bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the duodenum – a case report and review of literature
Authors: Sata Naohiro , Tsukahara Munetoshi , Koizumi Masaru , Yoshizawa Koji , Kurihara Katsumi , Nagai Hideo , Someya Tsutomu , Saito Ken
Published: August 2004

Background

Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the duodenum is an extremely rare neoplasm with poor prognosis.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old man presented with sudden onset gastrointestinal bleeding and fainting attacks. Duodenoscopy and hypotonic duodenography revealed a 3 × 3 cm protruding tumor with ulcerations situated opposite the ampulla of Vater in the second part of the duodenum. Local excision of the tumor was performed, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluoro uracil and leucovorin. Examination of the tumor by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy indicated it to be neuroendocrine in nature, expressing synaptophysin and AE1/AE3, and containing dense core granules. The patient showed no sign of recurrence and has been disease-free for more than 48 months after surgery.

Conclusions

Most cases of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the duodenum show rapid progression of the disease, and even radical surgery with or without chemotherapy do not prevent death. We report a rare subtype of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. This subtype appears to have a much better prognosis, and may be amenable to local excision, if the lesion is away from the ampulla of Vater.
Induction and antimicrobial activity of platelet basic protein derivatives in human monocytes
Authors: Schaffner Andreas , King Charles C , Schaer Dominik , Guiney Donald G
Published: August 2004

The antimicrobial activity of a number of chemokines has recently come into focus of research about innate immunity. We have previously shown that platelet basic protein (PBP), which gives rise to several antimicrobial peptides of platelets, is also expressed in human monocytes. In the present studies, we show that exposure of human monocytes to bacteria or microbial components (lipopolysaccharide and zymosan) induces a several-fold greater expression of derivates of PBP. Also, activation of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) by thrombin or the synthetic peptide ligand SFLLRN of PAR-1 significantly increased PBP expression, presumably on the transcriptional level, as evidenced by higher mRNA levels. Derivates of PBP appeared to reach phago-lysosomes, as higher concentration was found in latex phagosomes isolated by a flotation method. By the gel-overlay technique, two bactericidal derivatives of PBP could be visualized, which were immunoreactive with anti-PBP antibody in Western blots. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight and surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization techniques, it was confirmed that the bands corresponded to PBP derivates. After immunofixation with a monoclonal antibody to PBP, the major peptide in zymosan-stimulated monocytes was identified to correspond by molecular weight to connective tissue-activating peptide III, which has been reported to be a major antimicrobial PBP derivate also in platelets. Our observations indicate that PBP and its derivates are constituents of the antimicrobial arsenal of human monocytes. Their increased expression after exposure to microorganisms allows a rapid host response to pathogens.
Dendritic cells retrovirally overexpressing IL-12 induce strong Th1 responses to inhaled antigen in the lung but fail to revert established Th2 sensitization
Authors: Kuipers Harmjan , Heirman Carlo , Hijdra Daniëlle , Muskens Femke , Willart Monique , van Meirvenne Sonja , Thielemans Kris , Hoogsteden Henk C , Lambrecht Bart N
Published: August 2004

It has been postulated that low-level interleukin (IL)-12 production of antigen-presenting cells is associated with the risk of developing atopic asthma. To study the relationship between IL-12 production capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) and development of T helper type 2 (Th2) responses in the lung, we genetically engineered DCs to constutively overexpress bioactive IL-12. Retrovirally mediated overexpression of IL-12 in DCs strongly polarized naïve ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4+ T cells toward Th1 effector cells in vitro. After intratracheal injection, OVA-pulsed IL-12-overexpressing DCs failed to induce Th2 responses in vivo and no longer primed mice for Th2-dependent eosinophilic airway inflammation upon OVA aerosol challenge, readily observed in mice immunized with sham-transfected, OVA-pulsed DCs. Analysis of a panel of cytokines and chemokines in the lung demonstrated that the lack of Th2 sensitization was accompanied by increased production of the Th1 cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), chemokines induced by IFN-γ, and the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10. When Th2 priming was induced using OVA/alum prior to intratracheal DC administration, DCs constitutively expressing IL-12 were no longer capable of preventing eosinophilic airway inflammation and even enhanced it. These data show directly that high-level expression of IL-12 in DCs prevents the development of Th2 sensitization. Enhancing IL-12 production in DCs should be seen as a primary prevention strategy for atopic disorders. Enhancing IL-12 production in DCs is less likely to be of benefit in already Th2-sensitized individuals.
A role for Cajal bodies in the final steps of U2 snRNP biogenesis
Authors: Nesic Dobrila , Tanackovic Goranka , Krämer Angela
Published: August 2004

