Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogeneous population of immature cells at various stages of differentiation, characterized by the presence of CD11b and Gr1 in mice. They are major contributors of the tumor-induced immune suppression against the tumors. So far, various strategies have been introduced to overcome the endogenous MDSCs. Most of these approaches rely on the elimination of MDSCs and it is not clear whether tumor-reactive T cells may be differentiated towards phenotypes that are refractory to MDSCc. Our laboratory has previously shown that high affinity T cells derived from tumor-sensitized wild-type FVB mice and expanded ex vivo with the alternating common gamma chain cytokine formulation (initiation of culture with IL-7 + IL-15 followed by one day pulse with IL-2 and continuation of culture with IL-7 + IL-15) can successfully induce tumor regression in FVBN202 transgenic mouse model of breast carcinoma upon adoptive immunotherapy (AIT), only when combined with the depletion of endogenous MDSCs. In this study we have introduced a novel formulation of the sequential common gamma chain cytokines (initiation of culture with IL-7 + IL-15 followed by the expansion with IL-2 until 6 days) for the ex vivo expansion of the autologous and tumor-sensitized low affinity T cells derived from FVBN202 mice and further used for AIT. This novel formulation induced differentiation of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells mainly towards effector and effector/memory phenotypes that were refractory to MDSCs in vitro and in vivo. AIT by using these T cells induced rejection of primary neu positive tumors and generated long-term memory responses against the recall tumor challenge. Importantly, these T cells also resulted in the inhibition of neu antigen negative relapsed tumor cells. Our findings in the present study provide a platform for AIT of breast cancer patients. .

A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology In the faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg February 2016 / Literature on adoption and abandonment in South Africa is somewhat limited. As abandonment is a pressing issue in South Africa, it is important to grow the body of literature so that these children and their adoptive families can be given effective help and support. This study focused on the relationship between adoptive parents and their previously abandoned, adopted children. Emphasis was placed on exploring this relationship and capturing the narrative of these adoptive parents as they provided an account of their experiences in adopting an abandoned child. To help guide this exploration, this study looked at how the experience of being abandoned affects the relationship between the adoptive parent and their adopted child. The study then focused on how good enough parenting ameliorated these early adverse experiences and finally explored the type of help sought by adoptive parents to help their children. The research design employed for this study was qualitative in nature and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five adoptive mothers in Johannesburg. Thematic content analysis was used to obtain themes and interpret the data. The findings of this study revealed that the adopting of abandoned children was a challenging journey yet, given that these adoptive mothers have been good enough caregivers to their children, providing them with consistency and stability in care, they have inspired the birth of relationships that feel more secure. In addition, the findings pointed out that the tracking of the relationship between adoptive parents and the adopted child from pre-pubescent years into pubescent years is likely to reveal more about the relationship. / MT2017

Gender presentation, appearing in a way that fits social expectations of one’s gender role, represents one of the most obvious ways in which one’s gender identity becomes salient to others. This quality is especially relevant to note given the continued controversy surrounding children’s gender role development when raised by non-heterosexual parents. The current study is an examination of how gender presentation develops in adopted children with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parents across two time points (Wave 1: N = 106, Mage = 36.07 months; Wave 2: N = 90, Mage = 8.34). Children’s gender presentation was analyzed using a novel coding scheme, consisting of several variables meant to target the presence of gender typed clothing. These elements of appearance were compared with several measures of child outcomes. It was found that children generally adhere to presentation elements of their assigned gender and there were limited differences by parental sexual orientation in any of the gender presentation variables. Additionally, there was no association found between conformity in gender presentation and children’s self-perception or parent or child gender-typical attitudes. The results of this initial study may prove to be useful in ongoing research surrounding children’s gender typicality.

No description available.

