Abstract: In an ultrasound imaging system, a displacement vector is estimated for a pattern of samples throughout an imaged region of interest (ROI) by comparing two successive B-mode frames. The displacement vector is preferably estimated using block matching. Once displacement vectors are estimated for samples throughout the ROI, corresponding strain values are estimated, which indicate the degree of elasticity of the respective tissue portions. An image is then displayed showing the strain distribution within the ROI as it is stressed, for example, by the user pressing the ultrasound transducer against the patient's body. The invention allows for both real-time and post-processed generation of elasticity displays, even based on the same body of acquired frame data. The real-time display is preferably generated using lower quality block matching whereas the post-processed elasticity calculations are carried out using high-quality techniques.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for modeling post-Amadori AGE formation and the identification and characterization of effective inhibitors of post-Amadori AGE formation, and such identified inhibitor compositions.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S domain of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation affects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogensis.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and kits for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis, and endothelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, involving contacting the tumor or animal tissue with at least one isolated type IV collagen NC1 &agr; chain monomer. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the isolated domain of type IV collagen comprises the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer, or protein constructs having substantially the same structure as the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for modeling post-Amadori AGE formation and the identification and characterization of effective inhibitors of post-Amadori AGE formation, and such identified inhibitor compositions.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for modeling post-Amadori AGE formation and the identification and characterization of effective inhibitors of post-Amadori AGE formation, and such identified inhibitor compositions.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S domain of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation effects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and kits for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis, and endothelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, involving contacting the tumor or animal tissue with at least one isolated type IV collagen NC1 a chain monomer. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the isolated domain of type IV collagen comprises the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer, or protein constructs having substantially the same structure as the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and kits for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis, and endothelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, involving contacting the tumor or animal tissue with at least one isolated type IV collagen NC1 &agr; chain monomer. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the isolated domain of type IV collagen comprises the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer, or protein constructs having substantially the same structure as the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S domain of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell: aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation affects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S domain of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation affects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and kits for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis, and endothelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, involving contacting the tumor or animal tissue with at least one isolated type IV collagen NC1 &agr; chain monomer. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the isolated domain of type IV collagen comprises the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer, or protein constructs having substantially the same structure as the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and kits for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis, and endothelial cell interactions with the extracellular matrix, involving contacting the tumor or animal tissue with at least one isolated type IV collagen NC1 &agr; chain monomer. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the isolated domain of type IV collagen comprises the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer, or protein constructs having substantially the same structure as the NC1 (&agr;1), (&agr;2), (&agr;3), or (&agr;6) chain monomer.

Abstract: A method and composition for extending the viability of immotile sperm is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) preparing an animal for semen collection; (b) collecting semen from the animal; (c) treating the collected semen with a storage buffer solution to substantially inhibit sperm motility; (d) storing the semen for a length of time and at a certain temperature; and (e) reactivating the sperm to normal motility by mixing the inhibited sperm with an activation buffer.

Abstract: A method for motion estimation within biological tissue is disclosed. The method involves acoustically coupling a transducer to a target biological tissue, which transducer emits an ultrasonic signal and collects the energy back-scattered by the target issue. A first set of energy data is collected and stored, then target tissue is axially compressed and a second set of ultrasonic energy data is collected and stored. One of the first and second data sets is warped to account for the anticipated compression forming a warped data set. This warped data set is cross-correlated with the unwarped one of the first and said second data sets to obtain a fine scale displacement of said target biological tissue from the displacement estimated by the warping. This fine scale displacement is summed with the warped data set to obtain a total axial displacement. A gradient of the total axial displacement is taken and used to form a strain image. An apparatus for practicing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for modeling post-Amadori AGE formation and the identification and characterization of effective inhibitors of post-Amadori AGE formation, and such identified inhibitor compositions.

Abstract: An isolated and substantially pure polynucleotide encoding 238 amino acids of the carboxy terminal end of the triple helical domain and all 233 amino acids of the carboxy terminal noncollageneous domain of the bovine .alpha.3 chain of type IV collagen. An isolated and substantially pure polynucleotide encoding 218 amino acids of the carboxy terminal noncollagenous domain of the human .alpha.3 chain of type IV collagen. Such polynucleotides are useful to express large amounts of proteins in vectors and such expressed proteins are useful to detect Goodpasture antibodies in blood and to remove Goodpasture antibodies from the bloodstream of patients suffering from Goodpasture syndrome.

Abstract: An isolated and substantially pure polynucleotide encoding 238 amino acids of the carboxy terminal end of the triple helical domain and all 233 amino acids of the carboxy terminal noncollageneous domain of the bovine .alpha.3 chain of type IV collagen. An isolated and substantially pure polynucleotide encoding 218 amino acids of the carboxy terminal noncollagenous domain of the human .alpha.3 chain of type IV collagen. Such polynucleotides are useful to express large amounts of proteins in vectors and such expressed proteins are useful to detect Goodpasture antibodies in blood and to remove Goodpasture antibodies from the bloodstream of patients suffering from Goodpasture syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the novel treatment of ARPKD and ADPKD by administering a pharmacologically effective amount of a V.sub.2 receptor antagonist. Orally active V.sub.2 receptor antagonists such as OPC-31260, OPC-41061, SR121463A and VPA-985 are administered alone, or in combination to mammalian PKD subjects to reduce the cAMP generated by the increased expression of AVP-V.sub.2 receptor, AQP2 and AQP3, thereby reducing and/or preventing cyst enlargement.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S domain of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation affects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.