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: 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 for segmenting an image in which an arbitrarily shaped contour is deformed stochastically until it approximates the contour of a target object. The evolution of the contour is controlled by a simulated annealing process which causes the contour to settle into a global minimum of an image-derived "energy" function. The non-parametric energy function is derived from the statistical properties of previously-segmented training images. High computational complexity is avoided by using an efficient method of introducing a random local perturbation, and assuring the resulting shape changes are unbiased. This method for perturbing the contour allows for execution times several orders of magnitude shorter than in simple implementations.

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.

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 present invention is a rapid sequence-independent amplification procedure (SIA). Even minute amounts of DNA from various sources can be amplified independent of any sequence requirements of the DNA or any a priori knowledge of any sequence characteristics of the DNA to be amplified. This method allows, for example the sequence independent amplification of microdissected chromosomal material and the reliable construction of high quality fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probes from YACs or from other sources. These probes can be used to localize YACs on metaphase chromosomes but also--with high efficiency--in interphase nuclei.

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: An ion exchange resin is disclosed that is comprised of an insoluble copolymer onto which are grafted pendent groups that provide 1.0 to about 10 mmol/g dry weight phosphorous. The pendent groups have the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, a cation or mixtures thereof; and R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl group. The resin also contains zero to about 5 mmol/g dry weight of pendent aromatic sulfonate groups. Processes for making and using an ion exchange-resin are also disclosed.

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: A solid/liquid phase process for the separation and recovery of an anionic dye from an aqueous solution is disclosed. The solid phase comprises separation particles having surface-bonded poly(ethylene glycol) groups, whereas the aqueous solution from which the anionic dye molecules are separated contains a poly(ethylene glycol) liquid/liquid biphase-forming amount of a dissolved lyotropic salt. After contact between the aqueous solution and separation particles, the anionic dye is bound to the particles. The bound anionic dye molecules are freed from the separation particles by contacting the anionic dye-bound particles with an aqueous solution that does not contain a poly(ethylene glycol) liquid/liquid biphase-forming amount of a dissolved lyotropic salt to form an aqueous anionic dye solution whose anionic dye concentration is preferably higher than that of the initial dye-containing solution.

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.