Introduction to Volume Two of the Special Issue: Developing undergraduate community psychology pedagogy and research practice

Edited by Eylin Palamaro-Munsell, Lauren F. Lichty, and Jen Wallin-Ruschman, this two-volume special issue, “Developing Undergraduate Community Psychology Pedagogy and Research Practice,” highlights the transformative potential of undergraduate community psychology education and research.  Building on experiences practicing community psychology in primarily undergraduate settings, this special issue is designed to serve as a guide for fellow practitioners and as a call to our field. In this introduction, we present key points from each manuscript and highlight cross-cutting themes such as community psychology pedagogy-environment fit and professor-student dynamics that impact practice. We conclude by offering concrete opportunities and an invitation to join us in imagining a Society for Community Research and Action that values and supports undergraduate-focused community psychology pedagogy, research, and practice

Introduction to Volume Two of the Special Issue: Developing undergraduate community psychology pedagogy and research practice

Edited by Eylin Palamaro-Munsell, Lauren F. Lichty, and Jen Wallin-Ruschman, this two-volume special issue, “Developing Undergraduate Community Psychology Pedagogy and Research Practice,” highlights the transformative potential of undergraduate community psychology education and research.  Building on experiences practicing community psychology in primarily undergraduate settings, this special issue is designed to serve as a guide for fellow practitioners and as a call to our field. In this introduction, we present key points from each manuscript and highlight cross-cutting themes such as community psychology pedagogy-environment fit and professor-student dynamics that impact practice. We conclude by offering concrete opportunities and an invitation to join us in imagining a Society for Community Research and Action that values and supports undergraduate-focused community psychology pedagogy, research, and practice

Punk rock as family and community: An exploration of the positive aspects of membership in a music-based subculture

Adolescence is often viewed as a tumultuous time. As teens grow more independent, social interaction with peers becomes increasingly important, and friendships with peers are associated with numerous positive outcomes. However, along with teens’ emerging autonomy and individuation comes increased social risk. Adolescent members of music-based subcultures are thought to be at increased risk for deviant and harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, violence, and increased sexual risk taking. However, there is little empirical evidence to support these claims. This work explores the positive aspects as well as the risks associated with the punk subculture from the perspective of adult members who joined as adolescents. Using an ethnography-informed approach, this qualitative study used interviews and field observations to shed light on the motivations for membership into the punk subculture as well as the experience of membership from the perspective of adults who joined as adolescents. The twelve participants represented equal groups of younger adult (age range 19-25) and older adult (age range 33-44) punks. Multiple themes emerged regarding the participants' entry into punk and the punk identity. Members across both age groups identified benefits. The contributions of these findings to the area's limited research base are detailed, their potential relevance to theory and practice is considered, and directions for future research are outlined

Altered signaling through IL-12 receptor in children with very high serum IgE levels

An alteration of Th1/Th2 homeostasis may lead to diseases in humans. In this study, we investigated whether an impaired IL-12R signaling occurred in children with elevated serum IgE levels divided on the basis of the IgE levels (group A: >2000 kU/l; group B: <2000 kU/l). We evaluated the integrity of the IL-12R signaling through the analysis of phosphorylation/activation of STAT4, and mRNA expression and membrane assembly of the receptor chains. At a functional level, a proliferative defect of lymphocytes from group A patients was observed. In these patients, an abnormal IL-12R signaling was documented, and this finding was associated with abnormal expression of the IL-12Rb2 chain. Our data indicate that in patients with very high IgE levels the generation of Th1 response is impaired, and that this abnormality associates with abnormal IL-12R signaling

From Murine to Human Nude/SCID: The Thymus, T-Cell Development and the Missing Link

Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are disorders of the immune system, which lead to increased susceptibility to infections. T-cell defects, which may affect T-cell development/function, are approximately 11% of reported PIDs. The pathogenic mechanisms are related to molecular alterations not only of genes selectively expressed in hematopoietic cells but also of the stromal component of the thymus that represents the primary lymphoid organ for T-cell differentiation. With this regard, the prototype of athymic disorders due to abnormal stroma is the Nude/SCID syndrome, first described in mice in 1966. In man, the DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) has long been considered the human prototype of a severe T-cell differentiation defect. More recently, the human equivalent of the murine Nude/SCID has been described, contributing to unravel important issues of the T-cell ontogeny in humans. Both mice and human diseases are due to alterations of the FOXN1, a developmentally regulated transcription factor selectively expressed in skin and thymic epithelia

Abnormal cell-clearance and accumulation of autophagic vesicles in lymphocytes from patients affected with Ataxia-Teleangiectasia

