Executive function does not predict coping with symptoms in stable patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Associations between coping with and control over psychotic symptoms were examined using the Maastricht Assessment of Coping Strategies-24, testing the hypothesis that the cognitive domain of executive functioning predicted quality and quantity of coping.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MACS-24 was administered to 32 individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. For each of 24 symptoms, experience of distress, type of coping and the resulting degree of perceived control were assessed. Coping types were reduced to two contrasting coping categories: symptomatic coping (SC) and non-symptomatic coping (NSC; combining active problem solving, passive illness behaviour, active problem avoiding, and passive problem avoiding). Cognitive functioning was assessed using the GIT (Groninger Intelligence Test), the Zoo map (BADS: Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive function), Stroop-test and Trail making.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cognitive function was not associated with frequency of coping, nor did cognitive function differentially predict SC or NSC. Cognitive function similarly was not associated with symptom distress or level of perceived control over the symptom.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was no evidence that cognitive function predicts quantity or quality of coping with symptoms in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Variation in the realm of emotion regulation and social cognition may be more predictive of coping with psychotic symptoms.</p

Phosphorylation of FAK, PI-3K, and Impaired Actin Organization in CK-positive Micrometastatic Breast Cancer Cells

Several markers have been used to detect circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer. However, analysis of activated signaling kinases in CTC implicated in cellular transformation, migration, and survival has not been addressed so far. In the present study, we focused on the phenotypic profile of micrometastatic cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) preparations from 45 breast cancer patients. PBMC cytospins from 28 cytokeratin (CK)-positive and 17 CK-negative samples were assessed for the expression of phosphorylated FAK (p-FAK), phosphorylated PI-3 kinase (p-PI-3K), and HER2 using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The expression of p-FAK was documented in all 28 CK-positive samples, while all 17 CK-negative samples were tested negative for p-FAK. Immunomagnetic separation using EpCAM antibody fully confirmed these findings, implying a sound correlation for the co-expression of the two molecules. Interestingly, 15 of 28 CK- and p-FAK-positive samples also expressed the HER2 oncoprotein. p-PI-3K was documented in 15 of 17 CK- and p-FAK-positive samples. Immunoblot analysis of micrometastatic cells in co-culture with PBMC confirmed the specific expression of both p-FAK and p-PI-3K. Finally, impaired actin organization was apparent in CK- and p-FAK/p-PI-3K-positive samples, comparable to that observed in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Our findings provide strong evidence that micrometastatic cells express activated signaling kinases, which may regulate migration mechanisms, supporting the presumption of their malignant and metastatic nature

Behavioral therapies.

Intervention for the core symptoms and comorbid conditions associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) primarily involves behavioral and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. This chapter reviews the relevant research for the effectiveness of these approaches across several areas. It begins with a review of the rapidly growing research focused on early intervention for young children with ASD. Next, interventions for persons on the severe end of the autism spectrum are discussed. Specifically, studies focus either on symptomatic treatment (e.g., increasing social skills) or on packages of treatments that are designed to address the range of difficulties persons with ASD display. The chapter then describes the nascent research on persons on the milder end of the spectrum—especially work on social skills training. Finally, a growing research base on treating comorbid conditions (e.g., anxiety, sleep problems) is also briefly reviewed. A theme throughout the chapter is the need to individualize treatment and the special needs of the range of persons with ASD