Science is human / Science is human

Collective construction of scientific knowledge is doubtless a major accomplishment of humankind. Sharing of information is a manner of inviting the interested community to participate at each step of such construction. Thus, publication of scientific articles must be regarded as an essential activity or means, because it communicates the results of the work of one or more researchers, in turn based on previous shared knowledge. In this regard, scientific journals play an important role as one of the means of communication. However, they are not merely passive vehicles, but one of the steps of the construction of knowledge itself.When authors finish their work by submitting an article to a scientific journal, a new stage in the construction of shared scientific knowledge is triggered around two main axes: format and content. The format of scientific articles is much more than mere layout and normalization, but it serves the very specific goal of organizing information to make it easily accessible to the readership. In this regard, publication in the so-called ?hard sciences? developed a standard pattern that serves very well this purpose, namely the classic division into ?Introduction?, ?Materials and methods?, ?Results?, ?Discussion? and ?Conclusions?. Due to their nature, the humanities do not adjust well to such model, but nonetheless the corresponding articles must comply with some formal standards including definition of the problem, the approaches to solve it, consistent analysis of the results, and careful citation of references. It is worth to observe that many submissions are rejected by editors for the simple reason that they lack the minimum of organization expected from scientific articles.Whereas adjustment of format deals with the formal side of articles, analysis of content is a much more ?invasive? step, because it is intended to judge on the quality of the information they convey before it is communicated to the scientific community at large. Most journals appeal to the process of peer-review despite it is widely criticized as biased and unfair. However, peer-review was originally intended not only to improve the quality of scientific communication, but also to play an educational role. The feedback it provides to authors might contribute to a thorough review of their basic assumptions, methods and patterns of analysis that might influence the performance of scientific work itself. And naturally, peer-review also protects the scientific community from an overload of unneeded, inconsequent or inconsistent information. Shortly, from the editorial perspective articles are appropriate for publication when their structure is consistent, the background of the studies is properly explained and soundly grounded on reliable sources, the methods are clearly described and validated, analysis is coherent, the conclusions are systematically inferred from the data. And they have a pinch of originality!The reason behind this painstaking process is the constant concern of editors with the possibility of publishing an inappropriate article and rejecting an appropriate one. However, the scientific community has some devices to check the damage. In the former case, a ?false positive?, the scientific community might simply ignore the offending piece or criticize it publicly in the same or other journals. This will certainly upset authors or funding agencies, however, science will escape unharmed. This mechanism is so consistent, that even biased criticism grounded on motives other that the interest of science might in turn become the target of public rebuttal. Shortly, the current mechanism of scientific publication allows for damage control and along that process, all the involved parties and the scientific community at large become more experienced and mindful of possible flaws. In the case of ?false negatives?, however, the problem is quite different. When an article is not published, the scientific community is shunned from certain subjects, ideas, results, methods or hypotheses. Sometimes the authors stubbornly insist, improve the article, and look for other journals until the article is finally published. In that case, the damage is checked and science emerges once again unharmed. However, the opposite is also true: articles might be as innovative and diverging from the mainstream as for the earnest of peers not to be able to understand it or to judge it on its pure merits. Rejection of appropriate articles grounded on a fear of the unknown and unfamiliar leads to an irreparable loss of opportunity to bring something new into and to open paths for science. It might been adduced that science is under a permanent process of transformation and thus, sooner or later an unconventional topic will come back to the fore, perhaps within a different context, or because better adjusted criteria will have developed meanwhile to judge it more appropriately. However, the crux of the matter is the fact that when editors do not dare to publish articles describing novel notions, methods or results provided they comply with the formal requirements described above, rather than contributing to the advancement, we are involuntarily blocking the advancement of science by clinging to the present state of the art under the disguise of safety and responsibility. Nevertheless, one must keep in mind that publication is not the primary goal of research, and that sharing knowledge only makes sense when the scientific community is receptive. Unconventional knowledge must be strictly subjected to the criteria of reproducibility and coherence, because it becomes no longer unconventional when several researchers reproduce it, and when it succeeds to interpret reality, otherwise, it is not only unconventional, but also noxious. Since science has its own mechanisms to judge and rate its production, the task of editors is somewhat lighter. Editors are not responsible for validating or reproducing studies, but first to present them with a readable and complete format to representatives of the scientific community, who will review them in a decentralized, open, multidisciplinary and unbiased manner. Were some referees not stand to their appointed task, editors will see to ensure the fairness of the reviewing process. Thus, journals and researchers play complementary roles in the advancement of science. Inconsequent, irresponsible and unstructured freedom of expression and rigid censorship refractory to anything new are both noxious to any community. Although reaching a balance between extremes is a universal goal, we discover how much we missed the point only when we act and assess the consequences of our actions. In this regard, science is no different from any other of human action.

