bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approval of Violence by Males in Western Canada
Authors: Forde David R. , Scott Hannah
Published: August 2011

Violent and defensive attitudes were surveyed in a sample of 1,010 males in western Canada.
Patterns of Adaptation and Personality Disorders
Authors: Rubino I. Alex , Pezzarossa Bianca , Siracusano Alberto
Published: August 2011

Patterns of adaptation to conflict were explored with the Serial Color-Word Test, and personality disorders were assessed by means of the Coolidge Axis II Inventory in a group of 76 nonpsychotic women volunteers in the age range 18–50 yr. ( M = 29.1 yr., SD = 8.3), who attended a psychiatric outpatients unit. Forward multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate whether patterns of adaptation were associated with personality disorders. 10 out of 13 personality scales, as measured by the Coolidge Axis II Inventory, were significantly predicted by adaptive variables. Some predictors were positive and others were negative. The variable RAD was a negative predictor of avoidant and dependent personalities. And a positive predictor of Extraversion, Aggressive personality, and Antisocial personality; this finding suggests that RAD may represent the regulative counterpart of a continuum from passive Introversion to aggressive extraversion. The results encourage further research on non-trait laboratory correlates of personality disorders.
Sex Differences in Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Elementary Science Teachers
Authors: Kiviet Agnes M. , Mji Andile
Published: August 2011

The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Inventory developed by Riggs and Enoch was administered to 88 men and 112 women, elementary science teachers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Significant mean sex differences ( t = 4.55, p < .01) were observed on the Personal subscale but not on the General subscale. This result has major implications for education planners and administrators employing female teachers whose cultural and educational experiences may not have prepared them as well as their male peers for teaching science. It is concluded that female teachers need support to change their beliefs about self-efficacy regarding teaching science. The discussion also suggests possible directions for research.
Psychological Type and Attitude toward Christianity: A Replication
Authors: Francis Leslie J. , Robbins Mandy , Boxer Anna , Lewis Christopher Alan , McGuckin Conor , McDaid Charles J.
Published: August 2011

A sample of 149 university students completed the Francis Psychological Type Scales together with the Francis Scale of Attitude Toward Christianity. The data indicated that university students classified as Feeling Types hold a more positive attitude toward Christianity than those classified as Thinking Types. These findings replicate the 1999 report of Jones and Francis.
Effects of Sex on Raters' Accountability
Authors: Shore Ted H. , Tashchian Armen
Published: August 2011

The effects of sex (rater and ratee) on raters' accountability in the context of performance appraisal were investigated. The 130 participating undergraduates (men and women) rated a fictitious male or female's performance on a clerical task subsequent to receiving self-assessment information. As expected, raters' knowledge of a high self-assessment was followed by significantly higher performance ratings than after knowledge of a low self-assessment. Contrary to expectations, no differences were found for either raters' or ratees' sex. The results suggest that the sex of the rater or ratee is not associated with raters' accountability.
Distribution of Targets in 400 Eye-Movement Desensitization Cases
Authors: Hassard Alan
Published: August 2011

In a series of 400 patients undergoing Eye-movement Desensitization (EMD), patients rarely reported more than nine flashbacks or other focal targets, which may indicate the working memory limit. Eye-movement desensitization may operate by freeing working memory capacity, enabling cognitive change and memory recovery to occur. Complete EMD treatment may require sufficient eye movements to free up working memory capacity. Patients given less than this requirement may not be adequately treated. This may account for variable results in evaluations of eye-movement desensitization. Such possible dose effects may be important in this therapy.
Relations among Perceived Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, and School Achievement
Authors: D'Amico Antonella , Cardaci Maurizio
Published: August 2011

The present research explored empirically the factorial dimensions of self-efficacy and self-esteem and associations among self-esteem, self-efficacy, and scholastic achievement as measured in 151 subjects ( M age=13.4 yr.). Five factors emerged from factorial analysis: two factors reflected the self-esteem feelings (and were, respectively, named as self-referential self-esteem and comparative self-esteem). The remaining three factors reflected the self-efficacy beliefs in the three different scholastic domains considered, linguistic-literary, logical-mathematical, and technical-practical All self-efficacy scores were significantly correlated with scholastic achievement while no associations between self-esteem scores and scholastic performance were found. Nevertheless, self-efficacy and self-esteem dimensions shared some common aspects. In particular, each different self-esteem factor showed different magnitudes of association with domain-specific self-efficacy beliefs.
A New Scale for the Manic—Depressiveness Scale
Authors: Lester David
Published: August 2011

In a sample of 503 undergraduates, a newly proposed subscale for the Manic–Depressiveness Scale is more strongly associated with depression scores than with manic scores.
Benefits of Multidatabase Searching: A Forensic Case Study
Authors: Piotrowski Chris , Perdue Bob
Published: August 2011

The research base for topics in forensic psychology is multidisciplinary. This paper highlights the critical importance of conducting multidatabase searches to obtain a comprehensive literature review of forensic topics.
Adolescent Sex Offenders' Mean Profile on the Basc Self-Report of Personality
Authors: Dalton John E. , Ruddy Julie L. , Simon-Roper Liza
Published: August 2011

