bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy bridge large defects? An experimental study in rats
Authors: Lykissas Marios G. , Korompilias Anastasios V. , Batistatou Anna K. , Mitsionis Gregory I. , Beris Alexandros E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study was undertaken to evaluate collateral sprouting capability in an end‐to‐side repair model with long regenerative distance. Forty‐five rats were used and divided into four groups, according to the reparative procedure following peroneal nerve division: (A) “double” end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy with a regenerative distance of 0.6 cm; (B) “double” end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy with a regenerative distance of 1.2 cm; (C) end‐to‐end neurorrhaphy; and (D) nerve stumps buried into neighboring muscles. In all animals the contralateral healthy side served as a control. Functional assessment of nerve regeneration was performed at intervals up to 5 months using the Peroneal Function Index (PFI). Evaluation 150 days after surgery included peroneal and tibial nerve histologic and morphometric examination and wet weights of the tibialis anterior muscle. Functional evaluation and axonal counting data demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B, or between groups A and C. There was no functional or histologic evidence of donor nerve deterioration. In conclusion, the present study confirms that “double” end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy may be useful for the repair of divided human nerves with long gaps. Muscle Nerve, 2007
How to toilet train healthy children? A review of the literature
Authors: Vermandel Alexandra , Van Kampen Marijke , Van Gorp Chris , Wyndaele Jean‐Jacques 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAimsTo review the literature on toilet training (TT) in healthy children.MethodsThrough an extended literature search, all data on developmental signs of readiness for TT, TT methods, definitions of being toilet trained, TT problems, and predictive factors for success were reviewed.ResultsSpecific studies on this topic are few. Two main methods for TT have been described so far in the last decades: the gradual child‐oriented training and the structured, endpoint‐oriented training. In the former method parents mainly respond to the child's signals of toileting “readiness”. The latter method consists of actively teaching several independent toileting behaviors. Data are too few to be able to compare the methods. Literature does not give a consensus about the optimal age for starting nor on the expected mean age of completing TT. Recent studies show most children to start training between 24 and 36 months of age with a current trend toward a later completion than in previous generations. The consequence of this can be stress for the parents and more use of diapers, with its negative effect on the environment.ConclusionThere are as yet little data to be found on this important topic, only few studies have been published in peer‐reviewed journals. Standardization of terminology and critical evaluation of the described techniques in large sample sizes is needed. With this approach, general principles of training, evidence based and easy to use in the majority of children, may become available to parents. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:162–166, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biochemical and body composition analysis of nocturia in the elderly
Authors: Sugaya Kimio , Nishijima Saori , Oda Masami , Owan Tomoko , Miyazato Minoru , Ogawa Yoshihide 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAimsNocturia is a common symptom in the elderly, and various contributing factors have been suggested. Therefore, in order to investigate which factors are strongly related to occurrence of nocturia, we performed a suite of examinations.MethodsOne hundred eighty volunteers were divided into three groups: a young adult control group (60 healthy persons without nocturia), an elderly control group (60 healthy persons with a low mean frequency of nocturnal urination, i.e., <once per night), and an elderly nocturia group (60 healthy persons with a high mean frequency of nocturnal urination, i.e., more than twice per night). Biochemistry tests, measurement of the osmotic pressure of plasma and urine, and body composition analysis were performed in three groups during the daytime and nighttime. In the elderly control group and the elderly nocturia group, measurement of blood pressure and recording of urinary frequency–volume charts were performed.ResultsThe features specific to the elderly nocturia group are as follows: (1) a decrease of the nighttime plasma melatonin level, (2) an increase of nighttime plasma catecholamine levels, (3) an increase of daytime and nighttime plasma natriuretic peptide levels, (4) an increase of blood pressure, (5) a decrease of daytime and nighttime urinary osmotic pressure, (6) an increase of total urine volume, and (7) an increase of the edema ratio before sleeping.ConclusionsThese results suggest that sleep disturbance, hypertension, and excessive fluid intake are major factors contributing to an increased frequency of nocturnal urination (>twice per night) in the elderly. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:205–211, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Political marketing in untraditional campaigns: the case of David Cameron's Conservative Party leadership victory
Authors: Ormrod Robert P. , Henneberg Stephan C. , Forward Nick , Miller James , Tymms Leigh 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study investigates the concept of political market orientation (PMO) in an untraditional setting, namely the 2005 contest for the leadership of the British Conservative Party. Based on a collective case‐study method, a content analysis of candidates' speeches and manifestos is provided. We operationalize four attitudinal constructs of a conceptual PMO model and adapt them to suit the novel campaign context. Our findings show further evidence for the existance of a ‘gravitational centre’ effect hypothesized in earlier studies. Furthermore, we qualify the concept of PMO through a long‐term focus and a context‐specific evaluation of the merits of alternative PMO profiles. Thus, the generic conceptual model of political market orientatation, which previously has only been used in the content of parties contesting a general election campaign, can be adapted to alternative campaign situations without a reduction in its explanatory power.Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Too much of a good thing: the ‘problem’ of political communications in a mass media democracy
