Connections between attachment prototypes and relationship patterns

Connections between attachment styles and relationship patterns are studied on 32 female psychotherapy patients. Our study gives first hints to a connection between attachment variables, assessed by the German version of the Adult Attachment Prototype Rating (AAPR) and predominant relationship patterns, assessed by the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method (CCRT) developed by Luborsky, if both methods are used independently. Subsamples according to the attachment styles show differences in CCRT variables.     

Childhood Stressors and Coping Actions: A Comparison of Children and Parents’ Perspectives

At a time when many children and families are faced with enormous daily life hassles and major stressful events, it is crucial to understand issues pertaining to childhood stress and coping. The present study examined children and parents’ perceptions of childhood stressors and children’s coping actions. Findings reveal that children report higher stress levels than parents. The stressors identified by children range from peer related stressful situations such as being laughed at to internal factors such as lack of control, and major life events such as death of a loved one. Children and parents report a large range of coping actions with three predominant themes—cognitive, social, and emotional coping strategies. Implications for practice are discussed. This research was supported by a General University Research Program Grant from the University of Delaware.     

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 analog structure-function assessment of the rapid stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption (transcaltachia).

The possibility is now emerging that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] can mediate biologic responses via both genomic and nongenomic pathways. To understand the molecular basis of the nongenomic response of transcaltachia, defined as the 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated rapid (2-10 minutes) stimulation of calcium transport from the brush border to the basal lateral membrane of the epithelial cell in vitamin D-replete chick intestine, and to address the issue of whether the same receptor for the secosteroid serves as the signal transducer for both genomic and nongenomic pathways, we carried out structure-function studies using seven analogs of 1,25-(OH)2D3 with different affinities for the classic nuclear 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor as measured by determination in a steroid competition assay of the relative competitive index (RCI). The RCI of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is by definition 100. 1,25-(OH)2D3 initiates transcaltachia within 2-10 minutes of vascular perfusion and yields a biphase response curve. Dose-dependent stimulations of Ca2+ transport by the seven analogs indicates that different structural features are essential for initiating the transcaltachic response as contrasted with binding to the classic nuclear receptor. Vascular perfusion with analogs AT (25-OH-16-ene-23-yne-D3) and Y (25-OH-23-yne-D3), which are known to activate Ca2+ channels but bind very poorly to the classic receptor (RCI less than 0.5), are efficient in stimulating Ca2+ transport. By comparison, compounds BT [1 alpha,24S-(OH)2-22-en-26,27-dehydrovitamin D3] and V (1,25-(OH)2-16-ene-23-yne-D3], which bind very well to the classic nuclear receptor (RCI 75-111) but do not activate Ca2+ channels, are inefficient in stimulating Ca2+ transport. These results indicate that the membrane components that respond to the analogs of 1,25-(OH)2D3 with activation of Ca2+ channels have a different ligand specificity than the classic nuclear receptor.     

NEMO mutations in 2 unrelated boys with severe infections and conical teeth

X-linked recessive anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency is a developmental and immunologic disorder caused by mutations in nuclear factor-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO), which is essential for nuclear factor-kappaB activation. Early in life, affected boys present a typical appearance, with hypotrichosis or atrichosis, hypohidrosis or anhidrosis, and hypodontia or anodontia with conical incisors. They are also susceptible to various microorganisms, mostly pyogenic bacteria and mycobacteria. Here we report 2 unrelated boys, aged 6 and 11 years, who have novel mutations in NEMO and present conical incisors and hypodontia as their sole and long-unrecognized developmental anomaly. One child had isolated recurrent pneumococcal disease, whereas the other had multiple infections. Our observations indicate that conical incisors should prompt the search for NEMO mutations in boys with unusual infectious diseases.