bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A window on the inside
Authors: Marinick Richard , Munguia Theresa , Chenevert Darlest , Thompson Michael
Published: October 2007

The USA has the largest prison population in the worlcl More than one million people, about four in every 1,000, are currently locked up. The ratio for African-American men is even higher: 31 per 1,000. According to Prison Conditions in the United States, a recent report by Human Rights Watch in New York, more African American men in their twenties are now in prison, on probation or on parole than are in college or university at any age.

Justice Department figures show that the number of prisoners doubled between 1980 and 1990; prison officials expect an increase of another third by the middle of this decade. This seems assured by the 60 mandatory sentencing laws passed by Congress which set heavy minimum, non- negotiable sentences. In addition, within the past year, the Supreme Court has made at least six rulings that will limit the rights and protections of criminal defendants and inmates. Yet this leap in the rate of incarceration has not had any significant effect on the rate of crime.

The writers presented here are or were inmates in the Massachusetts correctional system. They are not political prisoners, nor are they all victims of direct censorship. But once prisoners are locked away, they become mute and invisible to those on the outside; their. voices may as well be stilled for all we hear of them. Yet these are people with stories to tell and stories that need to be heard.

Their work came out of writing programmes run by New England PEN and Curry College, and was compiled by Monroe Engel, a writer and former senior lecturer in English at Harvard University, who has taught at Norfolk prison for the past three years under the PEN programme.

Prison journals have long offered a vehicle for expression and communication among prisoners and with people outside. In Massachusetts, an important and wide- ranging forum is provided by Odyssey, a magazine which originated in Norfolk prison. It was banned from the prison at the end of 1990, and is now published in the community. Luke Janusz, who began editing the magazine while at Norfolk, describes its history, its ambitions, and its importance for inmates on page 17. Subscriptions are available from Odyssey, POBox 14, Dedham, Massachusetts 02026, USA.

Nan Levinson
The limits of space
Authors: Abeysekera Charles
Published: October 2007

An invitation to speak his mind openly left a retired civil servant dumbfounded
Russian Beauty
Authors: Erofeyev Victor
Published: October 2007

After many delays and often violent opposition, Victor Erofeyev's controversial novel, from which this chapter is excerpted, is now available in Russia, albeit in a limited edition. It will be published in English by Hamish Hamilton on 17 August
Rwanda: the arrests go on
Authors: Versaveau Olivier
Published: October 2007

Defamation of the Head of State, incitement to ethnic confrontation ... any excuse is good enough to lock up journalists
Côte d'lvoire: allergic to liberty
Authors: Bailly Diegou
Published: October 2007

The much vaunted 'Press Spring' of 1990 has proved to be fleeting
Old wine in new bottles
Authors: Hiro Dilip
Published: October 2007

The mirage, a common phenomenon in the deserts of Turkmenistan, is beginning to affect the new republic's political life
Trouble brewing in the south
Authors: Poulton Hugh
Published: October 2007

While the world's attention is focused on Bosnia, ethnic, nationalist and religious passions are tuning up further south. The crucible of this witches' brew is Greece
Hoist on its own media
Authors: Elam Peter
Published: October 2007

The struggle over the state-run Hungarian Radio and Television (HRTV) has continued to dominate political debates. Last-ditch attempts by the government to fill the airwaves with propaganda in order to avert a humiliating electoral defeat in the general elections in May backfired.
Post-German, post-Jewish
Authors: Szaruga Leszek
Published: October 2007

Borders are lines we see on maps, or checkpoints we cross when we travel by land. Our ancestors travelled by land, but borders meant less and national distinctions did not always provoke war
Reach for the sky
Authors: Hird Christopher
Published: October 2007

More than anyone, the science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke foresaw the coming of a technology which would be no respecter of national frontiers. But the freedom of information promised by direct satellite broadcasting is being thwarted by media monopolies and broadcasters’ willingness to accommodate reactionary governments
The mission thing
Authors: Turner Ted
Published: October 2007

While the US congress was debating whether to continue China's Most Favoured Nation status, and Clinton was going back on his election promises, CNN's boss in Hong Kong was appealing for a laissez-faire approach to human rights
Big, bigger, biggest
Authors: Kucinski Bernardo
Published: October 2007

The moguls of the Western world are not alone in imposing their will on captive audiences. Brazil's Globo empire is one of the biggest in the media world
Time for change
Authors: Gonzalez-Foerster Gil
Published: October 2007

Three years after its return to democracy appearances in Bangladesh are deceptive. The media remains under strict government surveillance
One more night…
Authors: Verdurmen Ilonka
Published: October 2007

‘Listen,’ said Scheherazade to the Sultan on her wedding night, ‘will you permit me to tell you a story?’ ‘Willingly,’ he answered. So Scheherazade began
What do we mean by universal?
Authors: An-Na'im Abdullahi
Published: October 2007

Any concept of human rights that is to be universally accepted and globally enforced demands equal respect and mutual comprehension between rival cultures
Clans against factions
Authors: Harbi Mohammed
Published: October 2007

The roots of the Algerian situation go back at least to the early days of independence. Nurtured by the 30–year rule of the FLN, old divisions and rivalries have resurfaced with a vengeance
The family that's moving ahead and the family that's going backward
Authors: Djaout Tahar
Published: October 2007