Authors: Gaber Ivor 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Francis Fukuyama asks: ‘… is liberal democracy prey to serious internal contradictions, contradictions so serious that they will eventually undermine it as a political system?’ This paper argues that one of these ‘internal contradictions’ is the political communications process and it can be sufficiently serious to undermine the democratic system—but such an undermining is not inevitable. The problem can be described as follows: Democratic systems require that citizens are kept fully informed by governments (and others) in the interests of transparency and ultimately accountability. Hence, all political communications have, as their final objective, the accountability of politicians at the ballot box. Thus all political communications have what can be described as ‘above’ and ‘below’ the line content. The above‐the‐line is the actual content of the message, the below‐the‐line is the implicit one of ‘think better of me and my colleagues think worse of my opponents’. Consequently, no matter how personally honest and open an individual politician might be, the democratic system requires her or him to be always thinking about securing a successful result at the ballot box. Thus we have the ‘political communications paradox’. Voters want politicians to be honest and accountable but this very demand means that politicians, implicitly, always have to have another agenda in operation when they are communicating with the public, i.e. securing their approval and then their support. As a result the trust which is a fundamental to the workings of a democratic system is constantly being undermined. This has two effects. First, that governments are obliged to make communications, rather than delivery, their real priority and second trust, not just in politicians but in the political system as a whole, tends to wane over time, which in turn endangers the very system it was designed to underpin. But this decline is not inevitable because the system has some in‐built self‐correcting mechanisms These include: the rise of new parties and/or leaders who portray themselves as ‘new’ and ‘untainted’—New Labour, New Conservatives, etc., an almost regular ‘re‐balancing’ of the power relationship that exists between politicians and the civil service, particularly in the communications field, the rise of new forms of communication that seek to by‐pass the institutional roadblocks that are perceived as being the cause of the problems and finally increased attention by journalists and academics to the process of political communications makes it more difficult for politicians to continue with ‘business as usual’ as far as their communication activities are concerned.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Framing lobbying messages: defining and communicating political issues persuasively
Authors: McGrath Conor 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

The concept of product positioning is well established in the commercial communication sphere, as are the notions of issue definition and agenda setting in the field of political science. Less thoroughly researched, though, is an area which intersects these two fields—the way in which lobbyists use language in order to frame policy issues so as to position their organization and its policy preferences to greatest effect. Lobbyists consciously frame and define issues in an effort to encourage policy makers both to share the lobbyist's perspective on a given policy problem, and to suggest to those policy makers what policy solution ought to be adopted. In doing so, they explicitly draw upon ideas and practices more commonly associated with other forms of commercial communication such as advertising and marketing. This paper suggests that the use of language by lobbyists is a potentially fruitful field for both academics and practitioners interested in political communication broadly defined—indeed, lobbying is essentially a form of persuasive communication in the political arena. It is well understood that how political issues are presented is an important factor in the extent to which an issue will be supported; this paper focuses on how lobbyists make use of this understanding in their efforts to achieve a desired policy outcome.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing the public affairs body of knowledge
Authors: Fleisher Craig S. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

This paper examines the need for developing a public affairs body of knowledge (BOK). It examines the rationale for having a BOK within a larger context of professionalism in the field, identifies parallel developments in affiliated fields that may provide models for public affairs, and offers alternatives for stakeholders of the field to pursue this objective.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reigniting the fire: a contemporary research agenda for social, political and nonprofit marketing
Authors: Dann Stephen , Harris Phil , Mort Gillian Sullivan , Fry Marie‐Louise , Binney Wayne 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe paper reports on the core challenges faced by the nonprofit, political and social marketing disciplinary areas and suggests a series of research agendas to develop theory and practice to meet these challenges.Social marketing's research agenda involves the continued adaptation of the new developments in commercial marketing, whilst building a base of social marketing theory and best practice benchmarks that can be used to identify, clarify and classify the boundaries of social marketing against social change techniques.Nonprofit marketing is pursuing the dual research agenda of developing the theory and practice of social entrepreneurship whilst seeking deeper consumer‐based research to understand motivations for charitable behaviour and gift giving.Political Marketing's research agenda looks for an increase in the level of background research, core data and market research to use as a basis for developing more advanced theoretical and practical models. In addition, as political marketing is being transferred internationally between a range of political and electoral systems, there is a need for comparative research into both the relevance and effectiveness of these techniques to isolate nation independent and nation dependent political marketing strategies and campaigns.Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Were Bosnian policy research organisations more effective in 2006 than in 2003? Did technical assistance play a role?
