Cultural factors that affected the spatial and temporal epidemiology of kuru

Kuru is a prion disease which became epidemic among the Fore and surrounding linguistic groups in Papua New Guinea, peaking in the late 1950s. It was transmitted during the transumption (endocannibalism) of dead family members at mortuary feasts. In this study, we aimed to explain the historical spread and the changing epidemiological patterns of kuru by analysing factors that affected its transmission. We also examined what cultural group principally determined a family’s behaviour during mortuary rituals. Our investigations showed that differences in mortuary practices were responsible for the initial pattern of the spread of kuru and the ultimate shape of the epidemic, and for subsequent spatio-temporal differences in the epidemiology of kuru. Before transumption stopped altogether, the South Fore continued to eat the bodies of those who had died of kuru, whereas other linguistic groups, sooner or later, stopped doing so. The linguistic group was the primary cultural group that determined behaviour but at linguistic boundaries the neighbouring group’s cultural practices were often adopted. The epidemiological changes were not explained by genetic differences, but genetic studies led to an understanding of genetic susceptibility to kuru and the selection pressure imposed by kuru, and provided new insights into human history and evolution

Insight dimensions and cognitive function in psychosis: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that lack of insight is significantly associated with cognitive disturbance in schizophrenia. This study examines the longitudinal relationships between insight dimensions and cognitive performance in psychosis. METHODS: Participants were 75 consecutively admitted inpatients with schizophrenia, affective disorder with psychotic symptoms or schizoaffective disorder. Assessments were conducted at two time points during the study: at the time of hospital discharge after an acute psychotic episode and at a follow-up time that occurred more than 6 months after discharge. A multidimensional approach of insight was chosen and three instruments for its assessment were used: the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), three items concerning insight on the Assessment and Documentation in Psychopathology (AMDP) system and the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire. The neuropsychological battery included a wide range of tests that assessed global cognitive function, attention, memory, and executive functions. RESULTS: After conducting adequate statistical correction to avoid Type I bias, insight dimensions and cognitive performance were not found to be significantly associated at cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments. In addition, baseline cognitive performance did not explain changes in insight dimensions at follow-up. Similar results were found in the subset of patients with schizophrenia (n = 37). The possibility of a Type II error might have increased due to sample attrition at follow-up. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lack of insight dimensions and cognitive functioning may be unrelated phenomena in psychosis

ESTHub analüüs

Analüüsis kirjeldatakse ESTHubi kui riiklikku satelliidiandmete ühtset platvormi ning tuuakse välja juhised ja soovitused ESTHubi kasutuselevõtuks võttes aluseks RITA KAUGSEIRE raames välja töötatud teaduspõhised prototüübid

Le numérique, une chance à saisir pour la France : 4 études et 33 propositions pour une France numérique

Ce livre blanc est le fruit du travail de quatre écoles (Centrale Supélec, Paris-Dauphine, ECE Paris et Télécom École de Management), piloté par CGI

Le numérique, une chance à saisir pour la France : 4 études et 33 propositions pour une France numérique

Ce livre blanc est le fruit du travail de quatre écoles (Centrale Supélec, Paris-Dauphine, ECE Paris et Télécom École de Management), piloté par CGI

Le numérique, une chance à saisir pour la France : 4 études et 33 propositions pour une France numérique

Ce livre blanc est le fruit du travail de quatre écoles (Centrale Supélec, Paris-Dauphine, ECE Paris et Télécom École de Management), piloté par CGI