Fear-of-intimacy-mediated zinc transport controls fat body cell dissociation through modulating Mmp activity in Drosophila

Matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) are pivotal extracellular proteinases that have been implicated in tumour invasion and metastasis. Drosophila fat body is important for energy storage and utilization, as well as biosynthetic and metabolic activities. The fat body undergoes remodelling during metamorphosis which is characterized by the dissociation of the fat body into individual cells. Mmps play important roles in the regulation of fat body cell dissociation. Here we show that a zinc transporter fear-of-intimacy (foi) is necessary for the cell dissociation of fat body in Drosophila. The progression of fat body cell dissociation was delayed by fat body-specific foi knockdown while it was accelerated by foi overexpression (OE). In essence, these phenotypes are closely associated with intracellular zinc homeostasis, which can be modulated by dietary zinc intervention or genetic modulation of other zinc transporters. Further study indicated that Mmp1 and Mmp2 levels could be transcriptionally regulated by zinc in vivo. Consistently, the retarded fat body cell dissociation caused by Mmp1 or Mmp2 RNAi could be regulated by modulating the expression of foi. Further, by using Drosophila models of malignant tumour RafGOFscrib−/− and RasV12lgl−/−, we showed that the tumour growth, invasion and migration could be markedly inhibited by foi knockdown. These findings demonstrate a close connection between zinc levels and cell dissociation in vivo, and also suggest that manipulation of zinc levels may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer.

Alexithymia, Fear of Intimacy, and Relationship Satisfaction

Alexithymia, fear of intimacy, attachment security, and mood variables were examined as predictors of satisfaction in couple relationships after accounting for age, sex, relationship length, and marital status. Participants were 158 adults (52% women and 48% men) in an ongoing couple relationship for 1-19 years. They completed validated measures of the variables of interest online. Bivariate correlations were significant for all predicted associations. Multiple mediation modelling examined the hypothesis that the low relationship satisfaction reported by those with alexithymia can be explained by fear of intimacy, insecure attachment, and negative affect, after accounting for relevant covariates. Mediation was indicated for fear of intimacy and negative affect. Such factors may merit particular attention by clinicians working with alexithymic clients in couples therapy.

Alexithymia and Adult Attachment: Investigating the Mediating Role of Fear of Intimacy and Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies

Literature suggests an association between alexithymia and insecure adult attachment, but the mediation factors involved in this relationship are under-investigated. The study was carried out to test the possible mediation roles of the fear of intimacy and negative mood regulation expectancies in explaining this relationship. A convenience sample of 258 Polish adults (mean age: 30; 45% male), completed self-reporting measures related to adult attachment (RAAS), alexithymia (TAS-20), fear of intimacy (FIS) and negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE). The results showed that alexithymia directly and indirectly predicts insecure adult attachment. Alexithymia positively predicts the fear of intimacy, which, in turn, positively predicts insecure adult attachment. Finally, alexithymia negatively predicts NMRE which, in turn, predict insecure adult attachment. It emerges from our data that the fear of intimacy and NMRE may be mediating factors in the relationship between alexithymia and adult attachment. Limitations, future directions of research and guidance for intervention are discussed.

Hannah Peace’s Suicide in Toni Morrison’s Sula: A Psychoanalytic Approach

This research discusses Hannah Peace’s suicide by exploring her past life, from her childhood until she decides to commit suicide. This research aims to find core issues faced by her and what triggers her to commit suicide. Psychoanalysis theories and theory of suicide proposed by Shneidman are applied in this research. The results show that her suicide is caused by psychological pain which stems from many painful experiences in her past life. After exploring her distressing experiences, it can be said that Hannah faces two core issues, which are fear of abandonment and fear of intimacy. However, her suicide is not merely caused by psychological pain. There are two factors which lead to her suicide: intrapsychic and interpersonal factors. Intrapsychic factor refers to the internal psychological processes of an individual, while interpersonal factor refers to the relationship between an individual and other people.

Alexithymia and Self Differentiation: The Role of Fear of Intimacy and Insecure Adult Attachment

It is suggested in literature that there is a link between Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation; however, little is known about possible mediation factors. The goal of this work is to test in a non-clinical population of adults the mediation role of Fear of Intimacy and Adult Attachment in the relationship between Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation. A sample of 258 participants self identified as gay or lesbian, aged 20–50 years (M: 30.29; SD: 7.27), 45% of whom were males, completed self-reported measures of Alexithymia (TAS-20), Self-Differentiation (SDI), Fear of Intimacy (FIS); and Insecure Adult Attachment (RAAS). Our results show that Alexithymia predicts Self-Differentiation both directly and indirectly, through Fear of Intimacy and Insecure adult attachment. In addition, Fear of Intimacy directly influences Self-Differentiation, and also mediates the relationship between Alexithymia and Adult Attachment which, in turn, negatively predicts Self-Differentiation. In conclusion, Alexithymia predicts Self-Differentiation while Fear of Intimacy and adult attachment may act as mediators of the report. Limitations of the study and directions of future research are described.