Batteries of psychological tests had been administered to male adolescents being evaluated for appropriateness of assignment to sexual offender treatment at private clinics. The test scores had been evaluated via blind test interpretation, as one component of a broader sexual offender assessment. Archival data were obtained from 106 patients who had been given the Behavior Assessment System for Children Self-report of Personality as part of a test battery. These adolescents, particularly the younger ones, responded defensively to this self-report. Otherwise, their mean scores were very close to those described in the manual for normal (nonclinical) adolescent males. Implications for test interpretation are discussed.
Relations between Marital Processes and Outcomes in the Marriages of Nontraditional and Traditional Women
Authors: Rhoden Lyn
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of the marital processes of cohesion, flexibility, and communication to marital quality and marital stability in the marriages of nontraditional and traditional women. Selected longitudinal data from the 1992 Marital Stability Over the Life Span Data Set were used. A subsample of 74 married women who were defined as nontraditional and a comparison group of 274 traditional women were selected according to their occupational status and gender-role orientation. Comparisons indicated that some marital processes, including higher emotional bonding, spousal interaction, negotiation, and positive communication patterns, were significantly related to marital outcomes for nontraditional women.
Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire: Preliminary Results of the Italian Version
Authors: De Pascalis Vilfredo , Russo Paolo Maria
Published: August 2011

A study was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the translated Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire in an Italian sample. Factorial analysis of the items, performed over 356 respondents (200 women and 156 men) showed a clear correspondence between factorial components and the five a priori hypothesized dimensions. The Italian version has provided satisfactory Cronbach coefficients alpha. Sex differences and intercorrelations among scales are similar to those in the original American sample. Correlations among the dimensions and four other personality measures yielded a satisfactory validity. The low power in this study may explain why the five derived factors explained only 27.6% of the variance in scores. Results suggest that the Italian version is a reliable tool for Italian research in the field of personality and individual differences.
Authoritarian and Aggressive Attitudes in American Students
Authors: Al-Tarrah Ali Ahmed , Lester David
Published: August 2011

In a sample of 118 college students, scores on a measure of authoritarian attitudes were associated with scores on subscales from the Buss and Perry (1992) Aggression Questionnaire.
Comparability of Self-Report Checklist and Interview Data in the Assessment of Stressful Life Events in Young Adults
Authors: Lewinsohn Peter M. , Rohde Paul , Gau Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incremental value of conducting an interview to assess stressful life events over the self-report questionnaire approach, first by examining the degree to which life events reported on a questionnaire met inclusion criteria in a detailed stress interview, and second, by comparing the magnitude of prospective associations with depression symptoms for the two different assessment procedures. Data from the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project were examined, in which 191 community-residing young adults (55% female; M age = 23.6, SD = 0.6) completed a mailed questionnaire assessing the frequency with which 33 life events had occurred to them or to other important people in their lives prior to the diagnostic and stress interviews. An average of 67.5% of events occurring to self met criteria for classification as a life event on the stress interview, as did 19.7% of the events occurring to others. Events having a large effect on the participant had a greater likelihood of meeting inclusion criteria on the stress interview. Contrary to expectation, stress scores from the interview assessment did not result in stronger associations with depression. Recommendations for assessment of stressful life events are offered.
A Statistical Comparison of the Apparent Importance of Various Prophets within Early Islamic and Christian Historical Documents
Authors: Schumm Walter R.
Published: August 2011

Counts were made for the number of times prophets were mentioned in both the Qur'an and in the New Testament. Within the New Testament, the name Jesus (Isa) is cited far more than any other notable figure. Within the Qur'an, Moses is cited most often, followed by Abraham and Noah. Statistical analysis indicates that Jesus is cited between 4th and 11th most often among the prophets of Islam, which seemed surprising to the author, given that Jesus is considered to be the ultimate prophet by many Muslims.
Psychometric Properties of the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire
Authors: Cunningham Everarda G.
Published: August 2011

The structure of the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire was examined for 359 children in Grades 5 and 6. Unsatisfactory internal consistency reliabilities ranged from .19 to .41 for the subscales and .54 for the overall measure. In addition, scree plots of the individual subscales resulted in a range of 2 to 4 factors per subscale and hence lacked evidence of unidimensionality.
How Lonely are Gay and Lesbian Youth?
Authors: Martin James I. , D'Augelli Anthony R.
Published: August 2011

UCLA Loneliness Scale (8-item version) scores in a sample of 384 gay and lesbian adolescents support the hypothesis that such youths are especially vulnerable to loneliness.
The Multidimensional Child and Adolescent Depression Scale: Psychometric Properties
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed M.
Published: August 2011

Based on previous factor analyses of child and adolescent depression inventories, the following eight basic dimensions were identified, i.e., Pessimism, Weak Concentration, Sleep Problems, Anhedonia, Fatigue, Loneliness, Low Self-esteem, and Somatic Complaints. Each dimension was assessed by five items, so the Multidimensional Child and Adolescent Depression Scale has 40 brief statements answered on a 3-point intensity scale, i.e., None, Some, and A lot. The eight dimensions have good factorial validity and acceptable to good alpha and test-retest reliability, and good criterion-related validity using three self-report depression scales. The total scale score has from good to high coefficients of reliability and validity. The highest mean scores were on Fatigue and Anhedonia for Kuwaiti boys and girls, respectively, while the Loneliness subscale has the lowest mean score for both sexes. Girls attained significantly higher mean scores than boys for the total score as well as on all dimensions, with the exception of weak concentration. The scale has two compatible Arabic and English versions. It was designed to be useful in defining the profile of children's and adolescents' depression.
Aggressive and Nonaggressive Antisocial Behavior in Adolescence
Authors: Deković Maja
Published: August 2011

