bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer Stem Cells: Targets and Potential Biomarkers for Radiotherapy
Authors: Krause Mechthild , Yaromina Ala , Eicheler Wolfgang , Koch Ulrike , Baumann Michael
Published: October 2011

Cancer stem cells (CSC) have the unique ability to cause tumor recurrences if they survive treatment. Radiotherapy has curative potential because it has been functionally shown to sufficiently inactivate CSCs. It is well known that CSCs mediate the radiation resistance of tumors by tumor-specific factors, such as the pretreatment number of CSCs and repopulation or reoxygenation during fractionated radiotherapy. CSCs appear to have a higher intrinsic radioresistance than non-CSCs, a factor that is especially important for the development of predictive biomarkers that, if this finding holds true, can only be successfully established if they are stem-cell specific. Recent clinical data imply that stem-cell–related surface markers may be directly used as predictors for the radiocurability of tumors with comparable risk factors, such as histology and size. Future studies need to address the question of which additional markers need to be considered if more heterogeneous patient collectives are investigated. With the goal of developing a direct targeting approach, investigators are currently evaluating several drugs that are intended to target CSCs by inhibiting stem-cell–related signal transduction pathways. We need to preclinically test such drugs as combined-modality therapies in combination with radiotherapy to evaluate their curative potential, and optimize them by increasing their specificity to CSCs over normal tissue stem cells to avoid increased radiation toxicity. Clin Cancer Res; 17(23); 7224–9. ©2011 AACR.
Multicenter, Phase II Study of Axitinib, a Selective Second-Generation Inhibitor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors 1, 2, and 3, in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Fruehauf John , Lutzky Jose , McDermott David , Brown Charles K. , Meric Jean-Baptiste , Rosbrook Brad , Shalinsky David R. , Liau Katherine F. , Niethammer Andreas G. , Kim Sinil , Rixe Olivier
Published: October 2011

Purpose: This multicenter, open-label, phase II study evaluated the safety and clinical activity of axitinib, a potent and selective second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)–1, 2, and 3, in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Experimental Design: Thirty-two patients with a maximum of one prior systemic therapy received axitinib at a starting dose of 5 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was objective response rate.

Results: Objective response rate was 18.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.2–36.4], comprising one complete and five partial responses with a median response duration of 5.9 months (95% CI, 5.0–17.0). Stable disease at 16 weeks was noted in six patients (18.8%), with an overall clinical benefit rate of 37.5%. Six-month progression-free survival rate was 33.9%, 1-year overall survival rate was 28.1%, and median overall survival was 6.6 months (95% CI, 5.2–9.0). The most frequently (>15%) reported nonhematologic, treatment-related adverse events were fatigue, hypertension, hoarseness, and diarrhea. Treatment-related fatal bowel perforation, a known class effect, occurred in one patient. Axitinib selectively decreased plasma concentrations of soluble VEGFR (sVEGFR)-2 and sVEGFR-3 compared with soluble stem cell factor receptor (sKIT). No significant association was noted between plasma levels of axitinib and response. However, post hoc analyses indicated potential relationships between efficacy endpoints and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher as well as baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase levels.

Conclusions: Axitinib was well tolerated, showed a selective VEGFR-inhibitory profile, and showed single-agent activity in metastatic melanoma. Further evaluations of axitinib, alone and combined with chemotherapy, are ongoing. Clin Cancer Res; 17(23); 7462–9. ©2011 AACR.
Metadherin Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis through Induction of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhu Kai , Dai Zhi , Pan Qi , Wang Zheng , Yang Guo-Huan , Yu Lei , Ding Zhen-Bin , Shi Guo-Ming , Ke Ai-Wu , Yang Xin-Rong , Tao Zhong-Hua , Zhao Yi-Ming , Qin Yi , Zeng Hai-Ying , Tang Zhao-You , Fan Jia , Zhou Jian
Published: October 2011

Purpose: To investigate the expression of metadherin (MTDH) for its prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its role in promoting HCC metastasis.

Experimental Design: This study employed a tissue microarray containing samples from 323 HCC patients to examine the expression of MTDH and its correlation with other clinicopathologic characteristics. The role of MTDH in the regulation of HCC metastasis was investigated both in vitro and in vivo using short hairpin RNA (shRNA)–mediated downregulation of MTDH in HCC cell lines with various metastatic potentials.

Results: The expression of MTDH was markedly higher in HCC tumors than in normal liver tissue. Particularly high MTDH expression was observed in tumors with microvascular invasion, pathologic satellites, poor differentiation, or tumor-node-metastasis stages II to III. Furthermore, the clinical outcome was consistently poorer for the MTDHhigh group than for the MTDHlow group in the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates and in the 1-, 3-, 5-year cumulative recurrence rates. In a nude mice model, the shRNA-mediated downregulation of MTDH resulted in a reduced migratory capacity in HCC cell lines, as well as a reduction in pulmonary and abdominal metastasis. Furthermore, we found that the expression level of MTDH correlated with four epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Knockdown of MTDH expression in HCC cell lines resulted in downregulation of N-cadherin and snail, upregulation of E-cadherin, and translocation of β-catenin.