International Journal of High Dilution Research

O editor-chefe da revista IJHDR, Dr. Carlos Renato Zacharias, comunica publicação online da revista - Vol. 11 (38) 2012.

The uncomfortable comfort zone / The uncomfortable comfort zone

Whenever we achieve the satisfaction of our expectations and anxiety dissolves, we feel as if we were in a comfort zone ? safe, complete, free from risks and in peace with ourselves. We might even have a little taste of heaven when we feel that we have fulfilled our duty. And as a fact, scientists are entitled to this kind of reward? but not for too long! In science, to enter a comfort zone can be as pleasant as dangerous. On one hand we may have a safe ground available to develop new modes of reasoning, protocols and theories. And on the other, we may stay stuck in a conventional but fragile ground, missing opportunities to reveal novel secrets or to address edge issues.Fundamental research in High Dilutions is at risk of entering such a state. Recently, nanostructures were found in serially diluted and agitated fluids, which not only raised our expectations as to a novel conceptual framework able to explain the HD phenomenon, but also led us back to mainstream science and the most innovative experimental technology. This has more far reaching consequences: if nanostructures form in HD, then Avogadro?s limit becomes senseless, and the long unexplained clinical and pharmacological properties of HD might be finally elucidated, new experiments may be designed, new theories postulated, and so forth. Shortly, once persuaded we hit the gold vein, we might celebrate this new era in the history of HD research and claim our duly place in mainstream science. The expectation of explaining HD and homeopathy out of nanostructures is not shared by our entire community. Some still prefer to associate this phenomenon with immaterial factors, like the putative vital energy or some still unknown property of matter. Others simply refuse such structural hypotheses because they do not fulfill basic requirements to explain the specificity of homeopathic medicines. Despite personal opinions or beliefs, the presence of nanostructures is, indeed, a consistent hypothesis and experimental evidences might accumulate and make it ever sounder. It is reasonable to posit that the energy released by mechanical agitation induces cavitation in the liquid phase and thus triggers nonlinear effects resulting in new molecular rearrangements. To follow this structural track means to keep us inside mainstream science, since we deal with sound theory, might perform modern experiments and collect data fit to be interpreted within the framework the current data. Nanostructures were identified only very recently and they had not been yet fully investigated. Countless data must still be collected, results organized, and eventually, new methods developed. The required tests are extremely complex, whereas the HD community suffers from a chronic and severe lack of human and material resources. In spite of such shortcomings, slowly and gradually we might become able to formulate a consistent theory both supporting and being supported by experimental evidence. This, as a fact, is the natural time of science. Adjusting for scale, we might judge we are following a track similar to the one that leads us to the atomic and the electromagnetic models, which do not started at quantum mechanics or Maxwell?s equations, but from isolated experimental observations.However, several issues still require thorough investigation: Are such nanostructures truly generated by serial dilution and agitation? Do they actually derive from the starting-material? Are nanostructures altered along serial dilution and agitation, as the clinical results predict? Even assuming that the presence of nanostructures in HD has the full weight of evidence, a very long road must still be travelled before we might be able to attribute biological activity to them. Also, since historically the samples have always been prepared in glass vials, we still must rule out the possibility of them being experimental artifacts due to the presence of contaminants, or results of the drying procedures required to prepare samples for experimental analysis.Few years ago, I challenged some colleagues who were utterly persuaded of the physical-chemical nature of HD to cite one single result correlating the identified physical-chemical properties of HDs and the biological activity of such preparations. There is no need to say that I?m still waiting for an answer. And the same applies to nanostructures: they will not represent an answer until they had not been correlated with biological activity and their mechanism is not shown to fully agree with the well-known characteristics of homeopathic medications, namely dependence on the starting-material and different behavior according to the level of dilution and agitation. The experimental and conceptual difficulties, the lack of a critical mass of researches, and the pressure exerted by the university and scientific milieu on the few existing ones might make us loose from sight the fact that the latest positive experiment is never the ultimate explanation of the HD phenomenon. Conversely, conflict and debate are systematically more fruitful in science than consensus and convergence. The community of HD researchers seems to have entered a new comfort zone when nanostructures were found in HD. Nanostructures have been raised to the level of ultimate evidence doing away with Avogadro?s limit and leading homeopathy and HD research into mainstream science. We really should enjoy this moment and collect more information about the HD phenomenon. However, we must be wary to not fall into a trap.

