Standardised image databases or rather the lack of them are one of the main weaknesses in the field of content based image retrieval (CBIR). Authors often use their own images or do not specify the source of their datasets. Naturally this makes comparison of results somewhat difficult. While a first approach towards a common colour image set has been taken by the MPEG 7 committee 1 their database does not cater for all strands of research in the CBIR community. In particular as the MPEG-7 images only exist in compressed form it does not allow for an objective evaluation of image retrieval algorithms that operate in the compressed domain or to judge the influence image compression has on the performance of CBIR algorithms. In this paper we introduce a new dataset, UCID (pronounced "use it") -an Uncompressed Colour Image Dataset which tries to bridge this gap. The UCID dataset currently consists of 1338 uncompressed images together with a ground truth of a series of query images with corresponding models that an ideal CBIR algorithm would retrieve. While its initial intention was to provide a dataset for the evaluation of compressed domain algorithms, the UCID database also represents a good benchmark set for the evaluation of any kind of CBIR method as well as an image set that can be used to evaluate image compression and colour quantisation algorithms.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), also known as pervasive developmental disorders, are a behaviorally defined group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are usually diagnosed in early childhood. They are characterized by varying degrees of limitations in communication and social interaction and by atypical, repetitive behaviors with an onset before 3 years of age. The phenotype of ASDs is extremely heterogeneous, with differences from person to person in a wide range of symptoms and severity as well as differences between the various subtypes of ASDs (e.g., autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified).Multiple lines of epidemiologic evidence support the strong role of genetics in the etiology of ASDs. 1-3 Results of population studies of unselected cases of autism are most consistent with multifactorial inheritance. Until quite recently, the accepted recurrence risk for full siblings of a child with autism has been in the range of 3-10%. [4][5][6] Overall, only 2-3% of families have more than one affected child (possibly because of voluntary avoidance of pregnancy after a child is diagnosed). Most studies have reported a sex bias in the recurrence risk in keeping with the presumption of a "multifactorial" mode of inheritance (higher risk if the affected person is of the less commonly affected sex). As such, the reported risk is 7% of another affected child if the first affected child is female and 4% if the first affected child is male. 7 If multiple children (two or more) have autism, the recurrence risk is on the order of 33-50% for any future pregnancy. 7 Two recent studies 8,9 have reported even higher recurrence risks of 11 and 19% with single-sibling involvement. The first 8 was a retrospective self-enrolled/self-identified study using an interactive website. The diagnosis was confirmed, but the identification of second siblings may be a source of ascertainment bias. The second 9 was an international multisite prospective study in 664 families with a calculated 19% recurrence risk. Interestingly, the typically reported sex bias was not noted in one of these studies. 8 Both were single studies that bear replication.The autism spectrum disorders are a collective of conditions that have in common impaired socialization and communication in association with stereotypic behaviors. The reported incidence of autism spectrum disorders has increased dramatically over the past two decades. In addition, increased attention has been paid to these conditions by both lay and professional groups. These trends have resulted in an increase in the number of referrals to clinical geneticist for the evaluation of persons with autism spectrum disorders. The primary roles of the geneticist in this process are to define etiology when possible, to provide genetic counseling, and to contribute to case management. In deciding on the appropriate evaluation for a particular patient, the geneticist will consider a host of factors: (i) ensuring an accurate diagnosis of autism befor...

Background-Dermoscopy is one of the major imaging modalities used in the diagnosis of melanoma and other pigmented skin lesions. Due to the difficulty and subjectivity of human interpretation, computerized analysis of dermoscopy images has become an important research area. One of the most important steps in dermoscopy image analysis is the automated detection of lesion borders.Methods-In this article, we present a systematic overview of the recent border detection methods in the literature paying particular attention to computational issues and evaluation aspects.Conclusion-Common problems with the existing approaches include the acquisition, size, and diagnostic distribution of the test image set, the evaluation of the results, and the inadequate description of the employed methods. Border determination by dermatologists appears to depend upon higher-level knowledge, therefore it is likely that the incorporation of domain knowledge in automated methods will enable them to perform better, especially in sets of images with a variety of diagnoses.

A Consensus Conference utilizing available literature and expert opinion sponsored by the American College of Medical Genetics in October 1995 evaluated the rational approach to the individual with mental retardation. Although no uniform protocol replaces individual clinician judgement, the consensus recommendations were as follows: 1. The individual with mental retardation, the family, and medical care providers benefit from a focused clinical and laboratory evaluation aimed at establishing causation and in providing counseling, prognosis, recurrence risks, and guidelines for management. 2. Essential elements of the evaluation include a three-generation pedigree: pre-, peri-, and post-natal history, complete physical examination focused on the presence of minor anomalies, neurologic examination, and assessment of the behavioral phenotype. 3. Selective laboratory testing should, in most patients, include a banded karyotype. Fragile X testing should be strongly considered in both males and females with unexplained mental retardation, especially in the presence of a positive family history, a consistent physical and behavioral phenotype and absence of major structural abnormalities. Metabolic testing should be initialed in the presence of suggestive clinical and physical findings. Neuroimaging should be considered in patients without a known diagnosis especially in the presence of neurologic symptoms, cranial contour abnormalities, microcephaly, or macrocephaly. In most situations MRI is the testing modality of choice. 4. Sequential evaluation of the patient, occasionally over several years, is often necessary for diagnosis, allowing for delineation of the physical and behavioral phenotype, a logical approach to ancillary testing and appropriate prognostic and reproductive counseling.

This phase I/II first study of recombinant human GAA derived from CHO cells showed that rhGAA is capable of improving cardiac and skeletal muscle functions in infantile GSD-II patients. Further study will be needed to assess the overall potential of this therapy.