Conclusions: MTDH may promote HCC metastasis through the induction of EMT process and may be a candidate biomarker for prognosis as well as a target for therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(23); 7294–302. ©2011 AACR.
Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor Is Synergistic with JAK2 Inhibitor and Overcomes Resistance to JAK2-TKI in Human Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Cells
Authors: Fiskus Warren , Verstovsek Srdan , Manshouri Taghi , Rao Rekha , Balusu Ramesh , Venkannagari Sreedhar , Rao Nalabothula Narasimha , Ha Kyungsoo , Smith Jacqueline E. , Hembruff Stacey L. , Abhyankar Sunil , McGuirk Joseph , Bhalla Kapil N.
Published: October 2011

Purpose: We determined the activity of hsp90 inhibitor, and/or Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), against JAK2-V617F–expressing cultured mouse (Ba/F3-JAK2-V617F) and human (HEL92.1.7 and UKE-1) or primary human CD34+ myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) cells.

Experimental Design: Following exposure to the hsp90 inhibitor AUY922 and/or JAK2-TKI TG101209, the levels of JAK2-V617F, its downstream signaling proteins, as well as apoptosis were determined.

Results: Treatment with AUY922 induced proteasomal degradation and depletion of JAK2-V617F as well as attenuated the signaling proteins downstream of JAK2-V617F, that is, phospho (p)-STAT5, p-AKT, and p-ERK1/2. AUY922 treatment also induced apoptosis of HEL92.1.7, UKE-1, and Ba/F3-hJAK2-V617F cells. Combined treatment with AUY922 and TG101209 caused greater depletion of the signaling proteins than either agent alone and synergistically induced apoptosis of HEL92.1.7 and UKE-1 cells. Cotreatment with AUY922 and TG101209 also induced significantly more apoptosis of human CD34+ MPN than normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. As compared with the sensitive controls, JAK2-TKI–resistant HEL/TGR and UKE-1/TGR cells exhibited significantly higher IC50 values for JAK2-TKI (P < 0.001), which was associated with higher expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT5, p-AKT, and Bcl-xL, but reduced levels of BIM. Unlike the sensitive controls, HEL/TGR and UKE/TGR cells were collaterally sensitive to the hsp90 inhibitors AUY922 and 17-AAG, accompanied by marked reduction in p-JAK2, p-STAT5, p-AKT, and Bcl-xL, with concomitant induction of BIM.

Conclusions: Findings presented here show that cotreatment with hsp90 inhibitor and JAK2-TKI exerts synergistic activity against cultured and primary MPN cells. In addition, treatment with hsp90 inhibitor may overcome resistance to JAK2-TKI in human MPN cells. Clin Cancer Res; 17(23); 7347–58. ©2011 AACR.
Novel Chromosomal Rearrangements and Break Points at the t(6;9) in Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: Association with MYB–NFIB Chimeric Fusion, MYB Expression, and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Mitani Yoshitsugu , Rao Pulivarthi H. , Futreal P. Andrew , Roberts Dianna B. , Stephens Philip J. , Zhao Yi-Jue , Zhang Li , Mitani Mutsumi , Weber Randal S. , Lippman Scott M. , Caulin Carlos , El-Naggar Adel K.
Published: October 2011

Objective: To investigate the molecular genetic heterogeneity associated with the t(6:9) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and correlate the findings with patient clinical outcome.

Experimental Design: Multimolecular and genetic techniques complemented with massive pair-ended sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphism array analyses were used on tumor specimens from 30 new and 52 previously analyzed fusion transcript–negative ACCs by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). MYB mRNA expression level was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. The results of 102 tumors (30 new and 72 previously reported cases) were correlated with the clinicopathologic factors and patients' survival.

Results: The FISH analysis showed 34 of 82 (41.5%) fusion-positive tumors and molecular techniques identified fusion transcripts in 21 of the 82 (25.6%) tumors. Detailed FISH analysis of 11 out the 15 tumors with gene fusion without transcript formation showed translocation of NFIB sequences to proximal or distal sites of the MYB gene. Massive pair-end sequencing of a subset of tumors confirmed the proximal translocation to an NFIB sequence and led to the identification of a new fusion gene (NFIB–AIG1) in one of the tumors. Overall, MYB–NFIB gene fusion rate by FISH was in 52.9% whereas fusion transcript forming incidence was 38.2%. Significant statistical association between the 5′ MYB transcript expression and patient survival was found.

