UCLA Patents 2001

Year:
2001
[ Life Sciences ]

[ Physical Sciences ]



MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURES FOR BORON NEUTRON-CAPTURE THERAPY
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Robert R. Kane, M.Frederick Hawthorne
A general synthetic method has been developed for the rapid and efficient production of a variety of boron-rich macromolecules suitable for conjugation with inclusion in receptor-mediated delivery systems as well as other delivery systems. Preparation techniques have been developed to yield precisely ordered oligophosphates which are soluble, and hydrophilic. These molecules, may also be homogeneous, and may be prepared with a variety of functional groups.
U.S. Patent No. 6,248,916 B1
U.C. Case No. 1992-573-4
Issued: June 19, 2001

LEAFY COTYLEDONI GENES AND METHODS OF MODULATING EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Robert B. Goldberg
The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences from LEAFY COTYLEDONI (LECI) genes encoding LECI polypeptides which comprise a CCAAT binding factor domain and which modulate embryo development in plants. The nucleic acids are useful in inducing ectopic development of embryonic tissue or in modulating embryo development in transgenic plants.
U.S. Patent No. 6,235,975
U.C. Case No. 1997-177-3
Issued: May 22, 2001

CONSERVED ANTI-DNA ANTIBODY IDIOTYPE ASSOCIATED WITH NEPHRITIS IN MURINE AND HUMAN LUPUS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Richard Weisbart
Methods and antibody compositions are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus nephritis. By employing B-cells of a lupus nephritis host with a fusion partner, antibodies can be obtained, which may serve as immunogens for the production of antiidiotypic antibodies, which may then be used for diagnosis and therapy of lupus nephritis.
U.S. Patent No. 6,232,444 B1
U.C. Case No. 1990-548-2
Issued: May 15, 2001

ANTIBODIES TO S. MUTANS AND USES THEREOF
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Wenyuan Shi, Wyatt R. Hume
The invention describes three monoclonal IgG antibodies, referred to as SWLA1, SWLA2, and SWLA3, which appear to recognize a species-specific lipo-oligosaccharide or lipo-polysaccharide on the cell surface of S. mutans. The invention also describes a rapid method of detection of S. mutans without the need for prior growth of the bacteria in culture. The invention further describes a method of utilizing these antibodies for rapidly quantitatively detecting S. mutans. These methods are sensitive enough to detect the presence of a single S. mutans bacteria cell. These methods can be widely used in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of dental caries in humans.
U.S. Patent No. 6,231,857 B1
U.C. Case No. 1998-559-3
Issued: May 15, 2001

METHOD FOR REDUCING BCL-2 EXPRESSING CELLS RESISTANCE TO DEATH
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Dale E. Bredesen
The present invention involves methods for controlling cell death when the cell is exposed to one or more potentially lethal cellular insults. In one method, cell death is inhibited by introducing a reactive oxygen species limiter into the cell. This process prevents the build up of lethal levels of reactive oxygen species when the cell is exposed to a cellular insult. In another method, cell death is promoted in cancer cells or other proliferating cells that are naturally resistant to lethal cellular insults. The method involves neutralizing reactive oxygen species limiters, such as bcl-2, that are present in cancer cells. This process impairs bcl-2's activity in limiting reactive oxygen species inhibits the ability of a cancer cell to protect itself when cellular insult causes increases in the level of reactive oxygen species. The result is an increase in cell death.
U.S. Patent No. 6,231,852 B1
U.C. Case No. 1993-581-3
Issued: May 15, 2001

NUCLEIC ACIDS THAT CONTROL ENDOSPERM DEVELOPMENT IN PLANTS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Robert B. Goldberg
The invention provides methods of controlling endosperm development in plants.
U.S. Patent No. 6,229,064
U.C. Case No. 1998-251-3
Issued: May 8, 2001

METHOD AND KIT FOR OBTAINING FLUIDS AND CELLULAR MATERIAL FROM BREAST DUCTS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Susan M. Love
Methods, kits, and apparatus for obtaining cellular, chemical, and other materials from breast ducts are described. A single milk duct is accessed and washed with a washing fluid to obtain marker materials from the lining the duct. The washing fluid is then collected, and the marker materials in the washing fluid identified and analyzed. Usually, the washing fluid is introduced using a syringe through a lumen of a dual-lumen catheter. The ductal volume is filled with the washing fluid and excess fluid flows outwardly through a second lumen of the dual-lumen catheter, from which it is collected.
U.S. Patent No. 6,221,622 B1
U.C. Case No. 1998-549-1
Issued: April 24, 2001

