Category Archives: Veterinary Medicine

Devices, diagnostics, nutrition, therapies, etc.

NOx Sensor with Improved Selectivity and Parts-Per-Billion Sensitivity

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Summary:

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) present a host of environmental and health problems, including acid rain, urban smog, acidification of lakes and streams, and damage of forest soils.  The major source of NOx is from the combustion of fossil fuels, and NOx sensors are employed in the development of internal combustion engines in order to optimize combustion and minimize emissions.  Nitric Oxide is also an important biological molecule and its level in human breath is also an indication of many diseased states, including asthma.

Resistance-based electrochemical NOx sensors, while exhibiting good sensitivity, often react to many different gases, and selectivity suffers.  Potentiometric sensors offer a promising approach for NOx measurements in harsh environments, but often suffer from interference with other gases.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a novel potentiometric NOx sensor that overcomes the interference limitations of previous potentiometric sensors.  This sensor is extremely selective to NOx in the presence of other gas species, and sensitivities have been confirmed in the parts-per-billion range!  The sensor is ideal for incredibly precise NOx measurements in environments as diverse as engines and for breath monitoring.

Potential Applications:

  • Medical diagnostics
  • Combustion optimization
  • Environmental NOx monitoring

Advantages:

  • Ridiculously high sensitivity (ppb range!)
  • Excellent selectivity
  • Will withstand extreme environments
  • Cost effective as potentiometric output does not require sophisticated support electronics

Detecting Mutations Associated with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats

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Summary:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death in young adults and is an inherited disease in at least 60 percent of cases. Mutations associated with this disease have been identified in the myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene. Although several other mutations have been identified, the disease process is still poorly understood.

Familial HCM in the cat has been identified and may be used as a model for the human disease. As the first spontaneous animal model of this familial disease, feline familial HCM provides a valuable model for investigators to evaluate the disease process and the effect of therapeutic (drug or genetic) manipulations. The MYBPC3 gene was chosen as a candidate gene in this model after identifying a reduction in the protein in myocardium from affected cats in comparison to control cats (P<0.001).

Researchers at Ohio State have identified a single nucleic acid base pair change (G to C) in the feline MYBPC3 gene in affected cats that alters the shape of the protein expressed by this gene and affects its function. A causative mutation in the feline MYBPC3 gene that results in the development of familial HCM has been identified. This is the first report of a spontaneous mutation causing HCM in a non-human species. It provides a valuable model for evaluating pathophysiologic processes and therapeutic manipulations. A test that can screen for the causative mutation for this disease by evaluation of blood samples, buccal swabs or hair samples has been developed.

Potential Applications:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Genetics
  • Human and animal Diagnostics

Advantages:

  • Breeders will be able to screen breeding animals before they are used.
  • Test will allow for early diagnosis and early medical intervention, which may lead to a better prognosis overall.

IP Status:

Patent pending.

Monoclonal Antibody to Oncofetal Protein for Treating and Detecting Cancer

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a low cost, less toxic, anti-cancer immunotherapy which enhances the host’s immune system’s ability to destroy or contain cancers, and the present invention also provides a diagnostic test for cancer. Specifically, the present invention provides monoclonal antibodies specific for, that is, specifically bind, oncofetal protein (OFP), a cancer cell product. OFP is unique in that OFP is not a structural protein or antigen on the cancer cell surface, rather it is secreted from the cancer cell. Tumors treated with a single dose of the monoclonal antibodies against OFP are markedly reduced in size, and leukemic populations of cells treated with a single dose of monoclonal antibodies against OFP are significantly decreased in number. Since the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention do not bind to tumor cells, the monoclonal antibody treatment overcomes the disadvantages associated with tumor cell targeting. It is believed that OFP is immunosuppressive and by sequestering or removing OFP via the monoclonal antibody, the patient’s immune defense against tumors is released from impairment allowing a more efficient and natural rejection of the cancer. Monoclonal antibodies to OFP offer a simple and inexpensive agent for use as a primary or adjuvant therapy. Moreover, because monoclonal antibodies to OFP do not depend upon binding to a specific tumor cell type, they are effective against a wide variety of cancers and tumors in humans and animals. The monoclonal antibodies against OFP are also employed to detect cancer in animal patients, including human patients.

