MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Medical Hypotheses' source. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:41:26 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358224&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698771000099X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358224 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:15:27 +0100 3358224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258201&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698771000040X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258201 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:24:27 +0100 3258201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358267&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709003016%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Periodically the pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease processes needs updating and revision. The basis for this reconsideration is a consequence of significant new findings that compels an overall re-evaluation of a concept. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358267 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3358267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358264&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006252%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes I welcome Lobo et al.’s interest in my article and would be happy to debate the issue – but I respectfully disagree with several of their comments. In the paper cited by Lobo et al. and my other companion papers published elsewhere ; I went to some lengths to uncover the secrets of the human testes, understanding the reasons behind their descent into the scrotum and their different levels of swinging. My interest however, is in understanding why the natural processes of evolution, so meticulous and observant when it came to depicting the human body, got it wrong when it came to the male organ. From observations of our body, it was intriguing to me that the nature which has nurtured vital organs like the brain, heart, and the lungs by encasing them in different bony and soft tissue cag... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358264 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3358264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358265&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005039%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Cleft lip occurs in 1/500–1/1000 births worldwide . Cleft lip is among the most common types of major birth defects that impair the development of speech, teeth, and feeding capabilities . For many years, plastic surgeons have been working hard on how to improve the surgical techniques about cleft lip repair and reduce the suffering of patients. Advances in modern surgical techniques have led to improved clinical management of cleft lip, with many patients achieving excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes . However, cleft lip usually requires multiple surgeries, and often results in emotional stress for affected children and their families . Because it is difficult to obtain stable cosmetic outcomes in a single operation, many plastic surgeons have recently become increasingly focused... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358265 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3358265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258237&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709004721%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Failure to maintain the patency of the pharyngeal airway during sleep is central to the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This failure is hypothesised to be due to the combination of a small pharyngeal airway and inadequate state-dependent neuro-mechanical control. Little is known of how the pharyngeal muscles function in an integrated function to alter the size and shape of the pharyngeal airway. We hypothesise that the muscles of the pharynx function as a muscular hydrostat. Muscular hydrostats are organs that are composed almost entirely of muscle, with a complex muscular arrangement within the organ. Examples of muscular hydrostats include the mammalian tongue, octopus tentacles, elephant trunks and the medicinal leech. During muscle contraction the organ will ma... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258237 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3258237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258207&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709004666%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Approaches to personal behaviour change include contractual and negotiation models. This paper elaborates these partnership models by linking a religious act to desired behaviour change beyond narrow and specific domains, such as promotion of sexual abstinence. It discusses the hypothesis that oath-taking can facilitate positive, health-related behaviour change in human individuals. The change must be desired by these individuals when they nevertheless feel conflicted in their motives, and believe in a divine presence to which they can oath-take. In support of this meta-hypothesis of the effectiveness of oath-taking to a hypothetical divinity, we first describe the nature of oaths and oath-taking, including legitimacy and satisfaction conditions, and then postulate how ten interre... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258207 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3258207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358233&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007683%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article attempts to explain the occurrence of hyper-responsiveness, inflammatory/allergic reactions and broncho-constriction in asthma on a common basis of inherent higher parasympathetic tone in asthmatics. The higher background parasympathetic firing leads to increased nitric oxide (NO) production owing to its co-localization with acetylcholine (ACh) in inhibitory non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic (i-NANC) nerves. NO is a neurotransmitter of i-NANC system and it mediates bronchodilation. Increased NO release has been found to be responsible for hyper-responsiveness and increased inflammation in the airways. The authors suggest that an inherently higher background parasympathetic tone in concert with inflammation or a specific genetic background could modify the effects of NO on lun... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358233 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124294&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900601X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: There is data to support the hypothesis that US healthcare reform will require systemic changes in their delivery system rather than a segment-by-segment approach to improving individual components such as administrative or pharmaceutical costs or illness-by-illness programs such as comparative effectiveness or disease management. Mathematically, personnel costs provide the largest potential for savings. These costs are reflected in utilization rates. However, when governments or insurers try to control utilization, shortages or dissatisfaction ensue. Therefore, reform should be structured to encourage individually initiated reductions in utilization.This can be facilitated by changing from employer-paid comprehensive group policies of variable coverage to a three-part, standardiz... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124294 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:47:06 +0100 3124294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124281&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005969%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The neural control of the cardiovascular system is a complex process that involves many structures at different levels of nervous system. Several cortical areas are involved in the control of systemic blood pressure, such as the sensorimotor cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex and the insular cortex.Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques – repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) – induce sustained and prolonged functional changes of the human cerebral cortex. rTMS and tDCS has led to positive results in the treatment of some neurological and psychiatric disorders. Because experiments in animals show that cortical modulation can be an effective method to regulate the cardiovascular system, non-invasive brain sti... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124281 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:47:00 +0100 3124281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124245&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709008123%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124245 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:46:53 +0100 3124245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358226&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007890%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Phthalate plasticizers are the most abundant man-made pollutants that have recently received wide-spread attention. There is uncertainty concerning the toxicity to humans. During the debate, scant attention has been paid to adverse effects at the molecular level which is the focus of this article. Most metabolic reports are concerned only with ester hydrolysis. In addition to that aspect, an important study deals with formation of catechol carboxylic acids which have the potential to redox cycle with the o-quinone counterparts. This electron transfer (ET) process is capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are well known toxic agents at elevated levels. Substantial numbers of investigations find the presence of ROS leading to oxidative stress (OS) in living system... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358226 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358266&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007762%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The author has in a previous article hypothesized infectious, possibly rickettsial aetiologies for multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and for many cases of the chronic fatigue syndrome and advocated the use of combinations of antibiotics in their treatment. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358266 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358235&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007658%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The formation of distant metastases is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Hematogenous spread through venous drainage of tumors is the main route of metastatic spread. We propose that the use of a drug-eluting chemotactic Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter coated with specific antibodies to surface markers of circulating tumor cells will attract these malignant cells and lyse them thus theoretically decreasing formation of distant systemic metastases. This could have a major impact on cancer related morbidity and mortality caused by metastatic disease. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358235 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358230&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007701%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: The overuse theory for musculoskeletal joint pain cannot explain adequately the occurrence of shoulder pain in those who do not engage in activities that involve repeated and stressful use of the shoulder since the percentage of the painful right shoulders usually does not match the percentage of dominant right arms in such individuals. An alternative hypothesis is presented to propose that shoulder pain is caused by postural immobility in the decubitus or side position during sleep. Prolonged pressure on the shoulder caused by the weight of the thorax can produce enough damage to cause subsequent shoulder pain. In order to test this hypothesis, a preliminary study was carried out to compare the laterality of shoulder pain with the laterality of sleep position. The calculated lat... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358230 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358261&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007828%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In a recent paper, Eby proposed that the urolithiasis could be treated by anti-nanobacterial therapy–gallium. The hypothesis is very interesting, but we feel that existing evidence is insufficient to draw a definite conclusion. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358261 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358227&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007737%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Red blood cells from patients with sickle cell disease will sickle under conditions of hypoxemia and acidosis which is a similar milieu found in malignant tumors. While control of tumor angiogenesis has long been a goal of cancer therapy, selective occlusion of tumor blood supply may be achieved by transfusion of sickle cells into patients who suffer metastatic cancer. Although this potential therapy has not been previously reported in the medical literature, the concept may have been elusive to medical mainstream thinking because it requires transfusion of diseased cells. For this therapy to be effective, other environmental factors may need to be manipulated such inducing mild hypoxemia or hypercarbia (respiratory acidosis) to induce red cell sickling. Preliminary evidence suppo... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358227 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358225&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007749%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The majority of professional scientists make use of the artefacts of science but lack understanding of what these mean; raising the question: has the tradition of science been broken? Explicit knowledge is only a selective summary but practical capability derives from implicit, traditional or ‘tacit’ knowledge that is handed on between- and across-generations by slow, assimilative processes requiring extended human contact through a wide range of situations. This was achieved mainly by prolonged apprenticeship to a Master. Such methods recognize the gulf between being able to do something and knowing how you have done it; and the further gap between knowing how you have done something and being able to teach it by explicit instructions. Yet the ‘Master–apprentice’ model ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358225 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258249&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005805%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes About half of the hospitalized patients affected by swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) have had underlying conditions such as asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, morbid obesity, auto-immune disorders, immunosuppressive therapies, neurological or cardiovascular disorders or pregnancy (febrile respiratory infection) . It is fairly clear that the invasion of influenza virus into the respiratory system might give rise to pneumonia. The occurrence of pneumonia invariably incurs with inflammation, leading to pulmonary oedema and, in some cases, to respiratory exhaustion . In Mexico, where the largest numbers of fatalities have been seen, severe pneumonia with multifocal infiltrates and rapid progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure has been report... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258249 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358263&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007634%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A recent report of critically ill patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection in Canada was notable for severe illness predominately occurring among young adults and children. More than a third of subjects were obese and two thirds were female. We hypothesize that vitamin D insufficiency plays an important role in this illness and suggest that mandatory vitamin D supplementation be implemented, particularly among premenopausal females, during this H1N1 pandemic. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358263 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358262&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007816%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes It was about 15years ago that I read the biography of molecular geneticist Max Delbrück (Fischer EP, Lipson C. Thinking About Science—Max Delbrück and the Origin of Molecular Biology. New York: W.W. Norton; 1988). And on page 277, it was stated that Delbrück quoted a Japanese poem to express his feeling on his Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine at the end of press conference in October 1969.The temple bell echoes the impermanence of all thingsThe colors of the flowers testify to the truthThat those who flourish must decayPride lasts but a little while like a dream in a spring nightBefore long the mighty are cast downAnd are as dust before the wind. