Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium configured for computerized detection of lung abnormalities, including obtaining a standard digital chest image and a soft-tissue digital chest image; generating a first difference image from the standard digital chest image and a second difference image from the soft-tissue digital chest image; identifying candidate abnormalities in the first and second difference images; extracting from the standard digital chest image and the first difference image predetermined first features of each of the candidate abnormalities identified in the first difference image; extracting from the soft-tissue digital chest image and the second difference images predetermined second features of each of the candidate abnormalities identified in the second difference image; analyzing the extracted first features and the extracted second features to identify and eliminate false positive candidate abnormalities respectively corresponding thereto; applying extracted features from remainin

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of diabetes. More particularly, it concerns the identification of genes responsible for NIDDM1 for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The present invention demonstrates that the NIDDM1 locus is, in fact, the calpain 10 gene. The invention further relates to the discovery that analysis of mutations in calpain genes and gene products can be diagnostic for type 2 diabetes. The invention also contemplates methods of treating diabetes in view of the fact that calpain mutations can cause diabetes. Further, the invention relates to novel polynucleotides of the NIDDM1 locus and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides.

Abstract: A cross-linked water-insoluble ion exchange resin comprised of polymerized monomers having a phenyl ring is disclosed. A contemplated resin contains (i) polymerized phenyl ring-containing monomers having a phosphonic acid ligand linked to the phenyl ring, (ii) about 2 to about 5 millimoles per gram (mmol/g) of phosphorus as phosphonic acid ligands, and (iii) a sufficient amount of a sulfonic acid ligand such that the ratio of mmol/g of phosphonic acid to mmol/g sulfonic acid is up to 3:1. A process for removing polyvalent metal cations from aqueous solution, and a process for removing iron(III) cations from acidic copper(II) cation-containing solutions that utilize the contemplated resin or other resins are disclosed.

Abstract: The ICP4 protein of herpes simplex virus plays an important role in the transactivation of viral genes. The present invention discloses that ICP4 also has the ability to inhibit apoptosis. This function appears to reside in functional domain distinct from the transactivating function, as indicated by studies using temperature sensitive mutants of ICP4 that transactivating function at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for inhibition of apoptosis using ICP4 or an ICP4 encoding gene, such as an &agr;4 gene, methods of inhibiting ICP4's apoptosis-inhibiting function, and methods for the production of recombinant proteins and treatment of HSV infections. Further, the present invention discloses that the HSV-1 mutant lacking the &agr;4 gene, has a secondary mutation in the gene Us3 specifying a protein kinase.

Abstract: The ICP4 protein of herpes simplex virus plays an important role in the transactivation of viral genes. The present invention discloses that ICP4 also has the ability to inhibit apoptosis. This function appears to reside in functional domain distinct from the transactivating function, as indicated by studies using temperature sensitive mutants of ICP4 that transactivating function at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for inhibition of apoptosis using ICP4 or an ICP4 encoding gene, such as an &agr;4 gene, methods of inhibiting ICP4's apoptosis-inhibiting function, and methods for the production of recombinant proteins and treatment of HSV infections.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the radiographic analysis of bone structure and risk of future fracture with or without the measurement of bone mass. Techniques including texture analysis for use in quantitating the bone structure and risk of future fracture. The texture analysis of the bone structure incorporates directionality information, for example in terms of the angular dependence of the RMS variation and first moment of the power spectrum of a ROI in the bony region of interest. The system also includes using dual energy imaging in order to obtain measures of both bone mass and bone structure with one exam. Specific applications are given for the analysis of regions within the vertebral bodies on conventional spine radiographs. Techniques include novel features that characterize the power spectrum of the bone structure and allow extraction of directionality features with which to characterize the spatial distribution and thickness of the bone trabeculae.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. The invention relates as well to the DNA sequences encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, designated PPAR-&ggr;, obtained from a human source. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a source of data for determining an operating state of a working system. The method includes determining a sensor (or source of data) arrangement associated with monitoring the source of data for a system, activating a method for performing a sequential probability ratio test if the data source includes a single data (sensor) source, activating a second method for performing a regression sequential possibility ratio testing procedure if the arrangement includes a pair of sensors (data sources) with signals which are linearly or non-linearly related; activating a third method for performing a bounded angle ratio test procedure if the sensor arrangement includes multiple sensors and utilizing at least one of the first, second and third methods to accumulate sensor signals and determining the operating state of the system.