The biogenesis of Sm-type small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) involves the export of newly transcribed small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) to the cytoplasm, assembly with seven common proteins and modification at the 5′ and 3′ termini. Binding of snRNP-specific proteins and snRNA modification complete the maturation process. This is thought to occur after reimport of the core snRNPs into the nucleus. The heterotrimeric splicing factor SF3a converts a pre-mature 15S U2 snRNP into the functional 17S particle. To analyze cellular aspects of this process, we studied domains in SF3a60 and SF3a66 that are required for their localization to nuclear speckles. Regions in SF3a60 and SF3a66 that mediate the binding to SF3a120 are necessary for nuclear import of the proteins, suggesting that the SF3a heterotrimer forms in the cytoplasm. SF3a60 and SF3a66 deleted for zinc finger domains required for the incorporation of SF3a into the U2 snRNP are nuclear, indicating that the 17S U2 snRNP is assembled in the nucleus. However, these proteins show an aberrant nuclear distribution. Endogenous SF3a subunits colocalize with U2 snRNP in nuclear speckles, but cannot be detected in Cajal bodies, unlike core U2 snRNP components. By contrast, SF3a60 and SF3a66 lacking the zinc finger domains accumulate in Cajal bodies and are diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm, suggesting a function for Cajal bodies in the final maturation of the U2 snRNP.
Interaction between Dab1 and CrkII is promoted by Reelin signaling
Authors: Chen Kelian , Ochalski Pawel G. , Tran Tracy S. , Sahir Nadia , Schubert Manfred , Pramatarova Albéna , Howell Brian W.
Published: August 2004

Reelin-induced Dab1 tyrosine phosphorylation has been implicated in the regulation of neuronal positioning during brain development. The downstream consequences of Dab1 tyrosine phosphorylation are not fully understood, however. Here we identify CrkII, CrkL and Dock1 in complexes bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated Dab1, through mass spectrometry. The CrkII-Dab1 interaction requires tyrosine phosphorylation of Dab1 at residues 220 or 232 and is promoted by Reelin treatment of embryonic forebrain neurons. Unlike other CrkII binding proteins, such as paxillin and p130Cas, expression of Dab1 interfered with CrkII-dependent cell migration of Nara Bladder Tumor II (NBT-II) cells, in a tyrosine phosphorylation-site dependent manner. Overexpression of CrkIIGFP rescued the migration of these cells, suggesting that Dab1 makes Crk a limiting factor for migration. The Dock1-Dab1 association is indirect and requires CrkII. In organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, signaling complexes, which contain Crk and Dock1 family members are conserved and act through Rac. We show that a rough-eye phenotype in Drosophila caused by exogenous expression of tyrosine-phosphorylated mouse Dab1RFP is partially rescued by a loss-of-function mutation in myoblast city, a Dock1-like gene in Drosophila. We propose a model that tyrosine-phosphorylated Dab1 engages the conserved Crk-Dock1-Rac signaling cassette, but when bound to Dab1 this signaling complex does not support migration.
ILK is required for the assembly of matrix-forming adhesions and capillary morphogenesis in endothelial cells
Authors: Vouret-Craviari Valérie , Boulter Etienne , Grall Dominique , Matthews Cédric , Van Obberghen-Schilling Ellen
Published: August 2004

Integrins play a key role in regulating endothelial cell survival, migration and differentiated function during angiogenic blood-vessel remodeling. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a multidomain protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of integrin β subunits and is thought to participate in integrin-mediated signal transduction. We report here that attenuation of ILK expression in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells by RNA interference had marked effects on surface distribution of α5β1 integrin and the organization of cell-matrix adhesions characterized by the disappearance of fibrillar (3D-like) adhesions that are rich in α5β1 and paxillin, and associated fibrillar fibronectin matrix. This defect was not caused by a decrease in fibronectin mRNA levels or by intracellular retention of the protein. Adhesion to surface-adsorbed matrix proteins based on β1 and β3 integrin was enhanced following ILK depletion, whereas cell spreading, migration and multilayer alignment into capillary-like structures on Matrigel were impaired. We conclude that ILK is an important regulator of the endothelial phenotype and vascular network formation by directing the assembly and/or maturation of α5β1-competent matrix-forming adhesions.
Regulation of cytoplasmic stress granules by apoptosis-inducing factor
Authors: Candé Céline , Vahsen Nicola , Métivier Didier , Tourrière Hélène , Chebli Karim , Garrido Carmen , Tazi Jamal , Kroemer Guido
Published: August 2004

Stress granules (SG) are dynamic cytoplasmic foci in which stalled translation initiation complexes accumulate. In conditions of acute cellular redox, stress cells manipulated to lose the expression of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) nucleate SG signature proteins (e.g. TIA-1, PABP1) more efficiently than AIF-positive controls. AIF also inhibited SG formation induced by the RasGAP-associated endoribonuclease G3BP. Retransfection of mouse AIF into cells subjected to human AIF-specific siRNA revealed that only AIF imported into mitochondria could repress SGs and that redox-active domains of AIF, which are dispensable for its apoptogenic action, were required for SG inhibition. In response to oxidative stress, AIF-negative cells were found to deplete non-oxidized glutathione more rapidly than AIF-expressing cells. Exogenous supplementation of glutathione inhibited SG formation elicited by arsenate or G3BP. Together, these data suggest that the oxidoreductase function of AIF is required for the maintenance of glutathione levels in stress conditions and that glutathione is a major regulator of SG.
BayesFold: Rational 2° folds that combine thermodynamic, covariation, and chemical data for aligned RNA sequences
Authors: KNIGHT ROB , BIRMINGHAM AMANDA , YARUS MICHAEL
Published: August 2004

