Biological Reasons Research Articles

OC-071 Biomechanical Causes for Failure of The Physiomesh/Securestrap System. Experimental study

Abstract Introduction Physiomesh/Securestrap system entered market in 2013 and despite its producer assurence it become a spectacular disaster, eliminating Ethicon from market and resulting in multi-milion dollar lawsuits. The biological reasons for faileure of the Physiomesh implant were partly explained in animal models. However conlusions suggested that apart from biological components failure of Physiomesh/Securestrap was mainly due to biomechanical factors. Aim Based on above assumptions we assembled a multidisciplinary team to examine the biomechanical reasons of failure of Physiomesh/Securestrap system. Material and Methods Three kinds of experiments were performed with the use of porcine model to conclude on the reasons of system failure in the natural conditions: uni-axial test of mesh samples, determination of the mesh-tissue junction force limit and mesh-staples-tissue model behaviour under high “intra-abdominal” pressure load. Results Main reason for failure of Physiomesh/Securestrap is its primary concept. Building a mathematical model describing the forces acting on the implant anchored to anterior abdominal wall demonstrated that mesh lacked proper distribution of elasticity. Despite promising preclinical studies on the rabbit and porcine model, our experiment showed that it cannot me directly translated into humans. Conclusions The results of research on the cause and mechanism of failure of the Physiomesh/Securestrap system allow to draw conclusions to avoid similar errors in the future. The findings not only to expose the cause for the failure of Physiomesh/Securestrap, but also allow to better understand the forces acting within the abdominal cavity. Optimally, this will prevent similar situations from arising in the future.

Comparative Spatial Distribution of Sucking Insect-Pest-Complex in Summer and Monsoon Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Background: Pulse crops are known as an important dietary source of proteins for a major part of the vegetarian population across the globe; especially in India. Legume crops help restoration of soil fertility through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Spatial distribution is an important aspect as it interprets the interaction between individuals of the species and their habitat. The biological reason of aggregation is highly unpredictable and it depends on behavioural pattern of the insect; therefore, spatial distribution accounts for informative description of organisms. Methods: In order to study the spatial distribution of sucking pests of cowpea, a field trial was laid out during Zaid and Kharif separately at the Instructional Farm of Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur in 2019 and 2020. Cowpea variety Pusa Komal was cultivated in 6 plots each of 3 m x 3 m with the row to row and plant to plant spacing of 50 cm and 10 cm, respectively. Different distribution pattern were used to determine spatial distribution pattern of species of insect fauna associated with cowpea during the summer and monsoon season. Result: The spatial distribution for most the insect pest complex was contagious during both the respective seasons. All positive IDM (index of clumping) values confirmed the clumping of the pest during the season. The mean crowding index was more than unity, indicated clumped interaction.

Racism as a Social Determinant of Health in Brazil in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines disparity as the unnecessary, avoidable, and unfair treatment of two groups based on identified differences.[1] Racial disparities refer to the different treatment of distinct subgroups of people based on differences without any scientifically proven biological reason.[2]

Analysis of recent (2015-2020) imported food data in South Korea with recall cases

The management of imported food products is highly important for the prevention of foodborne illnesses. This study analyzed the recent data (2015-2020) on imported food products in South Korea. During this period, the highest number of products were imported from China, with an average of 184,722 products, followed by the United States and Japan representing 95,454, and 46,306 products, respectively. Equipment, containers, and packaging items were most frequently imported from China, with an average of 33.4%. Conversely, processed food was most frequently imported from the United States and Japan, with averages of 34.7 and 43.4%, respectively. A total of 654 recall cases were reported during this period, with the largest number of cases being associated with the United States (30.2%), followed by China (29.4%). Chemical hazards were the major reason for recall (58%), followed by biological (13.4%) and physical reasons (6.1%). Overall, this information may be useful for the management of imported food items to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Long-Term Effects of SARS-CoV-2 in the Brain: Clinical Consequences and Molecular Mechanisms.

Numerous investigations have demonstrated significant and long-lasting neurological manifestations of COVID-19. It has been suggested that as many as four out of five patients who sustained COVID-19 will show one or several neurological symptoms that can last months after the infection has run its course. Neurological symptoms are most common in people who are less than 60 years of age, while encephalopathy is more common in those over 60. Biological mechanisms for these neurological symptoms need to be investigated and may include both direct and indirect effects of the virus on the brain and spinal cord. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia, as well as persons with Down syndrome (DS), are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, but the biological reasons for this are not clear. Investigating the neurological consequences of COVID-19 is an urgent emerging medical need, since close to 700 million people worldwide have now had COVID-19 at least once. It is likely that there will be a new burden on healthcare and the economy dealing with the long-term neurological consequences of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and long COVID, even in younger generations. Interestingly, neurological symptoms after an acute infection are strikingly similar to the symptoms observed after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion, including dizziness, balance issues, anosmia, and headaches. The possible convergence of biological pathways involved in both will be discussed. The current review is focused on the most commonly described neurological symptoms, as well as the possible molecular mechanisms involved.

