bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between chronic pain and the sperm motion characteristics
Authors: Dardmeh F. , Alipour H. , Nielsen H.I. , Rasmussen S. , Yousefi J.T. , Ditlevsen N.E. , Yassin H.A.A.K.T. , Morina E. , Duus R.K. , Gazerani P. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
Sex hormones play an important role in pain in many chronic pain conditions. Relationship between chronic pain and sperm quality has not been investigated thoroughly and may provide an insight to better understanding, management and treatment of cases where chronic pain and male sub-fertility co-exist.

Methods
Neat (fresh semen) and processed sperm from 15 males with orthopedic chronic pain (CP) were assessed and compared with 15 healthy age matched controls. Sperm analysis was performed using the SCA computer-aided sperm analyzer.

Results
There was no significant difference in any parameters of the neat semen between the pain and control group. However the percentage of non-progressive motile spermatozoa (type B) was significantly higher in the pain group (27.96) compared to the control group (15.96). Straight line trajectories including linearity, straightness, wobble and beat cross frequency were also significantly higher in the processed sample of the CP group.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated that chronic pain does not affect the sperm morphology, total concentration and motility based on conventional analysis but has significant influence at the level of sperm motion kinetics which could prove to be clinically valuable, prognostic indicators of successful fertilization. Maturation of sperm motility occurs during their transit through the epididymis and vas deferens regulated by androgens. As male gonadal hormones haveaninhibitory, adaptive effectonthe behavioral and neuronal responses to repeated nociceptive stimulation, it can be speculated that the observed difference in sperm kinematic parameters could be related to the alterations in serum sex hormone levels emanating from the chronic pain. Further studies are required to explain the possible mechanism of actionof chronic pain on male fertility.
Spontaneous burrowing behavior as an outcome measure of the global impact of chronic pain in preclinical models of arthritis
Authors: Delaney A. , Su J. , Gao T. , Agalave N. , Svensson C.I. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
Arthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain in European adults (painineurope.com). Arthritis-induced chronic pain is a major clinical problem that is frequently inadequately treated by current analgesics and results in significant reduction in the patient’s quality of life. Outcome measures used in pain research to assess injury-induced pain-like behaviours in preclinical models are often dependent on the assessment of withdrawal reflexes, typically evoked by mechanical or thermal stimuli.Advances inpre-dictive validity may be improved by assessing the global impact of pain and the reinstatement of innate behaviours suppressed by injury. Burrowing, an indicator of the global “wellbeing” of the animal can be objectively measured. We aimed to assess the impact of several preclinical modelsof arthritis onburrowing behaviour in mice.

Methods
The collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) pre-clinical model of rheumatoid arthritis, the complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA), monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) and partial medial menisectomy (MMT) preclinical models of osteoarthritis were assessed in female and/or male C57/Black6J adult mice, comparing to control (salineorsham-operated) and naïve animals. Mechanical hypersensitivity using von Frey filaments and spontaneous burrowing behaviour were assessed over60days (CAIA), 14days (CFA), 28 days (MIA) and up to 200 days (MMT).

Results
We show the development of mechanical hypersen-sitivity in all preclinical models of arthritis, whereas spontaneous burrowing behaviour was altered differently between the preclin-ical models. A deficit in burrowing behaviour was observed in the preclinical models of osteoarthritis and a gain in burrowing behaviour noted in the preclinical model of rheumatoid arthritis, with no effect seen in the CFA model.

Conclusions
Burrowing behaviour appears more sensitive to detecting variation in preclinical models of arthritis when compared to mechanical hypersensitivity. Burrowing behaviour can detect both gain and deficits in the behaviour, which differs between preclinical models of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
Effects of habituation to the testing facility on mechanical nociceptive thresholds of pigs
Authors: Giminiani P. Di , Stausholm J.S. , Viitasaari E. , Petersen L.J. , Herskin M.S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
This study aimed to gain methodological knowledge about quantification of mechanical nociceptive thresholds in pigs stimulated on the hind legs.

