Making the most of scarce biological resources in the desert: Loptuq material culture in Eastern Turkestan around 1900.

BACKGROUND: Most fisher-gatherer communities we know of utilized a limited number of natural resources for their livelihood. The Turkic-speaking Loptuq (exonym Loplik, Loplyk) in the Lower Tarim River basin, Taklamakan desert, Eastern Turkestan (Xinjiang), were no exception. Their habitat, the Lop Nor marsh and lake area, was surrounded by desert and very poor in plant species; the Loptuq had to make the most of a handful of available biological resources for housing, furniture, clothing and fabric, fishnets and traps, tools and other equipment. The taxa used by the Loptuq were documented by foreign explorers at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries, prior to the forced resettlement of the group in the 1950s and subsequent destruction of their language, lifestyle and culture. METHODS AND SOURCES: Ethnobiology explores the relationship between humans and their environment, including the use of biological resources for different purposes. In several aspects, historical ethnobiology is more challenging; it studies this relationship in the past and therefore cannot verify results with informants. As the present study discusses an extinct culture on the basis of literary and material sources, we apply a method called source pluralism. This approach allows the inclusion and combination of a wide range of data and materials, even scraps of information from various sources, with the aim to understand phenomena which are sparsely mentioned in historical records. Travel reports by Swedish, British, German, American and Russian explorers together with linguistic data provide the most important sources for understanding Loptuq interaction with the environment and its biota. Especially the large number of toponyms and phytonyms recorded by the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin and materials from his expeditions, including voucher specimens kept in Stockholm in the herbarium of the Swedish Natural History Museum, and objects of material culture in the collections of the Ethnographical Museum, are crucial for our analysis about local knowledge among the Loptuq. Illustrations and photographs provide us with additional information. RESULTS: The question of how the Loptuq managed to survive at the fringe of a desert, a marsh and a lake which changed its location, intrigued all foreign visitors to the Lop Nor. The Loptuq's main livelihood was fishing, hunting and gathering, and their material culture provided by plants and other organic materials included their usage, consumption and trade. Only a handful of species formed the basis of the Loptuq material culture, but they had learned to use these specific plants for a variety of purposes. The most important of these were Lop hemp, Poacynum pictum (Schrenk) Baill., the riparian tree Euphrates poplar, Populus euphratica Olivier, and the aquatic common reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Several species of tamarisk were used for fuel and building fences. A few plants were also harvested for making foodstuffs such as snacks and potherbs. In addition, the Loptuq also used fur, bird skins, down, feathers, mammal bones and fish bones for their material needs. The habitat provided cultural ecological services such as motifs for their folklore, linguistic expressions and songs, and the Loptuq engaged in small-scale bartering of plant products and furs with itinerant traders, which ensured them with a supply of metal for making tools. CONCLUSION: This article discusses the now extinct Loptuq material culture as it existed more than a hundred years ago, and how the scarce biological resources of their desert and marsh habitat were utilized. Loptuq adaptation strategies to the environment and local knowledge, transmitted over generations, which contributed to their survival and subsistence, were closely connected with the use of biological resources. For this study, a comprehensive approach has been adopted for the complex relationships between human, biota and landscape. The Loptuq are today largely ignored or deleted from history for political reasons and are seldom, if at all, mentioned in modern sources about the Lop Nor area. Their experience and knowledge, however, could be useful today, in a period of rapid climate change, for others living in or at the fringe of expanding deserts.

Nutritional characterization of an underutilized legume Entada rheedii Spreng. seeds and validation of its folklore uses.

Entada rheedii seeds are a rich source of protein (23.99% ± 0.07), starch (42.04% ± 0.05) and potassium (1670.15 ppm ± 116.732). HPTLC-UV analysis (seeds) reveals galactose in considerable amount, that is, 2.60% ± 0.008. Additionally, the species is low in fat and anti-nutrient metabolites like tannin. Interestingly, the proximates in Entada seeds was found comparable with the commonly consumed legumes like cowpea, green gram, and so on. The species exhibits promising anti-radical, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity. Data advocates the folklore use of E. rheedii seeds and can be a promising alternative source of dietary nutrition, fortified with medicinal value. Standardization and validation of scientific knowledge will bring such underutilized, low-cost legumes into daily dietary intake and are a promising source for Protein-Energy-Malnutrition.

Beyond artificial academic debates: for a diverse, inclusive, and impactful ethnobiology and ethnomedicine.

