bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Adolescents’ Aspirations and Academic Tracking: An Exploratory Investigation
Authors: Akos Patrick , Lambie Glenn W. , Milsom Amy , Gilbert Kelly
Published: September 2018

Early adolescents make early career decisions in the form of curriculum choices for high school, and these choices can influence future postsecondary education and career paths. This exploratory study examined relationships between school and demographic variables and 522 eighth graders’ choices of high school academic tracks. Analysis of variance and chi-square analyses identified statistically significant relationships between curricular choices and various school and demographic variables. The potential for aspiration gaps and implications for school counselor educational and career planning are discussed.
Professional School Counselors and the Practice of Group Work
Authors: Steen Sam , Bauman Sheri , Smith Julie
Published: September 2018

An online survey about the use of small groups by school counselors was completed by 802 members of the American School Counseling Association. The vast majority of respondents offered groups in their schools, but were most influenced in that decision by time constraints. Qualitative analysis of comment data provided more depth and insight about school counselors’ practice of group work. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
An Integrative, Cognitive-Behavioral, Systemic Approach to Working with Students Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Authors: Shillingford Margaret Ann , Lambie Glenn W. , Walter Sara Meghan
Published: September 2018

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent diagnostic disorder for many students, which correlates with negative academic, social, and personal consequences. This article presents an integrative, cognitive-behavioral, systemic approach that offers behaviorally based interventions for professional school counselors to support students and their parents/care-givers. Specifically, this article (a) reviews the influences of ADHD on students’ development; (b) introduces a cognitive-behavioral, systemic approach; and (c) presents a case illustration in which this approach was employed.
Enhancing School Counselor Accountability: The Large Group Guidance Portfolio
Authors: Curry Jennifer , Lambie Glenn W.
Published: September 2018

Professional school counselors (PSCs) are being asked to employ accountability measures to support the merit of their comprehensive, developmental programs. Further, to address the problem of PSC role ambiguity, it has been suggested that PSCs become proactive professional advocates and work to promote greater stakeholder engagement in their school counseling programs. The utilization of a large group guidance portfolio may address these issues. This article (a) reviews the need for PSC accountability measures and stakeholder engagement, (b) presents a case illustration of a PSC using a large group guidance portfolio, and (c) offers implications for PSCs.
Perceptions of Bullying and Associated Trauma during Adolescence
Authors: Carney JoLynn V.
Published: September 2018

Connections between exposure to bullying and trauma were explored with 91 sixth-grade adolescents who experienced exposure to bullying in a school environment. Levels of trauma were rated as high with greater exposure to bullying. Significant predictors were frequency of exposure to bullying and participant sex. Implications for school counselors working with students who experience bullying-related trauma are discussed.
Student Risk-Taking Behaviors: When Do School Counselors Break Confidentiality?
Authors: Moyer Michael , Sullivan Jeremy
Published: September 2018

A total of 204 middle and high school counselors from across the United States responded to a survey in which they were asked to determine whether they view specific adolescent risk-taking behaviors of varying intensity, frequency, and duration as warranting parental notification. Results suggest that counselors’ perceptions that it is ethical to break confidentiality and report the risk-taking behaviors increased when the behaviors were more intense, more frequent, and of longer duration. Further, although there was less ambiguity regarding the perceived dangerousness of some behaviors (e.g., suicidal ideation), all behaviors showed some variance or disagreement among respondents with regard to their willingness to break confidentiality. Implications and suggestions for school counselors are considered.
Suicide Awareness Training for Faculty and Staff: A Training Model for School Counselors
Authors: Gibbons Melinda M. , Studer Jeannine R.
Published: September 2018

Suicide among school-aged youth is a growing concern, and school personnel have a legal obligation to provide suicide prevention programming to faculty and staff. School counselors have the skills to provide such training, as well as to inform staff and faculty of school policy and procedures for referring potentially suicidal students. A step-by-step model is provided for school counselors to use and adapt for suicide in-service training.
Before the Pomp and Circumstance: Seniors Reflect on Graduating from High School
Authors: Daigneault Susan Dahlgren , Wirtz Elizabeth
Published: September 2018

This article reports on a study conducted at a large, comprehensive high school in New England. The study focused on identifying seniors’ concerns and sources of excitement as they anticipated their transition from high school. Results indicate that the seniors worried about money, being successful, and leaving friends and family. In contrast, the seniors expressed excitement about having more freedom and fewer rules. In addition to suggesting intervention strategies for school counselors, this article gives school counselors a model for using qualitative research practices in their work.
Getting to Know the Child with Asperger Syndrome
Authors: Gibbons Melinda M. , Goins Shelley
Published: September 2018

