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Historical and cultural aspects of the pineal gland: comparison between the theories provided by Spiritism in the 1940s and the current scientific evidence.

Lucchetti G, Daher J, Iandoli D, Gonçalves J, Lucchetti A.
Comparative Study 2013; 34(8): 745-755 PubMed PMID: 24522019 Citation  Keywords:  Cultural Characteristics:history, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Humanities:history, Humans, Neuroendocrinology:history, Pineal Gland, Science:history, Spiritualism:history,.   

: Significance has been attached to the pineal gland in numerous different cultures and beliefs. One religion that has advanced the role of the pineal gland is Spiritism. The objective of the present study was to compile information on the pineal gland drawing on the books of Francisco Cândido Xavier written through psychography and to carry out a critical analysis of their scientific bases by comparing against evidence in the current scientific literature. A systematic search using the terms "pineal gland" and "epiphysis" was conducted of 12 works allegedly dictated by the spirit "André Luiz". All information on the pineal having potential correlation with the field of medicine and current studies was included. Specialists in the area were recruited to compile the information and draw parallels with the scientific literature. The themes related to the pineal gland were: mental health, reproductive function, endocrinology, relationship with physical activity, spiritual connection, criticism of the theory that the organ exerts no function, and description of a hormone secreted by the gland (reference alluding to melatonin, isolated 13 years later). The historical background for each theme was outlined, together with the theories present in the Spiritist books and in the relevant scientific literature. The present article provides an analysis of the knowledge the scientific community can acquire from the history of humanity and from science itself. The process of formulating hypotheses and scientific theories can benefit by drawing on the cultural aspects of civilization, taking into account so-called non-traditional reports and theories....

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Teratology on the crossroads: historical aspects and modern approaches.

Ujházy E, Mach M, Navarová J, Dubovický M.
Historical Article 2012; 33(3): 304-313 PubMed PMID: 22635090 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Congenital Abnormalities:history, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century, History, Ancient, Humans, Neuroendocrinology:history, Teratology:history,.   

: Teratology is the science of congenital developmental disorders (CDDs), overt or latent defects of the organism resulting from the effect of internal and external factors on developmental processes. In this article the significance and position of present-day teratology is discussed in the context of development of this branch of science and related disciplines. The authors present an updated overview of the most important milestones and stages of the development of teratology. Based on the analysis of the historical development of theses and theories that represent a decisive contribution to this field, we present a survey of the fundamental principles of experimental and clinical teratology. The aim of observing these principles is to get insight into developmental relations and to understand mechanisms of action on the level of cell populations (elementary morphogenetic processes), tissues and organs. It is important to realize that any negative intervention into the normal course of these processes, either on genetic or non-genetic basis, inevitably leads to a sequence of subsequent changes resulting in the development of congenital developmental disorders. Despite modern approaches of molecular biology and genetics, along with top diagnostic techniques, we are still not able to identify the actual cause in more than 50% of all congenital defects. One-half of the unidentified cases are referred to as "multifactorial", a term that is rather ambiguous. It either means that some of the basic principles of teratogenesis still escape our attention, or the interpretation of some of the well known principles might be misleading. A third possibility is rather pessimistic. The development of the individual is so sophisticated and dependent on a delicate network of a multitude of factors mutually affecting each other that it is extremely prone to give rise to a plethora of spontaneous errors which are unpredictable and impossible to prevent. Nevertheless, the long and complicated history of scientific endeavour has yielded considerable present-day knowledge on causes and mechanisms of CDDs, a history whose beginnings date back to antiquity....

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Laudatio for centenary of the birth of Luigi Di Bella, MD, PhD.

Di Bella G, Di Bella A, Gualano L.
Biography 2012; 33(3): 247-248 PubMed PMID: 22635077 Citation  Keywords:  History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Humans, Italy, Melatonin:history, Neoplasms:history, Neuroendocrinology:history, Retinoids:history, Somatostatin:history,.   

: On the centennial of the birth of Luigi Di Bella, the desire to memorialise, at least in part, his thoughts has prompted us to write this tribute, in the hope that one day his dreams may come true. Throughout his research for a treatment of cancer, he deemed it necessary to employ a complex array of substances that, by acting centripetally on neoplastic cells, could in turn be capable of affecting, either simultaneously or sequentially, the myriad of biological reactions supporting their lives. Hence, not a substance but a method (Di Bella Method, DBM). These brief hints at some aspects of Prof. Di Bella's multifaceted scientific vision are aimed not only at reasserting the truth, but also at giving a modest contribution to a novel and free direction in experimental and clinical science....

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Professor Franz Halberg - the grand democrat in the global science. From the molecule to cosmos and back.

Mikulecký M.
Biography 2009; 30(6): 675-676 PubMed PMID: 20038930 Citation  Keywords:  Chronobiology Discipline:history, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Molecular Biology:history, Neuroendocrinology:history, Romania, United States,.   

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Human ethology and evolutionary psychology. Special issue dedicated to the memory of Dr. Zdenek Klein.

Biography 2002; 23(Suppl 4): 6-115 PubMed PMID: 12496727 Citation  Keywords:  Awards and Prizes, Behavioral Research, Czech Republic, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Humans, Neuroendocrinology:history,.   

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