Abstract: An automated method for analyzing a nodule and a computer storage medium storing computer instructions by which the method can be implemented when the instructions are loaded into a computer to program the computer. The method includes obtaining a digital image including the nodule; segmenting the nodule to obtain an outline of the nodule, including generating a difference image from chest image, identifying image intensity contour lines representative of respective image intensities in a region of interest including the nodule, and obtaining an outline of the nodule based on the image intensity contours; extracting features of the nodule based on the outline; applying features including the extracted features to at least one image classifier; and determining a likelihood of malignancy of the nodule based on the output of the at least one classifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode bacterial polypeptides that participate in the utilization of sucrose. Isolated bacterial sucrose synthase compositions and methods of use are provided. Processes for altering sucrose synthase activity, altering the starch and/or sucrose content of bacterial and/or plant cells, methods of identifying sucrose synthase-encoding nucleic acid segments, and compositions comprising sucrose synthase peptides and antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method to determine whether a candidate abnormality in a medical digital image is an actual abnormality, a system which implements the method, and a computer readable medium which stores program steps to implement the method, wherein the method includes obtaining a medical digital image including a candidate abnormality; obtaining plural first templates and plural second templates respectively corresponding to predetermined abnormalities and predetermined non-abnormalities; comparing the candidate abnormality with the obtained first and second templates to derive cross-correlation values between the candidate abnormality and each of the obtained first and second templates; determining the largest cross-correlation value derived in the comparing step and whether the largest cross-correlation value is produced by comparing the candidate abnormality with the first templates or with the second templates; and determining the candidate abnormality to be an actual abnormality when the largest cross-correlation val

Abstract: A process for increasing the circulating levels of self gene products in a mammal for an extended period of time is provided. In accordance with that process, muscle cells of the mammal are transformed with an expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes the gene product and which vector drives expression in the muscle.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields diabetes. More particularly, it concerns the identification of genes responsible for NIDDM for use in diagnostics and therapeutics. The present invention demonstrates that the MODY3 locus is, in fact, the HNF1&agr; gene, MODY4 locus is the HNF1&bgr; and the MODY1 locus is the HNF4&agr; gene. The invention further relates to the discovery that analysis of mutations in the HNF1&agr;, HNF1&bgr; and HNF4&agr; genes can be diagnostic for diabetes. The invention also contemplates methods of treating diabetes in view of the fact that HNF1&agr;, HNF1&bgr; and HNF4&agr; mutations can cause diabetes.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different opioid receptor polypeptides. 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 opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Steroid derivatives of this invention interact with nuclear liver X receptor (LXR) and ubiquitous receptor (UR) and can be used to treat a variety of LXR- or UR-mediated disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating cancer by administering an effective amount of a modified Herpes simplex virus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating small dielectric particles. The apparatus and method involves use of a diffractive optical element which receives a laser beam and forms a plurality of light beams. These light beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating small dielectric particles.

Abstract: This invention discloses immunopotentiating agents which stimulate an immune resposne. These agents are categorized into single agents that act directly, adjuvants added concurrently with the agents, or heteroconjugates. Heteroconjugate agents eleicit or enhance a cellular or humoral immune response which may be specific for an epitope contained within an amino acid sequence. Enhanced hematopoieses by bone marrow stem cell recruitment was also a result of administering some of these agents.

Abstract: A process for increasing the circulating levels of gene products in a primate for extended period of time is provided. In accordance with that process, muscle cells of the mammal are transformed with an expression vector that contains a polynucleotide that encodes the gene product and which vector drives expression in the muscle.

Abstract: A method for reducing food intake in a subject and a method for reducing the levels of an endocrine in a subject comprising administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the formula: wherein A is alkenyl, and each of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is herein defined.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for detecting the presence of genetic polymorphisms that correlate with altered gene expression. More specifically, the present invention is directed to methods for detecting the genetic polymorphisms located in the UGT1A1 promoter. The invention also provides methods for optimizing drug dosages based upon the presence of the polymorphisms. The invention further provides methods of predicting sensitivity to xenobiotics and diagnostic kits for detecting genetic polymorphisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA molecule comprising a radiation responsive enhancer-promoter operatively linked to an encoding region that encodes at least one polypeptide. An encoding region can comprise a single encoding sequence for a polypeptide or two or more encoding sequences encoding DNA binding, activation or repression domains of a transcription factor. Processes for regulating polypeptide expression and inhibiting tumor growth using such DNA molecules are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium of computerized processing of chest images including obtaining digital first and second images of a chest and detecting rib edges in at least one of the first and second images. The rib edges are detected by correlating points in the at least one of the first and second images to plural rib edge models using a Hough transform to identify approximate rib edges in one of the images, and delineating actual rib edges derived from the identified approximate rib edges using a snake model. The method system and computer readable medium further include deriving the shift values using the actual rib edges and warping one of the first and second images to produce a warped image which is registered to the other of the first and second images based at least in part on the shift values.

Abstract: Compounds that inhibit 5-alpha-reductase are provided. The compounds are used to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, obesity, skin disorders and baldness.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for automated measurements of pleural space and/or pleural thickening in thoracic CT images to identify the presence and quantify the extent of pleura-based disease, including obtaining a CT image including the pleural space and/or the pleural thickening, segmenting lungs in the obtained image, constructing a chest wall image from the obtained image using a lung boundary obtained in the segmenting step, identifying ribs in the chest wall image, mapping a location of the identified ribs back into the obtained image, and determining in the obtained image the extent of the pleural space and/or the pleural thickening between the identified ribs mapped back into the obtained CT image and at least one segmented lung. Exemplary embodiments include determining the extent of pleural space and/or pleural thickening based on linear distance, area, and volume of the space between the ribs and the lung boundary.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and compositions for direct detection of specific nucleic acid flanking sequences associated with structural chromosomal aberration breakpoints, by forming hybrids between the sequences and genetic probes, and detecting the probes. In particular aspects, the invention concerns detection of nucleic acid sequences in situ in chromosomes, and more specifically in cells, including interphase cells. Compositions of probes useful for detecting chromosomal translocations, in particular those associated with human leukemias, are also disclosed. An aspect of the invention is labelled probes that, when juxtaposed by formation of an aberration, are distinguishable and provide a pattern different from that of normal cells.

Abstract: Generation of longer cDNA fragments from SAGE tags for gene identification (GLGI) is disclosed. This method converts SAGE tags, which are about 10 base pairs in length, into their corresponding 3′ cDNA fragments covering hundred bases. This added information provides for more accurate genome-wide analysis and overcomes the inherent deficiencies of SAGE. The generation of longer cDNA fragments from isolated and purified protein fragments for gene identification is also disclosed. This method converts a short amino acid sequence into extended versions of the DNA sequences encoding the protein/protein fragment and additional 3′ end sequences of the gene encoding the protein. This additional sequence information allows gene identification from purified protein sequences. The invention also provides a high-throughput GLGI procedure for identifying genes corresponding to a set of unidentified SAGE tags.

Abstract: Particles such as islet cells are encapsulated by a method that forms a coating of uniform thickness that conforms to the size and shape of the particles. Two substantially immiscible liquids of different densities are provided in a container as upper and lower liquids such that an interface exists between the liquids. The upper liquid is less dense and has a greater viscosity than the lower liquid which is a coating liquid containing particles to be encapsulated. A tube is positioned in the upper liquid such that an orifice of the tube is above the interface. A pump connected to the tube sucks liquid through the tube at a rate sufficient to form a spout containing substantially the lower liquid extending between the interface and the tube orifice. The spout has maximum diameter at the interface and decreases in diameter as the spout approaches the tube orifice.