This study examined whether a distinction between aggressive and nonaggressive antisocial behavior can be empirically verified in a large (254 girls and 254 boys) nonclinical (community) sample of Dutch adolescents between 12 and 18 years old. The results of confirmatory factor analysis for both boys and girls shows that aggressive and nonaggressive antisocial behaviors do not represent a single underlying dimension, but two separate constructs with moderate independence among them. These findings suggest that the conceptualization of adolescent antisocial behavior as a one-dimensional phenomenon is of questionable utility and supports growing evidence that aggressive antisocial behavior is distinct from other forms of antisocial behavior.
Attitudes toward Physician-Assisted Suicide and Death Anxiety
Authors: Schaller Sylvia , Lester David , Abdel-Khalek Ahmed
Published: August 2011

A scale to measure approval of physician-assisted suicide was devised. Scores on the scale were uncorrelated to death anxiety in a sample of 168 students.
Seatbelt Use and Belief in Destiny in a Sample of South African Black and White Drivers
Authors: Peltzer Karl
Published: August 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between fatalism and seatbelt use. The sample included 100 Black and 100 White drivers recruited from shopping complexes and petrol stations in an urban area in the Northern Province of South Africa. Seatbelt use of drivers was recorded unobtrusively, and self-reported seatbelt use and belief in destiny (fatalism) were subsequently obtained by interview. A total of 44% Black and 50% White drivers (47% men and 47% women) were observed wearing their seatbelts. The majority of the drivers (84% of Blacks and 79% of Whites) did not have a fatalistic orientation. A nonfatalistic orientation was significantly associated with observed seatbelt use and self-reported seatbelt use. Logistic regression analysis identified a nonfatalistic orientation as independent predictor for observed seatbelt use.
The discrete maximum principle for Galerkin solutions of elliptic problems
Authors: Vejchodský Tomáš
Published: August 2011

This paper provides an equivalent characterization of the discrete maximum principle for Galerkin solutions of general linear elliptic problems. The characterization is formulated in terms of the discrete Green’s function and the elliptic projection of the boundary data. This general concept is applied to the analysis of the discrete maximum principle for the higher-order finite elements in one-dimension and to the lowest-order finite elements on simplices of arbitrary dimension. The paper surveys the state of the art in the field of the discrete maximum principle and provides new generalizations of several results.
Grüss-type bounds for covariances and the notion of quadrant dependence in expectation
Authors: Egozcue Martín , García Luis , Wong Wing-Keung , Zitikis Ričardas
Published: August 2011

We show that Grüss-type probabilistic inequalities for covariances can be considerably sharpened when the underlying random variables are quadrant dependent in expectation (QDE). The herein established covariance bounds not only sharpen the classical Grüss inequality but also improve upon recently derived Grüss-type bounds under the assumption of quadrant dependency (QD), which is stronger than QDE. We illustrate our general results with examples based on specially devised bivariate distributions that are QDE but not QD. Such results play important roles in decision making under uncertainty, and particularly in areas such as economics, finance, and insurance.
Arbitrary l-state solutions of the Schrödinger equation for the Eckart potential with an improved approximation of the centrifugal term
Authors: Stanek Jerzy
Published: August 2011

Applying an improved approximation scheme to the centrifugal term, the approximate analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation for the Eckart potential are presented. Bound state energy eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenfunctions are obtained in closed forms for the arbitrary radial and angular momentum quantum numbers, and different values of the screening parameter. The results are compared with those obtained by the other approximate and numerical methods. It is shown that the present method is systematic, more efficient and accurate.
Dietary micronutrients and gastric cancer: hospital based study
Authors: Lazarević Konstansa , Nagorni Aleksandar , Bogdanović Dragan , Rančić Nataša , Stošić Ljiljana , Milutinović Suzana
Published: August 2011

The association between micronutrients and gastric cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between dietary intake of micronutrients and risk for gastric cancer. We used data from hospital-based case control study conducted at Clinical Centre Nis (Serbia) from 2005 and 2006. Patients (n=102) with first histologically confirmed gastric cancer and matched non-cancer patients (controls, n=204) were interviewed using structured questionnaire and FFQ (Food frequency questionnaire). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between gastric cancer and dietary intake of sodium (OR=6.22; 95%CI 1.99–7.86), but a significant negative association between potassium (OR 0.01; 95%CI 0.00–0.08), iron (OR 0.05; 95%CI 0.01–0.56), vitamin C (OR 0.05; 95%CI 0.01–0.38), vitamin E (OR 0.04; 95%CI 0.01–0.29) and niacin (OR 0.07; 95%CI 0.00–0.38) dietary intake. Intake of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, retinol, β carotene, tiamin, vitamin B6, and folic acid was not significantly related to gastric cancer risk.

