Medical eponyms: redeeming or not the long-standing tradition

2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-140420
Author(s):  
Yandy Marx Castillo Aleman

BackgroundHealthcare workers often use terms such as Apgar, Babinski or Glasgow in their routine duties. These terms are used worldwide; they are universal and recognised in various languages. Medical eponyms are immutable by the nature; they save valuable time by streamlining communication among health professionals. However, some of these terms lack accuracy and lead to confusion.Objective and methodsThis perspective article aims to analyse the current status of the divergent trends about redeeming (or not) the long-standing tradition of using medical eponyms. Multiple positions regarding the use of these terms have been expressed in the medical literature, and these are summarised in the manuscript. Although, this compilation is based primarily on the author’s medical background and experience.ResultsThere is an interesting debate in the scientific community about the suitability of certain eponyms. Defenders and detractors argue a broad spectrum of points, but there is still no international consensus. The use of classical, ethical and well-recognised medical eponyms will remain a cornerstone in daily clinical settings, textbooks and medical journals. However, their use can be inconsistent or confused in specific conditions, and they can be influenced by local geography and culture.ConclusionsThere is a need to refrain from using unethical and controversial eponyms throughout the whole of science. Further academic and scientific efforts should be addressed to provide a structural systematisation, semantic classification and etymological categorisation on the use of medical eponyms.

2004 ◽  
Vol 213 ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everett K. Gibson ◽  
Kathie L. Thomas-Keprta ◽  
Simon J. Clemett ◽  
David S. Mckay ◽  
Christopher Romanek ◽  
...  

Martian Meteorite ALH84001 contains four unusual features which have been interpreted as possible signatures of relic biogenic activity. After six years of intense study by the world's scientific community, the current status of the biogenic hypothesis is reviewed and shown to still be valid. Furthermore additional features have been observed in two younger Martian meteorites. The strongest argument for possible evidence of biogenic activity within the ALH84001 meteorite is the presence of truncated hexa-octahedral magnetite crystals which are only known on Earth to be the products of biology.


2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh Galbraith

AbstractBeef and its products are an important source of nutrition in many human societies. Methods of production vary and include the use of hormonal compounds (‘hormones’) to increase growth and lean tissue with reduced fat deposition in cattle. The hormonal compounds are naturally occurring in animals or are synthetically produced xenobiotics and have oestrogenic (oestradiol-17β and its esters; zeranol), androgenic (testosterone and esters; trenbolone acetate) or progestogenic (progesterone; melengestrol acetate) activity. The use of hormones as production aids is permitted in North American countries but is no longer allowed in the European Union (EU), which also prohibits the importation of beef and its products derived from hormone-treated cattle. These actions have resulted in a trade dispute between the two trading blocs. The major concern for EU authorities is the possibility of adverse effects on human consumers of residues of hormones and metabolites. Methods used to assess possible adverse effects are typical of those used by international agencies to assess acceptability of chemicals in human food. These include analysis of quantities present in the context of known biological activity and digestive, absorptive, post-absorptive and excretory processes. Particular considerations include the low quantities of hormonal compounds consumed in meat products and their relationships to endogenous production particularly in prepubertal children, enterohepatic inactivation, cellular receptor- and non-receptor-mediated effects and potential for interference with growth, development and physiological function in consumers. There is particular concern about the role of oestradiol-17β as a carcinogen in certain tissues. Now subject to a ‘permanent’ EU ban, current evidence suggests that certain catechol metabolites may induce free-radical damage of DNA in cell and laboratory animal test systems. Classical oestrogen-receptor mediation is considered to stimulate proliferation in cells maintaining receptivity. Mathematical models describing quantitative relationships between consumption of small amounts of oestrogens in meat in addition to greater concentrations from endogenous production, chemical stoichiometry at cellular level and human pathology have not been developed. Such an approach will be necessary to establish ‘molecular materiality’ of the additional hormone intake as a component of relative risk assessment. The other hormones, although generally less well researched, are similarly subject to a range of tests to determine potentially adverse effects. The resulting limited international consensus relates to the application of the ‘precautionary principle’ and non-acceptance by the European Commission of the recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which determined that meat from cattle, hormone-treated according to good practice, was safe for human consumers. The present review considers the hormone issue in the context of current international social methodology and regulation, recent advances in knowledge of biological activity of hormones and current status of science-based evaluation of food safety and risk for human consumers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonam Gurung ◽  
Dany Perocheau ◽  
Loukia Touramanidou ◽  
Julien Baruteau

AbstractThe use of exosomes in clinical settings is progressively becoming a reality, as clinical trials testing exosomes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications are generating remarkable interest from the scientific community and investors. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by all cell types playing intercellular communication roles in health and disease by transferring cellular cargoes such as functional proteins, metabolites and nucleic acids to recipient cells. An in-depth understanding of exosome biology is therefore essential to ensure clinical development of exosome based investigational therapeutic products. Here we summarise the most up-to-date knowkedge about the complex biological journey of exosomes from biogenesis and secretion, transport and uptake to their intracellular signalling. We delineate the major pathways and molecular players that influence each step of exosome physiology, highlighting the routes of interest, which will be of benefit to exosome manipulation and engineering. We highlight the main controversies in the field of exosome research: their adequate definition, characterisation and biogenesis at plasma membrane. We also delineate the most common identified pitfalls affecting exosome research and development. Unravelling exosome physiology is key to their ultimate progression towards clinical applications.