Authors: Struyk Raymond J. , Kohagen Kelly , Miller Christopher 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn 2003 the policy development process in Bosnia and Herzegovina was characterised by international community (IC) dominance. The IC provided the vast majority of the analysis of problems facing the country and drafted many of the laws. This article documents developments from fall 2003 to fall 2006 in the use of evidence and analysis in the policy development process and the role of local policy research organisations (PROs—often called think tanks) in it. The likely relation between these changes and the activities of a PRO mentoring project that operated over the same period is also assessed. Evidence comes as a series of interviews in both years with government officials and members of parliament, on the one hand, and leaders of PROs and advocacy NGOs on the other. The broad picture that emerges from the above review is of a substantial positive development in the policy development process in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the period. Factual evidence and analysis are playing a much greater role, and PROs have been a major provider of this information. The evidence indicates that PROs have been successful in convincing the policy community that they are purveyors of objective, disinterested advice and analysis. The improvements occurred in a conducive environment that steadily placed greater responsibility for policy formation on Bosnian officials. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined NMR, SERRS, and DFT study of photochemical and thermal reactions of acetylene‐ and thienylacetylene‐substituted chromenes
Authors: Maurel F. , Delbaere S. , Truong S. Lau , Couesnon T. , Dubest R. , Vermeersch G. , Aubard J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Surface‐Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering (SERRS), and Density Functional Theory (DFT) were used to study 8‐substituted acetylene‐ and thienylacetylene‐diphenylnaphthopyran photochromic compounds. The purpose of this work is to determine the effect of the 8‐acetylene substituent on the photochromic equilibrium. NMR spectroscopy shows that photocoloration by UV irradiation at low temperature leads to a mixture of transoid isomers (TC and TT) and a small amount of an allenyl‐naphthol structure. The mixture is further enriched in this latter isomer by subsequent visible irradiation. Some photoproducts are identified by analysis of the changes in the SERRS spectra of an irradiated solution with time. To assist spectral assignment, the vibrational frequencies of compounds (1) and (2) and their photoproducts were computed at optimized geometries and compared with the observed Raman bands. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photodimerization of soluble tetracene derivatives using visible light
Authors: Olive Alexandre G. L. , Del Guerzo André , Pozzo Jean‐Luc , Desvergne Jean‐Pierre , Reichwagen Jens , Hopf Henning 
Published: July 2007

Abstract2,3‐Didecyloxytetracene (2,3‐DDOT) is a yellow‐orange soluble derivative that undergoes a strong de‐coloration upon irradiation with visible light (470 nm). This is due to a photoreaction (Φr = 5.9 × 10−3) that leads to the formation of four photodimers, involving only the two central rings of the tetracene core. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tyrosinase inhibitory pentacyclic triterpenes and analgesic and spasmolytic activities of methanol extracts of Rhododendron collettianum
Authors: Ullah Farman , Hussain Hidayat , Hussain Javid , Bukhari Ishfaq A. , Khan Mahmud Tareq Hassan , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Gilani Anwar H. , Ahmad Viqar Uddin 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDuring the course of screening of medicinal plants of Pakistan for the isolation and structure elucidation of bioactive natural products, it was found that the methanol extract of the Rhododendron collettianum showed analgesic and spasmolytic activities. The methanol extract was then extracted with chloroform. Nine pentacyclic triterpenes were isolated from the chloroform extract and their structures were elucidated as erythrodiol (1), betulinic acid (2), maslinic acid (3), 2α,3α,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (4), bayogenin (5), arjunilic acid (6), methyl arjunolate (7), arjungenin (8) and 3β, 23, 24‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (9). Among the triterpenes (1–9) tested, arjunilic acid (6) was found to be most potent. Their structure–activity relationship (SAR) showed that if the configuration of the –OH group at C‐2 is changed from α to β the potency is decreased. In most of the compounds the position and configuration of the –OH group was found to be important for the inhibitory potency against the enzyme tyrosinase. For the comparison, the standard tyrosinase inhibitors kojic acid (IC50 = 16.67 µm) and l‐mimosine (IC50 = 3.68 µm) were used as controls. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hippomanin a from acetone extract of Phyllanthus urinaria inhibited HSV‐2 but not HSV‐1 infection in vitro
