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AQUARON R, LUND P, BAKER C. [A case for the inclusion of oculocutaneous albinism as a skin-related Neglected Tropical Disease]. Med Trop Sante Int 2023; 3:mtsi.v3i4.2023.434. [PMID: 38390024 PMCID: PMC10879893 DOI: 10.48327/mtsi.v3i4.2023.434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is genetically transmitted. In this paper we advocate for this disease to be included in the NTD list of the WHO. OCA type 2 is the most common form of albinism in sub-Saharan Africa, with a prevalence of 1 in 7900 among the Bamileke of Cameroon, 1 in 3900 in South Africa and 1 in 1100 among the Ibos of Nigeria, as compared to a prevalence of 1 in 10,000 among African Americans and 1 in 36,000 among White Americans and Europeans. The medical problems related to ophthalmological aspects (poor visual acuity, ametropia, nystagmus, photophobia) and dermatological aspects of albinism (sensitivity to UV rays from the sun and development of skin cancers) are well known. However, their management is often challenging for persons with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa because of their financial burden and the difficulty of accessing medical specialists. In many African countries, persons with albinism are also very often the subject of social, cultural, medical, moral and economic discrimination, which can limit their access to education, employment and community life. They are considered 'white Africans', intermediary and incomplete, with innate powers for good and evil. This particularity has made persons with albinism the targets of mutilations and/or ritual attacks for the purposes of using their body parts in the preparation of charms to bring good luck, health or prosperity. On 13 June 2013, as a result of lobbying by the Canadian NGO Under the Same Sun and African albinism associations, United Nations bodies including UNESCO and the WHO (World Health Organization) responded and a Resolution addressing the discrimination and attacks was voted in. The date has since become International Albinism Awareness Day and is celebrated on a different theme each year with great energy and impact, especially by French, English and Portuguese speaking albinism associations across sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015 the Human Rights Council created the position of Independent Expert on Albinism to better collect and analyse data on the rights of persons with albinism around the world, and especially in countries where ritual attacks occur. The data collected by albinism associations and the authorities thus go directly to the UN Human Rights Directorate. Despite this international attention to the attacks on persons with albinism, one of the biggest threats is skin cancer, which very often leads to early death. In 2022, the WHO launched a strategic framework for the control and management of neglected skin-related neglected tropical diseases - an additional reason to include oculocutaneous albinism as an NTD. Although the focus is currently limited to dermatoses of an infectious nature, we argue here for the integration of oculocutaneous albinism among NTDs because the deadliness of these carcinomas in sub-Saharan Africa is well-known and has been examined in a number of medical publications. Here, we propose that oculocutaneous albinism in sub-Saharan Africa be classified as an NTD to help people with albinism have access to health, economic, social and cultural rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert AQUARON
- Faculté de médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Patricia LUND
- Department of Biomolecular and Sports Science, Coventry University, Royaume-Uni
| | - Charlotte BAKER
- Department of Languages and Cultures, Lancaster University, Royaume-Uni
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Bou Nasif M, Koubeissi M, Azar NJ. Epilepsy - from mysticism to science. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 177:1047-1058. [PMID: 34218946 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of epilepsy has been in progressive evolution since Antiquity, with scientific advances culminating in the last few decades. Throughout history, epilepsy was plagued by mystical misconceptions involving either demonic possessions, witchcraft, or divine interventions. This has frequently altered or even halted any real progress in its scientific understanding or its social perception. This metaphysical context is also at the core of the stigma revolving around this condition, some of which still lingering today. This review explores the origins of these mystical beliefs, and describes the chronological evolution of epilepsy from mysticism to science across different civilizations and eras.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bou Nasif
- Department of Neurology, George-Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - M Koubeissi
- Department of Neurology, George-Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - N J Azar
- Realtime Tele-epilepsy Consultants, 37203 Nashville, TN, USA
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Nikfarid L, Hekmat N, Vedad A, Rajabi A. The main nursing metaparadigm concepts in human caring theory and Persian mysticism: a comparative study. J Med Ethics Hist Med 2018; 11:6. [PMID: 30258556 PMCID: PMC6150916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Metaparadigm concepts comprise the central issues in a discipline. Fawcett has named person, health, environment and nursing as the four main concepts of nursing that need to be comprehensively defined. The Human Caring Theory is significant because of its focus on the spiritual dimension of human beings. The aim of this study was to comparatively explain three of the main metaparadigm concepts of nursing in the Human Caring Theory and Persian mysticism, and find the similarities and differences that can help develop the theory and its application in societies with a theistic point of view. This comparative documentary study was done in two phases. First, a concept analysis was performed to find the attributes, antecedents and consequences of the concepts of human being, environment and health in the two fields of Persian mysticism and Jean Watson's Human Caring Theory. Then they were apparently and deductively compared with each other. In spite of some similarities between the two perspectives, Persian mysticism was found to provide more comprehensive conceptualizations of the three main concepts of nursing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lida Nikfarid
- Assistant Professor, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Corresponding Author: Lida Nikfarid. Address: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Vali Asr Ave., Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani Cross Road, Niayesh Complex, Tehran, Iran. Postal Code: 1985717443. Tel: (+98) 2188655366
| | - Nasrollah Hekmat
- Professor, Department of Philosophy, School of Literature and Human Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Arash Vedad
- BSc Candidate in Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Anahita Rajabi
- BSc Candidate in Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) are rapidly emerging in health care settings for their role in reducing stress and improving physical and mental health. In such settings, the religious roots and affiliations of MBIs are downplayed, and the possibilities for developing spiritual, even mystical, states of consciousness are minimized. This article helps rebalance this trend by using the tools of medical humanities and narrative medicine to explore MBI as a bridge between medical and spiritual approaches to health related suffering. My narrative medicine method draws insights from the arts and humanities that are rarely used in standard clinical research but are increasingly common among medical humanities and narrative medicine scholars. The specific path I take will be to work through historical, linguistic, and philosophic dimensions of mindfulness and mysticism as relevant to illness, suffering, death, and dying. I close with two case examples in which mindfulness is used as an intentionally spiritual practice for health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Lewis
- Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York University, 1 Washington Place #609, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
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Dias PHC, Safra G. Ramakrishna and the Clinic of Paradox. J Relig Health 2016; 55:1835-1849. [PMID: 26423064 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-015-0131-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a clinical conception of the human being as the paradox between immanence and transcendence. Through an exposition of the clinical conceptions of Brazilian author Gilberto Safra, we search for an integral manner in which to understand mystical experience as a way to rethink the ontological conceptions inherent to clinical practice. In such perspective, we elaborate a critique of both the psychological-only approach to mystical experience as well as the spiritual-only approach. We present it through the life of Indian mystic Ramakrishna, by comparing the interpretation different authors make of his experiences and placing our own perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo H C Dias
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo - Cidade Universitária, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
| | - Gilberto Safra
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo - Cidade Universitária, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 1721, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
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Martin EC. Late Feyerabend on materialism, mysticism, and religion. Stud Hist Philos Sci 2016; 57:129-136. [PMID: 27269272 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Feyerabend's interests in religion and mysticism grew through his career. In his later writings, Feyerabend's numerous critiques of scientific materialism are often accompanied by purported advantages of religious orientations and temperaments. These recommendations do not simply follow from his tolerant theoretical pluralism; they are more positive attempts to articulate distinctive aspects of human life satisfied by religion, but not by scientific materialism. Elevating the human need for mystery, reverence, and love, he contrasts these goods with the deliverances of monistic conceptions of science and reason. I bring attention to some of the common themes in these remarks to argue that they were integral with other parts of his philosophical project and that they could serve as helpful rejoinders to contemporary exhortations to science-based secularism from philosophers of science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Martin
- Baylor University, Honors College, Waco, TX, United States.
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Parnas J, Henriksen MG. Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Conscious Cogn 2016; 43:75-88. [PMID: 27258928 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mysticism and schizophrenia are different categories of human existence and experience. Nonetheless, they exhibit important phenomenological affinities, which, however, remain largely unaddressed. In this study, we explore structural analogies between key features of mysticism and major clinical-phenomenological aspects of the schizophrenia spectrum disorders-i.e. attitudes, the nature of experience, and the 'other', mystical or psychotic reality. Not only do these features gravitate around the issue of the basic dimensions of consciousness, they crucially seem to implicate and presuppose a specific alteration of the very structure of consciousness. This finding has bearings for the understanding of consciousness and its psychopathological distortions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Parnas
- Center for Subjectivity Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Psychiatric Center Glostrup/Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Mads Gram Henriksen
- Center for Subjectivity Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Psychiatric Center Glostrup/Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.
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Carmassi C, Stratta P, Calderani E, Bertelloni CA, Menichini M, Massimetti E, Rossi A, Dell'Osso L. Impact of Mood Spectrum Spirituality and Mysticism Symptoms on Suicidality in Earthquake Survivors with PTSD. J Relig Health 2016; 55:641-649. [PMID: 26112609 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-015-0072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the correlations between Spirituality/Mysticism/Psychoticism symptoms and suicidality in young adult survivors of the L'Aquila earthquake. The sample included 475 subjects recruited among high school seniors who had experienced the April 6, 2009, earthquake. Assessments included: Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report and Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR). Mysticism/Spirituality dimension and suicidality were evaluated by means of some specific items of the MOOD-SR. The Spirituality/Mysticism/Psychoticism MOODS-SR factor score was significantly higher among subjects with PTSD diagnosis with respect to those without. Similarly, subjects with suicidal ideation, as well as those who committed a suicide attempt, reported significantly higher scores than those without.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carmassi
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy.
| | - P Stratta
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - E Calderani
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - C A Bertelloni
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Menichini
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Massimetti
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Rossi
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - L Dell'Osso
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy
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Valadas Ponte D, Schäfer L. Carl gustav jung, quantum physics and the spiritual mind: a mystical vision of the twenty-first century. Behav Sci (Basel) 2013; 3:601-18. [PMID: 25379259 DOI: 10.3390/bs3040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2013] [Revised: 11/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe similarities in the ontology of quantum physics and of Carl Gustav Jung’s psychology. In spite of the fact that physics and psychology are usually considered as unrelated, in the last century, both of these disciplines have led at the same time to revolutionary changes in the Western understanding of the cosmic order, discovering a non-empirical realm of the universe that doesn’t consist of material things but of forms. These forms are real, even though they are invisible, because they have the potential to appear in the empirical world and act in it. We present arguments that force us to believe, that the empirical world is an emanation out of a cosmic realm of potentiality, whose forms can appear as physical structures in the external world and as archetypal concepts in our mind. Accordingly, the evolution of life now appears no longer as a process of the adaptation of species to their environment, but as the adaptation of minds to increasingly complex forms that exist in the cosmic potentiality. The cosmic connection means that the human mind is a mystical mind.
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