The story of how cancer got its name.

The disease called cancer was named after the animal known as the crab. According to ancient tradition, cancer was named after the crab because of the aggressivity or obstinacy of the crab or because of the appearance of the crab's tangled legs.

Categorical perception meets El Greco: Categories unequally influence color perception of simultaneously present objects.

Broad empirical evidence suggests that higher-level cognitive processes, such as language, categorization, and emotion, shape human visual perception. Do these higher-level processes shape human perception of all the relevant items within an immediately available scene, or do they affect only some of them? Here, we study categorical effects on visual perception by adapting a perceptual matching task so as to minimize potential non-perceptual influences. In three experiments with human adults (N = 80; N = 80, N = 82), we found that the learned higher-level categories systematically bias human perceptual matchings away from a caricature of their typical color. This effect, however, unequally biased different objects that were simultaneously present within the scene, thus demonstrating a more nuanced picture of top-down influences on perception than has been commonly assumed. In particular, perception of only the object to be matched, not the matching object, was influenced by animal category and it was gazed at less often by participants. These results suggest that category-based associations change perceptual encodings of the items at the periphery of our visual field or the items stored in concurrent memory when a person moves their eyes from one object to another. The main finding of this study calls for a revision of theories of top-down effects on perception and falsify the core assumption behind the El Greco fallacy criticism of them.

Visual Self-Misperception in Eating Disorders.

Many who suffer from eating disorders claim that they see themselves as "fat". Despite decades of research into the phenomenon, behavioural evidence has failed to confirm that eating disorders involve visual misperception of own-body size. I illustrate the importance of this phenomenon for our understanding of perceptual processing, outline the challenges involved in experimentally confirming it, and provide solutions to those challenges.

Grape Canes from Typical Cultivars of Campania (Southern Italy) as a Source of High-Value Bioactive Compounds: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities in grape cane extracts from typical cultivars of Southern Italy. Aqueous extracts at different pHs (1-13) were prepared from "Aglianico", "Fiano", and "Greco" grape canes. The results demonstrated that an alkaline pH (13.00) produced the best polyphenol-rich extracts, as the total phenolic content was more than double when compared to the respective extracts prepared at pH 1.00. "Greco" grape canes gave the highest quantity of phenolic compounds at each pH, ranging from 42.7 ± 0.4 to 104.3 ± 3.0 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g Dry Extract (DE) from pH 1.00 to 13.00. The Radical Scavenging Activity (RSA) and the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) were measured. The highest antioxidant activity was showed by "Greco" extract at pH 7.00. Seventy-five compounds were identified in the extracts by HPLC-MS with six of them described for the first time in grape canes. Procyanidins were highly abundant in extracts at pH 7.00, whereas stilbenoids were the most represented compounds at pH 13.00. Very strong antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses was recorded for the extracts at pH 7.00 and 13.00 that were active in the early stages of infection by acting directly against the viral particles. The overall results suggest that grape canes, currently underutilized, can be usefully valorised by providing active extracts to use as antioxidant and antiviral agents.

Historical account of endocrinal disorders in Unani medicine.

Hippocratic doctrine of four humors and qualities is implicated to be a pioneer of modern endocrinology because of the concept of dyscrasia. Imbalance in humors causes disease. Unani scholars were aware of endocrinological disorders like endocrinologic syndrome (i.e., association of amenorrhea and galactorrhoea in a non-pregnant woman), castration, contraceptives techniques, infertility, obesity, diabetes etc., and also their mode of remedy, albeit with a phenomenological approach. Their understanding of the symptoms and signs related to endocrinologic syndromes, which were explained in detail in the recent account of the endocrine system, is presented here with historical chronology. The survey was carried out from the literature of the Unani system of medicine, and the same was analyzed from the observations reported in various indexed journals and reputed books. The paper details the account of endocrinologic syndrome from the Greek era to the end of the medieval ages.