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a disorder characterized by social skill deficits and display of repetitive behaviors. This article explores the diagnostic components of AS and describes the major school-related issues for children who have the disorder. Specific interventions that school counselors can implement to help increase these students’ academic and social success are discussed.
Four Views of the Professional School Counselor-Principal Relationship: A Q-Methodology Study
Authors: Janson Christopher , Militello Matthew , Kosine Natalie
Published: September 2018

This study in this article investigated how school counselors and principals perceive their professional relationship. Q methodology was used to develop 45 opinion statements about the relationship between school counselors and principals, and 39 professional school counselors and principals then sorted the statements. Four factors emerged representing different viewpoints of this relationship. Each contained constructive attributes of the school counselor–principal relationship, but one factor exhibited an appreciation of the context of interpersonal collaboration along with the content of school improvement initiatives.
A Working System of School Counselor Supervision
Authors: Somody Catherine , Henderson Patricia , Cook Katrina , Zambrano Elias
Published: September 2018

School counselors acknowledge the need for supervision but rarely receive it. This article describes the counselor performance improvement system in one school district. Supervision is embedded in a process that assesses counselors' levels ofprofessionalism on a matrix of competence and commitment. Administrative and clinical supervisors determine which of four quadrants from the matrix best describes an individual counselor's currentperformance, and they tailor their responses accordingly. Examples of counselors in each of the categories are provided.
An Investigation of Comprehensive School Counseling Programs and Academic Achievement in Washington State Middle Schools
Authors: Sink Christopher A. , Akos Patrick , Turnbull Rebecca J. , Mvududu Nyaradzo
Published: September 2018

Student achievement was compared between Washington State middle schools with comprehensive school counseling programs (CSCPs) and those without. Statistically controlling for socioeconomic status, multi-variate analyses of covariance revealed minimal differences between students in CSCP and non-CSCP schools. Significant score differences emerged, however, for students attending schools with at least 5 years of CSCP implementation versus their peers in non-CSCP schools. Girls outperformed boys on various achievement measures. The findings and their implications for middle school counseling practice are discussed.
Cultivating Strengths-Based Professional Identities
Authors: Lewis Rolla E. , Hatch Trish
Published: September 2018

This article shares how school counselors-in-training are oriented to cultivate strengths-based professional identities based on culturally relevant and evidence-based practices that support the developmental learning abilities of all students. Professional identity and positive youth development are tied to practices, Web sites, and resources that preservice school counselors and graduates use to promote and construct Strengths-Based School Counseling programs (Galassi & Akos, 2007) that align with the ASCA National Model® (American School Counselor Association, 2005).
Connections through Clubs: Collaboration and Coordination of a Schoolwide Program
Authors: Logan Wendy L. , Scarborough Janna L.
Published: September 2018

The “Connections Through Clubs” program provides all students with the opportunity to participate in a small-group extracurricular activity and mentoring experience led by school faculty, staff, and community members during the school day throughout the academic year. This schoolwide program was developed in response to identified school needs and as a means to facilitate a strengths-enhancing school environment and to promote the developmental competencies of all students, both of which have been linked to academic and personal success. The purpose of this article is to describe the inception, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of the Connections Through Clubs program. In addition, the school counselor's collaboration, coordination, and advocacy efforts to implement this program are highlighted.
Promoting Competence and Resilience in the School Context
Authors: Masten Ann S. , Herbers Janette E. , Cutuli J.J. , Lafavor Theresa L.
Published: September 2018

Four decades of research on resilience in young people provide compelling data and models for applications in the school context. Resilience theory and findings are highly congruent with Strengths-Based School Counseling (SBSC) as formulated by Galassi and Akos (2007). In this article, resilience is defined in relation to competence in developmental tasks and risks to positive development, with reference to key promotive and protective roles of schools and school personnel. Implications of a resilience framework for schools are delineated, including positive approaches to mission statements, models of change, measuring positive progress, and mobilizing powerful systems for changing the direction of human development. New horizons of research on resilience are described, along with the potential of integrating SBSC and resilience-based frameworks in transformative efforts to promote the successful development of young people.
Reported Levels of Satisfaction and Frustration by Arizona School Counselors: A Desire for Greater Connections with Students in a Data-Driven Era
Authors: Pit Kolodinsky , Patrick Draves , Vincent Schroder , Charles Lindsey , Zlatev Michael
Published: September 2018

A survey was designed to comprehensively assess multiple aspects of school counselor job satisfaction and job-related frustration, as well as orientation with the comprehensive curriculum-based guidance program used in Arizona. The five-page survey was completed by 155 Arizona school counselors. While the majority of respondents reported high levels of job satisfaction, the least satisfying aspects of their work involved working with district administrators, spending too much time in nonguidance activities, responding to crises, and utilizing excessive time in providing system support. Respondents’ greatest levels of satisfaction involved direct interaction and engagement with students.
Low-Income African-American Caregivers’ Experiences of Being Referred to Mental Health Services by the School Counselor: Implications for Best Practices
Authors: Catherine Tucker
Published: September 2018

