bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verses, viruses, and the vulnerability of the blood supply in industrialized countries
Authors: Mushahwar Isa K.
Published: June 2007

In the last 30 years, tremendous progress in identifying transfusion‐transmitted viruses such as HBV, HCV, and HIV in industrialized countries has been achieved. Currently, the residual risk of transmitting these viruses through transfusion is very low especially after the introduction of “minipool” nucleic acid‐amplification tests. Despite these major technical advances, there remains a legitimate concern as to the transmission of other blood‐borne infectious agents through blood transfusion. Among these agents are HBV mutants, occult HBV, and HCV infections, malaria, Chagas, West Nile, dengue, and vesiviruses, bacterial infections such asYersinia enterocolitica, and tick borne diseases such as human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme and prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt and variant Creutzfeldt. Most of these agents are very rarely transmitted by transfusion in industrialized countries. However, an awareness of their possible transmission is essential for the control of spread of these diseases among the public by human‐to‐human transmission via blood transfusion. This review summarizes the current status of prevalence and diagnosis of these emerging diseases and also updates our knowledge on recently discovered non‐pathogenic blood‐borne viruses such as GB virus C and Torque Tenoviruses. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1229–1237, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prolonged‐interferon therapy reduces hepatocarcinogenesis in aged‐patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Kobayashi Masahiro , Akuta Norio , Hosaka Tetsuya , Sezaki Hitomi , Yatsuji Hiromi , Kawamura Yusuke , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: June 2007

The aim of this study was to elucidate the reduction of hepatocarcinogenesis by prolonged interferon (IFN) monotherapy in aged chronic hepatitis C patients. Inclusion criteria were biopsy‐proven chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, 60 years and over, elevated serum aminotransferase and positive hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA. One hundred and twenty patients satisfied the above criteria were treated with natural IFN‐alpha (dose: 3 million unit (MU), two or three times weekly for 0.5–15.5 years, mean 2.47 years) (IFN group). Another 240 patients treated with herbal medicines excluding IFN were selected as control (no‐IFN group). The patients not treated with IFN were matched 2:1 with IFN group patients for sex and age. The clinical and biological differences were compared after treatment with the IFN group and the untreated group. Serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) level decreased with statistical significance after initiation of treatment with IFN compared to no treatment. The 5‐ and 10‐year cumulative rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were 5.9 and 13.7%, and 17.1 and 32.8%, for the IFN and untreated group, respectively. HCC development occurred when histologic staging was advanced, and IFN was not given, the AFP level after treatment was >10 ng/ml. Cox regression analysis indicated that the relative risk of HCC in patients in the IFN group was 0.3 times of that in the untreated patients. The relative risk rate for HCC in severe fibrosis was 3.9 compared with mild or moderate fibrosis. In conclusion, long‐term IFN therapy for aged patients with chronic HCV infection is effective in decreasing the serum AFP level and preventing hepatocarcinogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1095–1102, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Virological characterization of patients treated early is able to control HIV‐1 replication after multiple cycles of structured therapy interruption
Authors: Rozera G. , Abbate I. , D'Offizi G. , Corpolongo A. , Narciso P. , Vlassi C. , Martini F. , Calcaterra S. , Capobianchi M.R.
Published: June 2007

This study aimed to define clinical and virological parameters associated with spontaneous control of HIV replication in patients having initiated HAART during primary HIV infection, who underwent structured therapy interruption by two protocols with either fixed or HIV viremia‐guided scheme. At the end of the protocol all patients were changed to viremia‐guided scheme and observed for 12 months (follow‐up). Patients maintaining HIV viremia below the indications for resumption of HAART during the follow‐up, were defined controllers, those who had to resume HAART were defined non‐controllers. The following parameters were examined: pre‐interruption therapy duration, CD4+, HIV RNA, proviral DNA, evolution of viral quasispecies. No specific advantage was conferred by either interruption of structured therapy in the proportion of controllers and non‐controllers. Pre‐HAART and zenith CD4+, pre‐therapy interruption, HAART duration, but not pre‐HAART HIV RNA, were significantly higher in controllers as compared to non‐controllers. HIV RNA levels after the first interruption cycle of therapy were significantly lower in controllers than in non‐controllers. Proviral DNA levels were also lower in controllers at this time point. HIV RNA and proviral DNA levels associated with the last interruption of therapy cycle were not different from those associated with the first cycle, and, in spite of multiple waves of virus rebound, very few gag quasispecies variants emerged in each patient. The data suggest that pre‐treatment clinical parameters and virological events associated with the first viral rebound are crucial factors in determining the ability to control viral replication after multiple cycles of interruption of treatment. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1047–1054, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of X4 tropic HIV‐1 variants in patients with differences in disease stage and exposure to antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Poveda Eva , Briz Verónica , de Mendoza Carmen , Benito José Miguel , Corral Angélica , Zahonero Natalia , Lozano Sara , González‐Lahoz Juan , Soriano Vincent
Published: June 2007

