Abstract: A method for characterizing ultrasound scatterers in a medium comprises receiving ultrasound data representing a region of interest comprising a plurality of scatterers in a medium, the plurality of scatterers including aggregates of the scatterers. The ultrasound data is modeled data using an effective medium theory combined with the structure factor model, the structure factor model defining the spatial organization and concentration of the aggregates. The modeled ultrasound data is compared to theoretical data obtained with the effective medium theory combined with the structure factor model. From the comparison, dimensional data of the aggregates of the scatterers and the volume concentration of scatterers in the medium is determined.

Abstract: A method for segmenting an image comprising: determining an initial estimation of a boundary between at least two components in a region of an image to be segmented; providing image data from the region of the image to be segmented, the image data representing gray level values of a plurality of image elements of the components; modelling the image data on a mixture of at least two statistical distributions, each statistical distribution having more than one parameter, and each component being associated with certain weights of the statistical distributions in the mixture; estimating the parameters of the statistical distributions in the mixture; for each component, estimating the weights of the statistical distributions in the mixture based on the estimated parameters and the image data of each image element; and optimizing the initial estimation of the boundary between the components based on the estimated parameters and estimated weights.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for an anatomical part comprises a support collar that comprising an annular body. An elastic sealing membrane is positioned within the support collar. The sealing membrane defines an annular sealed chamber having a given inner diameter in a natural state of the elastic material. A port in the sealing apparatus is in fluid communication with the chamber. The port is adapted to be in fluid communication with a device for reducing pressure in the chamber to increase the given inner diameter of the chamber in a collapsed state, so that an anatomical part may be inserted into the sealing apparatus. A sealing apparatus and accessories are also provided, as is a method for sealing an anatomical part in an inner cavity of an accessory.

Abstract: A system for dynamically measuring viscoelasticity of material samples using shear wave induced resonance, the system comprising: i) an apparatus comprising a vibration source; a vibration detector; a processor, and a user interface, for example to select a sample holder configuration, and ii) a rigid sample holder connectable to the vibration source, wherein the vibration source generates shear waves that induce vibrations and the resonance of a sample through the holder, the vibration sensor measuring the sample vibrations and resonance, and the processor determining the viscoelasticity of the sample from the vibrations or resonances and from the selected sample holder configuration. Multiple measurement modalities using the system to study materials viscoelasticity as function of time parameters; temperature parameters; strain parameters; repetition parameters and mapping parameters.

Abstract: A novel method to identify relevant T-cell epitopes recognized by CD8+ or CD4? T lymphocytes is described. The method is based on the use of mRNA fragments synthesized from cDNA encoding portions of a polypeptide of interest. mRNA fragments are introduced into antigen-presenting cells to deduce an epitope's localization in a polypeptide of interest, such as a protein antigen.

Abstract: The invention identifies Syngap1 dysfunctions as causative of mental retardation. Described are methods of detecting mental retardation and methods of detecting non-syndromic mental retardation (NSMR) in a human subject. Particular methods comprise sequencing a human subject's genomic DNA for comparison with a control sequence from an unaffected individual. Also described are probes, kits, antibodies and isolated mutated Syngap1 proteins.

Abstract: Methods, uses, agents and compositions useful for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis, and for the identification and selection of inflammatory cytokine-secreting T cell or a precursor thereof, based on the expression and/or modulation of melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, uses, agents and compositions useful for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis, and for the identification and selection of inflammatory cytokine-secreting T cell or a precursor thereof, based on the expression and/or modulation of melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention identifies Syngap1 dysfunctions as causative of mental retardation. Described are methods of detecting mental retardation and methods of detecting non-syndromic mental retardation (NSMR) in a human subject. Particular methods comprise sequencing a human subject's genomic DNA for comparison with a control sequence from an unaffected individual. Also described are probes, kits, antibodies and isolated mutated Syngap1 proteins.

Abstract: The present technology provides methods and materials for the early clinical detection of acute coronary syndromes in a subject. The methods and materials comprise measuring the amount of soluble Fas in a sample obtained from a subject, comparing the amount of soluble sFas with a reference value and detecting the presence of acute coronary syndromes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel CD40L receptor and its related activities. Methods, uses, reagents and kits for the modulation of CD40L activities related to its interaction with the novel receptor are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapeutic uses of reagents in treating CD40L-related disorders.

Abstract: A method for creating a frame of reference of a leg of a subject for subsequent 3-D kinematic analysis of the leg with non-invasive trackable references secured to the femur and the tibia of the leg. The method comprises the steps of: i) obtaining tibial and femoral axes with respect to the trackable references by tracking points and motions of the leg; ii) registering a known posture of the subject with respect to the trackable references; iii) obtaining a desired posture of the subject with respect to the trackable references as a function of the known posture by tracking a predetermined motion of the leg; and iv) setting a frame of reference to said tibial and femoral axes of the leg in the desired posture of the subject with respect to the trackable references.

