Publication patterns of faculty in commision on accreditation for marriage and family therapy education programs

Ampk regulates IgD expression but not energy stress with B cell activation

Ampk is an energy gatekeeper that responds to decreases in ATP by inhibiting energy-consuming anabolic processes and promoting energy-generating catabolic processes. Recently, we showed that Lkb1, an understudied kinase in B lymphocytes and a major upstream kinase for Ampk, had critical and unexpected roles in activating naïve B cells and in germinal center formation. Therefore, we examined whether Lkb1 activities during B cell activation depend on Ampk and report surprising Ampk activation with in vitro B cell stimulation in the absence of energy stress, coupled to rapid biomass accumulation. Despite Ampk activation and a controlling role for Lkb1 in B cell activation, Ampk knockout did not significantly affect B cell activation, differentiation, nutrient dynamics, gene expression, or humoral immune responses. Instead, Ampk loss specifically repressed the transcriptional expression of IgD and its regulator, Zfp318. Results also reveal that early activation of Ampk by phenformin treatment impairs germinal center formation but does not significantly alter antibody responses. Combined, the data show an unexpectedly specific role for Ampk in the regulation of IgD expression during B cell activation.

Reflecting on the Past: A Content Analysis of Family Therapy Research from 2000-2015

In this content analysis, researchers examine articles published from 2000 to 2015 in three family therapy journals, yielding a total of 948 empirical articles. The purpose is to provide an overview of the research being published, assess who is publishing, and investigate the current state of clinical effectiveness research in marriage and family therapy (MFT). Most first authors were affiliated with MFT programs and primarily included diversity and couples in their research. There was a significant increase of research on clinical process-though the number of clinical outcome studies held steady. There were no significant changes with regard to research funding. Implications support the use of innovative research methods to provide evidence of clinical effectiveness.

A Contextual Therapy Framework for MFT Educators: Facilitating Trustworthy Asymmetrical Training Relationships

This article provides a conceptual framework for asymmetrical relationships between family therapy educators and trainees. Our framework is based on contextual family therapy, and we apply the concepts of trust, entitlement, self-validation, and loyalty to training relationships. We highlight the value of educators modeling responsible uses of power in addition to teaching trainees clinical concepts and skills. We propose that training can be a process where trainers earn constructive entitlement through their interactions with trainees, who then give to future clients, supervisees, and trainees to continue the cycle of intergenerational trustworthiness. We also provide examples that illustrate the application of contextual therapy skills such as multidirected partiality, I-Thou relating, acknowledgment, validation, and accountability to family therapy training.

A Content Analysis of Quantitative Research in Journal of Marital and Family Therapy: A 10-Year Review

We examined the trends of quantitative research over the past 10 years in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (JMFT). Specifically, within the JMFT, we investigated the types and trends of research design and statistical analysis within the quantitative research that was published in JMFT from 2005 to 2014. We found that while the amount of peer-reviewed articles have increased over time, the percentage of quantitative research has remained constant. We discussed the types and trends of statistical analysis and the implications for clinical work and training programs in the field of marriage and family therapy.