Good winds are expected! / Good winds are expected!

Probably by cultural and historical reasons, Western Europe occupied the center of homeopathy research stage. It was in Western Europe that Hahnemann initially established the grounds of homeopathy, and also were Western European the researchers who have been trying to characterize the scientific bases behind high dilutions biological action ever since. Europe witnessed all phases of homeopathy development, its growth and also its decline, its time of glory as well as its many crises. Ideological divergences ? sometimes grounded on irresponsible attitudes by homeopaths themselves, sometimes arising from skeptics pride and prejudice ? gave rise to political and social movements against homeopathy. In spite of this, clinical and experimental evidences kept homeopathy alive as an important therapeutic option able to reunite low cost and efficacy provided its conceptual basis and limitations are observed.New winds are blowing and they will surprise those little prepared or unexpecting.(AU)

Avaliação da condutividade elétrica, pH e índice de refração como parâmetro físico-químico para controle de altas diluições de aveloz, em farmácias homeopáticas / Evaluation of electrical conductivity, pH and refractive index as physico-chemical parameters for quality control of Aveloz homeopathic solutions

Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu (aveloz) pertence à família Euphorbiaceae e é usada no tratamento do câncer e de verrugas. Alguns trabalhos têm evidenciado que os ésteres de forbol são os princípios ativos responsáveis pela atividade antitumoral do aveloz. A produção destas moléculas ocorre em maior quantidade no mês de maio, durante o período da manhã. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se os parâmetros físico-químicos de soluções aquosas ultradiluídas e dinamizadas (SUDs) de aveloz, como: pH, condutividade elétrica e índice de refração se alteram devido ao tempo de estocagem. As SUDs foram preparadas seguindo método de trituração em lactose e posterior solubilização em meio aquoso, como descrito na Farmacopéia Homeopática Brasileira 2ª Edição, utilizando como insumo de partida o látex coletado da planta no mês de maio. SUDs contendo apenas lactose foram preparadas e avaliadas igualmente àquelas contendo aveloz, como grupo controle. As potências que foram submetidas às análises de condutividade elétrica, pH e índice de refração foram: 4CH, 7CH, 9CH, 12CH, 14CH, 15CH, 29CH, 30CH. Como resultados, detectamos diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,035) para os valores de condutividade elétrica obtidos de SUDs contendo apenas lactose em comparação as SUDs de aveloz, na potência 15CH. Verificamos também, que a condutividade elétrica de soluções aquosas dinamizadas aumenta com o envelhecimento das mesmas;entretanto, variações na condutividade elétrica não estão diretamente relacionadas com o pH ou o índice de refração das soluções, indicando que o processo de preparo das soluções pode modificar a condutividade elétrica das SUDs de maneira independente. A presença de gases no interior dos vidros que armazenam as SUDs parece influenciar a condutividade elétrica destas soluções. Para as medidas de pH e índice de refração nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi observada (p>0,05).(AU)

ReNPAD: a brazilian network for researchers in High Dilutio / ReNPAD: a brazilian network for researchers in High Dilutio

Some pertinent questions in the practice of science is to know what one is researching, with whom and where. These questions are even more crucial for those involved in High Dilution studies, an emergent and multidisciplinary scientific , where concepts, methods and models are still to be validated. In this research , such questions can be addressed through networks because communication between peers accelerates the process of conceiving and refining the concepts, methodologies and standards that give consistency to emergent knowledge. A thematic network can be effective in building an identity for the science of HDs and related community. This article introduces the project ReNPAD (National Network of Researchers in High Dilutions), a Brazilian initiative aiming to put together researchers involved in studies in HDs in order to stimulate interaction and give visibility to the theirs efforts [1]. (AU)

Storm after the calm ! / Storm after the calm !