A Framework for Evidentiary Reasoning in Biology: Insights from Laboratory Courses Focused on Evolutionary Tree-thinking.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11191-023-00435-6.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PEMPHIGUS AND PSORIASIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Pemphigus vulgaris, foliaceus, paraneoplastic, IgA, and herpetiformis are autoimmune bullous diseases. Epidemiologically heterogeneous symptoms characterize pemphigus. The first non-HLA genes related with PV have been found, and our knowledge of pemphigus frequency, which varies widely between populations, has increased. Pemphigus causes blisters and lesions. This polymorphism is also linked to many comorbidities, including autoimmune illnesses, hematological malignancies, and psoriasis. Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated papulosquamous skin illness that results from immune system dysregulation. It is characterized by severe inflammatory and hyperproliferative alterations in the affected areas of the skin. Psoriasis has traditionally been linked to bullous pemphigoid, which is a subepidermal autoimmune bullous illness. Pemphigus is a group of IgG-mediated blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes' squamous epithelium. Pemphigus causes painful intraepidermal blisters and erosions. Pemphigus disease is chronic and autoimmune, which has increased research into its link with other autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders. Pemphigus and psoriasis have been reported to co-occur, however their relationship is uncertain. Yet, there are also additional biological plausible reasons for this link. The "epitope spreading phenomena" may have caused the disease. This occurs when a primary autoimmune or inflammatory response damages tissue. Hence, the immune system can now detect some protein components, triggering a subsequent autoimmune reaction. Psoriasis patients are three times more likely to develop pemphigus. Psoriasis doctors should know about this epidemiological trend.

Neuropsychoanalysis and Neuroaesthetics: Between the Approximation of Knowledge and the Critique of Biological Reason

Movements, in the last fifty years, have been bringing knowledge closer to the new knowledge coming from the neurosciences. In this brief essay, we intend to analyze neuropsychoanalysis and neuroaesthetics, as promising areas in these terms. Such an analysis will be based on critical theory, conceptualized mainly by Adorno and Horkheimer, especially considering that “On the path to modern science, men renounced meaning and replaced the concept with the formula, the cause with the rule and probability”. Therefore, in relation to neuropsychoanalysis, its historical and scientific foundations, the international movement that gave rise to the area, its purposes and objections attributed to it will be analyzed. Regarding neuroaesthetics, its emergence, its relations with conceptual art and the neurohistory of art will be presented, as well as possible intrinsic parallels to sensation and experience. Finally, following the objective of the essay, the epistemological critique of these areas will be done through the concepts of Gestell (Heidegger) and Ecosofia (Guattari), as well as supported by Valéry and Teresa D’Ávila.

Production of sintered glass-ceramic composites from low-cost materials

Considering that wastes are harmfull for the environment and human health due to certain physical, chemical and biological reasons; the necessity of systematic implementation of waste management comes to the fore. Waste management provides advantages to for industrial manufacturing with less pollut on, cheaper and competitively superior products. With the waste recycling, the needs for raw materials and the impact of production on the environment will decrease. This study proposed to produce low-cost sintered glass-ceramic composite by adding a mixture of molten mining tailings, recycled glasses and alumina platelets at different rates. The results showed that glass-ceramic composite made by 50 wt % molten tailings, 25 wt % recycled borosilicate glass and 25 wt % alumina platelets exhibited the best properties (2.39 g/cm3 bulk density, 0.22 ± 0.01% water absorption and 84± 9 MPa bending strength). In this study, considering the consumptions of raw material resources, it was seen that glass and mine residues can be used as secondary raw materials in glass ceramic composite production when cost and environmental issues are matter.

