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Topic Review
Pseudohermaphroditism
Pseudohermaphroditism (also spelled pseudo-hermaphroditism) is an old clinical term for an organism that is born with primary sex characteristics of one sex but develops the secondary sex characteristics that are different from what would be expected on the basis of the gonadal tissue (ovary or testis). It can be contrasted with the term true hermaphroditism, which described a condition where testicular and ovarian tissue were present in the same individual. This language has fallen out of favor due to misconceptions and pejorative connotations associated with the terms, and also a shift to nomenclature based on genetics. The term male pseudo-hermaphrodite was used when a testis is present, and the term female pseudo-hermaphrodite was used when an ovary is present. In some cases, external sex organs associated with pseudohermaphroditism look intermediate between a typical clitoris and penis. In other cases, the external sex organs have an appearance that would be expected to be seen with the "opposite" gonadal tissue. Because of this, pseudohermaphroditism is sometimes not identified until puberty or adulthood. Associated conditions include 5-α-reductase deficiency and androgen insensitivity syndrome.
  • 1.2K
  • 16 Nov 2022
Topic Review
The Principles and Characteristics of NIR Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy technology is a popular method for quantitative and qualitative analysis in fields such as agricultural products and foods by combining with various chemometric methods. In fact, this is the application basis for spectroscopy and spectral imaging techniques in other fields such as genetics and transgenic monitoring. There has been considerable research using spectroscopy (especially near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy) for the effective identification of agricultural products and foods. The principles and characteristics of NIR spectroscopy and its applications in the detection of transgenic agricultural products and foods are described.
  • 1.2K
  • 03 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Red Queen Hypothesis
The Red Queen hypothesis is a hypothesis in evolutionary biology proposed in 1973, that species must constantly adapt, evolve, and proliferate in order to survive while pitted against ever-evolving opposing species. The hypothesis was intended to explain the constant (age-independent) extinction probability as observed in the paleontological record caused by co-evolution between competing species; however, it has also been suggested that the Red Queen hypothesis explains the advantage of sexual reproduction (as opposed to asexual reproduction) at the level of individuals, and the positive correlation between speciation and extinction rates in most higher taxa.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multi-functional growth factors belonging to the Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) superfamily. These proteins are essential to many developmental processes, including cardiogenesis, neurogenesis, and osteogenesis. Specifically, within the BMP family, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2) was the first BMP to be characterized and has been well-studied. BMP-2 has important roles during embryonic development, as well as bone remodeling and homeostasis in adulthood. Some of its specific functions include digit formation and activating osteogenic genes, such as Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2). Because of its diverse functions and osteogenic potential, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved usage of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) during spinal fusion surgery, tibial shaft repair, and maxillary sinus reconstructive surgery. However, shortly after initial injections of rhBMP-2, several adverse complications were reported, and alternative therapeutics have been developed to limit these side-effects.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Antagonistic Yeasts
Antagonistic yeasts (also known as biocontrol yeasts) are promising substitutes for chemical fungicides in the control of postharvest decay owing to their widespread distribution, antagonistic ability, environmentally friendly nature, and safety for humans.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Space Weather on Human Physiopathology
While the exact nature and mechanisms of action still need to be better understood, some adverse effects of space weather have been related to the occurrence of magnetic storms. Triggered by solar emissions, it takes about one to three days for the effects to be felt on Earth, thus leaving enough time for a warning to be issued. Such a warning system is already in place, for instance in aviation and other human endeavors. Applications in the healthcare system have also emerged. Precisely because non-photic environmental cycles are notoriously wobbly, mapping their non-stationary characteristics in specific frequency ranges as they change over time may lay the foundation to research which features of space weather may influence what aspects of human physio-pathology. Mapping long-term periodicities shared between the environment and biota will facilitate making connections between the presence of non-photic cycles in the cosmos, how they may be affecting the ionosphere and influence weather on Earth, and how these changes can impact agriculture, nutrition, the presence of pathogens, and overall human health.
  • 1.2K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Plant Tolerance to Drought Stress
Increasing temperature leads to intensive water evaporation, contributing to global warming and consequently leading to drought stress. These events are likely to trigger modifications in plant physiology and microbial functioning due to the altered availability of nutrients. Plants exposed to drought have developed different strategies to cope with stress by morphological, physiological, anatomical, and biochemical responses.
  • 1.2K
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Cytoplasmic Actin Mutations
Cytoplasmic actins are abundant molecules in non-muscle cells, including white blood cells. Two forms exist which are referred to as beta- or gamma-cytoplasmic actin encoded by ACTB and ACTG1, respectively. They form the building blocks of the dynamic actin polymers of the cytoskeleton that are involved in migration and motility processes of cells. Whereas mutations in cytoplasmic actins have been discovered in congenital diseases, their prevalence in cancer types has not been studied in detail. We show that within hematological cancer cytoplasmic actin mutations occur with higher frequency in two specific subtypes. Beta-actin mutations occur mainly in the subtype diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or DLBCL whereas gamma-actin mutations occur mainly in multiple myeloma. Mapping these mutations on the three dimensional structure reveals they map to regions of actin that are important in actin polymer formation and, for gamma-actin also for myosin interaction. Given their occurrence in these functionally important regions, their role as potential driver mutations or in disease progression merits further investigation.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Free Radicals
Free radicals are atoms, molecules or ions with one or more unpaired electrons. The most reactive ones have high reduction potentials; i.e., they readily oxidize most molecules indiscriminately. There is a common misconception that all free radicals are highly reactive, but in fact the range of those able to cause biological damage is quite narrow: it is made up principally of hydroxyl, peroxyl, alkoxyl, thiyl, phenoxyl and semiquinone free radicals, and high valence transition ions.
  • 1.2K
  • 07 Oct 2021
Biography
Ajahn Brahm
Phra Visuddhisamvarathera AM, known as Ajahn Brahmavaṃso, or simply Ajahn Brahm (born Peter Betts[1] on 7 August 1951), is a British-Australian Theravada Buddhist monk. Currently Ajahn Brahm is the Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, in Serpentine, Western Australia, Spiritual Adviser to the Buddhist Society of Victoria, Spiritual Adviser to the Buddhist Society of South Australia, Spiritual Patron
  • 1.2K
  • 14 Nov 2022
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