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Lakartidningen Oct 2019
Topics: Gender Identity; Help-Seeking Behavior; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Men; Mental Health; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Sex Factors; Suicidal Ideation
PubMed: 31638707
DOI: No ID Found -
Consciousness and Cognition May 2015Delusions are defined as irrational beliefs that compromise good functioning. However, in the empirical literature, delusions have been found to have some psychological... (Review)
Review
Delusions are defined as irrational beliefs that compromise good functioning. However, in the empirical literature, delusions have been found to have some psychological benefits. One proposal is that some delusions defuse negative emotions and protect one from low self-esteem by allowing motivational influences on belief formation. In this paper I focus on delusions that have been construed as playing a defensive function (motivated delusions) and argue that some of their psychological benefits can convert into epistemic ones. Notwithstanding their epistemic costs, motivated delusions also have potential epistemic benefits for agents who have faced adversities, undergone physical or psychological trauma, or are subject to negative emotions and low self-esteem. To account for the epistemic status of motivated delusions, costly and beneficial at the same time, I introduce the notion of epistemic innocence. A delusion is epistemically innocent when adopting it delivers a significant epistemic benefit, and the benefit could not be attained if the delusion were not adopted. The analysis leads to a novel account of the status of delusions by inviting a reflection on the relationship between psychological and epistemic benefits.
Topics: Defense Mechanisms; Delusions; Humans; Knowledge; Motivation
PubMed: 25459652
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2014.10.005 -
Pediatric Annals Sep 2021
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Gender Identity; Health Services for Transgender Persons; Humans; Transgender Persons; Transsexualism
PubMed: 34542336
DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20210818-04 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Sep 2023Several stomach diseases are attributed to the dysregulation of physiological function of gastric mucosal barrier by pathogens. Gastric organoids are a promising tool to...
Several stomach diseases are attributed to the dysregulation of physiological function of gastric mucosal barrier by pathogens. Gastric organoids are a promising tool to develop treatment strategies for gastric infections. However, their functional features of in vivo gastric mucosal barrier and host-microbe interactions are limited due to the lack of physiological stimuli. Herein, a human stomach micro-physiological system (hsMPS) with physiologically relevant gastric mucosal defense system is described based on the combination of organoid and MPS technology. A fluid flow enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in the hsMPS enables functional maturation of gastric epithelial cells, which allows for the recreation of mesh-like mucus layer containing high level of mucus protective peptides and well-developed epithelial junctional complexes. Furthermore, gastroprotection mechanisms against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are successfully demonstrated in this system. Therefore, hsMPS represents a new in vitro tool for research where gastric mucosal defense mechanism is pivotal for developing therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Humans; Stomach; Mucous Membrane; Epithelial Cells; Organoids; Defense Mechanisms
PubMed: 37525340
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300164 -
Nature Communications Nov 2023Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is historically understood as a prevalent commensal and pathogen of dogs, though modern clinical diagnostics reveal an expanded...
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is historically understood as a prevalent commensal and pathogen of dogs, though modern clinical diagnostics reveal an expanded host-range that includes humans. It remains unclear whether differentiation across S. pseudintermedius populations is driven primarily by niche-type or host-species. We sequenced 501 diagnostic and commensal isolates from a hospital, veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and within households in the American Midwest, and performed a comparative genomics investigation contrasting human diagnostic, animal diagnostic, human colonizing, pet colonizing, and household-surface S. pseudintermedius isolates. Though indistinguishable by core and accessory gene architecture, diagnostic isolates harbor more encoded and phenotypic resistance, whereas colonizing and surface isolates harbor similar CRISPR defense systems likely reflective of common household phage exposures. Furthermore, household isolates that persist through anti-staphylococcal decolonization report elevated rates of base-changing mutations in - and parallel evolution of - defense genes, as well as reductions in oxacillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole susceptibility. Together we report parallel niche-specific bolstering of S. pseudintermedius defense mechanisms through gene acquisition or mutation.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Oxacillin; Defense Mechanisms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dog Diseases; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 37923729
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42694-5 -
PloS One 2023The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae), is a major pest that causes great damage to chicken egg production. In one of our previous...
The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae), is a major pest that causes great damage to chicken egg production. In one of our previous studies, the management of red mites using entomopathogenic fungi was evaluated, and the acaricidal fungus Beauveria bassiana JEF-410 was selected for further research. In this study, we tried to elucidate the pathogenesis of B. bassiana JEF-410 and the defense mechanisms of red mites at a transcriptome level. Red mites collected from a chicken farm were treated with B. bassiana JEF-410. When the mortality of infected red mites reached 50%, transcriptome analyses were performed to determine the interaction between B. bassiana JEF-410 and red mites. Uninfected red mites and non-infecting fungus served as controls. In B. bassiana JEF-410, up-regulated gene expression was observed in tryptophan metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Genes related to acetyl-CoA synthesis were up-regulated in tryptophan metabolism, suggesting that energy metabolism and stress management were strongly activated. Secondary metabolites associated with fungal up-regulated DEGs were related to the production of substances toxic to insects such as beauvericin and beauveriolide, efflux pump of metabolites, energy production, and resistance to stress. In red mites, physical and immune responses that strengthen the cuticle against fungal infection were highly up-regulated. From these gene expression analyses, we identified essential factors for fungal infection and subsequent defenses of red mites. These results will serve as a strong platform for explaining the interaction between B. bassiana JEF-410 and red mites in the stage of active infection.