In conclusion, we found that a dietary pattern of high consumption of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin), iron and potassium and low consumption of foods that are sources of sodium, decreased risk for gastric cancer. Our results require confirmation in future studies.
Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in a patient with Nephrocalcinosis due to distal renal tubular acidosis
Authors: Arrabal-Polo Miguel , Arrabal-Martin Miguel , Jiménez-Pacheco Antonio , Merino-Salas Sergio
Published: August 2011

Ten years ago, a 73 year-old patient presented at our unit with a right nephritic colic and elevated serum creatinine (2.1 mg/dl). This was the first time that the patient had consulted for a urology workup. An abdominal X-ray was performed in which we observed a severe bilateral nephrocalcinosis with right ureteral lithiasis. One of the causes of nephrocalcinosis is distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), in that sense the patient presented metabolic acidosis (pH 7.25) together with normopotassaemia (4.4 meq/L) and normochlorine (105 mEq/L). A 24-hour urine test detected citrate (55 mg/dl), calcium (12 mg/dl) and pH of 6.5. A diuretic renogram showed the right relative renal function as 91.2% and left relative renal function as 8.8%. A test with bicarbonate and acetazolamide was performed, confirming a diagnosis of dRTA because the urinary CO2 pressure was 32 mmHg (normal, greater than 70 mmHg). Treatment with potassium citrate and increased intake of liquids was prescribed. Consequently, the patient’s serum creatinine normalized, her blood pH rose to 7.35 and urinary citrate increased to 154 mg/dl. After 10 years of treatment with potassium citrate the patient remains stable. We believe that in these patients it is crucial to carry out an alkalizing treatment: patients with dRTA cannot acidify the urine because a defect in the permeability of the tubule membrane prevents secretion of H+. It is important to administer potassium citrate continuously to improve blood pH, increase urinary citrate and reduce the risk of calcium phosphate crystallization.
The importance of patient clubs in the management of osteoporotic patients
Authors: Gaál János , Farkas László , Bender Tamás , Somogyi Péter
Published: August 2011

Although the significance of osteoporosis is well known worldwide, the number of patients undergoing therapy for this disease corresponds to a fraction only of the optimal proportion. In many countries, patients at a high risk of fracture — including those who have in fact sustained a typical fracture — do not receive therapy at all. Unawareness of the population, difficulties in accessing specialist care, as well as insufficient communications all contribute to the fact that a substantial percentage of patients discontinue drug therapy prematurely. Using information from a survey conducted in a club of osteoporotic patients, this paper discusses the achievements and substantiates the existence of patient associations, as well as emphasizes the need for establishing new patient clubs in Hungary.
Helical silica nanotubes: Nanofabrication architecture, transfer of helix and chirality to silica nanotubes
Authors: Kim Tae , Jeong Euh , Oh Chae , Shin Min , Kim Jong-Pil , Jung Ok-Sang , Suh Hongsuk , Khan Fazlur , Hyun Myung , Jin Jong
Published: August 2011

A series of neutral gelators and cationic amphiphiles derived from 1,2 diphenylethylenediamine (I) and 1,2-cyclohexanediamine (II) was synthesised. Helical silica nanotubes were prepared utilising these organic gelators through sol-gel polycondensation of tetraethoxy silane, (TEOS-silica source). Right- and left-handed helical nanotubes respectively were obtained from a 1: 1 mass mixture of optically active, (1S,2S)-III-(1S,2S)-V neutral gelator and (1S,2S)-IV-(1S,2S)-VI cationic amphiphile and a 1: 1 mass mixture of optically active, (1R,2R)-III-(1R,2R)-V neutral gelator and (1R,2R)-IV-(1R,2R)-VI cationic amphiphile, indicating that the handedness of the helical nanotubes varied with the change in the neutral gelator precursors used. The nanotubes were characterised by SEM images.
Investigation of multi-layered silicate ceramics using laser ablation optical emission spectrometry, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and electron microprobe analysis
Authors: Zaoralkova Linda , Hrdlicka Ales , Otruba Vitezslav , Sulovsky Petr , Gilon Nicole , Günther Detlef , Kanicky Viktor
Published: August 2011

The applicability of laser ablation (LA) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry for assessing elemental distributions in layered ceramics was investigated and compared with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Ordinary glazed wall tiles were employed as model specimens due to their defined structure and composition. They were used for calibration in the analysis of ancient pottery. A qualitative depth profile was acquired by single-spot laser drilling perpendicular to coatings with a Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser coupled with an ICP optical emission spectrometer (OES). The lower lateral resolution associated with the laser spot diameter of 1.0 mm led to smoothing of the depth profile due to the averaging of local irregularities. In addition, transverse line scans by ablation across the tile section using an ArF* (193 nm) laser coupled with an ICP mass spectrometer (MS) were performed. LA-ICP-OES depth profiles and LA-ICP-MS transverse scans were validated by EPMA section scans and 2D back-scattered electrons images. The LA-ICP-OES acquisition was less dependent on sample surface and layer irregularities, whereas the transverse line scan over the tile section with the small-spot beam offered insight into the micromorphology of the individual layer. The combined approach revealed the occurrence of individual mineral grains, micro-heterogeneities and the character of interfaces between layers.
Becoming Empowered: A Grounded Theory Study of Aboriginal Women's Agency
Authors: Bainbridge Roxanne
Published: August 2011

Objective: The study aim was to identify the process underlying the performance of agency for urban-dwelling Aboriginal women in contemporary Australian society with a view to promoting social change for Aboriginal people.

