bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐speed line detection method using hough transform in local area
Authors: Murakami Kazuhito , Naruse Tadashi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIn this paper, a high‐speed line detection method using Hough transform is proposed. This approach is inspired by features of human foveal vision. In particular, line segment candidates are extracted at sufficient level of accuracy by applying Hough transform inside a local window. After that, greater areas are generated by extension of line segment candidates, and segment verification is executed. Such local window is then moved sequentially until the entire image is covered. Such processing makes possible absorption of quantization errors of Hough transform as well as extraction of shorter segments that were hard to detect by means of standard Hough transform. Generally, the proposed algorithm supports the same level of accuracy as standard Hough transform while featuring acceleration (and computing cost reduction); moreover, further performance boost can be achieved through parallel processing. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 32(10): 22–30, 2001
Learning of Short Boolean Conjunctions from Negative Examples
Authors: Tsukiji Tatsuie , Tokutani Takashi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractLearning from examples in the presence of overwhelmingly many irrelevant variables has been studied in the field of machine learning theory, where the learner is required to derive as succinct hypotheses as possible. In this paper, we consider the following computational learning problem: Given a set of negative examples in n Boolean variables, the learner is required to find O(log n) relevant variables whose conjunction gives a consistent hypothesis. This problem belongs to a complexity class called β2. We prove that this problem is equivalent, by probabilistic log‐space Turing reduction, to the problem of finding satisfiable assignments for polynomial‐size ${\bf \Pi}^{0}_{3}$‐circuits with O(log2 n) inputs. As a consequence, we can show that learning of O(log n)‐length Boolean conjunctions from negative examples is neither β2‐hard unless P ⊆ POLYLOG‐SPACE, nor polynomial‐time computable unless NP ⊆ DTIME(2O(√n)).In this paper, we also discuss the polynomial‐time learnability of an O(log n)‐length monotone Boolean conjunction from negative examples, when the examples are drawn from the uniform distribution. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 33(1): 1–7, 2002
A Method of Embedding Binary Data into JPEG Bitstreams
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Noguchi Yoshihiro , Kiya Hitoshi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThis paper considers irreversible coding by JPEG, and proposes a method of embedding binary data into the image. The proposed method embeds the information into the AC coefficients after quantization. The information is embedded in the AC coefficients of higher frequency, and by setting the quantization table corresponding to these AC coefficients to small values, visual image degradation is limited. In the proposed method, the embedded information is completely recovered in decoding, leaving little effect on the image after recovering the information. The coded sequence can be decoded using a conventional JPEG decoder, even in an environment where the information is not to be recovered or cannot be recovered. The method is designed so that image degradation is also limited in such a case. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 33(1): 18–26, 2002
Susceptibility to DNA damage induced by antibiotics in lymphocytes from malnourished children
Authors: González C. , Nájera O. , Cortés E. , Toledo G. , López L. , Betancourt M. , Ortiz R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractInfectious disease and malnutrition in children are public health problems in developing countries. Malnutrition is associated with higher levels of DNA damage, and this increased damage could be due to different factors, including the possibility that cells from malnourished children could be more susceptible to environmental damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the susceptibility of lymphocytes from malnourished children to DNA damage induced by antibiotics by using the comet assay. The same group of malnourished infected children were studied before and after a treatment period, and compared to a group of well‐nourished infected children. Results showed that before and after drug treatment, tail length migration was two times greater in malnourished than in well‐nourished children. The proportion of cells with high damage was also increased in malnourished children. Additionally in well‐nourished and malnourished children, a cell subpopulation (non‐damaged cells) more resistant to DNA damage induced by antibiotics was observed; this was more prevalent in the well‐nourished children. Meanwhile, in malnourished children, a cell population seems to be more susceptible and reaches higher levels of DNA damage. This might help explain the impaired immune response observed in malnourished children. The increased DNA migration and the increased proportion of cells with higher levels of damage seem to indicate that malnourished children are more susceptible to DNA damage induced by drugs. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 22:147–158, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of 2‐chlorodeoxyadenosine (2‐CdA) on the adenine energy charge and glutathione content of human erythrocytes
Authors: Marczak A. , Bukowska B. , Koczmara M. , Jóźwiak Z. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe have examined the effect of exposure of human erythrocytes to the new chemotherapy drug 2‐chlorodeoxyadenosine (2‐CdA, cladribine), focusing on the glutathione (GSH and GSSG) content and the adenine energy charge (AEC). Incubation of erythrocytes with 0.1–5 μg/ml 2‐CdA induced no significant change in the reduced or total glutathione level or in the AMP and ATP concentrations. The ADP concentration increased slightly and the AEC value is in the range typical of healthy organisms. Incubation of erythrocytes with 2‐CdA also caused cell shape changes, converting most of the cells to echinocytes.