This study focuses on the meaning of the Fatherhood of God in the counselling of the adoptee. A study of relevant literature has shown that the metaphor "God the Father" is seldom incorporated in pastoral counselling. This study explores the possibility of successfully incorporating the concept "Fatherhood of God" in the counselling of the adoptee. In order to do so, the perspectives of the basis theory and metatheory have been investigated. The basis theory has been developed through an exegetical study of Old Testament verses that speak explicitly of the Fatherhood of God, as well as the three Abba-texts of the New Testament. This indicates that the covenant is closely related to the Fatherhood of God. The metatheory has been developed after studying literature regarding adoption from the perspective of other disciplines. The matters identity, rejection and loss have been shown as significant issues in the life of the adoptee. An empirical study has been done in addition to the basis- and metatheory. This investigation has brought to light that the adoptee does in general sense not connect the concept "Fatherhood of God" to his adoption. In order to develop an own model, different existing models have been investigated. Thus it was decided to use the model of Eyrich and Hines as guideline. A model has been developed and proposed that successfully incorporates the research findings of this study. It seems that the concept "Fatherhood" of God can be successfully utilised in the pastoral counselling of the adoptee, especially regarding the issues of identity, rejection and loss. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-135).

The aim of this study was to examine how adoptive parents related to parenting and how they related to their children’s biological origin. Issues that were used were how adoptive parents described their own parenting, how they described their own thoughts about their children eventually wanting to search their biological origin and how adoptive parents described the child´s country of birth attitudes towards adoptees wishes to search their biological origin. The method used was qualitative research interviews. The theory that was used for analyzing the collected data was attachment theory. Results from the study showed that the interviewees had different opinions on how adoptive parenting was understood. The varying interview answers from the interviewees show that there is no general picture of what is specific to be an adoptive parent compared to a biological parent. At the same time, the data shows that all interviewees had experienced specific situations about their parenting that distinguishes them as adoptive parents. The results also showed that the adoptive parents are very positive about their children biological origin. Furthermore, results also showed that attitudes towards adoptees wishes to search their biological origin vary depending on the country of birth.

Cette recherche porte sur les familles et plus particulièrement les fratries d'enfants adoptés à l'international présentant ou non des difficultés d'adaptation. Les objectifs sont entre autres de comprendre la dynamique familiale et l'ajustement à un enfant adopté à l'international présentant ou non des difficultés d'adaptation. Nous souhaitons aussi connaître le point de vue et l'expérience de la fratrie dans ce contexte familial. De plus, nous voulons faire ressortir et proposer des pistes d'intervention pour accompagner la famille et plus particulièrement la fratrie. Il s'agit d'une recherche qualitative de type exploratoire. Nous avons donc effectué des entrevues avec trois familles adoptantes et ce, en deux temps distincts. Dans un premier temps nous avons rencontré le frère ou la sœur de l'enfant adopté à l'international puis dans un deuxième temps, les parents. Les entrevues étaient de type semi-dirigé. Les résultats ont été obtenus à partir d'une analyse thématique; ils sont présentés sous forme d'études de cas. L'analyse a permis de faire ressortir des éléments propres au processus d'ajustement familial. De plus, on constate que les parcours sont difficilement généralisables mais il ressort cependant de nombreuses similitudes. À la suite de l'adoption à l'international, on note de nombreux changements dans la dynamique familiale, par conséquent, la fratrie peut vivre des difficultés mais elle développe aussi des stratégies d'ajustement. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Adoption internationale, famille, fratrie, ajustement, adaptation, dynamique.

Thesis (M.A.) - Simon Fraser University, 2005. / Theses (Faculty of Education) / Simon Fraser University. Also issued in digital format and available on the World Wide Web.

In this small qualitative study, the researcher explores how four families involved in resource foster care services conceptualize concurrent planning in the child welfare system. Analysis of the four semi-structured transcribed interviews revealed four dominant themes: hope and optimism that resource foster care could be a rewarding alternative to further infertility treatment; anger and fear of disruption related to birth family visits; identification of the foster child as their own; and uncertainty regarding resource foster care team rules, roles, and responsibilities. Each theme was influenced by an attachment to the child they were fostering and the fear of losing that child. / The findings suggest that resource foster parents do not fully embrace concurrent planning as a philosophy of care that supports and works towards the best interests of children. Practice principles central to concurrent planning were often abandoned as a result of intense identification with adoptive parenthood status. / The researcher has included a number of recommendations with respect to future studies, training needs, and recruitment strategies. The conclusion states that in the best interests of children, resource foster parents must fully embrace the concept of concurrent planning defined within child welfare context and legislation.