bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bowman–Birk inhibitor concentrate (BBIC) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia*†
Authors: Malkowicz S. Bruce , McKenna W. Gillies , Vaughn David J. , Wan X. Steven , Propert Kathleen J. , Rockwell Kenneth , Marks Sheldon H.F. , Wein Alan J. , Kennedy Ann R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe Bowman–Birk inhibitor is a soybean‐derived protease inhibitor that has anti‐inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activities.METHODSA Phase I trial of Bowman–Birk inhibitor concentrate (BBIC) in 19 male subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has been performed.RESULTSThe results of the trial indicated that there was no dose‐limiting toxicity of BBIC. There was a statistically significant decrease in serum PSA levels in all BBIC‐treated patients. Some BBIC‐treated patients exhibited a relatively large reduction in serum PSA levels, ranging up to a 43% reduction. There was also a statistically significant decrease in serum triglyceride levels and a decrease in prostate volume in the treated patients. The scores recorded in response to a urinary symptom questionnaire indicated improved urinary activities in the BBIC‐treated patients; however, the control subjects exhibited similar improvements in urinary activities during the course of the trial.CONCLUSIONSThe data obtained in this trial, particularly the data suggesting that BBIC treatment may lead to reduced serum PSA levels and reduced prostate volumes, suggest that a Phase II clinical trial of BBIC for the therapy of BPH is warranted. Prostate 48:16–28, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anti‐interleukin‐6 monoclonal antibody induces regression of human prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice
Authors: Smith Peter C. , Keller Evan T. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDDespite clinical associations and in vitro data suggesting that autocrine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production contributes to prostate cancer progression or chemotherapy resistance, there have been no reports that explore the role of IL‐6 on prostate tumors in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IL‐6 inhibition on the growth of human prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice.METHODSTo determine if autocrine IL‐6 production contributes to prostate cancer growth and chemotherapy resistance in vivo, xenografts of a human prostate cancer cell line that produces IL‐6 (PC‐3) were established in nude mice. The mice were randomly divided into four treatment groups: (1) saline (vehicle control) + murine IgG (isotype control); (2) etoposide + murine IgG; (3) saline + anti‐IL‐6 monoclonal antibody; and (4) etoposide + anti‐IL‐6 monoclonal antibody. Tumors were measured twice weekly during a 4‐week treatment period. At the conclusion of the study, all mice were sacrificed, and in addition to final volume, tumors were evaluated for the degree of apoptosis by TUNEL analysis.RESULTSAnti‐IL‐6 Ab (with saline or etoposide) induced tumor apoptosis and regression (∼60% compared to initial tumor size). Etoposide alone did not induce tumor regression or apoptosis in this animal model, and there was no synergy between anti‐IL‐6 Ab and etoposide.CONCLUSIONSThese studies suggest that IL‐6 contributes to prostate cancer growth in vivo, and that targeting IL‐6 may contribute to prostate cancer therapy. Prostate 48:47–53, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computation of a penetration measure between 3D convex polyhedral objects for collision detection
Authors: Sridharan K. , Keerthi S. S. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractMeasures to characterize the penetration between a pair of intersecting objects are given, based on translating one object to separate from the other. Algorithms to compute a measure between convex polyhedral objects in ℜ3are presented for two different input representations. These algorithms have linear expected running time. Details of experiments in collision detection for 3D objects using the penetration measure are also presented. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Vertex‐distinguishing edge colorings of random graphs
Authors: Balister P. N. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA proper edge coloring of a simple graph G is called vertex‐distinguishing if no two distinct vertices are incident to the same set of colors. We prove that the minimum number of colors required for a vertex‐distinguishing coloring of a random graph of order n is almost always equal to the maximum degree Δ(G) of the graph. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 20, 89–97, 2002
Testing the diameter of graphs
Authors: Parnas Michal , Ron Dana 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe propose a general model for testing graph properties, which extends and simplifies the bounded degree model of Goldreich and Ron [Property Testing in Bounded Degree Graphs, Proc. 31st Annual ACM Symposium on the Theory of Computing, 1997, pp. 406–415.] In this model, we present a family of algorithms that test whether the diameter of a graph is bounded by a given parameterD, or is ϵ‐far from any graph with diameter at most β(D). The function β(D) ranges betweenD+4 and 4D+2, depending on the algorithm. All our algorithms run in time polynomial in 1/ϵ. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. 20: 165–183, 2002