BayesFold is a Web application that folds an alignment of closely related sequences and evaluates hypotheses about their shared structure. It uses Bayes’s Theorem to combine information from several sources, including chemical mapping (if available), thermodynamic folding, and observed sequence variations. Its method provides a rational basis for integrating results, even when these methods conflict. On a gapped alignment of 86 tRNAPhe sequences each 77 bases long, BayesFold takes 31 sec to perform the calculations; the best structure contained 95% of the base pairs in the true structure, and the true structure was ranked second. Notably, similar results come from random samples of only 10 sequences from the alignment (running time 3 sec), suggesting that remarkably few sequences are required for good results. In contrast, folding single sequences with BayesFold produced structures 9.6 bp different, or with the Vienna package, 13.4 bp different, from the true structure . Similar results were obtained for other families of tRNAs. We especially recommend BayesFold for alignments of 3–50 closely related sequences, such as the sequence families frequently found in SELEX. In addition to providing a convenient way to explore the effects of each of the criteria on the plausibility of different structures, BayesFold also makes it easy to produce publication-quality secondary-structure graphics. The Web interface, available at http://bayes.colorado.edu/fold/, includes the flexibility to thread any of the sequences (or the consensus sequence) through any of the structures, including the one judged most probable.
Solution structure of the pseudo-5′ splice site of a retroviral splicing suppressor
Authors: CABELLO-VILLEGAS JAVIER , GILES KEITH E. , SOTO ANA MARIA , YU PING , MOUGIN ANNIE , BEEMON KAREN L. , WANG YUN-XING
Published: August 2004

Control of Rous sarcoma virus RNA splicing depends in part on the interaction of U1 and U11 snRNPs with an intronic RNA element called the negative regulator of splicing (NRS). A 23mer RNA hairpin (NRS23) of the NRS directly binds U1 and U11 snRNPs. Mutations that disrupt base-pairing between the loop of NRS23 and U1 snRNA abolish its negative control of splicing. We have determined the solution structure of NRS23 using NOEs, torsion angles, and residual dipolar couplings that were extracted from multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectra. Our structure showed that the 6-bp stem of NRS23 adopts a nearly A-form duplex conformation. The loop, which consists of 11 residues according to secondary structure probing, was in a closed conformation. U913, the first residue in the loop, was bulged out or dynamic, and loop residues G914–C923, G915–U922, and U916–A921 were base-paired. The remaining UUGU tetraloop sequence did not adopt a stable structure and appears flexible in solution. This tetraloop differs from the well-known classes of tetraloops (GNRA, CUYG, UNCG) in terms of its stability, structure, and function. Deletion of the bulged U913, which is not complementary to U1 snRNA, increased the melting temperature of the RNA hairpin. This hyperstable hairpin exhibited a significant decrease in binding to U1 snRNP. Thus, the structure of the NRS RNA, as well as its sequence, is important for interaction with U1 snRNP and for splicing suppression.
Novel cap analogs for in vitro synthesis of mRNAs with high translational efficiency
Authors: GRUDZIEN EWA , STEPINSKI JANUSZ , JANKOWSKA-ANYSZKA MARZENA , STOLARSKI RYSZARD , DARZYNKIEWICZ EDWARD , RHOADS ROBERT E.
Published: August 2004

Synthetic analogs of the N7-methylated guanosine triphosphate cap at the 5′ end of eukaryotic mRNAs and snRNAs have played an important role in understanding their splicing, intracellular transport, translation, and turnover. We report here a new series of N7-benzylated dinucleoside tetraphosphate analogs, b7Gp4G, b7m3′-OGp4G, and b7m2Gp4G, that extend our knowledge of the role of the cap in translation. We used these novel analogs, along with 10 previously synthesized analogs, to explore five parameters: binding affinity to eIF4E, inhibition of cap-dependent translation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, efficiency of incorporation into RNAs during in vitro transcription (% capping), orientation of the analog in the synthetic mRNA (% correct orientation), and in vitro translational efficiency of mRNAs capped with the analog. The 13 cap analogs differed in modifications of the first (distal) and second (proximal) guanine moieties, the first and second ribose moieties, and the number of phosphate residues. Among these were analogs of the naturally occurring cap m32,2,7Gp3G. These compounds varied by 61-fold in affinity for eIF4E, 146-fold in inhibition of cap-dependent translation, 1.4-fold in % capping, and 5.6-fold in % correct orientation. The most stimulatory analog enhanced translation 44-fold compared with uncapped RNA. mRNAs capped with b7m2Gp4G, m7Gp3m7G, b7m3′-OGp4G, and m7Gp4m7G were translated 2.5-, 2.6-, 2.8-, and 3.1-fold more efficiently than mRNAs capped with m7Gp3G, respectively. Relative translational efficiencies could generally be explained in terms of cap affinity for eIF4E, % capping, and % correct orientation. The measurement of all five parameters provides insight into factors that contribute to translational efficiency.
The contribution of metal ions to the structural stability of the large ribosomal subunit
Authors: KLEIN DANIEL J. , MOORE PETER B. , STEITZ THOMAS A.
Published: August 2004