Tahar Djaout, 39-year-old journalist, poet and novelist, was struck by three bullets on 26 May 1993. He died on 2 June. He was the founder and editor of the weekly Ruptures, an openly anti-Islamist publication. He is the author of several novels including Les chercheurs d'os (1984), L'invention du désert (1987) and Les vigiles (1991) for which he won the Prix Méditerranée. The following piece is the last he wrote. What can be expected from a dialogue between parties whose social programmes are light years apart? he asks, and attacks the High State Committee for its failure to determine a direction for Algeria
A suitable case for intervention
Authors: Hyman Anthony
Published: October 2007

The rivalries of the Cold War found their ultimate battle ground in Afghanistan, the last old-style intervention fought out on foreign soil. The Cold War is consigned to history, but the war goes on and many Afghans want to know when they can expect the humanitarian intervention promised by the new era
A press at the crossroads
Authors: Le Billon Veronique
Published: October 2007

Despite the formation of a press association and efforts at professional training, Cambodia's press goes from poor to worse. La Lettre charts its progress over the year
Business as usual
Authors: Nougayrède Natalie
Published: October 2007

Governments have come and gone regularly since independence in 1991, but nothing changes for Azerbaijan's journalists
Wake up, Bolivia
Authors: Rojas Velarde Luis
Published: October 2007

Bolivia's indigenous people, 70 per cent of the population, find their own voice in a country where Spanish dominates the media
A home-grown affair
Authors: Marcel Cecile
Published: October 2007

Despite official claims to the contrary, the three-month-old protest movement in Bahrain continues
Judicial charades
Authors: Imanyara Gitobu
Published: October 2007

Koigi wa Wamwere is on trial for his life in Kenya. Both trial and charges are rigged
Grenada calling
Authors: Farmer Penelope
Published: October 2007

Continuing our series focusing on the voices of those silenced by poverty, prejudice and exclusion
Dangerous liaisons
Authors: Bedau Hugo
Published: October 2007

Capital punishment is a vote winner. Democrats are joining Republicans in pressing home the advantage
Chechen imbroglio
Authors: Tien Davrell
Published: October 2007

Russia's war in Chechnya has a long history. But Moscow has learned no lessons and the Chechen are fighting on
No end in sight
Authors: Marlowe Lara
Published: October 2007

Caught in the crossfire between a beleaguered government and the outlawed FIS, Algeria's journalists continue to die
History wars
Authors: Walker Martin
Published: October 2007

Triumphant Republicans fight to take control of US history. Old myths are reborn with terrible consequences, newer ones draped in dubious glory
The unbearable cost of liberty
Authors: Dworkin Ronald
Published: October 2007

Denying the Holocaust is a monstrous insult to the memory of the Jews and others who perished in it. But Germany solves nothing by making it a criminal offence
Return history to the people
Authors: Afanasev Yuri
Published: October 2007

The parallel version of history that emerges from the testimony of eye witnesses is, of necessity, incomplete: many of those who could have contributed were killed by the regime. But it can fill gaps in the versions handed down by the authorities and frequently provides the perfect counterpoint to the myths propagated by the Soviet school. Nor is it above propounding a few dangerous myths of its own.

The study of this oral tradition has only recently been authorised and is centred in the Russian State University for the Humanities in the study group for oral history, run by Daria Khoudovia. The most striking thing about the oral history of the Russian people is that it is immeasurably more truthful than official history: by and large, the anecdotes remain far more faithful to the facts than the Bolshevik version.
Welcome to the new South Africa
Authors: Maja-Pearce Adewale
Published: October 2007

If the turmoil in the universities is anything to go by, there are no grounds for optimism says a visitor
Images of Africa
Authors: Gerima Haile
Published: October 2007

'Censorship, for me, is political, economic and cultural. Most African film-makers feel that they were born at the wrong time and in the wrong place; and that's a terrible feeling for anyone who wants to express himself. It's OK if you are a dancer or writer, but with film, you need finance. Africa controls neither the capital nor the technology'
Even bastards deserve justice
Authors: O'Farrell John
Published: October 2007

Freedom of speech is a relative concept in Northern Ireland. Statements made by public figures have to be filtered through the knowledge that every nuance will be examined for fault by opponents and supporters alike. 'Fault' being anything vaguely threatening to the 'other side', or Indicative of a 'sell out' for 'our' cause.
The Old Man and the See
Authors: Hilton Isabel
Published: October 2007

The Pope went to Cuba and met the renegade Jesuit. It was not a one-way street and both men gave as good as they got. The Papal visit will change nothing, says Fidel, but Cuba is crumbling and something has to give
Nobody cried then
Authors: Buric Ahmed
Published: October 2007

To this day, thousands of women from Srebrenica, now living in the suburbs of Sarajevo, have still not discovered what happened to the husbands who were taken to a 'destination unknown' by the soldiers of Serbian general Ratko Mladic between 11 and 13 July
Divided in grief
Authors: Halasa Malu
Published: October 2007

For 50 years, the Israel-Palestine struggle has created more than Its fair share of widows
The ties that bind
Authors: Roy Olivier
Published: October 2007

Islam is pressed into the service of the state as a bulwark against radical islamic forces from abroad
Castle perilous
Authors: Islam Shada
Published: October 2007

In secrecy and in haste, the European Union is fortifying its borders against refugees, asylum seekers and all who seek to penetrate its defences
Sect crime
Authors: Nordhausen Frank , Billerbeck Liane V.
Published: October 2007

