bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Values in Mental Hospital Practice
Authors: Kimber W. J. T.
Published: August 2008

The opportunity I have of speaking to you is for me both a pleasure and a privilege, but it is also, I fully appreciate, a responsibility.

The field of psychiatry to-day is not unfruitful and not a few discoveries of lasting worth appear to have been made, while certainly claims to progress of more doubtful value, both as regards letiology and even more with regard to treatment, are so numerous as to be rather bewildering, particularly when they become the subject of articles in the popular press, whereby relatives are enabled to make a diagnosis and decide on a line of treatment without any reference to the medical man.
A Death During Insulin Treatment of Schizophrenia; with Pathological Report
Authors: MacKeith Stephen A. , Meyer A.
Published: August 2008

The insulin treatment of schizophrenia has been practised at Hatton since June, 1937. The Vienna technique has been employed, with certain modifications described in a recent paper in this journal by Gillman and Parfitt.
Methodological Consideration of Jung's Typology
Authors: Stephenson W.
Published: August 2008

Jung wrote his Type Psychology in 1914, but does not seem to have developed any further its general thesis. The terms “introvert” and “extravert”, however, have slipped into everyday language, and experimental studies and questionnaire inquiries on introversion-extraversion continue to be published in psychological journals. Ink-blots, ambiguous figures, and even knee-jerks are called upon to measure this fundamental tendency of man; inventories and self-rating sheets are employed widely to estimate it; and yet it appears to evade capture. There is as yet little or no evidence anywhere that a coherent tendency of the kind looked for does in fact exist.
Facial Expression in Schizophrenic Drawings
Authors: Reitmann F.
Published: August 2008

The literature on the drawings of schizophrenics is mainly concerned with their spontaneous artistic production. Some schools of psychotherapy use drawings systematically as an approach to the patient, i.e., as another way of obtaining free association from them. But apart from this, little work has been done on experimental drawing for diagnostic purposes. There is, however, the interesting work carried out by Mohr (1), who analysed drawings of mental patients of various kinds, and demonstrated in their production numerous clinical symptoms. His paper, classical as it is, has not stimulated many others to follow his lines. Sapas (2) collected systematically drawings of mental hospital inmates, which, in fact, were tests of visual memory. She followed, in her investigations, the technique originally proposed by Hickson in his work onThe Mental Fingerprint.Lately, Becker (3) has contributed to the problems involved, in a systematic study, which will be referred to later.
The Meinicke Klarungs Reaction: The Development of an Improved Test
Authors: Robertson W. M. Ford , Colquhoun D. B.
Published: August 2008

The stimulus behind this investigation was created by various factors which can only be enumerated briefly. In the course of routine sero-diagnosis of syphilis in psychiatric work at the Institute during the last five years, it became evident that, of the three flocculation tests employed, the Kahn (Kahn, R. L., 1928), Müller-Ballungs reaction (Müller, R., 1929), and Meinicke Klarungs reaction (Meinicke, E., 1929), the Meinicke original extract gave results superior in sensitivity. This feature was shown particularly in very early infections and treated cases. Three Wassermann tests, the standard method for psychiatry (Mann, S. A., and Partner, F., 1931), the Wyler drop technique (Wyler, E. J., 1929), and the Browning and Kennaway methods (Browning, C. H., and Kennaway, 1924), run concurrently, could not claim to be as good in this respect, and further, were liable to give non-specific results. The explanation of some of the anomalous reactions of one or another of the three hæmolytic systems seems to lie chiefly in the fact that sera from psychotic and mentally defective patients contain in larger degree elements that are prone to disturb specificity.
The Modern Psychiatric Approach to Crime
Authors: East W. Norwood
Published: August 2008

The general object of the Criminal Justice Bill, now before Parliament, as set out in the explanatory Memorandum, is to improve the methods of dealing with persons found guilty of offences, including adolescent offenders and persons who commit repeated offences. It so happens that the Home Office has recently issued, as a Stationery Office publication, a Report on the Psychological Treatment of Crime which was made to the Secretary of State by Dr. Hubert and myself. The present position of psychiatry in relation to crime, therefore, seemed a fitting subject to discuss at this Conference.
Serum Iso-Agglutinin Titres in Health and in Mental Disease
Authors: Thomas John C. , Hewitt E. J. C.
Published: August 2008

We have previously investigated the blood-group distribution in a series of normal persons and mental patients and shown that there is no significant difference between the two groups (Thomas and Hewitt, 1939). As an ancillary procedure in the investigation of any possible differences in the serological make-up of persons suffering from mental disease, we have determined the iso-agglutinin titres in a similar series of normal and mental patients. Onprima faciegrounds no difference is to be expected, and in the result, no difference was found.
The Genetics of Phenylpyruvic Oligophrenia
Authors: Jervis George A.
Published: August 2008

