Discovering the root of obesity through the symbology of food: a historical and cultural exploration

Obesity is fast becoming a worldwide issue with detrimental health consequences. The increasing availability of effective nutritional strategies, physical exercise regimes and behaviour modification approaches to weight loss do not offer a satisfactory explanation as to why only two to five percent of people who have lost weight successfully manage to retain the weight loss over the long term. By referring to several concepts on how the symbols of food originate in the unconscious and end up becoming the unconscious impetus for conscious thought and dietary behaviours relating to food, the complexity of food pathologies, with specific reference to obesity is explored. The study presents a narrative review of the available literature on symbols in a variety of cultural-historical contexts through the theoretical lens of the psychoanalytic framework. The study contributed to the current treatment approaches to obesity, by highlighting how the unconscious content of the psyche serve to compromise conscious efforts to address the problem of obesity. Also, the need for further research into the development of a model that, by incorporating the psychoanalytic approach to obesity, will support the long-term success of weight loss intervention by addressing the underlying issues, is emphasised

Die Wirkung des Mineralocorticoid-Rezeptor-Antagonisten Finerenon auf die pro-fibrotische Signaltransduktion in kardialen Fibroblasten

Die Aktivierung des Mineralocorticoid-Rezeptors (MR) durch Aldosteron führt zu kardialer Fibrose, welche für Arrhythmien und Progredienz der Herzinsuffizienz prädisponiert. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Effekte von Finerenon, einem selektiven, nicht-steroidalen MRAntagonisten, auf die Mechanismen der Fibroseentstehung in kultivierten kardialen Fibroblasten zu untersuchen. Aldosteron induzierte eine Translokation des MR vom Zytoplasma in den Kern von kardialen Fibroblasten (Verhältnis nukleärer zu zytoplasmatischer Lokalisation, Kontrolle 2,3 ± 4,0, Aldosteron 6,8 ± 5,7, p < 0,0001). Finerenon hemmte diese Aldosteron-induzierte MRTranslokation (2,1 ± 2,4, p < 0,0001 verglichen mit Aldosteron). Finerenon verringerte konzentrationsabhängig die basale Expression von Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF). Dieser Effekt von Finerenon in der Konzentration 500 nM war vergleichbar dem Effekt von Spironolacton in der Konzentration 500 nM (Finerenon 73,7 ± 14,8 %, p < 0,01, Spironolacton 69,9 ± 18,7 %, p < 0,01, jeweils verglichen mit Kontrolle). Finerenon verhinderte in einer Konzentration von 500 nM die Aldosteron-induzierte CTGFÜberexpression vollständig (Aldosteron 187,4 ± 41,6 %, p < 0,01 verglichen mit Kontrolle, Finerenon 89,0 ± 34,1 %, p < 0,01 verglichen mit Aldosteron). Die gleichzeigte Behandlung mit Angiotensin II und Aldosteron verstärkte die CTGF-Überexpression (209,9 ± 68,7 %, p < 0,0001 verglichen mit Kontrolle). Dieser Effekt wurde durch Finerenon vollständig verhindert (100,4 ± 10,3 %, p < 0,001 verglichen mit Aldosteron + Angiotensin II). Aldosteron beeinflusste im Gegensatz zu Angiotensin II die Expression von Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) nicht (Angiotensin II 171,8 ± 34,2 %, p < 0,0001 verglichen mit Kontrolle). In Übereinstimmung mit diesem Befund war der Effekt von Finerenon auf die TGF-β- Expression neutral, wohingegen Telmisartan die Angiotensin II-induzierte Überexpression von TGF-β reduzierte (116,5 ± 29,4 %, p < 0,01 verglichen mit Angiotensin II). Der durch Aldosteron und Angiotensin II bedingte Anstieg der Expression von Fibronektin (186,8 ± 44,8 %, p < 0,0001 verglichen mit Kontrolle) wurde durch Finerenon reduziert (116,0 ± 28,4 %, p < 0,01 verglichen mit Aldosteron + Angiotensin II). Finerenon verhinderte die Aldosteron-induzierte Überexpression der Lysyl-Oxidase (Aldosteron 149,1 ± 18,3 %, p < 0,001 verglichen mit Kontrolle; Finerenon 86,6 ± 29,8 %, p < 0,0001 verglichen mit Aldosteron) und reduzierte die Aldosteron-induzierte Überexpression der Mikro-RNA21 (Aldosteron 353,9 ± 228,7 %, p < 0,01 verglichen mit Kontrolle; Finerenon 130,1 ± 46,1 %, p < 0,05 verglichen mit Aldosteron). Zusammengefasst verhindert Finerenon die Aldosteron-induzierte MR-Translokation in den Zellkern und schützt vor pro-fibrotischen Veränderungen