Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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The association of pain and socioeconomic status is widely reported, yet much less clearly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of experimentally induced pain threshold and tolerance with socioeconomic status. ⋯ These results suggest a significant association between experimentally induced pain tolerance and tolerance interval with material status, suggesting that poor people indeed do hurt more.
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Leptin plays a critical role in neuronal development and also promotes structural and functional activities in the central nervous system. Recent studies have demonstrated that leptin could produce therapeutic effects for cognitive impairments of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). ⋯ Specifically, they are both characterized by cognitive impairment. In this regard, we hypothesized that leptin probably has a therapeutic benefit of alleviating symptoms of patients with POCD, and the leptin signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of POCD.
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The neural underpinnings of auditory information processing have often been investigated using the odd-ball paradigm, in which infrequent sounds (deviants) are presented within a regular train of frequent stimuli (standards). Traditionally, this paradigm has been applied using either high temporal resolution (EEG) or high spatial resolution (fMRI, PET). However, used separately, these techniques cannot provide information on both the location and time course of particular neural processes. The goal of this study was to investigate the neural correlates of auditory processes with a fine spatio-temporal resolution. A simultaneous auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique (AEP-fMRI), together with an odd-ball paradigm, were used. ⋯ The present study showed that neural processes evoked by standard stimuli occur predominantly in subcortical and cortical structures of the auditory pathway. Deviants activate areas non-specific for auditory information processing.
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Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) of anterior ring fracture combined with pubic symphysis separation.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of open reduction and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for anterior ring fracture combined with pubic symphysis separation and to explore the operative techniques and therapeutic efficacy. ⋯ The MIS or MIPPO for anterior ring fracture combined with pubic symphysis separation has the advantages of short operation time and less blood loss. This clinical operation is safe and feasible, with therapeutic efficacy.
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The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of electro-acupuncture (EA), a traditional clinical method, are widely accepted, but its mechanisms are not yet well defined. In this study, we investigated the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) pathways on electro-acupuncture - mediated up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in rabbit lungs injured by LPS-induced endotoxic shock. ⋯ After electro-acupuncture stimulation at ST36 and BL13, severe lung injury during endotoxic shock was attenuated. The mechanism may be through up-regulation of HO-1, mediated by the signal transductions of ERK1/2 pathways. Thus, the regulation of ERK1/2 pathways via electro-acupuncture may be a therapeutic strategy for endotoxic shock.