Abstract：
:Axillary hair is a highly conserved phenotypical feature in humans, and as such deserves at least consideration of its functional significance. Protection from environmental factors is one of the main functions attributed to hair in furred vertebrates, but is believed to be inapplicable to humans. I considered the hypothesis that the phenotypic preservation of axillary hair is due to its unrecognized role in the organism protection. Two immediate questions arise--what exactly is being protected and what it is protected from. A large group of axillary lymph nodes represents a major difference between underarms and the adjacent areas of the trunk. The consideration of potential factors from which hair can offer protection identifies sunlight as the most likely candidate. Intense sweat production underarms may represent an independent defense mechanism, specifically protecting lymph nodes from overheating. Moreover, the pattern of facial hair growth in males strikingly overlaps with the distribution of superficial lymph nodes, suggesting potential role for facial hair in protection of lymph nodes, and possibly thymus and thyroid. The idea of lymph node protection from environmental mutagenic factors, such as UV radiation and heat, appears particularly important in light of wide association of lymph nodes with cancers. The position of contemporary fashion towards body hair is aggressively negative, including the social pressure for removal of axillary and bikini line hair for women, facial hair for men in many professional occupations, and even body hair for men. If this hypothesis is proven to be true, the implications will be significant for immunology (by providing new insights in lymph node physiology), health sciences (depilation is painful and therefore easily modifiable habit if proven to increase disease risk), as well as art, social fashion and economy.
journal_name
Med Hypothesesjournal_title
Medical hypothesesauthors
Komarova SVdoi
10.1016/j.mehy.2006.03.021subject
Has Abstractpub_date
2006-01-01 00:00:00pages
698-701issue
4eissn
0306-9877issn
1532-2777pii
S0306-9877(06)00208-8journal_volume
67pub_type
杂志文章abstract：:Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has gained prominence since 1988 and a substantial amount of research has been done in this domain. However, it is still regarded as a controversial condition. Moreover, most of the symptoms of CFS itself are non-specific, occurring in many illnesses; some of the symptoms are also common...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/s0306-9877(03)00103-8
更新日期：2003-07-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are two of the most common medical complications of pregnancy, with risks for both mother and child. Like many other antepartum complications, PE and GDM occur only in pregnancy. However, it is not clear if pregnancy itself is the cause of these complications o...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2012.04.019
更新日期：2012-07-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Schizophrenia, if not the most difficult, is one of the most difficult mysterious puzzles for psychiatrists, psychologists, and neuroscientists to solve. In this paper, based on the previously known pathologies of schizophrenia, a new model is proposed for explanation of the formation of positive psychotic symptoms of...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2006.03.054
更新日期：2006-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:CML, a myeloproliferative clonal disorder of myeloid stem cells, is characterized by the consistent presence of a bcr-c-abl fusion gene which is formed as a result of a translocation of the c-abl gene from chromosome 9 to downstream of the bcr gene on chromosome 22 (ph'). Current approaches to the treatment of CML are...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/0306-9877(91)90273-2
更新日期：1991-08-01 00:00:00
abstract：:The constant level of various proteins including albumin and cellular components in intravascular pool in vivo is strictly controlled by an unknown homeostatic mechanism, although there are fluctuations seen in pathologic conditions. Because the majority of the IgG in the serum is regarded as self-reactive natural aut...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2006.04.011
更新日期：2006-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been shown to have a higher incidence of cancer. It is suggested that several factors, including hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, raised estrogen levels, chronic inflammation, and reduced apoptosis are responsible for this association. However, in this paper we propose t...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109437
更新日期：2020-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread epidemics of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/0306-9877(82)90088-3
更新日期：1982-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：BACKGROUND:Huachansu, a Chinese medicine that comes from dried toad venom from the skin glands of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor or Bufo melanostictus Schneider, has been used in treatment of cancers. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huachansu combined with chemotherapy for advanced gas...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章,meta分析
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2013.04.038
更新日期：2013-08-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Most of the evidence of formation of amblyopia is derived traditionally from electrophysiological studies. Recently, there have been many discoveries from genetics, histopathology, biochemistry, immunology and interventional studies. On the basis of evidence gathered in the last five years, the various types of amblyo...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/s0306-9877(97)90275-9
更新日期：1997-02-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Synthetic and semisynthetic fabrics generate electrostatic potentials on the surface of the skin. The author suggests that the effects of electrostatic potentials on physical and psychological condition are mediated by acupuncture points. The author further suggests that electrostatic charges on the surface of the ski...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1054/mehy.1999.0854
更新日期：2000-03-01 00:00:00
abstract：:A major factor relating to the oversight of neurological dysfunction and seizures caused by magnesium (Mg++) depletion, involves the buffer functions of the skeletal system orchestrated primarily by the parathyroid. A Mg++ depleted subject may appear relatively asymptomatic until a short period after homeostatic respo...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/0306-9877(91)90067-9
更新日期：1991-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:A model of human language requires a theory of meaningful marks. Humans are the only species who use marks to think. A theory of marks identifies children's scribbles as significant behavior, while hypothesizing the importance of rotational systems to hominid brain evolution. By recognizing the importance of children'...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2004.09.002
更新日期：2005-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:A bi-directional association between mood disorders and migraine has been consistently reported. Nevertheless, the neurobiological substrate underlying the association between these disorders remains unknown. In the article herein we review evidence for the role of inflammatory cytokines in the neurobiology of bipolar...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章,评审