In answer to the question "Should ethnobiology and ethnomedicine more decisively foster hypothesis-driven forefront research able to turn findings into policy and abandon more classical folkloric studies?", in this essay I argue that a major strength of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine is their ability to bridge theories and methods from the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Hypothesis-driven research is a powerful way to structure thinking that can lead to forefront research findings. But hypothesis-driven research is not the only way to structure thinking and is not a necessary condition to impact policymaking. To increase policy impact, ethnobiology and ethnomedicine should continue nurturing a mixture of complementary methods and inclusive approaches as fragmentation through opposing different approaches might weaken the discipline. Moreover, with the aim to play a fundamental role in building bridges between different knowledge systems and co-producing solutions towards sustainability, the discipline could benefit from enlarging its epistemological grounds through more collaborative research. Ethnobiologists' research findings, hypothesis-driven, descriptive, or co-constructed can become leverage points to transform knowledge into actionable outcomes in different levels of decision-making.

Effectiveness of an enhanced simultaneous cognitive-physical dual-task training based on fairy tales (ESCARF) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

The aim of this study was to provide a dual-task program that included cognitive and physical training to older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and evaluate its effects. A single-group pretest-posttest design was performed using 15 older adults with MCI. A 12-week enhanced simultaneous cognitive-physical dual-task training based on fairy tales (ESCARF) program was conducted from September 2019 to December 2019. Participants were assessed using the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, electroencephalography (EEG), muscle strength, flexibility, agility, memory self-efficacy questionnaire, physical self-efficacy scale, and quality of life before and after 6 and 12 weeks of the intervention. The ESCARF program significantly improved cognitive function, physical function, self-efficacy, and quality of life in older adults with MCI. These findings will provide insights into the development and implementation of customized cognitive interventions to prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline in older adults with MCI.

Fatal Choking Due to a Slug: A Death Driven by Folklore.

The use of animals for therapeutic purposes is based on traditional beliefs, family pressure, and watching others appear to be cured. We report an unusual case of a 47-y-old man who choked to death after consuming a live slug. During autopsy, a 9.5-cm slug was found impacted in the tracheobronchial tree. History provided by the family revealed that the deceased consumed slugs in the belief that this would relieve his symptoms of chronic arthritis. We report this rare case to highlight the possible ill effects of such practices.

O cuidado em saúde promovido pelas religiões afro-brasileiras / Health care promoted by afro-brazilian religions / El cuidado en salud promovido por las religiones afrobrasileñas

No decorrer da história, sempre foram infindáveis os casos em que os sujeitos recorriam a centros espíritas ou terreiros de religiões de matrizes africanas em decorrência de problemas como doenças, desempregos ou amores mal resolvidos, com o objetivo de saná-los. Por conta disso, este artigo visa apresentar os resultados da pesquisa relacionados ao objetivo de mapear os processos de cuidado em saúde ofertados em três terreiros de umbanda de uma cidade do litoral piauiense. Para isso, utilizamos o referencial da Análise Institucional "no papel". Os participantes foram três líderes de terreiros e os respectivos praticantes/consulentes dos seus estabelecimentos religiosos. Identificamos perspectivas de cuidado que se contrapunham às racionalidades biomédicas, positivistas e cartesianas, e faziam referência ao uso de plantas medicinais, ao recebimento de rezas e passes e à consulta oracular. A partir desses resultados, podemos perceber ser cada vez mais necessário, portanto, que os povos de terreiros protagonizem a construção, implementação e avaliação das políticas públicas que lhe sejam específicas.(AU)

In history, there have always been endless cases of people turning to spiritual centers or terreiros of religions of African matrices due to problems such as illnesses, unemployment, or unresolved love affairs. Therefore, this article aims to present the research results related to the objective of mapping the health care processes offered in three Umbanda terreiros of a city on the Piauí Coast. For this, we use the Institutional Analysis reference "on Paper." The participants were three leaders of terreiros and the respective practitioners/consultants of their religious establishments. We identified perspectives of care that contrasted with biomedical, positivist, and Cartesian rationalities and referred to the use of medicinal plants, the prescript of prayers and passes, and oracular consultation. From these results, we can see that it is increasingly necessary, therefore, that the peoples of the terreiros lead the construction, implementation, and evaluation of public policies that are specific to them.(AU)