Methods
Thirty-two castrated male pigs were used, weighing 50–60kg, 16 weeks of age and housed in standard pens (4.40m×4.40m) with ad libitum access to water and feed. Mechanical nociceptive testing (4 stimulations/pig) was done by an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer (IITC Life Science Inc., CA) with a rigid, hollow plastic tip (cut-off: 1000 gf) and an area of 0.3 mm2. Stimulations targeted caudal aspects of the metatarsus while the pigs were restrained in a cage measuring 35cm×40cm (length×width). During the last 3d before nociceptive testing, half of the pigs were habituated to the experimental set-up twice daily.

Results
Across the three days, the habituation procedure led to a reduction in time required to approach and release the pigs from the home pen (P<0.05) and to increased acceptance of the confinement (P<0.01). The habituated animals had a lower mechanical nociceptive threshold (median: 495gf (302–675) vs 745gf (479–1000); P<0.05), and a decreased occurrence of censored observations (0 vs 25%; P<0.05) compared to animals tested without habituation.

Conclusions
The present experiment focussed on methodological aspects of hand-held tests of mechanical nociceptive thresholds in pigs. The results show that the pigs responded to a 3-day habituation regime by increased ease of handling and tolerance of being confined in a test cage. In addition, habituation to the test environment and handling led to reduced mechanical nociceptive thresholds as well as a lowered proportion of censored observations. The current results reiterate the value of habituation in research involving animal behaviour. Further characterization of the methodology is needed to allow its application in the evaluation of clinical conditions in pigs.
Chronic nonmalignant pain at a mono-disciplinary pain clinic. Identifying the key patient groups for targeted health promotion – A cohort study
Authors: Hansen C. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
To identify and describe the most common category of patients in a newly established mono-disciplinary pain clinic, in order to plan, test, evaluate and implement targeted health promotion interventions.

Methods
The study was a register-based retrospective cohort study comprising data from the hospital registration system GS!open. Including chronic non-malignant pain patients in the period January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2014; analysing only patients who underwent a treatment trajectory by the mono-disciplinary pain clinic.

Results
The study population consisted of 300 men and 509 women, mean age 53.6 year. By descriptive statistics the three major patient groups was identified: (1) Long lasting/chronic non-malignant pain – comprising 52% of the cohort, representing 37% male, mean age 54.9 year, mainly labeled nonspecific back pain; (2) Other chronic pain– representing 15% of the cohort, comprising 45% male, mean age 56.0 year; (3) Reflex dystrophy – comprising 8% of the cohort, with 30% male, mean age 43.6 year. The clinic had 4.161 outpatient consultations in the period with an increase of 13.9% from 2013 to 2014; average consultation rate per individual was 5.2 for women both years; for men the average was 5.1 in 2013 and 4.9 in 2014. In addition, the pain clinic patients were referred from: hospital (89.3%); hospital waiting trajectory (1.7%); general practitioner (7.3%) and practitioner specialist (1.7%).

Conclusions
This register-based study revealed that patients with nonspecific back pain were the most frequent patient category treated in the mono-disciplinary pain clinic. This finding suggests that targeted health promotion intervention may advantageously be organized with focus on the large group of patients with chronic nonspecific back pain.
Gender differences in chronic pain related health care utilization
Authors: Jonsdottir T. , Jonsdottir H. , Gunnarsdottir S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
To investigate predictors for health-care utilization for chronic pain and whether there are gender differences in variables predicting chronic pain-related health care utilization.

Methods
A postal questionnaire measuring socio-demographic variables, pain characteristics, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and pain related health care utilization, was sent to a sample of 4500 individuals randomly drawn from the national population of Iceland. The relationships between socio-demographic and pain related variables and pain related health care utilization among participants reporting chronic pain (≥3 months) were tested by using bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis.

Results
The prevalence of chronic pain among respondents was 47.5%. Among participants reporting chronic pain, 53.2% had consulted a health care provider for pain during the previous six months.Predictors for pain related health care utilization were pain interference with daily life and pain pattern (daily pain) as well as physical components of HRQoL. Even though health care utilization was not related to gender, there were gender differences in pain-related predictors for health care utilization. Interference with daily life and pain pattern were the strongest predictors among women, but interference with life and the physical components of HRQoL were the strongest predictors for men. Pain related health care utilization was not related to socio-demographic variables.