Abstract: The present invention relates to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogues. More particularly, the invention relates to synthetic GHRH analogues of amino acids or more, exhibiting concomitantly an increased resistance to proteolysis and high binding affinity to human GHRH receptor in in vitro studies, in comparison with human native GHRH (1-29)NH2. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising any one of said GHRH analogues and to the use of these analogues for specific stimulation of in vivo GH release as well as preparation of a drug in the treatment of GH deficiency-related conditions. The present invention also provides for a method for initiating GHRH-induced biological actions in a mammal.

Abstract: Adiabatic RF pulses are very useful in MRI when precise flip angles are needed. Unfortunately, adiabatic pulses suffer from a long application time and a high SAR. A new concept to modify the usual adiabatic pulse into a “pseudo-adiabatic” pulse having a shorter application time and lower SAR is introduced. For example, a BIR-4 of 32 ms of application time and a relative SAR of 20 will be transformed into a BIR-4-S1 of 1 ms and relative SAR of 1. The new pulse obtained stays insensitive for a large B1 range but loses its slice selectivity to become a 3D pulse. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the sensitivity to B1 and B0.

Abstract: An anti-apoptotic agent and a composition derived therefrom, and methods to prevent apoptosis in vivo and in vitro are provided. The anti-apoptotic agent comprises R1 subunit of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) ribonucleotide reductase, or its N-terminal portion of about 350 amino acids. HSV-R1 inhibited TNF-&agr; induced apoptosis, and blocked caspase 8 activation induced by TNF-&agr; and Fas-L expression.

Abstract: Symptoms of stress such as elevated blood pressure in mammals are treated, and mammalian bodies are preconditioned to manifest reduced adverse reactions to subsequently encountered stresses, by injecting into the mammalian patient a small quantity of the patient's own blood which has been previously extracted and subjected extracorporeally to at least one stressor, such as ultraviolet radiation, an oxidative environment, ozone-oxygen and mild heating, especially infra-red radiation causing mild heating. Particularly beneficial combinations of stressors are simultaneous applications of UV radiation and an ozone-oxygen gas mixture bubbled through the blood sample to provide the oxidative environment, or simultaneous application of UV radiation, ozone-oxygen gas mixtures and mild heating. One specific use of the invention is in preconditioning against ischemic-reperfusion injury e.g. prior to surgery.

Abstract: A controllable camera support including a pivoting arm adapted to be rotatably connected to a pivot point defining a first rotational axis. The pivoting arm also defines a radial axis. The camera support also includes a camera holder mounted on the pivoting arm. The camera holder is displaceable along the radial axis. The camera further includes motors coupled to the pivoting arm and to the camera holder. The motors are adapted to impart rotational and radial motions to the camera holder. The camera support also includes a control device for controlling the motors. The invention also covers a system further including a focal adjustable, rotational, tilting camera mounted on the camera holder. When a target that is focused by the camera becomes obstructed, the control device is adapted to move the camera to another position all the while focusing on the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning of human pro-protein converting enzyme 5 (PC5) CDNA isolated from human adrenal gland messenger RNA. Additionally, this invention relates to a method for reducing restenosis occurring at an injured vascular site comprising delivering to the injured site an antisense nucleic acid to suppress the expression of human PC5.

Abstract: Symptoms of stress such as elevated blood pressure in mammals are treated, and mammalian bodies are preconditioned to manifest reduced adverse reactions to subsequently encountered stresses, by injecting into the mammalian patient a small quantity of the patient's own blood which has been previously extracted and subjected extracorporeally to at least one stressor, such as ultraviolet radiation, an oxidative environment, ozone-oxygen and mild heating, especially infra-red radiation causing mild heating. Particularly beneficial combinations of stressors are simultaneous applications of UV radiation and an ozone-oxygen gas mixture bubbled through the blood sample to provide the oxidative environment, or simultaneous application of UV radiation, ozone-oxygen gas mixtures and mild heating. One specific use of the invention is in preconditioning against ischemic-reperfusion injury, e.g. prior to surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiolabeled DNA oligonucleotide, a method of preparation thereof and the therapeutic uses of this substance to prevent uncontrolled cellular proliferation. The invention also relates to devices incorporating the above radiolabeled DNA oligonucleotide for the therapeutic treatment of uncontrolled cellular proliferation. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with the prevention of restenosis by coronary delivery of radiolabeled DNA oligonucleotide at a dilatation site of an artery. This invention is also directed to a method of treatment of vascular proliferative diseases and/or other proliferative disorders such as cancer and related metastasis.