Instead of "plethysmography": "kenoseography" and "plesmonegraphy"

The recording of volume changes in health and disease has from old been designated as "Plethysmography". This was supposed to be a correct term for the recording (graphein) of an increase in volume (plethysmos). The present paper shows that the choice of this term was not felicitous, and suggests an alternative. The first "plethysmographic" recordings are ascribed to Glisson (1622) and Swammerdam (1737). Since Glisson and Swammerdam did, in fact, record the volume of muscle to be constant on contraction, their measurements should probably have been referred to as "isography". This, however, is merely a historical matter. Presently venous outflow measurement is a common procedure to establish the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. Venous outflow is determined by recording the decrease in volume of a limb which occurs after release of a congestion cuff. As this is quite the opposite of what is meant by "Plethysmography", another indication is needed for this examination. It appears that a suitable alternative can be taken from ancient Greek medical literature.     

“盐”是“盐”非

开门七件事“柴米油盐酱醋茶”,说明盐是生命中不可缺少的东西。人对盐的摄入既不能过少,也不能过多,只有拿捏的恰到好处,才能美味与健康兼得。每日食盐的摄入量     

The "transformation" from marxian "values" to competitive "prices": a process of rejection and replacement

The well-known transformation procedure for transforming from Marxian values to competitive prices is shown to be logically of the form: „Anything” equals „anything else” multiplied by „anything/anything else.”     

Selection of "surrogate" and "endpoints" evaluation of the efficacy of medical interventions

With the advent of new medical technologies and medicines, as well as due to changes in disease patterns and demographic problems rises the need for continued increases in health spending. Increased costs can be totally inadequate, if it has been done without studying the effectiveness of medical interventions, based on the results of evidence-based medicine and economic of their feasibility. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of medical interventions have been recently used specific criteria, so called points of clinical efficacy (surrogate and endpoints), that allow to conclude feasibility or harmfulness of the introduction or application of the intervention in clinical practice. The endpoint is reliable indicator the effectiveness of medical intervention. Surrogate point--is a biomarker that is intended to replace the endpoint and is a predictor of the effectiveness of medical intervention. The use of surrogate points has several advantages such as simple in identification and measurement, as well as more higher in compare with endpoints the vents frequency, that can significantly reduce the size of the selection and duration and cost of clinical trials, respectively. Finally, the surrogate points allow to evaluate treatment effect in situations where the use of endpoints is difficult or is unethical.     

The "knowns" and "unknowns" of biologic therapy in ankylosing spondylitis

Since the first biologic agent was tested in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the ability of these therapies to dramatically improve the clinical symptoms and signs of the disease was very evident. Over the past decade, 4 tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AS. Published data include randomized controlled trials, registries and observational studies. Guidelines have also been developed for the use of biologics in AS. Although a lot is known about the use of biologics in the AS, several "unknowns" remain. Whether these agents can alter the natural history of AS if started very early in the course or whether they can prevent extra-articular manifestations are among the important unanswered questions. Most of the data summarized in this review relate to tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, and other biologic agents that have been studied are included, as well. This review also summarizes what questions remain about the use of biologics in AS and what type of studies will be required to answer them.