To work with or to research on subjects related to Homeopathy and High Dilutions was never a monotonous activity! At all moment skeptics and believers are discussing about clinical and experimental proofs to validate the phenomenon behind the high dilutions. Independently how structured are their reasoning, and which part is attacking, the counterpart can always neutralize the discussion using the same antidote: the intrinsic uncertain provided by statistical methods, converging to an endless technical tie. For recent examples, we can cite the UK Parliament discussion, the attempt of collective suicide by skeptics and the Belgium KCE report. I agree they had consequences, but not enough to stop the polemics or this scenario. Behind and beyond all these discussion there is an important consensus: no one knows how a HD acts or even whether it really works or whether we are dealing with experimental artifacts! Each side has its beliefs and answers. However, we can extract an ironical consequence from that: the fight between the practitioners and politicians, believers and skeptics, is the motivation and the fuel for the researchers!! What a beautiful opportunity to challenge with a potentially new phenomenon!...In the current issue, IJHDR will publish 17 contributions presented on 2010 (Monaco) and in the next issues, more than 50 contributions submitted to the XXV GIRI Symposium (September 2011, Brazil). This way, IJHDR exerts its mission as a vehicle to share open access high quality information about research in HD. Enjoy the calm, because new storms are coming!(AU)

Joining efforts to destroy a mighty empire: the Delphic oracle reloaded! / Joining efforts to destroy a mighty empire: the Delphic oracle reloaded!

Whether in short or long term, it seems that history always repeats itself! We started in 2011 under the announcement of another collective suicide attempt organized by Merseyside Skeptics Society, with followers in various cities all over the world! The reasoning behind this movement is quite clear: if homeopathic medicines are highly diluted, then it can not be found one even molecule of the supposed active substance inside it. Hence the campaign slogan: Homeopathy: there is nothing in it! ...If we want to get into a true battle, then we should review and reflect on our scientific approach to the phenomenon of the HD and homeopathy. And we don?t need to bother in requesting a space in the universe of science, because this decision is not entitled to the skeptics. Further, this place is already booked since a long time! We should only be dedicated to the difficult task of uncovering the phenomenon behind the HD and Homeopathy, in order to fill our space in an honorable manner

Joining efforts to destroy a mighty empire: the Delphic oracle reloaded! / Joining efforts to destroy a mighty empire: the Delphic oracle reloaded!

Whether in short or long term, it seems that history always repeats itself! We started in 2011 under the announcement of another collective suicide attempt organized by Merseyside Skeptics Society, with followers in various cities all over the world! The reasoning behind this movement is quite clear: if homeopathic medicines are highly diluted, then it can not be found one even molecule of the supposed active substance inside it. Hence the campaign slogan: Homeopathy: there is nothing in it! ...If we want to get into a true battle, then we should review and reflect on our scientific approach to the phenomenon of the HD and homeopathy. And we don?t need to bother in requesting a space in the universe of science, because this decision is not entitled to the skeptics. Further, this place is already booked since a long time! We should only be dedicated to the difficult task of uncovering the phenomenon behind the HD and Homeopathy, in order to fill our space in an honorable manner(AU)

Storm after the calm ! / Storm after the calm !

To work with or to research on subjects related to Homeopathy and High Dilutions was never a monotonous activity! At all moment skeptics and believers are discussing about clinical and experimental proofs to validate the phenomenon behind the high dilutions. Independently how structured are their reasoning, and which part is attacking, the counterpart can always neutralize the discussion using the same antidote: the intrinsic uncertain provided by statistical methods, converging to an endless technical tie. For recent examples, we can cite the UK Parliament discussion, the attempt of collective suicide by skeptics and the Belgium KCE report. I agree they had consequences, but not enough to stop the polemics or this scenario. Behind and beyond all these discussion there is an important consensus: no one knows how a HD acts or even whether it really works or whether we are dealing with experimental artifacts! Each side has its beliefs and answers. However, we can extract an ironical consequence from that: the fight between the practitioners and politicians, believers and skeptics, is the motivation and the fuel for the researchers!! What a beautiful opportunity to challenge with a potentially new phenomenon!...In the current issue, IJHDR will publish 17 contributions presented on 2010 (Monaco) and in the next issues, more than 50 contributions submitted to the XXV GIRI Symposium (September 2011, Brazil). This way, IJHDR exerts its mission as a vehicle to share open access high quality information about research in HD. Enjoy the calm, because new storms are coming!