Referring students for mental health care is a core job function for school counselors, and one that is often stressful for all parties involved. In this phenomenological study, six low-income African-American caregivers were interviewed about their experiences of having a son or grandson referred for mental health care by the school counselor. Issues of how the participants viewed the school, mental health care, and the process of being referred were explored. Key findings include the caregivers’ experiences of alienation in the face of a rigid system for parent involvement in educational decision making, caregivers’ perceived lack of power, and caregivers’ lack of understanding of school administrative processes. Recommendations for school counseling practice are given, along with suggestions for school counselor education.
Increases in Academic Connectedness and Self-Esteem among High School Students who Serve as Cross-Age Peer Mentors
Authors: Karcher Michael
Published: September 2018

Cross-age mentoring programs are peer helping programs in which high school students serve as mentors to younger children. The study in this article compared fall-to-spring changes on connectedness, attachment, and self-esteem between 46 teen mentors and 45 comparison classmates. Results revealed an association between serving as a cross-age peer mentor and improvements on academic self-esteem and connectedness. The American School Counselor Association regards coordinating a peer helping program as an appropriate activity for school counselors; this study supports this position.
Defining College Readiness for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Delphi Study
Authors: Milsom Amy , Lauren Dietz
Published: September 2018

A Delphi study was used to examine the construct of college readiness for students with learning disabilities. An expert panel of 29 individuals with backgrounds in special education, postsecondary transitions, higher education, and/or counseling identified and rated the importance of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and other factors they believe to be important for students with learning disabilities to be successful in college. Suggestions for how school counselors can use the results to guide postsecondary transition planning interventions are provided.
Using Experiential Activities with Adolescents to Promote Respect for Diversity
Authors: Roaten Gail K. , Schmidt Eric A.
Published: September 2018

This article discusses the benefits of and processes for implementing experiential activities into guidance curricula to assist in developing awareness, knowledge, and skills related to diversity for the promotion of multicultural competencies in adolescents. The importance of such activities is discussed, as well as significant considerations when supplementing any guidance curriculum with experiential activities. Several experiential activities are discussed that focus on promoting multicultural competencies and development in adolescents, and resources are included to assist school counselors in identifying activities for use in their schools.
Transitioning Hispanic Seniors from High School to College
Authors: Marsico Melisa , Getch Yvette Q.
Published: September 2018

Hispanic seniors who were on track to graduate in May 2006 were invited to participate in a program to help them make a successful transition from high school to college. Data indicated that this group might benefit from direct assistance in the college application process. The goal of the intervention was to work with the identified students during the fall semester and to increase the number of Hispanic students who applied to college. The program was evaluated by comparing the number of Hispanic students who applied to college by May 1, 2005, to those Hispanic seniors who applied to college by May 1, 2006. There was a 5% increase in the number of Hispanic seniors who applied to college by May 1, 2006, compared to May 1, 2005. Additionally, there was a 16% increase in Hispanic students who applied to a college by January 2006 compared to the previous year.
“Friends for Life”: The Results of a Resilience-Building, Anxiety-Prevention Program in a Canadian Elementary School
Authors: Rose Heather , Miller Lynn , Martinez Yvonne
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the study in this article was to replicate past findings showing the effectiveness of a cognitive, behavioral resilience-building/anxiety-prevention program, “FRIENDS for Life.” The results of the controlled study of two Grade 4 classrooms in Canada (N = 52) indicate that all children reported reduced levels of anxiety regardless of receiving the FRIENDS program. Limitations of the study are discussed and future research concerning school counseling programs using evidence-based approaches is highlighted.
School Counselor Assignment in Secondary Schools
Authors: Akos Patrick , Schuldt Heidi , Walendin Meg
Published: September 2018

Research has not yet begun to investigate the practice or impact of school counselor assignment. A preliminary study sought to explore the nature and consequences of school counselor assignment practices in secondary schools. Secondary school counselors from one large Southeastern school district were asked to complete a questionnaire created for the purpose of this study. The results suggest a significant difference between school counselor assignment at the middle and high school levels. Middle schools predominantly utilized grade-level assignment while high schools used alphabetical assignment. Distinct advantages and challenges were indicated by school counselors from each assignment type. Implications for professional school counselors and future research directions are provided.
School Counselors as Social-Emotional Learning Consultants: Where Do We Begin?
Authors: Van Velsor Patricia
Published: September 2018