A lo largo de la historia, siempre hubo casos en los cuales las personas buscan en los centros espíritas o terreros de religiones africanas la cura para sus problemas, como enfermedades, desempleo o amoríos mal resueltos. Por este motivo, este artículo pretende presentar los resultados de la investigación con el objetivo de mapear los procesos de cuidado en salud ofrecidos en tres terreros de umbanda de una ciudad del litoral de Piauí (Brasil). Para ello, se utiliza el referencial del Análisis Institucional "en el Papel". Los participantes fueron tres líderes de terreros y los respectivos practicantes / consultivos de los establecimientos religiosos que los mismos conducían. Se identificaron perspectivas de cuidado que se contraponían a las racionalidades biomédicas, positivistas y cartesianas, y hacían referencia al uso de plantas medicinales, al recibimiento de rezos y pases y a la consulta oracular. Los resultados permiten concluir que es cada vez más necesario que los pueblos de terreros sean agentes protagónicos de la construcción, implementación y evaluación de las políticas públicas destinadas específicamente para ellos.(AU)

Por uma pesquisa e escrita parafusos: pulos, rodopios e invenções de si / For research and writing screws: jumps, twirls and inventions of self / Para tornillos de investigación y escritura: saltos, giros e autoinvenciones

O artigo parte da aposta na pesquisa como uma prática em movimento, na composição de territórios do ato de pesquisar como uma experiência. Inspiradas(os) na força disruptiva do torcer-retorcer dos Parafusos (folguedo sergipano, derivado de práticas de resistência à escravidão dos povos pretos), propomos um método-pensamento de inventar modos de ver, dizer e narrar a partir daquilo que está ao nosso redor, uma posição em relação ao mundo e a si mesmo, engendrando a ideia de que este mundo não é um dado, mas um efeito de nossas práticas. A partir dessa perspectiva, intentamos interpelar as próprias práticas discursivas e não discursivas da Psicologia, em favor de abrir trilhas nas quais esse saber possa refundar sua própria história, acentuando suas descontinuidades e heterogeneidades e, com isso, uma atitude de fazer frente às tendências colonialistas, agora em suas versões neoliberais. Esse modo de pesquisar se faz por: operar uma ideia-método genealógico-cartográfica e uma escrita polifônica; produzir máquinas de guerras nômades, minoritárias, pós-identitárias, decoloniais; e inventar com aquilo que está ao nosso redor em favor de saberes e fazeres das redes locais, que, tais como a planta mangabeira, não se deixam domesticar.(AU)

The article starts from the research as a moving practice; in the composition of territories of the act of researching as an experience. Inspired by the disruptive force of the twisting-twining of the Screws (revelry from Sergipe, derived from practices of resistance to the slavery of black people), we propose a thought-method of inventing ways of seeing, saying, and narrating from what is around us, a position in relation to the world and itself, engendering the idea that this world is not a given, but an effect of our practices. From this perspective, we try to question the very discursive and non-discursive practices of Psychology, in favor of opening trails, in which this knowledge can refund its own history, accentuating its discontinuities and heterogeneities and, thus, an attitude of facing the colonialist tendencies, now in their neoliberal versions. This way of searching is done by: operating a genealogical-cartographic idea-method and polyphonic writing; producing nomadic, minority, post-identity, decolonial war machines; and inventing with what is around us, in favor of knowledge and practices of local networks, which, like the mangabeira plant, do not allow domestication.(AU)

Este artículo parte de la investigación como práctica en movimiento, en la composición de territorios del acto de investigar como experiencia. Inspirándonos en la fuerza disruptiva de torsión-retorsión de los Tornillos (juerga de Sergipe, derivada de prácticas de resistencia a la esclavitud de los negros), proponemos un método de pensamiento para inventar formas de ver, decir y narrar a partir de lo que nos rodea, una posición en relación con el mundo y con él mismo, el cual constituye la idea de que este mundo no es un hecho, sino un efecto de nuestras prácticas. Desde esta perspectiva, pretendemos cuestionar las prácticas discursivas y no discursivas de la Psicología en favor de abrir caminos, en las cuales este conocimiento pueda refundar su propia historia, acentuando sus discontinuidades y heterogeneidades y, así, una actitud de hacer ante las prácticas colonialistas, ahora desde una perspectiva neoliberal. Este modo de investigación se realiza mediante: el funcionamiento de un método-idea de escritura genealógica, cartográfica y polifónica; la producción de máquinas de guerra nómadas, minoritarias y posidentitarias; y la composición con el tema que nos rodea a favor del conocimiento y las redes locales que no puede ser domesticada, como el árbol mangabeira.(AU)

Reflexo e sombra: o duplo e o narcisismo em hoffmann e chamisso / Reflection and shadow: the double and the narcissism in hoffmann and chamisso / Reflejo y penumbra: el doble y el narcisismo en hoffman y chamisso