The Funnel: a Screening Technique for Identifying Optimal Two-Drug Combination Chemotherapy Regimens.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug discovery effort has generated a substantial number of new/repurposed drugs for therapy for this pathogen. The arrival of these drugs is welcome, but another layer of difficulty has emerged. Single agent therapy is insufficient for patients with late-stage tuberculosis because of resistance emergence. To achieve our therapeutic ends, it is requisite to identify optimal combination regimens. These regimens go through a lengthy and expensive evaluative process. If we have a modest group of 6 to 8 new or repurposed agents, this translates into 15 to 28 possible 2-drug combinations. There is neither time nor resources to give an extensive evaluation for all combinations. We sought a screening procedure that would identify combinations that had a high likelihood of achieving good bacterial burden decline. We examined pretomanid, moxifloxacin, linezolid, and bedaquiline in log-phase growth, acid-phase growth, and nonreplicative persister (NRP) phase in the Greco interaction model. We employed the interaction term α and the calculated bacterial burden decline as metrics to rank different regimens in different metabolic states. No relationship was found between α and bacterial kill. We chose bacterial kill as the prime metric. The combination of pretomanid plus moxifloxacin emerged as the clear frontrunner, as the largest bacterial declines were seen in log phase and acid phase with this regimen and it was second best in NRP phase. Bedaquiline also produced good kill. This screening process may identify optimal combinations that can be further evaluated in both the hollow-fiber infection model and in animal models of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

El desarrollo de la capacidad coordinativa equilibrio en atletas de lucha greco, categorías iniciales / O desenvolvimento da capacidade de coordenação em atletas de luta grega, categorias iniciais / The development of the balance coordination capacity in Greek wrestling athletes, initial categories

Resumen Considerando la importancia de las capacidades coordinativas en el deporte, el objetivo del presente estudio se enmarcó en valorar el desarrollo de la capacidad coordinativa, equilibrio en los atletas de lucha greco, categoría pioneril (11-12 años), del Proyecto "Roberto Amarán", en Pinar del Río, Cuba. Para ello, se trabajó con una población conformada por los 12 atletas que practican esta modalidad en dicho proyecto, así como seis entrenadores encargados de llevar a cabo el proceso de entrenamiento en las categorías iniciales. Como parte de los métodos científicos a nivel empírico, se aplicaron entrevistas, pruebas de equilibrio estático, de equilibrio dinámico y de control, en condiciones variables. Los datos obtenidos fueron procesados a través del paquete estadístico IBM SPSS Statistics Visor 20. Los resultados arrojados develan insuficiencias en los atletas estudiados, en el desarrollo de esta capacidad coordinativa, que se manifiestan en una postura incorrecta en relación con la ubicación del centro de gravedad, en la realización de las diferentes acciones técnicas de la disciplina deportiva, derivadas a su vez de insuficiencias en la labor de los entrenadores, los cuales no cuentan con las herramientas suficientes para un trabajo sistemático y adecuado con esta capacidad coordinativa en sus atletas.

Resumo Considerando a importância das capacidades coordenativas no esporte, o objetivo deste estudo foi enquadrado em avaliar o desenvolvimento da capacidade coordenativa, equilíbrio em atletas de luta grega, categoria pioneira (11-12 anos), do Projeto "Roberto Amarán", em Pinar del Río, Cuba. Para isso, trabalhamos com uma população composta por 12 atletas que praticam esta modalidade no referido projeto, além de seis técnicos encarregados de realizar o processo de treinamento nas categorias iniciais. Como parte dos métodos científicos a nível empírico, foram aplicadas entrevistas, equilíbrio estático, equilíbrio dinâmico e testes de controlo em condições variáveis. Os dados obtidos foram processados ​​por meio do pacote estatístico IBM SPSS Statistics Viewer 20. Os resultados obtidos revelam inadequações nos atletas estudados, no desenvolvimento desta capacidade coordenativa, que se manifestam em uma postura incorreta em relação à localização do centro de gravidade, na execução das diferentes ações técnicas da disciplina desportiva, derivadas por sua vez de insuficiências no trabalho dos treinadores, que não dispõem de ferramentas suficientes para um trabalho sistemático e adequado com esta capacidade coordenadora nos seus atletas.