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2012.01.036
更新日期：2012-05-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Recent investigations on protease inhibitors in articular cartilage have provided new insights into the possible initial lesions of osteoarthrosis. A hypothesis has been formulated based upon an impaired ability of chondrocytes to synthesize protease inhibitors, which leads to loss of matrix integrity and vascular inv...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/0306-9877(79)90041-0
更新日期：1979-07-01 00:00:00
abstract：:For more than 35 years the author has treated multiple serious diseases in cats and dogs by correcting an unrecognized endocrine-immune imbalance originating with a deficiency or defect of cortisol. The cortisol abnormality creates a domino effect on feedback loops involving the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. In...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2003.12.005
更新日期：2004-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Previous reports of specific patterns of increased fragility at common chromosomal fragile sites (CFS) found in association with certain neurobehavioural disorders did not attract attention at the time due to a shift towards molecular approaches to delineate neuropsychiatric disorder candidate genes. Links with miRNA,...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2009.05.039
更新日期：2010-05-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that may be marked by abdominal pain, bloating, fullness, indigestion, belching, constipation and/or diarrhea. IBS symptoms can result from malabsorption of fructose. Fructose is a monosaccharide found naturally in small quantities in fruits and some vegetables, and in muc...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2015.05.019
更新日期：2015-09-01 00:00:00
abstract：:The presented hypothesis suggests that chronic latent malaria infection prepares the niche where the otherwise feeble HIV coinfection can thrive and cause AIDS. It is suggested that the roots of the HIV outbreak and AIDS pandemic lay in the urbanization processes in Africa that resulted in the eradication of the Anoph...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1054/mehy.2001.1299
更新日期：2001-10-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Plantar fasciitis has been and remains one of the most common pathologic conditions of the lower extremity. Patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis are treated conservatively with various degrees of success. This article presents a review of the literature pertaining to treatment of plantar fasciitis as well as intr...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章,评审
doi：10.1016/s0306-9877(02)00120-2
更新日期：2002-07-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Over-proliferation of SMC (smooth muscle cell) is one characteristics of atherosclerosis. One well accepted mechanism is that the decrease of ECs (endothelial cells) induced by over apoptosis leads to endothelial dysfunction, which in turn results in over-proliferation of SMC. Obviously, the mechanism works after endo...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2006.07.037
更新日期：2007-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of uncertain etiology. In MS, neurodegeneration is thought to be secondary to autoimmune-mediated damage. However, no cohesive explanation yet exists as to how environmental factors interact to induce a neurodegenerative autoimmune response. Insufficient sunlight ...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2008.01.031
更新日期：2008-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors, are the main biological treatment for major depression. However, not all depressed patients improve clinically despite appropriate treatment. Thus,...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2005.10.011
更新日期：2006-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Treatment with non-selective beta-blockers has been proposed to have an indirect antiviral activity acting via an enhanced performance of the immune system, and the mechanism of this activity has been laid out earlier. Experimental and clinical findings are presented that corroborate the hypothesis that inhibiting the...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2004.06.030
更新日期：2005-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Deciding for an amputation in case of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) is controversial. Evidence for favorable or adverse effects of an amputation is weak. We therefore follow a careful and well-structured decision making process. After referral of the patient with the request to amputate the affected l...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2018.08.026
更新日期：2018-12-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Traumatic iris sphincter tear has been thought to occur secondary to anteroposterior compression of the globe with defined forces lead to equatorial expansion and active pull along the corneoscleral junction and sphincter tear. However, here in this report, we elaborate the additional forces involved in the traumatic ...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2018.11.013
更新日期：2019-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:The polyol pathway consists of two enzymes aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH); the former is the first enzyme in the polyol pathway, that catalyzes the reduction of glucose to sorbitol, the latter is the second one, that converts sorbitol to fructose using by NAD(+) as a cofactor. We along with oth...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/s0306-9877(03)00013-6
更新日期：2003-04-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Geographic patterns with diminishing rates from north to south toward the equator have been described for a number of diseases, putatively related largely to "western" lifestyle. Among these the inflammatory bowel diseases; Crohn's (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC) have been prominent in sharing distributions with a nu...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.001
更新日期：2016-11-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. The hallmark pathologic feature of PD is dopamine deficiency, caused by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Current treatments for PD mainly address the dopaminergic features of the disease; howe...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2007.04.014
更新日期：2007-01-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Initial diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) is usually based on measuring serum-creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels; however such measurements are still poor in identifying renal injuries at initial stages. These standard matrices are not enough to monitor the outcome and progression of AKI. The prognosis pre...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2016.08.011
更新日期：2016-10-01 00:00:00
abstract：:Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is causally associated with a subset of oral cancers, predominantly those cancers arising in the oropharynx (OP). Increased HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogene expressions are responsible for the malignant transmission in these cancers. ErbB-2 is the family member most closely implicated in hum...
journal_title：Medical hypotheses
pub_type： 杂志文章
doi：10.1016/j.mehy.2004.03.013
更新日期：2004-01-01 00:00:00