in kardialen Fibroblasten. Die Hemmung des Mineralocorticoid-Rezeptors durch Finerenon ist daher ein potentieller therapeutischer Ansatz, um das Risiko für die Entstehung kardialer Fibrose und daraus resultierende Herzrhythmusstörungen und Herzinsuffizienz zu vermindern.Activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) by aldosterone promotes cardiac fibrosis that predisposes to arrhythmias and that impairs heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of finerenone, a selective non-steroidal MR antagonist, on mechanisms of genesis of fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts. Aldosterone induced nuclear translocation of MR in cardiac fibroblasts (nuclear to cytoplasm MR localization, control 2,3 ± 4,0, aldosterone 6,8 ± 5,7, p < 0,0001) that was reduced by finerenone (2,1 ± 2,4, p < 0,0001 vs. aldosterone). Finerenone decreased the protein expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect of finerenone 500 nM was similar to spironolactone 500 nM (finerenone 73,7 ± 14,8 %, p < 0,01, spironolactone 69,9 ± 18,7 %, p < 0,01 vs. control, respectively). Finerenone 500 nM completely prevented the aldosterone induced CTGF overexpression (aldosterone 187,4 ± 41,6 %, p < 0,01 vs. control, finerenone 89,0 ± 35,0 %, p < 0,01 vs. aldosterone). Angiotensin II and aldosterone co-treatment enhanced CTGF upregulation (209,9 ± 68,7 %, p < 0,0001 vs. control). This effect was completely prevented by finerenone (100,4 ± 10,3 %, p < 0,001 vs. aldosterone + angiotensin II). In contrast to angiotensin II, aldosterone did not increase transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression (angiotensin II 171,8 ± 34,2 %, p < 0,0001 vs. control). In addition to that, finerenone did not have any effects on TGF-β expression but telmisartan prevented the angiotensin II induced TGF-β overexpression (116,5 ± 29,0 %, p < 0,01 vs. angiotensin II). The increase in fibronectin expression induced by the co-treatment aldosterone and angiotensin II (186,8 ± 44,8 %, p < 0,0001 vs. control) was reduced by finerenone (116,0 ± 28,4 %, p < 0,01 vs. aldosterone + angiotensin II). Finerenone inhibited the aldosterone induced alteration oft the lysyl oxidase (aldosterone 149,1 ± 18,3 %, p < 0,001 vs. control; finerenone 86,6 ± 29,8 %, p < 0,0001 vs. aldosterone) and reduced the aldosterone induced alteration of the micro-RNA21 expression (aldosterone 353,9 ± 228,7 %, p < 0,01 vs. control; finerenone 130,1 ± 46,1 %, p < 0,05 vs. aldosterone). Summarized, finerenone prevents aldosterone induced MR-translocation and pro-fibrotic changes in cardiac fibroblasts. Therefore, finerenone could serve as a therapeutic agent to prevent risk of structural cardiac remodeling and resulting arrhythmia and heart failure

Thermodynamic framework to assess low abundance DNA mutation detection by hybridization

The knowledge of genomic DNA variations in patient samples has a high and increasing value for human diagnostics in its broadest sense. Although many methods and sensors to detect or quantify these variations are available or under development, the number of underlying physico-chemical detection principles is limited. One of these principles is the hybridization of sample target DNA versus nucleic acid probes. We introduce a novel thermodynamics approach and develop a framework to exploit the specific detection capabilities of nucleic acid hybridization, using generic principles applicable to any platform. As a case study, we detect point mutations in the KRAS oncogene on a microarray platform. For the given platform and hybridization conditions, we demonstrate the multiplex detection capability of hybridization and assess the detection limit using thermodynamic considerations; DNA containing point mutations in a background of wild type sequences can be identified down to at least 1% relative concentration. In order to show the clinical relevance, the detection capabilities are confirmed on challenging formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded clinical tumor samples. This enzyme-free detection framework contains the accuracy and efficiency to screen for hundreds of mutations in a single run with many potential applications in molecular diagnostics and the field of personalised medicine

Diagnostic cues used by female consumers to evaluate work wear assortments of major South African department stores