Eminent scientologists in the USA cry 'Foul!' But Germany's treatment of its sect members is haunted by the past and the pre-eminence of pseudo cults and religions under the Nazis
Fifty years of dispossession
Authors: Said Edward
Published: October 2007

Peace is not now and israel shows no sign of honouring the Oslo Accords of 1993. The only way forward is for Palestinians to renew the struggle
Return of mother hero
Authors: Maryniak Irena
Published: October 2007

For 70 years, Soviet film audiences viewed to order. Then came the market and freedom of choice. And Russian audiences were quick to tell it what they wanted: good old-style heroes and villains and more than a touch of the Soviet ethic
Anything to declare?
Authors: Ozturk Umit
Published: October 2007

Fifty years ago the environment was not high on the agenda- today it's a different matter, and with good reason
Into the future
Authors: Robinson Mary
Published: October 2007

Views from around the world on the successes and failures of the Universal Declaration, and thoughts for the future
One day in the life of Wagner
Authors: Rocha Jan
Published: October 2007

For millions of shantytown dwellers, the police represent the only contact they have with the state. And It's often a lethal contact
Beyond the fringe
Authors: Simmons Ian
Published: October 2007

Progressive scientists can be marginalised and dismissed as lunatics, only to be readmitted to the fold years, even centuries, later
Rethinking AIDS
Authors: Christie Huw
Published: October 2007

A whole industry, involving big business, political interests, personal ambition and large sums of money, has evolved around AIDS. Its pronouncements go largely unchallenged within the scientific establishment, and those who dare criticise or question orthodoxies are silenced
Letting the genes out of the bottle
Authors: Morgan Peter
Published: October 2007

Our bodies have become the ethical battleground in the war of the new genetics
Trial by ordeal
Authors: Ibrahim Anwar
Published: October 2007

On 14 April, Anwar Ibrahim, formerly deputy prime minister and reputed successor to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed, was jailed for six years on charges that many thought had been trumped up by the latter to rid him of an unwelcome critic
Determining the Transrepression Activity of Xenoestrogen on Nuclear Factor-κB in Cos-1 Cells by Estrogen Receptor-α
Authors: Ansari R. A. , Gandy J.
Published: October 2007

Functional assays have been used to define the estrogenicity of xenoestrogens in cotransfection studies employing estrogen receptors in various cell lines. It is known that estrogen is able to affect transcription from other nuclear transcription factors, especially the nuclear factor- κB (NF- κB). The ability of selected xenoestrogens (methoxychlor [MXC], dieldrin, and o′, p′-DDT) to transrepress the NF- κB–mediated transcription in Cos-1 cells was evaluated by cotransfection of human estrogen receptor- α (hER α). These xenoestrogens have been described as comparably potent xenoestrogens, whereas their relative binding activity (RBA) has been relegated to a lower order as compare to estrogen. The two NF- κB response element–containing SV40 promoter and −242/+54 cytomegalovirus (CMV)–expressing firefly luciferase (2 × NRE-PV-Luc and 2 × NRE-CMV-Luc, respectively) were transfected into Cos-1 cells with pRL-tk, expressing the renilla luciferase as internal control. The estrogen receptor was expressed from cytomegalovirus major immediate early promoter (CMV-MIEP) (CMV5-hER α). Treatment with 1 nM estrogen (E2) (26.2%), 5 nM E2 (41.4%; p < .05), and xenoestrogens (methoxychlor [1 nM: 29.6%, p < .05; 10 nM: 22.6%), dieldrin [1 nM: 10.3%; 10 nM: 36.06%, p < .05], and o′, p′-DDT [1 nM: 17.0%; 10 nM: 7.15%]) repressed transcription from 2 × NREX-PV-Luc. The antiestrogen, ICI 182,780, failed to antagonize the effects of xenoestrogens. The effects of xenoestrogens in transrepression of NF- κB by ER α were similar when 2 × NRE-CMV-Luc was employed as reporter. Statistically significant ( p < .01) repression by 1 nM E2 (69.2%), 5 nM E2 (69.1%), 1 nM o′, p′-DDT (51.4%), 1 nM dieldrin (47.3%), and 1 nM MXC (73.3%) were observed. The effect of these xenoestrogens without ER α cotransfection on 2 × NRE-PV-Luc- and 2 × NRE-CMV-Luc-mediated NF- κB transcription was not affected by the treatment alone. It is concluded that xenoestrogens, like estrogens, are capable of producing transrepression of NF- κB by hER α.
Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Proliferol: A Dose-Escalating, Placebo-Controlled Study in Rats
Authors: Dagenais Simon , Mayer John , Wooley James R. , Haldeman Scott , Hite Mark
Published: October 2007

