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An in-depth understanding of immune escape mechanisms in cancer is likely to lead to innovative advances in immunotherapeutic strategies. However, much remains unknown regarding these mechanisms and how they impact immunotherapy resistance. Using several preclinical tumor models as well as clinical specimens, we identified a mechanism whereby CD8+ T cell activation in response to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade induced a programmed death ligand 1/NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (PD-L1/NLRP3) inflammasome signaling cascade that ultimately led to the recruitment of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) into tumor tissues, thereby dampening the resulting antitumor immune response. The genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of NLRP3 suppressed PMN-MDSC tumor infiltration and significantly augmented the efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody immunotherapy. This pathway therefore represents a tumor-intrinsic mechanism of adaptive resistance to anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy and is a promising target for future translational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examined the potential impact of a school-based youth intervention program on the attitudes and behavioral patterns of at-risk youth. The sample size used in this study was 52; 24 participants received the school-based intervention and 28 participants did not receive the intervention. A two-group pretest-posttest design approach was implemented. A two-phase behavioral intervention was used with at-risk youth who were returning from a remanded period at an alternative school in lieu of expulsion from school. After the conclusion of the intervention program, school attitudes, behavioral indicators and academic success indicators were evaluated. The results of this study revealed that there was a significant treatment effect on youth's school attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alongside the UK Coalition Government's historic public spending cuts, the 'Big Society' has become a major narrative in UK political discourse. This article reviews key features of Big Society policies against their aims of rebalancing the economy and mending 'Broken Britain', with particular reference to their implications for children and young people, and for the voluntary and community sector working with them. Although many positives are acknowledged, flaws are identified in the lack of attention paid to the unique position of children in society, and in an inconsistent conceptualisation of the voluntary sector on which Big Society policies rely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feminist therapy incorporates the psychology of women (e.g., J. B. Miller, 1976), developmental research (e.g., C. Gilligan, 1982), cognitive-behavioral techniques (J. Worell & P. Remer, 1992), multicultural awareness (L. Comas-Diaz & B. Greene, 1994), and social activism (L. S. Brown, 1994) in a coherent theoretical and therapeutic package. It is an orientation that is effective in various venues and with diverse populations. In this article, the authors trace the relevant historical aspects of the orientation along with implications for practice, critiques, and trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for all counselor trainees to simultaneously acquire the Multicultural Counseling Competencies and the revised Career Counseling Competencies is discussed, and the interface between them is examined. The authors recommend the development of simulation and technology resources so that both sets of competencies can be implemented for ongoing learning in counselor education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-eight counselor education students responded to the Defining Issues Test (J. Rest, 1986) and the White Racial Identity Attitude Scale (J. E. Helms & R. T. Carter, 1990) to determine relationships among multicultural training and moral and racial identity development. Results of this exploratory study indicate that multicultural training can be helpful in changing modes of information processing related to racial attitudes but does not seem to promote the cognitive complexity needed for moral development. The discussion includes a recommendation for students to discuss ethical dilemmas and participate in active problem solving specific to multicultural issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Career and work comprise a major portion of most people's lives, yet little attention is given to this topic in the family literature. Furthermore, less attention is provided for exploration of how ethnic minority families address career issues. This article explores the literature for ways in which career counseling is approached from a multicultural family perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the career development of African American women as influenced by her perceptions of racism and sexism. To survive the effects of dual discrimination in the workplace, African American women have developed a coping system. A component of that system might be seen as avoidance of potentially harmful working environments. African American women have typically avoided those career fields in which they perceive or anticipate a pattern of discrimination because they are African American or because they are African American women. Another component of that coping system has been a process of lowing or altering career goals. The identification of goals is influenced by the possibility of attainment. As the African American woman evaluates her perception of the opportunity structure in a selected career field, she may modify her goals to avoid prejudice, discrimination, and disappointments. There is general agreement in the literature that, despite efforts, racism and sexism do exist. There is evidence to show that the internalization of attitudes associated with these biases has a negative effect on the career aspirations of the African American woman.

