An inference engine for rule based expert systems which forms part of the EXPRES system is developed and presented. It is shown to be universal, correct, and optimal with respect to time. In addition, a VLSI implementation of the system is proposed which allows automatic design of universal as well as special purpose expert systems on a chip.

BACKGROUND The proinflammatory cytokine, TNFalpha, is a crucial mediator of the pathogenesis of several diseases, more so in cases involving the liver wherein it is critical in maintaining liver homeostasis since it is a major determiner of hepatocyte life and death. Gene expression profiling serves as an appropriate strategy to unravel the underlying signatures to envisage such varied response...

The source tissue for biomarkers mRNA expression profiling of tumors has traditionally been fresh-frozen tissue. The adaptation of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues for routine mRNA profiling would however be invaluable in view of their abundance and the clinical information related to them. However, their use in the clinic remains a challenge due to the poor quality of RNA extra...

The human genome has been completely sequenced. The development of innovative methodologies and tools to understand the functions of human genes in health and disease will allow the data of the human genome project to be utilized. This paper reviews methods that can be used to detect and isolate genes that are specifically expressed in certain diseases or that are specific to cell types. First,...

In microarray experiments, it is often of interest to identify genes which have a prespecified gene expression profile with respect to time. Methods available in the literature are, however, typically not stringent enough in identifying such genes, particularly when the profile requires equivalence of gene expression levels at certain time points. In this paper, the authors introduce a new meth...

Despite the introduction of new antifungal agents, resistances to antifungal therapy continue to increase and outcome of invasive fungal infections treatment is frequently suboptimal. A large amount of the recent effort in antifungal drug discovery has focused on a limited set of targets with functions known or expected to be important for fungal viability and virulence. A variety of techniques...

Acetylcholinesterase, an erythroid marker constitutively ex pressed in K-562 cells, can be further induced by sodium butyrate. The highest level of acetylcholinesterase induction is reached in =3 days, in parallel with increased hemoglobin expres sion. Acetylcholinesterase induction is reversible, and repeated addition of butyrate is necessary to maintain a high level of the enzyme. Actinomycin...

despite the introduction of new antifungal agents, resistances to antifungal therapy continue to increase and outcome of invasive fungal infections treatment is frequently suboptimal. a large amount of the recent effort in antifungal drug discovery has focused on a limited set of targets with functions known or expected to be important for fungal viability and virulence. a variety of techniques...

We did expressional profiling on 24 paired samples of normal esophageal epithelium, Barrett's metaplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinomas. Matching tissue samples representing the three different histologic types were obtained from each patient undergoing esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma. Our analysis compared the molecular changes accompanying the transformation of normal squamous epithelium wi...

We developed an expression profiling array to examine pro-apoptotic and pro-survival genes in dog retinal degeneration models. Gene-specific canine TaqMan assays were developed and included in a custom real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) array. Of the 96 selected genes, 93 belonged to known relevant pro-apoptotic and pro-survival pathways, and/or were positive controls ex...