Proliferol is an investigational new drug containing lidocaine hydrochloride 0.25%, dextrose 12.5%, glycerin 12.5%, and phe­nol 1.0% in aqueous solution. Despite extensive human experience with similar drugs administered by intraligamentous injection for chronic musculoskeletal disorders, little is known concerning preclinical toxicity. The purpose of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of intramuscular Proliferol in 96 (48 male, 48 female) Charles River strain rats, which were randomly assigned to low-(1×), medium- (5×), or high- (10×) dose Proliferol (derived from a human dose of 20 ml on a volume per bodyweight basis), or high-dose saline placebo. Observations included clinical observations, biochemistry, hematology, urinalysis, and full histopathology after 24 h or 14 days. There were no signs of ill health or reaction to treat­ment, and gait and body temperature were within normal limits. Biochemistry findings at 24 h included elevated aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and haptoglobin; at 14 days all values were within normal ranges. Urinalysis findings at 24 h included increased urobilinogen and blood in all dose groups com­pared with placebo. Urine concentrations of phenol and lidocaine were greatest at 2 h and absent at 24 h. Histopathology findings included localized acute inflammatory soft tissue changes at the injection sites at 24 h and skeletal muscle regeneration at 14 days, which were consistent with the anticipated mechanism of action of Proliferol. There was no evidence of systemic toxicity from intra­muscular injection of Proliferol in rats at up to 10× the human dose.
Subchronic Oral Toxicity Study of Mixed Tocopheryl Phosphates in Rats
Authors: Gianello R. , Hall W. C. , Kennepohl E. , Libinaki R. , Ogru E.
Published: October 2007

Rats were fed diets containing 0%, 1 %, 3%, or 5% mixed tocopheryl phosphates for 90 days. No abnormal clinical signs related to treatment appeared. Some statistically significant changes in hematology and clinical chemistry parameters appeared, but the majority were not dose dependent, occurred in only one sex or group, and/or remained within the historical control range for this strain of rat. A statistically significant apparent reduction in blood protein was observed in animals treated with the tocopheryl phosphates, but further investigation showed that the test substance interfered with the protein assay. Repeat analysis using a method unaffected by plasma test substance levels showed no difference in plasma proteins among all groups. Gross necropsy revealed no abnormalities; reduced relative heart and epididymal weights were observed, but were not dose dependent and were considered incidental. Histopathological changes occurred only in the mesenteric lymph node and small intestine. Foreign material in a crystal-like form appeared in macrophages in both organs, and increased in a dose-related fashion. In the lymph node, sinus histiocytosis increased with dose, but the severity was similar between the control and low-dose groups. Foreign-body granulomatous inflammation, associated with Maltese cross birefringence of the crystals was seen in the mid- and high-dose animals, but not the low-dose group. Similarly, the small intestine showed increasing amounts of foreign material and inflammation in the mid- and high-dose but not in the 1 % diet. The 1 % diet (equivalent to 587 and 643 mg mixed tocopheryl phosphates/kg body weight/day for male and female rats, respectively) was considered the no observed adverse effect level.
The global attractivity of the rational difference equation 𝑦_{𝑛}=𝐴+(\frac{𝑦_{𝑛-𝑘}}𝑦_{𝑛-𝑚})^{𝑝}
Authors: Berenhaut Kenneth , Foley John , Stević Stevo
Published: October 2007

This paper studies the behavior of positive solutions of the recursive equation
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartLayout 1st Row y Subscript n Baseline equals upper A plus left-parenthesis StartFraction y Subscript n minus k Baseline Over y Subscript n minus m Baseline EndFraction right-parenthesis Superscript p Baseline comma n equals 0 comma 1 comma 2 comma ellipsis comma EndLayout">

y
n

=
A
+

(

y

n
−
k

y

n
−
m

)

p

,

n
=
0
,
1
,
2
,
…
,

\begin{eqnarray} y_n=A+\left (\frac {y_{n-k}}{y_{n-m}}\right )^p,\quad n=0,1,2,\ldots , \nonumber \end{eqnarray}

with

y

−
s

,

y

−
s
+
1

,
…
,

y

−
1

∈
(
0
,
∞
)

y_{-s},y_{-s+1}, \ldots , y_{-1} \in (0, \infty )

and

k
,
m
∈
{
1
,
2
,
3
,
4
,
…
}

k,m \in \{1,2,3,4,\ldots \}

, where

s
=
max
{
k
,
m
}

s=\max \{k,m\}

. We prove that if

g
c
d

(
k
,
m
)
=
1

\mathrm {gcd}(k,m) = 1

, and

p
≤
min
{
1
,
(
A
+
1
)

/

2
}

p\leq \min \{1,(A+1)/2\}

, then

y
n

y_n

tends to

A
+
1

A+1

. This complements several results in the recent literature, including the main result in K. S.  Berenhaut, J. D. Foley and S. Stević, The global attractivity of the rational difference equation

y

n

=
1
+

y

n
−
k

y

n
−
m

y_{n}=1+\frac {y_{n-k}}{y_{n-m}}

, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., 135 (2007) 1133–1140.
Nonpositive sectional curvature for (𝑝,𝑞,𝑟)-complexes
Authors: Wise Daniel
Published: October 2007

We give a criterion for the nonpositive sectional curvature of

(
p
,
q
,
r
)

(p,q,r)

-complexes. As a consequence, we show that certain

2
2

-complexes have locally indicable, coherent and even locally quasiconvex fundamental groups.
Nayatani’s metric and conformal transformations of a Kleinian manifold
Authors: Yabuki Yasuhiro
Published: October 2007

According to Schoen and Yau (1988), an extensive class of conformally flat manifolds is realized as Kleinian manifolds. Nayatani (1997) constructed a metric on a Kleinian manifold

M
M

which is compatible with the canonical flat conformal structure. He showed that this metric

g
N

g_N

has a large symmetry if

g
N

g_N

is a complete metric. Under certain assumptions including the completeness of

g
N

g_N

, the isometry group of

(
M
,

g
N

)