Optogenetic stimulation of mouse Hoxb8 microglia in specific regions of the brain induces anxiety, grooming, or both

Previously, we have shown that either disruption of the Hoxb8 gene or ablation of a microglial subpopulation, Hoxb8 microglia, results in mice exhibiting both chronic anxiety and OCSD-like behavior, compulsive pathological hair pulling (trichotillomania), to the point of showing lesions at the sites of overgrooming. Herein we show, that optogenetic stimulation of Hoxb8 microglia in specific regions of the brain induces elevated anxiety, grooming or both. Optogenetic stimulation of Hoxb8 microglia within the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) or the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) induces grooming, whereas stimulation of Hoxb8 microglia in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or central amygdala (CeA) produces elevated anxiety. Optogenetic stimulation of Hoxb8 microglia in the ventral CA1 region of the hippocampus (vCA1) induces both behaviors as well as freezing. In vitro we directly demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of Hoxb8 microglia in specific regions of the brain activate neighboring neural activity through the induction of the c-fos-immediate early response. These experiments connect outputs from optogenetically stimulated Hoxb8 microglia, within specific regions of the brain, to the activation of neurons and neural circuits that in turn enable induction of these behaviors. These experiments suggest that Hoxb8 microglia are likely to be among, or the main, first responders to signals that evoke these behaviors. The same regions of the brain (DMS, mPFC, BLA, CeA and vCA1) have previously been defined at the neuronal level, by optogenetics, to control anxiety in mice. Intriguingly, the optogenetic experiments in microglia suggest that the two populations of microglia, canonical non-Hoxb8 and Hoxb8 microglia, function in opposition rather than in parallel to each other, providing a biological reason for the presence of two microglial subpopulations in mice.

On the Impact of Environmental Design on Mental Disorders in Adolescents

High prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, tic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and separation anxiety disorder in the population aged 6 to 11 years is becoming an increasingly urgent social problem, in order to solve which various methodologies have been raised, but all of which have been proved that negative effects coexist with the expected results. This passage is going to solve the dilemma that no perfect solution is precedent and available. In this passage, a new mitigation method which is asserted to be both efficient and harmless is raised. This passage indicates the potential causes of mental disorders occurring among adolescents, which are biological reasons, endocrine functions, physical causes, family factors and parental rearing methods. Traditionally utilized methodologies, which are drug therapies, sensory deprivation laws, room restriction laws, however, have been proved to be equipped with certain disadvantages. Therefore, it is anticipated that the validity of the mechanism raised in the passage can be overhauled by professionals and that the methodology itself can be generalized and utilized in order to solve the serious problem that adolescents are suffering from mental disorders which the entire society is willing to and eager for certain actions to be taken.

The Research on the Social Media Addiction and Mental Disorders

Along with the rapid development of media technology, social media has become an indispensable part of human life. Social media enables the spread of information that exceeds the restriction of physical and temporal boundaries. While enhancing the convenience and connectedness of human beings, social media, to some extent, grievously affects people’s internal well-being. The widespread use of media platforms leads to social media addiction, especially among the young generation.This article takes teenagers as the research object, and uses the literature reading method to explore the causes and consequences of social media addiction. According to the research results, the reason about social media additions includes biological reasons, psychological reasons and social reasons. Consequences of social media addition among young generations include the shape of toxic beauty standards, body shaming, beauty and eating disorders. Social media has created a platform where people share only the positive part of themselves; peer pressure has formed under these circumstances. Adolescents are predominantly the victims of mainstream beauty standards. Body shaming and eating disorders are the representative psychological impacts due to the dissatisfaction with one's physical characteristics and the desire to be more "beautiful".

Why does the X chromosome lag behind autosomes in GWAS findings?

The X-chromosome is among the largest human chromosomes. It differs from autosomes by a number of important features including hemizygosity in males, an almost complete inactivation of one copy in females, and unique patterns of recombination. We used data from the Catalog of Published Genome Wide Association Studies to compare densities of the GWAS-detected SNPs on the X-chromosome and autosomes. The density of GWAS-detected SNPs on the X-chromosome is 6-fold lower compared to the density of the GWAS-detected SNPs on autosomes. Differences between the X-chromosome and autosomes cannot be explained by differences in the overall SNP density, lower X-chromosome coverage by genotyping platforms or low call rate of X-chromosomal SNPs. Similar differences in the density of GWAS-detected SNPs were found in female-only GWASs (e.g. ovarian cancer GWASs). We hypothesized that the lower density of GWAS-detected SNPs on the X-chromosome compared to autosomes is not a result of a methodological bias, e.g. differences in coverage or call rates, but has a real underlying biological reason-a lower density of functional SNPs on the X-chromosome versus autosomes. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that (i) the overall SNP density of X-chromosome is lower compared to the SNP density on autosomes and that (ii) the density of genic SNPs on the X-chromosome is lower compared to autosomes while densities of intergenic SNPs are similar.