Esta é uma pesquisa qualitativa, em formato de ensaio, que realiza o estudo comparado de duas obras literárias, de A. Von Chamisso e E. T. A. Hoffmann, e de uma anotação do diário deste último para problematizar a repercussão de algumas formas de desestabilizações do Eu na dinâmica psíquica da neurose. O foco dos textos referidos está no fenômeno do duplo na sua forma negativizada, isto é, como o desaparecimento da imagem exterior que dá suporte ao Eu. As ausências da sombra e do reflexo são entendidas como representações metafóricas de uma alteração do Eu que engendra repercussões importantes na homeostase psíquica, sobretudo nas relações sociais de troca. Explora-se daí a menção no diário de Hoffmann de instrumentos ópticos para interrogar o uso desses aparelhos como modelos metapsicológicos na psicanálise. Salienta-se, ainda, a participação de processos de natureza estética na dinâmica psíquica do infamiliar, tomando como referência a ligação entre o conto de Hoffmann e o relato de Stendhal sobre a sua estadia em Florença.(AU)

This is a qualitative research, in essay format, which performs the comparative study of two literary works, by A. Von Chamisso and E. T. A. Hoffmann, and an annotation in the latter's diary to problematize the repercussion of some forms of destabilization of the Ego's in the psychic dynamics of neurosis. The focus of the referred texts is on the phenomenon of the double in its negative form, that is, as the disappearance of the outer image that supports the Ego. The absences of the shadow and the reflection are understood as metaphorical representations of an alteration of the Ego that generates important repercussions on psychic homeostasis, above all in social relationships of exchange. Thus, we analyze the mention of optical instruments in Hoffmann's diary to question the use of these devices as metapsychological models in psychoanalysis. Note, also, the participation of processes of aesthetic nature in the psychic dynamics of the uncanny, taking as reference the connection between Hoffmann's short story and Stendhal's account of his stay in Florence.(AU)

Este ensayo cualitativo realiza un estudio comparativo de dos obras literarias de A. Von Chamisso y de E. T. A. Hoffmann, junto con una anotación en el diario de este último para problematizar la repercusión de algunas formas de desestabilizaciones de la función del Yo en la dinámica psíquica de la neurosis. Los textos se centran en el fenómeno del doble en su forma negativa, como la desaparición de la imagen exterior que sostiene el Yo. Se entienden las ausencias de la penumbra y el reflejo como una representación metafórica de una alteración de la función del Yo que genera importantes repercusiones en la regulación psíquica, sobre todo en las relaciones de intercambio social. Se analiza la presencia en el diario de Hoffmann de instrumentos ópticos para discutir el uso de estos dispositivos como modelos metapsicológicos en psicoanálisis. Se destaca la reverberación de procesos de naturaleza estética en la dinámica psíquica de lo ominoso, tomando como referencia la conexión entre el cuento de Hoffmann y el relato de Stendhal sobre su estancia en Florencia.(AU)

Folklore y "medicina tradicional". Rituales de sanación del "mal de ojo" en el municipio de Cehegín / Folklore and "traditional medicine". Rituals for healing the "evil eye" in the municipality of Cehegín / Folclore e "medicina tradicional". Rituais de cura para o "mau-olhado" no município de Cehegín

Objective: the article investigates the healing practices linked to the religious frameworkin the municipality of Cehegín, focusing on the symbolic analysis of the healing rituals of the "evileye". Methodology: an ethnographic approach was used based on the performance of a participantobservation lasting thirty-three hours and fifteen interviews with healers-shamans. Results: the results show the persistence of a series of ritual procedures linked to the prayer of the "evil eye" thatserve for issues as diverse as the training of healers or the determination of the etiology, diagnosis,symptomatology or remedy of the condition. Conclusions: the set of rituals carried out in the contextof study has as a link the use of liturgical structures that include prayers to Christian deities, andwhere symbolic elements such as the cross, the three, water or oil, serve to load semantic meaningthe ritual healing process.(AU)

Objetivo: el artículo investiga las prácticas de curación ligadas al marco creencial en elmunicipio de Cehegín, centrándose en el análisis simbólico de los rituales de sanación del “mal deojo”. Metodología: se utilizó un enfoque etnográfico basado en la realización de una observaciónparticipante de treinta y tres horas de duración y quince entrevistas a sanadores-ensalmadores. Resultados: los resultados muestran la persistencia de una serie de procedimientos rituales ligados alrezo del “mal de ojo” que sirven para cuestiones tan diversas como la capacitación de los sanadoreso la determinación de la etiología, diagnóstico, sintomatología o remedio del padecimiento. Conclusiones: el conjunto de rituales realizados en el contexto de estudio tiene como nexo de unión lautilización de estructuras litúrgicas que incluyen oraciones a deidades cristianas, y donde elementossimbólicos como la cruz, el tres, el agua o el aceite, sirven para cargan de sentido semántico el proceso ritual de curación.(AU)

