scholarly journals Medical, Genomic, and Evolutionary Aspects of the Peptide Sharing between Pathogens, Primates, and Humans

2020 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. 064-067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darja Kanduc ◽  
Yehuda Shoenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Rhesus Macaque ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Molecular Mimicry ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Preclinical Testing ◽  
Medical Genomic ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Evolutionary Aspects

AbstractComparing mammalian proteomes for molecular mimicry with infectious pathogens highlights the highest levels of heptapeptide sharing between pathogens and human, murine, and rat proteomes, while the peptide sharing level is minimal (or absent) with proteomes from nonhuman primates such as gorilla, chimpanzee, and rhesus macaque. From the medical point of view, the data might be useful to clinicians and vaccinologists to develop and evaluate immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic approaches. As a matter of fact, primates seem to be unreliable animal models for revealing potential autoimmune events in preclinical testing of immunotherapies. In terms of genomics, the scarce or absent peptide sharing between pathogens and primates versus the massive peptide sharing existing between pathogens and humans lets foresee mechanisms of pathogen sequence insertion/deletion/alteration that have differently operated in mammals over evolutionary timescales. Why and how the human genome has been colonized by pathogen sequences and why and how primates escaped such a colonization appears to be the new scientific challenge in our efforts to understand not only the origin of Homo sapiens but also his autoimmune diseasome.

scholarly journals Monkey Models of Tuberculosis: Lessons Learned

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 852-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet C. Peña ◽  
Wen-Zhe Ho
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Preclinical Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cynomolgus Macaques ◽  
Drug Regimens

The use of animal models has been invaluable for studying the pathogenesis ofMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection, as well as for testing the efficacy of vaccines and drug regimens for tuberculosis. Among the applied animal models, nonhuman primates, particularly macaques, share the greatest anatomical and physiological similarities with humans. As such, macaque models have been used for investigating tuberculosis pathogenesis and preclinical testing of drugs and vaccines. This review focuses on published major studies which illustrate how the rhesus and cynomolgus macaques have enriched and may continue to advance the field of global tuberculosis research.

scholarly journals Lack of Molecular Mimicry between Nonhuman Primates and Infectious Pathogens: The Possible Genetic Bases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darja Kanduc
Keyword(s):  
Measles Virus ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Molecular Mimicry ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 ◽  
Genetic Bases

AbstractRecently, it was found that proteomes from poliovirus, measles virus, dengue virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have high molecular mimicry at the heptapeptide level with the human proteome, while heptapeptide commonality is minimal or absent with proteomes from nonhuman primates, that is, gorilla, chimpanzee, and rhesus macaque. To acquire more data on the issue, analyses here have been expanded to Ebola virus, Francisella tularensis, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), Toxoplasma gondii, Variola virus, and Yersinia pestis. Results confirm that heptapeptide overlap is high between pathogens and Homo sapiens, but not between pathogens and primates. Data are discussed in light of the possible genetic bases that differently model primate phenomes, thus possibly underlying the zero/low level of molecular mimicry between infectious agents and primates. Notably, this study might help address preclinical vaccine tests that currently utilize primates as animal models, since autoimmune cross-reactions and the consequent adverse events cannot occur in absentia of shared sequences.

Hierarchical composition in complex object drawing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiru Makuuchi
Keyword(s):  
Hierarchical Structure ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Hierarchical Structures ◽  
Target Object ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Complex Object ◽  
Complex Objects ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Symbolic Cognition

Symbolic behaviours such as language, music, drawing, dance, etc. are unique to humans and are found universally in every culture on earth1. These behaviours operate in different cognitive domains, but they are commonly characterised as linear sequences of symbols2,3. One of the most prominent features of language is hierarchical structure4, which is also found in music5,6 and mathematics7. Current research attempts to address whether hierarchical structure exists in drawing. When we draw complex objects, such as a face, we draw part by part in a hierarchical manner guided by visual semantic knowledge8. More specifically, we predicted how hierarchical structure emerges in drawing as follows. Although the drawing order of the constituent parts composing the target object is different amongst individuals, some parts will be drawn in succession consistently, thereby forming chunks. These chunks of parts would then be further integrated with other chunks into superordinate chunks, while showing differential affinity amongst chunks. The integration of chunks to an even higher chunk level repeats until finally reaching the full object. We analysed the order of drawing strokes of twenty-two complex objects by twenty-five young healthy adult participants with a cluster analysis9 and demonstrated reasonable hierarchical structures. The results suggest that drawing involves a linear production of symbols with a hierarchical structure. From an evolutionary point of view, we argue that ancient engravings and paintings manifest Homo sapiens’ capability for hierarchical symbolic cognition.

scholarly journals Chimpanzee pant-hoots encode information about individual but not group differences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisarg P. Desai ◽  
Pawel Fedurek ◽  
Katie E. Slocombe ◽  
Michael L. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Regional Variation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Vocal Learning ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Gombe National Park ◽  
Pant Hoot ◽  
Community Variation ◽  
Acoustic Variation