Extremal problems on set systems
Authors: Frankl Peter , Rödl Vojtěch 
Published: October 2004

AbstractFor a family \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\boldmath{F}(k) = \{{\mathcal F}_1^{(k)}, {\mathcal F}_2^{(k)},\ldots,{\mathcal F}_t^{(k)}\}$\end{document} of k‐uniform hypergraphs let ex (n,F(k)) denote the maximum number of k‐tuples which a k‐uniform hypergraph on n vertices may have, while not containing any member of F(k). Let rk(n) denote the maximum cardinality of a set of integers Z⊂[n], where Z contains no arithmetic progression of length k. For any k≥3 we introduce families \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\boldmath{F}(k) = \{{\mathcal F}_1^{(k)},{\mathcal F}_2^{(k)}\}$\end{document} and prove that
nk−2rk(n)≤ex (nk2,F(k))≤cknk−1
holds. We conjecture that ex(n,F(k))=o(nk−1) holds. If true, this would imply a celebrated result of Szemerédi stating that rk(n)=o(n). By an earlier result o Ruzsa and Szemerédi, our conjecture is known to be true for k=3. The main objective of this article is to verify the conjecture for k=4. We also consider some related problems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. 20: 131–164, 2002.
Testing properties of directed graphs: acyclicity and connectivity*
Authors: Bender Michael A. , Ron Dana 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThis article initiates the study of testing properties of directed graphs. In particular, the article considers the most basic property of directed graphs—acyclicity. Because the choice of representation affects the choice of algorithm, the two main representations of graphs are studied. For the adjacency‐matrix representation, most appropriate for dense graphs, a testing algorithm is developed that requires query and time complexity of\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\widetilde{O}(1/\epsilon^2)$\end{document}, where ϵ is a distance parameterindependentof the size of the graph. The algorithm, which can probe the adjacency matrix of the graph, accepts every graph that is acyclic, and rejects, with probability at least 2/3, every graph whose adjacency matrix should be modified in at least ϵ fraction of its entries so that it becomes acyclic. For the incidence list representation, most appropriate for sparse graphs, an Ω(|V|1/3) lower bound is proved on the number of queries and the time required for testing, whereVis the set of vertices in the graph. Along with acyclicity, this article considers the property ofstrong connectivity. Contrasting upper and lower bounds are proved for the incidence list representation. In particular, if the testing algorithm can query on both incoming and outgoing edges at each vertex, then it is possible to test strong connectivity in\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\widetilde{O}(1/\epsilon)$\end{document}time and query complexity. On the other hand, if the testing algorithm only has access to outgoing edges, then\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\Omega(\sqrt{N})$\end{document}queries are required to test for strong connectivity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. 20: 184–205, 2002
Inexpensived‐dimensional matchings
Authors: Huang Bae‐Shi , Perković Ljubomir , Schmutz Eric 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSuppose that independentU(0, 1) weights are assigned to the\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${d\choose 2}n^{2}$\end{document}edges of the completed‐partite graph withnvertices in each of thedmaximal independent sets. Then the expected weight of the minimum‐weight perfectd‐dimensional matching is at least\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\frac{3}{16}n^{1-(2/d)}$\end{document}. We describe a randomized algorithm that finds a perfectd‐dimensional matching whose expected weight is at most 5d3n1−(2/d)+d15for alld≥3 andn≥1. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 20, 50–58, 2002
Facial caricature drawing based on subjective impressions
Authors: Iwashita Shino , Onisawa Takehisa 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIn conventional studies of facial caricature drawing, image processing of a face picture is performed, and feature points are extracted. A caricature is drawn based on these points. On the other hand, there have been few studies of facial caricature drawing based on impressions, which are subjective and dependent on the person who views the face. The purpose of this paper is to draw a facial caricature using linguistic expressions in order to reflect personal impressions of a face. Cheerfulness, gentleness, and so on are considered as impressions of a face. The drawn facial caricature can be modified by the use of linguistic terms. The concept of exaggeration, which is important for emphasis of personality in a caricature drawing, is also introduced by considering the line thickness and the exaggeration rate. Facial caricatures are evaluated by subjects who themselves draw them by the presented method, and also by other subjects, and the validity of the process is discussed.© 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 32(10): 1–12, 2001
On the computational capability of recurrent higher‐order neural networks
