Abstract: The speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a cancerous lesion is different than the speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a benign lesion. The system can assign a coloration to a speed of sound image according to the speed of sound through the tissue as obtained from quantitative transmission ultrasound. The shape indicative of a lesion can be identified through the reflection data with the type of lesion identifiable by the coloration from the speed of sound data.

Abstract: The speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a cancerous lesion is different than the speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a benign lesion. The system can assign a coloration to a speed of sound image according to the speed of sound through the tissue as obtained from quantitative transmission ultrasound. The shape indicative of a lesion can be identified through the reflection data with the type of lesion identifiable by the coloration from the speed of sound data.

Abstract: A method for quantitative assessment of breast density can include separating breast voxels and exterior voxels from an image of a patient's breast; and for the breast voxels identified in the image, identifying tissue having high speed value from other tissue. The estimated breast density can be calculated based on the percentage of non-skin breast voxels corresponding to fibroglandular tissue density within the breast.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging dense anatomical structures are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for imaging a bone or a joint of a subject can include delivering a transmission ultrasound wave field from a transmission transducer array to a body part of a subject, receiving transmission data from the transmission ultrasound wave field at a transmission receiver array, delivering a reflection ultrasound wave field from a reflection transducer array to the body part of the subject, receiving reflection data from the reflection ultrasound wave field at a reflection receiver array, and generating an image of a bone or joint from at least one of the transmission data or the reflection data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging calcium in a subject are provided. In one aspect a method for imaging one or more micron-sized calcium deposits in a tissue of a subject can include delivering a transmission ultrasound wave field from a transmission transducer array to a body part of a subject, receiving transmission data from the transmission ultrasound wave field at a transmission receiver array, delivering a reflection ultrasound wave field from a reflection transducer array to the body part of the subject, receiving reflection data from the reflection ultrasound wave field at a reflection receiver array, generating speed of sound data from the transmission data, and refraction correcting the reflection data using the speed of sound data to generate a corrected reflection image showing a micron-sized calcium deposit image.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of treating fungal infections in mammals including humans by administering one or more lytic enzymes and compositions comprising the same. The present invention further features a new method for isolating and purifying lytic enzymes to a degree of purity acceptable for treating fungal infections, including invasive Aspergillosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for measuring endogenous heparin in a mammal at levels that were previously undetectable. The present invention further features methods for assessing the risk for and assessing the progression of atherosclerosis and methods for treating or inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis. The invention also features methods for monitoring plasma heparin levels in subjects undergoing heparin treatment. Additionally, the present invention provides kits for assaying for heparin in biological samples.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods and kits for detecting increased bone resorption in patients. These methods and kits use chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan, as a marker for bone resorption. Levels of chondroitin sulfate are detected in samples of urine or serum taken from patients. Measurements of chondroitin sulfate levels are made by methods such as fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). Knowledge of increased bone resorption rates is useful in diagnosis of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: Methods and kits for structurally analyzing carbohydrate molecules are taught. Carbohydrates for analysis are derivatized (preferably methylated) and then hydrolyzed into constituent monosaccharides. The derivatized monosaccharides are then labeled by a fluorophore and separated from one another by electrophoresis. The identity of derivatized monosaccharides is established by comparison with identification standards. The electrophoresis separation patterns may be visualized by a charged coupled device camera or photographically.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods and kits for conveniently diagnosing various physiological conditions that produce altered levels of specific carbohydrates, known as diagnostic carbohydrates. Measurement of the levels of the diagnostic carbohydrates is performed by fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Physiological conditions of particular interest that may be ascertained by the subject invention include carbohydrate metabolism diseases, autoimmune diseases, neoplasia, toxic chemical exposure and microbial infections. Fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis diagnosis may be applied to various patient specimens, including blood, urine and skin.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods and kits for detecting increased bone resorption in patients. These methods and kits use chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan, as a marker for bone resorption. Levels of chondroitin sulfate are detected in samples of urine or serum taken from patients. Measurements of chondroitin sulfate levels are made by methods such as fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). Knowledge of increased bone resorption rates is useful in diagnosis of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluorescence of a biological sample includes a light illumination source, an ambient light-excluding optical chamber, a sample holder, a two-dimensional array charge coupled device ("CCD") sensor providing for on-chip signal integration of each pixel of the array, and an analog/digital converter for digitizing the CCD signal. Signal acquisition time from the array is varied so that the integrated signal from each pixel is below its saturation level. A darkfield value for each pixel is acquired and subtracted from the illuminated signal from that pixel so as to yield a darkfield corrected signal. The fluorescence value for each pixel can be compensated for variations in excitation energy reaching different sample areas. Image readout is through a single channel output.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences encoding enzymes that possess .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity are provided. Of particular interest are polynucleotide sequences encoding an enzyme having .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity and naturally produced by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Recombinant DNA expression of enzymes possessing .alpha.2-3 specific neuraminidase activity is also described, including methods, recombinant host cells and a genetic construction. The invention also provides a purified enzyme having .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity from Streptococcus pneumoniae, wherein the enzyme is isolated from S. pneumoniea cultures. Another aspect of this invention is to provide methods of isolating genes encoding enzymes having neuraminidase activity, particularly .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity. The gene isolation methods of the invention comprise the step of labeling a hybridization probe derived from the neuraminidase coding portion of plasmid pND-1.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel methods and apparatus for synthesizing carbohydrates of a desired structure. The subject synthesis methods include using carbohydrage-modifying enzymes to perform individual synthesis reaction steps and electrophoresis to purify the reaction products for possible further use as substrates in additional synthesis reactions. The subject invention also provides novel methods and apparatus for detecting carbohydrates of interest. The methods and apparatus for synthesizing or detecting carbohydrates involve the use of carbohydrate-modifying enzymes immobilized in a reaction matrix gel and fluorophore labelled substrates that may be removed from the reaction matrix gel by electrophoresis and subsequently analyzed or transferred to another reaction gel matrix.The subject invention also provides methods for detecting and quantitating specific carbohydrate-modifying enzymes that might be present in a sample for analysis.

Abstract: Various assays for the detection and quantitation of carbohydrate-interacting proteins are disclosed. Carbohydrate-interacting proteins include carbohydrate modifying enzymes and carbohydrate binding proteins. The assays employ a fluorophore-labelled carbohydrate substrate that either is capable of being structurally modified by the carbohydrate-modifying enzyme being assayed or changes its electrophoretic gel migration tube upon interaction with a carbohydrate-binding protein. Methods for cloning genes encoding carbohydrate-modifying enzymes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods and kits for conveniently diagnosing various physiological conditions that produce altered levels of specific carbohydrates, known as diagnostic carbohydrates. Measurement of the levels of the diagnostic carbohydrates is performed by fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Physiological conditions of particular interest that may be ascertained by the subject invention include carbohydrate metabolism diseases, autoimmune diseases, neoplasia, toxic chemical exposure and microbial infections. Fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis diagnosis may be applied to various patient specimens, including blood, urine and skin.

Abstract: A method for treating human blood plasma which comprises passing plasma through an immunoadsorbent zone capable of binding both anti-A and anti-B blood group antibodies and removing them from the plasma. Plasma so treated may be transfused to any recipient regardless of the recipient's blood type, and it is found that such treated plasma retains substantially all other blood proteins essential for proper physiological activity.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of lead from lead by-product materials, including lead-containing slag and other lead-containing waste materials, in a rotary smelting furance using an active alkali metal mixture by-product as a reductant and flux.