Conclusions: We conclude that: (i) t(6;9) results in complex genetic and molecular alterations in ACC, (ii) MYB–NFIB gene fusion may not always be associated with chimeric transcript formation, (iii) noncanonical MYB–NFIB gene fusions occur in a subset of tumors, (iv) high MYB expression correlates with worse patient survival. Clin Cancer Res; 17(22); 7003–14. ©2011 AACR.
IL-6 Promotes Head and Neck Tumor Metastasis by Inducing Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition via the JAK-STAT3-SNAIL Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yadav Arti , Kumar Bhavna , Datta Jharna , Teknos Theodoros N. , Kumar Pawan
Published: October 2011

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor metastatic cascade that is characterized by the loss of cell–cell junctions and cell polarity, resulting in the acquisition of migratory and invasive properties. However, the precise molecular events that initiate this complex EMT process in head and neck cancers are poorly understood. Increasing evidence suggests that tumor microenvironment plays an important role in promoting EMT in tumor cells. We have previously shown that head and neck tumors exhibit significantly higher Bcl-2 expression in tumor-associated endothelial cells and overexpression of Bcl-2 alone in tumor-associated endothelial cells was sufficient to enhance tumor metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model. In this study, we show that endothelial cells expressing Bcl-2 (EC-Bcl-2), when cocultured with head and neck tumor cells (CAL27), significantly enhance EMT-related changes in tumor cells predominantly by the secretion of IL-6. Treatment with recombinant IL-6 or stable IL-6 overexpression in CAL27 cells or immortalized oral epithelial cells (IOE) significantly induced the expression of mesenchymal marker, vimentin, while repressing E-cadherin expression via the JAK/STAT3/Snail signaling pathway. These EMT-related changes were further associated with enhanced tumor and IOE cell scattering and motility. STAT3 knockdown significantly reversed IL-6–mediated tumor and IOE cell motility by inhibiting FAK activation. Furthermore, tumor cells overexpressing IL-6 showed marked increase in lymph node and lung metastasis in a SCID mouse xenograft model. Taken together, these results show a novel function for IL-6 in mediating EMT in head and neck tumor cells and increasing their metastatic potential. Mol Cancer Res; 9(12); 1658–67. ©2011 AACR.
Vitamin D Deficiency as a Strong Predictor of Asthma in Children
Authors: Bener Abdulbari , Ehlayel Mohammad S. , Tulic Meri K. , Hamid Qutayba
Published: October 2011

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency in early life and development of asthma in later life. Aim: The aim of this study was to measure serum vitamin D levels in asthmatic children and to compare these to healthy non-asthmatic controls. Methods: Asthmatic (n = 483) and healthy control (n = 483) children were recruited from the Pediatric Allergy-Immunology Clinics of Hamad General Hospital and the Primary Health Care Clinics in Qatar from October 2009 to July 2010. All children were below 16 years of age and asthma was diagnosed by a physician. Parents of all children completed extensive questionnaires documenting demographics, child’s feeding practice and vitamin D intake. Serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, creatinine and parathyroid hormone assays were performed. Subjects with serum containing less than 20 ng/ml vitamin D were deemed deficient. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly reduced serum vitamin D levels compared to non-asthmatic children (p < 0.001); 68.1% of all asthmatics were vitamin D deficient. Asthmatic children had significantly higher degrees of moderate (41.8 vs. 25.1%) and severe (26.3 vs. 11.0%) vitamin D deficiency compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Positive familial history of vitamin D deficiency (35.6%, p = 0.005) and asthma (36.4%, p = 0.009) were significantly higher in asthmatic children. Along with vitamin D deficiency, asthmatics also had reduced phosphorus (p < 0.001) and magnesium (p = 0.001) levels but elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.001) and IgE (p < 0.001). The majority of asthmatic children had less exposure to sunlight (66.7%, p = 0.006) and less physical activity (71.3%, p < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was the strongest predictor of asthma in this population (OR 4.82; 95% CI 2.41–8.63, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study revealed that the majority of asthmatic children had vitamin D deficiency compared to control children. Vitamin D deficiency was the major predictor of asthma in Qatari children.
Determinants of Serum Tryptase in a General Population: The Relationship of Serum Tryptase to Obesity and Asthma
Authors: Fenger R.V. , Linneberg A. , Vidal C. , Vizcaino L. , Husemoen L.L. , Aadahl M. , Gonzalez-Quintela A.
Published: October 2011

Background: Recent studies indicate that mast cells are more abundant in the obese state. Total serum tryptase (ST) is a marker of mast cell numbers or activity. Since obesity and asthma have been consistently linked in epidemiological studies, a possible higher mast cell activity in obesity could be a factor between the two conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of ST and whether a potential association between obesity and allergic respiratory disease would be influenced by levels of ST in obese persons. Methods: Measurements of ST (ImmunoCAP Tryptase assay), atopy (skin prick test reactivity), methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), body mass index (BMI) and serum lipids were performed in a general population of 1,216 persons aged 15–69 years. Results: ST increased significantly with increasing BMI. The median ST level increased from 3.3 µg/l in persons with BMI <25 to 4.4 µg/l in persons with BMI >30, p < 0.0001. Age (p < 0.0001), male sex (p = 0.0009) and smoking (p = 0.022) were positively associated with ST, whereas alcohol consumption (p = 0.005) was inversely associated with ST. ST was not associated with atopy, symptoms of allergic respiratory disease or BHR. A positive association between symptoms of allergic respiratory disease and obesity (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.25–3.14) was not influenced by obesity-related differences in ST. Conclusions: Increasing BMI was significantly associated with increasing ST and the prevalence of symptoms of allergic respiratory disease. However, mast cell activity/burden (assessed by ST levels) did not influence the association between BMI and asthma/rhinitis symptoms.
Specific IgE toward Allergenic Molecules Is a New Prognostic Marker in Patients with Sézary Syndrome
Authors: Scala Enrico , Abeni Damiano , Palazzo Paola , Liso Marina , Pomponi Debora , Lombardo Giuseppe , Picchio Maria Cristina , Narducci Maria Grazia , Russo Giandomenico , Mari Adriano
Published: October 2011

