Articles: human.
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Introduction. Early animal and human evidence existed for a postsynaptic dorsal column (PSDC) pathway for visceral nociception that, when lesioned, decreased pain of terminal illness. There have been recent anecdotal reports in the literature that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) reduces pain of visceral nociception. We present here a review of the literature supporting a hypothesis that SCS might work by modulating information through the spinothalamic tracts (STT) and PSDC. ⋯ Conclusions. Chronic visceral nociception may be secondary to visceral sensitization and hyperalgesia and can be affected by the spinal cord and brain, the "brain-gut" axis. There is preclinical evidence and clinical anecdotes that this nociceptive information is transmitted in the central nervous system through the PSDC pathway and LSTT and that SCS decreases pain of visceral nociception. It may be that SCS works by modulation of the above pathways.
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Objectives. Electrical brain stimulation is used as a treatment for patients with intractable chronic pain and movement disorders. However, the implantation of electrodes and electrical stimulation may induce histological changes around the electrode tip. We aimed to review the histological changes in humans that were electrically stimulated in the brain. ⋯ Macroscopic lesions were present in only some cases, mostly due to pulling at the extension cable in the postoperative evaluation period preceding definite implantation of the electrode wire and stimulator. Conclusions. Electrical brain stimulation induces histological changes in some patients. According to electrical brain stimulation studies in animals, these changes can be related to the charge and charge density per phase (and their interaction).
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J Egypt Natl Canc Inst · Mar 2007
Professor Hassan K. Awwad; The Father of Radiation Oncology and Radiobiology in Egypt and the Arab World, His Good Deeds Last Forever and Inspire us for the Future.
Our most respected professor Hassan K. Awwad passed away on January 5th, 2007, at the age of 81. He was considered as the father of radiotherapy in Egypt. ⋯ This second edition is really a totally new book coping with the advancement of knowledge reached till the end of 2006. We are sure that this book with all other good deeds performed by Prof. Awwad, will keep his memory in Egypt as well as elsewhere in the whole world.
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The hospital environment, especially in Intensive Care Units (ICU), due to the complexity of the assistance, as well as the physical structure, the noise, the equipments and people's movement, is considered as stress generator for the patients. The aim of this study was to identify and stratify the stressful factors for patients at an ICU, in the perspective of the own patient, relatives and health care professionals. ⋯ The perception of the main stressful factors was different among the three groups. The identification of these factors is important to the implementation of changes that can make the humanization of the ICU environment easier.
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Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome are a common occurrence in ICU patients. The deleterious effects of IAH on organ function are well known and increasingly appreciated in recent years, especially where renal and respiratory function are concerned. ⋯ A close relationship between IAP and ICP has been observed in several animal and human studies. The clinical impact of this association is dependent on the baseline ICP and the compensatory reserve of the patient. Some studies have reported good results in treating refractory ICH by abdominal decompression in patients with concomitant IAH. Monitoring of IAP and ICP in risk patients is essential.