ReNPAD: a brazilian network for researchers in High Dilutio / ReNPAD: a brazilian network for researchers in High Dilutio

Some pertinent questions in the practice of science is to know what one is researching, with whom and where. These questions are even more crucial for those involved in High Dilution studies, an emergent and multidisciplinary scientific , where concepts, methods and models are still to be validated. In this research , such questions can be addressed through networks because communication between peers accelerates the process of conceiving and refining the concepts, methodologies and standards that give consistency to emergent knowledge. A thematic network can be effective in building an identity for the science of HDs and related community. This article introduces the project ReNPAD (National Network of Researchers in High Dilutions), a Brazilian initiative aiming to put together researchers involved in studies in HDs in order to stimulate interaction and give visibility to the theirs efforts [1].

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who in the land is the wisest of all?

As expected [1], 2010 began full of news! And also of controversies! 2010 opened with the publication of the special issue (part II) of journal Homeopathy carrying many interesting original and revision articles [2], thus, bringing into the scientific community new boundaries, standards, models and challenges. Few weeks later, hundreds of skeptics took an overdose of homeopathic medicines to protest against the sale of homeopathic remedies, believing that in this way it would be possible to prove that such substances have no scientific basis [3], a manifestation as funny as senseless, since it was unable to address any of the points claimed by the participants.

We don't need another hero!

Recently, someone asked me who the ?heroes? of High Dilution research are. This person was not referring to an apocalyptic world, but to the scientific status of this area. Certainly, he did not use the word ?hero?, but asked about leaders, methods, theoretical backgrounds, aims, etc. Shortly, he was being gently ironic? or quite sarcastic, indeed!Maybe we do need a new hero. But not to lead us back to the world of matter, but to show us new paths to thread. Such paths might already exist, but if they do, they are hidden to us. Signs are vain when one is blind and closed to new opportunities and possibilities. Perhaps this is one further barrier to acknowledge and overcome in order to be ready and able to recognize and interpret new signs. Maybe we, ourselves, are our own awaited hero!(AU)

Physical chemical and citotoxic evaluation of highly diluted solutions of Euphorbia tirucalli L. prepared through the fifty milesimal homeopathic method / Avaliação físico-química e citotóxica de soluções altamente diluídas de euphorbia tirucalli l. Preparada pelo método cinqüenta milesimal (lm) / Evaluación físico-química y citotóxica de soluciones altamente diluídas de Euphorbia tirucalli L. preparadas por el método homeopático cincuenta milesimal (LM)

Motivação: Embora Hahnemann tenha descrito o método LM na 6ª. Edição do Organon da Arte de Curar, poucas pesquisas tem sido feitas sobre as propriedades físico-químicas destas preparações. Além disso, ainda não existem evidências que apontem para a correlação entre propriedades físico-químicas e os efeitos biológicos das altas diluições. Objetivos: determinar características físico-químicas das preparações LM tais como condutividade elétrica, pH e índice de refração, bem como o efeito biológico em modelos experimentais. Materiais e Métodos: foi analisada uma série de diluições desde 1 lm até 10 lm de Euphorbia tirucalli L., preparada a partir do látex e do suco da planta. Para considerar as características sazonais desta planta, usamos 2 populações diferentes, colhidas uma em Junho de 2007 e outra em Maio de 2008. Além disso, o efeito citotóxico da Euphorbia tirucalli L. 5 lm foi testado em células humanas cancerosas (MCF7) através de ensaio MTT. Conclusões: Algumas diferenças entre as duas populações foram observadas. No entanto, nenhuma correlação clara pode ser observada entre as propriedades físico-químicas e a atividade biológica.(AU)

Background: although Hahnemann described the fifty-milesimal (LM) method in the 6th edition of the Organon of the Medical Art, very little research has been carried out on the physical chemical properties of these homeopathic preparations. Furthermore, there is still no evidence allowing for the correlation between the alleged physical chemical properties and the biological effects of high dilutions. Aims: to evaluate physical chemical characteristics of LM preparations including electrical conductivity, pH and refraction index, and their effect on biological experimental models. Materials and methods: preparations tested for physical chemical analysis were dilutions 1 lm to 10 lm of Euphorbia tirucalli L. prepared from the latex and the juice of the plant. To rule the seasonal characteristics of this plant, 2 different populations were used, one collected in June 2007 and the other in May 2008. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of Euphorbia tirucalli 5 lm was tested on human breast cancer cells (MCF7) through MTT assay. Conclusions: Some differences among the two collections were observed. However, any clear correlation could be observed between physical chemical properties and biological activity.(AU)

