Researchers have highlighted numerous sociocultural factors that have been shown to underpin human appearance enhancement practices, including the influence of peers, family, the media, and sexual objectification. Fewer scholars have approached appearance enhancement from an evolutionary perspective or considered how sociocultural factors interact with evolved psychology to produce appearance enhancement behavior. Following others, we argue that evidence from the field of evolutionary psychology can complement existing sociocultural models by yielding unique insight into the historical and cross-cultural ubiquity of competition over aspects of physical appearance to embody what is desired by potential mates. An evolutionary lens can help to make sense of reliable sex and individual differences that impact appearance enhancement, as well as the context-dependent nature of putative adaptations that function to increase physical attractiveness. In the current review, appearance enhancement is described as a self-promotion strategy used to enhance reproductive success by rendering oneself more attractive than rivals to mates, thereby increasing one’s mate value. The varied ways in which humans enhance their appearance are described, as well as the divergent tactics used by women and men to augment their appearance, which correspond to the preferences of opposite-sex mates in a heterosexual context. Evolutionarily relevant individual differences and contextual factors that vary predictably with appearance enhancement behavior are also discussed. The complementarity of sociocultural and evolutionary perspectives is emphasized and recommended avenues for future interdisciplinary research are provided for scholars interested in studying appearance enhancement behavior.
The present study aimed at measuring seropositivities for infection by
Ascaris suum and Toxocara canis using the
excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens from Ascaris suum (AES) and
Toxocara canis (TES) within an indigenous population. In
addition, quantification of cytokine expressions in peripheral blood cells was
determined. A total of 50 Warao indigenous were included; of which 43 were adults and
seven children. In adults, 44.1% were seropositive for both parasites; whereas
children had only seropositivity to one or the other helminth. For ascariosis, the
percentage of AES seropositivity in adults and children was high; 23.3% and 57.1%,
respectively. While that for toxocariosis, the percentage of TES seropositivity in
adults and children was low; 9.3% and 14.3%, respectively. The percentage of
seronegativity was comparable for AES and TES antigens in adults (27.9%) and children
(28.6%). When positive sera were analyzed by Western blotting technique using AES
antigens; three bands of 97.2, 193.6 and 200.2 kDas were mostly recognized. When the
TES antigens were used, nine major bands were mostly identified; 47.4, 52.2, 84.9,
98.2, 119.1, 131.3, 175.6, 184.4 and 193.6 kDas. Stool examinations showed that
Blastocystis hominis, Hymenolepis nana and
Entamoeba coli were the most commonly observed intestinal
parasites. Quantification of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-10 and
IL-4 expressions showed that there was only a significant increased expression of
IL-4 in indigenous with TES seropositivity (p < 0.002).
Ascaris and Toxocara seropositivity was
prevalent among Warao indigenous. 相似文献
Objective: Report efficacy findings from three clinical trials (one phase 2 and two phase 3 [OPUS-1, OPUS-2]) of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease (DED).Research design and methods: Three 84-day, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials. Adults (≥18 years) with DED were randomized (1:1) to lifitegrast 5.0% or matching placebo. Changes from baseline to day 84 in signs and symptoms of DED were analyzed.Main outcome measures: Phase 2, pre-specified endpoint: inferior corneal staining score (ICSS; 0–4); OPUS-1, coprimary endpoints: ICSS and visual-related function subscale (0–4 scale); OPUS-2, coprimary endpoints: ICSS and eye dryness score (EDS, VAS; 0–100).Results: Fifty-eight participants were randomized to lifitegrast 5.0% and 58 to placebo in the phase 2 trial; 293 to lifitegrast and 295 to placebo in OPUS-1; 358 to lifitegrast and 360 to placebo in OPUS-2. In participants with mild-to-moderate baseline DED symptomatology, lifitegrast improved ICSS versus placebo in the phase 2 study (treatment effect, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.05–0.65; p?=?0.0209) and OPUS-1 (effect, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10–0.38; p?=?0.0007). Among more symptomatic participants (baseline EDS ≥40, recent artificial tear use), lifitegrast improved EDS versus placebo in a post hoc analysis of OPUS-1 (effect, 13.34; 95% CI, 2.35–24.33; nominal p?=?0.0178) and in OPUS-2 (effect, 12.61; 95% CI, 8.51–16.70; p?<?0.0001).Limitations: Trials were conducted over 12 weeks; efficacy beyond this period was not assessed.Conclusions: Across three trials, lifitegrast improved ICSS in participants with mild-to-moderate baseline symptomatology in two studies, and EDS in participants with moderate-to-severe baseline symptomatology in two studies. Based on the overall findings from these trials, lifitegrast shows promise as a new treatment option for signs and symptoms of DED. 相似文献