This study investigates the relative importance of diagnostic cues used by female consumers in an emerging market to evaluate work wear assortments in major South African department stores. The cue diagnostic framework was used as a theoretical perspective for the study together with conjoint analysis to provide insights into the relative importance of diagnostic cues in terms of specified attribute levels as well as attribute ranking of importance. A survey research design was employed for the study. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and completed by 121 (N=121) female consumers residing in Gauteng. A non-probability sampling technique was used to recruit these working women who were between the ages of 20 and 60 years with some form of higher education or training. The results indicate that these female consumers have set preferences when purchasing work wear from department stores in South Africa. Certain product cues/attributes were found to be more prominent than others while some were used in conjunction with other attributes to collectively strengthen the importance of these attributes in the decision making process. The findings of this study contribute to existing literature on consumer preferences in emerging markets and the apparel attributes that inform these preference structures. This research will be useful for researchers as well as marketers who are interested in marketing campaigns, product assortment planning and retail settings.http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=257842017-01-30am2016Consumer Scienc

The role of information exposure in female university students’ evaluation and selection of eco-friendly apparel in the South African emerging economy

Increasing consumption in the South African emerging economy necessitates stringent effort toward developing environmental information campaigns that stimulate preferences for eco-friendly alternatives. This qualitative study explores the role of exposure to information about the environmental impact of the apparel supply chain in female students' evaluation and selection of apparel. Based on the outcome of garment selection exercises and focus group discussions, participants were not swayed by exposure to hang tags, audio-visual or printed information sources to prioritize eco-friendly features in their choice of product, nor were they willing to compromise on attributes such as price for the sake of the environment. Participants' recommendations include standardized eco-labels to facilitate identification of eco-friendly alternatives and message content that is short, precise and factual. Interpersonal communication could represent an influential source of information and merits further investigation into the relevance of normative social influence on pro-environmental apparel behavior in the South African emerging economy.http://ctr.sagepub.com/hj201

An investigation of perceptual biases in complex regional pain syndrome

Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) report cognitive difficulties, affecting the ability to represent, perceive and use their affected limb. Moseley, Gallace & Spence (2009) observed that CRPS patients tend to bias the perception of tactile stimulation away from the pathological limb. Interestingly, this bias was reversed when CRPS patients were asked to cross their arms, implying that this bias is embedded in a complex representation of the body that takes into account the position of body-parts. Other studies have failed to replicate this finding (Filbrich et al., 2017) or have even found a bias in the opposite direction (Sumitani et al., 2007). Moreover, perceptual biases in CRPS patients have not often been compared to these of other chronic pain patients. Chronic pain patients are often characterized by an excessive focus of attention for bodily sensations. We might therefore expect that non-CRPS pain patients would show a bias towards instead of away from their affected limb. The aim of this study was to replicate the study of Moseley, Gallace & Spence (2009) and to extend it by comparing perceptual biases in a CRPS group with two non-CRPS pain control groups (i.e., chronic unilateral wrist and shoulder pain patients). In a temporal order judgment (TOJ) task, participants reported which of two tactile stimuli, one applied to either hand at various intervals, was perceived as occurring first. TOJs were made, either with the arms in a normal (uncrossed) position, or with the arms crossed over the body midline. We found no consistent perceptual biases in either of the patient groups and in either of the conditions (crossed/uncrossed). Individual differences were large and might, at least partly, be explained by other variables, such as pain duration and temperature differences between the pathological and non-pathological hand. Additional studies need to take these variables into account by, for example, comparing biases in CRPS (and non-CRPS) patients in an acute versus a chronic pain state

Wikipedia-editing as a teaching strategy in health professional schools: 6 years, 5 countries, 5 professions...and counting.

poster presentation● Wikipedia is the world’s most frequently used health-information source. ● Embracing the platform helps fulfill health professional schools’ teaching & service missions. ● Student & faculty effort searching, analyzing, writing & editing Wikipedia is scholarly work. ● The Wiki Education Foundation’s “Students in the Health Professions” campaign aggregates all efforts of these students editing WIkipedia as part of formal coursework. ● Since 2013, there have been 1,271 students who have added 711,000 words, 86 images and 9,030 references to 642 health-related Wikipedia pages. ● These Wikipedia pages have been viewed 55.2 million times since students began contributing. ● Participants highlight the refreshingly collaborative nature of the work-- for students, librarians, and faculty alike