Topics: Animals; Poultry; Beauveria; Tryptophan; Mites; Trombiculidae; Chickens; Defense Mechanisms; Poultry Diseases; Mite Infestations
PubMed: 36800366
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280410 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Being the major cellular component of highly dynamic tissue, endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) are exposed to cycles of proliferation upon hormonal stimulation, which...
Being the major cellular component of highly dynamic tissue, endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) are exposed to cycles of proliferation upon hormonal stimulation, which might pose risks for the accumulation of mutations and malignization. However, endometrial stromal tumors are rare and uncommon. The present study uncovered defense mechanisms that might underlie the resistance of EnSCs against oncogenic transformation. All experiments were performed in vitro using the following methods: FACS, WB, RT-PCR, IF, molecular cloning, lentiviral transduction, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We revealed that the expression of the mutant HRAS leads to EnSC senescence. We experimentally confirmed the inability of HRAS-expressing EnSCs to bypass senescence and resume proliferation, even upon estrogen stimulation. At the molecular level, the induction of oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) was accompanied by activation of the MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, p53/p21/Rb, and p38/p16/Rb pathways; however, inhibiting either pathway did not prevent cell cycle arrest. PTEN loss was established as an additional feature of HRAS-induced senescence in EnSCs. Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated PTEN knockout, we identified PTEN loss-induced senescence as a reserve molecular mechanism to prevent the transformation of HRAS-expressing EnSCs. The present study highlights oncogene-induced senescence as an antitumor defense mechanism of EnSCs controlled by multiple backup molecular pathways.
Topics: Humans; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Cloning, Molecular; Stromal Cells; Defense Mechanisms; Oncogenes
PubMed: 37762392
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814089 -
Oncogene Feb 2016Lung adenocarcinomas, like other cancers, develop through the accumulation of epigenetic and genetic alterations. Numerous studies have shown that K-RAS mutation is... (Review)
Review
Lung adenocarcinomas, like other cancers, develop through the accumulation of epigenetic and genetic alterations. Numerous studies have shown that K-RAS mutation is among the most important early events in carcinogenesis of the lung. However, it is also well established that growth-stimulating signals feed back into growth-suppressing pathways, and any imbalance in these signaling networks will cause the cell to exit the cell cycle, thereby preventing uncontrolled cell growth. How, then, do K-RAS-activated cells evade cellular defense mechanisms? To answer this question, it is necessary to identify the molecular event(s) responsible for the development of early dysplastic lesions that are unable to defend against aberrant oncogene activation. Lineage-determining transcriptional regulators govern differentiation status during normal lung development, as well as in lung adenocarcinoma. Among the genes involved in K-RAS-induced lung tumorigenesis, RUNX3 is unique: inactivation of Runx3 in mouse lung induces lung adenoma and abrogates the ARF-p53 pathway. This observation raises the possibility of intimate cross-talk between the differentiation program and oncogene surveillance. In this review, we summarized evidences suggesting that K-RAS-activated cells do not evade cellular defense mechanisms per se; instead, cells with K-RAS mutations are selected only if they occur in cells in which defense mechanism is abrogated.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Genes, ras; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mutation
PubMed: 25961920
DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.153 -
BMC Psychology Nov 2023Adolescence is recognized as a particularly susceptible developmental period for experiencing multiple types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), increasing the...
BACKGROUND
Adolescence is recognized as a particularly susceptible developmental period for experiencing multiple types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), increasing the vulnerability to higher levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD symptoms. Some studies found that defense mechanisms play an important role on the association between ACE and psychological symptoms.
METHODS
We analyzed the associations between direct and indirect exposure to ACE and PTSD and Complex PTSD (affective dysregulation, negative self-concept and disturbances in relationships) through the mediation role of mature defense mechanisms: mature, neurotic, and immature defense mechanisms in Indian adolescents. A sample of 411 Indian adolescents (M = 14.2 years old; S.D. = 0.5) completed validated self-report questionnaires. Serial multiple mediation models were tested by conducting a structural equation modelling employing Preacher and Hayes' procedures (2008).
RESULTS
Immature and neurotic defense mechanisms mediated the association between direct exposure to ACE with PTSD symptoms. Immature defense mechanisms were mediators of the relationship between direct exposure to ACE and Complex PTSD symptoms clusters.
CONCLUSIONS
Maladaptive defense mechanisms can disturb the process of self-regulation and emotion regulation capabilities in coping with traumatic experiences, leading to higher PTSD and Complex PTSD symptoms severity.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Adaptation, Psychological; Emotional Regulation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Defense Mechanisms
PubMed: 38001536
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01456-0 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022Cotton is an important economic crop. and are the primary pathogenic fungi that threaten both the quality and sustainable production of cotton. As an opportunistic... (Review)
Review
Cotton is an important economic crop. and are the primary pathogenic fungi that threaten both the quality and sustainable production of cotton. As an opportunistic pathogen, causes various human diseases, including fungal keratitis, which is the most common. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study and clarify the resistance mechanisms of cotton and humans toward in order to mitigate, or eliminate, its harm. Herein, we first discuss the resistance and susceptibility mechanisms of cotton to and wilt and classify associated genes based on their functions. We then outline the characteristics and pathogenicity of and describe the multiple roles of human neutrophils in limiting hyphal growth. Finally, we comprehensively compare the similarities and differences between animal and plant resistance to and put forward new insights into novel strategies for cotton disease resistance breeding and treatment of infection in humans.
Topics: Humans; Verticillium; Fusarium; Plant Diseases; Plant Breeding; Disease Resistance; Gossypium; Defense Mechanisms
PubMed: 36293072
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012217