Author(s):  
Sachiko Ogawa ◽  
Yoshinori Takahashi ◽  
Misako Miyazaki

Background: Although interprofessional education (IPE) has come to be considered essential in health and social care education programs, most IPE programs in Japan focus on clinical settings. However, following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, IPE programs are considered essential for community development, especially in disaster-affected areas. To identify key issues for the development of IPE, we aimed to clarify the current status of IPE programs and problems in their implementation using an original questionnaire. Methods and Findings: The targets were 865 undergraduate courses that qualify students to take national registered health/social care examinations. Effective responses were received from 284 targets. Of these 284 respondents, 103 respondents had already implemented an IPE program and 181 respondents had not. Among the 103 respondents who had already implemented an IPE program, we found a tendency to collaborate with partners in clinical settings or in social settings. Furthermore, respondents who had implemented or were planning to implement an IPE program had difficulty with ‘interdisciplinary and/or extramural collaboration’ and ‘educational factors’. Conclusions: These difficulties could be considered barriers to developing effective IPE programs for community-based collaboration between health and social care professionals. Future research should investigate more specific solutions to these problems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2.ESP) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Soraya Pereira Franco Adriano ◽  
Betânia Maria Pereira Santos ◽  
Carmem Gabriela Gomes de Figueiredo Figueiredo ◽  
Ana Carolina Bernardes Dulgheroff ◽  
Ronaldo Rodrigues Sarmento ◽  
...  

Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica acerca da atual pandemia do novo coronavírus, destacando aspectos referentes às características do vírus, bem como a epidemiologia, o diagnóstico e tratamento da COVID-19 no intuito de fornecer informações aos profissionais de saúde e à comunidade científica. Método: Revisão narrativa, com busca nas bases de dados Scielo, Medline, Lilacs e Pubmed, referente ao período de fevereiro a maio de 2020, utilizando os descritores: “infecções por coronavírus” or “coronavirus infections”, “COVID-19”, “betacoronavirus”, “Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave”, “SARS-Cov-2”, “diagnóstico”, “diagnosis”. Resultados: Foram evidenciadas três categorias temáticas: aspectos referentes ao vírus; a epidemiologia e a clínica da doença; e aspectos do diagnóstico e tratamento. Conclusão: O Coronavírus sofreu mutações desde o início da pandemia, mas não se sabe se estas mutações afetaram seu poder de infecciosidade. Em diferentes partes do mundo a epidemiologia da COVID-19 foi diferente. Com relação ao tratamento, a droga que tem se mostrado mais promissora até o momento é o remdesivir. Sem uma vacina eficaz, a maior arma que dispomos é o isolamento social.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus; COVID-19; Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave. SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME AND COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): A NARRATIVE REVIEWObjective: To analyze a scientific production on the current pandemic of new coronaviruses, highlighting aspects related to virus resources, as well as the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in order to provide information to health professionals and the scientific community. Method: Narrative review, searching the Scielo, Medline, Lilacs and Pubmed databases, for the period from February to May 2020, using the keywords: "coronavirus infections" or "coronavirus infections", "COVID-19", "Betacoronavirus", "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome", "SARS-Cov-2", "diagnosis", "diagnosis". Results: Three thematic categories were highlighted: aspects related to the virus; an epidemiology and disease clinic; and aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: The Coronavirus has mutated since the beginning of the pandemic, but it is not known whether these mutations have affected its infectiousness. In different parts of the world the epidemiology of COVID-19 was different. Regarding treatment, a drug that has been shown to be more promising until recovery is needed. Without an effective vaccine, the biggest weapon that affects social isolation.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. SÍNDROME RESPIRATORIO AGUDO GRAVE Y COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2): UNA REVISIÓN NARRATIVAObjetivo: analizar una producción científica sobre la pandemia actual de nuevos coronavirus, destacando aspectos relacionados con los recursos del virus, así como la epidemiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de COVID-19 para proporcionar información a los profesionales de la salud y la comunidad científica. Método: Revisión narrativa, buscando en las bases de datos Scielo, Medline, Lilacs y Pubmed, para el período de febrero a mayo de 2020, utilizando los descriptores: "infecciones por coronavirus" o "infecciones por coronavirus", "COVID-19", "Betacoronavirus", "Síndrome respiratorio agudo severo", "SARS-Cov-2", "diagnóstico", "diagnóstico". Resultados: se destacaron tres categorías temáticas: aspectos relacionados con el virus; una clínica de epidemiología y enfermedad; y aspectos de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Conclusión: el coronavirus ha mutado desde el comienzo de la pandemia, pero no se sabe si estas mutaciones han afectado su infecciosidad. En diferentes partes del mundo, la epidemiología de COVID-19 fue diferente. Con respecto al tratamiento, un medicamento que ha demostrado ser más prometedor hasta que se necesita recuperación. Sin una vacuna efectiva, el arma más grande que afecta el aislamiento social.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus; COVID-19; Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo.


