Fibromyalgia family and relationship impact exploratory survey.

Background: Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with impairments in activities of daily living and work disability. Limited data have investigated the impact of fibromyalgia on relationships with family and friends.

Objectives: This exploratory study was designed to survey a large community sample of adults with fibromyalgia about the impact on the spouse/partner, children and close friends.

Crystallization of the oligopeptide-binding protein AppA from Bacillus subtilis.

AppA is the membrane-anchored extracellular receptor component of an ABC transporter responsible for the uptake of oligopeptides into Bacillus subtilis. AppA has been overexpressed as a cleavable maltose-binding protein fusion in Escherichia coli. Following removal of the fusion portion, AppA has been crystallized from morpholinoethanesulfonic acid-buffered solutions at pH 6.