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: 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: 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.