School counselors promote student social and emotional learning (SEL), which is fundamental to a school's academic mission. However, while recognizing the importance of SEL, many school stakeholders view it as secondary and/or important for only some students. To ensure delivery of SEL to all students, school counselors must embrace a service model based on prevention and reposition themselves as SEL consultants. This calls for advocacy, collaboration, and leadership, focused on systemic change in the schools.
Transformed School Counseling: The Impact of a Graduate Course on Trainees’ Perceived Readiness to Develop Comprehensive, Data-Driven Programs
Authors: Wilkerson Kevin , Eschbach LeeAnn
Published: September 2018

Trends indicate that the school counseling profession continues to undergo significant transformation. Training modules developed by the Education Trust and a case study approach were utilized to teach graduate students (n = 39) how to implement the ASCA National Model®. Pretests and posttests were administered to evaluate students’ perceptions about the effectiveness of the course. Analysis indicates significant improvement in students’ perceived competence (p < 003) across all dimensions except one. Results and implications for the profession are discussed.
School Counselors as Accountability Leaders: Another Call for Action
Authors: Sink Christopher A.
Published: September 2018

This article discusses the vital leadership role that school counselors have in reaching the profession's accountability standards. According to the school counseling program evaluation literature, this leadership responsibility is explained as it relates to four major evaluation areas commonly associated with comprehensive school counseling programs: program audit, results-based assessment, personnel review, and needs assessment. Sample implementation strategies and instrumentation practices are reviewed as well as recommendations for the future direction of accountability leadership research and best practice.
Outcomes of a School-Wide Positive Behavioral Support Program
Authors: Curtis Russ , Van Horne Jill W. , Robertson Phyllis , Karvonen Meagan
Published: September 2018

School-wide positive behavioral support (SWPBS) programs are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to reduce behavioral disruptions in schools. Results from a 4-year study examining the effects of an SWPBS program in a public elementary school indicated significant reductions in percentages of behavioral referrals, suspensions, and instructional days lost, but the effect sizes were small. Implications for school counselors and future research are discussed.
Contribution of Professional School Counselors’ Values and Leadership Practices to Their Programmatic Service Delivery
Authors: Shillingford M. Ann , Lambie Glenn W.
Published: September 2018

School counselors are called to be leaders to support the development of all students. The study in this article investigated the contributions of the values (Schwartz, 1992) and leadership practices (Posner & Kouzes, 1988) of 163 school counselors to their programmatic service delivery (Scarborough, 2005). Leadership practices made significant contributions (40% of variance) to the school counselors’ service delivery, whereas values made small nonsignificant (less than 1% of variance) contributions. Implications for school counselors and counselor educators are discussed.
A Measure of College-Going Self-Efficacy for Middle School Students
Authors: Gibbons Melinda M. , Borders L. DiAnne
Published: September 2018

Many career and educational plans are made well before high school graduation. School counselors’ efforts to support these plans are limited by the lack of assessments of middle school students’ college-going beliefs. Development of the College-Going Self-Efficacy Scale for middle school students is described in this article. Initial evidence of validity and reliability from three separate studies is reported, and suggestions for using this scale with students are provided.
Determining Responsiveness to School Counseling Interventions Using Behavioral Observations
Authors: Gruman Diana H. , Hoelzen Brian
Published: September 2018

School districts are in the process of adopting the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach to identify and remediate academic and behavioral deficits. As an integral member of the school behavior team, school counselors must use data on individual interventions to contribute to the data-based decision making process in RTI. This article presents a method and rationale to use behavioral observations to determine the efficacy of focused responsive services. It includes implications for school counseling practice.
Using Culturally Competent Responsive Services to Improve Student Achievement and Behavior
Authors: Schellenberg Rita , Grothaus Tim
Published: September 2018

This article illustrates standards blending, the integration of core academic and school counseling standards, as a culturally alert responsive services strategy to assist in closing the achievement gap while also enhancing employability skills and culturally salient career competencies. The responsive services intervention described in this article resulted in knowledge gains in both the school counseling and language arts curriculum competencies for a diverse group of 78 high school students. The article includes implications for school counseling practice.
Post-Secondary Expectations and Educational Attainment
Authors: Sciarra Daniel T. , Ambrosino Katherine E.
Published: September 2018

This study utilized student, teacher, and parent expectations during high school to analyze their predictive effect on post-secondary education status two years after scheduled graduation. The sample included 5,353 students, parents and teachers who participated in the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS; 2002–2006). The researchers analyzed data using a frequency analysis and a multinomial logistic regression. Results indicated that student, parent, and teacher expectations were significant predictors, with teacher expectations having the strongest effect across various categories of enrollment. This article also discusses the study's implications for school counselors.
Counselor Confirmation of Middle School Student Self-Reports of Bullying Victimization
Authors: Cornell Dewey , Mehta Sharmila B.
Published: September 2018