Authors: Tanaka Ken , Hasegawa Daigo 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA neural network composed of a finite number of continuous value output neurons is known to be able to simulate any deterministic Turing machine. Several simulation models have been proposed, but there remains the problem that a massive number of neurons is needed to simulate the tape part in real time. In this paper the authors demonstrate that a recurrent higher‐order neural network can simulate any Turing machine, then specify the lower limit for the number of neurons required and the time needed for the simulation. First, the authors show that a recurrent higher‐order neural network consisting of a limited number of neurons using a threshold input/output function and a linear input/output function can simulate any deterministic Turing machine in real time, and that the number of neurons required to simulate the tape can be reduced to six. Then the authors show that if a saw‐type function is used, the number of neurons required for the simulation can be reduced to four. A simplified simulation model is then offered as a viable framework for learning formal language using a neural network. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 32(10): 42–50, 2001
Self windowing for high‐speed vision
Authors: Ishii Idaku , Ishikawa Masatoshi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWith high‐speed vision systems such as vision chips that support frame rates much higher than video signal (NTSC 30 Hz), image variation is small from frame to frame. Using this feature of high‐speed vision, various image processing algorithms can be simplified. In particular, this paper proposes the Self Windowing algorithm for image segmentation and matching. Operability of the proposed algorithm was validated experimentally on S3PE vision chip architecture. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 32(10): 51–58, 2001
Structure estimation of an articulated object by motion image analysis based on factorization method
Authors: Nagasaki Takeshi , Kawashima Toshio , Aoki Yoshinao 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA method for obtaining the structure of a target object from a motion image sequence observed from the motions of an articulated object or a multiple number of objects is proposed. By this technique, the motion and structure of each rigid body part are estimated and the restricting relationships between rigid bodies are estimated in two stages when estimating the structure of an object with a large number of degrees of freedom such as an articulated object. In the first stage, the structure and motion of each rigid body are estimated based on observed information obtained by grouping observed feature points for each rigid body, by using a factorization method having robustness against observation noise. In the second stage, the restricting relationships between rigid bodies are estimated by using the motion parameters of each rigid body. In this paper, the presence and absence of joints and the order numbers of the restricting relationships between rigid bodies are classified in terms of the ranks of the coefficient matrices by considering rotating joints and expressing the restricting relationships as linear simultaneous equations. The proposed method is applied to simulations and observations of the motions of the hand and the back of the hand and its effectiveness is verified. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 32(10): 69–79, 2001
Embryolethal and teratogenic effects of carbendazim in rats
Authors: Sitarek Krystyna 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThis study was performed to evaluate the effects of prenatal development of rats. Females were exposed to carbendazim by gavage every day on days 6–15 of gestation at doses 8, 35, 160 mg/kg b.w. Carbendazim administered at doses of 35 and 160 mg/kg was associated with significant maternal toxicity, embryonal lethality, congenital defects, and retarded fetal development. It produced encephalocele, umbilical hernia, missing or shorter tail, and internal malformations of brain, kidneys, and skeletal malformations of ribs, arch, and vertebrae. NOEL for the dam and fetus in our study was 8 mg/kg/day. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 21:335–340, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling layered distributed communication systems
Authors: Herzberg D. , Broy M. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract.
Today, component-based software and system development has gained considerable attention and is wide-spread. Components and/or modules manifest the well-proven engineering principle of divide and conquer. Formal approaches have helped to provide a theoretical foundation to component-orientation. There is a broad range of system architectures in practice today in terms of layered distributed open systems (as for example known in telecommunications). However, the mathematical formalisms developed so far are rarely applied to these practical architectures. In fact, the notion of distribution and stacked communication layers is hardly understood precisely and not supported by architecture description languages. This article addresses this gap. The formal conditions of distribution and layering are investigated and a mathematical model for layered distributed systems is presented. Communication refinement and so-called complex connectors turn out to be vital concepts which are not addressed in today’s modeling languages. In addition to that, two important design approaches are derived for the architectural design of complex communication systems: A node-centric and a network-centric design approach. Both can significantly improve the design process.
