Islamic Homosexualities: Culture, History, and Literature

Islamic Homosexualities: Culture, History, and Literature. Stephen O. Murray and Will Roscoe. with additional contributors. New York and London: New York University Press, 1997. 331 pp.     

People of the Peyote: Huichol Indian History, Religion, and Survival

People of the Peyote: Huichol Indian History, Religion, and Survival. Stacy B. Schaefer and Peter T. Furst. eds. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1996. 560 pp.     

MALDI-TOF Identification of the Human Gut Microbiome in People with and without Diarrhea in Senegal

Background

In Africa, there are several problems with the specific identification of bacteria. Recently, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry has become a powerful tool for the routine microbial identification in many clinical laboratories.

Methodology/Principal Findings

This study was conducted using feces from 347 individuals (162 with diarrhea and 185 without diarrhea) sampled in health centers in Dakar, Senegal. Feces were transported from Dakar to Marseille, France, where they were cultured using different culture conditions. The isolated colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF. If a colony was unidentified, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed. Overall, 2,753 isolates were tested, allowing for the identification of 189 bacteria from 5 phyla, including 2 previously unknown species, 11 species not previously reported in the human gut, 10 species not previously reported in humans, and 3 fungi. 2,718 bacterial isolates (98.8%) out of 2,750 yielded an accurate identification using mass spectrometry, as did the 3 Candida albicans isolates. Thirty-two bacterial isolates not identified by MALDI-TOF (1.2%) were identified by sequencing, allowing for the identification of 2 new species. The number of bacterial species per fecal sample was significantly higher among patients without diarrhea (8.6±3) than in those with diarrhea (7.3±3.4; P = 0.0003). A modification of the gut microbiota was observed between the two groups. In individuals with diarrhea, major commensal bacterial species such as E. coli were significantly decreased (85% versus 64%), as were several Enterococcus spp. (E. faecium and E. casseliflavus) and anaerobes, such as Bacteroides spp. (B. uniformis and B. vulgatus) and Clostridium spp. (C. bifermentans, C. orbiscindens, C. perfringens, and C. symbosium). Conversely, several Bacillus spp. (B. licheniformis, B. mojavensis, and B. pumilus) were significantly more frequent among patients with diarrhea.

Conclusions/Significance

MALDI-TOF is a potentially powerful tool for routine bacterial identification in Africa, allowing for a quick identification of bacterial species.     

Ainu: Spirit of a Northern People

Ainu: Spirit of. Northern People. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, April 30,1999-January 2, 2000.
Ainu: Spirit of. Northern People. William W. Fitzhugh and Chisato O. Dubreuil. eds. Washington, DC: Arctic Studies Center, National Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with University of Washington Press, 1999. 415 pp.     

Adaptation and Probiotic Potential of Lactobacilli,Isolated from the Oral Cavity and Intestines of Healthy People

The present study shows that, from 300 Lactobacillus strains isolated from the oral cavity and large intestine of 600 healthy people, only 9 had high antagonistic activity against pathogens and opportunistic pathogens. All antagonistic strains of lactobacilli have been identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and assigned to four species: Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus casei. In addition, these lactobacilli appeared to be nonpathogenic and had some probiotic potential: the strains produced lactic acid and bacteriocins, showed high sensitivity to broad-spectrum antibiotics, and were capable of forming biofilms in vitro. With the help of PCR and specific primers, the presence of genes for prebacteriocins in L. plantarum (plnEF, plnJ, plnN) and L. rhamnosus (LGG_02380 and LGG_02400) has been revealed. It was found that intestinal strains of lactobacilli were resistant to hydrochloric acid and bile. Lactobacilli isolated from the oral cavity were characterized by a high degree of adhesion, whereas intestinal strains were characterized by average adhesion. Both types of lactobacilli had medium to high rates of auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity and could coaggregate with pathogens and opportunistic pathogens. Additionally, the ability of the lactobacilli strains to produce gasotransmitters, CH₄, CO₂, C₂H₆, CO, and NH₃, has been revealed.     

