Reproductive biomedicine online
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Jan 2009
Historical ArticleThe breast: from Ancient Greek myths to Hippocrates and Galen.
This is a historical article about Ancient Greek literature from mythological times until the first centuries AD with regard to the female breast. We endeavoured to collect several elegant narratives on the topic as well as to explore the knowledge of Ancient Greek doctors on the role, physiology and pathology of breast and the treatment of its diseases. ⋯ Furthermore, descriptions on the topic were also found in the work of Hippocrates, Aristoteles, Soranos, Alexander of Aphrodisias, Celsus, Archigenis, Leonides, Galen and Oribasius. We may conclude that some of today's medical knowledge or practice regarding the breast was also known in the historical period.
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Apr 2008
Introduction: Application of genetic advances to assisted reproduction technologies.
Assisted reproductive technologies are common, and successful, therapies to treat infertility. However, challenges in improving the success of assisted reproductive technology, broadening the availability and applicability of the technologies, and minimizing complications and risks continue to confront the field. The science of genetics, including epigenetics and affiliated branches, is undergoing an explosion in the development of new technologies and knowledge. These advances can and will improve and alter the practice of assisted reproductive technology.
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Jan 2008
Historical ArticleConception, complicated pregnancy, and labour of gods and heroes in Greek mythology.
Pregnancy and labour are holy moments in a woman's life. Even in Greek mythology we can find descriptions of them. ⋯ The use of imagination could help the reader to find similarities in present or future developments in the field of obstetrics. It could be concluded that various aspects of modern obstetrical practice are described in Greek mythology.
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Reprod. Biomed. Online · Jul 2007
ReviewDecision-making authority of patients and fertility specialists in Belgian law.
Belgium has finally introduced a law covering medically assisted reproduction and the disposition of supernumerary embryos and gametes, one of the last countries in Europe to do so. It is a liberal law, which gives extended decision-making authority to both patients and physicians. Importantly, access to treatment is given to all types of patients, with the exception of women over 47 years. ⋯ Simultaneously, fertility specialists and clinics have the right to refuse treatment to patients when they have a conscientious objection. Apart from the disposition of gametes and embryos, the law also permits the use of gametes and embryos post-mortem if there is written consent by the partners. Finally, the application of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for human leukocyte antigen typing is regulated.
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The editor of a medical journal may influence the opinion of his readers by a 'publication bias'. This can be through the choice of an editorial at the front of the journal, tutoring the article, the choice of an author from the Editorial Board and the organization of a press conference accompanying the publication. The publicity from which certain studies benefited in recent years has had a negative effect on doctors' prescriptions and comprehension of the published studies.