Both monovalent cations and magnesium ions are well known to be essential for the folding and stability of large RNA molecules that form complex and compact structures. In the atomic structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui, we have identified 116 magnesium ions and 88 monovalent cations bound principally to rRNA. Although the rRNA structures to which these metal ions bind are highly idiosyncratic, a few common principles have emerged from the identities of the specific functional groups that coordinate them. The nonbridging oxygen of a phosphate group is the most common inner shell ligand of Mg++, and Mg++ ions having one or two such inner shell ligands are very common. Nonbridging phosphate oxygens and the heteroatoms of nucleotide bases are common outer shell ligands for Mg++ ions. Monovalent cations usually interact with nucleotide bases and protein groups, although some interactions with nonbridging phosphate oxygens are found. The most common monovalent cation binding site is the major groove side of G-U wobble pairs. Both divalent and monovalent cations stabilize the tertiary structure of 23S rRNA by mediating interactions between its structural domains. Bound metal ions are particularly abundant in the region surrounding the peptidyl transferase center, where stabilizing cationic tails of ribosomal proteins are notably absent. This may point to the importance of metal ions for the stabilization of specific RNA structures in the evolutionary period prior to the appearance of proteins, and hence many of these metal ion binding sites may be conserved across all phylogenetic kingdoms.
Tissue-specific modification of gld-2 mRNA in C. elegans: Likely C-to-U editing
Authors: WANG LIAOTENG , KIMBLE JUDITH , WICKENS MARVIN
Published: August 2004

Seventeen years after the discovery of tissue-specific apoB mRNA editing, only three nucleus-encoded mRNAs have been shown to undergo C-to-U editing. All three mRNAs occur in mammals. apoB mRNA editing is tissue-specific and occurs normally, whereas NF1 and NAT1 mRNA editing is found largely in tumors. Here we report the first example of C-to-U RNA editing in Caenorhabditis elegans. The gld-2 gene encodes an atypical poly(A) polymerase that governs the mitosis/meiosis decision in the germ line as well as progression through meiosis and early embryogenesis. At least two of its alternatively spliced transcripts are germline-specific. We find that most and perhaps all germline-specific transcripts generated by the gld-2 gene undergo C-to-U editing, but that somatic transcripts show no detectable editing. The gld-2 C-to-U editing event changes the codon from CCG to CUG, which is predicted to cause a proline to leucine substitution in the protein sequence. Our findings suggest the presence of a sequence- and tissue-specific cytidine deaminase acting on RNA, or CDAR. This CDAR modifies a specific base in gld-2 mRNA, and acts only in the germline.
Respiratory Stimulant Use in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Bales Melissa J , Timpe Erin M
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of respiratory stimulants in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (1966–July 2003) and EMBASE (1980–3rd quarter 2003) were searched using the search terms medroxyprogesterone acetate, acetazolamide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Trials are reviewed evaluating ventilatory parameters with acetazolamide and/or medroxyprogesterone in patients with COPD. All studies found improvements in ventilatory parameters, but failed to demonstrate improvements in survival or quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant improvement in arterial blood gas and ventilatory parameters was reported in COPD patients after acetazolamide and medroxyprogesterone treatment; however, with no improvement in survival or quality of life, the place of these drugs in therapy remains unknown.
Valproic Acid—Induced Hyperammonemia and Thrombocytopenia in an Elderly Woman
Authors: Mallet Louise , Babin Steve , Morais José A
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of oral valproic acid—induced hyperammonemia and thrombocytopenia in an elderly patient.

CASE SUMMARY

A 76-year-old white woman presented to the emergency department with generalized weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. She was taking sodium divalproex 750 mg 3 times daily, with valproic acid concentration 144 mg/L. She was admitted to the medical ward. The dose of sodium divalproex was decreased and discontinued. During her hospital stay, the woman's ammonia level rose to 211 μg/dL despite a normal valproic acid concentration. She was confused, somnolent, and had decreased mobility. Her platelet count decreased from 133 to 86 × 103/mm 3 . Gabapentin was prescribed for seizure control. The patient's mental status, ammonia level, and platelet count returned to baseline following discontinuation of valproic acid.

DISCUSSION

It has been reported that valproic acid can interfere with the enzyme carbamoylphosphate synthetase, which is responsible for incorporating ammonia into the urea cycle. It has also been reported that valproic acid can increase the transport of glutamine across the mitochondrial membrane in the kidney, thereby increasing the production of ammonia. The etiology of valproic acid—induced thrombocytopenia has not been elucidated. Using the Naranjo probability scale, a probable relationship between hyperammonemia and valproic acid and a possible relationship between thrombocytopenia and valproic acid were determined.