Abstract Starting from the importance of coordinative capacities in sport, the objective of this study was framed in assessingthedevelopmentof balance coordinativecapacity in Greekwrestlingathletes, pioneercategory (11-12 years), ofthe Roberto Amarán Project in Pinar del Río, Cuba. To do this, we worked with a population made up of 12 athletes who practice this modality in said project, as well as 6 coaches in charge of carrying out the training process in the initial categories. As part of the scientific methods used, two static balance tests and two dynamic balance tests were applied to these athletes, as well as a control test under variable conditions, during the development of the teaching plan for the 2018-2019 academic year; in addition to using the interview with the coaches. The data obtained were processed through the statistical package IBM SPSS Statistics Viewer 20, using the percentage calculation, and the averages. The results obtained reveal inadequacies of the athletes studied in the development of this coordinative capacity that are manifested in an incorrect posture in relation to the location of the center of gravity, in the performance of the different technical actions of the sport discipline, derived in turn of inadequacies in the work of the coaches, who do not have enough tools for a systematic and adequate work with this coordinative capacity in their athletes.

Absence of Axoglial Paranodal Junctions in a Child With CNTNAP1 Mutations, Hypomyelination, and Arthrogryposis.

Leukodystrophies and genetic leukoencephalopathies are a heterogeneous group of heritable disorders that affect the glial-axonal unit. As more patients with unsolved leukodystrophies and genetic leukoencephalopathies undergo next generation sequencing, causative mutations in genes leading to central hypomyelination are being identified. Two such individuals presented with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy, and central hypomyelination with early respiratory failure. Whole exome sequencing identified biallelic mutations in the CNTNAP1 gene: homozygous c.1163G>C (p.Arg388Pro) and compound heterozygous c.967T>C (p.Cys323Arg) and c.319C>T (p.Arg107*). Sural nerve and quadriceps muscle biopsies demonstrated progressive, severe onion bulb and axonal pathology. By ultrastructural evaluation, septate axoglial paranodal junctions were absent from nodes of Ranvier. Serial brain magnetic resonance images revealed hypomyelination, progressive atrophy, and reduced diffusion in the globus pallidus in both patients. These 2 families illustrate severe progressive peripheral demyelinating neuropathy due to the absence of septate paranodal junctions and central hypomyelination with neurodegeneration in CNTNAP1-associated arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.

Greco-Roman mineral (litho)therapeutics and their relationship to their microbiome: The case of the red pigment miltos.

This paper introduces a holistic approach to the study of Greco-Roman (G-R) lithotherapeutics. These are the minerals or mineral combinations that appear in the medical and scientific literature of the G-R world. It argues that they can best be described not simply in terms of their bulk chemistry/mineralogy but also their ecological microbiology and nanofraction component. It suggests that each individual attribute may have underpinned the bioactivity of the lithotherapeutic as an antibacterial, antifungal or other. We focus on miltos, the highly prized, naturally fine, red iron oxide-based mineral used as a pigment, in boat maintenance, agriculture and medicine. Five samples (four geological (from Kea, N. Cyclades) and one archaeological (from Lemnos, NE Aegean)) of miltos were analyzed with physical and biological science techniques. We show that: a. Kean miltos and Lemnian earth/miltos must have been chemically and mineralogically different; b. Lemnian miltos must have been more effective as an antibacterial against specific pathogens (Gram + and Gram - bacteria) than its Kean counterpart; c. two samples of Kean miltos, although similar, chemically, mineralogically and eco-microbiologically (phylum/class level), nevertheless, displayed different antibacterial action. We suggest that this may constitute proof of microbial ecology playing an important role in effecting bioactivity and, interestingly, at the more specific genus/species level. From the perspective of the historian of G-R science, we suggest that it may have been on account of its bioactivity, rather than simply its 'red-staining' effect, that miltos gained prominent entry into the scientific and medical literature of the G-R world.

From mine to apothecary: an archaeo-biomedical approach to the study of the Greco-Roman lithotherapeutics industry.

