Do facial structural characteristics communicate information about health?

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd K. Shackelford ◽  
Randy J. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
University Students ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Recovery Time ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Facial Features ◽  
Cardiac Recovery ◽  
Physiological Fitness ◽  
Future Work

High levels of sex hormones may lower immunocompetence, making it difficult for a person’s body to fight off infections. Facial characteristics that reveal high levels of sex hormones might signal the presence of a robust immune system. In men, high testosterone levels are associated with prominent cheekbones, wide jaw, and long chin. In women, high estrogen levels are associated with prominent cheekbones, narrow jaw, and short chin. We examined whether facial features associated with immunocompetence positively covary with health. Participants from 2 groups of university students (67 women, 34 men, in total) completed daily measures of psychological, emotional, and physical health over a one-month period. Physiological fitness was assessed via cardiac recovery time following exercise. A facial photograph of each participant was rated along several personality dimensions, activity level, and attractiveness. Using the photographs, we measured participants’ jaw width, chin length, and cheekbone prominence. Results provide unimpressive evidence for the hypotheses that (1) women displaying an estrogenized face and (2) men displaying a testosteronized face are physiologically, psychologically, and emotionally healthier. Discussion highlights directions for future work on whether facial structural characteristics might communicate information about underlying health.

scholarly journals Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
Yangpeng Lu ◽  
Yanan Jia ◽  
Zihan Xue ◽  
Nannan Li ◽  
Junyu Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Health Food ◽  
Inonotus Obliquus ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharide ◽  
Future Work

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is a kind of medicine and health food widely used by folk in China, Russia, Korea, and some occidental countries. Among the extracts from Inonotus obliquus, Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOPS) is supposed to be one of the major bioactive components in Inonotus obliquus, which possesses antitumor, antioxidant, anti-virus, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. In this review, the current advancements on extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and biological activities of IOPS were summarized. This review can provide significant insight into the IOPS bioactivities as their in vitro and in vivo data were summarized, and some possible mechanisms were listed. Furthermore, applications of IOPS were reviewed and discussed; IOPS might be a potential candidate for the treatment of cancers and type 2 diabetes. Besides, new perspectives for the future work of IOPS were also proposed.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of COVID-19 Distress in University Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110251
Author(s):  
Samantha G. Farris ◽  
Mindy M. Kibbey ◽  
Erick J. Fedorenko ◽  
Angelo M. DiBello
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Public Response ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Viral Outbreak ◽  
Selection Of

The psychological effect of the pandemic and measures taken in response to control viral spread are not yet well understood in university students; in-depth qualitative analysis can provide nuanced information about the young adult distress experience. Undergraduate students ( N = 624) in an early US outbreak “hotspot” completed an online narrative writing about the impact and distress experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected April-May 2020. A random selection of 50 cases were sampled for thematic analysis. Nine themes were identified: viral outbreak distress, fear of virus contraction/transmission, proximity to virus, dissatisfaction with public response, physical distancing distress, social distancing distress, academic and school-related distress, disruptive changes in health behavior and routines, financial strain and unemployment, worsening of pre-existing mental health problems, and social referencing that minimizes distress. Future work is needed to understand the persistence of the distress, in addition to developing methods for assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of the distress.

scholarly journals Digital Competence in Higher Education: Students’ Perception and Personal Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12184
Author(s):  
Yu Zhao ◽  
María Cruz Sánchez Gómez ◽  
Ana María Pinto Llorente ◽  
Liping Zhao
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Digital Competencies ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact

University students are expected to have the appropriate digital competence to face the demands of the changing educational model and to meet the challenges of the future work. This paper describes university students’ perceptions of digital competence and analyzes the impact of personal factors on digital competence in a sample of 5164 students from all majors in the first and fourth year of their studies at Gansu Agricultural University (China). A quantitative methodology was followed, employing a non-experimental method and the survey technique to collect data. The results obtained show that students’ perceptions of digital competencies in terms of information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, and safety were positive. Furthermore, there were significant differences in students’ self-perceptions of digital competence related to gender, grade level, area of residence, and prior relevant training in the DigComp framework-based instrument. The development of key competency areas for digital competence, such as the creation of digital content, should be promoted, along with helping students to gain knowledge when dealing with everyday technological issues. The need for training related to the use of ICT and digital competencies was also highlighted, as well as supporting the promotion of female students in selected areas of digital competence and assisting lower grade students and students from rural areas in digital competence development.

scholarly journals The effects of co-transplantation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell and thymic multipotent stromal cells on the immune system of mice during its regeneration after cyclophosphamide treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Demchenko ◽  
I. Nikolskiy
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽  
Blast Transformation ◽  
Multipotent Stromal Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Stimulation Of

The multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are considered as one of the most promising agents for regenerating the immune system due to its powerful secretion of reparative factors and immunomodulatory properties.The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of co-transplantation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and thymic multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) on regeneration of murine immune system damaged by cyclophosphamide.Materials and methods. MSCs were obtained from thymuses of C57BL mice using explant technique. Bone marrow cells (BMCs) were obtained by flushing out the femur with nutrient medium. The immune deficiency of mice was modelled by the treatment with cyclophosphamide. After that, the cells were co-transplanted and the parameters of the immune system was evaluated. We determined the total number of erythrocytes, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration in peripheral blood; phases of the cell cycle and apoptosis of the cells of the mesenteric lymph nodes; the number of antibody-producing cells in the spleen; delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH); proliferative and cytotoxic activity of natural killer lymphocytes; phagocytic activity, level of spontaneous and induced bactericidal activity of peritoneal macrophages.Results. It was shown that in contrast to BMCs, the use of MSCs alone or co-transplantation of these cells increased the spontaneous proliferative activity of lymphocytes with a significant decrease in the number of lymph node cells in G0/G1 phase by 9.2 % and an increase in the number of lymphocytes in G2-M+S phase by 35 %, as well as restoring cellularity of bone marrow, thymus and lymph nodes in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. Regeneration of erythropoiesis was stimulated by BMCs, which was manifested by the normalization of hematocrit and hemoglobin, and an increase in the number of reticulocytes in the blood by 2.2 times compared with the group of mice receiving cyclophosphamide. Co-transplantation had less pronounced, but similar effect. Transplantation of thymic MSCs stimulated the natural cytotoxicity of splenocytes by 2.7 times and substantially increased the number of antibody-producing cells in the spleen by 1.7 times compared with the group of mice receiving cyclophosphamide. Co-transplantation had a pronounced suppressive effect on the blast transformation reaction induced by phytohemagglutinin by 1.7 times, but showed a stimulating effect on DTH response by 1.46 times. Transplantation of BMCs did not affect the functional activity of the immune system.Conclusion. The effects of co-transplantation of BMCs and thymic MSCs are realized in the several parts: stimulation of hematological parameters recovery (like under the effect of BMCs separately), normalization of cell number of lymphoid organs (as under the impact of thymic MSCs); inhibition of blast transformation activity and stimulation of DTH are the effects of co-transplantation.

scholarly journals Relación entre el nivel de actividad física, uso de videojuegos y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios | Relationship between physical activity level, use of video games and academic performance in university students

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (26) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Bernardino Javier Sánchez-Alcaraz Martinez ◽  
Alba Sánchez-Díaz ◽  
Manuel Alfonso-Asencio ◽  
Javier Courel-Ibáñez ◽  
Alejandro Sánchez-Pay
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Video Games ◽  
University Students ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Average Grade ◽  
Educación Primaria ◽  
Estudiantes Universitarios

Una de las causas atribuibles a la reducción de los niveles de práctica de actividad física en jóvenes es el aumento del uso de los videojuegos. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el nivel de práctica de actividad física y su relación con el uso de videojuegos y el rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios. Ochenta y siete estudiantes (edad = 20 ± 6 años, 42 hombres y 45 mujeres) pertenecientes al Grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte y al Grado de Educación Primaria participaron en el estudio. La recogida de datos serealizó medianteloscuestionariosPhysician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise yel Cuestionariode Experiencia Relacionada conlos Videojuegos. El rendimiento académico se analizó mediante la nota media de los estudiantes. Los resultados mostraron una relación positiva entre el nivel de actividad física y el rendimiento académico (a mayor actividad física, mayor nota media), al igual que entre el nivel de actividad física y el uso de videojuegos (a mayor nivel de actividad física, mayor uso de videojuegos).AbstractOne of the causes attributable to the reduction of physical activity practice levels in young people is the increase in the use of video games. The aim of this study was to know the relationship between the practice of physical activity, the use of video games and academic performance in university students. Eighty-one students (age = 20 ± 6 years, 42 men and 45 women) belonging to the Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences and the Primary Education Degree participated in the study. Data collection was carried out using the Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise questionnaires and theVideogamesRelated Experience Questionnaire. Academic performance wasanalysedusing the students' average grade. The results showed a positive relationship between the level of physical activity and academic performance (higher physical activity, higher average grade), as well as between the level of physical activity and the use of video games (higher physical activity level, higher use of video games).

scholarly journals Infection-Associated Thymic Atrophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingli Luo ◽  
Lingxin Xu ◽  
Zhengyu Qian ◽  
Xi Sun
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Vital Organ ◽  
Thymocyte Development ◽  
Thymic Atrophy ◽  
Neural Modulation ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact

The thymus is a vital organ of the immune system that plays an essential role in thymocyte development and maturation. Thymic atrophy occurs with age (physiological thymic atrophy) or as a result of viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection (pathological thymic atrophy). Thymic atrophy directly results in loss of thymocytes and/or destruction of the thymic architecture, and indirectly leads to a decrease in naïve T cells and limited T cell receptor diversity. Thus, it is important to recognize the causes and mechanisms that induce thymic atrophy. In this review, we highlight current progress in infection-associated pathogenic thymic atrophy and discuss its possible mechanisms. In addition, we discuss whether extracellular vesicles/exosomes could be potential carriers of pathogenic substances to the thymus, and potential drugs for the treatment of thymic atrophy. Having acknowledged that most current research is limited to serological aspects, we look forward to the possibility of extending future work regarding the impact of neural modulation on thymic atrophy.

scholarly journals Toll-Like Receptors Represent an Important Link for Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Aging and Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinthya Echem ◽  
Eliana H. Akamine
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Toll Like Receptors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Aging

Human life span expectancy has increased, and aging affects the organism in several ways, leading, for example, to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Age-adjusted prevalence of the cardiovascular diseases is higher in males than females. Aging also affects the gonadal sex hormones and the sex differences observed in cardiovascular diseases may be therefore impacted. Hormonal changes associated with aging may also affect the immune system and the immune response is sexually different. The immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In this context, toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors of the immune system whose activation induces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory molecules. They are expressed throughout the cardiovascular system and their activation has been widely described in cardiovascular diseases. Some recent evidence demonstrates that there are sex differences associated with TLR responses and that these receptors may be affected by sex hormones and their receptors, suggesting that TLRs may contribute to the sex differences observed in cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence also shows that sex differences of TLRs in cardiovascular system persists with aging, which may represent a new paradigm about the mechanisms that contribute to the sex differences in cardiovascular aging. Therefore, in this mini review we describe the latest findings regarding the sex differences of TLRs and associated signaling in cardiovascular diseases during aging.

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