Assessment of left atrial input impedance in normal subjects and in hypertensive patients
Authors: Dernellis John , Panaretou Maria 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackgroundTo assess left atrial (LA) input impedance in patients with signs and/or symptoms of heart failure and normal left ventricular ejection fraction, transesophageal Doppler pulmonary venous (PV) flow velocity and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were studied in 20 patients and compared to 20 matched normal controls.MethodsLA impedance was calculated as the ratio of harmonic terms of the PCWP (measured by right heart catheterization) to the corresponding harmonic terms of PV flow (measured by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography). Eight harmonics were analyzed.ResultsLeft ventricular mass index (LVMI, p<0.001), heart rate (p<0.05), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT, p<0.001), peak A transmitral flow velocity (p<0.001), peak reversal atrial PV flow velocity (p<0.001) and LA diameter (p<0.001) were increased in patients compared to controls. Spectra of impedance moduli were displaced upwards and to the right. The increase in the impedance moduli was observed at all frequencies of the first to seventh harmonic components (p<0.001). In multivariate tests LVMI (p=0.003), IVRT (p=0.001), and LA diameter (p=0.007) had a significant effect on all harmonic components of the impedance moduli (adjusted R2=0.970 to 0.999, p<0.001).ConclusionsLA input impedance derived from data obtained invasively and semi‐invasively represents left ventricular diastolic function. Resistance to left ventricular filling is increased in hypertensive patients.
Estimating and forecasting pre-fishery abundance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the Northeast Atlantic for the management of mixed-stock fisheries
Authors: Potter E.C.E. , Crozier W.W. , Schön P-J. , Nicholson M.D. , Maxwell D.L. , Prévost E. , Erkinaro J. , Gudbergsson G. , Karlsson L. , Hansen L.P. , MacLean J.C. , Ó Maoiléidigh N. , Prusov S. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Most exploitation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is restricted to “homewater fisheries”, which operate close to or within the rivers of origin of the stocks, but two “distant-water fisheries” are permitted to operate off the west coast of Greenland and in the Norwegian Sea, and take salmon from a large number of rivers over a wide geographical area. Providing robust quantitative catch advice for these mixed-stock fisheries depends upon the ability to forecast stock abundance for about 2000 salmon river-stocks around the North Atlantic, more than 1500 of which are in Europe. A “run-reconstruction” model is presented for estimating the historic pre-fishery abundance (PFA) of salmon for countries or regions around the Northeast Atlantic, based upon catch data and estimates of non-reporting rates and exploitation rates. These estimates are then used to develop predictive models of PFA on the basis of estimates of the egg deposition, derived from the run-reconstruction model and various environmental data. Although the selected environmental indices correlated with the PFA of both southern and northern European stock complexes, the main statistical significance in the forecast models was provided by temporal trends in the PFA. Clearly, such a model is only tenable in the short term, and will be poor at predicting a major change in stock status. Alternative approaches, based upon juvenile production indices and including Bayesian techniques, are therefore being considered.