Authors: Yang Chien‐Min , Cheng Hua‐Yew , Lin Ta‐Chen , Chiang Lien‐Chai , Lin Chun‐Ching 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPhyllanthus urinaria Linnea (Euphorbiaceae) is a commonly used traditional medicinal plant in oriental countries and has been reported to possess various biological activities. Previously, the acetone extract and some pure compounds from P. urinaria were found to suppress herpes simplex virus (HSV). In this study, another two pure compounds were isolated from acetone extract of P. urinaria and were tested for their in vitro anti‐HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 activities. The results showed that hippomanin A impeded HSV‐2 but not HSV‐1 infection. Corilagin, however, inhibited neither HSV‐1 nor HSV‐2 replication. The similarity between corilagin and hippomanin A in structure, but difference in antiviral activity, therefore, merit further investigation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The detection of antibacterial actions of whole herb tinctures using luminescent Escherichia coli
Authors: Watt Kathryn , Christofi Nick , Young Rodney 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTwo whole cell Escherichia coli luminescent biosensors were used to determine the antibacterial actions of 16 herbal tinctures. These bioassays can detect genotoxic (strain DPD2794) and general oxidative stress (DE135) events when challenged with antibacterial substances. Many of the herbal tinctures were active against these Gram‐negative bacteria, affecting their metabolism without, in some cases, arresting cell growth or causing cell death. Antibacterial activity ranged from undetectable for Curcuma longa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Apium graveolens to highly effective against both E. coli strains in the case of Rosmarinus officinalis. Some of the results were unexpected. Althaea officinalis affected microbial metabolism in spite of the lack of literature precedent, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum did not appear to be antimicrobial, as claimed in some literature.It is concluded that studies using luminescent bacterial biosensors can provide important new insights into the potency and modes of the lethal and sub‐lethal antibacterial action of whole herbs, and thereby provide crucial evidence for efficacy demanded by modern science and medicine. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel method for measurement of glutathione kinetics in neonates using liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Schierbeek Henk , te Braake Frans , Godin Jean‐Philippe , Fay Laurent‐Bernard , van Goudoever Johannes B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA novel analytical method using liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS) was developed for measuring the fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of glutathione (GSH) in neonates after infusion of [1‐13C]‐glycine as a tracer. After transformation of GSH into GSSG, its dimeric form, the intra‐erythrocytic concentration and 13C‐isotopic enrichment of GSH were determined using 200 µL of blood. The results showed that, using LC/IRMS, the concentration (range of µmol/mL) was reliably measured using norvaline as internal standard with precision better than 0.1 µmol/mL. In addition, the 13C‐isotopic enrichment measured in the same run gave reliable values with excellent precision (with standard deviation (sd) lower than 0.3‰) and accuracy (measured between 0 and 2 Atom % Excess (APE)). The inter‐assay repeatability of δ13C of norvaline used as internal standard with in vivo samples was assessed at −26.07 ± 0.28‰ with coefficient of variance (CV) at 1.1%. The FSR calculated either with GSH or GSSG showed similar results with slightly higher values for GSSG (41.6 ± 4.7 and 46.5 ± 4.4, respectively). The slightly lower FSR of GSH is probably due to interfering compounds in the biological matrix. Successfully used in a clinical study, this rapid and reliable method opens up a variety of kinetic studies with relatively low administration of tracer infusates, reducing the total cost of the study design. The small volume of blood needed enables studies even in extremely small subjects, such as premature infants, as reported in this study. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fragmentation study of podophyllotoxin and its 4′‐demethyl‐4β‐substituted derivatives by electrospray ionization ion‐trap time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Qianrong , Yan Guoquan , Ge Tiefei 
Published: July 2007

AbstractHigh‐resolution electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS1–9) was used to determine the accurate masses and the fragmentation pathways of protonated podophyllotoxin (1) and its corresponding 4′‐demethyl‐4β‐substituted derivatives (2–4). The protonated molecules, [M + H]+, of all the four compounds were observed in the conventional single‐stage mass spectra. Two fragmentation pathways, that appear to be characteristic of the four compounds, are proposed on the basis of their multistage tandem mass spectrometric data. The characteristic elimination, from the precursor protonated ions, of the neutral groups 4‐R1H, 1‐ArH, CO, CH2O and C4H4O2, in which R is located on C‐4, is the common elimination, and the product ions at m/z 267, 239, 229, 181, 173, 153, 143 and 115 are the common diagnostic masses. The elimination of the R1 group substituent located on the C‐4 position of compounds 1–4 has a significant influence on the fragmentation pathway obtained in the conventional single‐stage mass spectra. A large R1 group would be unfavorable for this elimination, unless the collision energy is raised. Apart from the common fragmentations obtained for the protonated molecules 1–4, significant additional product ions were detected in the various multistage tandem mass spectrometric analyses, particularly in the case of the product ions derived initially from the phenolic hydroxyl group of 2–4, which are different from those of 1. Based on these additional formed product ions, several additional fragmentation pathways for 1 or 2–4 are also presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.