Fibroin is an insoluble protein present in silk produced by numerous insects
Fibroin is an insoluble protein present in silk produced by numerous insects, such as the larvae of Bombyx mori, and other moth genera such as Antheraea, Cricula, Samia and Gonometa. Silk in its raw state consists of two main proteins, seri
The Amazonian legend of Manà is related to the cult of Manioc, the native staple food that sprang from her grave
ManĂ, a TupĂ myth of origins, is the name of an indigenous girl with very fair complexion. The Amazonian legend of ManĂ is related to the cult of Manioc, the native staple food that sprang from her grave. The legend The daughter of a TupĂ chief became pregnant. Her father wanted to take re
Cassava (tapioca) chips have become a major source of ethanol production
In many countries, significant research has begun to evaluate the use of cassava as an ethanol biofuel feedstock. Under the Development Plan for Renewable Energy in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan in the People’s Republic of China, the target was to increase the production of ethanol fuel fro
Cassava is used in a number of commercially available laundry products
Cassava is also used in a number of commercially available laundry products, especially as starch for shirts and other garments. Using cassava starch diluted in water and spraying it over fabrics before ironing helps stiffen collars.
Malnutrition may play a role in Tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN) aka Strachan-Scott Syndrome and prisoners of war neuropathy
Tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN, also known as Strachan-Scott Syndrome and prisoners of war neuropathy) is a disease or category of diseases that commonly causes disability and increases mortality. The causes of TAN are not understood; there is no generally accepted treatment, and the reported o
Cause and Prevention of Konzo
The character of the neurological injury is not clear. The disease onset is associated with high intake of cyanide from a diet of mostly bitter cassava, which is low in protein, particularly sulfur amino acids. These are essential for the detoxification in the body of cyanide to thiocyanate, which i
Signs and symptoms of Konzo
The onset of paralysis (spastic paraparesis) is sudden and symmetrical and affects the legs more than the arms. The resulting disability is permanent but does not progress. Typically, a patient is standing and walking on the balls of the feet with rigid legs and often with ankle clonus. Initially,
Differential diagnoses for Konzo are lathyrism and paraparesis apparently caused by geographical location or bad genes…go figure
The clinical symptoms are strikingly similar to those of lathyrism and also similar to tropical spastic paraparesis and hereditary spastic paraparesis, only that the latter two disorders have a slow onset. Konzo is distinct from polio which is a flaccid p
Konzo is an epidemic paralytic disease reportedly from simultaneous malnutrition and high dietary cyanide intake
Konzo is an epidemic paralytic disease occurring among hunger-stricken rural populations in Africa where a diet dominated by insufficiently processed cassava results in simultaneous malnutrition and high dietary cyanide intake. Konzo was first described by Giovanni Trolli in 1938 who compi
Dicoumarol (Moldy Sweet Clover) Toxicosis in a Group of Holstein Calves
Yamini B, Poppenga RH, Emmett BW, Judge LJ. Dicoumarol (Moldy Sweet Clover) Toxicosis in a Group of Holstein Calves. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 1995;7(3):420-422. doi:10.1177/104063879500700328 References 1. Alstad AD, Casper HH, Johnson LJ: 1985, Vitamin K treatment o
Lysine Tyrosylquinone (LTQ)
LTQ does not have a wikipedia page so I will check elsewhere. In the meantime, I found another reason to just say no to beans – osteolathyrism aka odoratism, which is a form of the disease Lathyrism. Wikipedia says: The disease results from the ingestion of Lathyrus odoratus seeds (sweet pe