Ultraviolet‐ and short‐wavelength cone contributions alter the early components of the ERG of young zebrafish
Authors: Bilotta Joseph , Trace Sara E. , Vukmanic Eric V. , Risner Michael L. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe electroretinogram (ERG) is a commonly used measure to examine retinal processing in both basic and clinical research. The purpose of this study was to determine the retinal mechanisms responsible for the developmental differences found in the zebrafish ERG waveform. The ERG of young zebrafish possesses a voltage‐negative response to ultraviolet‐ and short‐wavelength stimuli, but not to middle‐ and long‐wavelength stimuli; the ERG of adult zebrafish does not possess this response component. ERGs were obtained from young zebrafish before and after the introduction of either aspartate, or a combination of APB (dl‐2‐amino‐4‐phosphonobutyric acid) and PDA (cis‐2,3‐piperidinedicarboxylic acid) in order to suppress the responses of various types of retinal neurons. Log irradiance versus response amplitude functions of the ERG response to 200‐ms stimuli of various wavelengths at various times following stimulus onset (70 and 120 ms) was derived as well as spectral sensitivity. Aspartate eliminated all voltage‐positive responses regardless of stimulus wavelength; irradiance–response functions following aspartate were similar to the early responses of young control fish to ultraviolet‐ and short‐wavelength stimuli. APB + PDA produced similar but not identical results as aspartate, suggesting that the combination of these agents does not completely eliminate all post‐receptoral contributions to the ERG. Spectral sensitivity functions derived from aspartate‐exposed subjects at various time measurements were dominated by contributions from ultraviolet‐ and short‐wavelength‐sensitive cone types. These wavelength‐dependent ERG responses are similar to those found in humans with enhanced S‐cone syndrome. Finally, ERG waveform differences across stimulus wavelength suggest that the circuitry of ultraviolet‐ and short‐wavelength cone types is different to that of middle‐ and long‐wavelength cone types in young zebrafish.
The 5‐HT4 receptor agonist, tegaserod, is a potent 5‐HT2B receptor antagonist in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Beattie D T , Smith J A M , Marquess D , Vickery R G , Armstrong S R , Pulido‐Rios T , McCullough J L , Sandlund C , Richardson C , Mai N , Humphrey P P A 
Published: October 2004

Tegaserod (Zelnorm®) is a potent 5‐hydroxytryptamine4 (5‐HT4) receptor agonist with clinical efficacy in disorders associated with reduced gastrointestinal motility and transit. The present study investigated the interaction of tegaserod with 5‐HT2 receptors, and compared its potency in this respect to its 5‐HT4 receptor agonist activity.
Tegaserod had significant binding affinity for human recombinant 5‐HT2A, 5‐HT2B and 5‐HT2C receptors (pKi=7.5, 8.4 and 7.0, respectively). The 5‐HT2B receptor‐binding affinity of tegaserod was identical to that at human recombinant 5‐HT4(c) receptors (mean pKi=8.4) in human embryonic kidney‐293 (HEK‐293) cells stably transfected with the human 5‐HT4(c) receptor.
Tegaserod (0.1–3 μM) inhibited 5‐HT‐mediated contraction of the rat isolated stomach fundus potently (pA2=8.3), consistent with 5‐HT2B receptor antagonist activity. Tegaserod produced, with similar potency, an elevation of adenosine 3′,5′ cyclic monophosphate in HEK‐293 cells stably transfected with the human 5‐HT4(c) receptor (mean pEC50=8.6), as well as 5‐HT4 receptor‐mediated relaxation of the rat isolated oesophagus (mean pEC50=8.2) and contraction of the guinea‐pig isolated colon (mean pEC50=8.3).
Following subcutaneous administration, tegaserod (0.3 or 1 mg kg−1) inhibited contractions of the stomach fundus in anaesthetized rats in response to intravenous dosing of α‐methyl 5‐HT (0.03 mg kg−1) and BW 723C86 (0.3 mg kg−1), selective 5‐HT2B receptor agonists. At similar doses, tegaserod (1 and 3 mg kg−1 subcutaneously) evoked a 5‐HT4 receptor‐mediated increase in colonic transit in conscious guinea‐pigs.
The data from this study indicate that tegaserod antagonizes 5‐HT2B receptors at concentrations similar to those that activate 5‐HT4 receptors. It remains to be determined whether this 5‐HT2B receptor antagonist activity of tegaserod contributes to its clinical profile.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 549–560. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705929
Evidence for P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y6 and atypical UTP‐sensitive receptors coupled to rises in intracellular calcium in mouse cultured superior cervical ganglion neurons and glia
Authors: Calvert Jennifer A , Atterbury‐Thomas Amelia E , Leon Catherine , Forsythe Ian D , Gachet Christian , Evans Richard J 
Published: October 2004

P2Y receptors are expressed in the nervous system and are involved in calcium signalling in neurons and glia. In the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), RT–PCR analysis indicated the presence of P2Y1,2&6 receptors. Rises in intracellular calcium in response to P2Y receptor stimulation were determined from adult mouse cultured SCG neurons and glia.