(M,g_N)

coincides with the conformal transformation group of

M
M

. In this paper, we show that

g
N

g_N

may have a large symmetry even if

g
N

g_N

is not complete. In particular, every conformal transformation is an isometry when

(
M
,

g
N

)

(M,g_N)

corresponds to a geometrically finite Kleinian group.
On local solvability of certain differential complexes
Authors: Nicola Fabio
Published: October 2007

In any locally integrable structure a differential complex induced by the de Rham differential is naturally defined. We give necessary conditions, in terms of the signature of the Levi form, for its local solvability with a prescribed rate of shrinking.
On Strichartz estimates for Schrödinger operators in compact manifolds with boundary
Authors: Blair Matthew , Smith Hart , Sogge Christopher
Published: October 2007

We prove local Strichartz estimates with a loss of derivatives over compact manifolds with boundary. Our results also apply more generally to compact manifolds with Lipschitz metrics.
Slice knots with distinct Ozsváth-Szabó and Rasmussen invariants
Authors: Livingston Charles
Published: October 2007

As proved by Hedden and Ording, there exist knots for which the Ozsváth-Szabó and Rasmussen smooth concordance invariants,

τ
\tau

and

s
s

, differ. The Hedden-Ording examples have nontrivial Alexander polynomials and are not topologically slice. It is shown in this note that a simple manipulation of the Hedden-Ording examples yields a topologically slice Alexander polynomial one knot for which

τ
\tau

and

s
s

differ. Manolescu and Owens have previously found a concordance invariant that is independent of both

τ
\tau

and

s
s

on knots of polynomial one, and as a consequence have shown that the smooth concordance group of topologically slice knots contains a summand isomorphic to

Z

⊕

Z

\mathbf {Z} \oplus \mathbf {Z}

. It thus follows quickly from the observation in this note that this concordance group contains a summand isomorphic to

Z

⊕

Z

⊕

Z

\mathbf {Z} \oplus \mathbf {Z} \oplus \mathbf {Z}

.
LARG and mDia1 Link Gα12/13to Cell Polarity and Microtubule Dynamics
Authors: Goulimari Polyxeni , Knieling Helga , Engel Ulrike , Grosse Robert
Published: October 2007

Regulation of cell polarity is a process observed in all cells. During directed migration, cells orientate their microtubule cytoskeleton and the microtubule-organizing-center (MTOC), which involves integrins and downstream Cdc42 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β activity. However, the contribution of G protein-coupled receptor signal transduction for MTOC polarity is less well understood. Here, we report that the heterotrimeric Gα12and Gα13proteins are necessary for MTOC polarity and microtubule dynamics based on studies using Gα12/13-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Cell polarization involves the Gα12/13-interacting leukemia-associated RhoGEF (LARG) and the actin-nucleating diaphanous formin mDia1. Interestingly, LARG associates with pericentrin and localizes to the MTOC and along microtubule tracks. We propose that Gα12/13proteins exert essential functions linking extracellular signals to microtubule dynamics and cell polarity via RhoGEF and formin activity.
Mint3/X11γ Is an ADP-Ribosylation Factor-dependent Adaptor that Regulates the Traffic of the Alzheimer's Precursor Protein from theTrans-Golgi Network
Authors: Shrivastava-Ranjan Punya , Faundez Victor , Fang Guofu , Rees Howard , Lah James J. , Levey Allan I. , Kahn Richard A.
Published: October 2007

β-Amyloid peptides (Aβ) are the major component of plaques in brains of Alzheimer's patients, and are they derived from the proteolytic processing of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). The movement of APP between organelles is highly regulated, and it is tightly connected to its processing by secretases. We proposed previously that transport of APP within the cell is mediated in part through its sorting into Mint/X11-containing carriers. To test our hypothesis, we purified APP-containing vesicles from human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, and we showed that Mint2/3 are specifically enriched and that Mint3 and APP are present in the same vesicles. Increasing cellular APP levels increased the amounts of both APP and Mint3 in purified vesicles. Additional evidence supporting an obligate role for Mint3 in traffic of APP from the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane include the observations that depletion of Mint3 by small interference RNA (siRNA) or mutation of the Mint binding domain of APP changes the export route of APP from the basolateral to the endosomal/lysosomal sorting route. Finally, we show that increased expression of Mint3 decreased and siRNA-mediated knockdowns increased the secretion of the neurotoxic β-amyloid peptide, Aβ1-40. Together, our data implicate Mint3 activity as a critical determinant of post-Golgi APP traffic.
Constitutively Active Akt Induces Ectodermal Defects and Impaired Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling
Authors: Segrelles Carmen , Moral Marta , Lorz Corina , Santos Mirentxu , Lu Jerry , Cascallana José Luis , Lara M. Fernanda , Carbajal Steve , Martínez-Cruz Ana Belén , García-Escudero Ramón , Beltran Linda , Segovia José C. , Bravo Ana , DiGiovanni John , Paramio Jesús M.
Published: October 2007

