Religion as a means to assure paternity

The sacred texts of five world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism) use similar belief systems to set limits on sexual behavior. We propose that this similarity is a shared cultural solution to a biological problem: namely male uncertainty over the paternity of offspring. Furthermore, we propose the hypothesis that religious practices that more strongly regulate female sexuality should be more successful at promoting paternity certainty. Using genetic data on 1,706 father-son pairs, we tested this hypothesis in a traditional African population in which multiple religions (Islam, Christianity, and indigenous) coexist in the same families and villages. We show that the indigenous religion enables males to achieve a significantly (P = 0.019) lower probability of cuckoldry (1.3% versus 2.9%) by enforcing the honest signaling of menstruation, but that all three religions share tenets aimed at the avoidance of extrapair copulation. Our findings provide evidence for high paternity certainty in a traditional African population, and they shed light on the reproductive agendas that underlie religious patriarchy.     

Effects of different pretreatments on the bond strength of a dual-cure resin core material to various fiber-reinforced composite posts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different pretreatments on the bond strength of a dual-cure resin core to 3 types of fiber posts. Bond strength was measured using a push-out design. One-sided t-Test of Hypothesis with unknown variance was performed (p-values < 5%). Sandblasting abrasion with 50 micro alumina particles at a specific distance, pressure and time was the only surface treatment in DT Light Post and Transluma Post that increased the bond strength to dual cure resin composite cores. FRC Postec Plus post did not shown an increase in bond strength in any group.     

What's new in liver fibrosis? The origin of myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis

Chronic liver injury of many etiologies produces liver fibrosis and may eventually lead to the formation of cirrhosis. Fibrosis is part of a dynamic process associated with the continuous deposition and resorption of extracellular matrix, mainly fibrillar collagen. Studies of fibrogenesis conducted in many organs including the liver demonstrate that the primary source of the extracellular matrix in fibrosis is the myofibroblast. Hepatic myofibroblasts are not present in the normal liver but transdifferentiate from heterogeneous cell populations in response to a variety of fibrogenic stimuli. Debate still exists regarding the origin of hepatic myofibroblasts. It is considered that hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts have fibrogenic potential and are the major origin of hepatic myofibroblasts. Depending on the primary site of injury the fibrosis may be present in the hepatic parenchyma as seen in chronic hepatitis or may be restricted to the portal areas as in most biliary diseases. It is suggested that hepatic injury of different etiology triggers the transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts from distinct cell populations. Here we discuss the origin and fate of myofibroblast in liver fibrosis.