CONCLUSIONS

Valproic acid can be associated with hyperammonemia and thrombocytopenia. Clinicians should be aware of changes in patients' cognitive and functional capacity, especially elderly patients on sodium divalproex.
Sincalide in Patients with Parenteral Nutrition—Associated Gallbladder Disease
Authors: Prescott William A , Btaiche Imad F
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVE

To review the role of sincalide in treating and preventing parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated gallbladder disease.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE (1996–March 2004) search was performed using the key terms cholecystokinin, sincalide, parenteral nutrition, cholelithiasis, cholestasis, and sludge.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Five human studies investigated the safety and efficacy of sincalide in patients with PN-associated gallbladder disease. Sincalide at intravenous doses of 0.04 μg/kg 3 times daily increased bile flow and improved serum bilirubin levels. However, patients with advanced liver disease did not respond to sincalide therapy. Long-term follow-up data on sincalide effects on liver disease progression are not yet available.

CONCLUSIONS

Sincalide improved the signs of cholestasis. However, its long-term effects in preventing and treating PN-associated gallbladder disease remain unknown and its routine use for this indication cannot be recommended at this time.
Attitudes towards personality disorders: Comparison between prison officers and psychiatric nurses
Authors: Carr‐Walker Paola , Bowers Len , Callaghan Patrick , Nijman Henk , Paton Jo
Published: August 2004

Objectives. This study investigates the effects of working with dangerous and severely personality disordered (DSPD) prisoners and patients on the attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of staff, which may be important therapeutic variables in the management and treatment of prisoners and patients.

Method. The attitudes of prison officers working in a DSPD prison unit and psychiatric nurses working in high‐security psychiatric hospitals were compared using the Attitude to Personality Disorder Questionnaire (APDQ) and the Staff Attitude to Personality Disorder Interview (SAPDI).

Results. Prison officers and nurses differed in their attitudes. Prison officers' attitudes were more positive than those of psychiatric nurses in all aspects of the APDQ. Prison officers indicated that they felt more liking for and interest in contact with personality disordered prisoners, less fear and helplessness, less anger, were more optimistic regarding treatment, and less frustrated. The SAPDI revealed that nurses expressed more concern about caring for and managing personality disordered patients, and felt more vulnerable and less accepting towards them. Prison officers conveyed more confidence in their own abilities and felt less vulnerable.

Conclusion. Differences found in attitudes towards personality disordered prisoners/patients are discussed in terms of personal, environmental and experiential influences, and implications for DSPD services. Attitudes towards personality disordered prisoners/patients between nurses and officers differed. They are likely to be influenced by a combination of experience with personality disorder, organisational culture and personal characteristics.
Why professionals fail to catch liars and how they can improve
Authors: Vrij Aldert
Published: August 2004

In the first part of this article, I briefly review research findings that show that professional lie catchers, such as police officers, are generally rather poor at distinguishing between truths and lies. I believe that there are many reasons contributing towards this poor ability, and give an overview of these reasons in the second part of this article. I also believe that professionals could become better lie detectors and explain how in the final part of this article.
Crime scene actions and offender characteristics in arsons
Authors: Häkkänen Helinä , Puolakka Pia , Santtila Pekka
Published: August 2004

Purpose. Crime scene actions displayed by offenders in arsons were analysed in relation to offender characteristics and self‐reported motives.

Methods. Data were drawn from an official police database and consisted of a random sample of arsons occurring in Finland between 1990 and 2001 (N = 189). The structure of dichotomous variables derived through a content analysis of crime scene actions and offender characteristics was analysed using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) analyses.

Results. The analyses revealed four separate crime scene action types, with thematic emphasis on either expressive or instrumental motivation and the target being either a person or object. The MDS solution for offender characteristics suggested four types of offenders: Self‐destructive, Serial, Criminal, and Adolescent. In order to analyse the associations between action and characteristics themes, each case was assigned to one of the action and characteristic themes or a hybrid based on the frequency of variables present from each theme. Several statistically significant associations between the action and characteristic themes were found. Self‐reported motives were also analysed in relation to the themes.

Conclusions. The results support the thematic classification of arsonists presented in Canter and Fritzon (1998). The results are discussed with regard to earlier research and deducing offender characteristics based on crime scene actions.
Interacting influences on interrogative suggestibility
Authors: Bain Stella A. , Baxter James S. , Fellowes Vivienne
Published: August 2004

Purpose. Research using the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales (GSS) has found interrogative suggestibility (IS) to vary as a function of the overall demeanour of the interviewer, warnings about the presence of misleading information, and the self‐esteem of the interviewee, as outlined by Gudjonsson and Clark (1986). The present study attempted to assess how these factors interact.

Method. The study had a three‐factor between‐participants design: interviewer demeanour × instructional manipulation × self‐esteem. One hundred and twenty undergraduates took part in the study.