Motivación: Aunque Hahnemann describió el métodocincuenta milesimal (LM) en la 6 ª edición del Organon del Arte Médica, muy poca investigación se ha realizado sobre las propiedades físico-químicas de estos preparados homeopáticos. Por otra parte, todavía no hay pruebas que permitan la correlación entre las presuntas propiedades físico-químicas y los efectos biológicos, de las altas diluciones. Objetivos: evaluar las características físico-químicas de los preparados LM, incluyendo conductividad eléctrica, pH y el índice de refracción, y su efecto en modelos biológicos experimentales. Materiales y métodos: las muestras para el análisis físico-químico fueron diluciones 1 a 10 lm de Euphorbia tirucalli L. preparadas a partir del látex y el jugo de la planta. Para descartar las características sazonales de esta planta, dos poblaciones diferentes fueron utilizadas, una recogida en junio de 2007 y otro en mayo de 2008. Además, el efecto citotóxico de Euphorbia tirucalli 5 lm fue probado en células humanas de cáncer de mama (MCF7) a través del ensayo MTT. Conclusiones: Algunas diferencias entre las dos colecciones se observaron. Sin embargo, ninguna correlación clara se observó entre las propiedades físicas- químicas y actividad biológica.(AU)

Project e-HD: an archive system for electronic documents on High Dilution research / Projeto e-HD: um sistema de arquivamento para documentos eletrônicos sobre pesquisa em altas diluições / Proyecto e-HD: un sistema de archivamiento de documentos electrónicos sobre la investigación em alta dilución

Peer-reviewed journals and indexing agencies play a crucial role in the construction of knowledge since they discriminate between what is good science and what it is not. However, this represents only the tip of the iceberg of knowledge: below the surface, there is a strong undercurrent of ideas, unfinished theoretical elaborations, and multiple proposals for new experimental models. Some of interesting, other more limited and a further group untenable, they all share the fact that they are left aside and hidden from the sight of most people, including the scientists. This article introduces e-HD, a novel initiative to file electronic documents (e-doc) referred to High Dilution research. It is open to pre- and post-prints, lecture slides, videos, institutional websites and any other format of e-doc relevant to HDs. e-HD seeks thus to increase the visibility of HD research in the scientific environment.(AU)

Revistas com revisão por pares e agências indexadoras exercem um papel crucial na construção do conhecimento, uma vez que discriminam o que é e o que não é uma boa ciência. No entanto, estas representam apenas o topo do iceberg do conhecimento: abaixo da superfície existe uma forte movimentação de idéias, elaborações teóricas não terminadas e múltiplas propostas para novos modelos experimentais. Algumas são interessantes, outras mais limitadas, outras inaceitáveis, porém todas dividindo o fato de que são deixadas de lado e fadadas ao esquecimento pela maioria das pessoas, inclusive os pesquisadores. Este artigo introduz o projeto e-HD, uma nova iniciativa para o arquivamento de documentos eletrônicos (e-doc) relacionados a pesquisas em Altas Diluições. e-HD está aberta para pré- e pós-prints, slides de palestras, vídeos, websites institucionais e qualquer outro formato de e-docs relevantes para a área. e-HD busca dessa forma aumentar a visibilidade das pesquisas em HD, no ambiente científico.(AU)

Revistas revisadas por pares y los organismos de indexación desempeñan un papel crucial en la construcción del conocimiento, ya que discriminan entre lo que es buena y lo que es mala ciencia. Sin embargo, esto representa sólo la punta del iceberg del conocimiento: por debajo de la superficie, hay una fuerte corriente de ideas, elaboraciones teóricas no terminadas y múltiples propuestas para nuevos modelos experimentales. Algunos de ellos interesantes, otros más limitados y un grupo aún insostenible, todos comparten el hecho de que se los dejan alejados y ocultos a la vista de la mayoría de las personas, incluyendo a los científicos. En este artículo se presenta projecto e-HD, una novedosa iniciativa para reunir los documentos electrónicos (e-doc) vinculados a la investigación de las altas diluciónes. Está abierto a pre- y post-prints, las diapositivas de conferencias, videos, sitios web institucionales y cualquier otro formato de los e-doc para HD. e-HD pretende aumentar así la visibilidad de la investigación en altas diluciones en el ambiente científico.(AU)

Project e-HD: an archive system for electronic documents on high dilution research / Projeto e-HD: um sistema de arquivamento para documentos eletrônicos sobre pesquisa em altas diluições / Proyecto e-HD: un sistema de archivamiento de documentos electrónicos sobre la investigación em alta dilución

Peer-reviewed journals and indexing agencies play a crucial role in the construction of knowledge since they discriminate between what is good science and what it is not. However, this represents only the tip of the iceberg of knowledge: below the surface, there is a strong undercurrent of ideas, unfinished theoretical elaborations, and multiple proposals for new experimental models. Some of interesting, other more limited and a further group untenable, they all share the fact that they are left aside and hidden from the sight of most people, including the scientists. This article introduces e-HD, a novel initiative to file electronic documents (e-doc) referred to High Dilution research. It is open to pre- and post-prints, lecture slides, videos, institutional websites and any other format of e-doc relevant to HDs. e-HD seeks thus to increase the visibility of HD research in the scientific environment.

