Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for an intelligent search display into which an automated computerized image analysis has been incorporated. Upon viewing an unknown mammographic case, the display shows both the computer classification output as well as images of lesions with known diagnoses (e.g., malignant vs. benign) and similar computer-extracted features. The similarity index used in the search can be chosen by the radiologist to be based on a single feature, multiple features, or on the computer estimate of the likelihood of malignancy. Specifically the system includes the calculation of features of images in a known database, calculation of features of an unknown case, calculation of a similarity index, display of the known cases along the probability distribution curves at which the unknown case exists.

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. More specifically, the invention relates to polynucleotides encoding kappa 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: A method and system for the computerized automatic analysis of lesions in magnetic resonance (MR) images, a computer programmed to implement the method, and a data structure for storing required parameters is described. Specifically the system includes the computerized analysis of lesions in the breast using spatial, temporal and/or hybrid measures. Techniques include novel developments and implementations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional features to assess the characteristics of the lesions and in some cases give an estimate of the likelihood of malignancy or of prognosis. The system can also allow for the enhanced visualization of the breast and its pathological states. The system also includes an option to merge the extracted features with those from x-ray and/or ultrasound images in order to further characterize the lesion and/or make a diagnosis and/or a prognosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing antibodies against a variety of antigens, including mammalian antigens with highly conserved epitopes. In addition, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the cloning and manipulation of immunoglobulin genes as well as antibodies derived therefrom.

Abstract: Methods for re-establishing normal sleep patterns in adults with age-related sleep disorders are provided. In particular, methods are disclosed wherein a compound that stimulates growth hormone and/or prolactin secretion is orally administered to subjects just prior to retiring.

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 relates to the interaction of Rad51 and Xrcc3 to form a complex that mediates DNA repair in eukaryotic cells. A functional Rad51/Xrcc3 complex can be introduced into a cell to increase the resistance of the cell to DNA damaging agents. The invention also provides for a clinical application of a regimen combining Rad51 and Xrcc3 to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in a patient. In addition, the invention discloses methods for identifying candidate substances that interact with the Rad51/Xrcc3 complex. In another embodiment of the invention, preventing the formation of the Rad51/Xrcc3 complex increases the susceptibility of a cell to DNA damaging agents. This strategy can be used in combination with a DNA damaging agent or factor to kill cancerous cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode plant polypeptides that participate in the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Also provided are methods for identifying such nucleic acid segments and polypeptides. 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 8-substituted O6-benzylguanine, 4(6)-substituted 2-amino-5-nitro-6(4)-benzyloxypyrimidine, and 4(6)-substituted 2-amino-5-nitroso-6(4)-benzyloxypyrimidine derivatives which have been found to be effective AGT inactivators, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention further provides a method of enhancing the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumor cells in a mammal with an antineoplastic alkylating agent which causes cytotoxic lesions at the O6-position of quanine, by administering to a mammal an effective amount of one of the aforesaid derivatives, 2,4-diamino-6-benzyloxy-s-triazine, 5-substituted 2,4-diamino-6-benzyloxypyrimidines, or 8-aza-O6-benzylguanine, and administering to the mammal an effective amount of an antineoplastic alkylating agent which causes cytotoxic lesions at the O6-position of guanine.

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: The present invention relates to the use of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to regulate function in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells. A recombinant adenovirus comprising a DNA sequence that codes for a gene product is delivered to a cardiac or vascular smooth muscle cell and the cell is maintained until that gene product is expressed. Delivery is direct injection into a muscle cell or infusing a pharmaceutical composition containing an adenovirus virus vector construct intravascularly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smooth muscle cell specific promoter, the SM22&agr; gene promoter as well as the murine cDNA and genomic SM22&agr; nucleic acid sequences. Also disclosed are methods of preventing restenosis following balloon angioplasty and methods of treating asthma based on inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation by expressing cell cycle control genes, or contraction inhibiting peptides in smooth muscle cells, under the control of the SM22&agr; promoter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smooth muscle cell specific promoter, the SM22&agr; gene promoter as well as the murine cDNA and genomic SM22&agr; nucleic acid sequences. Also disclosed are methods of preventing restenosis following balloon angioplasty and methods of treating asthma based on inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation by expressing cell cycle control genes, or contraction inhibiting peptides in smooth muscle cells, under the control of the SM22&agr; promoter.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer product for the automated segmentation of the lung fields and costophrenic angle (CP) regions in posteroanterior (PA) chest radiographs, wherein image segmentation based on gray-level threshold analysis is performed by applying an iterative global gray-level thresholding method to a chest image based on the features of a global gray-level histogram. Features of the regions in a binary image constructed at each iteration are identified and analyzed to exclude regions external to the lung fields. The initial lung contours that result from this global process are used to facilitate a local gray-level thresholding method. Individual regions-of-interest (ROIs) are placed along the initial contour. A procedure is implemented to determine the gray-level thresholds to be applied to the pixels within the individual ROIs. The result is a binary image, from which final contours are constructed. Smoothing processes are applied, including a unique adaptation of a rolling ball method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smooth muscle cell specific promoter, the SM22&agr; gene promoter as well as the murine cDNA and genomic SM22&agr; nucleic acid sequences. Also disclosed are methods of preventing restenosis following balloon angioplasty and methods of treating asthma based on inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation by expressing cell cycle control genes, or contraction inhibiting peptides in smooth muscle cells, under the control of the SM22&agr; promoter.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer product for the automated segmentation of the lung fields and costophrenic angle (CP) regions in posteroanterior (PA) chest radiographs wherein image segmentation based on gray-level threshold analysis is performed by applying an iterative global gray-level thresholding method to a chest image based on the features of a global gray-level histogram. Features of the regions in a binary image constructed at each iteration are identified and analyzed to exclude regions external to the lung fields. The initial lung contours that result from this global process are used to facilitate a local gray-level thresholding method. Individual regions-of-interest (ROIs) are placed along the initial contour. A procedure is implemented to determine the gray-level thresholds to be applied to the pixels within the individual ROIs. The result is a binary image, from which final contours are constructed. Smoothing processes are applied, including a unique adaptation of a rolling ball method.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for the computerized assessment of breast cancer risk, wherein a digital image of a breast is obtained and at least one feature, and typically plural features, are extracted from a region of interest in the digital. The extracted features are compared with a predetermined model associating patterns of the extracted features with a risk estimate derived from corresponding feature patterns associated with a predetermined model based on gene carrier information or clinical information, or both gene carrier information and clinical information, and a risk classification index is output as a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reconstructing a set of CT images from helical CT data. The method includes the steps of receiving the helical CT data and generating a set of fan-beam sinograms at equally spaced longitudinal positions. The method further includes the steps of estimating a set of parallel-beam sinograms from the generated set of fan-beam sinograms and reconstructing the CT images using a parallel beam reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of chiral cis-aziridines (IIIa and IIIb) by reacting an imine (I) with a diazo compound (II) in the presence of a chiral vaulted biary-Lewis Acid complex as shown below:

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring at least one of a system, a process and a data source. A method and system have been developed for carrying out surveillance, testing and modification of an ongoing process or other source of data, such as a spectroscopic examination. A signal from the system under surveillance is collected and compared with a reference signal, a frequency domain transformation carried out for the system signal and reference signal, a frequency domain difference function established. The process is then repeated until a full range of data is accumulated over the time domain and a SPRT sequential probability ratio test methodology applied to determine a three-dimensional surface plot characteristic of the operating state of the system under surveillance.