Results. Participants reporting lower self‐esteem scored higher on the GSS ‘Shift’ measure than participants reporting higher levels of self‐esteem. Participants faced with a ‘Friendly’ interviewer scored lower on the GSS Yield 1 and Total Suggestibility measures than did those participants faced with a more ‘Abrupt’ interviewer. Participants warned about the presence of misleading information scored lower on Yield 1 and Total Suggestibility. A potentially key finding was that participants who received a warning demonstrated an increased number of Shifts in the Friendly condition compared with those who were not warned. In the Abrupt condition this pattern was reversed.

Conclusion. The results supported studies showing that all three variables tested affect levels of IS but further suggested that optimal interviewer support for interviewees' discrepancy detection may be provided either by a relaxed interviewer manner or by warnings alone, but not by both.
Say it to my face: Examining the effects of socially encountered misinformation
Authors: Gabbert Fiona , Memon Amina , Allan Kevin , Wright Daniel B.
Published: August 2004

Objectives. Errors in eyewitness accounts can occur when a witness comes into contact with post‐event ‘misinformation’. A common way to encounter misinformation is through face‐to‐face interaction, in particular, via conversation with other individuals who also witnessed the crime. The current research compares this kind of misinformation with the non‐social post‐event narrative method typically employed in laboratory studies.

Method. Young (17–33 years) and older (58–80 years) adults viewed a simulated crime event on video and were later exposed to four items of misinformation about it. The misinformation items were either introduced as part of a discussion about the event with a confederate or were embedded within a written narrative about the event that participants were asked to read. A questionnaire containing 20 items about the event was given to participants before and after the experimental manipulation.

Results. Participants were less accurate than controls on questionnaire items after encountering misinformation. More importantly, misinformation encountered socially was significantly more misleading than misinformation from a non‐social source. This was true for both young and older adults.

Conclusion. Misinformation encountered socially produced more errors than misinformation from a non‐social source. This finding has implications both for applied (forensic) and theoretical understanding of eyewitness memory.
Crime Victims' Experiences of Police Interviews and Their Inclination to Provide or Omit Information
Authors: Holmberg Ulf
Published: August 2004

This research concerns crime victims' experiences of Swedish police interviews and their inclination to provide or omit information in such interviews. A group of rape or aggravated assault victims, consisting of 178 women and men, answered a questionnaire in this explorative study, which revealed that police officer behaviour in interviews was mainly calm and obliging. Results from factor analyses show that these crime victims perceived police attitudes to be characterised by either dominance or humanity. While being interviewed, crime victims either responded with feelings of anxiety or feelings of being respected, the latter of which encouraged them to be cooperative. Logistic regressions revealed that interviews marked by dominance and responses of anxiety are significantly associated with crime victims who omit information. Interviews marked by humanity, responses of feeling respected, and cooperation are significantly associated with crime victims who provide information.
Does the Effectiveness of CCTV as a Crime Prevention Strategy Outweigh the Threat to Civil Liberties?
Authors: Poyser Sam
Published: August 2004

CCTV can be viewed as part of:

CCTV then, has the ability to simultaneously intrude and protect. Whether it protects at the expense of people's civil liberties and, if so, whether this is always beneficial is the focus of this discussion.

A web of surveillance which far exceeds anything that is historically known … It can invade privacy and make Orwell's 1984 a reality. But it can also … be liberating and protective. Therefore, it may be socially beneficial as well as harmful. (Young, 1999: 192)

Those concerned about civil liberty issues may argue that whilst CCTV remains the dominant form of crime prevention in the UK, it is necessary to strive to achieve a balance of the rights to privacy and protection (Young, 1999). However, as is recognised in the Human Rights Act 1998, sometimes these competing claims are irreconcilable, with one inevitably taking priority over the other (Young, 1999).

This discussion will first set CCTV in Britain in its historical context. It will then address its uses and effectiveness, and examine how these have been evaluated. Concentrating particularly on the use of CCTV in public and semi-public places (as civil liberties concerns focus strongly on this area), the argument that CCTV threatens civil liberties will be examined. Finally, there is a suggestion that efforts to balance concern for civil liberties against crime prevention successes may be undermined in practice by influences beyond the control of both those involved in the CCTV industry and civil libertarians.
Drawing the Thin Blue Line: The Reality of Who Controls the Police
Authors: Warburton Damian
Published: August 2004

For the last ten years the police service has been undergoing a period of evolution, and scrutiny of its methods and ***answer-ability has been getting steadily stronger. The Police Reform Act 2002 capped off a number of significant changes, not least of which was to discard the Police Complaints Authority in favour of a new Independent Police Complaints Commission.

In the last few years several aspects of police organisation have been drawn in under the central control of the Home Office; Local Police Authorities exist for the benefit of the community but there are numerous examples of Chief Constables disregarding their wishes. The ease with which a constable can be called to account has gradually been tightened up, and yet to the observer it may be surprising to learn who really has the final say over how police work is conducted.