School counselors frequently use self-report surveys to assess bullying despite little research on their accuracy. In this study, counselor follow-up interviews found that only 24 (56%) of 43 middle school students who self-identified as victims of bullying could be confirmed as actual victims. Other students described peer conflicts that did not constitute bullying, mis-marked the survey, or reported previous bullying. Counselor judgments were supported by peer-nomination data and other survey responses indicative of victimization.
The Heart of the School Counselor: Understanding Passion over the Span of a Career
Authors: Sumerlin Timothy , Littrell John
Published: September 2018

In recent years, school counseling has trended away from some of the vital attributes of the heart, including passion. In this qualitative study, the authors employed a grounded theory and phenomenological approach to understand how school counselors develop and maintain passion over the span of their professional careers. Humbleness and spirituality/religious themes were consistent throughout each interview. Also, being out of the office and counselors’ families played a role in the development of the counselors’ passion.
Investigating the Psychometric Properties of School Counselor Self-Advocacy Questionnaire
Authors: Clemens Elysia V. , Shipp Adria , Kimbel Tyler
Published: September 2018

This article reports on the development and the exploration of the underlying psychometric properties of the School Counselor Self-Advocacy Questionnaire, a measure of skills school counselors can use to advocate for their roles and programs. An exploratory factor analysis (N = 188) suggested a unidimensional model, and a confirmatory factor analysis indicated the overall model robustly explains the data, accounting for 80% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha reliability estimates ranged from .84 to .87 for the questionnaire and the estimates of concurrent validity were promising. Implications for school counselor advocacy practice are also included.
Identifying Victims of Bullying: Use of Counselor Interviews to Confirm Peer Nominations
Authors: Phillips Victoria I. , Cornell Dewey G.
Published: September 2018

Schools often rely on anonymous self-report methods to measure bullying victimization, but these methods prevent school personnel from identifying those students who may require support. In contrast, this study employed peer nominations to identify student victims of bullying and used school counselor interviews to confirm the students’ victim status. A sample of 1,178 middle school students completed a confidential peer nomination form as part of a standard bullying survey. Students with multiple nominations were interviewed by school counselors to confirm victim status. The proportion of students confirmed as victims increased from 43% for students with two or more nominations to 90% for students with nine or more nominations.
Obesity Prevention among Latino Youth: School Counselors' Role in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Authors: Cook Amy L. , Hayden Laura A.
Published: September 2018

Given the burgeoning obesity problem among Latino youth and concomitant health problems (Spiotta & Luma, 2008), school counselors have begun to recognize the need for culturally sensitive programming to promote healthy lifestyles. More theoretical, evidence-based programs are needed, however, to ensure Latino youth receive appropriate interventions and services. This study provides a review of three theoretical perspectives and obesity prevention programs with recommendations to school counselors for implementing a comprehensive obesity prevention program for Latino youth.
Counseling Multiple Heritage Adolescents: A Phenomenological Study of Experiences and Practices of Middle School Counselors
Authors: Maxwell Michael J. , Henriksen Richard C.
Published: September 2018

The number of middle school students with multiple heritage backgrounds has grown since they were first able to identify their multiple racial identities in the 2000 U.S. Census. Today, the multiple heritage population makes up 3% (U.S. Census, 2011) of the total population. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and counseling practices of middle school counselors who work with adolescents with multiple heritage backgrounds. The authors identified five themes that made up the essence of this study: (a) generation dependent, (b) significance of presence, (c) single race identity, (d) students in crisis, and (e) need for acceptance. This article discusses the themes, implications for counselors, and the need for continued research.
School Counseling Site Supervisor Training: A Web-Based Approach
Authors: Swank Jacqueline M. , Tyson Lawrence
Published: September 2018

A need exists for training school counseling site supervisors in providing clinical supervision to school counseling practicum and internship students. This article outlines a Web-based training program containing six modules to assist counselor education programs in educating school counseling site supervisors. The authors also address the implications for school counselor training, supervision, practice, and research.
Using the Achieving Success Everyday (ASE) Group Model to Promote Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement for English as a Second Language (ESL) Students
Authors: Shi Qi , Steen Sam
Published: September 2018

The Achieving Success Everyday (ASE) group model is used to promote self-esteem and academic performance of English as a second language (ESL) students. The findings from the preliminary data indicated that the participants' self-esteem was significantly improved after participation in the group. There was no significant improvement in the total GPA of the participants, although 75% of the participants made modest improvement in GPA. This article explores implications for practice and research.
Students Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Collaborative Strategies for School Counselors
Authors: Shillingford-Butler M. Ann , Theodore Lea
Published: September 2018

