Functional interactions among members of the meiotic initiation complex in fission yeast

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate meiotic recombination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and in other organisms. The Rec12 protein catalyzes the formation of these DSBs in concert with a multitude of accessory proteins the role of which in this process remains to be discovered. In an all-to-all yeast two-hybrid matrix analysis, we discovered new interactions among putative members of the meiotic recombination initiation complex. We found that Rec7, an axial-element associated protein with homologies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rec114, is interacting with Rec24. Rec7 and Rec24 also co-immunoprecipitate in S. pombe during meiosis. An amino acid change in a conserved, C-terminal phenylalanine in Rec7, F325A interrupts the interaction with Rec24. Moreover, rec7F325A shows a recombination deficiency comparable to rec7Δ. Another interaction was detected between Rec12 and Rec14, the orthologs of which in S. cerevisiae Spo11 and Ski8 interact accordingly. Amino acid changes Rec12Q308A and Rec12R309A disrupt the interaction with Rec14, like the according amino acid changes Spo11Q376A and Spo11RE377AA loose the interaction with Ski8. Both amino acid changes in Rec12 reveal a recombination deficient rec12 − phenotype. We propose that both Rec7-Rec24 and Rec12-Rec14 form subcomplexes of the meiotic recombination initiation comple

Values-based action in fibromyalgia: results from a randomized pilot of acceptance and commitment therapy

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by pain, fatigue, and nonrestorative sleep. The disruptive symptoms of FMS are associated with reductions in quality of life related to family, intimate relationships, and work. The present study was part of a randomized pilot study of an 8-week Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention compared to education in a sample of 28 women with FMS. The Chronic Pain Values Inventory was administered at baseline, postintervention, and 12 week follow-up. Both groups showed significant improvements in family success, which were maintained at follow-up. Groups showed a differential pattern of success in work. The ACT group demonstrated significant, maintained improvements in success in intimate relationships, while the education group reported no changes over time. Findings suggest that both interventions may lead to improvements in valued living; however different interventions may be best suited for certain valued domains. The results of this study indicate that FMS patients are able to improve their success in family and intimate relationships and losses in these areas are not necessarily permanent

Trajectory of Change in Pain, Depression, and Physical Functioning after Physical Activity Adoption in Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with widespread pain, depression, and declines in physical functioning. The study purpose was to examine the trajectory of these symptoms over time related to physical activity adoption and maintenance via Motivational Interviewing versus Education, to increase physical activity. There were no treatment group differences, we divided the sample (n = 184) based on changes in physical activity. Repeated measures analyses demonstrated differential patterns in depression, pain, and physical functioning at 24 and 36 weeks. Findings suggest increased physical activity may serve as a multiple-target intervention that provides moderate to large, long-lasting benefits for individuals with FM

Cognitive Appraisals, Coping and Depressive Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients

Depression in breast cancer patients and survivors is related to negative disease outcomes and worse quality of life. Factors that explain this depression can serve as targets of intervention. This study, guided by the Transactional Theory of Stress, examined the relationship between cognitive appraisals, coping strategies and depressive symptoms in a group of women with mostly advanced-stage breast cancer (N = 65), who scored mostly within the normal range for depressive symptoms. Path analysis was used to determine the relationships among variables, measured with the Cognitive Appraisals of Illness Scale, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The results of the path analysis showed that higher appraisals of harm/loss and greater use of escape–avoidance coping predicted higher depressive symptoms. These findings enhance the prediction of depression among breast cancer patients and suggest the need to examine cognitive appraisals when attempting to understand depressive symptoms

Analysing photonic structures in plants.

The outer layers of a range of plant tissues, including flower petals, leaves and fruits, exhibit an intriguing variation of microscopic structures. Some of these structures include ordered periodic multilayers and diffraction gratings that give rise to interesting optical appearances. The colour arising from such structures is generally brighter than pigment-based colour. Here, we describe the main types of photonic structures found in plants and discuss the experimental approaches that can be used to analyse them. These experimental approaches allow identification of the physical mechanisms producing structural colours with a high degree of confidence

Rates of Depression and Anxiety in Cancer Patients: A Review of Cross-National Findings

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. In this paper, we examine the similarities and differences between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU-27) in the incidences, deaths, types of screening, and screening rates for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancers. We highlight the differences between the health care, economic, and sociopolitical systems in the US and EU-27 that result in different types of coverage, access to health care, and cancer screening. Finally, we discuss patient-directed, provider-directed, community-directed, and system-directed interventions and the outcomes of these approaches

The Complex Relationship between Pain Intensity and Physical Functioning in Fibromyalgia: The Mediating Role of Depression

Fibromyalgia (FM) is typically associated with the experience of diffuse pain and physical impairment.Depression also commonly co-exists in patients with FM, and has been correlated with pain intensity and physical functioning.Previous research suggests an association between pain intensity and physical functioning; however, the direct causal relationship between improvements in pain intensity and in functioning is not observed in many FM patients.This may suggest that another factor such as depression is mediating this relationship. The present work examinedmediating role of depression. METHODS: 216 patients with FM completed measures of pain intensity, depression, and physical functionas part of a larger longitudinal study.Assessments were completed at baseline, 12, 24, and 36 weeks.RESULTS: Longitudinal mediational analyses indicated that depression is a partial mediator of the relationship between pain intensity and physical functioningat all four assessment points.Beta coefficients for the path from pain to physical functioning ranged from 0.18 –0.36, with attenuated path coefficients ranging from 0.03 –0.08, still showing significant but decreased associations when depression was added as a mediator. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical implication includes the importance of treating co-morbid depression in patients with fibromyalgia early in the course of treatment to prevent engagement in the cycle of disability

Dyadic influence of hope and optimism on patient marital satisfaction among couples with advanced breast cancer

PURPOSE: An estimated 10-40 % of breast cancer (BC) patients report negative changes to their partnered relationships. Literature suggests that for these patients, marital satisfaction is related to depression and other quality of life factors which are associated with survivorship and treatment response. However, existing literature does not provide a clear explanation of the factors that strengthen vs. create strain in couples facing cancer. Given the benefits of a satisfying relationship to patient quality of life, it is important to better understand factors that put patients at greater risk for marital difficulties. This study examined the differential and combined roles of hope and optimism among BC patients and their partners on patient marital satisfaction. METHOD: Fifty-six breast cancer patient-partner dyads completed study questionnaires as part of a larger study. Regression analyses were used to examine the main and interaction effects of patient and partner hope and optimism on patient marital satisfaction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Higher patient and partner hope predicted greater patient marital satisfaction, whereas optimism did not. These results are divergent from the literature on optimism and well-being, which shows the importance of studying these two traits concurrently. Interaction effects suggest certain combinations of patient and partner hope and optimism are more beneficial than others for patient marital satisfaction and suggest a dyadic approach is important for investigation of well-being in breast cancer