Potential Applications:

Cancer treatment and detection

Advantages:

  • Low cost
  • Less toxic than other anti-cancer agents
  • Provides a diagnostic test for cancer

Antagonist for Human Prolactin

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Summary:

Cancers of the breast and prostate are the second leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women and men, respectively. Together, these cancers were responsible for more than 360,000 new cases and 73,000 deaths in the U.S. during the year 2000. Few therapeutic compounds increase long-term survival or reduce morbidity. Human prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland and the placenta (among other tissues such as the breast and prostate). Receptors for this hormone are found in many tissues of the body including the breast and prostate. This hormone is important for lactation (breast milk production) and normal prostate development. However, prolactin also appears to promote tumor growth in the breast and prostate because these tissues have prolactin receptors, thereby setting up a feed-back loop that stimulates abnormal tissue growth.

Researchers at Ohio State have discovered how prolactin interacts with its receptor leading to a biological response. This knowledge has allowed them to develop variants of mammalian prolactin that interfere with an abnormal response to interaction between this hormone and its receptor in certain diseases. These prolactin antagonists work in humans as well as other mammals.

These agents will be useful for treatment of conditions where it is desirable to inhibit or decrease the action of prolactin especially but not restricted to:

  • Cancers that depend on prolactin for growth and survival such as some cancers of the breast, prostate and lymph system
  • Suppression of milk production in females after giving birth for women who do not plan to breast-feed
  • Suppression of prolactin secretion in patients that produce too much prolactin
  • Prevention of tumor formation in at-risk individuals
  • Prevention or reduction of cancer cell metastasis in the patient

An important feature of these compounds is that they can be administered in many different ways (oral, intravenous, intranasal or intratumor). With regard to treatment of cancer, the prolactin antagonists may be especially effective when used in combination with currently prescribed treatments for cancer.

Potential Applications:

Potential treatment for and/or prevention of breast and prostate cancers, as well as suppression of milk production in women after giving birth.

Advantages:

  • May be administered in a variety of manners including: oral, intravenous, intranasal or intratumor

Outer Membrane Proteins of Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis

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Summary:

Ehrlichiosis has been recognized globally as a life threatening and economically important disease of both man and animals that is caused by infection with the bacteria, Ehrlichia spp. Specifically, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia canis are two species of bacteria from this family that infect humans and dogs, respectively, via tick bites. The work from Dr. Rikihisa’s team describes the isolation and characterization of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of E. chaffeensis and E. canis, their variants, and peptide fragments derived from these proteins. This information provides the basis for the development of diagnostic tools and vaccines. These OMPs (and their peptide derivatives) are immunogenic and therefore are useful for: • Preparation of antibodies against E. chaffeensis and E. canis • Development of vaccines to prevent or ameliorate infection with these agents • Development of diagnostic kits for Ehrlichia infections in humans and dogs The proteins and derived peptides described in this patent will lead to significant improvements in the diagnosis of and development of vaccines against ehrlichiosis that apply to both human and veterinary medicine.

Potential Applications:

Development of better diagnostic tools and treatments for a life-threatening bacterial infection.

Method for Treating and Detecting Cancer with Monoclonal Antibodies to Oncofetal Protein

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Summary:

This invention provides a low cost, less toxic, anti-cancer immunotherapy that enhances the ability of the host’s immune system to destroy or contain cancers, and also provides a diagnostic test for cancer. Oncofetal protein (OFP) is a protein that is produced by certain types of cancer that can be used as a tumor-specific marker. Specifically, this work provides a method for producing and utilizing monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind OFP for purposes of diagnosis and treatment. Previous research has shown that OFP can suppress the immune system; therefore, by removing OFP circulating in the blood stream via the monoclonal antibodies, a host’s immune system is able to attack the tumor more actively. The monoclonal antibodies provided by the present invention are useful for the diagnosis treatment and study of cancers, particularly human breast tumors. Tumors treated with a single dose of the monoclonal antibodies against OFP are markedly reduced in size, and leukemic populations of cells treated with a single does of monoclonal antibodies against OFP are significantly decreased in number. Since the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention do not bind to tumor cells, the monoclonal antibody treatment overcomes the disadvantages associated with tumor cell targeting. Monoclonal antibodies to OFP offer a simple and inexpensive agent for use as a primary or adjuvant therapy against a wide variety of cancers and tumors in humans and other animals. The monoclonal antibodies against OFP are also employed to detect cancer in animals, including human patients.

