Kuru is placed in its geographic and linguistic setting in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The epidemic of kuru has declined over the period 1957 to 2005 from more than 200 deaths a year to 1 or none. Since transmission of the kuru prion agent through the mortuary practice of transumption ceased by the early 1960s, the continuation of the epidemic into the present century demonstrates the long incubation periods that are possible in human prion diseases. Several histories of kuru are portrayed, from the different perspectives of the Fore people, of the scientists striving to elucidate the disease, of those engaged in research on prions, and of humans confronting the implications of kuru-like epidemics in the remote past. Kuru has connections to bovine spongiform encephalopathy through intraspecies recycling. The influence of host genetics on the incubation period in kuru may help to predict the shape of the still ongoing epidemic of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Kuru ; Epidemic ; Prions ; brief historical notes, excludes case histories ; 1960s

Background: Epidemiological findings suggest that weight fluctuations are associated with unfavorable health outcomes compared with stable weight. However, the interrelationship between the weight cycling history and dieting status in a non-clinical male trial on the risk for bio-behavioral health is unclear. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between weight cycling history as a result of intentional weight loss and bio-behavioral health in Japanese adult males. Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on a group of 146 Japanese working males (47.5±9.3 yr.). Each subject completed a series of self-reported questionnaires in which information about weight cycling history, current dieting practices, life-styles, and social background were assessed. Results of the physical check up were used to assess biological parameters. Self-reported weight cycling was defined as intentionally losing 10% of one's weight and regaining the lost weight. Results: Cyclers reported a significantly greater incidence of current dieting and recent weight gain compared with non-cyclers. Taking regular meals, eating breakfast everyday, and not eating snacks between meals every day were significantly less frequent among cyclers compared with non-cyclers after controlling for BMI. The adjusted odds ratio for AST abnormality was 5.46 (95%CI: 1.08 −27.67), ALT abnormality was 3.31 (95%CI: 1.24−8.78), and γ-GTP was 3.38 (95%CI: 1.07−10.67) among cyclers, compared with non-cyclers. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a history of weight cycling in men, regardless of current weight status, is associated with adverse bio-behavioral health. The risk for several liver enzyme abnormalities associated with weight cycling history was substantial, independent of relative body weight and lifestyle factors.
Weight ; Health ; brief historical notes, excludes case histories ; Japanese language ; Cephalic index

Metastatic eyelid tumours are rare and account for less than 2% of all eyelid neoplasms. We report a case of metastatic breast carcinoma to the eyelid in a 60-year-old Chinese lady presenting with a 2-year history of enlarging, painless nodular lower eyelid swelling. The 1 cm diameter lesion was provisionally diagnosed as a sebaceous cyst. However the excision biopsy revealed a mucinous carcinoma expressing oestrogen receptor protein. She had a past history of mastectomy one year previously and histology showed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (oestrogen receptor status negative) without evidence of axillary lymph node metastasis. She had completed adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. Further treatment of the current lesion involved a wide excision which did not show any residual malignancy. She had no other evidence of metastasis and was treated with letrozol. We highlight this case to create awareness among clinicians and opthalmologists on the possibility of metastatic disease as a cause of eyelid swelling, especially in patients with a history of cancer. It may also be the first sign of metastatic disease of an internal malignancy. A review of the literature is also presented.
Eyelids ; Metastatic to ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Carcinoma ; brief historical notes, excludes case histories

The Huli community of the Tari region has been profoundly influenced through contact with the wider world since the 1930s. However, the trajectories of change and the basic structural properties of Huli society need to be understood within the context of much longer-term histories of transformation. This paper briefly reviews evidence drawn from a range of disciplines for the history of Huli settlement in the Tari region, and the nature of changes in Huli society both before and after contact with the colonial government.
brief historical notes, excludes case histories ; 1930s ; seconds ; Review [Publication Type] ; Transformation, NOS