Aberrant activation of the Akt pathway has been implicated in several human pathologies including cancer. However, current knowledge on the involvement of Akt signaling in development is limited. Previous data have suggested that Akt-mediated signaling may be an essential mediator of epidermal homeostasis through cell autonomous and noncell autonomous mechanisms. Here we report the developmental consequences of deregulated Akt activity in the basal layer of stratified epithelia, mediated by the expression of a constitutively active Akt1 (myrAkt) in transgenic mice. Contrary to mice overexpressing wild-type Akt1 (Aktwt), these myrAkt mice display, in a dose-dependent manner, altered development of ectodermally derived organs such as hair, teeth, nails, and epidermal glands. To identify the possible molecular mechanisms underlying these alterations, gene profiling approaches were used. We demonstrate that constitutive Akt activity disturbs the bone morphogenetic protein-dependent signaling pathway. In addition, these mice also display alterations in adult epidermal stem cells. Collectively, we show that epithelial tissue development and homeostasis is dependent on proper regulation of Akt expression and activity.
Electronically subtracting expression patterns from a mixed cell population
Authors: Gosink Mark M. , Petrie Howard T. , Tsinoremas Nicholas F.
Published: October 2007

Motivation: Biological samples frequently contain multiple cell-types that each can play a crucial role in the development and/or regulation of adjacent cells or tissues. The search for biomarkers, or expression patterns of, one cell-type in those samples can be a complex and time-consuming process. Ordinarily, extensive laboratory bench work must be performed to separate the mixed cell population into its subcomponents, such that each can be accurately characterized.

Results: We have developed a methodology to electronically subtract gene expression in one or more components of a mixed cell population from a mixture, to reveal the expression patterns of other minor or difficult to isolate components. Examination of simulated data indicates that this procedure can reliably determine the expression patterns in cell-types that contribute as little as 5% of the total expression in a mixed cell population. We re-analyzed microarray expression data from the viral infection of macrophages and from the T-cells of wild type and Foxp3 deletion mice. Using our subtraction methodology, we were able to substantially improve the identification of genes involved in processes of subcomponent portions of these samples.

Contact:  gosink@scripps.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Review of CAM for Procedural Pain in Infancy: Part II. Other Interventions
Authors: Tsao Jennie C. I. , Evans Subhadra , Meldrum Marcia , Altman Tamara , Zeltzer Lonnie K.
Published: October 2007

This article is the second in a two‐part series reviewing the empirical evidence for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches for the management of pain related to medical procedures in infants up to 6 weeks of age. Part I of this series investigated the effects of sucrose with or without non‐nutritive sucking (NNS). The present article examines other CAM interventions for procedural pain including music‐based interventions, olfactory stimulation, kangaroo care and swaddling. Computerized databases were searched for relevant studies including prior reviews and primary trials. Preliminary support was revealed for the analgesic effects of the CAM modalities reviewed. However, the overall quality of the evidence for these approaches remains relatively weak. Additional well‐designed trials incorporating rigorous methodology are required. Such investigations will assist in the development of evidence‐based guidelines on the use of CAM interventions either alone or in concert with conventional approaches to provide safe, reliable analgesia for infant procedural pain.
Scleroderma, Stress and CAM Utilization
Authors: Hui Ka-Kit , Johnston Michael Francis , Brodsky Marc , Tafur Joe , Kim Ho Mai
Published: October 2007

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease influenced by interplay among genetic and environmental factors, of which one is stress. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used to treat stress and those diseases in which stress has been implicated. Results are presented from a survey of patients with scleroderma. Respondents were a convenient sample of those attending a national conference in Las Vegas in 2002. Findings implicate stress in the onset, continuation and exacerbation of scleroderma. The implication is that CAM providers may be filling an important patient need in their provision of services that identify and treat stress and its related disorders.
The Homeopathic Preparation Nervoheel N Can Offer an Alternative to Lorazepam Therapy for Mild Nervous Disorders
Authors: van den Meerschaut Lodewijk , Sünder Andrea
Published: October 2007

In an open‐label, prospective non‐randomized cohort study, we compared the effectiveness and tolerability profiles of the homeopathic remedy Nervoheel N with those of the benzodiazepine, lorazepam, in 248 patients with insomnia, distress, anxieties, restlessness or burnout and similar nervous conditions (‘mild nervous disorders’). Patients were treated with Nervoheel N or lorazepam at the recommended doses for a maximum of 4 weeks. Dose variations were allowed if in the patient′s best interest. Treatment effects were evaluated by the practitioner in a dialogue with the patient at the start of treatment, after 2 weeks and after maximally 4 weeks of treatment. Tolerability data were recorded as adverse events. At baseline, lorazepam patients were on average slightly older and there was a somewhat greater percentage of men in this group than in the Nervoheel group. Both treatment groups reported significant symptomatic improvements of similar magnitude during the course of the study. The sum of symptom scores improved by 4.4 points with Nervoheel N and by 4.2 points with lorazepam. The differences between the treatment groups were not significant. All differences between treatments were within 10% of the maximum score ranges, demonstrating non‐inferiority of Nervoheel N. Both treatments were well tolerated, with few adverse events and very good self‐assessed tolerability ratings by the patients. Thus, in patients who opt for a homeopathic treatment regimen for the short‐term relief of mild nervous disorders, the effects of Nervoheel N are non‐inferior to those of lorazepam.
Impact of negatively charged patches on the surface of MHC class II antigen-presenting proteins on risk of chronic beryllium disease
Authors: Snyder James A , Demchuk Eugene , McCanlies Erin C , Schuler Christine R , Kreiss Kathleen , Andrew Michael E , Frye Bonnie L , Ensey James S , Stanton Marcia L , Weston Ainsley
Published: October 2007