Although considerable attention has been devoted during the past years to the problems of the influence of heredity on mental deficiency, no final conclusions have yet been reached. It appears well established at the present time, first, that in a large percentage of cases, variously estimated at from 40 to 80%, mental deficiency is significantly determined by genetic mechanisms, and second, that recessive genes seem to play a considerable role in such mechanisms (Lokay, 1929; Brugger, 1930a; Smith, 1930; Luxemburg, 1931; Juda, 1934; Kreyenberg, 1935).
Choreoathetosis and Infracortical Nervous Mechanisms
Authors: Menzies W. F.
Published: August 2008

During the last twenty-five years it has come to be recognized that a fairly large amount of mental deficiency appears to coincide with or result from faulty intracranial myelination. In some such children little or no post-natal development occurs, in others recession is already occurring at birth; a few remain fairly normal for some years. Spastic contractures, especially of the legs, grow progressively worse, epilepsy may appear, the child goes steadily downhill and early death is the usual termination. In some cases choreoathetosis is present, and this may either, if the patient lives long enough, disappear spontaneously, or, more usually, become impossible when the spastic contractures have immobilized the extremities. Post-mortem one finds one of two conditions—demyelination of the brain (the status dysmyelinatus of Hallervorden-Spatz) or hypermyelination (the status marmoratus of the Vogts). In both forms there is much hypergliosis, evidently secondary to some irritating but slow myelin poison which finally produces anoxia. Clinically during life both varieties appear much the same, and that is all that is known about its nature at present. Cases were recorded by the Vogts in 1920, Hallervorden and Spatz in 1922, Kalinowski in 1927, Helfand in 1931, Spatz and Peters in 1938; in this country by Meyer and Cook in 1936, Meyer and Earl in 1936. By these authors the views of others are summarized—Bielschowski, Loewenberg and Malamud, Urechia and Michalescu, Bouché and Van Bogaert, Casper, Ammosow, Bostroem, Bodechtel and Guttmann. If epilepsy has been present, it generally disappears after some years. By no means all cases end up as helpless idiots; some learn to attend to their own wants, but few ever walk freely.
Further Observations on Temporary Treatment
Authors: Minski Louis
Published: August 2008

Since the passing of the Mental Treatment Act, 1930, 135 patients have been admitted to St. Ebba's Hospital up to date. An analysis of the first 30 patients admitted on a temporary basis was made by Dr. Wootton and myself, and the results published in the Journal of Mental Science for July, 1937.
Inability in Delirium to Name the Physician's Vocation on Command, with Retention of the Ability to Name it Spontaneously: An Illustration of Hughlings Jackson's Law of “Reduction to a More Automatic Condition”
Authors: Levin Max
Published: August 2008

In talking to delirious patients I have observed a curious and characteristic phenomenon: the patient, in spontaneous conversation, addresses me as “Doctor”, yet when the very next moment I ask him my vocation he cannot answer correctly. I propose to show that this is not merely a capricious phenomenon without meaning, but that it demonstrates the soundness of one of Hughlings Jackson's most important principles. I have observed the phenomenon in no less than nine cases of delirium, and more than once in several. Three cases will serve as examples.
Feeding in Infancy and Subsequent Psychological Difficulties
Authors: Rogerson B. C. F. , Rogerson C. H.
Published: August 2008

In many theories concerning the development of psychological illness, stress has been laid upon the difficulties encountered during the earliest period of life. The problems of feeding in infancy and early childhood have, in particular, been believed to colour if not actually to determine certain neurotic and psychotic behaviour.
Anomalous Cardiac Occurrences During Cardiazol Treatment of the Psychoses and Psychoneuroses
Authors: Good Rankine
Published: August 2008

It is proposed, firstly, to summarize some anomalous cardiac occurrences observed and recorded by the writer in a series of seventy-five cases which underwent treatment with cardiazol for various types of mental illness in the mental observation wards of the Southern General Hospital during the period November 11, 1938, to April 30, 1939; secondly, to suggest an explanation for the occurrence of these anomalous cardiac occurrences, hereinafter referred to for the sake of brevity as abnormalities.
Unilateral Hydrocephalus
Authors: Stewart R. M.
Published: August 2008

A single small aperture connecting each lateral ventricle with the dorsocephalic portion of the third ventricle provides the sole means of escape for cerebro-spinal fluid, and consequently it follows that any interference with its patency will seriously retard the outward flow of ventricular fluid. Complete, or even partial, closure of the foramen leads to a rapid increase in the volume and pressure of imprisoned ventricular fluid so that a condition of internal hydrocephalus is soon established. Usually both foramina are occluded, the hydrocephalus being therefore bilateral and the ventricles more or less symmetrically enlarged. In rare instances, however, only one foramen is obstructed, in which case the dilatation will, of course, be confined to the ipsilateral ventricle. Unilateral hydrocephalus of this obstructive type is commonly caused by inflammatory conditions in the neighbourhood of the foramen, or by pedunculated tumours attached to the choroid plexus which enjoy a degree of movement sufficient to permit intermittent or permanent blockage of the foramen of Monro. It is, however, possible to find examples of unilateral hydrocephalus in which the outflow of cerebro-spinal fluid through the foramen of Monro is unimpeded, and in these the cause of the ventricular dilatation is to be sought in some diseased condition of the cerebral wall which has become so weakened as to be unable to resist even normal ventricular pressure. Such expansion may be either limited to one part of the lateral ventricle, or general, involving the entire body with its horns.
Blood-Sugar Changes Following Cardiazol Treatment
Authors: Gillespie J. E. O. N.
Published: August 2008