Method: Grounded theory methods were used in the conduct of 20 life history narrative interviews with Aboriginal women from across fourteen different language groups.

Results: Analysis identified a specific ecological model of Aboriginal women's empowerment, defined as “becoming empowered”. “Performing Aboriginality” was identified as the core category and encompassed the women's concern for carving out a fulfilling life and carrying out their perceived responsibilities as Aboriginal women.

Conclusions: While confirming much of the extant literature on empowerment, the analysis also offered unique contributions – a spiritual sensibility, cultural competence and an ethics of care and morality. This sheds new light on the creative ways in which Aboriginal women “disrupt” discourses and create alternate modes of existence. The findings have implications for improving quality of life for Aboriginal people by informing the practical development and delivery of social and health policies and programs.
Creating an Open Mind
Authors: Monaghan Duncan
Published: August 2011

Duncan Monaghan is 33 years old and in his second year of an Arts degree in Creative Writing. He is a published poet and is currently producing a music CD. Duncan has a history of bipolar disorder which was diagnosed when he was nineteen: “It worried me at first a lot. It played on my mind constantly. I felt different from everybody else – I did not understand what was happening to me.” Drawing on his life experiences, Duncan has been enhancing his recovery through creativity – in poetry, lyrics, music and story. “Life for me was a constant battle of relying on medication and appointments with my case manager…until I realized I could combine my recovery with my passions as a tool to use as an outlet to many of the “mind traps” I so often found hindering my own recovery.” Duncan is Aboriginal and has experience of the mental health systems in most states and territories and now lives in Brisbane. This is a shortened version of his presentation at Creating Futures 2010.
Indigenous Mental Health 2035: Future Takers, Future Makers and Transformational Potential
Authors: Durie Mason
Published: August 2011

Objective: The aims were to review progress in Indigenous mental health over the past 25 years and to identify possible directions for the next 25 years.

Method: Māori involvement in health and health care was used to illustrate key Indigenous developments since 1984. Challenges in the decades ahead were discussed in the context of demographic transitions, life course epidemiology, global trends, technological innovations and health leadership.

Results: Progress was measured by a range of indicators including Māori-referenced life expectancy, Māori agendas for health, strengthened cultural identity, the dissemination of health knowledge, and Māori participation in the health sector. In contrast to being ready to respond to change (future takers), active planning for the future (future makers) was seen as a better way of achieving Indigenous aspirations. One option for health advancement currently being developed in New Zealand involved an integrated approach premised on intersectoral delivery and a focus on families.

Conclusions: Indigenous health will be advanced by dedicated approaches to family wellbeing that avoid fragmentation, focus on positive strengths, and lead to positive outcomes for family members and the family as a whole.
The Primary Determinants of Indigenous Household Information and Communication Technology Adoption: Remote, Rural and Urban
Authors: Radoll Peter
Published: August 2011

Objective: This paper examines the factors affecting adoption of information and communication technologies (computers and the Internet) in Australian Indigenous households across three Indigenous communities, remote, rural and urban. Drawing on the sociological notion of structure and agency it is argued that being engaged in external fields influences Indigenous household ICT adoption. This paper develops a conceptual schema by drawing on Bourdieu's theory of habitus to explain the low uptake of ICTs in Indigenous households across Australia.

Conclusions: Evidence suggests that there is more commonality across diverse communities than differences.
Mycophenolic Acid Differentially Impacts B Cell Function Depending on the Stage of Differentiation
Authors: Karnell Jodi L. , Karnell Fredrick G. , Stephens Geoffrey L. , Rajan Bhargavi , Morehouse Chris , Li Ying , Swerdlow Bonnie , Wilson Mildred , Goldbach-Mansky Raphaela , Groves Christopher , Coyle Anthony J. , Herbst Ronald , Ettinger Rachel
Published: August 2011

Production of pathogenic Abs contributes to disease progression in many autoimmune disorders. The immunosuppressant agent mycophenolic acid (MPA) has shown clinical efficacy for patients with autoimmunity. The goal of these studies was to elucidate the mechanisms of action of MPA on B cells isolated from healthy individuals and autoimmune patients. In this study, we show that MPA significantly inhibited both proliferation and differentiation of primary human B cells stimulated under various conditions. Importantly, MPA did not globally suppress B cell responsiveness or simply induce cell death, but rather selectively inhibited early activation events and arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, MPA blocked expansion of both naive and memory B cells and prevented plasma cell (PC) differentiation and Ab production from healthy controls and individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, whereas MPA potently suppressed Ig secretion from activated primary B cells, terminally differentiated PCs were not susceptible to inhibition by MPA. The target of MPA, IMPDH2, was found to be downregulated in PCs, likely explaining the resistance of these cells to MPA. These results suggest that MPA provides benefit in settings of autoimmunity by directly preventing activation and PC differentiation of B cells; however, MPA is unlikely to impact autoantibody production by preexisting, long-lived PCs.
Foxp3+-Inducible Regulatory T Cells Suppress Endothelial Activation and Leukocyte Recruitment
Authors: Maganto-García Elena , Bu De-xiu , Tarrio Margarite L. , Alcaide Pilar , Newton Gail , Griffin Gabriel K. , Croce Kevin J. , Luscinskas Francis W. , Lichtman Andrew H. , Grabie Nir
Published: August 2011