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a granulomatous lung disease that occurs primarily in workers who are exposed to beryllium dust or fumes. Although exposure to beryllium is a necessary factor in the pathobiology of CBD, alleles that code for a glutamic acid residue at the 69th position of theHLA-DPβ1gene have previously been found to be associated with CBD. To date, 43HLA-DPβ1alleles that code for glutamic acid 69 (E69) have been described. Whether all of these E69 coding alleles convey equal risk of CBD is unknown. The present study demonstrates that, on the one hand, E69 alleloforms of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen-presenting proteins with the greatest negative surface charge convey the highest risk of CBD, and on the other hand, irrespective of allele, they convey equal risk of beryllium sensitization (BeS). In addition, the data suggest that the same alleles that cause the greatest risk of CBD are also important for the progression from BeS to CBD. Alleles convey the highest risk code for E26 in a constant region and for E69, aspartic acid 55 (D55), E56, D84 and E85 in hypervariable regions of the HLA-DPβ1 chain. Together with the calculated high binding affinities for beryllium, these results suggest that an adverse immune response, leading to CBD, is triggered by chemically specific metal–protein interactions.
The importance of habitat and life history to extinction risk in sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras
Authors: García Verónica B , Lucifora Luis O , Myers Ransom A
Published: October 2007

We compared life-history traits and extinction risk of chondrichthyans (sharks, rays and chimaeras), a group of high conservation concern, from the three major marine habitats (continental shelves, open ocean and deep sea), controlling for phylogenetic correlation. Deep-water chondrichthyans had a higher age at maturity and longevity, and a lower growth completion rate than shallow-water species. The average fishing mortality needed to drive a deep-water chondrichthyan species to extinction (Fextinct) was 38–58% of that estimated for oceanic and continental shelf species, respectively. Mean values ofFextinctwere 0.149, 0.250 and 0.368 for deep-water, oceanic and continental shelf species, respectively. Reproductive mode was an important determinant of extinction risk, while body size had a weak effect on extinction risk. As extinction risk was highly correlated with phylogeny, the loss of species will be accompanied by a loss of phylogenetic diversity. Conservation priority should not be restricted to large species, as is usually suggested, since many small species, like those inhabiting the deep ocean, are also highly vulnerable to extinction. Fishing mortality of deep-water chondrichthyans already exploited should be minimized, and new deep-water fisheries affecting chondrichthyans should be prevented.
Solution structure and calcium‐binding properties of EF‐hands 3 and 4 of calsenilin
Authors: Yu Liping , Sun Chaohong , Mendoza Renaldo , Wang Jie , Matayoshi Edmund D. , Hebert Eric , Pereda‐Lopez Ana , Hajduk Philip J. , Olejniczak Edward T.
Published: October 2007

Calsenilin is a member of the recoverin branch of the EF‐hand superfamily that is reported to interact with presenilins, regulate prodynorphin gene expression, modulate voltage‐gated Kv4 potassium channel function, and bind to neurotoxins. Calsenilin is a Ca+2‐binding protein and plays an important role in calcium signaling. Despite its importance in numerous neurological functions, the structure of this protein has not been reported. In the absence of Ca+2, the protein has limited spectral resolution that increases upon the addition of Ca+2. Here, we describe the three‐dimensional solution structure of EF‐hands 3 and 4 of calsenilin in the Ca+2‐bound form. The Ca+2‐bound structure consists of five α‐helices and one two‐stranded antiparallel β‐sheet. The long loop that connects EF hands 3 and 4 is highly disordered in solution. In addition to its structural effects, Ca+2 binding also increases the protein's propensity to dimerize. These changes in structure and oligomerization state induced upon Ca+2 binding may play important roles in molecular recognition during calcium signaling.
The relationship between developmental instability of gudgeonGobio gobioand abundance or morphology of its ectoparasiteParadiplozoon homoion(Monogenea)
Authors: Pečínková M. , Vøllestad L. A. , Koubková B. , Huml J. , Jurajda P. , Gelnar M.
Published: October 2007

GudgeonGobio gobio(Cyprinidae) were collected monthly from the Vlara Stream (Czech Republic) during 2004 and examined for the presence of the ectoparasiteParadiplozoon homoion(Diplozoidae; Monogenea). Over 26% ofP. homoionshowed abnormalities of the attachment sclerites, indicating either a stressful environment or that the quality of the fish host was suboptimal for parasite development. Here, the hypotheses that parasite abundance and the occurrence of morphological abnormalities are correlated with fluctuating asymmetry (FA, the random deviation from the perfect bilateral symmetry) in its fish host were tested. The FA and morphological abnormality are estimators of developmental instability. To estimate fish developmental instability nine meristic and two morphometric bilateral characters on the right and the left sides of the fish were measured. In general, there was no correlation between mean fish FA and parasite abundance or the proportion of parasites with abnormalities. There was, however, a significant relationship between the proportion of abnormalP. homoionand the number of asymmetric meristic traits per individual fish. This study thus indicates that developmental instability ofP. homoion, measured as morphological abnormality of the attachment apparatus, is only weakly dependent on the fish quality as measured by FA.
A comparative study of phagocytic activity and lymphoproliferative response in five varieties of tilapia Oreochromis spp.
Authors: Solis J. Casas , Santerre A. , Pérez M. I. Girón , Orozco R. Reynoso , Zaitseva G.
Published: October 2007