Viral tropism plays an important role in HIV pathogenesis. However, its correlation with the clinical outcome and following exposure to antiretroviral drugs are still unclear. HIV‐1 co‐receptor usage was examined in 206 infected individuals: 67 seroconverters, 52 chronically drug‐naïve, and 87 antiretroviral‐experienced patients. The V3 loop was sequenced from plasma HIV‐RNA and co‐receptor usage was inferred using a phenotype predictor software (http://genomiac2.ucsd.edu:8080/wetcat/v3.html), which classifies V3 sequences as R5 or X4. The overall prevalence of X4 viruses was 26.2%, with significant differences among groups: 13.4% in seroconverters, 25% in drug‐naïve, and 36.8% in antiretroviral‐ experienced patients (P = 0.001). The presence of X4 variants in the latter group was associated with higher viral load (P = 0.002) but not with lower CD4 counts. There was no association between HIV tropism and gender, transmission route or age. Neither with the CCR5 Δ32 genotype. Moreover, no association was found between HIV‐1 tropism and drug resistance mutations nor with failure to regimens based on either protease inhibitors or non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Finally, no significant association was found between IL‐7 plasma levels with HIV‐1 tropism. In summary, X4 viruses are particularly frequent among antiretroviral‐experienced patients with high viral loads, irrespective of the CD4 count. Thus, CCR5 antagonists should be used with special caution in this subset of patients. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1040–1046, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus expression and interferon antiviral action is dependent on PKR expression
Authors: Tokumoto Yoshio , Hiasa Yoichi , Horiike Norio , Michitaka Kojiro , Matsuura Bunzo , Chung Raymond T. , Onji Morikazu
Published: June 2007

Interferon (IFN)‐inducible double‐stranded RNA‐activated protein kinase (PKR) is thought to play a key antiviral role against hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, demonstrating the importance of PKR expression on HCV protein synthesis in the presence or absence of IFN has proven difficult in vivo. In the present experiment, full‐length HCV constructs were transiently transfected into two cell lines stably expressing T7 RNA polymerase. HCV expression was monitored under conditions of upregulated or downregulated PKR expression. In addition, IFN was monitored during downregulation of PKR. HCV expression effectively increased PKR expression, as well as that of its regulated proteins. PKR was obviously knocked down by PKR‐specific siRNA, which resulted in significantly increased HCV core protein levels. Conversely, over‐expression of PKR significantly suppressed HCV core levels in both cell lines. Furthermore, IFN induced high levels of PKR, whereas downregulation of PKR reversed IFN's antiviral effects and increased HCV core levels. Based on these results, it appears that HCV protein expression is directly dependent on PKR expression. PKR is antiviral toward HCV and responsible for IFN's effect against HCV. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1120–1127, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of the efficacy of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection by an ultrasensitive RT‐PCR assay
Authors: Kinai Ei , Hanabusa Hideji , Kato Shingo
Published: June 2007

The efficacy of interferon therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection improved remarkably. However, virologic relapse occurs in a substantial proportion of patients with virologic response (defined as an HCV RNA level below 50 IU/ml at the end‐of‐treatment). A highly sensitive RT‐nested PCR assay capable of detecting almost a single copy of HCV RNA and a real‐time RT‐PCR assay to quantify HCV RNA down to 120 copies per ml were developed. The RT‐nested PCR assay showed that 1 IU of HCV RNA is equivalent to 12.2 copies. For 28 patients with virologic response (12 relapsers and 16 sustained virologic responders), week‐4 and end‐of‐treatment plasma samples were retested. At week 4, HCV RNA was detected by the RT‐nested PCR and qualitative COBAS Amplicor HCV version 2.0 in 8/9 (89%) and 6/9 (67%) samples from relapsers, and in 4/16 (25%) and 2/16 (13%) samples from sustained virologic responders, respectively. End‐of‐treatment samples with HCV‐negative by the qualitative COBAS Amplicor were positive by the present assay in 4/12 (25%) of relapsing patients and 0/16 (0%) of sustained virologic responders. The viral levels detected by the present assay in the Amplicor‐negative samples were 3.5–17.3 copies/ml, which is below the detection limit of COBAS Amplicor. In conclusion, the highly sensitive RT‐nested PCR assay can predict sustained virologic response at week 4 and virologic relapse at the end‐of‐treatment more accurately than COBAS Amplicor, suggesting its usefulness in monitoring antiviral therapy for HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1113–1119, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of viruses identified recently in children with acute wheezing
Authors: Chung Ju‐Young , Han Tae Hee , Kim Sang Woo , Kim Chang Keun , Hwang Eung‐Soo
Published: June 2007