TRANSCRIPTIONALLY REGULATED G PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTOR
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Zhigang Weng, Owen N. Witte
A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), called G2A, whose expression is regulated and functions at the G2/M check-point to ensure properly controlled duplication of hematopoietic cells. The receptor is found predominantly in hematopoietic cells and tissues and functions as a tumor suppressor gene and induces cell cycle arrest. This receptor may play an important role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Regulation of receptor activity has several therapeutic applications.
U.S. Patent No. 6,214,562 B1
U.C. Case No. 1997-538-2
Issued: April 10, 2001

IDENTIFICATION OF A G PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTOR TRANSCRIPTIONALLY REGULATED BY PROTEIN TYROSINE KINASE SIGNALING IN HEMATOPOIETIC CELLS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Zhigang Weng, Owen N. Witte
A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) which is activated by oncogenes. The receptor is found predominantly in hematopoietic cells and tissues and functions as a tumor suppressor gene and induces cell cycle arrest. This receptor may play an important role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Regulation of receptor activity has several therapeutic applications.
U.S. Patent No. 6,207,412 B1
U.C. Case No. 1997-538-1
Issued: March 27, 2001

METHODS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Daniel L. Kaufman, Jide Tian
Methods for detecting the status of an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-associated autoimmune response in a mammal are provided. Specifically, the ratio of the frequency of T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells specific for a pancreatic beta-cell associated antigen is indicative of the status of the autoimmune response. The methods may be employed prior to the onset of the clinical symptoms of the disease, thereby allowing identification of those at risk for developing clinical symptoms of IDDM, or subsequent to pancreatic tissue transplantation, for example, to measure the efficacy of treatment directed to enhancing the lifetime of the tissue transplant. Methods for prolonging the survival of tissue transplants are also provided. Specifically, a tissue-associated antigen is administered to the mammal which serves to shift the pathogenic Th1 response associated with pathological immunity toward a protective Th2 response.
U.S. Patent No. 6,207,159 B1
U.C. Case No. 1997-561-4
Issued: March 27, 2001

THE TREATMENT OF NARCOLEPSY WITH IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Jerome M. Siegel, Lisa N. Boehmer
The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of narcolepsy or isolated cataplexy. Such methods entail administering a therapeutically effective regime of at least one immunosuppressive agent. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of narcolepsy or isolated cataplexy.
U.S. Patent No. 6,204,245 B1
U.C. Case No. 1999-191-1
Issued: March 20, 2001

DEPOSITION OF COATINGS USING AN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE PLASMA JET
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Steve E. Babayan, Robert F. Hicks
The use of a nonthermal source, which is capable of operation at 760 torr, is demonstrated. As an example of the application of the present invention, a helium/oxygen gas mixture is introduced into the annular region between two coaxial electrodes driven by a 13.65 MHz radio frequency (rf) source at between 40 and 500 W to produce a stable plasma jet. Silicon dioxide films are deposited by introducing tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) into the effluent stream. A deposition rate of 3020+/-250 A/min. is achieved with an rf power of 400 W, 0.2 torr of TEOS, 11.1 torr of oxygen, 748.7 torr of helium, and a total gas flow rate of 41 L/min. The deposition rate depends on the oxygen partial pressure, the TEOS partial pressure, and the rf power to the 0.28, 0.47, and 1.41 powers, respectively. However, increasing the temperature decreases the deposition rate. The observed dielectric constants of the films decrease from 5.0+/-0.2 to 3.81+/-0.03 as the deposition temperature increases from 115 to 350 degrees Celsius. Infrared spectra of the deposited films at 350 degrees Celsius show no carbon or hydroxyl ion contamination, indicating excellent material purity.
U.S. Patent No. 6,194,036 B1
U.C. Case No. 1997-628-1
Issued: February 27,2001

METHODS AND KITS FOR IDENTIFYING DUCTAL ORIFICES
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Sanford H. Barsky, Susan M. Love
Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labeling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is labeled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigen. Labelling of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.
U.S. Patent No. 6,168,779 B1
U.C. Case No. 1997-597-1
Issued: January 2, 2001