The immunological status of three native species of tilapia Oreochromis spp. and two hybrids were compared, showing a greater potential of the hybrid strain O. niloticus Rocky Mountain for aquaculture and a better capacity to resist the stressful conditions of a fish farm.
Liver histopathology and accumulation of melano‐macrophage centres in Hoplias malabaricus after long‐term food deprivation and re‐feeding
Authors: Rios F. S. , Donatti L. , Fernandes M. N. , Kalinin A. L. , Rantin F. T.
Published: October 2007

In the Neotropical traíra Hoplias malabaricus, hepatocyte surface area declined after 30 days of fasting due to reserve utilization. Changes in normal organization of liver were not confirmed until 180 days of fasting. Severe histopathological changes occurred after 240 days. Pigment accumulation in the hepatocytes and increase in number and size (surface area) of melano‐macrophage centres (MMC) were also verified during long‐term food deprivation. The melano‐macrophages were rich in ferric compounds, probably haemosiderin. This suggests that the activity of hepatic macrophages is related to the intense erythrocyte degradation that occurred in traíra following long‐term food deprivation. After re‐feeding for 30 days, the liver presented a partial restoration, but the large MMC remained. When compared to the respective starved group, the hepatocytes of re‐fed fish increased in size, revealing recovering cell activity and storage of some energy reserves.
Catch composition and reproductive biology of whaler sharks (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) caught by fisheries in Indonesia
Authors: White W. T.
Published: October 2007

The first detailed information on the biological aspects of members of the economically important shark family Carcharhinidae in Indonesian waters is given. Carcharhinids dominated the landings of sharks at sites visited, comprising almost 60% of the total biomass of all sharks recorded, over an intensive 5 year sampling period. A total of 26 species of carcharhinids, representing half of the species in the Carcharhinidae, were recorded. The most abundant species, in terms of numbers recorded, were Scoliodon laticaudus and Carcharhinus falciformis, while the most abundant in terms of biomass were Prionace glauca, C. falciformis and Carcharhinus obscurus. Biological data are presented for 22 of the 26 species. The total length at which males attain maturity (L50) was determined for 10 species. The biological aspects of a number of species, most notably Carcharhinus sorrah and Loxodon macrorhinus, were found to differ from those recorded in the literature for other regions.
First detection and confirmation of spring viraemia of carp virus in common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., from Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, Canada
Authors: Garver K A , Dwilow A G , Richard J , Booth T F , Beniac D R , Souter B W
Published: October 2007

In June 2006, 150 wild common carp were sampled from Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, Canada. Tissue pools consisting of kidney, spleen and encephalon were screened for viruses as a condition facilitating the export of live carp to France. Cytopathic effect (CPE), indicative of a viral infection, became evident after 8 days of incubation at 15 °C. Eighteen of 30 tissue pools (five fish per pool) eventually demonstrated viral CPE. The viral pathogen was initially cultured and isolated on the epithelioma papulosum cyprini cell line and subsequently shown to produce CPE in the fathead minnow and bluegill fin cell lines. Electron microscopy demonstrated the virus to be a rhabdovirus. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction assay and nucleotide sequence analysis identified the isolate as spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV). Phylogenetic analysis of a 533 bp region of the glycoprotein gene grouped the Canadian isolate in SVCV genogroup Ia together with isolates from Asia and the USA. Sequence comparisons revealed the Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario isolate to be most similar to an isolate obtained from common carp in the Calumet Sag Channel in Illinois in 2003 (98.9% nucleotide identity). This is the first report of the detection of SVCV in Canada.
Risk factors for hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation
Authors: Roche B. , Samuel D.
Published: October 2007

Summary.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related end‐stage liver disease is the main indication for liver transplantation performed in Europe and the United States. Recurrence of hepatitis C in the graft is universal and may lead to chronic hepatitis in most patients and to cirrhosis in 20–30% of patients within 5–10 years of transplantation. The natural history of HCV recurrence is highly variable but leads to a lower survival rate than other recurrent liver diseases. The immunosuppressed status and several other factors have been linked with the pattern and severity of recurrence. What remains controversial are those factors associated with fibrosis progression and how these could be modified to improve outcome of recurrent hepatitis C. No single factor but a combination of several factors is associated with fibrosis progression on the graft. The major factors associated with accelerated disease recurrence include: high viral load pre‐ (>106 IU / mL) and / or early post‐transplantation (>107 IU / mL at 4 months), donor older than 40–50 years, prolonged ischaemic time, cytomegalovirus coinfection, over immunosuppression and / or abrupt changes in immunosuppression, HIV coinfection, infection by genotype 1b. Cautious follow‐up of the pathology of the graft is mandatory including routine biopsies and / or noninvasive monitoring of fibrosis.
Practical use of hepatitis C virus kinetics monitoring in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Chevaliez S. , Pawlotsky J.‐M.
Published: October 2007

Summary. Prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection complications can be achieved by antiviral therapy based on the use of a combination of pegylated interferon (IFN)‐α and ribavirin. The steady‐state kinetics of HCV infection represents the treatment target. The goal is cure, which is achieved when all infected cells have been cleared from the body. Because of their intrinsic properties, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are rapidly replacing other technologies for routine quantification of HCV‐RNA during antiviral therapy. The virological response at week 12 of therapy is currently used to tailor treatment duration in HCV genotype 1 infection only. Recent reports suggest that the virological response at week 4 could be used to tailor treatment duration, whatever the HCV genotype.