Covenant Attachment: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Christian Couples and God.

The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to develop a deeper understanding of the relational system of married couples and God. We interviewed nine marital couples from Christian denominations that reported having a strong relationship with each other and with God together. We used constructivist grounded theory techniques presented by Charmaz (2006) and analyzed emergent categories of behaviors, emotions, and cognitions to construct a theory and model of Christian marital couples and their shared relationship with God. We then compared and contrasted the results and theory to existing literature on attachment theory and theorized a shared attachment to God. We applied the theological concept of kinship covenant to the results in order to organize and situate the theory into a Christian framework. Finally, we discuss clinical, pastoral, and future research implications.

Metabolic syndrome status changes with fitness level change: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiorespiratory fitness level is inversely related to the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This study examined the effects of changes in cardiorespiratory fitness level on MetS status. METHODS: Male and female participants in a health enhancement program (n = 212) were clinically examined for changes in their MetS status and estimated aerobic capacity over a 3-year period. Two physical examinations, each including a maximal treadmill stress test, occurred within this time frame. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 103) was composed of individuals who presented with MetS at exam 1 and reversed their MetS disease status by exam 2; Group 2 (n = 75) members presented with MetS at both exams; and Group 3 (n = 34) individuals were MetS-free at exam 1 but acquired MetS by exam 2. The relationships between MetS clinical characteristics at exam 1 and exam 2 and changes in graded exercise test (GXT) duration were contrasted for the three groups. RESULTS: GXT duration, estimated aerobic capacity (VO(2) max), and MetS characteristics improved significantly in Group 1 (P < 0.01). Group 2 individuals also increased GXT duration (P < 0.05) but showed only nonsignificant improvements (P > 0.05) in clinical characteristics. Group 3 members declined in most MetS characteristics and in estimated VO(2) max (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in GXT duration accompanied MetS reversal while declines in GXT duration occurred with MetS acquisition. On an individual basis, these changes in GXT duration may be an indicator of disease status.

aph-1 and pen-2 are required for Notch pathway signaling, gamma-secretase cleavage of betaAPP, and presenilin protein accumulation.

Presenilins are components of the gamma-secretase protein complex that mediates intramembranous cleavage of betaAPP and Notch proteins. A C. elegans genetic screen revealed two genes, aph-1 and pen-2, encoding multipass transmembrane proteins, that interact strongly with sel-12/presenilin and aph-2/nicastrin. Human aph-1 and pen-2 partially rescue the C. elegans mutant phenotypes, demonstrating conserved functions. The human genes must be provided together to rescue the mutant phenotypes, and the inclusion of presenilin-1 improves rescue, suggesting that they interact closely with each other and with presenilin. RNAi-mediated inactivation of aph-1, pen-2, or nicastrin in cultured Drosophila cells reduces gamma-secretase cleavage of betaAPP and Notch substrates and reduces the levels of processed presenilin. aph-1 and pen-2, like nicastrin, are required for the activity and accumulation of gamma-secretase.

Sequence of the Tribolium castaneum homeotic complex: the region corresponding to the Drosophila melanogaster antennapedia complex.

The homeotic selector genes of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, are located in a single cluster. We have sequenced the region containing the homeotic selector genes required for proper development of the head and anterior thorax, which is the counterpart of the ANTC in Drosophila. This 280-kb interval contains eight homeodomain-encoding genes, including single orthologs of the Drosophila genes labial, proboscipedia, Deformed, Sex combs reduced, fushi tarazu, and Antennapedia, as well as two orthologs of zerknüllt. These genes are all oriented in the same direction, as are the Hox genes of amphioxus, mice, and humans. Although each transcription unit is similar to its Drosophila counterpart in size, the Tribolium genes contain fewer introns (with the exception of the two zerknüllt genes), produce shorter mRNAs, and encode smaller proteins. Unlike the ANTC, this region of the Tribolium HOMC contains no additional genes.