stent deployment with enhanced delivery of bioactive agents

Abstract: A stent for use in animals including humans is disclosed which includes unprotected and protected regions, each protected regions including a bioactive or biopenetrating agent containing therein where the protected regions are protected by the unprotected regions when the stent is in its undeployed state which has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stent in its deployed state. And when the stent is in its deployed state the bioactive or biopenetrating agent(s) are brought into direct and intimate contact with a tissue or interior of a blood vessel of an animal including a human.