Male and female academics' gendered perceptions of academic work and career progression in China

AbstractThis article explores the experiences of male and female academics in China's higher education system concerning career progression and examines how they perceive the challenges faced by the opposite gender. Our analysis of interviews with 40 academics from a research university revealed that academics' experience of career progression is informed by gendered divisions of labour at home and work and by gendered role expectations that are prevalent in Chinese culture. Female academics reported performing a disproportionate amount of household work: some felt satisfied with having moderately successful academic careers, whereas others aspired to do more but grappled with the difficulties of doing so. In contrast, male academics mentioned great pressure to pursue promotion and career progression: they reported feeling less work–family stress but were fearful of failing in their role as breadwinners. Male and female academics showed mixed comprehension of each other's plight, but in general, female academics recognised that male academics faced higher career expectations but lower household burdens, and male academics felt that female academics had lower career expectations and many more burdens and constraints. Male academics tended to stress biological and societal reasons for gender differences in Chinese academia, whereas female academics highlighted the power of cultural and social beliefs. We argue that the challenges faced by Chinese academics can only be mitigated if gender‐specific promotion paths that recognise men's and women's social roles and obligations are made available.

Where are all the egg genes?

Complementary forward and reverse genetic approaches in several model systems have resulted in a recent burst of fertilization gene discovery. The number of genetically validated gamete surface molecules have more than doubled in the last few years. All the genetically validated sperm fertilization genes encode transmembrane or secreted molecules. Curiously, the discovery of genes that encode oocyte molecules have fallen behind that of sperm genes. This review discusses potential experimental biases and inherent biological reasons that could slow egg fertilization gene discovery. Finally, we shed light on current strategies to identify genes that may result in further identification of egg fertilization genes.

Functional impact of multi-omic interactions in breast cancer subtypes.

Multi-omic approaches are expected to deliver a broader molecular view of cancer. However, the promised mechanistic explanations have not quite settled yet. Here, we propose a theoretical and computational analysis framework to semi-automatically produce network models of the regulatory constraints influencing a biological function. This way, we identified functions significantly enriched on the analyzed omics and described associated features, for each of the four breast cancer molecular subtypes. For instance, we identified functions sustaining over-representation of invasion-related processes in the basal subtype and DNA modification processes in the normal tissue. We found limited overlap on the omics-associated functions between subtypes; however, a startling feature intersection within subtype functions also emerged. The examples presented highlight new, potentially regulatory features, with sound biological reasons to expect a connection with the functions. Multi-omic regulatory networks thus constitute reliable models of the way omics are connected, demonstrating a capability for systematic generation of mechanistic hypothesis.

Etiology of dental implant complication and failure—an overview

<abstract> <p>Dental implant treatment is turning into a widely accepted and popular treatment option for patients. With the growing era of dental implant therapy, complications and failures have also become common. Such intricacies are becoming a vexing issue for clinicians as well as patients. Implant failures can be due to mechanical or biological reasons. Failure of osseointegration of the implant falls under biological failures, whereas mechanical complications include fracture of the implant, framework or prosthetic components. Diligently observing the implant after placement is the first step in managing the declining circumstances. It is important to have a thorough understanding of how and why implants fail to achieve successful treatment outcomes in the long run. In dentistry, nanoparticles are used to make antibacterial chemicals that improve dental implants. They can be used in conjunction with acrylic resins for fabricating removable dentures during prosthetic treatments, composite resins for direct restoration during restorative treatments, endodontic irrigants and obturation materials during endodontic procedures, orthodontic adhesives and titanium coating during dental implant procedures. This article aimed to review the etiological factors that lead to implant failure and their solutions.</p> </abstract>

Prognostic role of NRAS-related pharmacogenetics in metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma

Saha et al. deserve appreciation for addressing the enigmatic issue of tumor pharmacogenetics in thyroid cancer, through the interesting case, “NRAS mutation in differentiated thyroid cancer,” published in the Molecular Tumor Board section of the previous issue of the journal.[1] They have nicely narrated the chronological events in the natural history, response to biological therapy, and related genetics in a patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma. We have few pertinent comments and queries. First, NRAS mutation is the most common mutation reported in follicular adenomas, follicular thyroid cancer, and the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer, among the RAS gene (H, N, K) family.[2] Second, the genetic mechanisms of thyroid cancer cell biology are complex including genetic, epigenetic, sequential, evolving, and superadded mutations leading to clonal evolution. Third, the expanding genetic database, especially after next-generation sequencing studies, has shifted the clinical paradigm to predicting the natural history, tumor biology, response to radioidodine therapy, and response to biological therapy based on these molecular footprints.[3] Fourth, the ultimate aim of predicting prognosis, response of residual disease, response of metastasis, and influence of biological therapy on re-differentiation are the latest areas of active research in cancer tumor science. Fifth, the dramatic regression of progressive, refractory metastatic recurrences as reported in this case, is a very rare and interesting phenomenon. Such a favorable response in thyroid cancer has been reported in the past, but the biological reason is speculative.[4] It has been shown that suppression of oncogenic NRAS has induced apoptosis in human melanoma cell lines.[5] Sixth, thyroid cancer genetics are not static, but dynamically evolving, as shown in the sequential genetic mechanisms influencing the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, de-differentiation of papillary thyroid cancer to anaplastic thyroid cancer, and re-differentiation of thyroid cancer tissues.[2] Lastly, a single universal gene panel including common genes associated with thyroid cancer such as RAS, BRAF, and RET/PTC rearrangements for routine clinical use, is the need of the hour. Such a panel, for prognosticating and treating papillary thyroid cancer, is an ambitious target for future thyroid cancer management. The present paper would have been enhanced by a pathophysiological explanation of the role of NRAS pharmacogenetics in papillary thyroid cancer. A paragraph on the plausible reasons for the good response to downstream biological therapies targeting MEK, ERK, mTOR, and P13K genes would have added more value. The possible reasons could include pharmacogenetics, induced apoptosis, or other as-yet-unknown causes. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

A Psychological Study of Non-Verbal Communication Differences Between Men and Women in Sri Lanka

Non-verbal communication refers to the use of body language, facial expressions, gestures, and the tone of voice to convey meaning without the use of words. Non-verbal cues can include things like eye contact, posture, hand movements, and facial expressions. These cues can often communicate more information than verbal communication alone, and can also convey emotions, attitudes, and intentions. Non-verbal communication is a crucial aspect of human communication and can greatly influence how we perceive others and how we are perceived in return. It is also an important area of study in fields like psychology, anthropology, and communication studies. This research aims to psychologically investigate non-verbal communication differences between females and males in Sri Lanka. For this study, 100 girls and boys between the ages of 20 and 25 were selected from the two main faculties of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka, The Faculty of Management and Commerce and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. A sample of 50 girls and 50 boys was selected from each faculty using the random sampling. The observation method was used to collect data from students. In this research, a qualitative analysis method was used for data analysis. According to this study, same-sex and mixed-sex students randomly observed their communications with each other. During the data collection, students observed non-verbal communication methods such as hand and foot movements, eye contact, facial expression and, standing posture, distance during the conversation, and touching each other. Every part of this study, which was conducted using male and female university students, confirmed that women were ahead of men in non-verbal communication. Although academics have offered sociological, biological, and psychological reasons why women use more non-verbal communication tactics compared to men, according to the study, psychological reasons are more common. Accordingly, it was recognized that women use these non-verbal communication strategies to satisfy the natural characteristics of women, such as female attraction, the need to talk more, and the desire to join groups.

Glycated Haemoglobin Determination in the Biological Follow-Up of Diabetic Subjects Admitted to the Endocrinology Department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou

Introduction: One of the biological markers for monitoring glycaemic control in diabetic patients is glycated protein. The definition of a reference method to improve the accuracy of measurement tools is necessary. The aim of our study was to assess the glycemic control of diabetic patients based on glycated hemoglobin. Patients and Method: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in April 2021 at the national university hospital center (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou. All patients who consulted during the period and who gave their consent were included. After collecting the blood samples according to the classical standards of the pre-analytical phase, we measured the blood glucose level and the HbA1c. Results: The mean blood glucose level of the patients was 1.52 ± 0.16 g/L with extremes of 0.80 g/L and 3.5 g/L. The mean HbA1c proportion was 8.39% ± 0.60% with a minimum and maximum value of 5.40% and 16% respectively. We also noted that the mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 28.61 ± 1.46 Kg/m2 with extremes of 17.50 Kg/m2 and 46.02 Kg/m2. Oral anti diabetic and hygienic-dietary measures were used by 44 patients (80%) and hygienic-dietary measures (HDM) only used by 9.09%. A frequency of 87.53% of patients had at least one degenerative complication. Retinopathy was the most observed degenerative disease (36.36%) followed by cardiovascular disease (25.45%). Conclusion: This study showed that there is a poor correlation between fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels, which could be due to several biological and clinical reasons. It also showed that despite the respect of hygienic dietary measures and a well conducted treatment, it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory glycemic balance in obese patients.