European journal of pain : EJP
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The UVB and heat rekindling (UVB/HR) model shows potential as a translatable inflammatory pain model. However, the occurrence of central sensitization in this model, a fundamental mechanism underlying chronic pain, has been debated. Face, construct and predictive validity are key requisites of animal models; electromyogram (EMG) recordings were utilized to objectively demonstrate validity of the rat UVB/HR model. ⋯ This study used objective outcome measures of secondary hyperalgesia to validate the rat UVB/HR model as a translational model of inflammatory pain.
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The alkaloid morphine is historically the oldest opiate, yet still today it has clinically important uses in analgesic therapies. The main analgesic effect of opioids, including synthetic opioids belonging to the family of 4-anilidopiperidines, is mediated via activation of opioid receptors spread throughout the peripheral and central nervous system. However, morphine acting as a 'dirty' drug also exhibits effects on other receptor systems, e.g., the serotonergic system and its 5-HT3 receptor. Therefore, this study focuses on the interaction of morphine and fentanyl-type opioids (alfentanil, remifentanil and sufentanil) with 5-HT3A receptors. ⋯ Morphine is an opioid compound exhibiting special antagonistic interaction with 5-HT3A receptors. This interaction is not shared by the newer synthetic derivatives of the fentanyl-type opioids in the clinical relevant concentration range.
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Heterotopic and homotopic nociceptive conditioning stimulation: Distinct effects of pain modulation.
Within an area, habituation and sensitization represent well-established modulatory effects to repetitive noxious input. Less is known regarding the nociceptive conditioning effects between body sites - i.e., how stimulating one site may affect another. Therefore, we investigated the effects of nociceptive stimulation of anatomically distinct locations (shoulder and hand) on pain rating and evoked potentials (i.e., contact heat-evoked potentials). ⋯ Overall, these findings indicate that response modulation to noxious contact heat stimulation depends upon conditioning stimulus location. These effects represent changes beyond conventional habituation due to repeated stimulation in the same area.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Predicting rapid recovery from acute low back pain based on the intensity, duration and history of pain: A validation study.
Clinical prediction rules can assist clinicians to identify patients with low back pain (LBP) who are likely to recover quickly with minimal treatment; however, there is a paucity of validated instruments to assist with this task. ⋯ The results suggest that the rule can be used to provide accurate information about expected recovery from acute LBP, within the first few weeks of patients presenting to primary care. Impact analysis to determine if the rule influences clinical behaviours and patient outcomes is required.
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Whether fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) can be classified as a somatoform disorder is under debate. ⋯ The clinical features of FMS and persistent somatoform pain disorder or somatization disorder according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 overlap in individuals with chronic widespread pain without specific somatic disease factors. FMS is not synonymous with somatoform disorder.