The etiologic role of recently identified respiratory viruses for acute wheezing in children is not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of recently identified viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human bocavirus (hBoV), human coronavirus NL63 (hCoV‐NL63), and human coronavirus HKU1 (hCoV‐HKU1) in children with acute wheezing. Viral etiology was identified in 231 children hospitalized with acute wheezing, aged from 1 month to 5 years. Viral antigens for common respiratory viruses were detected by IFA or multiplex PCR. RT‐PCR was used to detect respiratory rhinoviruses, hCoV‐NL63, hCoV‐HKU1, and hMPV. PCR assays for hBoV DNA were performed using the primer sets for noncapsid protein (NP1) and nonstructural protein (NS1) genes. Viruses were found in 61.5% (142/231) of the study population and a single virus was detected in 45.5% (105/231) of the study population. Rhinovirus (33.3%), human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV; 13.8%), and hBoV (13.8%) were the most frequently detected viruses. hMPV and hCoV‐NL63 were detected in 7.8% and 1.3% of wheezing children, respectively. HCoV‐HKU1 was not detected. In 16.0% of the study population, more than one virus was detected. In children with acute wheezing, rhinovirus, hRSV, and hBoV were most frequently detected. Further studies including healthy control subjects are needed to define the clinical significance of hBoV in acute wheezing. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1238–1243, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of furanocoumarins in vegetables (Apiaceae) and citrus fruits (Rutaceae)
Authors: Peroutka Radek , Schulzová Věra , Botek Petr , Hajšlová Jana
Published: June 2007

Several alternative approaches applicable for the analysis of furanocoumarins, toxic components occurring in some fruits and vegetables representing both Apiaceae and Rutaceae families, were tested in our study. Limits of detection (LODs) for angelicin, psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, trioxsalen, isopimpinellin, sphondin, pimpinellin and isobergapten obtained by GC/MS (SIM) were in the range 0.01–0.08 µg g−1. Slightly higher LODs (0.02–0.20 µg g−1) were achieved by LC/MS–MS. The latter is the only alternative for analysis of bergamottin (LOD = 0.01 µg g−1) in citrus fruits because this furanocoumarin is unstable under GC conditions. Regardless of the determination step used, the repeatability of the measurements (expressed as RSD) did not exceed 10%. As shown in our study the levels of furanocoumarins in celery, celeriac, parsnip, carrot, lemon and other foods obtained at a retail market varied over a wide range; the highest contents were determined in parsnip, while the levels of these toxins in carrots and citrus pulps were relatively low. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Enantiomeric purity of (+/–)‐methyl jasmonate in fresh leaf samples and commercial fragrances
Authors: Ruiz del Castillo Maria L. , Blanch Gracia P.
Published: June 2007

The enantiomeric purity of (+/–)‐methyl jasmonate in fresh leaf material of Jasminum from different species and Rosmarinus officinalis was examined by solid‐phase microextraction‐GC‐MS (SPME‐GC‐MS). For comparison with these natural products, commercial jasmine and rosemary fragrances were also studied. The extraction conditions were selected as a result of testing different values of temperature (40, 50, and 60°C) and time (2, 15, 30, and 40 min). The results obtained in this work revealed a range of enantiomeric excesses for (+/–)‐methyl jasmonate varying from 13 to 95% depending on the Jasminum specie considered. In contrast, (–)‐methyl jasmonate always occurred as a pure enantiomer in all R. officinalis samples studied. This implies those Jasminum species in which the enantiomeric purity of (–)‐methyl jasmonate is high enough and any R. officinalis sample might be used as natural sources of pure (–)‐methyl jasmonate. Concerning the commercial fragrances, those of jasmine showed enantiomeric composition of (–)‐methyl jasmonate ranging from 1 to 15% whereas those of rosemary exhibited practically the pure (–)‐methyl jasmonate. This fact suggests the addition and nonaddition of the racemic mixture of methyl jasmonate to the commercial jasmine and rosemary samples, respectively.
Are trauma narratives unique and do they predict psychological adjustment?
Authors: Beaudreau Sherry A.
Published: June 2007

Community‐dwelling adults (N = 104) aged 20‐ to 99‐years‐old told narratives about neutral, positive, and worst traumatic events; they also completed mental health questionnaires. Consistent with previous research, trauma narratives were longer, and contained more somatosensory and negative bodily experience detail. Recent trauma was associated with more somatosensory detail. Longer trauma narratives were associated with better psychological adjustment, whereas negative bodily experiences related to poorer psychological adjustment and more posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results provide some support for unique trauma narrative characteristics indicative of psychological adjustment among community‐dwelling adults.
A randomized trial of self‐management and psychoeducational group therapies for comorbid chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder
Authors: Dunn Nancy Jo , Rehm Lynn P. , Schillaci Jeanne , Souchek Julianne , Mehta Paras , Ashton Carol M. , Yanasak Elisia , Hamilton Joseph D.
Published: June 2007

The authors randomized 101 male veterans with chronic combat‐related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder to an evidence‐based depression treatment (self‐management therapy; n = 51) or active‐control therapy (n = 50). Main outcome measures for efficacy, using intention‐to‐treat analyses, were subjective and objective PTSD and depression scales at pretest, posttest, and 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month follow‐up. Other measures included treatment compliance, satisfaction, treatment‐targeted constructs, functioning, service utilization, and costs. Self‐management therapy's modestly greater improvement on depression symptoms at treatment completion disappeared on follow‐up. No other differences on symptoms or functioning appeared, although psychiatric outpatient utilization and overall outpatient costs were lower with self‐management therapy. Despite success in other depressed populations, self‐management therapy produced no clinically significant effect in depression with chronic PTSD.
Metallocene‐Catalyzed Polymerization in Nonaqueous Fluorous Emulsion
Authors: Nenov Svetlin , Clark Christopher G. , Klapper Markus , Müllen Klaus
Published: June 2007

A nonaqueous organic‐in‐fluorous emulsion applicable for polymerization using water‐sensitive catalysts is presented. With statistical biphasic copolymers based on poly(4‐hydroxystyrene) containing fluorinated and nonfluorinated alkyl side chains, emulsions of hydrocarbons dispersed in perfluorocarbons were stabilized. The addition of metallocenes, activated by methylalumoxane (MAO), enabled the polymerization of olefins inside this highly hydrophobic system. High molecular weight polyolefin nanoparticles ($\overline M _{\rm n}$ up to 450 000) of polyethylene and poly(propylene) were synthesized without supporting the catalyst and without reactor fouling. In this diffusion‐controlled process, the sizes of the particles were controlled by the reaction time and the ratio of the emulsifier to solvents.