Background: Sézary syndrome (SS) is the aggressive leukemic form of cutaneous T cell lymphoma characterized by erythroderma, the presence of a malignant circulating T memory cells with skin homing potential, and the ability to produce a variety of Th2 soluble factors, such as IL-4 and IL-5. We measured total and specific IgE in SS patients as a further parameter of a Th2-skewed immune system, and studied their clinical impact. Methods: Specific IgE production in a cohort of 55 SS patients was evaluated by the molecule-based ISAC microarray system. We then evaluated survival times and the hazard ratios in this cohort by Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods. Results: Twenty-four (43.6%) SS patients had specific IgE to both environmental and food allergens. For survival analysis, patients found positive to at least one allergen were defined as IgE+. By comparing IgE+ versus IgE– we found a significant difference in the median survival times, 2.9 versus 8.9 years (p < 0.001). Conversely, no survival difference could be observed when total IgE levels were considered. IgE+ patients had higher levels of CD60+CD49–CD4+ T cells, which also represent another worse prognostic index recently identified. Conclusion: SS patients had specific IgE to both environmental and food allergens. IgE+ SS patients had a significant lower survival rate. High levels of CD60–CD49+CD4+ T cells associated with an IgE– phenotype allow the identification of a restricted group of long survivor SS patients. Therefore, specific measurement of IgE seems to be useful in discriminating survival.
Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Molecularly Targeted Agents in Phase I Clinical Trials
Authors: Blanco Codesido Montserrat , Tesainer Brunetto Andre , Frentzas Sophia , Moreno Garcia Victor , Papadatos-Pastos Dionysis , Pedersen Joanna Vitfell , Trani Leonardo , Puglisi Martina , Molife L. Rhoda , Banerji Udai
Published: October 2011

Introduction: First-line treatment options utilizing chemotherapy and cytokine-based treatments for patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) are unsatisfactory. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of patients with MM treated in phase I trials of novel agents. We hypothesized that patients included in phase I clinical trials did not have worse outcomes than with the chemotherapy and cytokine-based first-line treatment. Methods: Data of patients with MM treated at The Drug Development Unit between 2004 and 2010 were collected. The response rate (RR) and time to progression (TTP) for first-line therapy were compared to those of phase I trial therapy. Patients acted as their own controls for statistical analyses. Results: Sixty-five patients were treated in 31 phase I trials. First-line treatment included dacarbazine or temozolomide in 58 (89%) cases and interferon-α in 5 patients (8%) and cisplatin-based treatment in 2 patients (3%). There was no significant difference in either the RR (11 vs. 14%, p = 0.87) or TTP (90 vs. 53 days, p = 0.15) in patients treated with first-line treatment versus phase I treatment, respectively. Conclusion: Phase I clinical trials of molecularly targeted agents show clinical activity that is not dissimilar to that of treatment with existing chemotherapy and cytokine-based treatment.
Dizziness in the Emergency Room: Diagnoses and Misdiagnoses
Authors: Royl Georg , Ploner Christoph J. , Leithner Christoph
Published: October 2011

Background: Dizziness is among the most frequent neurological chief complaints in emergency room (ER) patients. Although the majority of underlying disorders are benign, serious causes that require immediate in-hospital treatment may occur that are difficult to identify clinically. Methods: Retrospective study of 475 consecutive ER neurological consultations with dizziness as the chief complaint. Results: Of all ER dizziness patients, 73% were initially assigned to benign and 27% to serious diagnoses. The two most frequent disorders were benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (22%) and stroke (20%). On follow-up (available in 124 patients), 43% of all ER diagnoses were corrected: 6% of benign ER diagnoses were corrected to serious diagnoses, 23% of serious ER diagnoses were revised to benign. The most frequent corrections concerned patients with an ER diagnosis of stroke or vestibular neuronitis. Conclusions: In the patient sample studied here, serious causes of dizziness were more prevalent than can be expected from population-based surveys or data from specialized outpatient departments. However, inappropriate assignment of dizziness patients to benign diagnoses still occurred in a relevant proportion of patients. ER clinical pathways, planning of imaging resources and follow-up of patients in- and outside the hospital must take these points into consideration.
Evolution of Treatment Strategies for Calciphylaxis
Authors: Ross Edward A.
Published: October 2011

