Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a rotating anode X-ray tube. An electromagnetic motor is provided to rotate an X-ray anode with cooling passages in the anode. These cooling passages are coupled to a cooling structure located adjacent the electromagnetic motor. A liquid metal fills the passages of the cooling structure and electrical power is provided to the motor to rotate the anode and generate a rotating magnetic field which moves the liquid metal through the cooling passages and cooling structure.

Abstract: A computerized method and system using a shift-invariant artificial neural network (SIANN) for the quantitative analysis of image data. A series of digitized medical images are used to train an artificial neural network to differentiate between diseased and normal tissue. The sum of the weights in groups between layers is constrained to be substantially zero so as to avoid saturation of layers which would otherwise be saturated by low frequency background noise. The method and system also include utilizing training-free zones to exclude from training the center portions of microcalcifications in the digitized images. The method and system further include rule-based selection criteria for providing a more accurate diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining somatostatin receptors. The invention relates as well to the DNA sequences encoding somatostatin receptors, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant somatostatin receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different somatostatin receptors, SSTR1, SSTR2 and SSTR3 from two different mammalian sources. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with somatostatin receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic herpes simplex virus (HSV) promoters which are constructed by operatively linking the 5' nontranscribed domain of an HSV .alpha. gene to a fragment containing the transcription initiation site and the 5' transcribed noncoding region from an HSV .gamma. gene. Synthetic promoters of the invention that are operatively linked to heterologous genes, inserted into HSV genomes and used to generate live virus are useful for expressing polypeptides encoded by the heterologous genes in appropriate host cells. The synthetic promoters direct transcription of the heterologous genes constitutively throughout the reproductive cycle of the virus at a high cumulative level. The recombinant viruses of the invention can also be used as vaccines to present polypeptides against which a host will mount an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to DNA sequences encoding human thyroid hormone receptor proteins and more particularly to DNA sequences encoding human thyroid hormone receptor protein designated hTR.alpha.1, to the polypeptide products of recombinant expression of these DNA sequences, to peptides whose sequences are based on amino acid sequences deduced from these DNA sequences, to antibodies specific for such proteins and peptides, and to procedures for detection and quantification of such proteins and nucleic acids related thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed are various methods, compositions and screening assays connected with telomerase, including genes encoding the template RNA of S. cerevisiae telomerase and various telomerase-associated polypeptides.

Abstract: Novel O.sup.6 -substituted guanine compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are useful for effectively reducing O.sup.6 -alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT). The novel compounds are useful for treating tumors and when used with anti-neoplastic alkylating agents enhance the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumor cells in a host.

Abstract: Thermodynamically-unstable complexing agents which are diphosphonic acids and diphosphonic acid derivatives (or sulphur containing analogs), like carboxyhydroxymethanediphosphonic acid and vinylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, are capable of complexing with metal ions, and especially metal ions in the II, III, IV, V and VI oxidation states, to form stable, water-soluble metal ion complexes in moderately alkaline to highly-acidic media. However, the complexing agents can be decomposed, under mild conditions, into non-organic compounds which, for many purposes are environmentally-nondamaging compounds thereby degrading the complex and releasing the metal ion for disposal or recovery. Uses for such complexing agents as well as methods for their manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: A method and system for the detection of anatomical features in a digital chest radiograph, and in particular rib edges and pneumothorax, wherein vertical profiles are defined in regions of the lungs in the radiograph, and a model function is fitted to the profiles to obtain initial estimates of the locations of rib edges. Gradient-histogram analysis is performed by determining edge gradient and their corresponding orientations in regions of interest (ROIs) defined in the radiograph in the vicinity of the initially estimated rib edges, determining the maximum edge gradient in each of the ROIs, and forming histograms which define accurate detections of rib edges. The edges are fitted with an elliptical function and a representation of the entire rib cage structure is obtained. The method and system are also applied to the detection of pneumothorax where ROIs are defined in the apical lung region and edge gradients and their orientations are detected in the ROIs.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of abnormal anatomic regions, wherein a mammogram is digitized to produce a digital image and the digital image is processed using local edge gradient analysis and linear pattern analysis in addition to feature extraction routines to identify abnormal anatomic regions. Noise reduction filtering and pit-filling/spike-removal filtering techniques are also provided. Multiple difference imaging techniques are also used in which difference images employing different filter characteristics are obtained and processing results logically OR'ed to identify abnormal anatomic regions. In another embodiment the processing results with and without noise reduction filtering are logically AND'ed to improve detection sensitivity. Also, in another embodiment the wavelet transform is utilized in the identification and detection of abnormal regions.