Influence of age on natriuretic peptides in patients with chronic heart failure: a comparison between ANP/NT‐ANP and BNP/NT‐proBNP
Authors: Hogenhuis Jochem , Voors Adriaan A. , Jaarsma Tiny , Hillege Hans L. , Boomsma Frans , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground:Natriuretic peptides are currently used in the diagnosis and follow‐up of patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). However, it is unknown whether there are different influences of age on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)/N‐terminal‐ANP (NT‐ANP) or B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N‐terminal‐proBNP (NT‐proBNP).Aims:To compare the influence of age and gender on plasma levels of ANP/NT‐ANP and BNP/NT‐proBNP in CHF patients.Methods and results:Natriuretic peptides were measured in 311 CHF patients (68±8 years, 76% males, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 0.23±0.08). All natriuretic peptides were significantly related to age (p<0.05) on multivariate regression analysis, with partial correlation coefficients of 0.18, 0.29, 0.28 and 0.25 for ANP, NT‐ANP, BNP and NT‐proBNP, respectively. The relative increase of both BNP/NT‐proBNP were more pronounced than of ANP/NT‐ANP (p<0.01). Furthermore, the relative increase of BNP with age was markedly larger than of NT‐proBNP (p<0.01). Levels of all natriuretic peptides were also significantly related to cardiothoracic ratio, renal function and LVEF.Conclusion:In patients with CHF, BNP/NT‐proBNP were more related to age than ANP/NT‐ANP, and BNP was more related to age than NT‐proBNP. However, in these CHF patients the influence of age on the levels of all natriuretic peptides was modest, and comparable to several other factors.
Soluble TNF‐α and interleukin‐6 receptors in the urine of heart failure patients. Their clinical value and relationship with plasma levels
Authors: Rivera Miguel , Taléns‐Visconti Raquel , Sirera Rafael , Bertomeu Vicente , Salvador Antonio , Cortés Raquel , de Burgos Fernando García , Climent Vicente , Payá Rafael , Martinez‐Dolz Luis , Sancho‐Tello Maria Jose , González‐Molina Andrés 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground:Proinflammatory cytokines are important mediators in heart failure (HF). Recently, urinary levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) have been determined.Aims:The purpose of this study was to measure the urinary levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 receptors, sTNF‐RI, sTNF‐RII, sIL‐6R, and the relationship with plasma levels and NYHA classes in HF.Methods:Plasma and urine were collected from 114 HF patients and sTNF‐RI, sTNF‐RII and sIL‐6R (ng/ml) were analyzed.Results:For the whole population, plasma levels of sTNF‐RI were 2.1±0.1, of sTNF‐RII were 5.0±0.3 and of sIL‐6R were 49.8±2.5. Urinary levels were: sTNF‐RI, 2.8±0.5, r=0.5, p<0.001; sTNF‐RII, 12.6±2.1, r=0.4, p<0.001; and sIL‐6R, 4.2±0.4, NS. In NYHA III subjects, we found sTNF‐RI, r=0.6, p<0.01, sTNF‐RII, r=0.5, p<0.05, and sILR‐6, r=0.5, p<0.05. Both plasma TNF receptors and urinary levels of sTNF‐RII were higher in patients in a more severe NYHA class (p<0.05).Conclusions:Urine is a good environment to study sTNF‐RI and sTNF‐RII, and this fact has diagnostic and prognostic implications. Plasma and urinary levels of TNF receptors showed a fair correlation, which was increased in higher NYHA classes. Plasma and urinary levels of sIL6R showed a good correlation in NYHA III. The TNF receptor levels in urine increased in patients with more severe HF.