Treatment strategies for calciphylaxis are limited by inadequate understanding of its pathophysiology. Mortality reaches 80%, due to progressive skin ischemia, necrosis and infections. In addition to calcium and parathyroid disorders, hypercoagulability can have a role: primary thrombotic disorders as well as secondary, such as proposed warfarin procoagulant effects. Traditional care addresses the calcium-phosphate-PTH axis: minimizing calcium intake, calcimimetics, cautious vitamin D analogs, strict phosphate control, and surgical parathyroidectomy if necessary. Newer approaches focus on extraosseous mineralization: dissolution of calcium deposits, altering osteoprotegerin and NF-ĸB pathways, and treating macrophage or cytokine-mediated inflammation. Sodium thiosulfate has reported success, and is thought to be due to enhanced calcium solubility and dialysis clearance. Bisphosphonates may have efficacy by lowering bone turnover or a variety of vascular tissue mechanisms. The literature for both agents is very limited, and optimal dosing regimens remain unclear. Patients responsive to a medication will have decreasing pain in days and lesions beginning to heal within approximately 2 weeks. Due to high mortality, early use of combination therapy is advocated, although specific protocols have not been well established. The often dramatic improvements in case-based literature are very encouraging and will hopefully lead to more rigorous studies.
Role of protein S and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in the development of activated protein C resistance early in pregnancy in women with a history of preeclampsia
Authors: Thomassen M. Christella , Costa Serban-Dan , Peeters Louis , Rosing Jan , Tchaikovski Svetlana
Published: October 2011

Pregnancy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. Particularly in early pregnancy, the thrombosis risk can be attributed to the changes in coagulation. Elevated thrombin generation and resistance to activated protein C (APC) are likely to contribute to the increased thrombosis risk during pregnancy. We studied changes and the determinants of thrombin generation and APC resistance in the first 16 weeks of gestation in women with history of preeclampsia. Additionally, we investigated the influence of pregnancy-induced haemodilution on the coagulation system. We measured thrombin generation, APC resistance and plasma levels of prothrombin, factor V, factor X, protein S and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in 30 non-pregnant and 21 pregnant women at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of gestation. All participants shared a history of a hypertensive complication in the preceding pregnancy. Thrombin generation and APC resistance were higher at eight weeks of pregnancy than in the non-pregnant state, and progressively increased between eight and 16 weeks of gestation. Changes in the TFPI and protein S levels accounted for ~70% of pregnancy-induced APC resistance. Interestingly, a significant correlation (slope 2.23; 95%CI: 1.56 to 2.91; r= 0.58) was observed between protein Stotal or protein Sfree levels and haematocrit. In conclusion, pregnancy induces a decrease of TFPIfree and protein Sfree levels that attenuates the function of the TFPI and protein C systems and results in elevated thrombin generation and increased APC resistance. Besides, our data suggest that pregnancy-dependent haemodilution may contribute to the decreased peripheral protein S levels.
Suttie’s Influence on Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory
Authors: Clarke Graham S.
Published: October 2011

It is suggested here that Ian Suttie influenced W. R. D. Fairbairn directly through a 1939 reprint of his The Origins of Love and Hate, a heavily underlined copy of which was found by the author in Fairbairn’s library in the University of Edinburgh Library Special Collections in October 2009. Underlined sections of the book are compared with significant aspects of Fairbairn’s post-1940 theorizing, and the similarities are argued to be due to Fairbairn’s adopting many of the underlying attitudes and ideas that Suttie developed. This leaves Fairbairn’s structural theory, which he began to develop as a rational reconstruction of Freud’s structural theory as early as 1927, dependent in part on such theory but independent of direct influence by Suttie. It is argued that Suttie’s importance vis-à-vis British object relations thinking needs to be reassessed.
Agency as a Psychoanalytic Idea
Authors: Caston Joseph
Published: October 2011

Competent agency is a basic assumption of psychoanalytic change. Yet as an aspect of health, personal agency has in the main been only intuitively addressed and remains clinically unsystematized. Here experience-near and observer-centered criteria are developed that assess a person-as-agent’s competence in particular domains. These ideas, clinically illustrated, stand as an operational framework that helps thinking and talking about agency in everyday clinical events and psychoanalytic outcomes. Three specific criteria are proposed: reversibility, self-observation, and appropriateness. The first is descriptively polar; together the three apply to each given context of action. They can also serve to ground future research. In this regard, several empirical psychoanalytic studies of adults and children that exemplify measurable aspects of agency are reviewed. Once clinical markers of personal agency are articulated, it will not be necessary to resolve the free will debate: pragmatically, we need only put such distinctions to work.
Tillich and Tarkovsky
Authors: Sullivan Daniel
Published: October 2011

Andrei Tarkovsky’s Mirror is a “stream-of-consciousness” film that eschews traditional narrative structure. The author interprets the film as having an “emotional structure,” insofar as it sequentially explores different manifestations of the experience of anxiety. Using the typology of anxiety developed by Paul Tillich in The Courage to Be, the author demonstrates how the first three parts of Mirror separately explore the anxiety of emptiness, of guilt, and of fate. Throughout these early parts of the film, symbols of death underscore themes of anxiety. The author interprets the fourth part of Mirror as a sustained meditation on the sources of what Tillich called absolute faith, the source of the courage to exist in spite of imminent anxiety.
Robust stability and performance of interval process plant with interval time delay
Authors: Patre BM , Deore PJ
Published: October 2011