AbstractVocal learning, the ability to voluntarily modify the acoustic structure of vocalizations based on social cues, is a fundamental feature of speech in humans (Homo sapiens). While vocal learning is common in taxa such as songbirds and whales, the vocal learning capacities of nonhuman primates appear more limited. Intriguingly, evidence for vocal learning has been reported in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), for example in the form of regional variation (‘dialects’) in the ‘pant-hoot’ calls. This suggests that some capacity for vocal learning may be an ancient feature of the Pan-Homo clade. Nonetheless, reported differences have been subtle, with inter-community variation representing only a small portion of the total acoustic variation. To gain further insights into the extent of regional variation in chimpanzee vocalizations, we performed an analysis of pant-hoots from chimpanzees in the neighboring Kasekela and Mitumba communities at Gombe National Park, Tanzania, and the geographically distant Kanyawara community at Kibale National Park, Uganda. We observed group differences only among the geographically isolated communities and did not find any differences between the neighboring communities at Gombe. Furthermore, we found differences among individuals in all communities. Hence, the variation in chimpanzee pant-hoots reflected individual differences, rather than group differences. The limited evidences for vocal learning in Pan suggest that extensive vocal learning emerged in the human lineage after the divergence from Pan.

scholarly journals A new paradigm of human rights in the context of the global threats development

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 ◽  
pp. 02011
Author(s):  
Georgy Borisovich Romanovsky ◽  
Olga Valentinovna Romanovskaya ◽  
Vladislav Georgievich Romanovsky ◽  
Anastasia Andreevna Ryzhova ◽  
Olga Aleksandrovna Ryzhova
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
The United States ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
The Right To Privacy ◽  
Biomedical Technologies ◽  
The Right

The purpose of the research is to formulate the general guidelines for the transformation of human rights as a result of global threats. The methodological framework was the methods of comparative legal research, which showed the general trends in the development of the human rights legislation under the influence of global threats. By the example of the responses of states to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, it is shown how legislative innovations expanding the powers of law enforcement agencies and special services have led to the revision of the content of such basic human rights as the right to privacy and/or the right to personal inviolability. Highlighted is the concept of the “war on terror” (formulated by the United States President in 2001), which allows terrorists to be treated as representatives of a belligerent but without providing any international guarantees enshrined in the provisions of the international humanitarian law. The consequences of the introduction of biomedical technologies, that are aggressive towards humans, are presented, namely the creation of chimeric organisms that contribute to blurring the interspecific boundaries; creation of a genetically modified organism – human embryo; the development of an artificial uterus capable of bearing a human fetus practically from the time the male and female reproductive cells join. The results consist in the identified trends in the development of legal institutions, such as the formulation of new human rights often replacing or distorting the content of basic recognised human rights enshrined in the key international documents and constitutions of the countries of the world; bypassing the legal prohibitions established over the past decades by introducing relativism and assessing any situation from the point of view of the conditions for its occurrence. The novelty of the research lies in the authors’ position and is formulated as follows: the modern system of human rights is facing a serious crisis. Failure to effectively respond to symbolic challenges and threats is one of the factors necessitating the need for monitoring many regulatory documents. But a significant reason for the backlash also lies in the fact that we are at the turn of an era when technology shows humanity the possibility of correcting the very nature of Homo sapiens.

scholarly journals The Values of Virtual Civilization in the Times of Global Consumption: Homo Sapiens VS Worldwide Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 ◽  
pp. 01022
Author(s):  
Elena Pavlova
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Theoretical Interpretation ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Destructive Processes

Research background: The article is devoted to the phenomenon of COVID-19 and its influence of modern man. The article analyses the processes in which the mechanisms of human interaction with the environment manifest themselves, as well as ways to address the destructive processes in the minds and behavior of modern man. Purpose of the article: In this article, from the point of view of philosophy, one of the most complex phenomena of the modern information age, is characterized, namely the modern stage of the human society in the context of pandemic is studied and analyzed. Methods: Theoretical interpretation of understanding of problem of interpersonal communication in the context of globalization and pandemic COVID-19 requires an integrated approach. The method of temporal analysis and the method of personalistic and ideal-typical reconstruction, a tool that is adequate to the author’s interpretation of social self-organization in the era of globalization as a process of constituting the temporal and ethical dominance of individuals and collectivities that formalize the integrity of the cultural epoch, will become the immediate, applied methodological basis. Findings &; Value added: Summing up our reflections, we can say that it is the flexibility, multiple variability in different behavioral situations tha is often the key to successful and efficient activity. On the contrary: constriction, resistance to the changing conditions and factors very often become an obstacle on the way to successful communication with the world around us.