Meduna and Rohny (1939) have recently commented on the rise of sugar and lactic acid in the blood of schizophrenic patients following therapeutic cardiazol fits. Insulin causes a lowering of the blood sugar, but later the resting level becomes higher than before treatment. Hence they suggest that the alteration of carbohydrate metabolism in the direction of diabetes may be the common mechanism underlying both forms of treatment, and this hypothesis is supported by Nyiro's observation (quoted by Meduna and Rohny) that diabetes is rare amongst patients with schizophrenia.
Cerebral Fat Embolism as the Cause of Death in a Case of Schizophrenia Treated with Triazol (Azoman)
Authors: Nightingale G. S. , Meyer A.
Published: August 2008

There has been an extensive literature on accidents occurring during cardiazol treatment, and since the largely conflicting pathogenic view-points have been discussed in recent reviews (Gross and Gross-May, 1939; Kennedy, 1940; Wyllie, 1940), there is no need for their detailed enumeration. Gross and Gross-May, whose paper was unfortunately not available to us in the original, recently summed up the more important causes of accidents, grouping them into mechanical disorders, particularly of the osseous, tendinous and muscular system; disturbances of the vascular system—arrhythmia, auricular fibrillation, syncope and vascular spasm due to the specific action of cardiazol; and finally, respiratory disturbances—arrest of respiration, pulmonary embolism, and abscess due to thrombophlebitis at the site of injection.
Psychotherapy in Mental Hospital Practice
Authors: Bierer J.
Published: August 2008

In no other branch of medicine have doctors appeared so nihilistic or so defeatist as in the domain of psychiatry. It seems to me questionable whether this is due to the disparity in the therapeutic results between psychiatry on the one hand and general medicine on the other. In general medicine it is frequently forgotten that the really specific remedies at our disposal are so few that they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. If, on the other hand, we remember that as late as the time of the French Revolution mental patients were kept in chains, and that to-day in modern hospitals we see impressive results with such specific treatments as malarial therapy, then it must be admitted that the psychiatrist is not the only nihilist; but that this also applies to representatives of other branches of general medicine.
Investigations into the Significance of the Endocrines in Involutional Melancholia
Authors: Hemphill R. E. , Reiss Max
Published: August 2008

The question whether involutional melancholia in females can be regarded as distinct form of mental illness representing a reaction to bodily changes following the menopause has been amply discussed. It has been held by some that such a melancholia is no more than one phase of the manic-depressive psychosis (1, 2). Others hold the opposite view and justify it on statistical and clinical grounds (3).
Practical Notes on Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment in Cases of Delirium Tremens
Authors: Laycock Thomas
Published: August 2008

We are always glad to meet (even though elsewhere) with the writings of our distinguished honorary member, Professor Laycock, the only university professor in the realm who deems the study of mental disease worthy of his systematic teaching. In this and recent numbers of the ‘Journal of Mental Science’ Professor Laycock, and our readers, will find in the interesting original communications by Dr. Crichton Browne and Dr. McLeod practical evidence that the Edinburgh University teaching of psychology has already borne fruit of great promise. In this paper Dr. Laycock has made a most valuable contribution to practical medicine. Any effort to check the practice of masking the symptoms of disease by opium, and calling the plan medical treatment, must be of advantage, and when such protest comes from so distinguished a quarter, will command an attention which our warnings and admonitions fail to receive. Dr. Laycock introduces his present remarks on the treatment of delirium tremens, a disease allied to and complicated with mental disease, properly so called, with the following just comment on the heroic treatment of the disease by opium:—
II.—English Psychological Literature
Authors: Peacock Thomas B.
Published: August 2008

“In 1847 (says Dr. Peacock), I published a series of weights of the human brain, collected at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, together with tables prepared from these observations, together with the much larger number of weights previously recorded by the late Professor John Reid. The observations which follow have been obtained since that time, and though comparatively few in number, yet, as they are not likely to be materially increased and may furnish a useful comparison with the former, I have thought them worthy of being placed on record. The observations on the specific gravity of the brain are entirely new. They were obtained by a different mode from that followed by Dr. Sankey, in his observations of the specific gravity of the healthy brain, and by Dr. Bucknill in his investigation of the density of the brain of insane persons. The former of these observers ascertained the specific gravity of the different portions of the brain, by placing pieces in solution of common salt of different densities; the latter adopted a similar plan, except that he employed solutions of Epsom salts. My own observations were made by first weighing the brain and its several portions in air, and then in distilled water, and calculating the specific gravity by the common formula, viz., as the weight lost by the brain in water is to the weight in air, so is the specific gravity of distilled water (1000) to the weight required.”
The Pathological Relation between Albuminuria and Puerperal Mania
Authors: Donkin Arthur Scott
Published: August 2008