In this paper, a two-degree-of-freedom control for an interval process plant with interval time delay to guarantee both robust stability and performance has been considered. A simple necessary condition and a sufficient condition for robust Hurwitz stability of an interval polynomial has been used to design a robust controller for a chemical process plant with delay subjected to unknown but bounded parameter uncertainties referred to as an interval process plant with interval time delay. A pre-filter is constructed to ensure the desired system performance. Simulation results are presented to establish the efficacy of the proposed method for an interval process plant with interval time delay.
Experiences of Intellectually Gifted Students in an Egalitarian and Inclusive Educational System: A Survey Study
Authors: Persson Roland S.
Published: October 2011

A study was launched in an educational setting where giftedness is not officially recognized to explore intellectually gifted students' experience of family background and support, their age and means of identification, the degree of support received in school, and the understanding they experienced from a primary to a tertiary education level. In all, 287 members of the Swedish branch of Mensa (216 men and 71 women), all with IQ scores equal to or higher than the 98th percentile, constituted the research group. A survey design was used and provided as an Internet-based questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed as within-group dispersions, whereas qualitative data were subjected to a straightforward content analysis. Results show cause for concern. In particular, primary school appeared to be a hostile environment. However, conditions improved somewhat as participants moved from primary to secondary school and again from secondary to tertiary education. However, the participants remained far from satisfied at any level of the education system. Four problem areas were identified in the study as constituting the gifted students' compounded dilemma in an egalitarian, regular, and inclusive school system.
Longitudinal Change and Maternal Influence on Occupational Aspirations of Gifted Female American and German Adolescents
Authors: Fiebig Jennifer Nepper , Beauregard Erin
Published: October 2011

This study assessed 43 gifted adolescent females in the United States and Germany over a 4-year period (in 7th or 8th grade and again during the 11th or 12th grade). Factors that were examined included the daughter's career selection, the prestige level and the education required to pursue that career, and the impact of the mother's gender role attitudes on these factors. Both American and German girls remained consistent in their career selections over time and selected moderately prestigious careers. German girls, as compared to American, selected less traditional female occupations and careers that require more educational training. Giftedness, cultural differences, and the implications for career counseling of gifted adolescent females are addressed.
Students Make Sure the Cherokees are Not Removed … Again: A Study of Service-Learning and Artful Learning in Teaching History
Authors: Terry Alice W. , Panter Thomas
Published: October 2011

Bringing history alive in one Southern, suburban middle school, this application of community-action service-learning and Artful Learning is chronicled from inception to conclusion. This qualitative participatory action research study explored the effects of this program on 8th-grade gifted students. The purpose of the study was to examine one specific, successful program involving gifted students in a Learn and Serve America grant project site in reference to the service-learning and Artful Learning Models. The results showed improved achievement and suggested enhanced metacognition, self-efficacy, and altruism. The students were actively involved in their own learning, eventually making a difference in their community.
Perceived Social Support and the Self-Concepts of Gifted Adolescents
Authors: Rinn Anne N. , Reynolds Marilyn J. , McQueen Kand S.
Published: October 2011

This study investigated the relationship between perceived social support and the multidimensional self-concepts of gifted adolescents. Participants included 217 gifted students who had completed grades 5 through 10 and were attending a summer program for the gifted. Self-concept was measured using the Self-Description Questionnaire II (SDQ-II; H. W. Marsh, 1990). Perceived sources of social support were measured using the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS; C. K. Malecki, M. K. Demaray, & S. N. Elliott, 2000). Results revealed three distinct clusters of perceived social support, but minimal differences with regard to self-concept and gender. Conclusions and implications regarding the social support of gifted adolescents and its impact on self-concept are discussed.
The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science: A 20-Year Perspective
Authors: Jones Brent M.
Published: October 2011

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a publicly financed, residential early college entrance institute at the University of North Texas at Denton. Created in 1987, TAMS enables high-achieving students planning STEM careers to complete their last 2 years of high school simultaneously with their first 2 years of college. Admission is selective, and students pay no tuition or book costs. Students must complete a rigorous curriculum of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and humanities. The academy offers intramural athletics, a variety of clubs and organizations, and mentor-guided research opportunities that can lead to prestigious awards and scholarships. Graduates earn a high school diploma and at least 57 transferable college credits—enough to enter many universities 2 years advanced. Now in its third decade, the academy continues to help expand the supply of skilled domestic mathematicians, engineers, and scientists.
Bullying and Victimization Rates among Gifted and High-Achieving Students
Authors: Peters Megan Parker , Bain Sherry K.
Published: October 2011