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Pressure‐Sensitive Adhesive Blend Films for Low‐Tack Applications
Authors: Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Ittner Thilo , Maurer Edith , Körstgens Volker , Petry Winfried
Published: June 2007

Polymer blend films consisting of a tacky and a nonadhesive component are promising candidates for low‐tack applications. Immiscibility of both components results in a phase separation process yielding a tacky matrix with glassy objects embedded. The influence of the blending ratio of the components poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PnBA) and polystyrene (PS) is addressed. The mechanical information resulting from the tack test shows the possibility of varying the bonding strength of the PSA blend over a wide range. The macroscopic and microscopic structural characterization with optical microscopy and ultrasmall angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS) shows that the blend PnBA/PS exhibits similarities to common filler systems as well as deviates regarding installed structures. Due to the large domain size on a microscopic level, only the tacky component, PnBA, defines the adhesive behavior. The nonadhesive component limits the contact area between the adhesive and the substrate.

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Nerve regeneration along bioengineered scaffolds
Authors: Geuna S. , Nicolino S. , Raimondo S. , Gambarotta G. , Battiston B. , Tos P. , Perroteau I.
Published: June 2007

Tissue engineering has recently seen great advancements in many medical fields, including peripheral nerve reconstruction. In the rat median nerve model, we investigated nerve repair by means of bioengineered tissue scaffolds (muscle‐vein‐combined tubes) focusing on changes in the neuregulin‐1/ErbB‐receptor system which represents one of the main regulatory systems of axo‐glial interaction in peripheral nerves. Repaired nerves were withdrawn at 5, 15, and 30 days postoperative and processed for morphological and retro‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. Results revealed an early and progressive increase in the expression of NRG1α isoform only, while the appearance of the β isoform of NRG1, which is normally present in peripheral nerves, was delayed. In regards to ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors, their expression increased progressively inside the muscle‐vein‐combined scaffolds, though with different kinetics. Taken together, these results suggest that variations in neuregulin‐1/ErbB system activation play a key role in peripheral nerve regeneration along bioengineered muscle‐vein‐combined scaffolds. Since similar variations are also detectable in denervated skeletal muscles, it can be hypothesized that the existence of a NRG1's autocrine/paracrine trophic loop shared by both glial and muscle fibers could be responsible for the effectiveness of muscle‐vein‐combined conduits for repairing nerve defects. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
Intraseptal superficial peroneal nerve
Authors: Williams Eric H. , Dellon A. Lee
Published: June 2007

Knowledge of the anatomy of the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) is necessary for surgeons caring for patients with lower extremity pain after ankle, leg, or knee injuries, for athletes with exertional compartment syndrome, and those having reconstructive microsurgery with either soft tissue or vascularized fibular flaps. The anatomy of the SPN is known to be that of a peripheral nerve traveling in the lateral compartment of the lower leg. Recently, clearer descriptions of its variability have documented that between 27 and 43% of patients have the SPN in either the anterior compartment or both the anterior and the lateral compartment of the leg. The present observations record the location of the SPN within the septum that separates the anterior from the lateral compartment. Awareness of this unusual variant location will enable the surgeon to find and preserve the SPN during fasciotomy, neurolysis, neuroma resection, or bony and soft tissue reconstruction. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
Chimerism and bone marrow based therapies in transplantation
Authors: Siemionow Maria , Nasir Serdar
Published: June 2007

Composite tissue allotransplantation holds a great potential for providing increased knowledge of anatomy and microsurgical experience for life‐enhancing reconstructions. Many transplant cases around the world have made this a clinical reality at the present time. Composite tissue allotransplants contain multiple tissue types, including bone, muscle, vessels, nerves, skin, and immune cells and bear a huge antigenic load. Although immunosuppressive drugs are applied successfully to prevent allograft rejection, their side effects pose a barrier to worldwide use. Bone marrow therapy in many tolerance induction protocols, therefore, provides a guide to reaching the target of permanent immunotolerance. Multiple studies suggest that bone marrow is immunomodulatory and may facilitate allograft acceptance. In this review, bone marrow based therapy protocols of clinical and experimental models are presented in two major categories: solid organ and composite tissue transplantation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
Is the country healthier than the town? I. the physique of the city man good in spite of war statistics
Authors: Tucker Rufus S.
Published: June 2007

There is a general impression that the selective service law demonstrated the physicla inferiority of the city man. But did war statistics really show this? And with respect to preventable diseases the country record is inferior to the town's.
Recreation in the national forests
Authors: Waugh Frank A.
Published: June 2007