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: A method and system for the automated detection of lesions in medical images. Medical images, such as mammograms are segmented and optionally processing with peripheral enhancement and/or modified median filtering. A modified morphological open operation and filtering with a modified mass filter are performed for the initial detection of circumscribed lesions. Then, the lesions are matched using a deformable shape template with Fourier descriptors. Characterization of the match is done using simulated annealing, and measuring the circularity and density characteristics of the suspected lesion. The procedure is performed iteratively at different spatial resolution in which at each resolution step a specific lesion size is detected. The detection of the lesion leads to a localization of a suspicious region and thus the likelihood of cancer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detailed characterization of the sequences and factors controlling expression of a human gene expressed specifically in keratinocytes. Using 5′ upstream sequence of the human K14 keratin gene coupled to one of two reporter genes, sequences necessary and sufficient for expression of K14 have been examined in both cultured human keratinocytes and in mitotically active basal keratinocytes of transgenic mouse epidermis. The existence of distal and proximal elements located 5′ from the transcription initiation site of the hK14 gene is demonstrated, which when combined with a TATA box element, appear to act in concert to drive keratinocyte-specific expression. The proximal element was also examined.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring an industrial process and/or industrial data source. The system includes generating time varying data from industrial data sources, processing the data to obtain time correlation of the data, determining the range of data, determining learned states of normal operation and using these states to generate expected values, comparing the expected values to current actual values to identify a current state of the process closest to a learned, normal state; generating a set of modeled data, and processing the modeled data to identify a data pattern and generating an alarm upon detecting a deviation from normalcy.

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 guanine, 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 present invention relates to methods of treatment of programmed cell death (apoptosis) through the use of the HSV-1 gene &ggr;134.5 or the product of its expression, ICP34.5. The gene and its expression have been demonstrated to be.required for HSV-1 neurovirulence, and in particular, to act as an inhibitor of neuronal programmed cell death which allows for viral replication. Use of the gene therapy, or the protein itself, can be expected to result in inhibition of programmed cell death in various neurodegenerative diseases. This invention also relates to novel vectors for gene therapy, including modified herpes virus. Methods are presented for conducting assays for substances capable of mimicing, potentiating or inhibiting the expression of &ggr;134.5 or the activity of ICP34.5. Also, methods are disclosed for the treatment of tumorogenic diseases, including cancer, and for treatment of herpes and other viral infections using inhibitors of &ggr;134.5 expression or ICP34.5 activity.

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: Disclosed are purified and isolated DNA sequences encoding eukaryotic proteins possessing biological properties of inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase ("IMPDH"). Illustratively, mammalian (e.g., human) IMPDH-encoding DNA sequences are useful in transformation or transfection of host cells for the large scale recombinant production of the enzymatically active expression products and/or products (e.g., GMP) resulting from IMPDH catalyzed synthesis in cells. Vectors including IMPDH-encoding DNA sequences are useful in gene amplification procedures. Recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides provided by the invention are useful as immunological reagents and in the preparation of antibodies (including polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies) for quantitative detection of IMPDH.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunopotentiating agents, and vaccines thereof, which enhance and/or otherwise modify immune responses, and method for their preparation and use in vivo. Immunopotentiating agents can be single agents that act directly, adjuvants added concurrently with the agents, or heteroconjugates wherein the immunopotentiating agent is chemically coupled to the compound against which an immune response is desired. Examples of immunopotentiating agents include monoclonal antibodies, such as anti-CD3, anti-CD2) and anti-CD5 antibodies, and proteins derived from microorganisms (e.g., enterotoxins) which activate T cells. The compounds against which an immune response can be generated, which may be the second component in a heteroconjugate, include compound from abnormal or diseased tissues such as tumors, or infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoal or metozoal parasites, and can be obtained by natural or recombinant means.

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: The present invention relates generally to the field of diagnostics. More particularly, it concerns the use of methylation-specific PCR in order to identify those males having Fragile X syndrome. The present invention provides a method in which amplification specific for the methylated FMR1 sequence is observed in all individuals with a full mutation, while all normal and premutation individuals show only amplification specific for the unmethylated sequence, thus allowing affected and unaffected males to be distinguished. A full mutation in the presence of mosaicism also may detectable by this method. Thus, methylation-specific PCR is demonstrated as a rapid and reliable tool for the diagnosis of fragile X.

Abstract: A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) method for the automated detection of lung nodules in a digital chest image, a computer programmed to implement the method, and a storage medium which stores a program for implementing the method, wherein nodule candidates are first automatically selected by thresholding the difference image and then classified in six groups. A large number of false positives are eliminated by adaptive rule-based tests applied to the original chest image and in the difference image and an artificial neural network (ANN) applied to remaining candidate nodule locations in the original chest image. Using two hundred PA chest radiographs, 100 normal and 100 abnormal, as the database, the presence of nodules in the 100 abnormal cases was confirmed by two experienced radiologists on the basis of CT scans or radiographic follow-up. The CAD method achieves, on average, the sensitivity of 70% at 1.7 false positives per chest image.