Bullying and victimization rates among 90 gifted and nongifted, high-achieving (HA) high school students were assessed by using the Reynolds Bully Victimization Scale (BVS; W. M. Reynolds, 2003). The mean scores indicate that gifted and HA high school students bully others and are victimized by others generally at unelevated rates based on BVS scores. Rates of bullying and victimization found among gifted and HA high school students were not significantly different from each other either. Bullying and victimization rates for male and female participants were also compared, and no significant differences were found between males and females for either bullying or victimization. Results from this study do not provide support for social interventions for gifted students as a group but suggest that gifted programs continue to focus on promoting primarily advanced intellectual endeavors (N. Colangelo, S. Assouline, & M. U. M. Gross, 2004). However, individual gifted students may need targeted interventions focused on reducing bullying and victimization.
Theory of Mind and Giftedness: New Connections
Authors: Walker Cheryl L. , Shore Bruce M.
Published: October 2011

The social and cognitive phenomena associated with theory of mind (ToM) and research on the social and cognitive qualities of giftedness have not been sufficiently connected. The common focus areas for ToM researchers (e.g., false-belief understanding, deception, and autism) should be of interest to gifted education research because these are interesting conceptualizations that could be helpful in better understanding gifted children's social interactions and friendships, and provide some guidance in classroom grouping. Except in a few studies, for example of perspective taking, ToM research has not studied identified gifted children. Perhaps this is because giftedness is usually formally assessed after the developmental periods at which it is typically studied. Including gifted children (academically, creatively, or otherwise) might help broaden the understanding of ToM variables and ensure that the key tasks do not have ceiling effects.
Critical Differentiation and the Twice Oppressed
Authors: Latz Amanda O. , Adams Cheryll M.
Published: October 2011

Within disciplines, certain theoretical, ontological, and heuristic frameworks evolve toward axiomatic status over time. This evolution can limit disciplinary growth. Interdisciplinary theorizing can introduce trouble into such frameworks and add the tension necessary for the creation of new knowledge. This theoretical essay provides educators with new ways of thinking about teaching disadvantaged gifted youth. Differentiation, an educational philosophy, is reconceptualized as a form of critical pedagogy termed critical differentiation. The concept of the twice oppressed is presented. This concept suggests that it is possible for children to be oppressed based on social category as well as gifted classification. As in the case of the twice exceptional child who may struggle in classrooms with both dyslexia and giftedness, the twice oppressed child may struggle with both poverty and giftedness. Critical differentiation, or a merger of critical pedagogy and differentiation, may become a step toward resolving this conundrum. The concept of critical differentiation is explicated in this essay, along with sample lesson ideas and suggestions for framing research endeavors.
Math Instructional Practices within Preschool/Kindergarten Gifted Programs
Authors: Wadlington Elizabeth , Burns Jeanne M.
Published: October 2011

Math instructional practices/materials utilized by teachers in early childhood programs for gifted three-, four-, and five-years have been discussed in this article. Information was collected for a study that examined specific math practices utilized by teachers in gifted preschool/kindergarten programs within the United States. Results indicated that most respondents used unstructured activities (e.g., discovery learning, learning centers) in small groups when providing math instruction. Although the teachers exposed the gifted children to concepts generally introduced to older students; they most frequently taught concepts found in traditional early childhood programs. Children were infrequently exposed to concepts/materials pertaining to time and measurement even though research has indicated that young gifted children often possess advanced capabilities in these areas.
Parent Influences on the Mathematics Self-Concept of High Ability Adolescent Girls
Authors: Dickens Margie N. , Cornell Dewey G.
Published: October 2011

This study investigated maternal and paternal influences on the mathematics self-concept of high-achieving adolescent girls. The differential effects of parent-daughter identification, parent mathematics self-concept, and parent expectations on adolescent mathematics self-concept were examined in a sample of 165 high-ability adolescent girls and their parents. For both mothers and fathers, parent mathematics self-concept was related to parent expectations regardless of the degree of identification between parent and daughter. Parent expectations in turn linked to daughter mathematics self-concept. There was little evidence that degree of parent-daughter identification influenced the relations among parent mathematics self-concept, parent expectations, and adolescent mathematics self-concept. These results confirm and extend previous findings regarding the importance of parent expectations in shaping children's conceptions of their mathematics abilities.
Some Emotional Aspects of Being Gifted
Authors: Freeman Joan
Published: October 2011

The emotional development of gifted children was investigated in their family and school contexts in the 14-year Gulbenkian study in Britain. A three-way comparison was made of children labelled as gifted, nonlabelled, equally able children, and matched children, but randomly chosen for ability. Results indicated that emotional problems were not due to gifted ability per se, but to other disturbing matters, such as others' expectations or family conflict. Gallagher's (1990) questions about the gifted are considered in the light of the evidence from this work. Academic underachievement was found to be related to self-concept; their greater sensitivity was usually coped with; and negative predictions of the future did cause the gifted some worry. It is suggested that some, but not all, gifted children may need extra emotional support to fulfill their potential.
The Participation of Students Who are Identified as Gifted and Talented in Minnesota's Open Enrollment Option
Authors: Lau Matthew Y. , Lange Cheryl M. , Ysseldyke James E.
Published: October 2011

