Abstract: The present invention features interferon- and ribavirin-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration of treatment, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents without interferon and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to a subject an effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to characterizing or quantifying an element or composition of interest within an imaged volume. In accordance with one embodiment, high and low energy images are acquired of a volume of interest using a polychromatic emission source. The high and low energy images are processed to generate monochromatic images. Based on the observed attenuation within the monochromatic images, one or more elements or compositions of interest are characterized within the imaged volume.

Abstract: The present invention features interferon-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to the subject effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir), and ribavirin.

Abstract: A system and method includes acquisition of a set of image data comprising a plurality of image voxels and isolation of a set of pulmonary emboli candidates from the plurality of image voxels. The system and method also includes application of a non-linear contrast enhancement to the set of pulmonary emboli candidates, filtration of the enhanced set of pulmonary emboli candidates, output of a final set of pulmonary emboli candidates, and creation of an image comprising the final set of pulmonary emboli candidates.

Abstract: The present invention features interferon- and ribavirin-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration of treatment, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents without interferon and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to a subject an effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir).

Abstract: A system and method for dual energy CT spectral imaging that provides for accurate blood vessel stenosis visualization and quantification is disclosed. The CT system includes an x-ray source configured to project x-rays toward a region-of-interest of a patient that includes a blood vessel in a stenosed condition and having a plaque material therein. The CT system also includes an x-ray detector to receive x-rays emitted by the x-ray source and attenuated by the region-of-interest, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the x-ray detector, and a computer programmed to obtain a first set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a first chromatic energy level, obtain a second set of CT image data for the region-of-interest at a second chromatic energy level that is higher than the first chromatic energy level, and identify plaque material in the region-of-interest by analyzing the second set of CT image data.

Abstract: The present invention features interferon-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to the subject effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir), and ribavirin.

Abstract: The present invention provides anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) antibodies that contain an IgG4 constant region comprising a stabilizing hinge region mutation and wherein the antibodies exhibit an unexpectedly long serum half life in cynomolgus monkeys. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-NGF antibodies, nucleic acids encoding the NGF antibodies, host cells for expressing the NGF antibodies and methods of using the antibodies for treating NGF-related diseases or conditions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention features interferon- and ribavirin-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration of treatment, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents without interferon and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to a subject an effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir).

Abstract: The present invention features interferon-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to the subject effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir), and ribavirin.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which coronary plaque is classified in an image and visually displayed using an iterative adaptive process, such as an expectation maximization process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating computed tomographic (CT) images from image data acquired during different biological cycles are provided. A computer is programmed to receive a plurality of scan data acquired during a gated acquisition window of each of a plurality of biological cycles, blend the scan data acquired during a first of the plurality of biological cycles with the scan data acquired during a second of the plurality of biological cycles, and construct a final image from the blended data.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire an image comprising image data reconstructed from an imaging device. The instructions further cause the computer to apply a bloom reduction algorithm to the image configured to iteratively reduce a blooming of high-density objects in the image.

Abstract: A phantom includes a housing enclosing an interior volume and having a plurality of passages formed therein, wherein each passage is fluidly isolated from the interior volume. First and second inserts are included and configured to be positioned in a first passage of the plurality of passages and include materials having a known material density. The material is selected from iodine, hydroxyapatite (HAP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), body fat, fatty plaque, sodium chloride (NaCl), gold (Au), and iron (Fe). The material of the inserts can be different materials or the same material at different densities.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing three-dimensional image data are disclosed herein. The system includes a processor configured to generate an overview image of at least a portion of a patient. The processor is configured to generate a cross-sectional image including a cross-sectional view of the overview image. The processor is also configured to generate a statistical image showing a parameter value relating to the portion of the patient shown in the overview image. The system also includes a visual output device connected to the processor. The visual output device is configured to display the overview image, the cross-sectional image, and the statistical image generally simultaneously. Also, the overview image, the cross-sectional image, and the statistical image are interconnected such that an update, change, or input applied to any one of the images results in an update to one or more of the other images.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vascular flow using CT imaging include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first set of data comprising anatomical information of an imaging subject, the anatomical information comprises information of at least one vessel. The instructions further cause the computer to process the anatomical information to generate an image volume comprising the at least one vessel, generate hemodynamic information based on the image volume, and acquire a second set of data of the imaging subject. The computer is also caused to generate an image comprising the hemodynamic information in combination with a visualization based on the second set of data.

Abstract: An integrated circuit can include a processor system configured to execute program code. The processor system can be hard-wired and include a processor hardware resource. The IC also can include a programmable circuitry configurable to implement different physical circuits. The programmable circuitry can be coupled to the processor system. The programmable circuitry can be configurable to share usage of the processor hardware resource of the processor system. The processor system further can control aspects of the programmable circuitry such as power on and/or off and also configuration of the programmable circuitry to implement one or more different physical circuits therein.

Abstract: 3-(5,6-Dichloro-pyridin-3-yl)-1S,5S-3,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane and salts thereof are effective nicotinic receptor agonist compounds that demonstrated pharmacological effect for symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Abstract: A phantom includes a housing enclosing an interior volume and having a plurality of passages formed therein, wherein each passage is fluidly isolated from the interior volume. First and second inserts are included and configured to be positioned in a first passage of the plurality of passages and include materials having a known material density. The material is selected from iodine, hydroxyapatite (HAP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), body fat, fatty plaque, sodium chloride (NaCl), gold (Au), and iron (Fe). The material of the inserts can be different materials or the same material at different densities.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and visualizing spectral CT data includes access of a set of image data acquired from a patient comprising spectral CT data, identification of a plurality of target regions of interest (TROIs) and a reference region of interest (RROI) from the set of image data, extraction of a plurality of target spectral Hounsfield unit (HU) curves from image data representing the plurality of TROIs, extraction of a reference spectral HU curve from image data representing the RROI, normalization of the plurality of target spectral HU curves with respect to the reference spectral HU curve, and display of the plurality of normalized target spectral HU curves.