Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for preparing artificial heart valves by preconditioning a matrix seeded with endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells differentiated from isolated progenitor cells. These cell seeded matrices are exposed to fluid conditions that mimic blood flow through the heart to produce tissue engineered heart valves that are analogous to native heart valves.

Abstract: A method of treating viral infections, and in particular HIV-1, hepatitis B virus, and herpesviruses, is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject in need of such treatment an infection-combating amount of a phospholipid or phospholipid derivative.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for preparing artificial blood vessels by preconditioning a matrix seeded with endothelial cells to fluid flow conditions that mimic blood flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an asthma-associated gene, designated AAGA, the protein molecule encoded by AAGA and related molecules in diagnostic and prognostic screening of patient populations, to polymorphisms in AAGA, and to the use of the protein encoded by AAGA or a variant thereof as a therapeutic target.

Abstract: A system for constructing image slices through a selected object, the system comprising an identifiable fiducial reference in a fixed position relative to the selected object, wherein the fiducial reference comprises at least two identifiable reference markers. A source of radiation is provided for irradiating the selected object and the fiducial reference to form a projected image of the selected object and the fiducial reference which is recorded by a recording medium.

Abstract: A new variant of the sigma-1 (?1)receptor is useful in screening compounds useful in the imaging and treatment of proliferative masses (i.e., tumors). This new variant, named sigma—1? (?1?) finds particular use in the non-invasive diagnosis of cancer and more particularly in the diagnosis of proliferative cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods useful for treatment of a virus infection in a mammal by double-targeting the virus (i.e. targeting the virus at more than one stage of the virus life cycle) and thereby inhibiting virus replication. The compositions of the invention include compounds, which comprise a phosphocholine moiety covalently conjugated with one or more therapeutic agents (e.g. nucleoside analogue, protease inhibitor, etc.) to a lipid backbone. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions for use in treatment of a virus infection in mammals. The methods of the invention comprise administering a compound of the invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention, in an amount effective to treat the infection, to a mammal infected with a virus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for producing a decellularized liver or part of an liver. A decellularized organ is produced using an isolated liver mechanically agitated to remove cellular membranes surrounding the isolated liver without destroying the interstitial structure of the liver. After the cellular membrane is removed, the isolated liver is exposed to a solubilizing fluid that extracts cellular material without dissolving the interstitial structure of the liver. A washing fluid is used to remove the solubilized components, leaving behind a decellularized liver.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.

Abstract: A method of treating viral infections, and in particular HIV-1, hepatitis B virus, and herpes virus, is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject in need of such treatment an infection-controlling amount of a phospholipid or phospholipid derivative.

Abstract: GLUT 10 is an insulin-responsive glucose transporter gene located in the type 2 diabetes linked region of chromosome 20Q12-13.3. Isolated nucleic acids encoding the GLUT 10 glucose transporter, the encoded protein, antibodies that bind the protein, and methods of use are described herein.

Abstract: A method of packaging a recombinant viral vector is carried out by: (a) providing a packaging cell, the packaging cell containing and expressing a nucleic acid encoding a mutant adenovirus E4orf6 protein, the E4orf6 protein containing at least one mutation that renders the protein non-toxic to the host cell; (b) transfecting or infecting the packaging cell with a nucleic acid that encodes a recombinant viral vector (e.g., an adenovirus vector or an adeno-associated virus vector), where the vector lacks a functional gene encoding E4orf6 protein; (c) culturing the transfected cells; and then (d) collecting packaged recombinant viral vector from the cultured cells. Nucleic acids, vectors and packaging cells used for carrying out the methods, as well as proteins utilized in the methods, are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating viral infections, and in particular HIV-1, hepatitis B virus, and herpes virus, is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject in need of such treatment an infection-controlling amount of a phospholipid or phospholipid derivative.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for increased likelihood of having a favorable response to estrogen replacement therapy comprises detecting the presence of the rare form of at least one estrogen receptor alpha polymorphism in the subject, the presence of the estrogen receptor alpha polymorphism indicating the subject is more likely to have a favorable response to estrogen replacement therapy (e.g., with respect to cardiovascular health, heart disease, and/or HDL levels).

Abstract: A method and system are provided to report the findings of an expert's analysis of image data. The method and system are based on a reporting system that forms the basis of an image management system that can efficiently and systematically generate image reports, facilitate data entry into searchable databases for data mining, and expedite billing and collections for the expert's services. The expert identifies a significant finding on an image and attaches a location:description code to the location of that finding in order to create a significant finding and an entry into a database. Further descriptions of that finding, such as dimensional measurements, audio descriptions, 3D rendered snapshots, etc., may be automatically appended to the finding as secondary attributes of the finding within the database. At the end of the expert's evaluation of the image(s), the system sorts the findings in the database and presents the findings by prioritized categories.

Abstract: A method for geometrically analyzing motion having the steps of: choosing a set of points having at least three individual points to define a single realization of a motion; sequentially collecting Cartesian coordinates of the set of points at different times during the motion from a start point to an end point; treating the collection of sets of points as a sample of the motion; and transforming the sets of points at the different times to a common coordinate system thereby defining a trajectory of the motion.

Abstract: A system for constructing image slices through a selected object, the system comprising an identifiable fiducial reference in a fixed position relative to the selected object, wherein the fiducial reference comprises at least two identifiable reference markers. A source of radiation is provided for irradiating the selected object and the fiducial reference to form a projected image of the selected object and the fiducial reference which is recorded by a recording medium.

Abstract: A system and method for producing three-dimensional representations of an object. A first series of projected images of the selected object is recorded in a first projection plane and a second series of projected images of the selected object is recorded in a second projection plane. The first and the second series of projected images are rendered at a common magnification. The first set of projected images is then integrated into a first three-dimensional volume and the second set of projected images is integrated into a second three-dimensional volume. The three-dimensional representation of the object is then produced by combining one projected image from the first set of projected images with one projected image from the second set of projected images. Alternatively, the three-dimensional representation is produced by merging the first three-dimensional volume with the second three-dimensional volume.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to report the findings of an expert's analysis of image data. The method and system are based on a reporting system that forms the basis of an image management system that can efficiently and systematically generate image reports, facilitate data entry into searchable databases for data mining, and expedite billing and collections for the expert's services. The expert identifies a significant finding on an image and attaches a location:description code to the location of that finding in order to create a significant finding and an entry into a database. Further descriptions of that finding, such as dimensional measurements, may be automatically appended to the finding as secondary attributes. After the evaluation, the system sorts the findings in the database and presents the findings by prioritized categories. The expert edits and approves a multimedia report which may be delivered by electronic means to an end-user.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods useful for treatment of a virus infection in a mammal by double-targeting the virus (i.e. targeting the virus at more than one stage of the virus life cycle) and thereby inhibiting virus replication. The compositions of the invention include compounds which comprise a phosphocholine moiety covalently conjugated with one or more antiviral agents (e.g. nucleoside analogue, protease inhibitor, etc.) to a lipid backbone. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and kits for use in treatment of a virus infection in mammals. The methods of the invention comprise administering a compound of the invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention, in an amount effective to treat the infection, to a mammal infected with a virus. Additionally, the invention includes compositions and methods useful for combating a cancer in a mammal and for facilitating delivery of a therapeutic agent to a mammalian cell.