Comparative investigations of anatomy and physiology in mammalian noses (Homo sapiens--Artiodactyla)

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
S. Grutzenmacher ◽  
D.M. Robinson ◽  
J. Sevecke ◽  
G. Mlynski ◽  
A.G. Beule
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Cavity ◽  
Dead Space ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Middle Turbinate ◽  
Inferior Turbinate ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Nasal Airflow ◽  
Functional Area ◽  
External Nose ◽  
Human Nose

Background: Knowledge of airflow in animal noses is sparse. Such knowledge could be important for selection of animal models used in environmental studies. From the phylogenetic and ontogenetic point of view, a comparison between the animal and human nose is interesting. Method: Nose models of 5 even-toed ungulate species (he-goat, sheep, cow, roebuck, wild boar) and two humans (new born infant and adult) were examined. Anatomical and physiological features of the nasal cavities of all species were compared. All models were rinsed with water and the flow was visualized for observation. Geometric and rhinoresistometric measurements were then performed. Results and conclusions: Even-toed ungulates have two turbinates directly in the main part of the nasal airflow (respiratory turbinates) and a different number of turbinates in a so-called dead space of the nasal airflow above the nasopharyngeal duct (ethmoidal turbinates). The latter correspond with the upper and middle turbinate in analogy to the human nose. Respiratory turbinates of even-toed ungulates insert immediately behind the external nasal ostium. Thus, the whole nasal cavity acts as a functional area with the exception of a small area acting as dead space only detectable in ruminants, possibly indicating a small evolutionary progress from suinae to bovidae. The shape of the animal nasal cavity is stretched and flat. The airflow runs nearly completely turbulent through the nose. The nasal cavity in the adult human is relatively short and high. The area between the external nasal ostium and the head of the inferior turbinate is called inflow area. It distributes the airflow over the whole nasal cross section and generates a turbulent flow. So the airflow is prepared to contact the mucosa in the functional area (turbinate area). The morphology of the inflow area is approximately formed by the shape of the external nose. The nasal cavity of a newborn child is also stretched and flat and more similar to the nasal shape of the investigated animals. The inflow area in the newborn nose is not yet developed and corresponds with the growing external newborn nose. One can hypothesize that the inflow area in human noses is a morphological adaptation in the changed length-height-ratio of the nasal cavity.

scholarly journals Approaching 3R teaching in biomedical engineering

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Chiono
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Preclinical Testing ◽  
Preclinical Trials ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Preclinical Animal Models ◽  
In Silico Models

Since its adhesion to Centro3R, Politecnico di Torino has approached 3R teaching through a new Master course, entitled “New advances in alternative preclinical trials”. This is a multidisciplinary optional course for Master students in Biomedical Engineering, with the contribution of different teachers, who are experts on different aspects of preclinical testing of biomedical devices: European Standards for preclinical experimentation; preclinical animal models; protection of animal welfare in the European legislation; the role of statistics on the application of the 3R principle; preclinical experimental models in vitro; in silico models. This contribution describes the subjects faced by the course and their importance in the context of the 3R Principle.

The evolution of childhood as a by-product?

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-289
Author(s):  
Peter Kappeler
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
History Evolution ◽  
Linguistic Skills

The proposition that selective advantages of linguistic skills have contributed to shifts in ontogenetic landmarks of human life histories in early Homo sapiens is weakened by neglecting alternative mechanisms of life history evolution. Moreover, arguments about biological continuity through sweeping comparisons with nonhuman primates do not support various assumptions of this scenario.

scholarly journals Coxiella burnetii Intratracheal Aerosol Infection Model in Mice, Guinea Pigs, and Nonhuman Primates

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Gregory ◽  
E. J. van Schaik ◽  
K. E. Russell-Lodrigue ◽  
A. P. Fratzke ◽  
J. E. Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Cell Vaccine ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Atypical Pneumonia ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, is a Gram-negative bacterium transmitted to humans by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Acute Q fever is often self-limiting, presenting as a febrile illness that can result in atypical pneumonia. In some cases, Q fever becomes chronic, leading to endocarditis that can be life threatening. The formalin-inactivated whole-cell vaccine (WCV) confers long-term protection but has significant side effects when administered to presensitized individuals. Designing new vaccines against C. burnetii remains a challenge and requires the use of clinically relevant modes of transmission in appropriate animal models. We have developed a safe and reproducible C. burnetii aerosol challenge in three different animal models to evaluate the effects of pulmonary acquired infection. Using a MicroSprayer aerosolizer, BL/6 mice and Hartley guinea pigs were infected intratracheally with C. burnetii Nine Mile phase I (NMI) and demonstrated susceptibility as determined by measuring bacterial growth in the lungs and subsequent dissemination to the spleen. Histological analysis of lung tissue showed significant pathology associated with disease, which was more severe in guinea pigs. Infection using large-particle aerosol (LPA) delivery was further confirmed in nonhuman primates, which developed fever and pneumonia. We also demonstrate that vaccinating mice and guinea pigs with WCV prior to LPA challenge is capable of eliciting protective immunity that significantly reduces splenomegaly and the bacterial burden in spleen and lung tissues. These data suggest that these models can have appreciable value in using the LPA delivery system to study pulmonary Q fever pathogenesis as well as designing vaccine countermeasures to C. burnetii aerosol transmission.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document