The ability of regulatory T cells (Treg) to traffic to sites of inflammation supports their role in controlling immune responses. This feature supports the idea that adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded human Treg could be used for treatment of immune/inflammatory diseases. However, the migratory behavior of Treg, as well as their direct influence at the site of inflammation, remains poorly understood. To explore the possibility that Treg may have direct anti-inflammatory influences on tissues, independent of their well-established suppressive effects on lymphocytes, we studied the adhesive interactions between mouse Treg and endothelial cells, as well as their influence on endothelial function during acute inflammation. We show that Foxp3+ adaptive/inducible Treg (iTreg), but not naturally occurring Treg, efficiently interact with endothelial selectins and transmigrate through endothelial monolayers in vitro. In response to activation by endothelial Ag presentation or immobilized anti-CD3ε, Foxp3+ iTreg suppressed TNF-α– and IL-1β–mediated endothelial selectin expression and adhesiveness to effector T cells. This suppression was contact independent, rapid acting, and mediated by TGF-β–induced activin receptor-like kinase 5 signaling in endothelial cells. In addition, Foxp3+ iTreg adhered to inflamed endothelium in vivo, and their secretion products blocked acute inflammation in a model of peritonitis. These data support the concept that Foxp3+ iTreg help to regulate inflammation independently of their influence on effector T cells by direct suppression of endothelial activation and leukocyte recruitment.
IL-7 Is Required for the Development of the Intrinsic Function of Marginal Zone B Cells and the Marginal Zone Microenvironment
Authors: Willems Leen , Li Shengqiao , Rutgeerts Omer , Lenaerts Caroline , Waer Mark , Billiau An D.
Published: August 2011

The characteristic microarchitecture of the marginal zone (MZ), formed by locally interacting MZ-specific B cells, macrophages, and endothelial cells, is critical for productive marginal zone B cell (MZB cell) Ab responses. Reportedly, IL-7–deficient mice, although severely lymphopenic, retain small numbers of CD21highCD23low B cells consistent with MZB cell phenotype, suggesting that IL-7 signaling is not exclusively required for MZB cell lymphopoiesis. In this study, we investigated the function of IL-7−/− MZB cells and the IL-7−/− microenvironment using a model of hamster heart xenograft rejection, which depends exclusively on MZB cell-mediated production of T cell-independent IgM xenoantibodies (IgMXAb). C57BL/6-IL-7−/− mice accepted xenografts indefinitely and failed to produce IgMXAb, even after transfer of additional IL-7−/− or wild-type C57BL/6 MZB cells. Transfer of wild-type but not IL-7−/− B cells enabled SCID mice to produce IgMXAb. When transferred to SCID mice, wild-type but not IL-7−/− B cells formed B cell follicles with clearly defined IgM+, MOMA-1+, and MAdCAM-1+ MZ structures. Conversely, adoptively transferred GFP+ C57BL/6 B cells homed to the MZ area in a SCID but not an IL-7−/− environment. Naive IL-7−/− mice showed absent or aberrant splenic B cell structures. We provide evidence that IL-7 is critical for the development of the intrinsic function of MZB cells in producing rapidly induced IgM against T cell-independent type II Ags, for their homing potential, and for the development of a functional MZ microanatomy capable of attracting and lodging MZB cells.
Modulation of IL-7 Thresholds by SOCS Proteins in Developing B Lineage Cells
Authors: Corfe Steven A. , Rottapel Robert , Paige Christopher J.
Published: August 2011

During B lymphopoiesis, IL-7 induces survival, proliferation, and differentiation signals that are important during the pro-B to pre-B cell transition. We showed that murine small pre-B stage cells do not signal or proliferate in response to IL-7, yet they maintain IL-7R surface expression. Loss of proliferative responsiveness to IL-7 is mediated by suppressor of cytokine signaling protein 1 (SOCS-1), the expression of which is regulated during B lymphopoiesis, with the highest levels observed in small pre-B cells. SOCS-1 inhibits IL-7 responses in pre-B cell lines and ex vivo B lineage cells. SOCS-1 expression and, thus, responsiveness to IL-7, can be regulated by IL-7 itself, as well as IFN-γ and IL-21. Additionally, the transcriptional repressor Gfi-1b enhances the proliferative responsiveness of B cell lines to IL-7. We demonstrated that these molecules act together to form a SOCS-mediated “rheostat” that controls the level of IL-7R signaling in developing murine B lineage cells.
IFN-γ Acts on the Airway Epithelium To Inhibit Local and Systemic Pathology in Allergic Airway Disease
Authors: Mitchell Charlotte , Provost Karin , Niu Naiqian , Homer Robert , Cohn Lauren
Published: August 2011