“Medical science,” says Dr. Donkin, “is indebted to Professor Simpson for having first directed attention to the coexistence of albuminuria and puerperal mania, in a contribution to the Obstetric Society of Edinburgh, in 1856. In this paper Dr. Simpson contented himself with demonstrating merely the frequent coexistence of the two morbid conditions, without attempting to explain the exact pathological relation between the renal and mental affections, leaving that to be accomplished by future clinical investigation. Dr. Simpson's communication is, I believe, up to the present time, the only contribution we possess on the subject, either in our own or any other language.”
I.—Foreign Psychological Literature
Authors: Arlidge J. T.
Published: August 2008

Correspondenz-Blatt der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, &c.—The numbers of this monthly periodical from April to October, 1863, are now before us, and among their contents are several articles of interest.
Chemotherapy in Addition to Supportive Care Improves Survival in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data From 16 Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors:   NSCLC Meta-Analyses Collaborative Group
Published: August 2008

Purpose

Since our individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis (MA) of supportive care and chemotherapy for non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), published in 1995, many trials have been completed. An updated, IPD MA has been carried out to assess newer regimens and determine conclusively the effect of chemotherapy.

Methods

Systematic searches for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were undertaken, followed by central collection, checking, and reanalysis of updated IPD. Results from RCTs were combined to calculate individual and pooled hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

Data were obtained from 2,714 patients from 16 RCTs. There were 1,293 deaths among 1,399 patients assigned supportive care and chemotherapy and 1,240 among 1,315 assigned supportive care alone. Results showed a significant benefit of chemotherapy (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.83; P ≤ .0001), equivalent to a relative increase in survival of 23% or an absolute improvement in survival of 9% at 12 months, increasing survival from 20% to 29%. There was no clear evidence that this effect was influenced by the drugs used (P = .63) or whether they were used as single agents or in combination (P = .40). Despite changes in patient demographics, the effect of chemotherapy in recent trials did not differ from those included previously (P = .77). There was no clear evidence of a difference or trend in the relative effect of chemotherapy across patient subgroups.

Conclusion

This MA of chemotherapy in the supportive care setting demonstrates conclusively that chemotherapy improves overall survival in all patients with advanced NSCLC. Therefore, all patients who are fit enough and wish to receive chemotherapy should do so.
Variational Inequalities over Perturbed Polyhedral Convex Sets
Authors: Lu Shu , Robinson Stephen M.
Published: August 2008

This paper provides conditions for existence of a locally unique, Lipschitzian solution of a linear variational inequality posed over a polyhedral convex set in ℝn under perturbation of either or both of the constant term in the variational inequality and the right-hand side of the system of linear constraints defining its feasible set. Conditions for perturbation of just the constant term are well known. Here we show that a suitable extension of those conditions suffices for the more general case in which the right-hand side of the constraints varies also. As a consequence, we obtain existence, uniqueness, and Lipschitz continuity properties of solutions of nonlinear variational inequalities posed over perturbed polyhedral convex sets.
Prowling wolves in sheep's clothing: the search for tumor stem cells
Authors: Alkatout Ibrahim , Kabelitz Dieter , Kalthoff Holger , Tiwari Sanjay
Published: August 2008

The importance of a subset of cells which have ‘stem like’ characteristics and are capable of tumor initiation has been reported for a range of tumors. Isolation of these tumor-initiating cells (TICs) has largely been based on differential cell surface protein expression. However, there is still much debate on the functional significance of these markers in initiating tumors, as many properties of tumor initiation are modified by cell-cell interactions. In particular, the relationship between TICs and their microenvironment is poorly understood but has therapeutic implications, as the microenvironment can maintain tumor cells in a prolonged period of quiescence. However, a major limitation in advancing our understanding of the crosstalk between TICs and their microenvironment is the lack of sensitive techniques which allow the in vivo tracking and monitoring of TICs. Application of new in vivo cellular and molecular imaging technologies holds much promise in uncovering the mysteries of TIC behavior at the three-dimensional level. This review will describe recent advances in our understanding of the TIC concept and how the application of in vivo imaging techniques can advance our understanding of the biological fate of TICs. A supplementary resource guide describing TICs from different malignancies is also presented.
Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits endothelial exocytosis
Authors: Yamakuchi Munekazu , Bao Clare , Ferlito Marcella , Lowenstein Charles J.
Published: August 2008