At market rates charged by theatres, pool rooms, big and little Coney Islands, et cetera,the recreation now harvested annually from our national forests is worth millions of dollars.
Representation of interests in administration
Authors: Barnett James D.
Published: June 2007

Do we already have P. R. in state and national government? Or is it guild socialism?
The One–Man Civil Service Commission in Maryland
Authors: Telford Fred
Published: June 2007

The story of maryland's success under her new civil service law which centers control in a one–man commission
Why we need excess condemnation. A Boon to the Property Owner—A Blessing to the Public
Authors: Purdy Lawson
Published: June 2007

Ecxecc Condemnation is a poor word for a good thing. It simply means the power to apply eminent domain to land in excess of that physicaly needed for an improvement but incidental to it. The purpose is usually either to protect the improvement or to put the incidental land to its best use
Municipal ownership in detroit. The story of the first year's operation of the street railways
Authors: Upson Lent D.
Published: June 2007

Dr. Upson relates the finding sof an expert and judicial survey of municipal street railway operationin Detroit
“Prohibition inside out”
Authors: foulke William Dudley
Published: June 2007

Published by courtesy of “Good Government,“ the organ of the National Civil Service Reform League, New York City
The controller and the municipal charter
Authors: Watson William
Published: June 2007

The functions fo the controller should be expressed be expressed i standards rather than in methods which are continwally dhanging
National municipal review co‐operation between the municipalities of the american continent
Authors: Rowe L. S.
Published: June 2007

A proposal that the National Municipal League broaden its activities in co‐operation with municipalities to the south of us
Centralized purchasing for the federal government
Authors: Thomas Arthur G.
Published: June 2007

The national government is moving towards a system of central pruchase under the impetus of demonstrated economics accomplished by the General Supply Committee
THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET WINS IN CALIFORNIA
Authors: Walcott E. A.
Published: June 2007

California's new budget system has come through a stormy period and now may be regarded as the settled policy of the state
MODERN PURCHASING STARTS WELL IN SAN FRANCISCO
Authors: Nanry William H.
Published: June 2007

Municipal purchasing agents do not usually enjoy large powers and responsibilitites that as a detail of good organization and as a necessary measure to secure results are vested in purchasing agents with private concerns
OUR LEGISLATIVE MILLS
Authors: Clark Arch B.
Published: June 2007

This article is fruthere evidence that we can study with proft the legislative organization and procedure of the Conadian Provinces.
I. THE PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL
Authors: Barth Harry A.
Published: June 2007

This is the first of a series of articles on the general charactr, procedure and work of city concils. This article frankly presents a clear analysis of Philadelphia's council as organized under the charter of 1919.
The league of minnesota municipalities and its association with the university of minnesota
Authors: Lambie Morres B.
Published: June 2007

The oganization and work of a successful State League of Municipalities.
A new scheme for going value
Authors: Olmsted H. M.
Published: June 2007

As prices recede, going value will assume greater and greater importance
Charleston breaks with the past in public welfare work
Authors: McComes Carl E.
Published: June 2007

Charleston's (South Carolina) charter dates from 1783. Her methods and ideals of public welfare administration were those of a century ago; but she has recently taken steps towards the establishment of new standards
Governor donahey and the ohio mayors
Authors: Edwards William H.
Published: June 2007

One of the acitvities of Governor Donahey fo Ohia should be of special interest to our readers. This is the vigorous exercise of his power to remove mayors of Ohio municipalities.
Milwaukee proposes a bond budget
Authors: Henderson Harold L.
Published: June 2007

The unbusinesslike manner in which bonds are authorised and sold in Milwaukee causes needless expense to the taxpayer
Permenent registration successful in minneapolis
Authors: Olson F. L.
Published: June 2007

Minneapolis [permits the voter to register at any time during the year, and such registration is permanent. The new method reduces the “ballot's burden,“ and the taxpayer's burden also.
Why the coroner system has broken down. The medico‐legal investigation of the causeof death
Authors: Gettler Alexander O.
Published: June 2007

The scientific determination of the cause of violent deaths is beyond the power of the old‐fashioned coroner. Scienec will aid justice, if given a chance.
St. Louis outgrows present boundaries
Authors: Wagner Hugh K.
Published: June 2007

The metrojpolitan area of St. Louis has overflowed the boundaries of the city, but consolidation with the outside territory requires a constitutional amendement
State taxation of passenger automobiles
Authors: Barth Harry A.
Published: June 2007

Methods now employed do not work justice. It is a question whether a strictly equitable method is possible.
Rotten boroughs and the connecticut legislature
Authors: Lancaster Lane W.
Published: June 2007

The Connecticut system of representation by local units of govenment rather than on a basis of population is bad in theory but has practical compensating advantages.
The county board in minnesota. typified in the experience of St. Louis county
Authors: Goodrich R. M.
Published: June 2007

Another of our series on conty government in various states.
How the theory of the boston charter falls short
Authors: Childs Richard S.
Published: June 2007

The Bosten charter was a bold pioneer and has been widely copied, but something more is needed to make it 100% satisfactory
American influence in municipal government in the orient
Authors: Bread Charles A.
Published: June 2007

