Multiple cis-regulatory elements are involved in the complex regulation of the sieve element-specific MtSEO-F1 promoter from Medicago truncatula

The sieve element occlusion (SEO) gene family includes several members that are expressed specifically in immature sieve elements (SEs) in the developing phloem of dicotyledonous plants. To determine how this restricted expression profile is achieved, we analysed the SE-specific Medicago truncatula SEO-F1 promoter (PMtSEO-F1) by constructing deletion, substitution and hybrid constructs and testing them in transgenic tobacco plants using green fluorescent protein as a reporter. This revealed four promoter regions, each containing cis-regulatory elements that activate transcription in SEs. One of these segments also contained sufficient information to suppress PMtSEO-F1 transcription in the phloem companion cells (CCs). Subsequent in silico analysis revealed several candidate cis-regulatory elements that PMtSEO-F1 shares with other SEO promoters. These putative sieve element boxes (PSE boxes) are promising candidates for cis-regulatory elements controlling the SE-specific expression of PMtSEO-F1.

Dimensions of satisfaction with mental health treatment

This article reports the development and underlying factor structure of a brief measure of consumer satisfaction. Four factors, accounting for 69.1% of the variance, were extracted. They appeared to measure satisfaction with the quality and outcome of treatment, satisfaction with the intake process, satisfaction with the timing of the termination of treatment, and satisfaction with the costs. Analysis of the content of responses to open-ended questions revealed that most consumer concerns had been addressed in the multiple-choice section of the questionnaire. Differences in client groups in level of satisfaction were found on one factor but not the others, supporting the conclusion that satisfaction should be considered multidimensional.

The community and the dying

The St. Barnabas Committee is a voluntary group whose members are concerned with the quality of life of the dying person. They focus their work on advocacy for needed programs, on public education, and on supportive visiting with dying patients and the network of family, friends, and staff who interact with those patients. Decrying the trend to professionalize and institutionalize services that meet basic human needs, this article describes the St. Barnabas Hospice Committee as an example of community members trying to take care of their own. The role of the psychologist as a consultant rather than leader is discussed.