The school setting can be a difficult place for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The core symptoms of ADHD, which include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, make meeting the curriculum demands of the classroom challenging. That ADHD negatively impacts not only academic performance but also social and emotional functioning is well established (Lee, Lahey, Owens, & Hinshaw, 2008). Given the negative consequences of ADHD, effective school-based interventions are warranted. School counselors are uniquely positioned to implement strategies for children with ADHD to maximize their capacity for learning. This article provides specific strategies that school counselors can provide collaboratively to enhance the academic and social functioning of children with ADHD in school.
The Application of Pupillometry in Hearing Science to Assess Listening Effort
Authors: Naylor Graham , Koelewijn Thomas , Zekveld Adriana A , Kramer Sophia E.
Published: September 2018

In recent years, the fields of Audiology and Cognitive Sciences have seen a burgeoning of research focusing on the assessment of the effort required during listening. Among approaches to this question, the pupil dilation response has shown to be an informative nonvolitional indicator of cognitive processing during listening. Currently, pupillometry is applied in laboratories throughout the world to assess how listening effort is influenced by various relevant factors, such as hearing loss, signal processing algorithms, cochlear implant rehabilitation, cognitive abilities, language competency, and daily-life hearing disability. The aim of this special issue is to provide an overview of the state of the art in research applying pupillometry, guidance for those considering embarking on pupillometry studies, and to illustrate the diverse ways in which it can be used to answer—and raise—pertinent research questions.
A brief history of the British Neuroscience Association
Authors: Rose Steven P. , Allen Yvonne S. , Varndell Ian M.
Published: September 2018

As the British Neuroscience Association commemorates 50 years of existence in 2018, this article recalls its founding as a discussion group, its establishment as the Brain Research Association, its transition to a professional society encompassing all aspects of neuroscience research, both clinical and non-clinical, and its re-branding as the British Neuroscience Association in the late 1990s. Neuroscience as a branch of life science has expanded hugely in the last 25 years and the British Neuroscience Association has adapted, frequently working with partner societies, to serve as an interdisciplinary hub for professionals working in this exciting and crucial field. The authors have attempted to highlight some key events in the Association’s history and acknowledge the contributions made by many people over half a century.
Ferroportin deficiency in erythroid cells causes serum iron deficiency and promotes hemolysis due to oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang De-Liang , Ghosh Manik C. , Ollivierre Hayden , Li Yan , Rouault Tracey A.
Published: September 2018

Ferroportin (FPN), the only known vertebrate iron exporter, transports iron from intestinal, splenic, and hepatic cells into the blood to provide iron to other tissues and cells in vivo. Most of the circulating iron is consumed by erythroid cells to synthesize hemoglobin. Here we found that erythroid cells not only consumed large amounts of iron, but also returned significant amounts of iron to the blood. Erythroblast-specific Fpn knockout (Fpn KO) mice developed lower serum iron levels in conjunction with tissue iron overload and increased FPN expression in spleen and liver without changing hepcidin levels. Our results also showed that Fpn KO mice, which suffer from mild hemolytic anemia, were sensitive to phenylhydrazine-induced oxidative stress but were able to tolerate iron deficiency upon exposure to a low-iron diet and phlebotomy, supporting that the anemia of Fpn KO mice resulted from erythrocytic iron overload and resulting oxidative injury rather than a red blood cell (RBC) production defect. Moreover, we found that the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values of gain-of-function FPN mutation patients were positively associated with serum transferrin saturations, whereas MCVs of loss-of-function FPN mutation patients were not, supporting that erythroblasts donate iron to blood through FPN in response to serum iron levels. Our results indicate that FPN of erythroid cells plays an unexpectedly essential role in maintaining systemic iron homeostasis and protecting RBCs from oxidative stress, providing insight into the pathophysiology of FPN diseases.
Bone marrow–specific loss of ABI1 induces myeloproliferative neoplasm with features resembling human myelofibrosis
Authors: Chorzalska Anna , Morgan John , Ahsan Nagib , Treaba Diana O. , Olszewski Adam J. , Petersen Max , Kingston Nathan , Cheng Yan , Lombardo Kara , Schorl Christoph , Yu Xiaoqing , Zini Roberta , Pacilli Annalisa , Tepper Alexander , Coburn Jillian , Hryniewicz-Jankowska Anita , Zhao Ting C. , Oancea Elena , Reagan John L. , Liang Olin , Kotula Leszek , Quesenberry Peter J. , Gruppuso Philip A. , Manfredini Rossella , Vannucchi Alessandro Maria , Dubielecka Patrycja M.
Published: September 2018