On two occasions, Dr. Beard has been called to Japan to advise with the Japanese authorities on municipal government.
The rehabilitation of a street railway
Authors: Estey J. A.
Published: June 2007

A small town street railway system, three years ago a source of reproach, under home ownership and managment becomes a joy and pride.
Problem of government simplification in Portland, Oregon
Authors: Ludwig C. C.
Published: June 2007

Wastes due to scatteration of legal and administrative power in an urban territory.
Nerfolk's $600,000 municipal market building
Authors: Mitchell Benj. F.
Published: June 2007

A sanitary municipal marked, financially successful, which was designed and is operated as a civic monument.
Recreation in small towns
Authors: Pangburn Weaver
Published: June 2007

Organized recreationhas been found a good investment in small towns of 2,500 population and less. It is surpported by taxes and contributions.
Kansas city adopts the manager plan
Authors: Matscheck Walter
Published: June 2007

Kansas City (population about 350,000) hs joined up with Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Los Angeles returns to the ward system
Authors: Dykstra C. A.
Published: June 2007

Los Angeles has returned to the system of representation by wards in the city council although old‐time experience under it was not happy.
Cleveland's proportinal representation election
Authors: Shaw Normal
Published: June 2007

An interesting storyo of how the charter amendment designed to return from P. R. to the old ward system of electing councilmen in Cleveland was defeateddddddd.
Chicago threatens to revolt
Authors: Kneier C. M.
Published: June 2007

The Illinois legislature adjourned on June 20, without having made a reapportionment of the legislative districts. There hs been no reapportioment since 1901, although the state constitution requires it to be made every ten years.
The refinement of outdoor advertising
Authors: Digges I. W.
Published: June 2007

An illuminating dicussion of outdoor advretising from the point of view of advertising concern.
Regional planning in New York
Authors: Adams Thomas
Published: June 2007

Mr. Adams sets forth vividly the tremendous physical problems facing the New York of the future.
International municipal co‐operation
Authors: Woodruff Clinton Rogers
Published: June 2007

Mr. Woodruff discusses two international meetings on municipal problems and co‐operation.
Birmingham's struggle with commission government
Authors: Trexler Harrison A.
Published: June 2007

A brief commentary on commission government in Alaboma's metropolis.
Recent steps toward administrative consolidation in state governments
Authors: Buck A. E.
Published: June 2007

The following article relates briefly the progress in state reorganization and consolidation since the writer's pamphlet on “Administrative Consolidation in State Governments” was revised in August, 1924.
The international union of cities a report of the Paris congress
Authors: Fairman Charles
Published: June 2007

The high lights of the Third Congress of the International Union of Cities by a competent observer.
Pittsburgh's graded tax in full operation
Authors: Williams Percy R.
Published: June 2007

A discussion of the working of the Pittsburgh graded tax plan, the purpose of which is to encourage business and improvemens and to discourage land speculation by decreasing taxes on buildings and increasing taxes on unimproved land.
The indeterminate permit for utilities serving municipalities
Authors: Barth Harry
Published: June 2007

Several states, starting with Wisconsin in 1907, have adopted the indeterminate permit. The advantages and disadvantages of such a permit are set forth in this article.
Municipal administration and federal halth activities
Authors: Tobey James A.
Published: June 2007

The federal government appropriates annually sixty‐five million dollars for health and medical relief.
Visitor orientation and its impact on the financial situation of cultural institutions in Germany
Authors: Hausmann Andrea
Published: June 2007

In Germany, the financing of cultural activities is heavily dependent on state funding. About 90% of cultural funding comes from the public sector. However, because of the precarious state of public finances, funding for cultural activities has been steadily reduced in the last years. Against this background, German cultural institutions are essentially compelled to develop appropriate measures in order to improve their competitive situation in the context of scarce public resources, and to seek additional sources of finance in order to stabilise their situation over the longer term. One of the more suitable means of increasing revenue on an ongoing basis, is to improve and extend the marketing and visitor‐related activities themselves. But how should the marketing or visitor orientation be formulated so that it contributes towards the organisation's social mission as well as improves the financial position of the cultural institution? With respect to the particular financing situation of German cultural institutions, this paper will try to give an answer to this question.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social marketing in action—geodemographics, alcoholic liver disease and heavy episodic drinking in Great Britain
Authors: Powell Jane , Tapp Alan , Sparks Emily
Published: June 2007

This paper explores the use of geodemographic population classifications to identify and predict ‘hotspots’ of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) prone to greater than expected alcoholic liver disease. MOSAIC geodemographic codes were overlaid onto Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) for Great Britain. The HES data included gender, MOSAIC Type, MOSAIC Code, postal and local authority district, month and year of birth, ethnic origin, Primary Care Trust and GP code. Analysis demonstrated that some geodemographic classifications of the population were over‐represented for alcoholic liver disease episodes. These groups had low socio‐economic and socio‐cultural status, lived in areas of high deprivation and disadvantage. Manchester followed by Liverpool and Hull had the highest estimated patient group size in England and Hart, Surrey Heath and Wokingham the three lowest (indicating low expected levels of alcoholic liver disease compared with average). Analysis of the same data was also carried out at postcode level for Manchester indicating ‘hotspots’ for alcoholic level disease at street level. This analysis exemplifies the ways in which geodemographic data might be usefully applied to routine health service data to enhance service planning, delivery and improved targeting of information in harder to reach populations.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein conformational transitions explored by mixed elastic network models
Authors: Zheng Wenjun , Brooks Bernard R. , Hummer Gerhard
Published: June 2007