LOW-POWER STATE-SEQUENTIAL VITERBI DECODER FOR CDMA DIGITAL CELLULAR APPLICATIONS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Inyup Kang
A method, apparatus, and a program storage device useful in performing computations to decode a convolutionally coded sequence without resorting the use of switching elements is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of computing a first branch metric between a first input node and an output node, adding a first input path metric to the first branch metric to produce a first candidate output pathe metric, computing a second branch metric between a second input node and the output node, adding the second branch metric to a second path metric to derive a second candidate output path metric, and configuring a decision bit based upon the parity of the output state node state and upon whether the first candidate output path metric is greater than the second candidate output path metric. In one embodiment, a comparison between the first and the second candidate output path metrics is compared to the parity of the output node by an exclusive OR gate or a table lookup to determine the decision bit. The invention also is described by an apparatus comprising a means for performing these steps and a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions to perform the steps.
U.S. Patent No. 6,163,581
U.C. Case No. 1997-550-2
Issued: December 19, 2000

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING AND PREVENTING MICROBIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Robert I. Lehrer, Sylvia S. L. Harwig, Vladimir N. Kokryakov
Peptide-based compounds containing four invariant cysteine residues which have been optionally oxidized to contain two intramolecular disulfide bonds, or modified forms where the cysteines are replaced are useful as preservatives and in preventing, treating, or ameliorating viral or microbial infection in animals and plants, and in inactivating endotoxin. These compounds, in one embodiment, are of the formula: A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-A10-A11-A12-A13-A14-A15-A16-(A17-A18) and the N-terminal acylated and/or C-terminal amidated or esterified forms thereof, which is either in the optionally -SH stabilized linear or in a cystine-bridged form, wherein each of A1 and A9 is independently a small amino acid; each of A2 and A3 is independently a basic amino acid; each of A5, A7, A12, A14, and A16 is independently a hydrophobic amino acid; A4 is a basic or a small amino acid; A10 is a basic or a small amino acid or is proline; A11 is a basic or hydrophobic amino acid; A17 is not present or, if present, is a small amino acid; A18 is not present or, if present, is a basic amino acid;or a modified form of formula (1) and the N-terminal acylated and/or C-terminal amidated or esterified forms thereof wherein each of 1-4 cysteines is independly replaced by a hydrophobic amino acid or a small amino acid.
U.S. Patent No. 6,159,936
U.C. Case No. 1993-540-E
Issued: December 12, 2000

SINGLE-ELECTRON SOLID STATE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Participating UCLA Researchers:
James R. Heath, Gil Markovich, Daniel V. Leff
A single-electron solid state electronic device is characterized by organically functionalized nanometer size metal and metal alloy nanocrystal active elements. The electronic behavior of the device is distinguished by single electron charging phenomena, displaying characteristic Coulomb Blockade and Coulomb Staircase signatures.
U.S. Patent No. 6,159,620
U.C. Case No. 1997-593-2
Issued: December 12, 2000

HUMAN MINOR VAULT PROTEIN P193
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Leonard H. Rome, Valerie A. Kickhoefer
The present invention involves a protein consisting essentially of purified human minor vault protein p193 or purified biologically active variants thereof, or a combination of purified human minor vault protein p193 and biologically active variants thereof. Also provided is a polynucleotide molecule encoding a protein which consists essentially of human minor valut protein p193, or its complementary strands. Further provided is a method of diagnosing and a method of treating patients with multidrug resistant cancer.
U.S. Patent No. 6,156,879
U.C. Case No. 1998-529-1
Issued: December 5, 2000

SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF FREE TRIIODOTHYRONINE AND FREE THYROXINE BY EQUILIBRIUM DIALYSIS AND IMMUNOASSAY
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Inder J. Chopra
The present invention provides methods for the simultaneous measurement of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in biological fluids such as serum by direct equilibrium dialysis and immunoassay. Specifically, the method comprises dialyzing the serum sample to equilibrium in a physiological buffer system so that the free T3 and the free T4 are separated from T3 and T4 bound to serum proteins. The method further comprises combining a measured quantity of the dialyzed serum sample having free T3 and free T4 with reagents comprising a measured quantity of T3 labelled with a detectable marker and a measured quantity of T4 labelled with a detectable marker; an anti-T3 antibody of sufficient specificity and in sufficient quantity to bind a measurable quantity of the free T4. The method then comprises allowing reaction of the free T3 and the free T4 and the labelled T3, and the labelled T4, with an anti-T3 antibody and the anti-T4 antibody to proceed substantially to equilibrium to thereby produce antibody bound labelled T3 and antibody bound labelled T4. Finally, the method comprises separating the unbound labelled T3 from the antibody bound labelled T4; and determining the levels of T3 and T4 in the sample by comparing relative amounts of antibody bound labelled T3 and T4 and unbound labelled T3 and T4. In one embodiment of this method, the assay is a radioimmunoassay.
U.S. Patent No. 6,153,440
U.C. Case No. 1998-568-1
Issued: November 28,2000

OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEINS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Ellen Shang, James N. Miller, David R. Blanco, Michael A. Lovett, Bruce Kagan
The present invention presents three B. burgdorferi membrane proteins: Oms28, Oms45, and Oms66, each of about 28, 45, and 66 kDa respectively; and with average single channel conductances of about 0.6, 0.22, and 9.7 nS, respectively. Also disclosed are the methods for purifying these proteins from B. burgdorferi, methods for producing antibodies to these proteins, and the resulting antibodies. These proteins and their immunogenic fragments, and antibodies capable of binding to them are useful for inducing an immune response to pathogenic B. burgdorferi as well as providing a diagnostic target for Lyme disease. Further disclosed are the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, the cloning of the genes encoding the proteins and their recombinant proteins, and methods for obtaining the foregoing. Also included in the present invention are other B. burgdorferi outer membrane proteins obtainable by the isolation and purification methods of the present invention.
U.S. Patent No. 6,153,194
U.C. Case No. 1996-559-3
Issued: November 28, 2000

NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE ENCODING OLIGODENDROCYTE-SPECIFIC PROTEIN
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Jeff M. Bronstein
A protein consisting essentially of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein of purified biologically active variants thereof, or a combination of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein and biologically variants thereof. A purified and isolated peptide having the sequence Ala-Lys-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gly, residues 115-124 of SEQ ID NO:2.
U.S. Patent No. 6,150,136
U.C. Case No. 1996-532-2
Issued: November 21, 2000

OLIGODENDROCYE-SPECIFIC PROTEIN
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Jeff M. Bronstein
A protein consisting essentially of purified oligodendroyte-specific protein or purified biologically active variants thereof, or a combination of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein andbiologically active variants thereof. A purified and isolated peptide having the sequence Ala-Lys-Tyr-Arg-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gly, residues 115-124 of SEQ ID NO:2. A device for identifying an epitope region of a peptide, protein, or protein homologue of interest comprising a polypropylene membrane having a plurality of sequentially oriented peptide spots, each spot containing a peptide having an amino acid sequence where the amino acid sequences of the peptides on the peptide spots sequentially progress through the amino acid sequence of the peptide, protein, or protein homologue of interest. A method of diagnosing multiple sclerosis and a method of treating multiple sclerosis. A method of diagnosing a disease or condition, such as an autoimmune disease, the disease or condition having the clinical feature of antibody production against a peptide, protein, or protein homologue.
U.S. Patent No. 6,147,191
U.C. Case No. 1996-532-3
Issued: November 14, 2000

LEPTOSPIRAL OUTER MEMBRANE PROTEIN, LIPL46
Participating UCLA Researchers:
David A. Haake
An antigenic preparation is provided containing an outer membrane protein associated with pathogenic strains of Leptospira. The protein has been designated "LipL46" for "lipoprotein from Leptospira" and because the isolated polypeptide migrates to a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 46 kD in a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The invention provides polynucleotides encoding LipL46 and antibodies that bind the protein which are useful in the diagnosis of leptospirosis. In addition, LipL46 can be used immunologically as a vaccine for spirochete-associated pathologies.
U.S. Patent No. 6,140,083
U.C. Case No. 1998-560-1
Issued: October 31, 2000

ENDODERM, CARDIAC AND NEURAL INDUCING FACTORS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Edward De Robertis
Two novel proteins have been designated "Cerberus" and "frzb-1," respectively. Cerberus is expressed as a secreted peptide during embryogenesis of the Xenopus embryo, and is expressed specifically in the head organizer region. This new molecule has endodermal, cardiac, and neural tissue inducing activity, that should prove useful in therapeutic, diagnostic, and clinical applications requiring regeneration, differentiation, or repair of these and other tissues. Frzb-1 is a soluble antagonist of growth factors of the Wnt family that acts by binding to Wnt growth factors in the extracellular space. A third novel protein is designated "PAPC" which promotes the formation of dorsal mesoderm and somites in the embryo.
U.S. Patent No. 6,133,232
U.C. Case No. 1996-592-2
Issued: October 17, 2000