2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Paukner ◽  
Lars Hesse ◽  
Andrej Preželj ◽  
Tomaž Šolmajer ◽  
Uroš Urleb

ABSTRACT LK-157 is a novel tricyclic carbapenem with potent activity against class A and class C β-lactamases. When tested against the purified TEM-1 and SHV-1 enzymes, LK-157 exhibited 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) in the ranges of the clavulanic acid and tazobactam IC50s (55 nM and 151 nM, respectively). Moreover, LK-157 significantly inhibited AmpC β-lactamase (IC50, 62 nM), as LK-157 was >2,000-fold more potent than clavulanic acid and approximately 28-fold more active than tazobactam. The in vitro activities of LK-157 in combination with amoxicillin, piperacillin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cefpirome, and aztreonam against an array of Ambler class A (TEM-, SHV-, CTX-M-, KPC-, PER-, BRO-, and PC-type)- and class C-producing bacterial strains derived from clinical settings were evaluated in synergism experiments and compared with those of clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam. In vitro MICs against ESBL-producing strains (except CTX-M-containing strains) were reduced 2- to >256-fold, and those against AmpC-producing strains were reduced even up to >32-fold. The lowest MICs (≤0.025 to 1.6 μg/ml) were observed for the combination of cefepime and cefpirome with a constant LK-157 concentration of 4 μg/ml, thus raising an interest for further development. LK-157 proved to be a potent β-lactamase inhibitor, combining activity against class A and class C β-lactamases, which is an absolute necessity for use in the clinical setting due to the worldwide increasing prevalence of bacterial strains resistant to β-lactam antibiotics.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy C. Chang ◽  
Raquel Buranosky ◽  
Diane Dado ◽  
Patricia Cluss ◽  
Lynn Hawker ◽  
...  

Health professionals from two different clinical settings were asked about their comfort level in dealing with intimate partner violence (IPV). Focus groups and semistructured interviews were used to gather information. Staff in an obstetrics and gynecology setting relatively rich in IPV resources described feeling capable dealing with IPV. The staff in a general medicine setting dedicated to women’s health but without a focus on IPV and with fewer supports described discomfort and difficulty dealing with IPV. Presence of systemic prioritization of and resources for IPV were described as contributing to the confidence in addressing the issue. Other necessary elements identified included (a) on-site resources, (b) adequate time, (c) focused IPV training, and (d) a team or systemic approach.


2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antony Nocera ◽  
Anne M. Newton

AbstractBogus doctors pose a threat to public health and safety, and they present a security threat at disaster and multi-casualty event sites. A “bogus doctor” is an individual who misrepresents him/herself as a registered medical practitioner by their demeanour, actions, dress, or surroundings, while not entitled to be on a register of medical practitioners. There are very few reports in the medical literature, but practitioners have encountered them at the site of a disaster or multi-casualty event. This paper examines the five cases identified in the literature. Secure systems that confirm a health professional's identity and qualifications are required to avoid unnecessary delays and to protect the victims and health professionals providing the care.


PRILOZI ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Velibor Tasic ◽  
Zoran Gucev ◽  
Momir Polenakovic

Abstract Rare renal diseases (RRD) are an important category of rare disease (RD) as they can do great damage to the patients, families and society. The patient may undergo years even decades of numerous investigations including invasive procedures and yet not have definitive and precise diagnose and therefore, no opportunity for appropriate treatment. The great progress in molecular genetic techniques characterized many Mendelian diseases on molecular level. This gave the possibility for appropriate prevention and treatment interventions, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. Herein, we summarize the current status of RRD in Macedonia. The research interest of Macedonian clinicians and scientists is focused on the genetics of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, cystic diseases and cilliopathies with collaborations with eminent laboratories in Unites States and Europe. This collaboration resulted in detection of new genes and pathophysiological pathways published in The New England Journal of Medicine and in other high impact journals. Macedonian health professionals have knowledge and equipment for diagnosis of RRD. Unfortunately the lack of finances is great obstacle for early and appropriate diagnosis. Participation in the international registries, studies and trials should be encouraged. This would result in significant benefit for the patients, health professionals and science.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document