We develop a mixed elastic network model (MENM) to study large‐scale conformational transitions of proteins between two (or more) known structures. Elastic network potentials for the beginning and end states of a transition are combined, in effect, by adding their respective partition functions. The resulting effective MENM energy function smoothly interpolates between the original surfaces, and retains the beginning and end structures as local minima. Saddle points, transition paths, potentials of mean force, and partition functions can be found efficiently by largely analytic methods. To characterize the protein motions during a conformational transition, we follow “transition paths” on the MENM surface that connect the beginning and end structures and are invariant to parameterizations of the model and the mathematical form of the mixing scheme. As illustrations of the general formalism, we study large‐scale conformation changes of the motor proteins KIF1A kinesin and myosin II. We generate possible transition paths for these two proteins that reveal details of their conformational motions. The MENM formalism is computationally efficient and generally applicable even for large protein systems that undergo highly collective structural changes. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testing Mounting Media to Eliminate Background Noise in Confocal Microscope 3‐D Images of Insect Genitalia
Authors: Schawaroch Valerie , Li Sarah C.
Published: June 2007

Recently, the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) has been used to image and generate three‐dimensional reconstructions of miniscule insect tissues and cuticular structures. These three‐dimensional reconstructions provide the investigator with key information concerning the spatial relationship among structures and substructures. Unfortunately, there can be high levels of background “noise” which can obscure the specimen in these three‐dimensional reconstructions. This background “noise” might be a result of the mounting media either autofluorescing or reflecting and scattering the imaged specimen's fluorescence. The standard nonpermanent mounting medium is glycerine jelly (a 1:17:17 ratio of porcine gelatin to glycerine to water). In this study, the organic molecule (lipid, protein, or carbohydrate) added to the glycerine water mixture was varied. The relative background to specimen signal (the mean voxel brightness reading in ImageJ freeware) was compared across mountants. The mounting media tested are ranked from best (least background noise) to worst (most background noise) as follows: agarose, agar, pectin, gelatin (the standard), petroleum jelly. A 1% agarose mountant (1:50:50 ratio of agarose to glycerine to water) is recommended because it causes little to no background noise, provides consistent high quality contrast between specimen and background with increasing depth, and is easy to handle. SCANNING 29: 000–000, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serotonin‐caused phase shift of circadian rhythmicity in a photosensitive neuron
Authors: Rodríguez‐Sosa Leonardo , Calderón‐Rosete Gabina , Flores Gonzalo , Porras M.G.
Published: June 2007

In the sixth abdominal ganglion (sixth AG) of the crayfish, two photosensitive neurons are located and have been identified as caudal photoreceptors (CPRs). We have expanded our investigation on the role of 5‐Hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) as a modulator of the spontaneous and light‐induced activity of the CPR. We located, by using immunocytochemistry, neurons in the sixth AG that contain the 5HT1A receptor. The expression of these receptors was examined by binding assays with [3H] 8‐hydroxy‐2 (di‐n‐propylamino) tetralin ([3H(8‐OH‐DPAT). We examined the exogenous action of both 5HT and its agonist 8‐OH‐DPAT on the phase of circadian rhythms of the spontaneous electrical activity and the photoresponse of the CPR in the isolated sixth AG by conventional extracellular recording methods. Experiments were made on the adult crayfish Procambarus clarkii and Cherax quadricarinatus. Thirteen immunopositive neurons were located, principally near the ventral and dorsal surface of the sixth AG, with the mean diameter of their somata 20 ± 3 μm. The specific binding data showed the presence of 5‐HT1A receptors with a mean level of 22.4 ± 6.6 fmol/mg of wet tissue. Spontaneous and light‐induced electrical activity of the CPR showed circadian variations with their activity more intense at night than in the day. Exogenous application of 5‐HT or 8‐OH‐DPAT causes a circadian phase‐shift in electrical activity of the CPR. Taken together, these results lead us to believe the 5‐HT acts as a modulator of circadian electrical activity of the CPR in the isolated sixth AG of crayfish. Moreover, it suggests that the 5‐HT1A receptor participates in this modulation. Synapse 61:801–808, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impaired contractile reserve in severe mitral valve regurgitation with a preserved ejection fraction
Authors: McGinley Joseph C. , Berretta Remus M. , Chaudhary Khuram , Rossman Eric , Bratinov George D. , Gaughan John P. , Houser Steven , Margulies Kenneth B.
Published: June 2007

Background

Impaired contractile reserve in chronic MR results from load‐independent, myocyte contractile abnormalities.

Aims

Investigate the mechanisms of contractile dysfunction in chronic mitral valve regurgitation (MR).