Inhibiting allergic airway inflammation is the goal of therapy in persistent asthma. Administration of medication via the airways delivers drug directly to the site of inflammation and avoids systemic side effects but often fails to modulate systemic features of asthma. We have shown that Th1 cells, through production of IFN-γ, inhibit many Th2-induced effector functions that promote disease. Using a newly generated mouse that expresses IFN-γR only on airway epithelial cells, we show that the airway epithelium controls a range of pathological responses in asthma. IFN-γ acting only through the airway epithelium inhibits mucus, chitinases, and eosinophilia, independent of Th2 cell activation. IFN-γ signaling through the airway epithelium inhibits eosinophil generation in the bone marrow, indicating that signals on the airway mucosal surface can regulate distant functions to inhibit disease. IFN-γ actions through the airway epithelium will limit airway obstruction and inflammation and may be therapeutic in refractory asthma.
An Age-Specific CD8+ T Cell Pathway That Impairs the Effectiveness of Strategies To Prolong Allograft Survival
Authors: Du Wei , Shen Hua , Galan Anjela , Goldstein Daniel R.
Published: August 2011

Age-related decline in immunity can impair cell-mediated responses during an infection, malignancy, and acute allograft rejection. Although much research has been allocated to understand the immune responses that impact the former two conditions, the cellular mechanisms by which aging impacts the immune acceptance of organ allografts are not completely clear. In this study, we examined how recipient age impacts the efficacy of therapies that modulate immune recognition of allografts using an immunogenic murine skin transplant model. We found that costimulatory blockade-based treatment failed to extend allograft survival in older recipients to the same extent as that observed in younger recipients. CD8+ T cells were critical for the inability of aged recipients to achieve maximal allograft survival. Although aged mice displayed a larger number of effector memory T cells prior to transplantation, these cells did not exhibit enhanced alloreactivity compared with young memory T cells. In contrast, naive aged CD8+ T cells exhibited enhanced IFN-γ production to allostimulation compared with young naive T cells. Our results provide evidence that aging enhances CD8+ T cell alloreactivity. This could impair the ability of costimulatory blockade-based therapies to prolong allograft survival. Thus, targeting CD8+ T cells in humans may be a way to improve outcomes in older patients requiring immune modulatory therapy.
Host Immunity and Pathogen Strain Contribute to Intestinal Disaccharidase Impairment following Gut Infection
Authors: Solaymani-Mohammadi Shahram , Singer Steven M.
Published: August 2011

Infection or other inflammatory insults in the small intestine often result in reduced disaccharidase enzyme levels. Using a mouse model of giardiasis, we examined the role of host immunity and pathogen virulence in mediating disaccharidase deficiency postinfection (p.i.). C57BL/6J mice were infected with two strains, WB and GS, of the human parasite Giardia duodenalis. The levels of sucrase, maltase, and lactase decreased in wild-type mice p.i. with the GS strain but not with the WB strain. Both CD4-deficient and SCID mice failed to eliminate the infection and did not exhibit disaccharidase deficiency. β2-Microglobulin knockout animals controlled infections similar to wild-type mice but exhibited no decrease in disaccharidase activity. Analysis of cytokine production by spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells showed production of IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IL-22, TNF-α, and IFN-γ p.i. with both WB and GS, with IFN-γ being the dominant cytokine for both parasite strains. Mesenteric lymph node cells produced lower levels of cytokines compared with splenocytes in response to parasite extract, although the overall pattern was similar. These data suggest that T cell responses mediate parasite clearance whereas also contributing to pathogenesis. They also demonstrate that differences in pathogen strain can also determine the outcome of infection and further our understanding of the clinical variation seen in human giardiasis.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Facilitates Con A-Induced IFN-γ–Mediated Immune Hepatic Injury
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Chieh , Huang Wei-Ching , Chen Chia-Ling , Hsieh Chia-Yuan , Lin Yee-Shin , Chen Shun-Hua , Yang Kao-Chi , Lin Chiou-Feng
Published: August 2011

Immune hepatic injury induced by Con A results primarily from IFN-γ–mediated inflammation, followed by hepatic cell death. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3, which acts proapoptotically and is proinflammatory, is also important for facilitating IFN-γ signaling. We hypothesized a pathogenic role for GSK-3 in Con A hepatic injury. Con A stimulation caused GSK-3 activation in the livers of C57BL/6 mice. Inhibiting GSK-3 reduced Con A hepatic injury, including hepatic necrosis and apoptosis, inflammation, infiltration of T cells and granulocytes, and deregulated expression of adhesion molecule CD54. Con A induced hepatic injury in an IFN-γ receptor 1-dependent manner. Con A/IFN-γ induced activation and expression of STAT1 in a GSK-3–dependent manner. GSK-3 facilitated IFN-γ–induced inducible NO synthase, but had limited effects on CD95 upregulation and CD95-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis in vitro. Notably, inhibiting GSK-3 decreased Con A-induced IFN-γ production in both wild-type and IFN-γ receptor 1-deficient C57BL/6 mice. In Con A-activated NKT cells, GSK-3 was also activated and was required for nuclear translocation of T-box transcription factor Tbx21, a transcription factor of IFN-γ, but it was not required for CD95 ligand expression or activation-induced cell death. These results demonstrate the dual and indispensable role of GSK-3 in Con A hepatic injury by facilitating IFN-γ–induced hepatopathy.
Differential Expression of the Adaptor Protein HSH2 Controls the Quantitative and Qualitative Nature of the Humoral Response
Authors: King R. Glenn , Herrin Brantley R. , Justement Louis B.
Published: August 2011

