Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Objectives The aim of our study was to ascertain the underlying role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Design Bioinformatic analysis from multiple databases. Methods Studies of the association of miRNAs and IDD were identified in multiple electronic databases. ⋯ The top three biological process pathways for upregulated miRNAs were positive regulation of biological process, nervous system development, and negative regulation of biological process, and the top three biological process pathways for downregulated miRNAs were negative regulation of gene expression, intracellular signal transduction, and negative regulation of biological process. Conclusions This study revealed that miRNAs could be novel targets for preventing IDD and treating patients with IDD by regulating their target genes. These results provide valuable information for medical professionals, IDD patients, and health care policy makers.
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Comparative Study
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey of Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain in Taiwan-Comparison of Pain and Non-Pain Physicians.
Prescribing opioids for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) has been strictly regulated in Taiwan. This study was undertaken to survey pain and non-pain related physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prescribing opioids for CNCP. ⋯ There are substantial knowledge gaps, negative attitudes, and hesitation toward prescribing long-term opioids for CNCP patients by physicians in Taiwan, suggesting that efforts are needed to improve postgraduate education regarding adequate opioid management for CNCP.
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Sensory dissociation (SEDI), the discrepancy between perception and actual size or shape of a painful body part, is a frequently observed finding in patients with chronic low back pain. However, the current methods of evaluating SEDI have several limitations, such as a qualitative nature and weak evidence supporting their reliability. In the current study, the reliability of two versions (manual and verbal) of a novel test, a two-point estimation task (TPE), was investigated. ⋯ TPE showed higher reliability coefficients compared with tools previously suggested in the literature and can therefore be used clinically and experimentally by one or more examiners. Further research is required to investigate the validity of this new test.