Abstract: A method and system for the automated detection of lesions such as masses and/or tissue (parenchymal) distortions in medical images such as mammograms. Dense regions and subcutaneous fat regions within a mammogram are segmented. A background correction may be performed within the dense regions. Hough spectrum within ROIs placed in the breast region of a mammogram are calculated and thresholded using the intensity value .eta. in order to increase sensitivity and reduce the number of false-positive detections. Lesions are detected based on the thresholded Hough spectra. The thresholded Hough spectra are also used to differentiate between benign and malignant masses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic herpes simplex virus (HSV) promoters which are constructed by operatively linking the 5' nontranscribed domain of an HSV .alpha. gene to a fragment containing the transcription initiation site and the 5' transcribed noncoding region from an HSV .gamma. gene. Synthetic promoters of the invention that are operatively linked to heterologous genes, inserted into HSV genomes and used to generate live virus are useful for expressing polypeptides encoded by the heterologous genes in appropriate host cells. The synthetic promoters direct transcription of the heterologous genes constitutively throughout the reproductive cycle of the virus at a high cumulative level. The recombinant viruses of the invention can also be used as vaccines to present polypeptides against which a host will mount an immune response.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining ubiquitous, nuclear receptor (UR) polypeptides. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding UR polypeptides, recombinant host cells and vectors containing UR-encoding polynucleotide sequences, and recombinant UR polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least two different UR polypeptides. The invention also includes methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select substances which interact with UR polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method for the automated detection of gross abnormalities and asymmetries in chest images, including generating image data from radiographic images of the thorax. The image data are then analyzed in order to produce the boundaries of the aerated lung regions in the thorax. This analysis comprises location of the mediastinum and lung apices, iterative global thresholding with centroid testing of contours, local thresholding on regions along initial contours of the aerated lung, correction for regions near the costo- and cardiophrenic angles in the chest, analysis of the areas and density distribution within the aerated lung regions in the chest and determination of the likelihood of the presence of a gross abnormality or asymmetry. Final output could be the computer determined contours of the lungs or the likelihood for abnormality.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an industrial process and a sensor. The method and system include generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. One of the signals can be an artificial signal generated by an auto regressive moving average technique. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously partitioning a metal oxide and silica from a material containing silica and the metal oxide, using a biphasic aqueous medium having immiscible salt and polymer phases.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-aided differential diagnosis of diseases, and in particular, computer-aided differential diagnosis using neural networks. A first embodiment of the neural network distinguishes between a plurality of interstitial lung diseases on the basis of inputted clinical parameters and radiographic information. A second embodiment distinguishes between malignant and benign mammographic cases based upon similar inputted clinical and radiographic information. The neural networks were first trained using a hypothetical data base made up of hypothetical cases for each of the interstitial lung diseases and for malignant and benign cases. The performance of the neural network was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The decision performance of the neural network was compared to experienced radiologists and achieved a high performance comparable to that of the experienced radiologists.

Abstract: An autocrine crystal adhesion inhibitor called CAI is an anionic, sialic acid-containing glycoprotein secreted by kidney epithelial cells that blocks adhesion of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals to the cell surfaces. Persons may be classified according to risk of developing kidney stones, by measuring the amount of CAI in a biological sample. Treatment efficacy is also monitored by this method. CAI is administered in vivo to prevent nephrolithiasis. A rapid, simple assay to detect agents that inhibit adhesion of COM crystals to the surface of kidney epithelial cells is characterized.