Revistas com revisão por pares e agências indexadoras exercem um papel crucial na construção do conhecimento, uma vez que discriminam o que é e o que não é uma boa ciência. No entanto, estas representam apenas o topo do iceberg do conhecimento: abaixo da superfície existe uma forte movimentação de idéias, elaborações teóricas não terminadas e múltiplas propostas para novos modelos experimentais. Algumas são interessantes, outras mais limitadas, outras inaceitáveis, porém todas dividindo o fato de que são deixadas de lado e fadadas ao esquecimento pela maioria das pessoas, inclusive os pesquisadores. Este artigo introduz o projeto e-HD, uma nova iniciativa para o arquivamento de documentos eletrônicos (e-doc) relacionados a pesquisas em Altas Diluições. e-HD está aberta para pré- e pós-prints, slides de palestras, vídeos, websites institucionais e qualquer outro formato de e-docs relevantes para a área. e-HD busca dessa forma aumentar a visibilidade das pesquisas em HD, no ambiente científico

Revistas revisadas por pares y los organismos de indexación desempeñan un papel crucial en la construcción del conocimiento, ya que discriminan entre lo que es buena y lo que es mala ciencia. Sin embargo, esto representa sólo la punta del iceberg del conocimiento: por debajo de la superficie, hay una fuerte corriente de ideas, elaboraciones teóricas no terminadas y múltiples propuestas para nuevos modelos experimentales. Algunos de ellos interesantes, otros más limitados y un grupo aún insostenible, todos comparten el hecho de que se los dejan alejados y ocultos a la vista de la mayoría de las personas, incluyendo a los científicos. En este artículo se presenta projecto e-HD, una novedosa iniciativa para reunir los documentos electrónicos (e-doc) vinculados a la investigación de las altas diluciónes. Está abierto a pre- y post-prints, las diapositivas de conferencias, videos, sitios web institucionales y cualquier otro formato de los e-doc para HD. e-HD pretende aumentar así la visibilidad de la investigación en altas diluciones en el ambiente científico

Physical chemical and citotoxic evaluation of highly diluted solutions of Euphorbia tirucalli L. prepared through the fifty milesimal homeopathic method / Avaliação físico-química e citotóxica de soluções altamente diluídas de euphorbia tirucalli l. Preparada pelo método cinqüenta milesimal (lm) / Evaluación físico-química y citotóxica de soluciones altamente diluídas de Euphorbia tirucalli L. preparadas por el método homeopático cincuenta milesimal (LM)

Motivação: Embora Hahnemann tenha descrito o método LM na 6ª. Edição do Organon da Arte de Curar, poucas pesquisas tem sido feitas sobre as propriedades físico-químicas destas preparações. Além disso, ainda não existem evidências que apontem para a correlação entre propriedades físico-químicas e os efeitos biológicos das altas diluições. Objetivos: determinar características físico-químicas das preparações LM tais como condutividade elétrica, pH e índice de refração, bem como o efeito biológico em modelos experimentais. Materiais e Métodos: foi analisada uma série de diluições desde 1 lm até 10 lm de Euphorbia tirucalli L., preparada a partir do látex e do suco da planta. Para considerar as características sazonais desta planta, usamos 2 populações diferentes, colhidas uma em Junho de 2007 e outra em Maio de 2008. Além disso, o efeito citotóxico da Euphorbia tirucalli L. 5 lm foi testado em células humanas cancerosas (MCF7) através de ensaio MTT. Conclusões: Algumas diferenças entre as duas populações foram observadas. No entanto, nenhuma correlação clara pode ser observada entre as propriedades físico-químicas e a atividade biológica.