Relation between free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine ratio, echocardiographic parameters and mortality in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kozdag Guliz , Ural Dilek , Vural Ahmet , Agacdiken Aysen , Kahraman Goksel , Sahin Tayfun , Ural Ertan , Komsuoglu Baki 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground:Abnormalities in thyroid function are frequent in patients with heart failure and are associated with increased mortality. However, the relation between thyroid hormone levels and echocardiographic parameters has not been investigated sufficiently.Aim:The aims of this study were to investigate the correlations of thyroid hormone levels with echocardiographic parameters and to evaluate their associations with subsequent mortality in a group of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP).Methods:Serum levels of thyroid hormones were measured in 111 consecutive patients with DCMP (35 female, 76 male, mean age: 62±12 years). All patients underwent echocardiographic examination and were followed‐up for a period of 12±8 months.Results:Twenty‐three patients (21%) had abnormalities in thyroid function tests. Free triiodothyronine (fT3)/free thyroxine (fT4) ratio was significantly correlated with most of echocardiographic parameters, such as chamber diameters and ejection fraction. Sixteen patients (14%) died during the follow‐up period; their fT3/fT4 ratio was significantly lower than the patients who survived (1.31±0.37 vs. 2.01±0.72, p<0.001). A fT3/fT4 ratio of ≤1.7 was associated with an increased risk of mortality (p<0.001), independent of other prognostic markers. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictivity of fT3/fT4 ratio ≤1.7 for cardiac mortality were 100%, 71%, 36% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion:Determination of FT3/FT4 ratio may be a valuable and simple predictor for identification of patients with DCMP who are at high risk of subsequent mortality.
Plasma NT‐proBNP is a potential marker of disease severity and correlates with symptoms in patients with chronic rheumatic valve disease
Authors: Davutoglu Vedat , Celik Ahmet , Aksoy Mehmet , Sezen Yusuf , Soydinc Serdar , Gunay Nurullah 
Published: October 2004

BackgroundA noninvasive marker of disease severity and presence of symptoms is required in patients with chronic rheumatic valve disease (RVD).AimsWe sought to test the utility of measuring of N‐terminal pro‐B type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in chronic phase RVD. We also evaluated whether echocardiographic measures are interrelated with NT‐proBNP levels.MethodsThe study comprised 92 patients with RVD (mean age of 40–14 years) and 50 age/gender‐matched control subjects. Functional status was assessed. Detailed echocardiographic examination was performed and mitral valve score was estimated. Venous blood samples were taken for measuring the level of NT‐proBNP.ResultsThe plasma levels of NT‐proBNP rose with increasing severity of mitral valve stenosis (p<0.001), increasing severity of mitral valve score (p<0.001), increasing severity of clinical symptom (p<0.001), increasing severity of mitral regurgitation (p<0.013), presence of mitral valve calcification (p<0.001), presence of tricuspid valve stenosis (p<0.001), increasing severity of tricuspid regurgitation (p<0.011), presence of aortic stenosis (p=0.043), decreasing left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.001), presence of left atrial thrombus (p=0.0019), and with increasing left atrium dimensions (p=0.002).ConclusionNT‐proBNP levels in patients with chronic RVD are a potential marker of disease severity and correlates with symptoms.
Conservation of genetic variation in harvested salmon populations
Authors: Hindar Kjetil , Tufto Jarle , Sættem Leif Magnus , Balstad Torveig 
Published: October 2004

AbstractManagement of a group of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations that are harvested together in the ocean, but separately in freshwater, is looked at from a genetic perspective. A model that estimates total effective population size from local effective population sizes and migration patterns is applied to a system of ten salmon populations in the Sognefjorden district, western Norway. This population system is dominated numerically by the River Lærdalselva population, which may act as a source of migrants into nine smaller populations in a “source–sink” metapopulation. The total effective population size of this system is to a large extent dependent on the effective population size of the Lærdalselva population, but the contribution per spawner to the total effective population size is greater for a fish from the smaller populations than for a fish from Lærdalselva. The results are discussed in light of conservation genetic theory, and empirical results on the fitness consequences of loss of genetic variation in salmonids. The genetic consequences of harvesting need to be assessed both at the levels of local populations and the metapopulation.