Consumption of green tea is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality. The beneficial health effects of green tea are attributed in part to polyphenols, organic compounds found in tea that lower blood pressure, reduce body fat, decrease LDL cholesterol, and inhibit inflammation. We hypothesized that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol in tea, inhibits endothelial exocytosis, the initial step in leukocyte trafficking and vascular inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we treated human umbilical-vein endothelial cells with EGCG and other polyphenols, and then measured endothelial exocytosis. We found that EGCG decreases endothelial exocytosis in a concentration-dependent manner, with the effects most prominent after 4 h of treatment. Other catechin polyphenols had no effect on endothelial cells. By inhibiting endothelial exocytosis, EGCG decreases leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells. In searching for the mechanism by which EGCG affects endothelial cells, we found that EGCG increases Akt phosphorylation, eNOS phosphorylation, and nitric oxide (NO) production. NOS inhibition revealed that NO mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of EGCG. Our data suggest that polyphenols can decrease vascular inflammation by increasing the synthesis of NO, which blocks endothelial exocytosis.
Dimerization of endogenous MT1-MMP is a regulatory step in the activation of the 72-kDa gelatinase MMP-2 on fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells
Authors: Ingvarsen Signe , Madsen Daniel H. , Hillig Thore , Lund Leif R. , Holmbeck Kenn , Behrendt Niels , Engelholm Lars H.
Published: August 2008

The secreted gelatinase matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) and the membrane-anchored matrix metalloprotease MT1-MMP (MMP-14), are central players in pericellular proteolysis in extracellular matrix degradation. In addition to possessing a direct collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activity, these enzymes take part in a cascade pathway in which MT1-MMP activates the MMP-2 proenzyme. This reaction occurs in an interplay with the matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, TIMP-2, and the proposed mechanism involves two molecules of MT1-MMP in complex with one TIMP-2 molecule. We provide positive evidence that proMMP-2 activation is governed by dimerization of MT1-MMP on the surface of fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells. Even in the absence of transfection and overexpression, dimerization of MT1-MMP markedly stimulated the formation of active MMP-2 products. The effect demonstrated here was brought about by a monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to MT1-MMP as shown by immunofluorescence experiments. The antibody has no effect on the catalytic activity. The effect on proMMP-2 activation involves MT1-MMP dimerization because it requires the divalent monoclonal antibody, with no effect obtained with monovalent Fab fragments. Since only a negligible level of proMMP-2 activation was obtained with MT1-MMP-expressing cells in the absence of dimerization, our results identify the dimerization event as a critical level of proteolytic cascade regulation.
Oct4 expression revisited: potential pitfalls for data misinterpretation in stem cell research
Authors: Liedtke Stefanie , Stephan Milaid , Kögler Gesine
Published: August 2008

The octamer-binding transcription factor 4 gene encodes a nuclear protein (Oct4, also known as Pou5F1 and Oct3/4) that belongs to a family of transcription factors containing the POU DNA-binding domain. Expression can be detected in embryonic stem cells as well as in adult stem cells, such as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Expression of Oct4 is downregulated coincident with stem cell differentiation and loss of expression leading to differentiation. A role for maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells is ascribed to Oct4 as a pluripotency marker. Results describing Oct4 expression in differentiated cells, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), neonatal and adult stem cells, as well as cancer cells, must be interpreted with caution. In several publications, Oct4 has been ascribed a function in maintaining self-renewal of adult stem cells. In contrast, other publications reported Oct4 expression in human tumor cells. Here, we summarize the recent findings on Oct4 expression and present possibilities and reasons why several false positive results on Oct4 expression still occur in the recent literature. Also, simple solutions are provided to avoid these positive signals.
Solution structure of Phl p 3, a major allergen from timothy grass pollen
Authors: Schweimer Kristian , Petersen Arnd , Suck Roland , Becker Wolf-Meinhard , Rösch Paul , Matecko Irena
Published: August 2008

The major 97-aa timothy grass (Phleum pratense) allergen Phl p 3 was recently isolated from an extract of timothy grass pollen. Sequence comparison classifies this protein as a group 3 allergen. The solution structure of Phl p 3 as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that the protein consists of a core of hydrophobic amino-acid side chains from two β-sheets of five and four anti-parallel β-strands, respectively. This conformation is very similar to the crystal structure published for Phl p 2 and strongly resembles the known conformation of the carboxy-terminal domain of Phl p 1, the major difference being the loop orientations. Phl p 2 and Phl p 3 show virtually identical immunoreactivity, and comparison of the charged surface amino acids of the two proteins gives initial clues as to the IgE recognition epitopes of these proteins.
Generation of transducible versions of transcription factors Oct4 and Sox2
Authors: Bosnali Manal , Edenhofer Frank
Published: August 2008

The transcription factors Oct4 and Sox2 are two of the main regulators of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells. Since the importance of non-genetic modification is continually increasing, particularly for therapeutic application of manipulated cells, the aim of the present study was to generate cell-permeant Oct4 and Sox2 proteins for the direct cellular delivery of active proteins. Protein transduction allowing cellular manipulation to circumvent genetic modification of target cells has recently been developed. We present a new expression vector system, pSESAME, that facilitates the generation of transducible proteins. Using pSESAME, both Oct4 and Sox2 were genetically fused with a TAT protein transduction domain that promotes cellular penetration. The recombinant purified Oct4 and Sox2 fusion proteins display DNA-binding properties comparable to their endogenous counterparts, and exhibit cellular entry and the ability to modulate the transcriptional machinery maintaining pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells. In a rescue assay we demonstrate that transducible Oct4 and Sox2 fusion proteins can compensate knockdown of Pou5f1 and Sox2, respectively. This study provides powerful tools for the modulation of stem cell properties without genetic interference.
In vitro differentiation of reprogrammed murine somatic cells into hepatic precursor cells
Authors: Cantz Tobias , Bleidißel Martina , Stehling Martin , Schöler Hans R.
Published: August 2008

