Medical hypotheses
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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. ⋯ In this paper we address these shortcomings with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of this timely discussion. Though conceding that major structural, historical and cultural shifts might have caused irreversible changes on the way science now evolves, we make some suggestions to counter this trend. These include, among others, the need for an honest and careful dealing with the media and public, to prize and abide by the ethos of science and its underlying values, to cultivate an exact philosophy and to insist that disinterested curiosity and the desire to understand the world are the vital motivations of science.
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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. ⋯ Secondly, the dosage of antidotes can be reduced and its side-effects will be eased. Thirdly, a large bolus of fatty acids provide energy substrate for the patients who are nil by mouth. We consider that it would become a feasible, safe and efficient detoxification intervention in the alleviation of severe organophosphate poisoning, which would also improve the outcome of the patients.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease, characterised by poorly reversible, obstructive airflow limitation. Alongside other comorbidities, COPD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality resulting from cardiovascular disease - mainly heart failure and ischemic heart disease. Both diseases share an important risk factor, namely, smoking. ⋯ Since many patients are at risk for this possibly hazardous interaction, its relevance to our society and healthcare is potentially great. The implication will be that the urgency to quit smoking is intensified. Besides, chronic bronchodilation - specifically long-acting bronchodilators - needs to be discouraged in smoking COPD patients that refuse to quit.
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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.