Although the pathogenesis of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is linked to constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway, JAK inhibitors have neither curative nor MPN-stem cell-eradicating potential, indicating that other targetable mechanisms are contributing to the pathophysiology of MPNs. We previously demonstrated that Abelson interactor 1 (Abi-1), a negative regulator of Abelson kinase 1, functions as a tumor suppressor. Here we present data showing that bone marrow-specific deletion of Abi1 in a novel mouse model leads to development of an MPN-like phenotype resembling human PMF. Abi1 loss resulted in a significant increase in the activity of the Src family kinases (SFKs), STAT3, and NF-κB signaling. We also observed impairment of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and fitness, as evidenced in noncompetitive and competitive bone marrow transplant experiments. CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors and granulocytes from patients with PMF showed decreased levels of ABI1 transcript as well as increased activity of SFKs, STAT3, and NF-κB. In aggregate, our data link the loss of Abi-1 function to hyperactive SFKs/STAT3/NF-κB signaling and suggest that this signaling axis may represent a regulatory module involved in the molecular pathophysiology of PMF.
The cytochrome P450 CYP77A4 is involved in auxin-mediated patterning of the Arabidopsis thaliana embryo
Authors: Kawade Kensuke , Li Yimeng , Koga Hiroyuki , Sawada Yuji , Okamoto Mami , Kuwahara Ayuko , Tsukaya Hirokazu , Hirai Masami Yokota
Published: September 2018

Metabolism often plays an important role in developmental control, in addition to supporting basal physiological requirements. However, our understanding of this interaction remains limited. Here, we performed quantitative phenome analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana cytochrome P450 mutants to identify a novel interaction between development and metabolism. We found that cyp77a4 mutants exhibit specific defects in cotyledon development, including asymmetric positioning and cup-shaped morphology, which could be rescued by introducing the CYP77A4 gene. Microscopy revealed that the abnormal patterning was detected at least from the 8-cell stage of the cyp77a4 embryos. We next analysed auxin distribution in mutant embryos, as the phenotypes resembled those of auxin-related mutants. We found that the auxin response pattern was severely perturbed in the cyp77a4 embryos owing to an aberrant distribution of the auxin efflux carrier PIN1. CYP77A4 intracellularly localised to the endoplasmic reticulum, which is consistent with the notion that this enzyme acts as an epoxidase of unsaturated fatty acids in the microsomal fraction. We propose that the CYP77A4-dependent metabolic pathway is an essential element for the establishment of polarity in plant embryos.
Evaluating the performance of tools used to call minority variants from whole genome short-read data
Authors: Said Mohammed Khadija , Kibinge Nelson , Prins Pjotr , Agoti Charles N. , Cotten Matthew , Nokes D.J. , Brand Samuel , Githinji George
Published: September 2018

Background: High-throughput whole genome sequencing facilitates investigation of minority virus sub-populations from virus positive samples. Minority variants are useful in understanding within and between host diversity, population dynamics and can potentially assist in elucidating person-person transmission pathways. Several minority variant callers have been developed to describe low frequency sub-populations from whole genome sequence data. These callers differ based on bioinformatics and statistical methods used to discriminate sequencing errors from low-frequency variants.

Methods: We evaluated the diagnostic performance and concordance between published minority variant callers used in identifying minority variants from whole-genome sequence data from virus samples. We used the ART-Illumina read simulation tool to generate three artificial short-read datasets of varying coverage and error profiles from an RSV reference genome. The datasets were spiked with nucleotide variants at predetermined positions and frequencies. Variants were called using FreeBayes, LoFreq, Vardict, and VarScan2. The variant callers’ agreement in identifying known variants was quantified using two measures; concordance accuracy and the inter-caller concordance.

Results: The variant callers reported differences in identifying minority variants from the datasets. Concordance accuracy and inter-caller concordance were positively correlated with sample coverage. FreeBayes identified the majority of variants although it was characterised by variable sensitivity and precision in addition to a high false positive rate relative to the other minority variant callers and which varied with sample coverage. LoFreq was the most conservative caller.

Conclusions: We conducted a performance and concordance evaluation of four minority variant calling tools used to identify and quantify low frequency variants. Inconsistency in the quality of sequenced samples impacts on sensitivity and accuracy of minority variant callers. Our study suggests that combining at least three tools when identifying minority variants is useful in filtering errors when calling low frequency variants.
MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF ADRENAL CORTEX IN FULL-TERM NEWBORNS WITH CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION
Authors: Гориков Игорь , Gorikov Igor , Сомова Лариса , Somova Larisa , Андриевская Ирина , Andrievskaya Irina , Ишутина Наталия , Ishutina Nataliya , Дорофиенко Николай , Dorofienko Nikolay
Published: September 2018