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358262 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358254&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007324%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Visceral injury induces referred pain, autonomic concomitants, skeletal muscle spasm, and hyperalgesia of segmental pattern on the specific area of somatic tissue. Therefore, since visceral referred pain does not mean only a feeling which is considered as misperception of brain but accompanies accessory phenomena, referred phenomenon can be more reasonable expression. Visceral referred phenomenon has segmental pattern and is shown on the segmental constituents related to viscus and further spreads to multi-segments through central sensitization if visceral injury become severe and chronic. Segmental pattern observed in our body is not a feature developing only in human. Segmentation of animals is a general concept in body organization from Annelida to Vertebrata. The evolutionary ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358254 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358260&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900766X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease that involves the central retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and the subjacent choriocapillaris. AMD represents a leading cause of irreversible vision loss for individuals aged more than 40years in Western society . Although the cause of AMD remains poorly understood , increasing evidence suggests that it may share similar risk factors and common pathogenic mechanisms with cardiovascular disease, involving a complex interplay of inflammatory, atherosclerotic, and oxidative processes. It has been recently suggested that iron overload may play a role in the pathogenesis of AMD . (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358260 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358258&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007609%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Evolutionary explanations, many of which have appeared on the pages of this journal, are becoming more pervasive and influential in medicine, so it is becoming more important to understand how these types of explanations differ from the proximate approach that is more common in medicine, and how the evolutionary approach can contribute to medicine. Understanding of any biological phenomenon can occur at four levels: (1) ontogeny (2) causation, (3) function and (4) evolution. These approaches are not mutually exclusive, and whereas the first two are more common in medical practice, a complete explanation requires all four levels of analysis. Two major differences among these approaches are the apparent degree of immediacy associated with them, and the extent to which they apply to ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358258 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358240&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007294%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article (1) presents age, geographic, and temporal variations in 1918–1919 and 2009 influenza severity, (2) presents and discusses ecologic evidence in favor of the hypothesis to influenza lethality advanced here, (3) suggests biologic mechanisms capable of explaining it, (4) retrospectively, proposes co-circulation between the Pandemic and a 1918 seasonal (H3?) influenza virus as the context for the increased lethality during the second wave of the 1918 Pandemic, and (5) predicts an increase in influenza severity in the northern hemisphere as the 2009–2010 season advances and H3 circulation increases. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358240 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358238&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007348%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Trypanosomiasis is common in Africa and South America. The surface of trypanosomes is covered by glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) that contains the fatty acid myristate (14:0) as its lipid moiety that is essential for its survival. Myristic acid, being a saturated fatty acid, is resistant to peroxidation. Hence, I propose that replacement of myristic acid of VSG–GPI of trypanosomes by unsaturated fatty acids may render them unviable due to the ease with which the latter undergo peroxidation. In addition, unsaturated fatty acids could kill trypanosomes by (1) activation of macrophages and release of reactive oxygen species; (2) high Ca2+ influx that may be lethal; (3) alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential and disruption of e... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358238 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358237&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007622%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Diabetes mellitus is a common health problem with serious consequences. Researches suggested the relationship between diabetes and endodontic problems. Vitamin D has important biologic effects on glucose homeostasis, insulin release and response, and is considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Vitamin D can also influence the alveolar bone formation and inflammatory reactions in periradicular tissues. The hypothesis we proposed is that vitamin D may be beneficial to the prognosis of endodontic treatment for diabetic patients through two pathways. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358237 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358236&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007646%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Dental caries is a widespread chronic disease caused by glucolytic biofilms. Despite considerable success in prophylaxis, there is still a strong demand for biomimetic biofilm management. Reflections on the abraded, but mostly caries-free teeth observed in prehistoric sculls or omnivorous primates, respectively, offer perspectives for developing new approaches in preventive dentistry. It is hypothesized that nano-sized hydroxylapatite crystallites occur in the oral cavity during extensive physiological wear of the hierarchical structured enamel surface due to dental abrasion and attrition. These nano-scaled apatite enamel crystallites might promote re-mineralization and physiological biofilm management at the tooth surface.Indeed, modern bioinspired nanomaterials in preventive de... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358236 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358234&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007671%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Atrial fibrillation is a frequent arrhythmia, and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease remains as the most common etiological factor underlying atrial fibrillation, along with systemic hypertension. The relationship between uncomplicated coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation is not explained satisfactorily. Inflammation is now recognized as an important pathogenetic mechanism for both disorders. We hypothesise that inflammation originated from atherosclerotic coronary arteries may disseminate downstream to atrial tissue and initiate or stabilize atrial fibrillation. Studies conducted with drugs bearing anti-inflammatory properties such as hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors decrease frequency of both conditions. Such a relationship may become a novel therapeu... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358234 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039156&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007518%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039156 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:23:54 +0100 3039156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358253&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007178%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin caused by autoantibodies directed against basement membrane zone adhesion molecules. Autoantibodies cannot fully explain several important features of the disease such as the difficulty transferring with the pathogenic autoantibodies, or the presence of heavy lesional infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils that is necessary for disease production. There is increasing evidence that Th17 cells and the cytokines they release such as interleukin-17 are important regulators of innate and adaptive immune responses in many Th1 and/or Th2 mediated autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and allergic asthma. There is also evidence that Th17 cells have a role in pathogenesis of bl... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358253 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358252&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900718X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Subchondral and articular collapse following nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head is an important cause of osteoarthritis in patients between ages 20 and 40. Because hip arthroplasty in the younger population is prone to early wear and failure, it is paramount to prevent collapse once osteonecrosis is detected. Natural remodeling of the osteonecrotic areas by adjacent normal bone is predominated by osteoclastic resorption, which weakens the cancellous bone and allows microfractures to occur before full healing can take place. Current treatment modalities include core decompression and various adjuncts such as bone graft, mesenchymal stem cells and tantalum implants to provide structural integrity and to speed bony creeping substitution. Calcium phosphate cement has been ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358252 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358251&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007191%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) which is a decline in cognitive function after surgery can present days to weeks after surgery and may remain a permanent disorder. The exact pathophysiological mechanism of POCD is still unknown. In view the incidence of POCD does not seem to be influenced by the depth and the type of anesthesia, many investigators believe that inflammatory response plays a key role in the pathogenesis of POCD. Animals and human studies show POCD associates with peripheral inflammatory and neuroinflammatory response. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a insidious and progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly. In clinical practice AD trials have not provided a satisfactory approach for the prevention and therapy. It is because we still do not know ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358251 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358242&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007257%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Human viral carriers are important agents in the periodic resurgence of many pathogens. Instillation of virus in human carriers explains several of the unusual epidemiological features of viral epidemics, such as where viruses linger between epidemics and how epidemics can arise without an apparent source. By inactivating itself, a virus can easily reside in a host for months or years without being noticed by the immune system, enabling the virus to be dispersed inconspicuously in the future and into new regions. When this silent activity of human carriers is appreciated, it is easier to understand the dynamics of viral epidemics, such as the explosive appearance of influenza epidemics.During viral illnesses, virus in infected cells is put into a latent state by regulatory sequenc... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358242 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358241&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007269%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Mandibular asymmetry (MA) is one of the most common craniofacial malformations. However, there is no optimal technique for this malformation nowadays. A novel technique for both children and adults with less disadvantages is a must. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a straight-chain polypeptide secreted by the parathyroid gland that regulates calcium metabolism. PTH has both anabolic and catabolic effects on bone formation, depending on its mode of administration. Furthermore, the mandible is characterized by the most delayed growth and the most postnatal growth of all the facial bones. The condyle, the major growth site of mandible, grows by proliferation of cartilage in the condylar head and endochondral bone formation. Condylar cartilage is present throughout postnatal life, taking ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358241 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358239&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007312%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a world-wide common disease in elderly male patients. A number of invasive physiotherapies have been used to replace prostatectomy. In this article we report our hypothesis of using microbubbles-mediated ultrasound cavitation effects to ablate prostatic tissues. Microbubble ultrasound contrast agent is widely used contrast media in ultrasonography, yet it is also found to act as cavitation nuclei or enhancer. Once excited by a high peak pressure ultrasound pulse, the mechanical effects, like shock wave and microstream, released from cavitation could produce a series of bioeffects, contributing to sonoporation, microvascular rupture and hematoma. BPH is known to have hyperplastic neovasculature and this make it possible to be disrupted by the p... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358239 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358232&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007300%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Sixty percent of cases of clinical depression are considered to be treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Magnesium-deficiency causes N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) coupled calcium channels to be biased towards opening, causing neuronal injury and neurological dysfunction, which may appear to humans as major depression. Oral administration of magnesium to animals led to anti-depressant-like effects that were comparable to those of strong anti-depressant drugs. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) magnesium has been found low in treatment-resistant suicidal depression and in patients that have attempted suicide. Brain magnesium has been found low in TRD using phosphorous nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, an accurate means for measuring brain magnesium. Blood and CSF magnesium do not appe... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358232 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258250&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007282%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In response to a recent Medical Hypothesis journal article, “The possible effect of altitude on regional variation in suicide rates” by Dr. Haws, we would like to alert the readers that the hypothesis linking altitude and suicide death rate was first reported in abstract form in 2002 with national exposure via Reuter Health on October 8, 2002 . (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258250 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258204&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007099%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: In a recent series of polemical editorials in this journal, a scathing and much needed criticism is made of many aspects of current scientific mores, detecting some worrying dysfunctions which threaten the integrity of the whole scientific enterprise. Although the tone is a bit hyperbolic, many important issues are addressed, such as honesty in research, the centrality of truth in science, the role of creativity, just to cite a few. Though agreeing with the overall diagnosis, the discussion still suffers from a lack of a clear and systemic view of science, from which a more precise analysis could be carried out. The presentation is also predicated on a too strong adherence to some popular notions of scientific progress and a somewhat romantic notion of genius. In this paper we add... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258204 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358250&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007038%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip joint is a common disorder, especially in aging peoples of Caucasian descent. Hip OA like OA in other joints is heterogeneous and may manifest in early or late adult life. The aetiology of early onset (precocious) bilateral hip OA is poorly understood, but the clinical and radiological characteristics of this form of OA suggest that chondral resorption due to biochemical or metabolic factors is likely to be of pre-eminent importance. The hip arthropathy which occurs in Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) and the ostensibly idiopathic precocious bilateral concentric form of hip OA are virtually indistinguishable. Accordingly, the possibility exists that the causal factors for these conditions may be very similar. On the basis of this premise and in the l... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358250 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258252&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007270%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Aging is believed to be connected with accumulated damaging of cellular macromolecules in non-dividing cells as well as with reduction of the cells capability to repair this damage. Damage of the macromolecules occurs through different physical and chemical factors (e.g. different types of irradiation, heat, toxins, etc.). The fate of the damaged macromolecules is dependent on such processes as degradation of unstable proteins, refolding of misfolded proteins, controlling of regulatory proteins and prevention of protein folding. These processes are essentially regulated through activation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) . HSP family includes different proteins classified according to their molecular weights. Among them the HSP70 and HSP90 seems to be responsible for the recognition and refol... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258252 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029211&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709004332%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity in the US and across the globe. Infection and associated inflammation are important initiators for PTB pathways; an estimated 40% of PTBs are attributed to amniochorionic-decidual or systemic inflammation. Historically, intrauterine infections have been implicated in PTB; recent evidence suggests that infections remote from the fetal site may also be causative. There is strong epidemiological evidence that bacterial vaginosis and periodontitis – two syndromes characterized by perturbations in the normal vaginal and oral bacterial microflora, respectively – are linked to infection-associated PTB. Oral and vaginal environments are similar in their bacterial microbiology; identical bacterial species have bee... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029211 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:07:44 +0100 3029211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029186&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007373%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029186 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:07:39 +0100 3029186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358255&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007233%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Excessive milk consumption has a long association with increased respiratory tract mucus production and asthma. Such an association cannot be explained using a conventional allergic paradigm and there is limited medical evidence showing causality. In the human colon, β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM-7), an exorphin derived from the breakdown of A1 milk, stimulates mucus production from gut MUC5AC glands. In the presence of inflammation similar mucus overproduction from respiratory tract MUC5AC glands characterises many respiratory tract diseases. β-CM-7 from the blood stream could stimulate the production and secretion of mucus production from these respiratory glands. Such a hypothesis could be tested in vitro using quantitative RT-PCR to show that the addition of β-CM-7 into an incubat... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358255 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358243&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007245%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most important direct epilepsy-related cause of death. Information concerning risk factors for SUDEP is conflicting, but high seizure frequency is a potential risk factor. Additionally, potential pathomechanisms for SUDEP are unknown, but it is very probable that cardiac arrhythmias during and between seizures or transmission of epileptic activity to the heart via the autonomic nervous system potentially play a role. In parallel, several studies have shown a link between hormones and epilepsy. However, exact knowledge regarding the association of thyroid hormones and epilepsy is lacking. As subclinical hyperthyroidism has been linked with increased risk of cardiovascu... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358243 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358231&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007221%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The terminology relating to ‘psychological stress’ is so confused and ambiguous that research in this field – and application of its results – must surely be hampered. Relevant words with conflicting usages and scientific definitions include ‘stress’ itself, ‘stressor’, ‘strain’, ‘challenge’, ‘demand’, ‘threat’, ‘resource’, ‘coping’ and ‘mental load’. ‘Stress’ and ‘anxiety’ are often confounded. Because of this confusion it can be hard to decide how closely one view of stress matches another and to integrate the variety of published conceptual frameworks. The word ‘stress’ is therefore useful only as a deliberately vague umbrella term. Nevertheless there is moderate consensus in the literature that the mental state characteri... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358231 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358228&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900721X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Ulcerative colitis is a kind of nontransmural chronic inflammatory bowel disease which mainly affects colon and rectum, it has a classic character of the relapsing and remitting course. The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis are intermittent bloody diarrhea, rectal urgency, and tenesmus. As a chronic disease, it can disable and disrupt the daily life of patients. The main treatments for ulcerative colitis are medical management and surgical management, but the drugs used by traditional way have many severe side effects and invalid for refractory ulcerative, and traditional surgery has many complications, so we propose a new treatment of ulcerative colitis, which is the combination of drugs and a little surgery-appendectomy: injecting drugs by a tube from appendix stump to colon a... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358228 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124253&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900440X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: General somatic afferents of facial nerve innervate skin of the concha, the posterior external ear canal and a small area behind the ear. But pain around the ear that precedes or develops at the same time as Bell’s palsy frequently is beyond the territory of sensory innervations of facial nerve. Cranial nerves are richly innervated by their own nerves called nervi nervorum that have nociceptive function. So, stimulation of nervi nervorum dominating facial nerve trunk can be transmitted to trigeminocervical nuclear complex and make referred pain on the craniofacial region segmentally. The reason why referred pain of facial nerve origin develops around the ear is that facial nerve and its ensheathing connective tissue are derivatives of second branchial arch which is homologous to... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124253 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358244&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007208%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The human aging process is often accompanied by significant increases in degenerative spine disease. The pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration has been extensively studied, but the etiology of this aging-related problem remains poorly understood. The elderly often have lower daily vitamin C intakes and circulating ascorbic acid values than younger people because of problems with poor dentition or mobility, and also are more likely to have underlying sub-clinical diseases that can reduce plasma ascorbate concentrations. Ascorbate is essential for collagen production, and vitamin C deficiency will result in defective connective tissue, including reductions in collagen synthesis and structural stability. It is hypothesised that vitamin C deficiencies may be a key contri... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358244 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258209&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006744%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Lipids comprise over 70% of the myelin sheath but have been largely underinvestigated as autoantigens in multiple sclerosis (MS). This paper cites evidence for the involvement of lipid autoreactivity in MS and details how self lipid cross-reactivity may also contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disorders (both of which have been associated with MS). A further analysis of myelin chemistry suggests several mechanisms by which infection may contribute to etiology and trigger lipid autoreactivity via molecular mimicry. This analysis may aid the development of new therapies for autoimmune diseases. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258209 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358256&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007051%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Currently available antidepressant treatments are no longer seen as the panaceas they once were. Only a proportion of the depressed population respond to them, they have a high relapse rate and a therapeutic lag of several weeks. The notable lack of progress in developing more efficacious drug-based antidepressant therapies over the past half century is a clear signal for the need to adopt new approaches. The current manuscript outlines the proposal that depression is an evolutionary adaptation that emerged where displaced dominants needed to make a transition to lower social status and that is now triggered, in those individuals that have this adaptation, by damage to reproductive potential from any source. The behavioural cluster associated with depression includes adoption of a... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358256 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358247&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007130%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: It is hypothesized that blocking the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) receptor, using either a blocking antibody or a drug will result in a medical cortical-adrenalectomy, with relative sparing of mineralocorticoid hormone production. This would be similar to the clinical findings in familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 1, an autosomal recessive condition due to inactivating mutations of the adrenal receptor for ACTH, also known as the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R). It is further hypothesized that MC2R blockade should allow using lower glucocorticoid doses to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to enzyme deficiency of either 21-hydroxylase (CYP21B) or 11-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), thus reaching a better final adult height than with current therapeutic strategies. Bl... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358247 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358257&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007166%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Most sensory and motor pathways in the central nervous system cross the midline. Comparing between different neuronal pathways in different species suggest that, fibers crossing is most probably a response to the development of separated parts for the body during the process of evolution. This hypothesis proposes direct link between the occurrence of fibers crossing and the occurrence of separated parts of the body such as lateral eyes and limbs. It is supported by many observations that clearly indicate that different neuronal pathways in different species cross the midline when they carry separated information and run ipsilaterally when they carry shared information. Carrying separated information seems to create a need for functional coordination between the two halves of the n... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358257 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258221&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006902%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Protection against the serious complications of falciparum malaria is provided to people with the minor forms of hematological conditions such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia and as a result natural selection has increased their incidence in malaria endemic areas. The explanation for this has thus far not been determined but experimental evidence that is now available suggest an explanation that also has therapeutic implications.The hypothesis presented suggests that the erythrocytes of these blood disorders experience premature senescence and are then eliminated by the same process that normally disposes of senescent erythrocytes. Erythrocytes express approximately one million widely dispersed band 3 molecules on their surface but when these erythrocytes age they form band... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258221 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258217&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006975%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) is one of the more common forms of chronic epilepsy. Its aetiology is unknown, though an early developmental insult is thought by some to be an important trigger. There is not a strong genetic predisposition; gene–environment interactions are more significant considerations. Environmental risk factors for TLE-HS are under-researched. Domoic acid (DA) is an environmental neurotoxin of algal origin that can contaminate marine food webs. DA can cross the placenta, is significantly more toxic to the developing brain compared to the adult brain, and has affected humans and marine wildlife through mass poisonings. DA coincidentally has a decades-long history of use as a chemical model of temporal lobe epilepsy, along with its ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258217 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358259&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007063%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: A trigger is an integral part of any acute migraine attack. In this article, the author argues that triggers, identifiable or not, must be present in all attacks of migraine headache. It is hypothesized that triggers, internal or external, induce the onset of cortical spreading depression (CSD) in a pre-existing hyper-excitable cortex of a migraine brain, initiating the process of pain generation. The author hypothesizes on a second site of action of triggers at the level of trigeminal nuclear complex (TNC) in brain stem, the cell station of second order neuron pathway for migraine pain transmission to the sensory cortex. The author suggests existence of a hypothetical ‘gate’ at TNC level where incoming trigeminal migraine pain impulses would ‘compete’ with descending inhi... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358259 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358246&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007142%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Minimized derivatives of bacterial plasmids with removed bacterial backbones are promising vectors for the efficient delivery and for the long-term expression of therapeutic genes. The absence of the bacterial plasmid backbone, a known inducer of innate immune response and a known silencer of transgene expression, provides a partial explanation for the high efficiency of gene transfer using minimized DNA vectors. Supercoiled minicircle DNA is a type of minimized DNA vector obtained via intra-plasmid recombination in bacteria. Minicircle vectors seem to get an additional advantage from their physical compactness, which reduces DNA damage due to the mechanical stress during gene delivery. An independent topological means for DNA compression is knotting, with some knotted DNA isoform... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358246 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358245&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007154%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Previous studies have demonstrated that the pituitary is a main target for inorganic mercury (I-Hg) deposition and accumulation within the brain. My recent study of the US population (1999–2006) has uncovered a significant, inverse relationship between chronic mercury exposure and levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). This association with LH signifies more than its presumed role as bioindicator for pituitary neurosecretion and function. LH is the only hormone with a rare and well characterized, high affinity binding site for mercury. On its catalytic beta subunit, LH has the structure to preferentially bind inorganic mercury almost irreversibly, and, by that manner, accumulate the neurotoxic element. Thus, it is likely that LH is an early and significant target of chronic mercury... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358245 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258251&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007129%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Cerebral Palsy (CP) has been defined as a group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetus or infant . Acquired lesions such as hypoxia–ischemia, infection, endocrine/metabolic disorders, or trauma are the most important causes of CP, but genetic disorders and malformations of the brain make an important contribution . Injury to the deep white matter of the premature brain, referred to as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), has been recognized more commonly in premature infants and it remains the most common brain abnormality responsible for CP . The developing periventricular white matter is most vulnerable to injury before 32weeks of gestation . (Source: ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258251 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258246&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006768%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We read with great interest the recently published paper by Sliutz et al. After a comprehensive search in medical literature for which they have to be congratulated, the authors postulated that all first trimester uterine rupture are caused by scar implantation of the trophoblast. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258246 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258225&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006823%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Using fMRI, Menon and Levitin clearly found for the first time that listening to music strongly modulates activity in a network of mesolimbic structures involved in reward processing including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), as well as the hypothalamus, and insula, which are thought to be involved in regulating autonomic and physiological responses to rewarding and emotional stimuli. Importantly, responses in the NAc and VTA were strongly correlated pointing to an association between dopamine release and NAc response to music. Listing to pleasant music induced a strong response and significant activation of the VTA-mediated interaction of the NAc with the hypothalamus, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex. Blum et al. provided the first evidence that ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258225 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258214&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006756%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction results from inflammation of unknown cause that eventually leads to fibrosis and occlusion. The nasolacrimal duct is within the medial wall of maxillary sinus and open into the nasal cavity. It may be affected by gasteroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by the possible direct noxious effect of the refluxate on the nasal mucosal cavity surrounding of the nasolacrimal duct opening at the inferior meatous and ascending of inflammation to the mucosa of the duct may leads to chronic inflammation and fibrosis. In addition to, the GERD may induce autonomic nervous system hyperactivity resulting in hyperemia of venous plexus surrounding nasolacrimal duct leading to secondary mucosal edema of nasolacrimal duct and dacryostenosis. (Source: Medic... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258214 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358249&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007075%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Temporomandibular disorder is a generic and inadequate conception to be used as a diagnosis. It fails to express the etiology or the pathophysiology and it is mainly associated with the anatomical site. Moreover, the clinical condition presents a mandibular motor problem and not a joint problem. The hypothesis presents the new diagnosis stomatognathic motor adaptive syndrome, which comprehend a motor response and the adaptive processes it induces. Inadequate occlusal contacts cause the mandible to shift in order to reach an ideal intercuspal position. The condylar displacements are proportional to such movements. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) receptors respond to the capsular mechanical stress and the information reaches the trigeminal sensory nuclei. The mandibular modified posit... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358249 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258223&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006859%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Historically, paralysis of facial muscles has been divided into “upper motor neuron injury” and “lower motor neuron injury”. Patients who experience a stroke in the cortex or internal capsule have UMN injury and cannot purse their lips or smile on command. They are, however, able to wrinkle their forehead, raise their eyebrows, and completely close their eyes. Patients with LMN injury, in addition to the aforementioned impairments cannot raise their eyebrows. The classical explanations for these clinical findings are that the upper facial muscles receive bilateral innervation from the cerebral cortex and the lower facial muscles receive only unilateral innervation from the contralateral cerebral cortex. However, a review of the basic science literature indicates that commo... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258223 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258247&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007087%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the highest grade primary brain tumor with the most heterogeneous, invasive properties and can cause high rate of mortality. Despite tumor resection, post-operative radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy were recommended, the prognosis of patients with GBM still remains poor. The median survival after combined therapy is only 14.6months . (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258247 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258245&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900680X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Recently, this journal has published an article suggesting that the main cause of most civilization diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, a variety of degenerative troubles, and even suicide, is the electrification of residential areas, by direct electromagnetic action on the organism. Although this may well be true for some cancers, for which the damage of DNA by electromagnetic fields is a plausible mechanism, the rest of the argumentation of this article is entirely compatible with the idea that the main cause of civilization diseases is lifestyle and electrification caused these diseases by inducing changes like the following: (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258245 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258226&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006732%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Slow-onset asthma deaths are characterized by eosinophilic airway infiltrates and thickening of the basal membrane, while rapid-onset asthma deaths are associated with fewer airway inflammatory changes, suggesting that bronchospasm may be responsible for the latter events.Airway tone is primarily controlled by the autonomous nervous system and can be pharmacologically modified. Therapies that stimulate the sympathetic β2 adrenoreceptor or inhibit the muscarinic receptor signal transduction induce bronchodilation. Parasympathetic (vagal) airway tone is enhanced in some asthmatics due to a number of stimuli, while in others it is constitutively heightened. Mainstream asthma therapy, however, only consists of corticosteroids and β2 agonists, not addressing this aspect.In this publi... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258226 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258218&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006963%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: A 7-day reduction in duration of common colds was shown by Eby et al. in 1984 using 23mg zinc gluconate throat lozenges. Over the following 25years, 14 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials produced widely differing results with about one-half showing success and the remainder showing failure. Positively charged, ionic zinc (iZn), but not bound zinc, is strongly astringent, antirhinoviral, increases interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) 10-fold, inhibits intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and inhibits the release of vasoactive ingredients from mast cell granules. Solution equilibrium chemistry analytical techniques showed lozenge iZn fraction varying from 0% to 100% of total lozenge zinc between trials, with zinc acetate (ZA) releasing 100% iZn, zinc gluconate (... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258218 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258208&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006811%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Conclusion: I suggest that direct solar damage to the optic nerve may be a trigger for MS. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258208 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358248&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709007105%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Statins and other lipid lowering drugs have been repeatedly described to decrease blood levels of minor fat soluble components such as vitamin E (as α-tocopherol). Clinical consequences of this secondary state of deficiency have not been described so far, but recent biochemical and molecular evidence on homeostatic and molecular responses to vitamin E deficiency in skeletal muscle cells may suggest the hypothesis presented in this paper of a role as risk factor in the development of statin-associated myopathy. This hypothesis that needs to be further investigated, could suggest the need for precautionary measures during lipid lowering therapy, which include timely diagnosis and active prevention of vitamin E deficiency. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358248 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358229&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900704X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Based on the ability of bacteria to both recognize and synthesize neuroendocrine hormones, it is hypothesized that microbes within the intestinal tract comprise a community that interfaces with the mammalian nervous system that innervates the gastrointestinal tract to form a microbial organ. Given the evolutionary context in which the central nervous system is an outgrowth of the more primitive enteric nervous system and the time in which microbes have colonized the mammalian intestinal tract, it is further hypothesized that this microbial organ enters into a symbiotic relationship with its mammalian host to influence both homeostasis (aspects such as behavior) and susceptibility to disease. Contained within the overall hypothesis are three main thematic elements: the species comp... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358229 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3358229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258240&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006926%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Creativity is a complex neuro-psycho-philosophical phenomenon which is difficult to define literally. Fundamentally it involves the ability to understand and express novel orderly relationships. The creative process involves four stages – preparation, incubation, illumination and verification. A high level of general intelligence, domain specific knowledge and special skills are necessary pre-requisites. It is possible that in addition, some creative people might have architectural alternations of specific portions of the posterior neocortex. Associated with such pre-requisites, the process of creative innovation (incubation and illumination stages) necessitates the need for an ability of divergent thinking, a novelty seeking behavior, some degree of suppression of latent inhibi... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258240 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258222&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006896%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. To date, the precise mechanism for TN remains unclear. Among a variety of causes of TN, the microvascular compression (MVC) hypothesis is the most popular one, but controversies still focus on the origin and pathogenesis of the disorder. A number of clinical phenomena still cannot be well explained. We propose a new hypothesis on the pathogenesis of TN – bioresonance. The bioresonance hypothesis states that when the vibration frequency of a structure surrounding the trigeminal nerve becomes close to its natural frequency, the resonance of the trigeminal nerve occurs. The bioresonance can damage trigeminal nerve fibers and lead to the abno... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258222 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258220&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006914%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Astrocytes interconnected via gap junctions build an astrocytic syncytium. Gap junctions are composed of connexin proteins that are activated by substances of the neuronal system. It is hypothesized that disorders in the astrocytic syncytium may represent a main component of the pathophysiology of depression, called syncytiopathy. If the expression of connexin proteins is downregulated, a compensatory upregulation of astrocytic receptors may occur leading to an overproduction of these. Such an excess of astrocytic receptors exerts an imbalance of synaptic neurotransmission, because of a relative lack of neurotransmitters for the occupancy of astrocytic receptors so that neurotransmission is protracted. This delay of information processing may be responsible for the main symptoms o... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258220 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258212&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006781%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: As possible existence of the blood–prostate barrier and decreased prostate permeability due to inflammation, it is difficult to form an effective drug concentration in prostate tissues, which influences medication efficacy. This is one of principal reasons why it is difficult to treat prostate diseases including prostatitis etc. How to increase the permeability of drugs into prostate is inevitable to become an issue concerned by clinical research. Ultrasonic sonoporation may increase permeability of cells and tissues, so we propose a hypothesis that sonoporation induced by ultrasonic cavitation may increase the permeability of prostate tissues. This may be a non-invasive physical treatment method, and it has better safety and validity, and higher clinical value. (Source: Medical... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258212 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258211&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006793%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Reticular dysgenesis (RD) is a rare form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The underlying genetic defect for most cases of RD was recently identified in the gene encoding adenylate kinase 2 (AK2). However, rare patients with RD and no mutations in AK2 exist, suggesting that mutations in other genes may also cause RD. Although rare, RD has a devastating presentation involving severe neutropenia and T cell lymphopenia, in addition to life non-threatening, but still disabling sensori-neural deafness. An identical phenotype is observed in mice deficient for growth factor independence-1 (Gfi-1) or transgenic for Gfi-1b, related nucleoproteins with opposing, antagonizing roles in development. We hypothesize that a genetically based, altered functional balance between these two... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258211 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258210&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006720%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Because heart originates from primitive endocardial tube (ventral aorta) embryologically, coronary arteries that supply this tube can be thought as “cardiac vasa vasorum” like arterial vasa vasorum that supply peripheral arteries. Coronary arteries have vasodilative reaction to noradrenaline, different from the most arteries that show vasoconstriction. This phenomenon is similar to vasa vasorum that are insensitive to noradrenaline and has its own vasoregulation. Coronary arteries can supply blood from epicardium, myocardium to endocardium under normal physiological conditions. But heart having a significant myocardial hypertrophy can be susceptible to subendocardial ischemia because the metabolic demands of hypertrophic myocardium cannot be met by a parallel increase of coron... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258210 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258203&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006835%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: In this paper, we hypothesise that public health interventions aimed at controlling post-disaster malaria epidemics may in fact impede malaria eradication efforts in the longer term. A major factor hampering malaria eradication efforts is the development of resistance to antimalarial drugs in the Plasmodium parasite. Following natural disasters such as flooding, public health responses includes a massive influx of antimalarial drugs that may facilitate the development of resistance. Resistance is common in areas with frequent natural disasters, and if such an association could be shown to be generalisable and causative, there may be direct implications for the way that future disaster-related malaria risks are managed. Because the frequency and severity of climate-associated disas... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258203 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258242&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006951%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes It has been recently reported a 7× increase in the prevalence of breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS) over the 1985–2005 time period in the United States . Moreover, the prevalence of BCIS was nearly double in white compared to black and other minority subjects. We suggest that statin use might partially explain these disturbing findings. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258242 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258224&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006847%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Dupuytren’s disease is a pathological condition of the palmar fascia characterized by the formation of contractile disease cords that result in permanent finger contracture. This condition is believed to progress from a myofibroblast-rich nodule in the early clinical stages of the disease to a contractile disease cord spanning a portion of the fascia, leading to contracture of one or more digits. The mechanism(s) by which this disease progresses from a nodule to a collagenous disease cord are poorly understood. Here, we discuss two possible models of disease progression. Firstly, disease progression might be mediated by the proliferation and outward migration of disease cells from within the nodule to populate the adjacent palmar fascia, resulting in a disease cord containing co... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258224 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258219&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006938%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Until 200years ago, methanol was an extremely rare component of the human diet and is still rarely consumed in contemporary hunter and gatherer cultures. With the invention of canning in the 1800s, canned and bottled fruits and vegetables, whose methanol content greatly exceeds that of their fresh counterparts, became far more prevalent. The recent dietary introduction of aspartame, an artificial sweetener 11% methanol by weight, has also greatly increased methanol consumption. Moreover, methanol is a major component of cigarette smoke, known to be a causative agent of many diseases of civilization (DOC). Conversion to formaldehyde in organs other than the liver is the principal means by which methanol may cause disease. The known sites of class I alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH I), th... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258219 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258244&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006860%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Metabolic syndrome represents a combination of cardiovascular risk determinants such as central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and lipid abnormalities . The etiology or initiating events have not been clearly established. However, insulin resistance and/or visceral obesity seem to be responsible for the development of full-blown syndrome. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions thus the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has increased substantially . (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258244 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258243&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900694X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes While writing my article for this journal titled “Zinc lozenges as cure for the common cold – a review and hypothesis” , I reflected upon the long 25-year history of zinc in treating colds, and also remembered that the history of use of zinc to treat croup in infants and young children was much longer. The first published use that I found for treating croup with zinc was in 1899; yes, eighteen ninety-nine . Apparently, topical zinc sulfate was routinely used to treat croup effectively during the 19th century. In 1984, Linus Pauling mentioned to me that he remembered physicians in the 1930s treating croup by painting the throats of infants and young children with mild zinc sulfate solutions. I used zinc gluconate tablets (50mg zinc) as throat lozenges to treat croup in my young childr... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258243 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258215&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006884%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: While cigarette smoking is recognized as an important risk factor in human oral cancers, the effect of water pipe smoking (WPS) on these cancers is not known. WPS is very common in the young adult population, especially in the Middle East, and has been associated with several respiratory problems. However, to date, there have been no studies examining the association between WPS and the progression of human oral cancers. Currently, the role of WPS in human oral cancers remains uncertain because of the limited number of investigations. This raises the question of whether WPS plays a significant role in the development of human oral carcinomas. In this paper, we propose the hypothesis that human oral normal epithelial cells are vulnerable to persistent WPS; moreover, WPS could play ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258215 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124260&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006306%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Myopia is a major threat for vision health across the world. Around 1 in 4 in the West and over 3 in 4 in the East are suffering from this common eye disorder. It is a complex trait affected by both genetic and environmental determinants. Axial length is an essential man-made parameter generated from ocular biometric components. It represents a combination of anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and vitreous chamber depth. Meanwhile, it is an endophenotype of the phenotype of myopia. In the mainstream genetic studies on vision science, it is always treated only as a parameter rather than an endophenotype. However, in this article, the potential advantages are discussed for axial length analysed as an endophenotype independently. It may provide solutions for the exploration of m... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124260 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258216&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006872%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Heart failure is a well-recognized manifestation of organ failure in sepsis and septic shock. The pathophysiology of septic heart failure is complex and currently believed to involve several mechanisms. So far, the contributory role of high plasma catecholamine levels has not been investigated. In this manuscript, we present a hypothesis suggesting that excessive catecholamine production and exogenous administration of catecholamines may relevantly contribute to the development of heart failure and cardiovascular collapse in patients suffering from septic shock. Substantially elevated plasma catecholamine levels were measured during critical illness and sepsis or septic shock. There is a growing body of clinical and experimental evidence demonstrating that high catecholamine plasm... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258216 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258213&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900677X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Pain threshold (or perception) can increase or decrease according to some factors like gender, depression or individual differences. Also, previous studies showed that pain threshold can change in obesity but, these studies on the effects of obesity on pain threshold have given controversial results. In the obese people who were exposed to pain stimulasyon to determined pain threshold, an increased pain threshold was observed. Contrarily, in the studies using electrophysiological test had lower pain threshold, which indicates a reverse correlation between degree of overweight and the threshold of the nociceptive reflex. These studies indicate possible interrelationships between the endogenous opioids, nociception and obesity or eating behavior. Nevertheless, its mechanism is still... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258213 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124299&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006100%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The mechanical function of the mammalian (human) heart as a hemodynamic organ pumping blood to whole body is well understood and known. However with more research focusing in the intrinsic system of the heart it was found that the cardiac afferent neurological input to the brain not only facilitate homeostatic regulation but also influences cognitive processing . This means that the heart has other role in emotion, cognition and sensory perception. In fact the heart could be considered as a sense and motor organ (my hypothesis). New scientific discoveries are now providing evidences which indicate that the heart indeed plays a significant role in emotional experience, modulate perception and is involved in intuitive perception and intention . These new discoveries are mainly based upon the... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124299 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124254&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006574%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: About seven million people die of cancer every year. This is largely due to development of drug resistance, particularly multidrug resistance, in the tumor cells. Multidrug resistance (MDR) arises due to over-expression of MDR proteins in the cancer cells, which cause efflux of anticancer drugs from the cells using ATP. MDR proteins are members of the family of ABC transporters that occur universally, and are structurally and functionally conserved during evolution. In Drosophila, the germ cell attractant peptide is secreted by an ABC transport protein, mdr49. Recently, the peptide has been shown to undergo conjugation with the lipid geranylgeranyl before secretion. If conjugation with the lipid is inhibited, mdr49 protein is unable to transport the peptide. Similarly, in the case... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124254 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258227&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006689%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Introduction: Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a major health problem worldwide. Both Modic lesions and Schmorl’s nodes are considered to correlate with DDD such as low back pain. Modic lesions are the changes of degenerative vertebral endplate and adjacent bone marrow observed on magnetic resonance imaging and are divided into three types. Modic type III lesions are thought to represent extensive subchondral bone sclerosis within the bone marrow of adjacent endplate. The pathological performance of Schmorl’s nodes is cystic lesions around indistinct sclerotic margins and beneath the cartilaginous endplate. Coincidently, there are many similarities between Modic type III lesions and Schmorl’s nodes including pathological appearances, pathogenetic location and related disea... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258227 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124256&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006616%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most common types of cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in western countries. The risk factors for CaP are age, race/ethnicity, family history and diet. It is interesting that epidemiologic evidence suggests a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) is related to a decreased CaP risk. The cause of this association remains largely unknown. DM is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. It is commonly associated with microvascular complications including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. The typical histological changes of microvascular lesions are capillary basement membrane thickening, capillary occlusion and degeneration, eventually capillary dysfunction an... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124256 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258232&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900663X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Schmorl’s nodes (SNs) are common abnormalities in the human spine, which represent herniation of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc into the adjacent cartilaginous endplate of the vertebra. However, the principle mechanism of SNs is still not fully understood. And the relationship of SNs in the spine and their clinical significance as a source of low back pain in the general population remains unknown. It is therefore important to get better understanding of this. Here, we review the clinical and experiment evidence on inducing of the SNs and correlative back pain, and propose a possible mechanism. Studies showed that once the nucleus pulposus enters into vascular tissue, the immune system could recognize it as a foreign body, and induces the immunological reaction.... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258232 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124303&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006628%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases affecting the elder. In the past, OA research focused mainly on alterations of cartilage, because cartilage degeneration was believed to be the most significant event in OA. More recently, an increasing line of evidence suggests that subchondral bone and cartilage health seem to be tightly associated in the progression of OA . Bone proliferation either in the subchondral area in the cortical envelope of bone just below cartilage, which is known as eburnation, or at the margins of the bone, which is known as osteophytes, is also a hallmark of OA . Thus, OA should be recognized a disease that involves the entire joint, not just cartilage. In the rabbit model of anterior cruciate ligament transection – induced OA, excessive subcho... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124303 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124249&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006604%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Since the introduction of cardiac plasma troponin measurements, a significant number of patients were seen with chest pain, elevated troponin levels but no significant coronary artery disease. Pulmonary embolism, aortic valve disease, myocarditis, sepsis, trauma, arrythmias, stress cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy stand among possible causes for this syndrome. In some cases, myocardial strain could be the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, since it is known that the stimulation of stretch-responsive integrins may lead to the release of cardiac troponin I. In the present text, a case is made in favour of classifying this syndrome, of chest pain with increased values for plasma cardiac troponin, with or without ECG changes, in the absence of definite myocardial infarctio... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124249 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258235&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006379%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article proposes an alternative understanding of the problem based on some of the recent data and understandings of non glycemic, non insulinemic endocrine dysfunction in severe sepsis and septic shock. Our presentation of selected literature supports the presence of a decreased production and activity in steroids, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, vasopressin and prolactin in septic shock. These hormones have important and synergistic functions. The disruption of which can lead to multiple organ failure in septic shock. Developing research focusing on the broad hypothalamic and pituitary functions could improve our understanding of metabolic derangements in severe sepsis and septic shock and thus provide new therapeutic options. These new therapies based on hormonal replacement are c... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258235 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258230&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006653%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Exposure of the immune system to environmental antigens and infectious agents by way of the anal mucosa and perianal skin could play an important role in protecting the respiratory tract against allergic conditions and virus infections. Hygienic practices that have reduced exposure of the immune system to such agents include the use of modern toiletry, disposable diapers and clothes dryers. Historically, the anal region was cleansed following defecation with natural materials that would have brought antigens and infectious agents from the environment into frequent contact with the perianal skin and anal mucosa. This practice was a crude form of transcutaneous and mucosal vaccination, whereby antigenic agents that are topically applied to skin or mucosal surfaces, penetrate into th... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258230 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258205&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006707%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The physiological responses to apnea training exhibited by elite breath-hold divers may contribute to improving sports performance. Breath-hold divers have shown reduced blood acidosis, oxidative stress and basal metabolic rate, and increased hematocrit, erythropoietin concentration, hemoglobin mass and lung volumes. We hypothesise that these adaptations contributed to long apnea durations and improve performance. These results suggest that apnea training may be an effective alternative to hypobaric or normobaric hypoxia to increase aerobic and/or anaerobic performance. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258205 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124252&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006410%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Contemporary theories to explain the autoimmune aetiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) include the “hygiene”, “accelerator” and “thrifty phenotype” hypotheses though none accounts for its natural history, or, epidemiology. Early-onset, T1DM is much more common in Western countries and shares features of its epidemiology with other major childhood diseases.In the autonomic denervation view, early-onset, T1DM results from injury to autonomic nerves supplying the pancreas through persistent physical efforts during defaecation in infancy. Pancreatic denervation results in loss of islets of Langerhans and reduced insulin production that may present in infancy or later life. Early introduction of cows milk and solids to the infants’ diet cause increased rates of bowe... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124252 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258231&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006641%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Oxygen represents an essential molecule for organisms. Because of this, sophisticated systems of sensors have evolved to monitor oxygenation of tissues. We propose that monoamine-synthesizing cells represent an important part of this system. It is well known that the carotid body, which contains chromaffin cells, serves as a chemical sensor of blood oxygenation. Similarly, the activity of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells is increased during hypoxia. Moreover, neurons located in the central nervous system containing catecholamines, serotonin, and histamine are also sensitive to hypoxia. On the basis of this common sensitivity of monoamine-synthesizing cells to changes in oxygenation we propose the hypothesis that these cells constitute a widely distributed network of sensors that... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258231 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258229&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006665%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Jared Diamond has hypothesized that guns, germs and steel account for the fate of human societies. Here I propose an extension of Diamond’s hypothesis and put it in other terms and dimensions: gold, coal and oil account not only for the fate of human societies but also for the fate of mankind through the bodily accumulation of anthropogenic arsenic, an invisible weapon of mass extinction and evolutionary change. The background is clear; arsenic species fulfill seven criteria for a weapon of mass extinction and evolutionary change: (i) bioavailability to all living organisms; (ii) imperceptibility; (iii) acute toxicity; (iv) bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity; (v) adverse impact on reproductive fitness and reproductive outcomes and early-age development and growth in a wide ran... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258229 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124302&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006690%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In a recent article, the authors hypothesized that statins may be a potent therapeutic benefit in osteoarthritis . We found their idea to be very interesting. They based their hypotheses on the facts that statins may also protect cartilage from proteoglycan and collagen loss by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion. However, we think the hypotheses may be more persuasive when additional evidences are provided as following, (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124302 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124264&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006239%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Evidence is provided supporting the hypothesis that the much improved prognosis for younger women with diminished oocyte reserve compared to women of advanced reproductive age is related to a difference in mechanism for oocyte depletion. For younger women the majority have had destruction of certain portions of their ovarian tissue but the remaining spared ovarian tissue has proportionately the same percentage of normal follicles as their age peers. The hypothesis continues that some factor that is responsible for earlier development of primary to antral follicles persists with the early conceptus and protects it from early programmed cell death. Thus by natural selection most women of advanced reproductive age have oocytes that fertilize normally and produce normal morphologic em... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124264 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258233&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006598%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: We propose a unifying hypothesis of schizophrenia to help reconcile findings from many different disciplines. This hypothesis proposes that schizophrenia often involves pre- or perinatal exposure to adverse factors that produce a latent immune vulnerability. When this vulnerability is manifested, beginning around puberty with changes in immune function and involution of the thymus, individuals become more susceptible to infections and immune dysfunctions that contribute to schizophrenia. Our hypothesis suggests theoretical bridges between different lines of evidence on schizophrenia and offers explanations for many puzzling findings about schizophrenia. For example, the hypothesis helps account for why schizophrenia patients tend to have had increased exposure to neurotropic infec... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258233 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258228&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006677%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Postsystolic contraction and other forms of phenomenon of multiple myocardial contractions are characterised by secondary or even tertiary contraction that follow regular one during each single cardiac cycle, triggered by a single sinus node impulse. These additional contractions occur at circumscribed areas of different myocardial regions, in many cardiac patients and healthy subjects. The mechanism of onset and perpetuation of the phenomenon is unknown.Our hypothesis is based on idea of existence of accessory, dead-end, slow-conducting, low-voltage pathways, derived from atrioventricular node or the bundle of His. Secondary contraction could occur in the following way: sinus node impulse divides into two pathways, the main atrioventricular conduction axis that depolarises the en... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258228 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124296&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006562%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The fetus produces enzymes in human embryo implantation, including the pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy , thus an embryo can implant elsewhere than the uterus, which called ectopic pregnancy, and over 95% of all ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube. Tough ectopic pregnancy can cause rupture and great tissue damage in its efforts to reach a sufficient supply of blood, there is still case report of women who have abdominal pregnancy, which is another type of ectopic pregnancy, given birth . That indicates embryogenesis and development could be normally in sites other than the uterus. Immunohistochemical characterizations have suggested that ectopic pregnancy represent abnormal implantation of a morphologically normal blastocyst, giving rise to immunologically normal and hormonall... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124296 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124295&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006124%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes All newborns look alike: walk into a neonatal ward – and every baby looks like every other baby. In fact, to correctly identify them hospital authorities tag the babies – to avoid confusion or mistaken identity. Now come with me as I saunter through an old age home. The older the residents are, the more they look similar. Though my statement appears a bit odd, most geriatric individuals, especially as they reach 80s or 90s start looking very much like each other. Just flip through a few photographs of new born infants or of people over 90, you will be amazed. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124295 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124247&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006586%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Albert Einstein once said that “The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self”. For years our traditional view of ‘self’ was restricted to our own bodies; composed of eukaryote cells encoded by our genome. However, in the era of omics technologies and systems biology, this view now extends beyond the traditional limitations of our own core being to include our resident microbial communities. These prokaryote cells outnumber our own cells by a factor of ten and contain at least ten times more DNA than our own genome. In exchange for food and shelter, this symbiont provides us, the host, with metabolic functions far beyond the scope of our own physiological capabilities. In this respect the human body can be cons... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124247 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258234&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006409%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Small deletions and duplications frequently occur in the pericentromeric region of chromosomes and many of these are associated with developmental abnormalities. These developmental syndromes are conventionally attributed to abnormal expression of protein-coding genes in the affected region. A hypothesis has recently been published concerning a Master Development Program based on noncoding transcripts from these regions (Parris GE. A hypothetical Master Development Program for multi-cellular organisms: Ontogeny and phylogeny. Biosci Hypotheses 2009;2:3–12.). This paper summarizes and expands the recently published hypothesis to include it application to developmental diseases. The author proposes that development of multi-cellular organisms is guided by a Master Development Prog... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258234 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124250&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006380%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Mouth to mouth sexual kissing is seen in more than 90% of human cultures. Various theories have been put forward to account for this but none offer a full explanation within an evolutionary framework. As mouth to mouth sexual kissing exposes each participant to the diseases of the other, it must confer significant benefit. Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous infection that carries a severe teratogenic risk if primary infection is acquired during certain critical periods. As HCMV is present in salivary gland epithelial cells and sheds from periodontitis induced lesions, female inoculation with a specific male’s HCMV is most efficiently achieved through mouth to mouth contact and saliva exchange, particularly where the flow of saliva is from the male to the typically shor... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124250 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124248&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006318%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Obsessive–compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessions that cause distress and compulsions that temporarily alleviate that distress. Despite numerous pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches available for treating obsessions and compulsions, their effectiveness is limited. Exploring the etiologies of obsessions reveals how obsessions develop to cause distress. It is hypothesized that the strength of obsessions can be used in a self-talk technique to reduce the frequency of compulsions. The patient would incorporate the self-talk technique while engaged in a compulsion meant to lessen the distress caused by an obsession. While performing the compulsive behavior, he or she then identifies a separate obsession, and applies a limit to stop the compulsive ritual while t... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124248 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039158&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006422%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article is meant for, but not confined to, younger scientists who may have a series of ideas, hypotheses and projects – be they small or big – and might grapple with the objective to pursue and complete at least some, and preferably most, work in due course. And yet, the very generation, development and completion of numerous projects takes gestation periods which can be long and painful. Importantly, this simple but important truth is valid for any creative process, be it in the sciences or in the arts. With reference to luminaries like Max Perutz and George Wald, more general interfaces between science and the arts are identified. With reference to how some of Peter Doig’s paintings evolve over long times and to how John Eccles and Isaac Newton worked, extended gestation perio... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039158 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3039158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029253&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987708006130%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Temperature regulation is cardinal to functional efficiency of the mammalian male gonad, the testis. Anatomically, to provide a cooler environ that better facilitates spermatogenesis; the testicles are housed outside the abdomen, in a separate sac that freely hangs below the pelvis. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029253 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2882466&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006458%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2882466 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:46:34 +0100 2882466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124298&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006288%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes It is well known that brain iron appears to be elevated in several neurodegenerative diseases and that biogenic magnetite may be related to diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. It has recently been shown that the total concentration of magnetite is generally higher in the Alzheimer brain, in some cases as much as 15 times greater than the controls . In plaque core material, magnetite and/or maghemite was identified as the dominant iron compound . Up to 100 million single-domain ferromagnetic crystals per gram for most tissues in the human brain has been reported and magnetic properties data indicate the crystals are in clumps of between 50 and 100 particles . Second only to the liver, the brain contains the highest quantity of iron, approximately 60mg of non-heme iron . (Source: Medical... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124298 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124255&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006392%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The relative mildness of the pandemic 2009 (H1N1) swine influenza virus compared to the 1918 pandemic (H1N1) virus may be due to a variety of possible causes, including the existence of effective immunity in the host, the lessened ability of the virus to bind to target cells or to replicate in them, a diminished secretion of molecules that could cause further complications like pneumonia, etc. A comparison of the hemagglutinin sequences from the pandemic 2009 (H1N1) viruses with that of the 1918 (H1N1) virus reveals a difference in the residues occupying position 200, which has been shown to be involved in receptor binding. In all the pandemic 2009 (H1N1) hemagglutinin sequences available in the NCBI database, position 200 is occupied by serine. In the hemagglutinin of the 1918 (H... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124255 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039167&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005714%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is characterized by optic disc cupping and visual field impairment. Though the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is thought to be the major risk factor for POAG, about 50% of the POAG patients have normal IOP, called ‘normal-tension’ glaucoma. Besides, many POAG patients still experience visual field loss and/or optic disc cupping even though the IOP has been well controlled. The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of POAG remain unclear. Extensive studies have shed lights on the mechanisms that may be involved in the etiopathology and/or the optic neuropathic manifestations of POAG. In this article, we noticed that the changes in the cerebrospinal fluid, particularly that exi... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039167 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3039167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029239&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709003053%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis is a serious clinical problem because it can cause obstructive pneumonia, dyspnea on exertion even pulmonary atelectasis of the whole lung. More than 90% of the patients with EBTB have some degree of bronchial stenosis. The interventional therapy through bronchoscopy has been used as standard treatment to deal with the scar stenosis of EBTB routinely, which have showed significant effects to keep airway open. However the scar rapid growing and restenosis can often be seen in many patients. TGF-β1 has been demonstrated to play a very important role in scar formation. Some agents against TGF-β1 have been proved to inhibit the scar growing effectively. The level of TGF-β elevated in the BALF of EBTB patients suggests TGF-β be related to the p... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029239 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029225&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709003685%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: We hypothesise that the risk of placental dysfunction/insufficiency rises cumulatively in response to several interdependent risk factors that convergently regulate 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (the biologically active form of vitamin D, [1,25-(OH)2D]) levels at the feto-maternal interface. These factors include; (i) disturbances in genetic or epigenetic regulation of one-carbon metabolism and/or vitamin D metabolism and (ii) insufficiency in maternal vitamin D or in dietary intake of micronutrients that are involved in one-carbon donation. We predict that the sub-optimal functioning of folate and vitamin D metabolic pathways, in concert, represents a potential novel risk pathway for adverse pregnancy outcomes.We base this prediction on five observations:In order to test this model, fu... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029225 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029212&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709004290%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Heroin abuse during pregnancy is a serious problem worldwide. Among all the illicit drugs, heroin is known as the most commonly abused opioid in the United States and China. Most women addicts are of child-bearing age. Heroin abuse during pregnancy, together with related factors like poor nutrition and inadequate maternal care, has been associated with adverse consequences including developmental delay of the offspring and their neurobehavioral teratogenicity. Researchers have done a lot of work to focus mainly on the variation of neurobehavior and its related factors such as the changes of neurotransmitters, receptors and involvement of the limited brain regions, but no one clearly and comprehensively explain the possible mechanism that may participate in the neurobehavioral tera... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029212 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029188&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006264%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: September 17th, 2009 marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Karl Popper’s death. Popper was an outspoken champion of critical rationalism, and a constant critic of authoritarian tendencies in science and society. He was also one of the spiritual founders of this journal and served on its first editorial advisory board. Popper was recognized around the world as one of the 20th century’s greatest philosophers of science and one of its most articulate and influential critics of Marxism and closed society. When he died, the contemporary wisdom among professional philosophers was that his philosophy was generally right—but somehow obsolete. Some commentators said that it was now obvious that scientific theories cannot be shown to be true. Others said that we had witnessed the end of h... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029188 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124292&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006136%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: This paper provides information on the evolution of the ‘epigenetics’ concept since Aristotle and draws attention to the importance of epigenetic implications for cancer epidemiology in the years to come. Clearly, to understand origins of the concept of epigenetics, it is worthwhile to consider historical arguments associated with evolution. Equally clearly, in the last half of the 20th century, great advances in the understanding of epigenetics and, more specifically, great advances in the understanding of epigenetics in cancer have been made. However, reaping the full benefits of epigenetics lies beyond the predominant experimental studies of today. In general, epigenetics opens many doors in the field of cancer, but it also adds another level of complex, inter-related, and ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124292 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124297&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006331%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes It is well documented that acetaminophen can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and exert the antipyretic and analgesic effects. However, acetaminophen is metabolized through the glutathione (GSH) pathway in the liver. Prolonged or overdose of acetaminophen administration would lead to the liver necrosis, and even increase the risk of liver failure. The neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) are very sensitive to hypoxia, and the oxidative stress has been recognized as an important etiology of neural degenerative diseases. The decreased GSH concentration in the CNS would result in the declined defense against the oxidative stress and promote the neuron loss. Thus, Sharpe has suggested that the GSH consuming effect of acetaminophen could reduce the plasma GSH concentration. Subseque... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124297 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124262&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006276%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Non-invasive molecular analysis of fetal DNA is the diagnostic goal of prenatal medicine. Circulating fetal DNA can be detected in maternal plasma. Recently, it has been detected in the urine of pregnant women. We hypothesize that fetal DNA is present also in maternal saliva and that advances in stabilization and isolation of nucleic acids from saliva enable non-invasive and repeated sampling for prenatal diagnostics. The hypothesis is testable using saliva samples of pregnant women with confirmed male fetuses. Y-specific sequences should be detectable in salivary DNA. Caution must be given to the prevention of contamination. If proved in large studies, the presence of fetal DNA fragments in maternal saliva would enable a wide range of applications in prenatal medicine. (Source: M... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124262 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124261&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900629X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Despite theoretical and experimental efforts to model neuronal networks, the origin of cerebral cognitive functions and memory formation are still unknown. Recently, we have proposed that in addition to chemical and electrical signals, the cellular components of the neocortex (especially neurons and astrocytes) may communicate with each other through magnetic signals generated by themselves. This magnetic communication would be the ground of short-term memory. In the present paper, we propose that brain magnetite may be a component of the mechanisms, conserved during evolution, to detect and transduce magnetic fields generated inside the cerebral neocortex. Specifically, we propose a possible role for magnetite nanoparticles, distributed through neuronal and astroglial membranes, ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124261 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124259&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900632X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Transient Loss Of Consciousness (TLOC) or vasovagal syncope is well known phenomenon in dental/maxillofacial surgery. Despite considerable study of vasovagal syncope, its pathophysiology remains to be fully elucidated. After having encountered a case of trigeminocardiac reflex after extraction of maxillary first molar we observed and studied 400 extractions under local anesthesia to know the relation between trigeminocardiac reflex and syncope. We make hypothesis that trigeminocardiac reflex which is usually seen under general anesthesia when all sympathetic reflexes are blunted can also occur under local anesthesia during extractions of maxillary molars (dento-cardiac reflex) and mediate syncope. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124259 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124257&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006367%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Mass hysteria or collective hysteria usually begins when an individual shows a hysteric manifestation in front of others in the same group who later contagiously acquire the same symptoms. The underlying pathogenesis of mass hysteria is still unknown. It has been demonstrated that the mirror neuron system (MNS) provides an important neural substrate for humans’ ability to imitate and there is an inhibitive component of MNS keeping us from imitating everything we see. We proposed that the inhibitive component for MNS automatic imitation may not function well in individuals of the group that results in the outbreaks of mass hysteria. We also provide evidences from emotional contagion, gender difference and treatment in mass hysteria to support this hypothesis. (Source: Medical Hy... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124257 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258241&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006185%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Man alone among every known living creature on earth, by choice or preference voluntarily imbibes food or drink, either heated or cooled. Heating food as prelude to ingestion, is a widely prevalent socio-cultural anthropological attribute of evolution seen the world over. In evolutionary scale of time, eating or dinking heated solids or liquids is a fairly recent taste acquisition of the mammal, man: a culinary development probably even less than two million years. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258241 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258236&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006197%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: An upcoming hypothesis about the evolutionary origins of metabolic syndrome is that of a ‘soldier’ to ‘diplomat’ transition in behaviour and the accompanying metabolic adaptations. Theoretical as well as empirical studies have shown that similar to the soldier and diplomat dichotomy, physically aggressive and non-aggressive strategists coexist in animal societies with negative frequency dependent selection. Although dominant individuals have a higher reproductive success obtained through means such as greater access to females, subordinate individuals have alternative means such as sneak-mating for gaining a substantial reproductive success. The alternative behavioural strategies are associated with different neurophysiologic and metabolic states. Subordinate individuals t... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258236 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258206&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006355%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: The heart and lungs are closely linked as they lie in series, share a common surface area and compete for space within the thoracic cavity. The heart and lungs are exposed to the similar changes in intrathoracic pressure, and reflexes within one organ can influence the other (i.e. vagal influence of lung inflation on heart rate). In patients with heart failure, these cardiopulmonary interactions may be altered due to decreased lung and left ventricular compliance, increased cardiac size, high cardiac filling pressure and altered receptor sensitivity to neural activation. Exercise further affects the cardiopulmonary interactions by stimulating an increase in the depth and frequency of breathing which accentuates the fluctuations in intrathoracic pressure, and by requiring large inc... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258206 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124304&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005982%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We have read with interest the article by Dias et al., recently published in Medical Hypotheses . The authors claimed that the lack of available clinical applications of psychiatric neuroimaging is due to the fact that schizophrenia is a syndrome and not a disease: “the syndrome has more than one dimension (e.g., cognitive, psychotic and negative) and each of them is related to abnormalities in specific neuronal networks”. However, despite this claim, the authors did not provide reliable neuroimaging evidence for putative “abnormalities in specific neural networks” underlying cognitive, psychotic and negative domains of schizophrenia. Nowadays, psychiatric neuroimaging is clinically useless not only in the psychiatric diagnosis but also in the assessment of specific psychopathologi... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124304 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124274&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006070%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Malignant tumor hypoxia, which occurs due to abnormal and poor circulation of the tumoral vasculature, is the major cause of tumor aggressivity and failure of oncology therapeutics, particularly radiotherapy. Indeed, radio-sensitivity is reduced up to 3-fold in tumoral tissues with a lower oxygen partial pressure (PtO2). As such, there is no efficient means for increasing tumor PtO2 during radiotherapy sessions.Through a concept called “arterial flow focalization”, by controlled temporary endo or peri-vascular occlusion of the collateral arterial branch(es) upstream of the tumor (organ), it is possible to redirect blood flow through the principal artery of the downstream tumor (organ), thereby increasing tumor arterial flow, and hence oxygen supply, thus increasing tumor PtO2 ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124274 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124272&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006094%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: An analysis is carried out of a set of psychic phenomena appearing always in the same way: an experience suddenly invades the consciousness, unfolding automatically and with great intensity. This psychic automatism, of which the patient is a passive observer, is accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of strangeness. Our hypothesis is that these phenomena are the expression of partial seizures with a psychic content. A comparative study is then made of the phenomenology of these partial seizures with a psychic content, on the one hand, and of that of positive syndrome of schizophrenia, on the other. It reveals a wealth of clinical information indicating an overlap between the two conditions. This inclines us to postulate of an existence of shared etiopathogenic mechanisms for both ... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124272 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124271&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006148%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article explores the role of chance, exemplified by the stochastic process of immune repertoire generation, in the evolution of autoimmunity. The presented modeling studies and concepts suggest that chance plays as significant a role as genes or environment. This hypothesis implies that a full understanding of the role of genes and environment will also require investigators to account for stochastic processes in building comprehensive disease models. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124271 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124270&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS030698770900615X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes This article discusses the hypothesis and presents supportive preliminary data. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124270 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124269&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006161%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Evidence supports the premise that alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system, sometimes referred to as neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNRs), play a central role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. Moreover, these receptors may represent the key to unifying aspects of the cholinergic hypothesis of AD with many of the apparently disparate mechanisms such as β-amyloid deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, and ApoE4 abnormalities variously proposed to underlie the progression of the disease. We hypothesize that neuronal degeneration in incipient AD is the result of coincident events involving, at their core, deficits in alpha7 NNR function. The resulting hypocholinergic tone could potentially have serious consequences since al... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124269 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124268&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006173%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Discussion about these agents is currently focusing on the association with overall mortality and morbidity in COPD patients, of cardiovascular origin in particular.Bronchodilation diminishes the hyperinflated state of the lung and facilitates the pulmonary deposition of cigarette smoke by deeper inhalation into the smaller airways. Smaller particles, as in smoke, tend to penetrate and depose more in these small airways. In addition, bronchodilation indeed increases carbon monoxide uptake in the lungs, an important gaseous compound of cigarette smoke. Since the number of cigarettes smoked is positively correlated to mortality from cardiac events, we therefore hypothesise that chronic bronchodilation increases cardiovascular disease and mortality in COPD patients who continue smoking by inc... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124268 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124267&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006203%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Recent studies by Varricchio et al. reveal that males cared for the eggs of troodontids and oviraptorids, so-called “non-avian theropods” of the Cretaceous, just as do those of most Paleognathic birds (ratites and tinamous) today. Further, the clutches of both groups have large relative volumes, and consist of many eggs of relatively large size. By comparison, clutch care by most extant birds is biparental and the clutches are of small relative volume, and consist of but few small eggs. Varricchio et al. propose that troodontids and oviraptorids were pre-avian and that paternal egg care preceded the origin of birds. On the contrary, unmentioned by them is that abundant paleontological evidence has led several workers to conclude that troodontids and oviraptorids were secondary... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124267 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124266&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006215%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Thermodynamic laws and complex system dynamics govern brain function. Thus, any change in brain homeostasis by an alteration in brain temperature, neurotransmission or content may cause region-specific brain dysfunction. This is the premise for the Salerian Theory of Brain built upon a new paradigm for neuropsychiatric disorders: the governing influence of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, thermodynamic laws.The principles of region-specific brain function thermodynamics are reviewed. The clinical and supporting evidence including the paradoxical effects of various agents that alter brain homeostasis is demonstrated. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124266 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124265&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006227%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Bioindicators of ecosystem health, such as ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) diversity, reflect the ultimate (evolutionary) drivers of ecosystem function. Surveillance data on human population health, such as the frequency of ant stings, also provide a useful bioindicator of ecosystem health in so far as the presence of imported, stinging, pest species reflects the proximate (mechanistic) drivers of ecosystem function. The relationship between human health surveillance data and the ultimate drivers of ecosystem function has however not been studied at a research level. The possible integrated use of such apparently disparate data may offer a new tool to help manage our environment sustainably for the concurrent benefit of both ecosystem health and human health. Productive directions f... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124265 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124263&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006240%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: How might homosexual orientation have evolved and been maintained? Several adaptationist explanations have been examined in attempt to reconcile the presence of same-sex sexual behaviors with traditional selection-based theory, showing little empirical support. The current paper presents a novel adaptationist explanation for the evolution and maintenance of same-sex sexual behaviors in males, both between- and within-species, related to the evolution of anisogamy. Under conditions of isogamy, sexual reproduction occurs between individuals with gametes of similar morphology. With the evolution of anisogamy came greater specificity on the types of individuals that would produce offspring when mated with (i.e. those with opposing gamete sizes). It is suggested that with this evolutio... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124263 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124258&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006343%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: In human pregnancies, maternal absorption of iron is markedly curtailed in the first trimester. In a murine model, iron was teratogenic in the analogous embryonic period. Although iron is a weak mutagen, it is a powerful oxidant and a catalyst of formation of hydroxyl radicals. Studies are needed to determine if there might be an association of first trimester iron supplementation with miscarriage/fetal abnormalities. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124258 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258248&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006112%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes As in the case of chickenpox, new influenza A (H1N1) can be more severe if viral infective inoculum dose is greater than if it is little. In chickenpox, first case in a family outbreak usually is a middle case of disease. Second case shows a greater count of pustules and finally, a third case is more serious, not only by count of lesions, but in terms of general symptoms as fever . The explanation of this fact is inoculum dose of second and third cases, which is greater than in the first case. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258248 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124275&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006069%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Organophosphorus (OP) pesticide self-poisoning is a major clinical problem in rural Asia and it results in the death of 200,000 people every year. At present, it is lack of effective methods to treat severe organophosphate poisoning. The high mortality rate lies on the amount of toxic absorption. Intravenous lipid emulsions can be used as an antidote in fat-soluble drug poisoning. The detoxification mechanism of intravenous lipid emulsions is “lipid sink”, which lipid emulsions can dissolve the fat-soluble drugs and separate poison away from the sites of toxicity. Most of organophosphorus pesticides are highly fat-soluble. So, intravenous lipid emulsions have the potentially clinical applications in treatment of OP poisoning. Extracorporeal blood purification especially charc... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124275 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124273&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006082%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: There is growing interest in the concept of network pharmacology, as opposed to specific pharmacological targets, as an important drug discovery paradigm. Also known as the “magic shotgun” paradigm, this strategy involves individual drugs interacting with multiple targets to achieve clinical benefit. Pharmacological promiscuity consistent with this paradigm has been suggested in vitro for antidepressants and anticonvulsants, which interact with many classes of ion channels (among other receptor targets). Although the link between certain “off-target” interactions and drug side effects is well-accepted, the potential linkage between promiscuity and clinical efficacy remains poorly understood. Here we summarize interactions of clinically useful anti-psychotic and anti-demen... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124273 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029215&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709003909%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Conclusion: We propose that the underlying unifying factor in all cases of clubfoot is a lack of fetal movement. Fetal movement is a key developmental signal in the development of joints, and we suggest that this applies to the morphogenesis of the forefoot. Theories exist to explain specific individual features of clubfoot in certain cases and to explain experimental studies, however no common final pathway has been described. We believe that our hypothesis brings together key elements of these and will simplify understanding and classification of clubfoot. (Source: Medical Hypotheses) Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029215 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3258202&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005933%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Humans are an unusual species because they exhibit an economic division of labour. Most theories concerning the evolution of specifically human intelligence have focused either on economic problems or sexual selection mechanisms, both of which apply more to men than women. Yet while there is evidence for men having a slightly higher average IQ, the sexual dimorphism of intelligence is not obvious (except at unusually high and low levels). However, a more female-specific selection mechanism concerns the distinctive maternal role in child care during the offspring’s early years. It has been reported that increasing maternal intelligence is associated with reducing child mortality. This would lead to a greater level of reproductive success for intelligent women, and since intellige... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3258202 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3258202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029241&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005131%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: Women have glandular tissue below the bladder and surrounding the urethra that appears to be homologous to the male prostate. This tissue (also called “female prostate” or Skene’s glands) appears to the source of a viscous, white secretion, which exits from the urethra upon sexual stimulation in some women. Analysis of this secretion (also known as “female ejaculate”), and comparison with pre-coital urine from the same women, revealed that its composition was unlike urine and often contained components also found in male seminal fluid (minus the sperm). The female ejaculate had lower levels of creatinine, but had elevated levels of prostate specific antigen, prostatic acidic phosphatase, prostate specific acid phosphatase, and glucose. The functional importance of female... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029241 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029229&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709003594%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Summary: As a potential biological product, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely utilized in the areas of oral and maxillofacial reconstruction, bone and soft tissue restoration and wound healing. A recent study reported that the application of PRP on interrupted sciatic nerve could promote remyelinization of peripheral nerve. This renovated a notion that the application of PRP might extend to the nervous system. Most central nervous system (CNS) diseases have a series of common pathological changes in the later period of diseases which induce neurons and glia apoptosis and aggravate neurological dysfunction. It has been demonstrated that the potent restorative function of PRP is mainly based on neurotrophic capacity of preparation rich in growth factors (PRGFs) and scaffolding effec... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029229 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3029229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124279&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709005994%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Abstract: Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) possesses germicide (bactericide and sporicide) effect. Despite of the fact, that this effect is used in industrial sterilization processes, the sterilization mechanism at molecular level is unclear. Our hypotheses can provide a molecular-biological explanation for the phenomenon.We believe that in supercritical state CO2 reacts competitively with Met-tRNAfMet, the formation rate and the amount of formyl-methionyl-tRNA (fMet-tRNAfMet) will be diminished by irreversible substrate consumption. The fMet-tRNAfMet possesses a key role in prokaryotic protein synthesis, being almost exclusively the initiator aminoacyl-tRNA. The formed carbamoyl-methionyl-tRNA (cMet-tRNAfMet), probably stable only under pressure and high CO2 concentration, is stabilized... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124279 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124278&cid=s_38552_61_f&fid=38552&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medical-hypotheses.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS0306987709006033%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes We present an overview of “why”, “what” and “how” behind these efforts with an objective to uncover major unidentified limitations and needs. Three major limitations were identified: (1) limited data and bio-specimens regarding early life EC exposure assessments in some birth cohort studies; (2) heavy participant burdens in some birth cohort studies may bias participant recruitment, and risk substantial loss to follow-up, protocol deviations limiting the quality of data and specimens collection, with an overall potential bias towards the null effect; (3) lack of concerted efforts in building comparable birth cohorts across countries to take advantage of natural “experiments” (large EC exposure level differences between countries) for more in-depth assessments of dose–resp... Medical Hypotheses journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124278 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3124278