ADP evoked suramin (100 μM)‐ and pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS, 30 μM)‐sensitive rises in intracellular calcium in ∼80% of SCG neurons (EC50∼20 μM). ADP‐evoked responses were abolished in neurons from P2Y1 receptor‐deficient mice (responses to UTP were unaffected).
The pyrimidines UTP (EC50∼85 μM) and UDP (EC50>90 μM) evoked PPADS‐ and suramin‐sensitive responses in ∼70 and ∼20% of SCG neurons, respectively.
In SCG glial cells, ADP (EC50∼30 μM) evoked calcium responses in ∼50% of glia. These were suramin and PPADS sensitive and essentially abolished in SCG glial cells cultured from adult P2Y1 receptor‐deficient mice.
UTP (EC50∼25 μM) and UDP (EC50>200 μM) evoked suramin‐ and pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,5′‐disulphonate‐sensitive rises in calcium in ∼60 and 20% SCG glial cells, respectively.
These results indicate the presence of several P2Y receptors coupled to an increase in intracellular calcium in the SCG: ADP‐sensitive P2Y1 receptors and UDP‐sensitive P2Y6 receptors in SCG neurons and glial cells, a novel UTP‐sensitive P2Y receptor in SCG neurons and UTP‐ and ATP‐sensitive P2Y2 receptors in SCG glia.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 525–532. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705959
Heterologous desensitization of the sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors by purinoceptor activation in renal mesangial cells
Authors: Xin Cuiyan , Ren Shuyu , Pfeilschifter Josef , Huwiler Andrea 
Published: October 2004

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is considered a potent mitogen for mesangial cells and activates the classical mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade via S1P receptors. In this study, we show that S1P signalling is rapidly desensitized upon S1P receptor activation. A complete loss of S1P sensitivity occurs after 10 min of S1P pretreatment and remains for at least 8 h. A similar desensitization is also seen with the S1P mimetic FTY720‐phosphate, but not with the nonphosphorylated FTY720, nor with sphingosine or ceramide.
Prestimulating the cells with extracellular ATP or UTP, which bind to and activate P2Y receptors on mesangial cells, a similar rapid desensitization of the S1P receptor occurs, suggesting a heterologous desensitization of S1P receptors by P2Y receptor activation. Furthermore, adenosine binding to P1 receptors triggers a similar desensitization. In contrast, two other growth factors, PDGF‐BB and TGFβ2, have no significant effect on S1P‐induced MAPK activation.
S1P also triggers increased inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation, which is completely abolished by S1P pretreatment but only partially by ATP pretreatment, suggesting that IP3 formation and MAPK activation stimulated by S1P involve different receptor subtypes.
Increasing intracellular cAMP levels by forskolin pretreatment has a similar effect on desensitization as adenosine. Moreover, a selective A3 adenosine receptor agonist, which couples to phospholipase C and increases IP3 formation, exerted a similar effect.
Pretreatment of cells with various protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors prior to ATP prestimulation and subsequent S1P stimulation leads to a differential reversal of the ATP effect. Whereas the broad‐spectrum protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine potently reverses the effect, the PKC‐α inhibitor CGP41251, the PKC‐δ inhibitor rottlerin and calphostin C show only a partial reversal at maximal concentrations.
Suramin, which is reported as a selective S1P3 receptor antagonist compared to the other S1P receptor subtypes, has no effect on the S1P‐induced MAPK activation, thus excluding the involvement of S1P3 in this response.
In summary, these data document a rapid homologous and also heterologous desensitization of S1P signalling in mesangial cells, which is mechanistically triggered by PKC activation and eventually another staurosporine‐sensitive protein kinase, as well as by increased cAMP formation.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 581–589. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705980
Macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical characterisation of spontaneous colitis in a transgenic mouse, deficient in the multiple drug resistance 1a gene
Authors: Banner Katharine H , Cattaneo Christophe , Net Jean‐Loic Le , Popovic Aleksandar , Collins David , Gale Jeremy D 
Published: October 2004

A novel animal model of spontaneous colonic inflammation, the multiple drug‐resistant (mdr1) a−/− mouse, was identified by Panwala and colleagues in 1998. The aim of our study was to further characterise this model, specifically by measuring cytokines that have been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (IL‐8 and IFN‐γ) in the colon/rectum of mdr1a−/− mice, and by determining the sensitivity of these, together with the macroscopic, microscopic and disease signs of colitis, to dexamethasone (0.05, 0.3 and 2 mg kg−1 subcutaneously (s.c.) daily for 7 days).