Western biomedicine has only partially developed its own tradition of mineral medicinals (lithotherapeutics), at least compared to botanicals. This is perhaps because these minerals were site-specific, and fundamental information associated with the empirical processes of mineral extraction, beneficiation, storage, trade and preparation was not widely available. In other words, there are many and serious breaks in the multi-link chain from mine to apothecary. This long-term investigation aims to rebuild this chain, on a mineral-by-mineral basis, by pulling together the extant documentary record, material culture, mineralogy, geochemistry and microbial ecology, as well as by testing against known pathogens as an indicator of their antimicrobial activity. Critical to understanding the nature and efficacy of lithotherapeutics is the recognition that these materials need to be investigated simultaneously at two levels: the empirical (ancient sources and practices); and the biomedical (application of physical and biological sciences). Both approaches require the same starting point, namely the field (mine or quarry) and in particular the 'point of contact' (relationship) between minerals and their microbiome.

Observations on a set of Greco-Roman eye, ear, nose, and throat surgical instruments.

The tools described in this article are verified to be Greco-Roman medical and surgical instruments for the eye, ear, nose, and throat. They include three myrtle leaf-shaped scalpels, three ear spoons, a "Q-tip," a forceps, a needle, and two arrow-pointed scalpels. One of the arrow-pointed scalpels is nearly identical to a Juerger keratome, suggesting that in Roman times, cataracts were extracted, not just "couched" into the posterior chamber. The description presented here goes beyond traditional archeological claims, because as a head and neck surgeon, I evaluated these instruments from a surgeon's point of view. For example, nonsurgeon medical historians have claimed the myrtle leaf-shaped items were used as handles or for blunt dissection, which I feel is mistaken. Review of the literature reveals the Greco-Roman surgeons were doing tonsillectomies, tracheotomies, and cataract extractions, and recognized that swimming in dirty water could cause ear infection. However, it is clear that with poor or no anesthesia, the pain from blunt dissection would have been intolerable, and unnecessary tissue planes would have been opened increasing wound infection risks. Therefore, there would have been no need for the myrtle leaf-shaped blade if it were just a handle. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:354-358, 2017.

Perceiving Time Differences When You Should Not: Applying the El Greco Fallacy to Hypnotic Time Distortions.

The way we experience and estimate time - subjective time - does not systematically correspond to objective time (the physical duration of an event). Many factors can influence subjective time and lead to mental dilation or compression of objective time. The emotional valence of stimuli or the levels of attention or expectancy are known to modulate subjective time even though objective time is constant. Hypnosis too is known to alter people's perception of time. However, it is not known whether hypnotic time distortions are intrinsic perceptual effects, based for example on the changing rate of an internal clock, or rather the result of a response to demand characteristics. Here we distinguished the theories using the logic of the El Greco fallacy. When participants initially had to compare the duration of two successive events -with the same duration - while in "trance," they responded that the second event was on average longer than the first event. As both events were estimated in "trance," if hypnosis had impacted on an internal clock, they should have been affected to the same extent. Conversely, when only the first event was in "trance," there was no difference in perceived duration. The findings conform to an El Greco fallacy effect and challenge theories of hypnotic time distortion arguing that "trance" itself changes subjective time.

A cephalometric study of skulls from the Bahriyah oasis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the craniofacial characteristics of crania from the Bahariyah oasis dating from the Greco-Roman period and to compare their cephalometric traits with other ancient Egyptian samples from various time periods and to evaluate sexual dimorphism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 149 skulls (90 males and 59 females), belonging to the Greco-Roman (332 B.C. - 395 A.D.). Lateral and postero-anterior cephalograms were taken. Sixteen linear measurements were analyzed and six indices were calculated. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between males and females almost in all measurements. All male measurements were greater than those of the females. The study shows notable differences in the craniofacial parameters of the present sample as compared to other ancient Egyptians from various periods and from various geographical areas. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the studied crania from Bahriyah oasis had a specific craniometric phenotype, which is distinguished from other Egyptian samples from different periods, suggesting some migration could have occurred along the Egyptian Nile Valley over various times.