The article discusses the author's travel in India. Multiple sclerosis does not hinder the author to travel to India with her husband and adopted children. Before she left, she put on a catheter because she has problems with bladder control. She travel mostly on wheelchair. She visited several attractions such as Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, the Palace of the Winds and the orphanage where she and her husband adopted their children.

BACKGROUND: State vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRAs) have been developing business relations capacity for decades, as part of a dual-customer approach. The literature to date explores "demand-side" strategies in VR, but little is known about what infrastructure is being built to sustain demand-side approaches. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe SVRAs' efforts to build capacity in business relations through current policies and practice, staffing and organizational structures, marketing and outreach and other related strategies. METHODS: Researchers conducted a web-based survey of the population of SVRAs (n = 80). The target respondent was the National Employment Team (NET) "single point of contact" for business relations activities at the SVRA. RESULTS: Sixty-seven SVRAs responded to the survey. Results indicate that SVRAs are providing a wide range of services to businesses and engaging in a wide variety of business relations activities. VR has an infrastructure to serve businesses as customers, as supported by data reported about business relations staffing patterns, organizational structures and qualifications of business relations staff. CONCLUSIONS:The results provide important insights for developing a baseline measure ofVRbusiness relations capacity, which should be considered one element of the dual-customer approach and of demand-side strategies in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with severe and enduring mental health difficulties attending groups on 10 inpatient wards were asked to identify the ‘Most Important Event’ (MIE) in each group session they attended, as part of a routine service evaluation. Using the methods of thematic analysis, five main themes were identified from the 192 Most Important Events recorded over the course of one year: Being part of a group, Communication, Help and support, Hope for the future, and Relationships. The main themes and subthemes were largely compatible with Yalom’s therapeutic factors, but also suggested that more fundamental levels of therapeutic factors may be present in groups with people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. These factors include feeling connected, communication, and a sense of belonging. This evaluation of Most Important Events in inpatient groups adds to the evidence base in the field of group analysis and group psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary surfactant lipoproteins lower the surface tension at the alveolar-airway interface of the lung and participate in host `defense. Previous studies reported that surfactant protein A (SP-A) inhibits lymphocyte proliferation. We hypothesized that SP. Amediated modulation of T cell activation depends upon the strength, duration, and type of lymphocyte activating signals. Modulation of I cell signal strength imparted by different activating agents ex vivo and in vivo in different mouse models and in vitro with human T cells shows a strong correlation between strength of signal (SoS) and functional effects of SP-A interactions. T cell proliferation is enhanced in the presence of SP-A at low SoS imparted by exogenous mitogens, specific Abs, APCs, or in homeostatic proliferation. Proliferation is inhibited at higher SoS imparted by different doses of the same T cell mitogens or indirect stimuli such as LPS. Importantly, reconstitution with exogenous SP-A into the lungs of SP-A-/- mice stimulated with a strong signal also resulted in suppression of T cell proliferation while elevating baseline proliferation in unstimulated T cells. These signal strength and SP-A-dependent effects are mediated by changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels over time, involving extrinsic Ca2+-activated channels late during activation. These effects are intrinsic to the global T cell population and are manifested in vivo in naive as well as memory phenotype T cells. Thus, SP-A appears to integrate signal thresholds to control T cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including emotional competence, mental health in young adults, and resilience in adolescence.

Presents a study which looked at the impact of brisk walking on bone mineral density in relation to women who had suffered an limb fracture. Factors which cause osteoporotic fractures; Detailed information on the methodology used to conduct the study; Discussion based on the results of the study.

The authors who worked to prepare this special issue on women and counseling (N. L Kees, L. A. Carlson, R. Parmley, P. Dahlen, K. Evans, A. F. Marbley, et al., 2005) offer a vision for a just, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Recommendations for individual and systemic change needed to realize this future vision are offered. Implications for the American Counseling Association and members of the counseling profession are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]