All mdr1a−/− mice had microscopic evidence of inflammation in the caecum and colon/rectum, while control mice with the same genetic background did not. Significant increases in colon/rectum and caecal weights and also in cytokine levels (both IFN‐γ and IL‐8) in homogenised colon/rectum were observed in mdr1a−/− mice compared to mdr1a+/+ mice.
Dexamethasone reduced the increases in tissue weights and also microscopic grading of colitis severity, but had no effect on IFN‐γ or IL‐8.
This study supports the similarity of the gastrointestinal inflammation present in mdr1a−/− mice to that of human IBD, in particular Crohn's disease. This has been demonstrated at the macroscopic and microscopic levels, and was supported further by elevations in colonic levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐8 and the disease signs observed. The incidence of colitis was much higher than previously reported, with all mice having microscopic evidence of colitis. The limited variance between animals in the parameters measured suggests that this model is reproducible.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 143, 590–598. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705982
Clustering of death receptors in lipid rafts initiates neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis
Authors: Scheel-Toellner D. , Wang K. , Assi L.K. , Webb P.R. , Craddock R.M. , Salmon M. , Lord J.M. 
Published: October 2004

Neutrophils die by apoptosis spontaneously within 12–24 h of their release from the bone marrow. The mechanism regulating entry of neutrophils into apoptosis at the end of their life-span is currently under debate. Our data suggest that neutrophil apoptosis involves a novel mechanism of caspase 8 activation that is indirectly regulated by accumulation of reactive oxygen species. We detected early activation of caspase 8 upstream of caspase 3 activation, suggesting death receptor signalling. The CD95 DISC (death-inducing signalling complex) was detected in neutrophils, but blocking antibodies to death receptors did not inhibit apoptosis, suggesting a novel mechanism for caspase 8 activation. Death receptor clustering in ceramide-rich lipid rafts is thought to be an early event in their signalling, so we investigated the role of ceramide generated by ASM (acid sphingomyelinase) in neutrophil apoptosis. Ceramide was generated early in neutrophil apoptosis, and ASM activity was required for neutrophil apoptosis. Moreover, neutrophil apoptosis was significantly delayed in ASM−/− mice compared with their wild-type littermates. CD95 DISC components were present in lipid rafts in neutrophils, and were progressively clustered in cultured neutrophils. Generation of ceramide was blocked by desferrioxamine, suggesting that hydroxyl radicals are important for the activation of ASM. This observation was in line with our earlier observation of a precipitous drop in reduced glutathione in the aging neutrophil.
Pleckstrin homology domains: not just for phosphoinositides
Authors: Lemmon M.A. 
Published: October 2004

PH domains (pleckstrin homology domains) are the 11th most common domain in the human genome and are best known for their ability to target cellular membranes by binding specifically to phosphoinositides. Recent studies in yeast have shown that, in fact, this is a property of only a small fraction of the known PH domains. Most PH domains are not capable of independent membrane targeting, and those capable of doing so (approx. 33%) appear, most often, to require both phosphoinositide and non-phosphoinositide determinants for their subcellular localization. Several recent studies have suggested that small GTPases such as ARF family proteins play a role in defining PH domain localization. Some others have described a signalling role for PH domains in regulating small GTPases, although phosphoinositides may also play a role. These findings herald a change in our perspective of PH domain function, which will be significantly more diverse than previously supposed.
Lipid rafts clustering and signalling by listeriolysin O
Authors: Gekara N.O. , Weiss S. 
Published: October 2004

Listeriolysin O, the major virulent determinant of Listeria monocytogenes, is known for forming pores on cholesterol-rich membranes. In the present study, we reveal its other facet, rafts clustering. By immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins CD14 and CD24, which normally exhibit uniform distribution on J774 cells, undergo clustering upon treatment with LLO. The non-raft marker transferrin receptor is unaffected by such treatment. Rafts clustering might explain the induction of tyrosine phosphorylation observed on LLO-treated cells.