Background: although Hahnemann described the fifty-milesimal (LM) method in the 6th edition of the Organon of the Medical Art, very little research has been carried out on the physical chemical properties of these homeopathic preparations. Furthermore, there is still no evidence allowing for the correlation between the alleged physical chemical properties and the biological effects of high dilutions. Aims: to evaluate physical chemical characteristics of LM preparations including electrical conductivity, pH and refraction index, and their effect on biological experimental models. Materials and methods: preparations tested for physical chemical analysis were dilutions 1 lm to 10 lm of Euphorbia tirucalli L. prepared from the latex and the juice of the plant. To rule the seasonal characteristics of this plant, 2 different populations were used, one collected in June 2007 and the other in May 2008. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of Euphorbia tirucalli 5 lm was tested on human breast cancer cells (MCF7) through MTT assay. Conclusions: Some differences among the two collections were observed. However, any clear correlation could be observed between physical chemical properties and biological activity.

Motivación: Aunque Hahnemann describió el métodocincuenta milesimal (LM) en la 6 ª edición del Organon del Arte Médica, muy poca investigación se ha realizado sobre las propiedades físico-químicas de estos preparados homeopáticos. Por otra parte, todavía no hay pruebas que permitan la correlación entre las presuntas propiedades físico-químicas y los efectos biológicos, de las altas diluciones. Objetivos: evaluar las características físico-químicas de los preparados LM, incluyendo conductividad eléctrica, pH y el índice de refracción, y su efecto en modelos biológicos experimentales. Materiales y métodos: las muestras para el análisis físico-químico fueron diluciones 1 a 10 lm de Euphorbia tirucalli L. preparadas a partir del látex y el jugo de la planta. Para descartar las características sazonales de esta planta, dos poblaciones diferentes fueron utilizadas, una recogida en junio de 2007 y otro en mayo de 2008. Además, el efecto citotóxico de Euphorbia tirucalli 5 lm fue probado en células humanas de cáncer de mama (MCF7) a través del ensayo MTT. Conclusiones: Algunas diferencias entre las dos colecciones se observaron. Sin embargo, ninguna correlación clara se observó entre las propiedades físicas- químicas y actividad biológica.

We don't need another hero: [editorial]

Recently, someone asked me who the ?heroes? of High Dilution research are. This person was not referring to an apocalyptic world, but to the scientific status of this area. Certainly, he did not use the word ?hero?, but asked about leaders, methods, theoretical backgrounds, aims, etc. Shortly, he was being gently ironic? or quite sarcastic, indeed!Maybe we do need a new hero. But not to lead us back to the world of matter, but to show us new paths to thread. Such paths might already exist, but if they do, they are hidden to us. Signs are vain when one is blind and closed to new opportunities and possibilities. Perhaps this is one further barrier to acknowledge and overcome in order to be ready and able to recognize and interpret new signs. Maybe we, ourselves, are our own awaited hero!.

Projeto renpad: rede nacional de pesquisadores em altas diluições / Projecto renpad: national network of researchers in high dilutions

Este artigo apresenta a Rede Nacional de Pesquisadores em Altas Diluições (ReNPAD), criada com o objetivo de dar maior visibilidade aos pesquisadores atuantes no Brasil, em áreas relacionadas a Altas Diluições. A ReNPAD reúne informações obtidas a partir dos dados inseridos na Plataforma Lattes (CNPq) ou fornecidas diretamente pelos pesquisadores. A inserção de um pesquisador na rede é voluntária, exigindo-se que o mesmo atue na área e que esteja incluído na Plataforma Lattes. A veracidade e atualização de dados disponibilizados são de responsabilidade do próprio pesquisador. O acesso para consulta á ReNPAD é aberto gratuito. Com isso a ReNPAD busca dar visibilidade aos pesquisadores, fomentar a criação de grupos multidisciplinares e inter- institucionais, além de se tornar uma ferramenta estratégica para a execução das políticas do Ministério da Saúde (MS), em especial a Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC) e a Política Nacional de Ciência Tecnologica e Inovação em Saúde (PNCTIS). Além da aréa de Saúde , a ReNPAD pode auxiliar a organização de grupos e projetos na aréa agro-veterinária e nas ciências básicas. A ReNPAD é uma proposta inédita, factível, atual, com relevância ciêntífica, tecnológica, social e ambiental. Segue os princípios de acesso e software (Open Acess/Open Software), contemplando o cadastro e permanência dos usuários, hierarquia dos usuários, consultores externos e um moderador responsável por manter o foco proposto. A primeira fase do projeto pode ser visualizada em http://www.fwg.unesp.br/renpad.