Abstract: A foreign gene is inserted into a viral genome under the control of promoter-regulatory regions of the genome, thus providing a vector for the expression of the foreign gene. DNA constructs, plasmid vectors containing the constructs useful for expression of the foreign gene, recombinant viruses produced with the vector, and associated methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for reestablishing normal nocturnal growth hormone and prolactin secretion in adults with low slow-wave (deep) sleep are provided. In particular, methods are disclosed where .gamma.-hydroxybutyrate is orally administered to subjects just prior to retiring.

Abstract: Ultralow friction properties available through the annealation and subsequent cooling of various boron-containing substrates, articles and/or components.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining and using a polypeptide other than BCL-2 that affects programmed vertebrate cell death. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding those polypeptides, recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant polypeptides. The invention further provides methods for using the isolated, recombinant polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of altering programmed cell death for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Methods for the identification of inducers and inhibitors of apoptosis are described. The method exploits the finding that the exposure of cells to apoptotic stress and its concurrent shutdown of cellular protein synthesis is accompanied by phosphorylation of IF-2.alpha. and a novel protein termed p90.

Abstract: A method and system for the automated detection and classification of masses in mammograms. These method and system include the performance of iterative, multi-level gray level thresholding, followed by a lesion extraction and feature extraction techniques for classifying true masses from false-positive masses and malignant masses from benign masses. The method and system provide improvements in the detection of masses include multi-gray-level thresholding of the processed images to increase sensitivity and accurate region growing and feature analysis to increase specificity. Novel improvements in the classification of masses include a cumulative edge gradient orientation histogram analysis relative to the radial angle of the pixels in question; i.e., either around the margin of the mass or within or around the mass in question. The classification of the mass leads to a likelihood of malignancy.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification, isolation, purification and manipulation of genetic stress response systems, and more particularly, to genes and expression products of those genes that are components of those systems. These components may be used to protect against potentially toxic stress factors. Stress factors include heat, alcohol and heavy metal ions. A family of stress protector proteins with apparent molecular weights about 100 kd, the hsp100 proteins, are an aspect of this invention. Other stress protector proteins are also within the scope of this invention to enhance or inhibit biological stress response. Applications of this invention to recombinant DNA technology, to commercial methods of food preparation and processing, and to methods of enhancing the stress response of plants and animals, are presented.

Abstract: Autocrine growth factors and isoforms of those factors have been identified, isolated, purified and manipulated. Nucleic acid segments coding for the factors, and antibodies directed to the factors are also aspects of the present invention. The effect of these growth factors on cells is to enhance their growth by increasing mitogenesis. In particular, the growth factors stimulate kidney epithelial cell growth. The growth factors differ from others previously reported in their molecular weights and other properties, for example, resistance to denaturation by dithiothreitol. Methods of preparation and use of the factors are also described. The growth factors are released from kidney epithelial cells by short exposures to a low-sodium environment. The factors have potential for treatment of kidney disease.

Abstract: A nonimaging illumination optical device for producing a selected far field illuminance over an angular range. The optical device includes a light source 102, a light reflecting surface 108, and a family of light edge rays defined along a reference line 104 with the reflecting surface 108 defined in terms of the reference line 104 as a parametric function R(t) where t is a scalar parameter position and R(t)=k(t)+Du(t) where k(t) is a parameterization of the reference line 104, and D is a distance from a point on the reference line 104 to the reflection surface 108 along the desired edge ray through the point.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode plant and cyanobacterial polypeptides that participate in the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Isolated cyanobacterial and plant polypeptides that catalyze acetyl-CoA carboxylation are also provided. Processes for altering acetyl-CoA carboxylation, increasing herbicide resistance of plants and identifying herbicide resistant variants of acetyl-CoA carboxylase are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for identifying inducers and inhibitors of programmed cell death in a cell-free system are described. The methods exploit the finding that programmed cell death is accompanied by shutdown of cellular protein synthesis and by phosphorylation of eIF-2.alpha. and that the dephosphorylation of eIF-2.alpha. prevents the shutdown of protein synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode plant and cyanobacterial polypeptides that participate in the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Isolated cyanobacterial and plant polypeptides that catalyze acetyl-CoA carboxylation are also provided. Processes for altering acetyl-CoA carboxylation, increasing herbicide resistance of plants and identifying herbicide resistant variants of acetyl-CoA carboxylase are also provided.

