The Self Model and the Conception of Biological Identity in Immunology

The self/non-self model, first proposed by F.M. Burnet, has dominated immunology for sixty years now. According to this model, any foreign element will trigger an immune reaction in an organism, whereas endogenous elements will not, in normal circumstances, induce an immune reaction. In this paper we show that the self/non-self model is no longer an appropriate explanation of experimental data in immunology, and that this inadequacy may be rooted in an excessively strong metaphysical conception of biological identity. We suggest that another hypothesis, one based on the notion of continuity, gives a better account of immune phenomena. Finally, we underscore the mapping between this metaphysical deflation from self to continuity in immunology and the philosophical debate between substantialism and empiricism about identity

Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume

The hippocampal formation is a brain structure integrally involved in episodic memory, spatial navigation, cognition and stress responsiveness. Structural abnormalities in hippocampal volume and shape are found in several common neuropsychiatric disorders. To identify the genetic underpinnings of hippocampal structure here we perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 33,536 individuals and discover six independent loci significantly associated with hippocampal volume, four of them novel. Of the novel loci, three lie within genes (ASTN2, DPP4 and MAST4) and one is found 200 kb upstream of SHH. A hippocampal subfield analysis shows that a locus within the MSRB3 gene shows evidence of a localized effect along the dentate gyrus, subiculum, CA1 and fissure. Further, we show that genetic variants associated with decreased hippocampal volume are also associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (rg =-0.155). Our findings suggest novel biological pathways through which human genetic variation influences hippocampal volume and risk for neuropsychiatric illness

R&D applications for sustainable mining

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Effect of Chronic Hyperglycemia on Cardiac Parasympathetic Functions in Type-2 Diabetes

Objective: To evaluate effects of chronic hyperglycemia on cardiac parasympathetic functions in type 2 diabetics. Research Design and Methodology: HBA1c was estimated and Average Blood Glucose (ABG) was calculated in 100 type 2 diabetics fulfilling the study criteria, were subjected to cardiac parasympathetic function tests i.e. Resting Heart Rate(RHR), Heart Rate Variation to Deep Breathing (HRV) and Valsalva ratio. They were placed in two groups, group ‘A’ (n=60) diabetics with HbA1c 8% [ABG >180 mg/dl]. Results: The mean HbA1c of group A was 7.423% (SD±1.194), group B was 11.82% (SD±1.974). The ABG of group ‘A’ was 162.55 (SD±40.32), group ‘B’ was 316.8 (SD±79.25). RHR of group ‘A’ was 87.56 (SD±10.99), group ‘B’ was 93.09 (SD±14.07). The HRV of group ‘A’ was 19.5 (SD±9.76), group ‘B’ was 10.1 (SD±6.54). The Valsalva ratio of group ‘A” was 1.3244 (SD ± 0.1555), group ‘B’ was 0.06 (SD ± 0.0036). Conclusion: Current study evaluated the existence of parasympathetic neuropathy in relation to the glycemic status irrespective of the duration of diabetes

Pectoralis Major Flap In 77 Head And Neck Reconstructions

77 patients with head and neck excisional defect are treated by use of Pectoralis major myo cu-taneous, myocutaneous with skin paddle, and composite, incorporating rib. Results are presented

Hypertension in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension

Background: A region-specific (urban and rural parts of north, east, west, and south India) systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension among Indian patients have not been done before. Methods: Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from 1950 to 30 April 2013 were searched for 'prevalence, burden, awareness, and control of blood pressure (BP) or hypertension (140 SBP and or 90 DBP) among Indian adults' (18 years). Of the total 3047 articles, 142 were included. Results: Overall prevalence for hypertension in India was 29.8% (95% confidence interval: 26.7-33.0). Significant differences in hypertension prevalence were noted between rural and urban parts [27.6% (23.2-32.0) and 33.8% (29.7-37.8); P=0.05]. Regional estimates for the prevalence of hypertension were as follows: 14.5% (13.3-15.7), 31.7% (30.2-33.3), 18.1% (16.9-19.2), and 21.1% (20.1-22.0) for rural north, east, west, and south India; and 28.8% (26.9-30.8), 34.5% (32.6-36.5), 35.8% (35.2-36.5), and 31.8% (30.4-33.1) for urban north, east, west, and south India, respectively. Overall estimates for the prevalence of awareness, treatment, and control of BP were 25.3% (21.4-29.3), 25.1% (17.0-33.1), and 10.7% (6.5-15.0) for rural Indians; and 42.0% (35.2-48.9), 37.6% (24.0-51.2), and 20.2% (11.6-28.7) for urban Indians. Conclusion: About 33% urban and 25% rural Indians are hypertensive. Of these, 25% rural and 42% urban Indians are aware of their hypertensive status. Only 25% rural and 38% of urban Indians are being treated for hypertension. One-tenth of rural and one-fifth of urban Indian hypertensive population have their BP under control