Endogenous expression of the adaptor protein hematopoietic Src homology 2-containing adaptor protein (HSH2) is regulated in a dynamic manner during B cell maturation and differentiation. Developing B cells lack detectable HSH2, whereas transitional 1 and 2 B cells in the periphery exhibit increasing levels of expression. Mature follicular B cells exhibit decreased expression of HSH2 compared with transitional 2 B cells, and expression is further downregulated in germinal center B cells. In contrast, marginal zone B cells and B1a/b B cells exhibit high-level HSH2 expression. Regulation of HSH2 expression plays a critical role in determining the outcome of the humoral immune response as demonstrated using HSH2 transgenic (Tg) mice. Constitutive expression of HSH2 in the B lineage at levels comparable to B1a/b B cells results in decreased serum Ig titers for all subclasses with the exception of IgA. HSH2 Tg mice immunized with T-dependent or T-independent Ags exhibit a moderate decrease in the production of Ag-specific IgM, whereas class-switched isotypes are decreased by ∼80–90% compared with control mice. Analysis of HSH2 Tg B cell activation in vitro demonstrated that HSH2 selectively regulates the B cell response to TNF family receptors (i.e., CD40 and BAFF-R), but not BCR- or TLR-dependent signals. These data demonstrate that changes in HSH2 expression have profound effects on the humoral immune response.
Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells Upregulate Programmed Death-1 Expression during Acute Friend Retrovirus Infection but Are Highly Cytotoxic and Control Virus Replication
Authors: Zelinskyy Gennadiy , Myers Lara , Dietze Kirsten K. , Gibbert Kathrin , Roggendorf Michael , Liu Jia , Lu Mengji , Kraft Anke R. , Teichgräber Volker , Hasenkrug Kim J. , Dittmer Ulf
Published: August 2011

It was recently reported that inhibitory molecules such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) were upregulated on CD8+ T cells during acute Friend retrovirus infection and that the cells were prematurely exhausted and dysfunctional in vitro. The current study confirms that most activated CD8+ T cells upregulated expression of PD-1 during acute infection and revealed a dichotomy of function between PD-1hi and PD-1lo subsets. More PD-1lo cells produced antiviral cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, whereas more PD-1hi cells displayed characteristics of cytotoxic effectors such as production of granzymes and surface expression of CD107a. Importantly, CD8+ T cells mediated rapid in vivo cytotoxicity and were critical for control of acute Friend virus replication. Thus, direct ex vivo analyses and in vivo experiments revealed high CD8+ T cell functionality and indicate that PD-1 expression during acute infection is not a marker of T cell exhaustion.
Mutagenesis of Beryllium-Specific TCRs Suggests an Unusual Binding Topology for Antigen Recognition
Authors: Bowerman Natalie A. , Falta Michael T. , Mack Douglas G. , Kappler John W. , Fontenot Andrew P.
Published: August 2011

Unconventional Ags, such as metals, stimulate T cells in a very specific manner. To delineate the binding landscape for metal-specific T cell recognition, alanine screens were performed on a set of Be-specific TCRs derived from the lung of a chronic beryllium disease patient. These TCRs are HLA-DP2–restricted and express nearly identical TCR Vβ5.1 chains coupled with different TCR α-chains. Site-specific mutagenesis of all amino acids comprising the CDRs of the TCRA and TCRB genes showed a dominant role for Vβ5.1 residues in Be recognition, with little contribution from the TCR α-chain. Solvent-exposed residues along the α-helices of the HLA-DP2 α- and β-chains were also mutated to alanine. Two β-chain residues, located near the proposed Be binding site of HLA-DP2, played a dominant role in T cell recognition with no contribution from the HLA-DP2 α-chain. These findings suggest that Be-specific T cells recognize Ag using an unconventional binding topology, with the majority of interactions contributed by TCR Vβ5.1 residues and the HLA-DP2 β1-chain. Thus, unusual docking topologies are not exclusively used by autoreactive T cells, but also for the recognition of unconventional metal Ags, such as Be.
Temporal and Pontine Involvement in a Case of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis, Presenting as Kluver Bucy Syndrome - A Case Report
Authors: Thirunavukarasu Suresh
Published: August 2011

Bilateral temporal and frontal lobe involvement is a common characteristic of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Clinical sequelae of herpes simplex encephalitis may manifest sometimes as Kluver Bucy syndrome (KBS). In herpes simplex encephalitis, apart from frontal lobe, extra temporal involvement is rare and uncommon. We report a case of HSE manifesting clinically as KBS with a rare radiological finding of temporal and extratemporal involvement of pons.
Struma Ovarii with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Alvarez Daniel M. , Lee Victor , Bhatt Shweta , Dogra Vikram S.
Published: August 2011

Struma ovarii is an uncommon condition, in which thyroid tissue is the predominant or exclusive element in an ovarian teratoma. Thyroid tissue may demonstrate the same spectrum of pathological features as in the normal thyroid including benign and malignant changes. We present a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in a struma ovarii of the left ovary in a 21-year-old female.