The logic of the classical language

Introduction

In the previous chapter, dedicated to the "Logic of Medical Language", we aimed to shift the focus from symptoms or clinical signs to an encrypted machine language. In this context, the arguments of Donald E. Stanley, Daniel G. Campos, and Pat Croskerry are particularly pertinent, especially when connected to the concept of time $t_{n}$ as an information vector (anticipating the symptom) and to the consideration of the message as a machine language rather than a verbal language).

However, this does not lessen the importance of the clinical history, established on a pseudo-formal verbal language, which has now firmly entrenched itself in clinical practice and has proven its diagnostic effectiveness. Our aim in emphasizing a machine language and the system is merely to provide an additional opportunity to validate Medical-Diagnostic Science. We are fully aware that our "Linux Sapiens" remains puzzled by what has been anticipated and continues to ponder.

«Could the logic of classical language help us solve the dilemma of poor Mary Poppins?»
(A bit of patience, please)

We cannot limit ourselves to providing a conventional answer, as science progresses not through baseless assertions but through questions and reflections that have passed the scrutiny of scientific validation. This compels us to explore and give voice to thoughts, perplexities, and doubts raised by certain key concepts discussed in various scientific articles.

Among these critical topics is "Craniofacial Biology".

We begin with an influential study by Townsend and Brook, in which the authors challenge the current research paradigm, both theoretical and applied, in "Craniofacial Biology", aiming to derive clinical considerations and implications. One aspect they address is the "Interdisciplinary Approach", through which Geoffrey Sperber and his son Steven recognized the potential for exponential growth in the field of "Craniofacial Biology" due to technological innovations such as gene sequencing, CT scans, MRI imaging, laser scanning, image analysis, ultrasound, and spectroscopy.

Another topic of significant interest within 'Craniofacial Biology' is the recognition that biological systems are considered 'Complex Systems'. 'Epigenetics' also plays a fundamental role in craniofacial molecular biology. Researchers from Adelaide and Sydney have provided an in-depth critique in the field of epigenetics, with a particular focus on dental and craniofacial disciplines. Phenomics, in particular, explored by these authors (see Phenomics), is a research area dedicated to measuring changes in teeth and associated orofacial structures resulting from interactions between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors during development. In this context, it is crucial to mention the work of Irma Thesleff from Helsinki, Finland, who highlighted the existence of numerous transient signaling centers in the dental epithelium that play key roles in the tooth development program.

Additionally, the works by Peterkova R., Hovorakova M., Peterka M., and Lesot H., offer a fascinating overview of the processes involved in dental development. For completeness, the studies by Han J., Menicanin D., Gronthos S., and Bartold P.M., which have explored a wide range of research on stem cells, tissue engineering, and periodontal regeneration, cannot be omitted.

This review necessarily included discussions on genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences that, during morphogenesis, lead to variations in the number, size, and shape of teeth,, as well as on the effect of tongue pressure on growth and craniofacial functions.. Furthermore, special mention is deserved for the exceptional work of Townsend and Brook, whose content aligns well with the reflections of another prominent author, HC Slavkin. Slavkin asserts:

The future holds countless opportunities to significantly improve the clinical outcomes of both congenital and acquired craniofacial malformations. Clinicians play a crucial role, as critical thinking combined with clinical experience greatly enhances diagnostic accuracy, and consequently, health outcomes.

«I understand the progress of Science described by the authors but I do not understand the change in thought»
(Let me give you a practical example)

In the "Introduction", we raised some issues related to malocclusion. In this context, we examine the logic of the medical language used by the dentist when faced with the clinical case described in the "Introductory Chapter", including diagnostic and therapeutic conclusions.

The patient has a unilateral posterior crossbite and an anterior open bite. The crossbite represents a deviation from normal occlusion and is therefore treated concurrently with the open bite. This reasoning suggests that the model (masticatory system) is 'normalized to occlusion'; inversely interpreted, it implies that an occlusal discrepancy is a cause of malocclusion, that is, a disorder of the Masticatory System. Hence, an intervention to restore proper masticatory function is justified. (Figure 1a).

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Introduction

We parted ways in the previous chapter on the ‘Logic of Medical Language’ in an attempt to shift the attention from clinical symptom or sign to encrypted machine language for which, the arguments of Donald E Stanley, Daniel G Campos and Pat Croskerry are welcome but connected to time $t_{n}$ as an information carrier (anticipation of the symptom) and to the message as a machine language and not as a non-verbal language).
Obviously, this does not preclude the validity of the clinical history built on a pseudo-formal verbal language by now well rooted in the clinical reality and which has already proved its diagnostic authority. The attempt to shift attention to a machine language and to the System provides nothing but an opportunity for the validation of Diagnostic Medical Science.