Methods

Mild MR was produced in eight dogs followed by pacing induced left ventricular (LV) dilatation over eight months. In‐vivo LV dP/dt was measured at several pacing rates. Contractile function was measured in isolated LV trabeculae and myocytes at several stimulation rates and during changes in extracellular [Ca2+]. Identical studies were performed with six control dogs.

Results

Chronic MR resulted in a preserved ejection fraction with decreased dP/dt (p<0.01). LV trabeculae demonstrated significantly lower developed force and a negative force–frequency relation with chronic MR (p<0.05). Myocytes exhibited a negative shortening‐frequency relationship in both groups with a greater decline with chronic MR (p<0.001) paralleled by decreases in peak [Ca2+]i transients. Increases in extracellular [Ca2+] abrogated the defects in force generation in trabeculae from animals with chronic MR.

Conclusion

Even with a preserved EF, chronic severe MR results in a significant reduction in intrinsic contractile function and reserve. Functional impairment was load‐independent reflecting a predominant defect in calcium cycling rather than impaired peak force generating capacity due to myofibrillar attenuation.
Novel phosphorylation site markers of protein kinase C delta activation
Authors: Durgan Joanne , Michael Nicholas , Totty Nick , Parker Peter J.
Published: June 2007

Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) is a Ser/Thr kinase which regulates numerous cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that PKCδ undergoes in vitro autophosphorylation at three sites within its V3 region (S299, S302, S304), each of which is unique to this PKC isoform and evolutionarily conserved. We demonstrate that S299 and S304 can be phosphorylated in mammalian cells following phorbol ester stimulation and that S299‐phosphorylated PKCδ is localised to both the plasma and nuclear membranes. These data indicate that PKCδ is phosphorylated upon activation and that phospho‐S299 represents a useful marker of the activated enzyme.
Left-sided aortic arch, right-sided descending aorta, and right-sided arterial duct associated with interruption of the aortic arch and presence of Abbott’s artery
Authors: Nisli Kemal , Aydogan Umrah , Tansel Turkan
Published: June 2007

We describe a male infant, seen at the age of 10 days, with a very rare form of vascular ring. The aortic arch was left-sided, but the aorta descended on the right, with a right-sided persistently patent arterial duct associated with interruption of the aortic arch and presence of Abbott’s artery. We performed end-to-side anastomosis of the descending aorta to the ascending aorta, divided the Abbott’s artery and the right-sided arterial duct, and banded the pulmonary trunk. Despite our best efforts, the patient died on the eighth day after the surgical intervention.
Effects of the ionosphere and solar activity on radio occultation signals: Application to CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload satellite observations
Authors: Pavelyev A. G. , Liou Y. A. , Wickert J. , Schmidt T. , Pavelyev A. A. , Liu S. F.
Published: June 2007

We analyze the ionospheric effect on the phase and amplitude of radio occultation (RO) signal. The introduced theoretical model predicts a correlation between the phase acceleration and intensity variations of RO signal and opens a way to locate layered structures in the propagation medium, in particular, in trans‐ionospheric satellite‐to‐satellite links. For considered CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) RO events, the locations of the inclined plasma layers in the lower ionosphere are estimated, and the electron density distribution is retrieved. By analysis of the CHAMP RO data, we reveal the dependence of the intensity variations of RO signal on sharp changes in the DST index and on the local time. Maps of the seasonal, geographical, and temporal distributions of the CHAMP RO events with amplitude scintillations, having high S4 index values, and observed during the years 2001–2004 indicate dependence on solar activity. As follows from this analysis, the GPS signals in the trans‐ionospheric links can be used for investigating the location and parameters of inclined plasma layers and monitoring the influence of solar activity on the ionosphere with global coverage.
A quantitative study on the role of gravity waves in driving the tropical Stratospheric Semiannual Oscillation
Authors: Antonita T. Maria , Ramkumar Geetha , Kumar Karanam Kishore , Appu K. S. , Nambhoodiri K. V. S.
Published: June 2007

Using a coordinated experimental observation under Middle Atmospheric Dynamics (MIDAS) program, an extensive study is carried out to quantify the role of gravity waves in driving the tropical Stratospheric Semiannual Oscillation (SSAO). Rayleigh lidar observations of middle atmospheric temperature over Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E) and rocketsonde wind measurements over Trivandrum (8.5°N, 76.9°E) during the period November 2002 to June 2005 are used for the present study. Gravity waves with periods ranging from 2–4 hours and 0.5–1 hour are found to be dominant in the middle atmosphere throughout the observational period. The altitude profiles of momentum fluxes of gravity waves having these time periods are estimated and their seasonal variations are studied, which showed semiannual variation with maximum around equinoxes and minimum around solstitial months. The mean flow acceleration estimated from the divergence of momentum flux of gravity waves is compared with the mean flow acceleration observed using rocket measured zonal winds during three different cycles of SSAO. This comparison provided an opportunity to quantify the contribution of gravity waves toward generation of SSAO, which is found to be ∼30–50% of the observed acceleration during the evolution of the westerly phase of the SSAO. The present observations showed that the contribution of the gravity waves toward the westerly phase of SSAO varies significantly from cycle to cycle. The significance of the present results lies in quantifying the gravity wave–mean flow interaction during both easterly and westerly phases of SSAO for the first time over this tropical latitude.