An abrupt wake-up call was delivered to the entire service in October 2003 when the BBC proved that the ghosts of police racism had by no means been exorcised, and a startling insight was given to the whole country as to who it is that dictates the nature of everyday policing.
Adaptive Temporal Integration of Motion in Direction-Selective Neurons in Macaque Visual Cortex
Authors: Bair Wyeth , Movshon J. Anthony
Published: August 2004

Direction-selective neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) and the extrastriate motion area MT/V5 constitute a critical channel that links early cortical mechanisms of spatiotemporal integration to downstream signals that underlie motion perception. We studied how temporal integration in direction-selective cells depends on speed, spatial frequency (SF), and contrast using randomly moving sinusoidal gratings and spike-triggered average (STA) analysis. The window of temporal integration revealed by the STAs varied substantially with stimulus parameters, extending farther back in time for slow motion, high SF, and low contrast. At low speeds and high SF, STA peaks were larger, indicating that a single spike often conveyed more information about the stimulus under conditions in which the mean firing rate was very low. The observed trends were similar in V1 and MT and offer a physiological correlate for a large body of psychophysical data on temporal integration. We applied the same visual stimuli to a model of motion detection based on oriented linear filters (a motion energy model) that incorporated an integrate-and-fire mechanism and found that it did not account for the neuronal data. Our results show that cortical motion processing in V1 and in MT is highly nonlinear and stimulus dependent. They cast considerable doubt on the ability of simple oriented filter models to account for the output of direction-selective neurons in a general manner. Finally, they suggest that spike rate tuning functions may miss important aspects of the neural coding of motion for stimulus conditions that evoke low firing rates.
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Is Required for the Development of Spinal Sensitization and Induction of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Mabuchi Tamaki , Shintani Norihito , Matsumura Shinji , Okuda-Ashitaka Emiko , Hashimoto Hitoshi , Muratani Tadatoshi , Minami Toshiaki , Baba Akemichi , Ito Seiji
Published: August 2004

The prolonged sensitization of pain transmission after nerve injury by increasing excitability of spinal neurons and thereby promoting repair is an adaptive response of the body. The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is widely distributed in the nervous system and implicated in neurotransmission, neural plasticity, and neurotrophic actions. Although PACAP is distributed in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia, a role of PACAP in pain responses remains essentially unknown. Here we show that mice lacking the PACAP gene (PACAP-/-) did not exhibit inflammatory pain induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan or neuropathic pain induced by L5 spinal nerve transection, whereas they did retain normal nociceptive responses. Intrathecal administration of NMDA induced mechanical allodynia in wild-type mice, but not in PACAP-/-mice. The NMDA-induced allodynia in PACAP-/-mice was reproduced by simultaneous intrathecal injection of PACAP with NMDA. Concomitant with the increase in PACAP immunoreactivity after nerve injury, NADPH-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity visualized by NADPH diaphorase histochemistry markedly increased in the superficial layer of the spinal cord of wild-type mice, which was not observed in PACAP-/-mice. Simultaneous addition of PACAP and NMDA caused translocation of neuronal NOS from the cytosol to the membrane and stimulated NO productionin vitro. These results demonstrate that PACAP might promote the functional coupling of neuronal NOS to NMDA receptors for both inflammatory and neuropathic pain to occur.
Regulation of Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase Expression via the Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase/Akt Pathway and Nuclear Factor-κB
Authors: Rojo Ana I. , Salinas Marta , Martín Daniel , Perona Rosario , Cuadrado Antonio
Published: August 2004

Aerobic cells adjust the expression of antioxidant enzymes to maintain reactive oxygen species within tolerable levels. In addition, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and its downstream protein kinase effector Akt adapt cells to survive in the presence of oxidative stress. Here we provide evidence for an association between these two defense systems via transcriptional regulation of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD). PC12 pheochromocytoma cells expressing active Akt1 exhibit lower ROS levels in response to hydrogen peroxide, as determined with the superoxide-sensitive probe hydroethidine. Transfection of constitutive or 4-hydroxytamoxifen-inducible versions of Akt1 results in higher messenger RNA and protein levels of Cu/Zn-SOD. Luciferase reporter constructs, carrying different length fragments of the humansod1gene promoter, have identified a region between -552 and -355 that is targeted by PI3K and Akt and that contains a putative site of regulation by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Nerve growth factor (NGF) and Akt augment the transactivating activity and produce higher nuclear levels of p65-NF-κB. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that the putative NF-κB regulatory sequence binds p65-NF-κB more efficiently in nuclear extracts from these cells. A dominant-negative mutant of IκBα further demonstrates that the PI3K/Akt axis targets thesod1promoter at the level of the newly characterized NF-κB site. These results illustrate a new mechanism by which the PI3K/Akt pathway protects cells against oxidative stress, involving the upregulation of Cu/Zn-SOD gene expression, and the results identify NF-κB as a key mediator in the regulation of this gene.
βIV Spectrins Are Essential for Membrane Stability and the Molecular Organization of Nodes of Ranvier
Authors: Yang Yang , Lacas-Gervais Sandra , Morest D. Kent , Solimena Michele , Rasband Matthew N.
Published: August 2004