We are definitely aware that our Linux Sapiens is still perplexed about what has been anticipated and continues to wonder

 

«... but... could the logic of Classical Language help us to solve poor Mary Poppins' dilemma?» (a little patience, please)

We cannot provide a conventional answer because science does not progress with assertions that are not justified by scientifically validated questions and reflections; and this is actually the reason why we will try to give voice to some thoughts, perplexities and doubts expressed on some basic topics brought into discussion in some scientific articles.

One of these fundamental topics is 'Craniofacial Biology'.

Let's start with a well known study by Townsend and Brook: in this work the authors question the status quo of both fundamental and applied research in 'Craniofacial Biology' to extract clinical considerations and implications. One topic they covered was the "Interdisciplinary Approach", in which Geoffrey Sperber and his son Steven saw the strength of the exponential progress of 'Craniofacial Biology' in technological innovations such as gene sequencing, CT scanning, MRI imaging, scanning laser, image analysis, ultrasonography and spectroscopy.

Another topic of great interest for the implementation of 'Craniofacial Biology' is the awareness that biological systems are 'Complex Systems' and that 'Epigenetics' plays a key role in craniofacial molecular biology. Researchers from Adelaide and Sydney provide a critical review in the field of epigenetics aimed, in fact, at the dental and craniofacial disciplines. Phenomics, in particular, discussed by these authors (see Phenomics)) is a general research field that involves the measurement of changes in the teeth and associated orofacial structures resulting from the interactions between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors during development. In this same context, the work of Irma Thesleff from Helsinki, Finland, should be highlighted. She explains in her work that there are a series of transient signalling centres in the dental epithelium that play important roles in the programme of tooth development. Besides there are other works, by Peterkova R, Hovor akova M, Peterka M, Lesot H, providing a fascinating review of the processes that occur during dental development; for the sake of completeness, let's not forget the works by Han J, Menicanin D, Gronthos S, and Bartold PM., who review comprehensive documentation on stem cells, tissue engineering and periodontal regeneration.

In this review, arguments could not be missing on genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences during morphogenesis that lead to variations in the number, size and shape of the tooth and the influence of tongue pressure on growth and craniofacial function.Townsend and Brook's extraordinary work too deserves a mention, and the intrinsic content of what has been reported in it matches equally well with another commendable author: HC Slavkin. Slavkin asserts that:

"The future is full of significant opportunities to improve the clinical outcomes of congenital and acquired craniofacial malformations. Clinicians play a key role as critical thinking and clinical audience substantially improve diagnostic accuracy and therefore clinical health outcomes."

 

«... I understand the progress of Science described by the authors but I don't understand the change of thought» (I'll give you a practical example)

In the chapter "Introduction" we posed certain questions on the subject of malocclusion but in this context we simulate the dentist's logic of medical language when faced with the clinical case presented in the "Introduction chapter" with its diagnostic and therapeutic conclusions.

The patient has a posterior unilateral crossbite and an anterior openbite. The crossbite is another disturbing element of the normal occlusion for which it is compulsorily treated together with the openbite. This type of reasoning means that the model (masticatory system) is 'normalized to occlusion'; and read in reverse, it means that the occlusal discrepancy is the cause of malocclusion, hence, a disease of the Masticatory System, and therefore an intervention to restore the physiological masticatory function is justifiable. (Figure 1a).

This example is Classical Logic Language, as we are going to explain in detail, but now a doubt arises:

At the time when orthodontic and orthognathics axioms were constructing protocols confirmed by the International Scientific Community, were they aware of the information we discussed in the introduction to this chapter?

Certainly not because time $t_{n}$ is the bearer of information but despite this cognitive limit we proceed with a very questionable Classical Language Logic for the safety of the citizen.

«... this statement seems a bit risky!»
(sure, but the logical sequence has already been anticipated)

If the same case were interpreted with a mindset that followed a 'System's language logic' (it will be discussed in the appropriate chapter), the conclusions would be surprising.

If we observe the electrophysiological responses performed on the patient with malocclusion in figures 1b, 1c and 1d (with the explanation made directly in the caption to simplify the discussion), we shall notice that these data can make us think about anything except a 'Malocclusion' and, therefore, the axioms of type orthodontic and orthognathics 'cause/effect' leave a conceptual void.

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  Figure 1a: Patient with malocclusion, open bite and right posterior crossbite who in rehabilitation terms must be treated with orthodontic therapy and / or orthognathic surgery

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  Figure 1b: Motor evoked potential from electrical transcranial stimulation of the trigeminal roots.Note the structural symmetry calculated by the peak-to-peak amplitude on the left and right masseters (traces upper and lower respectively)

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  Figure 1c: Mandibular reflex evoked or jaw jerk by percussion of the chin through a triggered neurological hammer. Note the functional symmetry calculated by the peak-to-peak amplitude on the left and right masseters (traces upper and lower respectively)

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  Figure 1d: Mechanical silent period evoked by percussion of the chin through a triggered neurological hammer. Note the functional symmetry calculated on the integral area of the right and left masseters (traces upper and lower respectively).

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«Let me better understand what Classical Language Logic has to do with it» (We will do it following the clinical case of our Mary Poppins)