The extent to which students who were identified as gifted and talented participating in Minnesota's Open Enrollment Option was investigated. Information was drawn from surveys on 26 students who were identified as gifted and talented and transferred to nonresident schools through Open Enrollment during the 1990–91 school year. Parental involvement in school before and after the transfer, reasons for transferring, and other experiences in exercising the option were studied. The results were compared to those of students without special needs (n=60). Parents of students with special talents moderately increased their involvement at their chosen school. Academic and educational concerns were some of the main reasons that prompted these students to transfer. The most valuable sources of information about the option were the mass media and the school principal. Most parents expressed satisfaction with the option-, yet, many experienced transportation problems. Important applications for these findings were discussed.
Talent Developed: Conversations with Masters of the Arts and Sciences
Authors: Subotnik Rena F.
Published: October 2011

This interview was conducted in March of 1993, in Philip Scheffler's office at the Columbia Broadcasting System's (CBS) administrative and studio headquarters in New York City. It is part of a continuing series of reflections on talent development by prominent individuals outside the field of professional education. Mr. Scheffler's perspectives on the birth and transformation of network news have sweeping implications for nurturing of future talent in broadcast journalism and related fields.
Introduction: Policy and Validity Prospects for Performance-Based Assessment
Authors: Baker Eva L. , O'Neil Harold F. , Linn Robert L.
Published: October 2011

High interest in performance-based assessment of educational achievement is indicated by recent conferences, special journal issues, and national television coverage. The president's and governors' educational goals reflect the central role of assessment in reform. A prominent view is that changes in assessment, using more complex, meaningful, and integrative performance tasks, will improve education. New assessments present challenges to the curriculum, teaching practices, and presentation of student achievement information to policymakers and to the public. Sufficient high-quality assessments must be available before their impact on educational reform can be assessed. Although interest in performance-based assessment is high, our knowledge about its quality is low. Moreover, few psychometric templates exist to guide the technical practices of assessment developers.
Predictors of a General Attitude toward Gifted Education
Authors: Bégin Jean , Gagné Fraçoys
Published: October 2011

Among past studies attempting to identify factors which account for the large individual differences in attitude toward gifted education, none has succeeded in doing so with much precision. In their literature review, Bégin and Gagné (1995) attributed this lack of significant results in large part to various methodological problems. These methodological problems were directly addressed in the present study. A sample of 139 teachers and 138 parents completed an attitude scale and answered ten sociodemographic questions. The results of a first regression analysis underscored the importance of certain individual variables, such as education level and family income, as predictors of the attitude scores. In order to account for the non-independence between the ten variables involved, principal components were extracted and four factors identified. Factor scores were then introduced in a new regression analysis. Two of them, Socioeconomic Status and Contact with Giftedness, were found to explain 12% and 10% respectively of the variance in attitude scores, twice as much than in the most successful past study. It is recommended that this methodological approach be used in future studies to search for other significant predictors of people's attitudes toward the education of gifted and talented children.
Gifted Education and Discrimination: The Role of the Office for Civil Rights
Authors: Marquardt Ronald G. , Karnes Frances A.
Published: October 2011

A recurrent problem in gifted education has been charges of discriminatory practices. In recent years the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education, has been active in examining gifted programs to determine whether they are operating in a nondiscriminatory manner. The purpose of this article is to examine the amount of activity by the OCR involving gifted programs through the years 1985–1991. Using the Freedom of Information Act, 48 letters of findings were obtained from the OCR. The letters were analyzed as to the issues involved, protected classes, the geographic regions, and the results of the investigations.
Multiple Exceptionalities: A Case Study
Authors: Moon Sidney M. , Dillon Deborah R.
Published: October 2011

This study investigated an eleven-year-old boy with multiple exceptionalities. The participant was verbally gifted, learning-disabled in math, and health-impaired. Because of his health impairment, he had received home-bound instruction throughout his elementary school years and had had little contact with formal schooling. Using qualitative research methods, the investigators explored the participant's learning characteristics and educational experiences. Implications of Alec's story for the identification and education of gifted children with disabilities are discussed.
Primary Teacher Conceptions of Giftedness: Image, Evidence, and Nonevidence
Authors: Rohrer Jane C.
Published: October 2011

This qualitative multisite single case study is designed to explore the conception of giftedness held by four experienced teachers. These teachers were from three school districts piloting the Early Assessment for Exceptional Potential portfolio assessment model (Shaklee, Barbour, Ambrose, Viechnicki, & Rohrer, 1991). Teacher interviews triangulated by multiple secondary sources were analyzed to answer the research question guiding the study: How do primary teachers conceptualize giftedness in young children!

Findings revealed that the four teachers shared a similar image of giftedness. This conception had two dimensions: classroom performance and affective style of the students. Teachers assessed children developmentally against their peers for extremely unusual intellectual and/or academic ability as demonstrated by what children said and did, and a “spark, ” or qualitative difference in these children characterized by intensity, high visibility, and/or uniqueness. Four strands of evidence created the teachers' image of child potential.