Recently, a new approach to reprogram somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells was shown by fusion of somatic cells with embryonic stem (ES) cells, which results in a tetraploid karyotype. Normal hepatocytes are often polyploid, so we decided to investigate the differentiation potential of fusion hybrids into hepatic cells. We chose toxic milk mice (a model of Wilson's disease) and performed initial transplantation experiments using this potential cell therapy approach. Mononuclear bone marrow cells from Rosa26 mice were fused with OG2 (Oct4-GFP transgenic) ES cells. Unfused ES cells were eliminated by selection with G418 for OG2-Rosa26 hybrids and fusion-derived colonies could be subcloned. Using an endodermal differentiation protocol, hepatic precursor cells could be generated. After FACS depletion of contaminating Oct4-GFP-positive cells, the hepatic precursor cells were transplanted into immunosuppressed toxic milk mice by intrasplenic injection. However, five out of eight mice showed teratoma formation within 3–6 weeks after transplantation in the spleen and liver. In conclusion, a hepatic precursor cell type was achieved from mononuclear bone marrow cell-ES cell hybrids and preliminary transplantation experiments confirmed engraftment, but also showed teratoma formation, which needs to be excluded by using more stringent purification strategies.
Applying hegemony and power theory to transboundary water analysis
Authors: Zeitoun Mark , Allan J. A.
Published: August 2008

This paper introduces the basic concepts of hydro-hegemony which are employed in the analysis of the contributors of this special issue. It emphasises the roles of hegemony, power and political–economy processes in shaping international transboundary water relations. Central to the analysis is Lukes’ concept of the three dimensions of power and Gramscian notions of hegemony (see S. Lukes, Power: A Radical View, 2005). Hegemony depends on the skilful use of hard and soft forms of power, between formally equal parties such as nation states. Hydro-hegemony is hegemony active in international transboundary water settings, the analytical framework for which is laid out in detail by Zeitoun and Warner in Water Policy vol 8 (2006, 435–460). The challenges of conceptualising the complex nexus of international water relations are also addressed. A recurring theme is that both power and political economy processes are especially effective when they operate invisibly. The approach furthermore sets the frame for exploration of improvement of the options of hegemon riparians and non-hegemon riparians alike for more principled transboundary water governance.
Hydro-hegemony and international water law: grappling with the gaps of power and law
Authors: Woodhouse Melvin , Zeitoun Mark
Published: August 2008

In its present emergent form, International Water Law (IWL) is concerned with enabling States to demonstrate an end result of equitable and reasonable sharing of transboundary waters, and thus does not directly address the cause of behaviour which may prevent this goal from being realised. In addition, this consent-based system is insufficiently developed to redress issues arising from the use of covert ideational power by one state to achieve control over water resources shared with other states. By offering a means to describe, analyse and demonstrate how the use of power by a State is a major determinant of its behaviour regarding sharing water resources, the approach of hydro-hegemony may help address such shortcomings, and thus be of some use to IWL. This paper presents a straightforward introduction to the area overlapped by International Water Law and the Framework of Hydro-Hegemony. We further explore how the Framework could make a direct and practical contribution to the knowledge of legal norms for state behaviour regarding the use of power and water sharing. The Framework of Hydro-hegemony shows that the covert use of power by a State can be used to perpetuate water sharing arrangements that can be inequitable and unreasonable, yet tolerated and even ‘stable’, in that they are not readily challenged. At present, hegemony and IWL coexist as parallel tracks, with the law being effectively blind to what is actually happening. We suggest that international water law must become aware of these covert hegemonic practices and incorporate them into the determination of compliant State practice if the principles of equitable and reasonable use are to be properly operationalised.
Risk management approach for monitoring UF membrane integrity and experimental validation using MS2-phages
Authors: Brehant Anne , Glucina Karl , Lemoigne Isabelle , Laine Jean-Michel
Published: August 2008

Low-pressure membrane filtration systems, such as microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF), have received a great deal of attention in the past 15 years due to their ability to remove microbial pathogens, especially Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The major concern for the application of membrane technology is, however, how to ensure integrity of these barriers, since small defects in membranes could result in a significant reduction in pathogen removal efficiency. In order to ensure safe drinking water treatment, a number of environmental agencies request the membrane operators to conduct regular direct integrity tests to control the microbial log removal values (LRV) of the plants. Typically, test conditions must be selected to provide information on defects larger than 3 μm to ensure Cryptosporidium removal. In that context, the objective of this project was to develop and validate, both at bench-scale and full-scale, a model based on the equations proposed by USEPA and ASTM that uses the air flow rate throughout a defect during the air pressure test for predicting the microbial LRV. The project was conducted on a pressurised low-pressure membrane module. MS2-phages were used at bench-scale to validate the model and the selected assumptions with various calibrated defects carried out on the membrane fibres. The validity of the model was then evaluated at full-scale. A user-friendly tool using the Hagen Poiseuille Model proposed by the ASTM was developed to assist membrane operators in the integrity monitoring. The calibration of the model with full-scale tests resulted in adjusting some key-parameters representing air diffusion, flow regime and particles deposition. The numerical applications provide a very reliable result in predicting the pathogen removal efficiency and the equivalent number of broken fibres. This model could detect one complete broken fibre out of more than 700,000 fibres, which guaranteed more than 4 log of microorganism removal efficiency.
Solar disinfection for household treatment of roof-harvested rainwater
Authors: Meera V. , Ahammed M. M.
Published: August 2008