Conclusions
Pain related variables are better predictors of chronic pain related health care utilization than socio-demographics. Even though gender does not predict chronic pain-related health care utilization, there are gender differences in the relationships between pain-related variables and health care utilization. These gender differences warrant further exploration.
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of substance P (SP) N-terminal fragment SP1–7 in patients with neuropathic pain
Authors: Jonsson A. , Lind A.-L. , Hallberg M. , Nyberg F. , Gordh T. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
Neuropathic pain is a complex and painful condition, which is difficult to treat and causes a lot of suffering. The substance P (SP) system is well known to be involved in nociceptive signaling and it has previously been shown that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level of SP is decreased in neuropathic pain. In this study we analyzed CSF from chronic neuropathic pain patients for the levels of SP1–7, an N-terminal fragment of SP with the ability to alleviate thermal as well as mechanical hypersensitivity in different animal models of chronic neuropathic pain, e.g. [1,2].

Methods
CSF was collected from 11 neuropathic pain patients, treated with SCS, who had refrained from using their spinal cord stimulator for 48h. Control CSF was collected from 11 patients without any known neurological disorder, who underwent minor surgery under spinal anesthesia. The CSF samples were analyzed for the levels of SP1–7 using radioimmunoassay.

Results
The results revealed a decrease in the level of SP1–7 compared to controls. We believe that the lower level ofSP1–7 most likely is a consequence of reduced amount of its precursor SP in the neuropathic pain patients.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that the SP system is changed in patients with neuropathic pain and that SP-related peptides, including SP1–7, might serve as biological markers for the patho-physiology of chronic neuropathic pain.
Characterization of small nerve fibers in painful distal symmetric polyneuropathy and healthy controls
Authors: Karlsson P. , Haroutounian S. , Polydefkis M. , Nyengaard J.R. , Jensen T.S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
The introduction of skin biopsies to examine small nerve fiber morphology together with functional measures such as quantitative sensory testing (QST) has led to an improvement in diagnosing patients with small fiber neuropathy (SFN). Quantification of intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) is an important measure in SFN. However, the relationship between structure and function is not straightforward and the morphological and functional fiber characteristics are still unclear. This study aimed to combine structural and functional measurements to improve the diagnosis of distal symmetric polyneuropathy and small fiber involvement. Additionally, we investigated whether patients and healthy controls have differential patterns of correlations between structural and functional nerve measurements.

Methods
17 patients with painful distal symmetric polyneu-ropathy (DSP) and 19 controls underwent comprehensive small fiber assessments that included quantitative sensory testing, response to topical capsaicin and analysis of skin biopsy samples (IENFD, epidermal and dermal nerve fiber length densities (eNFLD, dNFLD) and swellings).

Results
DSP patients had reduced sensitivity to cold and heat, diminished capsaicin response, and lower IENFD, eNFLD and dNFLD (all p < 0.0003).The correlation between structural and functional parameters was better in controls than in DSP. A diagnostic approach of combined IENFD and eNFLD utilization, increased DSP diagnostic sensitivity from 82.0% to 100% and specificity from 84.0% to 89.5%.

Conclusions
A correlation is found between functional and structural small fiber parameters for DSP and controls, and an approach to improve diagnostic accuracy in DSP is suggested.
New players in the mechanism of spinal cord stimulation for neuropathic pain
Authors: Lind A. , Emami P. , Sjödin M. , Katila L. , Wetterhall M. , Gordh T. , Kultima K. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was to uncover possible proteins involved in the mechanism for neuropathic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) pain relief in humans.

Methods
Using two different proteomic protocols we compared the protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 14 SCS responsive neuropathic pain patients using a shotgun proteomic approach. The comparison was made between samples from the same individual taken when the stimulator had been off for 48 h, and after the stimulator had been used as normal for three weeks. Mass spectrometry raw files from both experimental setups were analysed using MS Quant and DeCyder softwares and proteins were identified using MASCOT search against Swissprot database. After median normalization moderate paired t-test statistics were used in R limma package to find up-and down regulated proteins.