Ataxia-Teleangiectasia (A-T) is a neurodegenerative disorder due to mutations in ATM gene. ATM in the nucleus ensures DNA repair, while its role in the cytosol is still poorly clarified. Abnormal autophagy has been documented in other neurodegenerative disorders, thus we evaluated whether alteration in this process may be involved in the pathogenesis of A-T by analyzing the autophagic vesicles and the genes implicated in the different stages of autophagy. Through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence analysis we observed an accumulation of APs associated with a LC3 puncta pattern, and a reduced number of ALs. We also documented an increased expression of genes involved in AP and lysosome biogenesis and function, and a decrease of Vps18 expression, involved in their vesicular trafficking and fusion. mTORC1-controlled proteins were hyperphosphorylated in A-T, in keeping with an increased mTOR inhibitory influence of autophagy. Betamethasone is able to promote the degradation of SQSTM1, a biomarker of autophagy. Collectively, our results indicate that in cells from A-T patients, the APs maturation is active, while the fusion between APs and lysosomes is inappropriate, thus implying abnormalities in the cell-clearance process. We also documented a positive effect of Betamethasone on molecules implicated in autophagosome degradation

Unbalanced Immune System: Immunodeficiencies and Autoimmunity

Increased risk of developing autoimmune manifestations has been identified in different primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs). In such conditions, autoimmunity and immune deficiency represent intertwined phenomena that reflect inadequate immune function. Autoimmunity in PIDs may be caused by different mechanisms, including defects of tolerance to self-antigens and persistent stimulation as a result of the inability to eradicate antigens. This general immune dysregulation leads to compensatory and exaggerated chronic inflammatory responses that lead to tissue damage and autoimmunity. Each PID may be characterized by distinct, peculiar autoimmune manifestations. Moreover, different pathogenetic mechanisms may underlie autoimmunity in PID. In this review, the main autoimmune manifestations observed in different PID, including humoral immunodeficiencies, combined immunodeficiencies, and syndromes with immunodeficiencies, are summarized. When possible, the pathogenetic mechanism underlying autoimmunity in a specific PID has been explained

Primary Immunodeficiencies: novel insights in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic approaches

The immune response is composed of a diverse network of defenses, including cellular components and soluble mediators. A proper immune response relies on the innate immunity, characterized by a rapid and nonspecific initial response to infections and later on the adaptive immunity, characterized by a specific response to a particular antigen. Failure of host defense may occur, causing the dysregulation of the immune system, in particular the onset of immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and cancer predisposition. Primary immunodeficiencies comprise more than 200 different disorders that affect the development and the functions of the immune system. Many scientific papers have been published on the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response and on the mechanisms involved in the correct development of immune system components. Although today the genetic and molecular basis of the principal mechanisms involved in the immune response are well known, some aspect in this field remain unclear. In this thesis, during the three years of my PhD program, I have contributed to elucidate “Primary Immunodeficiencies: novel insight in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic approach”, through the combination of clinical, cellular, functional and molecular approaches. In particular, my research work is focused on the deepening of the knowledge on thymic ontogeny, in particular on the study of the functional role of FOXN1 transcription factor in the development of the T-cell ontogeny and new strategy to develop an in vitro thymic organoid. Moreover, I participate to give a contribution to better define the regulatory mechanisms of the immune system, with particular regard to the central and peripheral tolerance, whom impairment function leads to autoimmunity. Finally, I also participated to better define the role of the immune system genes, whom alteration induce the development of cancer predisposition, endocrine system failure and neurodegeneration. In particular I studied the role of gc in cell cycle progression, strongly related to its cellular amount and GH-R signaling, defining the basis of the physiological interaction between endocrine and immune systems, and the role ATM in the progressive neurological dysfunction. Overall, all my studies were designed in order to clarify unsolved issues and unknown mechanisms underlying the functionality of the immune system. These results could be useful both in the clinical practice and in the basic research of immunedysregulation

Friend, foe or facilitator? The role of the parent-service provider relationship in the early implementation of a family-based community intervention

Early home visiting intervention programmes have been associated with greater familial well-being, yet their success depends on attaining engagement from the outset. Implementation practices, central to positive programme outcomes, rely on a strong relationship between programme providers and families. The present study explored the role of this relationship in the implementation of an Irish early childhood intervention. A randomised controlled trial of the Preparing for Life (PFL) programme was conducted in disadvantaged Dublin communities involving 233 participants recruited during pregnancy and assigned to a high or low intervention group. High intervention involved regular home visits from a trained home visitor providing parenting support and information. This study presents qualitative findings from focus groups with high intervention parents (n=11) and interviews with home visitors (n=5) conducted when participating children were on average 5 months old. Though early engagement challenges were identified, in time parents noted the strengthening parent-home visitor relationship. Findings highlight the importance of programme flexibility and parent-home visitor rapport to programme engagement. Wellbeing did not arise as a salient theme, though it may emerge as a longer-term programme outcome. These findings reveal key aspects of early implementation which may contribute to the ultimate success of the programme