The aim was to study the structure of the adrenal cortex in 36 dead full-term newborns. The main group consisted of 16 newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, clinically manifested by moderate and severe cerebral ischemia, predominance of hypertensive-hydrocephalic syndrome, pseudocysts of the vascular plexus, sub-perpendicular and subarachnoid hemorrhages, monocytosis, vesiculosis, pneumonia, hepatitis and meningoencephalitis. The comparison group consisted of 20 dead newborns from mothers who did not have infectious diseases during pregnancy, as well as moderate and severe somatic and obstetric pathology. Birth trauma, intranatal and postnatal hypoxia were the main cause of their death. The evaluation of the pathomorphological picture of the adrenal cortex included a description of the general plan of the structure, the severity of alterative changes in glandulocytes, the number of adenomatous-like structures and their morphological forms, the reaction of loose fibrous connective tissue. It was found out that in suprarenal glands in children of the main group unlike the comparison group there was often detected a breach of the strands of granulocytes, there were found pronounced alterative changes in the cells; there were revealed large adenomatous-like structures in the lumen of which eosinophilic mass was often found and there was observed strongly-pronounced plethora of vessels. Only in the main group there were determined areas of thinning of the cortical substance of the glands, several adenomatous-like formations and anatomical forms containing in their lumen red blood cells and erythroblasts, as well as large hemorrhages. These structural changes indicated inhibition of adrenal cortex formation and prolonged antenatal stimulation of steroidogenesis under the influence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection leading to a decrease in glucocorticoid function of the suprarenal glands in children after birth.
METHOD FOR ASSESSING OF SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS OF THE ENDOGENOUS INTOXICATION SYNDROME AND ASSOCIATED RESPIRATORY DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER
Authors: Ходус Сергей , Hodus Sergey , Пустовит Константин , Pustovit Konstantin , Аникин Сергей , Anikin Sergey
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the research is to develop a method for assessing the severity of symptoms of the endogenous intoxication syndrome and associated respiratory disorders in patients with colorectal cancer. The study involved 86 patients (the main group included 51 patients with colorectal cancer, the control group 35 relatively healthy people). All patients were studied upon indicators of clinical blood test, and hematological indices of intoxication were calculated. In the patients of the main group, an assessment of the oxygen status parameters was done. The study revealed that 52.9% of patients with colorectal cancer have symptoms of endogenous intoxication syndrome and respiratory disorders of varying severity, which are accompanied by decrease in oxygen delivery to tissues, its increased consumption and utilization. As a result of the study, there was proposed a method for calculation of the integral index of intoxication as a parameter of expression of endogenous intoxication and associated respiratory disorders. Statistically significant values of the correlation coefficients of the proposed indicator of intoxication and oxygen status parameters suggest a high diagnostic significance of this index in patients with colorectal cancer. Moreover, the application of this method in everyday practice is simple for the doctor and safe for the patient.
EXPERIENCE IN THE APPLICATION OF CONTINUOUS INTRATHECAL OPIOID THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF PHARMACORESISTANT NEUROPATHIC PAIN SYNDROME
Authors: Переверзев Денис , Pereverzev Denis , Погорелов В , Pogorelov V , Симонова Наталья , Simonova Natalya , Доровских Владимир , Dorovskikh Vladimir
Published: September 2018

The article gives information about the way how the problem of pharmacoresistant neuropathic pain is solved. It presents the definitions of pharmacoresistant neuropathic pain, which makes it possible to accurately identify such patients and to plan tactics for their treatment. Intrathecal opioid analgesia has been used in clinic practice since 1979 and has gained a great popularity till now due to its high analgesic potency. The case of treatment of pharmacoresistant neuropathic pain syndrome of central origin in a patient who had spinal injury and stabilizing spinal surgery is presented. Conservative therapy for 3 years was considered to be ineffective and the patient was implanted with an intrathecal port for long-term opioid therapy. The follow-up period was 6 months. The effect of the procedure allowed the patient to abandon the massive drug therapy, as well as significantly improve the quality of life.
Models of Profilisation the Russian General Education School
Authors: Москвин К. , Moskvin K.
Published: September 2018

In the article the author considers questions of subject oriented education in the system of general education, in particular, questions of the choice of subjects (directions) by general education organizations. The definition of the concept of “subject oriented training” is given. The author gives the goals of subject oriented training, analyzes the essence and characteristics of existing models of subject oriented training, identifies the basic models, formulates the conditions for effective implementation of profi lisation models.
The Professional Orientation in Schools Abroad. Who’s “Calling the Tune”?
Authors: Орехова Е. , Orehova E. , Данилова И. , Danilova I.
Published: September 2018

The article examines the phenomenon of parental participation in the professional guidance of schoolchildren, which is an actual problem for modern European education. The example of France shows the main stages and areas of possible interaction between schools, families and students in the process of developing the only correct decision in choosing a professional training. The unity and struggle of the family and school in the fi eld of professionalization in France allows us to rethink the pressing problems of the domestic professional education, which are more detailed in the mirror of the “other”.
Sources of the Origin and Formation of Non-Financial Reporting
Authors: Поленова С. , Polenova S.
Published: September 2018

In the article the author makes the attempt to substantiate the reasons for recent origin of non-financial reporting and its high urgency for modern subject of the economy in condition of enough high expresses on shaping and insuffi cient development normative-legal base.