The Spawning and Early Life History of the Pollan (Coregonus pollan THOMPSON) in Lough Neagh,Northern Ireland

Studies had been carried out on the local non-migratory whitefish. Spawning behaviour and light conditions on the spawning ground are recorded. After artificial spawning, embryonal development took place under controlled conditions and the larvae were reared. Detailed characteristics of swim bladder creation and differentiation of the digestive tract are given. Distribution and number of pollan larvae near the spawning area and in the open lake were examined. Data are presented concerning the growth rates of larvae and fry in captivity and under lake conditions. Ecological data related to other coregonids are discussed and compared with the present study.     

甘肃西山遗址早期秦人的饮食与口腔健康

本文以甘肃礼县西山遗址早期秦人的遗骸资料作为主要研究对象,以牙齿磨耗、龋病、生前牙齿脱落、上下颌骨表面骨质隆起等指标作为主要观察内容,与国内外相关样本组作对比分析;与此同时,结合食谱分析结果,西山先民饮食状况较为复杂多样,总体上以肉食居多,植物性食物也占一定比例;推测早期秦人的经济模式应为农牧兼营的混合经济模式.     

The Epidemiology of Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorders among Young People in Northern Tanzania

IntroductionAlcohol use is a global public health problem, including as a risk factor for HIV infection, but few data are available on the epidemiology of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders (AUD) among young people in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey among 4 groups of young people aged 15–24 years old (secondary school students, college/university students, employees of local industries and casual labourers) in two regions (Kilimanjaro and Mwanza) of northern Tanzania. Using a multistage stratified random sampling strategy, we collected information on demographics, alcohol use, and behavioural factors. We screened severity of alcohol use using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and estimated the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption using the timeline-follow-back-calendar (TLFB) method.ResultsA total of 1954 young people were surveyed. The prevalence of reported alcohol use was higher among males (47–70% ever users and 20–45% current users) than females (24–54% ever users and 12–47% current users). Prevalence of use was substantially higher in Kilimanjaro than Mwanza region. In both regions, participants reported high exposure to alcohol advertisements, and wide alcohol availability. College students reported the highest prevalence of current alcohol use (45% among males; 26% among females) and of heavy episodic drinking (71% among males; 27% among females) followed by casual labourers. Males were more likely to have AUD (an AUDIT score ≥8) than females, with 11–28% of males screening positive for AUD. Alcohol use was associated with male gender, being in a relationship, greater disposable income, non-Muslim religion and a higher number of sexual partners.ConclusionsAlcohol use is a significant problem among young people in northern Tanzania. There is an urgent need to develop, pilot and deliver interventions to help young people delay initiation and reduce levels of harmful drinking, particularly among college students and casual labourers.     

Migration and hypertension in Dakar, Senegal

This article examines social and environmental influences on the development of hypertension in a sample of 568 adults (290 men; 278 women) aged 20 years and older from Dakar, Senegal. We test the hypothesis that more recent immigrants to the city of Dakar will have lower blood pressure and lower rates of hypertension than those who have lived there longer. Cross‐sectional sociodemographic, anthropometric and blood pressure data were collected during 2009. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 27.1% (95% CI: 25.2–29.0). Hypertension rates were not significantly associated with place of birth; however, length of residence in Dakar was a significant predictor, with those living in the city for less than 10 years having reduced risks of developing hypertension (OR = 0.25; P = 0.003). Other important correlates of blood pressure and hypertension risk in this sample were age and body mass index. These findings suggest that length of exposure to the urban environment—and associated changes in lifestyle—are linked to hypertension. Public health officials should thus pay particular attention to this phenomenon, and future anthropological research should include measures of both environmental and biological characteristics to study hypertension in Senegal. Am J Phys Anthropol 149:250–258, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Social Perceptions of People with Disabilities in History

Social Perceptions of People with Disabilities in History. Herbert C. Covey. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. 1998 306 pp.     

Plants and People in Oral Tradition: Folklore in the Scottish Highlands

Summary

An account is presented of how plants have been viewed in folklore with particular reference to aspects of Gaelic tradition.