MOLECULAR WIRE CROSSBAR MEMORY
Participating UCLA Researchers:
James R. Heath
A molecular wire crossbar memory (MWCM) system is provided. The MWCM comprises a two-dimensional array of a plurality of nanometer-scale devices, each device comprising a junction formed by a pair of crossed wires where one wire crosses another and at least one connector species connecting the pair of crossed wires in the junction. The connector species comprises a bi-stable molecular switch. The junction forms either a resistor or a diode or an asymmetric non-linear resistor. The junction has a state that is capable of being altered by application of a first voltage and sensed by application of a second, non-destructive voltage.
U.S. Patent No. 6,128,214
U.C. Case No. 1999-282-1
Issued: October 3, 2000

INDWELLING HEAT EXCHANGE CATHETER AND METHOD OF USING SAME
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Yves Pierre Gobin
A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include at least one balloon adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid, preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. Embodiments including multiple balloons enhance the surface area of contact, and the mixing of both the heat exchange and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body without cooling the entire body system. It is of particular advantage in brain surgeries where stroke, trauma or cryogenic tumors can best be addressed under hypothermic conditions.
U.S. Patent No. 6,126,684
U.C. Case No. 1999-501-1
Issued: October 3, 2000

PROCESS FOR RAPID SOLID-STATE FORMATION OF REFRACTORY NITRIDES
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Richard B. Kaner
A process for forming high quality crystalline refractory materials, particulary gallium (I11) nitride (GaN), from solid precursors. By blending dry reactants in an oxygen and moisture free environment, placing the reactants in a sealed vessel, pressurizing the reactants to in excess of 5 kilobars (5000 atmospheres) and rapidly exposing the reactants to a temperature in excess of about 225 degrees C. The soluble salt by-products are then extracted from the resultant mixture, leaving high purity crystals of the nitride in the form of a fine powder.
U.S. Patent No. 6,120,748
U.C. Case No. 1997-508-2
Issued: September 19, 2000

HIGH RESOLUTION SCINTILLATION DETECTOR WITH SEMICONDUCTOR READOUT
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Craig S. Levin, Edward J. Hoffman
The invention involves a novel high resolution scintillation detector array for use in radiation imaging such as high resolution Positron Emission Tomography (PET.) It comprises one or more parallel-epiped crystals with at least one long surface of each crystal being in intimate contact with a semiconductor photodetector such that photons generated within each crystal by gamma radiation passing therethrough is detected by the photodetector paired therewith.
U.S. Patent No. 6,114,703
U.C. Case No. 1996-511-1
Issued: September 5, 2000

ELECTRICALLY ADDRESSABLE VOLATILE NON-VOLATILE MOLECULAR-BASED SWITCHING DEVICES
Participating UCLA Researchers:
James Richard Heath, Gunter Mattersteig, Francisco M. Raymo, James Fraser Stoddart, Eric Wong
The invention involves volatile and non-volatile solid state molecular switching devices which are electrically addressable and may be used in memory cells, routing circuits, inverters and field programmable devices which may or may not be designed to exhibit diode behavior. The molecular switching devices include certain [2] catenanes as bistable molecules which are sandwiched between two switch terminals. The switches are extremely small and have dimensions which range from several microns down to a few nanometers.
U.S. Patent No. 6,198,655 B1
U.C. Case No. 2000-114-1
Issued: March 6, 2001

HUMAN VAULT RNA
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Leonard H. Rome, Valerie A. Kickhoefer

The present invention involves a polynucleotide encoding a human vault-associated vRNA or its complementary strand. A purified and isolated polynucleotide molecule consisting essentially of a human vault RNA, or its complimentary strands, or a combination of a nucleotide sequence consisting essentially of a human vault RNA and its complimentary strands. Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing a patient with a multidrug-resistant cancer and a method of treating a patient with multidrug-resistant cancer. Provided finally are a composition for treating multidrug-resistant cancer comprising a polynucleotide which hybridizes with a human vault-associated vRNA, and a method of screening for compositions effective in multidrug-resistant cancer.
U.S. Patent No. 6,110,740
U.C. Case No. 1995-597-2
Issued: August 29, 2000

PSA POSITIVE REGULATING (PSAR) SEQUENCES AND USES THEREOF
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Shen Pang, Arie S. Belldegrun
The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is a PSA positive regulatory sequence (PSAR). This molecule has been deposited with the ATCC.
U.S. Patent No. 6,110,702
U.C. Case No. 1998-510-2
Issued: August 29, 2000

MICE MODELS OF HUMAN PROSTATE CANCER PROGRESSION
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Charles L. Sawyers, Karen A. Klein, Owen N. Witte, Robert E. Reiter
The present invention provides an immune deficient mouse having a human prostate xenograft of locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer and uses thereof.
U.S. Patent No. 6,107,540
U.C. Case No. 1996-540-2
Issued: August 22, 2000