High densities of sodium channels at nodes of Ranvier permit action potential conduction and depend on βIV spectrins, a family of scaffolding proteins linked to the cortical actin cytoskeleton. To investigate the molecular organization of nodes, we analyzedqv3J“quivering” mice, whose βIV spectrins have a truncated proline-rich “specific” domain (SD) and lack the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Central nodes ofqv3Jmice, which lack βIV spectrins, are significantly broader and have prominent vesicle-filled nodal membrane protrusions, whereas axon shape and neurofilament density are dramatically altered. PNSqv3Jnodes, some with detectable βIV spectrins, are less affected. In contrast, a larger truncation of βIV spectrins inqv4Jmice, deleting the SD, PH, and ankyrinG binding domains, causes βIV spectrins to be undetectable and causes dramatic changes, even in peripheral nodes. These results show that quivering mutations disrupt βIV spectrin retention and stability at nodes and that distinct protein domains regulate nodal structural integrity and molecular organization.
Role of Spike Timing in the Forelimb Somatosensory Cortex of the Rat
Authors: Foffani Guglielmo , Tutunculer Banu , Moxon Karen A.
Published: August 2004

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the significance of spike timing in somatosensory processing is not a specific feature of the whisker cortex but a more general characteristic of the primary somatosensory cortex. We recorded ensembles of neurons using microwire arrays implanted in the deep layers of the forelimb region of the rat primary somatosensory cortex in response to step stimuli delivered to the cutaneous surface of the contralateral body. We used a recently developed peristimulus time histogram (PSTH)-based classification method to investigate the temporal precision of the code by evaluating how changing the bin size (from 40 to 1 msec) would affect the ability of the ensemble responses to discriminate stimulus location on a single-trial basis. The information related to the discrimination was redundantly distributed within the ensembles, and the ability to discriminate stimulus location increased when decreasing the bin size, reaching a maximum at 4 msec. In our experiment, at 4 msec bin size the first spike per neuron after the stimulus conveyed almost as much information as the entire responses, so the temporal precision of the code was preserved in the first spikes. Subsequent spikes were less frequent but conveyed more information per spike. Finally, not only the trials correctly classified but also the trials incorrectly classified conveyed information about stimulus location with a similar temporal precision. We conclude that the role of spike timing in cortical somatosensory processing is not an exclusive feature of the highly specialized rat trigeminal system, but a more general property of the rat primary somatosensory cortex.
Management and policy aspects of industrial ecology: an emerging research agenda
Authors: Korhonen Jouni , von Malmborg Fredrik , Strachan Peter A. , Ehrenfeld John R.
Published: August 2004

This special issue is based on the international symposium Business and Industrial Ecology held alongside the 2003 Business Strategy and the Environment Conference in Leicester, UK. The main message is that the dominant natural science and engineering aspects of industrial ecology (IE) need to be linked to management and policy studies. IE has rapidly evolved into a new field with the concept of an ‘industrial ecosystem’ that uses the metaphor of sustainable ecosystems to provide innovative routes to change present unsustainable industrial systems. The editorial article identifies three themes as organizing categories in linking IE to management and policy studies. First, the systems and network philosophy of IE can be coupled with inter‐organizational management studies to complement the more traditional intra‐organizational environmental management. Second, management and policy studies complement descriptive IE studies of physical flows of matter and energy to produce prescriptive suggestions for how industrial systems can be moved through human action toward the vision of IE. Third, the metaphor is a source of inspiration and creativity in the transformation of management and strategic visions towards a new sustainability culture. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Eco‐industrial development and economic development: industrial ecology or place promotion?
Authors: Deutz Pauline , Gibbs David
Published: August 2004

Since the Earth Summit of 1992 ‘sustainable development’ has influenced policies at all scales from local to international and interest has grown in industrial ecology as a means to deliver sustainable development. Eco‐industrial parks are a local policy initiative attempting to apply the principles of industrial ecology. However, at the same time as responding to environmental concerns, local authorities are competing for inward investment. This study considers the potential use of eco‐industrial parks by local authorities as a means of place promotion. We interviewed people associated with operational and planned North American eco‐industrial parks to assess the developments with respect to the following: their goals; steps taken to ensure the development lives up to its goals; degree of institutional and public support and extent to which developers explicitly considered the marketability of eco‐industrial development. In practice, eco‐industrial ideals are often compromised; parks pursue disparate strategies to overcome differing obstacles to economic development. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Policy implications of industrial ecology conceptions
Authors: Opoku Hilde N.
Published: August 2004

The way industrial ecology (IE) is conceptualized determines the concept's potential. Different conceptualizations of IE suggest different political solutions and different focuses on the environment. It is not in itself problematic that the debate points in different political directions. The problem occurs when ideologically based argumentation is not made explicit, but instead presented as necessary premises in order to meet IE objectives. An analysis of the implications when two of these conceptions are implemented as strategies for solid waste management illustrates this claim. This author suggests that the contributors to the field make a clear distinction between scientific discussions regarding the analytical framework and policy principles, and discussions regarding practical applications. Only then can the assumption that the concept of industrial ecology has the potential to be a robust and unifying analytical framework and policy principle stand. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.