The effectiveness of solar disinfection in treating roof-harvested rainwater contaminated with microorganisms was evaluated with a view to its use as a household technology. Coliform and heterotrophic bacteria inactivation kinetics were studied using bottles with different backing surfaces. The effects of various parameters such as turbidity, solar intensity, type of organisms (naturally occurring versus laboratory grown) and bottle volume on bacterial inactivation were studied. Complete inactivation of total coliforms was observed in 6 h when solar radiation exceeded ∼500 W/m2.Under high contamination and overcast conditions, prolonged exposure was needed. Moderate turbidity (38 NTU) did not reduce the inactivation efficiency, but slightly enhanced it. No regrowth of microorganisms was observed after 24 h following solar disinfection. No significant difference in the inactivation kinetics was observed for bottle sizes in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 L. Tests with naturally occurring and laboratory-grown organisms indicated that laboratory-grown organisms were inactivated faster than naturally occurring organisms.
Elimination of persistent odorous compounds from drinking water
Authors: Srinivasan R. , Sorial G. A. , Ononye G. , Husting C. , Jackson E.
Published: August 2008

MIB (2-methyl isoborneol – C11H20O) and geosmin (trans-1, 10-dimethyl-trans-9 decalol-C12H22O) are the major taste and odour causing compounds in drinking water. The objective of this study was to investigate the adsorption of these odour causing compounds by three types of activated carbon fibres (ACF) with different micropore size distributions, namely ACC-25, ACC-20 and ACC-15. Adsorption for both MIB and geosmin was well defined by Freundlich isotherms. For MIB, the adsorption capacity increased with an increase in micropore volume of the adsorbents whereas in the case of geosmin, the adsorption was much more complex. Isotherms were also conducted for ACF adsorption for MIB and geosmin in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) to better understand competitive adsorption. Overall, the ACF ACC-25 was the most effective adsorbent for both MIB and geosmin and was least affected by the competitive effect of the NOM because of its wider distribution of micropores. Adsorption isotherms were also conducted with a granular activated carbon F-400 to compare adsorption with the ACFs. F-400 was found to have significantly lower adsorption capacity for both MIB and geosmin when compared to the ACFs and also the presence of NOM significantly reduced its adsorption capacity due to competitive adsorption.
SERENADE: The Study Evaluating Rimonabant Efficacy in Drug-Naive Diabetic Patients
Authors: Rosenstock Julio , Hollander Priscilla , Chevalier Soazig , Iranmanesh Ali ,   for the SERENADE Study Group
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to assess the glucose-lowering efficacy and safety of rimonabant monotherapy in drug-naive type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The Study Evaluating Rimonabant Efficacy in Drug-Naive Diabetic Patients (SERENADE) was a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 20 mg/day rimonabant in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes (A1C 7–10%). The primary end point was A1C change from baseline; secondary end points included body weight, waist circumference, and lipid profile changes.

RESULTS—A total of 281 patients were randomly assigned; 278 were exposed to treatment, and 236 (84.9%) completed the study. Baseline A1C (7.9%) was reduced by −0.8% with rimonabant versus −0.3% with placebo (Δ A1C −0.51%; P = 0.0002), with a larger rimonabant effect in patients with baseline A1C ≥8.5% (Δ A1C −1.25%; P = 0.0009). Weight loss from baseline was −6.7 kg with rimonabant versus −2.8 kg with placebo (Δ weight −3.8 kg; P < 0.0001). Rimonabant induced improvements from baseline in waist circumference (−6 vs. −2 cm; P < 0.0001), fasting plasma glucose (−0.9 vs. −0.1 mmol/l; P = 0.0012), triglycerides (−16.3 vs. +4.4%; P = 0.0031), and HDL cholesterol (+10.1 vs. +3.2%; P < 0.0001). Adverse events of interest that occurred more frequently with rimonabant versus placebo were dizziness (10.9 vs. 2.1%), nausea (8.7 vs. 3.6%), anxiety (5.8 vs. 3.6%), depressed mood (5.8 vs. 0.7%), and paresthesia (2.9 vs. 1.4%).