ORGANICALLY-FUNCTIONALIZED MONODISPERSE NANOCRYSTALS OF METALS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
James R. Heath, Daniel V. Leff
Organically functionalized metal nanoparticles are produced by mixing a metal precursor with an organic surface passivant and reacting the resulting mixture with the reducing agent to generate free metal while binding the passivant to the surface of the free metal to produce organically functionalized metal particles.
U.S. Patent No. 6,103,868
U.C. Case No. 1995-560-2
Issued: August 15, 2000

INSTANTANEOUS SYNTHESIS OF REFRACTORY NITRIDES FROM SOLID PRECURSORS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Richard B. Kaner
The invention involves a process for forming high quality crystalline refractory materials, particulary gallium (I11) nitride (GaN), from solid precursors. This process includes blending dry reactants, including NH4Cl, in an oxygen and moisture free environment, placing the reactants in a reaction vessel and in an inert environment, and rapidly exposing the reactants to a temperature in excess of about 225 degrees C. The soluble salt by-products are then extracted from the resultant mixture, leaving high purity crystals of the nitride in the form of a fine powder.
U.S. Patent No. 6,096,282
U.C. Case No. 1997-508-3
Issued: August 1, 2000

E25A PROTEIN, METHODS FOR PRODUCTION AND USE THEREOF
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Robert E. Reiter, Owen N. Witte, Charles L. Sawyers
The invention provides a human E25a protein which is upregulated in cancerous cells, including those of hormone refractory prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer or other cancers of epithelial origin. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding E25a protein, nucleic acid probes which hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding E25a protein and its related molecules can be useful as diagnostic markers of cancer, and as specific therapeutic targets in this disease. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing cancer, including hormone refractory prostate cancer.
U.S. Patent No. 6,093,800
U.C. Case No. 1997-513-2
Issued: July 25, 2000

PRODRUGS OF PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Michael E. Garst, George Sachs, Jai Moo Shin
Prodrugs of the pyridyl methyl sulfinyl benzimidazole type proton pump inhibitor drugs have a hydrolysable sulfinyl or arylsufonyl group attached to the benzimidazole nitrogen, or include a group that forms a Mannich base with the benzimidazole nitrogen. The prodrugs of the invention hydrolyze under physiological conditions to provide the proton pump inhibitors with a half life measurable in hours, and are capable of providing sustained plasma concentrations of the proton pump inhibitor drugs for longer time than presently used drugs. The generation of the proton pump inhibitor drugs from the prodrugs of the invention under physiological conditions allows for more effective treatment of several diseases and conditions caused by gastric acid secretion.
U.S. Patent No. 6,093,734
U.C. Case No. 2000-338-1
Issued: July 25, 2000

TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF POOLED HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULIN
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Richard Weisbart
Pooled human immunoglobulin may be administered orally to rheumatoid arthritis patients to treat the rheumatoid arthritic condition of those patients. Oral administration of pooled human immunoglobulin can result in significant clinical improvement in the level of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
U.S. Patent No. 6,090,380
U.C. Case No. 1993-544-2
Issued: July 18, 2000

ENDOVASCULAR ELECTROLYTICALLY DETACHABLE WIRE AND TIP FOR THE FORMATION OF THROMBUS IN ARTERIES, VEINS, ANEURYSMS, VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS AND ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULAS
Participating UCLA Researchers:
Guido Gugliemi, Ivan Sepetka
An artery, vein, anerysm, vascular malformation or arterial fistula is occluded through endovascular occlusion by the endovascular insertion of a platinum wire and/or tip into the vascular cavity. The vascular cavity is packed with the tip to obstruct blood flow or access of blood in the cavity such that the blood clots in the cavity and an occulusion is formed. The tip may be elongate and flexible so that it packs the cavity by being folded upon itself a multiple number of times, or may pack the cavity by virtue of a filamentary or fuzzy structure of the tip. The tip is then separated from the wire mechanically or by electrolytic separation of the tip from the wire. The wire and the microcatheter are thereafter removed leaving the tip embedded in the thrombus formed within the vascular cavity. Movement of wire in the microcatheter is more easily tracked by providing a radioopaque proximal marker on the microcatheter and a corresponding indicator marker on the wire. Electrothrombosis is facilitate by placing the ground electrode on the distal end of the microcatheter and flowing current between the microcatheter electrode and the tip.
U.S. Patent No. 6,083,220
U.C. Case No. 1989-203-8
Issued: July 4, 2000