Potential Applications:

Provides a low-cost, less toxic method for destruction of cancer cells, along with a better diagnostic tool to test for certain types of tumors

Methods for Evaluating Efficacy of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Joint Inflammation

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Summary:

Ehrlichiosis has been recognized globally as a life threatening and economically important disease of both man and animals that is caused by infection with the bacteria, Ehrlichia spp. Specifically, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia canis are two species of bacteria from this family that infect humans and dogs, respectively, via tick bites. The work from Dr. Rikihisa’s team describes the isolation and characterization of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of E. chaffeensis and E. canis, their variants, and peptide fragments derived from these proteins. This information provides the basis for the development of diagnostic tools and vaccines. These OMPs (and their peptide derivatives) are immunogenic and therefore are useful for: • Preparation of antibodies against E. chaffeensis and E. canis • Development of vaccines to prevent or ameliorate infection with these agents • Development of diagnostic kits for Ehrlichia infections in humans and dogs The proteins and derived peptides described in this patent will lead to significant improvements in the diagnosis of and development of vaccines against ehrlichiosis that apply to both human and veterinary medicine.

Potential Applications:

Development of better diagnostic tools and treatments for a life-threatening bacterial infection.

A real-time method & device for detecting the movements of animals

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Summary:

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed revolutionary methods in tracking animal movements in real-time. This wireless detection device can be continuously worn by the animal, and measures the animals movements when the animal is standing still, walking or lying down. The compatible software interprets the animal’s movements to give a measurement of health for evaluation by the animal caregiver. Unlike current methods that only measure a subset of animal movements and require a lot of human interpretation, the OSU software produces real-time results. This device was designed for use in the dairy cattle industry, but has a broad range of applications, especially in the post-surgery veterinary field where the device can be used to monitor recovery activities of animals.

Potential Applications:

  • veterinary surgery & recovery
  • equine industry
  • Applications in feedlots

Advantages:

  • Distinguishes between standing still, walking and laying down
  • PC based software for wireless device interpretation
  • Water proof, rugged and durable to be used with animals
  • Data back-up for one week
  • Minimal cost to end user

Animal Restraint Device of Value in Home, Clinical, and Grooming Settings

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have developed a unique device and method for reducing mobility and/or response to external stimuli in mammals. The pinch-induced behavioral inhibition device and method is useful as a simple and inexpensive restraint device to facilitate veterinary procedures such as physical examinations, minor wound care, venipuncture, vaccinations, glucose monitoring by ear nick and nail trimming. Application of the device to a variety of mammals elicits a complacency response similar to the effect of scruffing.

Potential Applications:

  • Veterinary Medicine clinical products
  • Companion animal consumer products
  • Companion animal grooming products

Advantages:

  • Simple, cost effective solution for animal restraint in home, clinical and animal professional settings
  • Significant understanding of mechanisms operative in response has been developed

Circulating Plasma DNA Levels as a Biomarker in Dogs with Lymphoid Cancer

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Summary:

Dogs have a similar incidence of spontaneous cancers as people, and a noninvasive test to monitor disease status in dogs would be of great value. Humans with cancer often have increased levels of cell-free circulating DNA. Researchers at The Ohio State University determined that some dogs with lymphoid malignancies (lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia) have significantly higher concentrations of circulating plasma DNA than normal dogs or dogs that are ill with diseases other than cancer. Antigen receptor rearrangement assays for clonality indicated that plasma DNA had was derived from the primary tumors. Dogs with lymphoid neoplasia and plasma DNA >25ng/ml had shorter remission times than those with <25ng/ml (p=0.0116), suggesting that increased tumor-derived plasma DNA may be a negative prognostic indicator. Monitoring plasma DNA levels in dogs with lymphoid cancer may assist in diagnosis, determining response to treatment, and detecting residual disease.

Potential Applications:

Development of assay for use in reference laboratories and/or veterinary clinics.

Advantages:

Obtaining blood for measuring plasma DNA is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done repeatedly during the course of treatment. Plasma DNA levels may provide additional information on disease status and help with planning treatment.