Abstract: A computerized method for the detection and characterization of disease in an image derived from a chest radiograph, wherein an image in the chest radiograph is processed to determine the ribcage boundary, including lung top edges, right and left ribcage edges, and right and left hemidiaphragm edges. Texture measures including RMS variations of pixel values within regions of interest are converted to relative exposures and corrected for system noise existing in the system used to produce the image. Texture and/or geometric pattern indices are produced. A histogram(s) of the produced index (indices) is produced and values of the histogram(s) are applied as inputs to a trained artificial neural network, which classifies the image as normal or abnormal.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and combination formulations and kits to reduce the toxicity of camptothecin drugs, such as irinotecan (CPT-11). Disclosed are therapeutics and treatment methods employing such drugs in combination with agents that increase conjugative enzyme activity or glucuronosyltransferase activity, and agents that decrease biliary transport protein activity, such as cyclosporine A, the resultant effects of which are to decrease the significant side effects previously associated with treatment using these drugs.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel DNA binding proteins implicated in regulation of early stages of cell growth. Illustratively provided are human and mouse origin DNA sequences encoding early growth regulatory ("Egr") proteins which include "zinc finger" regions of the type involved in DNA binding. Also disclosed is a detailed analysis of the structure and function of the early growth regulatory protein, Egr-1, delineating independent and modular activation, repression, DNA-binding, and nuclear localization activities. Also disclosed are immunological methods and materials for detection of Egr proteins and hybridization methods and materials for detection and quantification of Egr protein related nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel DNA binding proteins implicated in regulation of early stages of cell growth. Illustratively provided are human and mouse origin DNA sequences encoding early growth regulatory ("Egr") proteins which include "zinc finger" regions of the type involved in DNA binding. Also disclosed is a detailed analysis of the structure and function of the early growth regulatory protein, Egr-1, delineating independent and modular activation, repression, DNA-binding, and nuclear localization activities. Also disclosed are immunological methods and materials for detection of Egr proteins and hybridization methods and materials for detection and quantification of Egr protein related nucleic acids.

Abstract: A wavefront direction mapping catheter system is disclosed which includes a wire catheter that, when placed on the inner surface of the heart, identifies the direction of the electric field wavefront, and provides output signals for indicating the manner in which a position controller of the system is to be operated for moving the distal tip portion of the catheter toward the source of the wavefront. The distal tip portion of the catheter includes a bipolar electrode array, preferably including first and second pairs of orthogonally arranged bipolar electrodes which provide signals to an analyzer of the system, whereby vector analysis of the wavefront is performed. The signal analysis permits the catheter to be moved toward and positioned at the source of the wavefront or within the wavefront circuit, with the present system thereafter being configured to effect radio frequency energization of the bipolar electrode array for tissue ablation.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode plant and cyanobacterial polypeptides that participate in the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Isolated cyanobacterial and plant polypeptides that catalyze acetyl-CoA carboxylation are also provided. Processes for altering acetyl-CoA carboxylation, increasing herbicide resistance of plants and identifying herbicide resistant variants of acetyl-CoA carboxylase are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain novel nitro or nitroso substituted benzyloxy pyrimidines useful as AGT inactivators. An example of such a pyrimidine is a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, is NO.sub.2 or NO, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, halo, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl, thiol, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkythio, trifluoromethoxy, oxymethanesulfonyl, oxytrifluoromethanesulfonyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 oxyacyl. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and a method of enhancing the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumor cells in a mammal with an antineoplastic alkylating agent which causes cytotoxic lesions at the O.sup.6 -position of guanine.

Abstract: A method and system for performing surveillance of transient signals of an industrial device to ascertain the operating state. The method and system involves the steps of reading into a memory training data, determining neural network weighting values until achieving target outputs close to the neural network output. If the target outputs are inadequate, wavelet parameters are determined to yield neural network outputs close to the desired set of target outputs and then providing signals characteristic of an industrial process and comparing the neural network output to the industrial process signals to evaluate the operating state of the industrial process.