CONCLUSIONS—Rimonabant monotherapy resulted in meaningful improvements in glycemic control, body weight, and lipid profile in drug-naive type 2 diabetic patients. Further ongoing studies will better establish the benefit-to-risk profile of rimonabant and define its place in type 2 diabetes management.
Litter-Raking Forests in Se Slovenia and In Croatia
Authors: Šilc Urban , Čarni Andraž , Košir Petra , Marinšek Aleksander , Zelnik Igor
Published: August 2008

Litter-Raking Forests in Se Slovenia and In Croatia

The standard Braun-Blanquet method was used for sampling litter-raking vegetation in southeastern Slovenia (Suha krajina, Bela krajina, Kočevsko) and in the border region in Croatia. Relevés were classified with the TWINSPAN program and two associations were separated:Pteridio-BetuletumTrinajstić et Šugar ex Rauš et Matić 1994 andMolinio-QuercetumŠugar 1972. Both communities are the result of intensive litter collecting (and other human impacts). The first one thrives on carbonate bedrock, while the second is limited on silicate bedrock, as is reflected in its specific floristic composition. Due to abandonment of litter collecting these stands are in progressive successional development, and typical variants are becoming rare and endangered.
Phytosociological Characteristic of the Plant Communities With the Occurrence of Endemic Species Cyclamen Fatrense
Authors: Kanka Róbert , Turis Peter , Chilová Viktória
Published: August 2008

Phytosociological Characteristic of the Plant Communities With the Occurrence of Endemic SpeciesCyclamen Fatrense

In this contribution we bring together the basic phytosociological characteristics of communities with the presence of speciesCyclamen fatrensein the herb layer. The analysis was made on the basis of 30 original phytosociological relevés. The main criterion for the relevés recording was the selection of the broadest possible range of biotopes with presence and the highest possible abundance of speciesCyclamen fatrenseon the entire area of its occurrence, which is represented by the Vel'ká Fatra and Starohorské vrchy Mts. The forest phytocoenoses of the associationCarici albae-FagetumMoor 1952, and phytocoenoses of clearings of the associationEpilobio-Atropetum bella-donnaeR. Tx. 1931 em. 1950, were classified by using Zürich-Montpellier School method. Additionally, 18 relevés with the presence of speciesCyclamen fatrensewere excerpted from already published works and detailed comparison was also made.
Characteristics of US workers whose blood lead levels trigger the medical removal protection provision, and conformity with biological monitoring requirements, 2003–2005
Authors: Tak SangWoo , Roscoe Robert J. , Alarcon Walter , Ju Jun , Sestito John P. , Sussell Aaron L. , Calvert Geoffrey M.
Published: August 2008

Background

Workers with blood lead levels (BLL) ≥60 µg/dl (50 µg/dl for construction workers) or with three or more consecutive BLLs over at least 6 months that average 50 µg/dl or greater are required to be removed from work involving lead exposure that exceeds the OSHA action level. This study estimates the proportion of workers with BLLs that trigger the medical removal provision by industry sector, and examines whether workers received appropriate follow‐up blood lead testing.

Methods

Three years (2003–2005) of data from the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance program were analyzed to identify those industries with a high percentage of workers with BLLs that trigger the medical removal provision. Adjusted rate ratios (RR) of adults with such BLLs were estimated by industry sector compared to the battery manufacturing industry using Poisson regression models.

Results

Out of 13,724 adults with BLLs ≥25 µg/dl, a total of 533 adults had BLLs that triggered the medical removal provision. RRs of adults with BLLs triggering medical removal were highest for “painting and wall covering contractors” (RR = 22.1) followed by “highway, street and bridge construction” (RR = 14.7), “amusement, gambling, and recreation” (RR = 11.4), and “glass product manufacturing” (RR = 10.1). Overall, 29% of adults with BLLs triggering medical removal received appropriate follow‐up blood lead tests and met the eligibility to return to lead work.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that additional efforts are needed to prevent occupational overexposure to lead in adults, and to ensure proper medical management of those workers who meet medical removal criteria. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:691–700, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics and mechanism of Cr(VI) adsorption onto tea‐leaves waste
Authors: Mozumder Md. Salatul Islam , Khan Md. Maksudur Rahman , Islam Md. Akhtarul
Published: August 2008

Adsorption equilibrium and kinetic experiments have been conducted in batch mode to evaluate Cr(VI)‐tea‐leaves waste system. The equilibrium data followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the adsorption was viewed as a physicochemical reversible process. A unified approach model was used to describe the adsorption system from both equilibrium and kinetic viewpoints. The model satisfactorily described both kinetic and equilibrium data. The adsorption and desorption rate constants were evaluated from the model fittings and were not dependent on initial concentration and adsorbent doses. pHzpc of the adsorbent was evaluated as 4.2 ± 0.1, and below that pH the adsorbent surface is positively charged. Adsorption of Cr(VI) was found highly pH‐dependent, and the removal efficiency dropped sharply from 95 to 10% when pH of the system changed from 2 to 5. The surface functional groups of tea‐leaves waste (before and after adsorption) were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and the amine groups were found to take part in the adsorption of Cr(VI). The experimental result inferred that electrostatic attraction between the surface and the species is one of the major adsorption mechanisms for binding metal ions to the tea‐leaves waste. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.