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Weiss E. No Bones About It: Sex Is Binary. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1595-1608. [PMID: 38565789 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02851-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Anthropologists have led the way in formulating techniques that reveal skeletal differences between males and females. Understanding of physical differences in the pelvis related to childbirth, hormonal impacts on bones, and extensive comparative studies have provided anthropologists with an array of traits and measurements that help them estimate sex using just bones. Forensic anthropologists and bioarcheologists are improving their ability to differentiate males and females by increasing research on a variety of postcranial bones and through the use of molecular data, especially new methods called proteomics, to identify sex in prepubescent juveniles. As remains from more cultures and time periods are studied, sex identification will continue to improve, because skeletal sex differences are in large part biologically determined. Yet, anthropologists have also been at the forefront of arguing that sex lies on a spectrum. Anthropologists who view sex as on a spectrum may deter sex identification progress; from their perspective, an individual of an undetermined sex may just be a nonbinary individual. Anthropologists who consider sex is on a spectrum are coming to this conclusion in part because they are looking for anatomical ideals, mistaking pathology for variation, and confusing independent variables with dependent variables. Nonetheless, anthropologists need to continue to improve sex identification techniques to reconstruct the past accurately, which may reveal less strict sex roles than previously presumed and help with the identification of crime victims. Forensic anthropologists should also increase their efforts to identify whether individuals have undergone medical procedures intended to change one's gender due to the current rise in transitioning individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Weiss
- Department of Anthropology, San José State University, One Washington Square, San José, CA, 95192-0113, USA.
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Wei X, Cooper DML. The various meanings and uses of bone "remodeling" in biological anthropology: A review. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2023; 182:318-329. [PMID: 37515465 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In modern bone biology, the term "remodeling" generally refers to internal bone turnover that creates secondary osteons. However, it is also widely used by skeletal biologists, including biological anthropologists as a catch-all term to refer to different skeletal changes. In this review, we investigated how "remodeling" is used across topics on skeletal biology in biological anthropology to demonstrate potential problems with such pervasive use of a generalized term. METHODS Using PubMed and Google Scholar, we selected and reviewed 205 articles that use the term remodeling to describe skeletal processes and have anthropological implications. Nine edited volumes were also reviewed as examples of collaborative work by different experts to demonstrate the diverse and extensive use of the term remodeling. RESULTS Four general meanings of bone "remodeling" were identified, namely, internal turnover, functional adaptation, fracture repair, and growth remodeling. Additionally, remodeling is also used to refer to a broad array of pathological skeletal changes. DISCUSSION Although we initially identified four general meanings of bone remodeling, they are not mutually exclusive and often occur in combination. The term "remodeling" has become an extensively used catch-all term to refer to different processes and outcomes of skeletal changes, which inevitably lead to misunderstanding and a loss of information. Such ambiguity and confusion are potentially problematic as the field of biological anthropology becomes increasingly multidisciplinary. Therefore, we advocate for precise, context-specific definitions and explanations of bone remodeling as it continues to be used across disciplines within and beyond biological anthropology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wei
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - David M L Cooper
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Chen P, Zhang C, He P, Pan S, Zhong W, Wang Y, Xiao Q, Wang X, Yu W, He Z, Gao X, Song J. A Biomimetic Smart Nanoplatform as “Inflammation Scavenger” for Regenerative Therapy of Periodontal Tissue. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:5165-5186. [PMID: 36388874 PMCID: PMC9642321 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s384481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The functional reconstruction of periodontal tissue defects remains a clinical challenge due to excessive and prolonged host response to various endogenous and exogenous pro-inflammatory stimuli. Thus, a biomimetic nanoplatform with the capability of modulating inflammatory response in a microenvironment-responsive manner is attractive for regenerative therapy of periodontal tissue. Methods Herein, a facile and green design of engineered bone graft materials was developed by integrating a biomimetic apatite nanocomposite with a smart-release coating, which could realize inflammatory modulation by “on-demand” delivery of the anti-inflammatory agent through a pH-sensing mechanism. Results In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that this biocompatible nanoplatform could facilitate the clearance of reactive oxygen species in human periodontal ligament stem cells under inflammatory conditions via inhibiting the production of endogenous proinflammatory mediators, in turn contributing to the enhanced healing efficacy of periodontal tissue. Moreover, this system exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against common pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity, which is beneficial for the elimination of exogenous pro-inflammatory factors from bacterial infection during healing of periodontal tissue. Conclusion The proposed strategy provides a versatile apatite nanocomposite as a promising “inflammation scavenger” and propels the development of intelligent bone graft materials for periodontal and orthopedic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poyu Chen
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuangwei Zhang
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Stomatology, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, SiChuan, 635000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengyuan Pan
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Zhong
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyue Xiao
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyan Wang
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenliang Yu
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhangmin He
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gao
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xiang Gao; Jinlin Song, Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 23 88860105; Tel/Fax +86 23 88860026, Email ;
| | - Jinlin Song
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, People’s Republic of China
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Pharmacological History of Missing Subjects: Perspective of a Correction Factor to Aid in the Study of Bone Remains. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081128. [PMID: 36009755 PMCID: PMC9404937 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The reconstruction of the biological profile of skeletal remains of missing subjects is also based on the analysis of the quality of bone tissue. The density of bone mass is a factor that allows us to inscribe the subject in a specific age group. Bone density varies not only according to age but also by the intake of certain drugs and certain abuse substances. The objective of our study is to propose the introduction of pharmacological history in the profile of missing persons. Information on drugs or abuse substances taken by the missing person is a useful corrective factor for tracing the chronological age of bone remains found, increasing the likelihood of identification. We emphasize the usefulness of this information also for the characterization of bone injuries and for the dating of antemortem fractures, useful elements to trace the cause and dynamics of death. The evaluation of these findings is also based on the characteristics of the bone tissue of skeletal remains which is also affected by any drugs and/or substances of abuse. Therefore, we believe that the pharmacological history of the missing subjects could be a new and interesting tool to help the activity of the forensic anthropologist. Abstract In forensic anthropology, bone mineral density and the estimation of the dating of fractures based on the degree of progress of healing processes are important parameters of study on bone remains. With our article we aim, on the one hand, to highlight the importance that these parameters have in the reconstruction of the biological profile of the subject, as well as the time and the cause of death; on the other hand, we aim to limit their variability according to the medical substances and/or abuse assumed during life by the subject. The aim of this article is to encourage the introduction of the pharmacological history of missing persons as a new correction factor for the study of bone remains, possibly based on new scientific studies that allow us to establish with greater specificity the effect that certain pharmacological therapies produce on bone mass and the speed of remodeling.
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