Objetivo: o artigo investiga as práticas de cura vinculadas ao quadro de crenças no município de Cehegín, com foco na análise simbólica dos rituais de cura do “mau-olhado”. Metodologia:utilizou-se uma abordagem etnográfica a partir da realização de trinta e três horas de observaçãoparticipante e quinze entrevistas com benzedeiras-salmistas. Resultados: os resultados mostram apersistência de uma série de procedimentos rituais ligados à oração do “mau-olhado” que servempara questões tão diversas quanto a formação de curandeiros ou a determinação da etiologia, diagnóstico, sintomas ou remédio da doença. Conclusões: O conjunto de rituais realizados no contextode estudo tem como elo o uso de estruturas litúrgicas que incluem orações a divindades cristãs, eonde elementos simbólicos como a cruz, os três, água ou óleo, servem para carregar significadosemântico ao ritual processo de cicatrização

An Exploration of the Environment, Composition, and Transmission of the Development of Local Theater and Music in the Natural Environment and Folklore Activities of Tea Picking.

The spread and urbanization of modern culture have led to a crisis in the development and inheritance of traditional culture, coupled with the limitations of traditional drama itself, and local opera has gradually disappeared from the daily life of the local people. Through the analysis of the tea opera cases and the development environment and inheritance of local operas, the paper tries to solve the inheritance dilemma it faces and provides a new perspective and demonstration for the development and inheritance research of Bobai Jinan tea Opera, which is of great significance to the development and propaganda of traditional Chinese culture.

Pharmacological Validation for the Folklore Use of Ipomoea nil against Asthma: In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation.

Oxidative stress is the key factor that strengthens free radical generation which stimulates lung inflammation. The aim was to explore antioxidant, bronchodilatory along with anti-asthmatic potential of folkloric plants and the aqueous methanolic crude extract of Ipomoea nil (In.Cr) seeds which may demonstrate as more potent, economically affordable, having an improved antioxidant profile and providing evidence as exclusive therapeutic agents in respiratory pharmacology. In vitro antioxidant temperament was executed by DPPH, TFC, TPC and HPLC in addition to enzyme inhibition (cholinesterase) analysis; a bronchodilator assay on rabbit's trachea as well as in vivo OVA-induced allergic asthmatic activity was performed on mice. In vitro analysis of 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) expressed as % inhibition 86.28 ± 0.25 with IC50 17.22 ± 0.56 mol/L, TPC 115.5 ± 1.02 mg GAE/g of dry sample, TFC 50.44 ± 1.06 mg QE/g dry weight of sample, inhibition in cholinesterase levels for acetyl and butyryl with IC50 (0.60 ± 0.67 and 1.5 ± 0.04 mol/L) in comparison with standard 0.06 ± 0.002 and 0.30 ± 0.003, respectively, while HPLC characterization of In.Cr confirmed the existence with identification as well as quantification of various polyphenolics and flavonoids i.e., gallic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and others. However, oral gavage of In.Cr at different doses in rabbits showed a better brochodilation profile as compared to carbachol and K+-induced bronchospasm. More significant (p < 0.01) reduction in OVA-induced allergic hyper-responses i.e., inflammatory cells grade, antibody IgE as well as altered IFN-α in airways were observed at three different doses of In.Cr. It can be concluded that sound mechanistic basis i.e., the existence of antioxidants: various phenolic and flavonoids, calcium antagonist(s) as well as enzymes' inhibition profile, validates folkloric consumptions of this traditionally used plant to treat ailments of respiration.

Psychological Stress and Heart Disease: Fact or Folklore?

For at least a few centuries, if not millennia, psychological stress has been popularly believed to contribute to heart disease. Does psychological stress really contribute to heart disease? Are anecdotal, patient, and lay press reports that angina, heart attack, and even cardiac death are caused by stress based on fact, or are they just folklore? In this review, the study data supporting associations between stress and cardiovascular risk, as well as potential mechanisms by which psychological stress might contribute to heart disease and precipitate myocardial ischemia and infarction, are critically reviewed and summarized.