An RNA virus, designated hepatitis G virus (HGV), was identified from the plasma of a patient with chronic hepatitis. Extension from an immunoreactive complementary DNA clone yielded the entire genome (9392 nucleotides) encoding a polyprotein of 2873 amino acids. The virus is closely related to GB virus C (GBV-C) and distantly related to hepatitis C virus, GBV-A, and GBV-B. HGV was associated with acute and chronic hepatitis. Persistent viremia was detected for up to 9 years in patients with hepatitis. The virus is transfusion-transmissible. It has a global distribution and is present within the volunteer blood donor population in the United States.

This article explores how the mental models of organizational strategists determine perceptions of competing organizations and responses to competitive conditions. We first outline a cognitive perspective for discussing competitive strategy, and then use this framework to analyse the particular case of the Scottish knitwear industry. We show how the structure of that industry both determines and is determined by managerial perceptions of the environment. We conclude by drawing out a few general implications of our framework for research and theory on competitive strategy.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a devastating malignancy that presents late, is notoriously difficult to diagnose, and is associated with a high mortality. The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is increasing worldwide. The cause for this rise is unclear, although it could be related to an interplay between predisposing genetic factors and environmental triggers. MRI and CT with endoscopic ultrasound and PET provide useful diagnostic information in certain patients. Surgical resection is the only chance for cure, with results depending on careful technique and patient selection. Data suggest that liver transplantation could offer long-term survival in selected patients when combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been ineffective for patients with inoperable tumours. For most of these patients biliary drainage is the mainstay of palliation. However, controversy exists over the type and positioning of biliary stents. Photodynamic treatment is a new palliative technique that might improve quality of life.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections with the reverse transcriptase inhibitor lamivudine leads to a rapid decline in plasma viremia and provides estimates for crucial kinetic constants of HBV replication. We