Results
In total, 255 and 216 proteins could be identified by the dimethyl and label free methods respectively and relatively quantified. Of these several were significantly up- and down regulated.

Conclusions
These novel proteins add to the SCS mechanism in patients with neuropathic pain. These results strengthen the evidence for SCS as altering extracellular matrix components and affecting central nervous system plasticity.
Hyperalgesia after experimental and work-related sleep restriction
Authors: Nilsen K.B. , Matrea D. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
Sleep restriction (SR) increases pain sensitivity. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of night work on pain sensitivity with experimental SR.

Methods
In study I 22 healthy volunteers (14 females) and in study II 24 nurses (17 females) received pain stimuli in the laboratory twice; after 2 nights with habitual sleep (study I and II) and after 2 nights of experimental 50% SR (study I) or after 2 nights of work (study II). Order of sleep conditions was randomized. Heat pain at intensity 6/10 (pain-6), the pressure pain threshold (PPT), and subjective sleepiness with Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) were assessed. A linear mixed model (LMM) with random intercept and random slope was used. Difference scores were compared between study I and II by independent t-tests (PPT and pain-6) and the Mann–Whitney U test (KSS).

Results
Baseline subjective sleepiness (KSS), PPT or pain-6 ratings did not differ between study I and II (p > 0.47). KSS and heat pain ratings increased after both sleep conditions (p < 0.001), but did not differ between study I and II (p > 0.15). PPT was lower after experimental SR (p = 0.007), but unchanged after night work (p = 0.63), but did not differ between study I and II (p = 0.16).

Conclusions
Both experimental and night work-induced SR leads to comparable increased subjective sleepiness and higher pain ratings to heat pain stimuli. PPT was lower after experimental SR, but was not affected by night work-induced SR.
The effect of tail docking in neonatal pigs on the central expression of genes involved in modulating anxiety-like behaviour
Authors: Oberst P. , Sandercock D.A. , Di Giminiani P. , Edwards S.A. , Brunton P.J. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Background
Adverse experiences in early life, such as exposure to stress, can have long term detrimental effects on the future physiology and behaviour of the animal. Typically animals exposed to such experiences are more anxious and more reactive to stress in later life. Tail biting is a major problem in modern pig production, both in terms of animal welfare and productivity. Tail docking in early postnatal life is common practice to reduce risk of this problem, but causes pain and may alter pain sensitivity.

Aims
To investigate whether a significant painful experience in early life (tail docking) alters the expression of genes in the amygdala that are linked to an anxiety-prone phenotype.

Methods
Eight female piglets (Landrace/Large White × synthetic sireline) were used. Four piglets were tail docked (amputation of approx. 2/3 of the tail) on post-natal day 3 using hot-iron cautery and four sham-docked piglets served as intact controls. On post-natal day 10, pigs were sedated and then euthanized by barbiturate overdose. Brains were removed, the amygdala grossly dissected and frozen on dry ice. 20 μm sections were cut and subsequently processed using in situ hybridisation with radiolabelled probes complementary to corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-1 (Crhr1) and CRH receptor-2 (Crhr2) mRNA.

Results

Crhrl mRNA expression was significantly greater in the amygdala of tail-docked piglets compared with the sham-docked animals. There was no significant difference detected in Crhr2 expression in the amygdala between the groups.

Conclusion
Increased expression of Crhrl in the amygdala is associated with an anxiety-prone phenotype in rats and pigs, thus it is likely that tail docking in early life leads to enhanced anxiety which may have a negative impact on pig welfare. Ongoing experiments will determine whether these central changes in gene expression are long-lasting.
[Support: BBSRC/DEFRA, part of ANIWHA ERA-NET initiative].
The effectiveness of a nursing staff development Intervention to improve pain management – A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zoëga S. , Ward S.E. , Serlin R.C. , Sveinsdottir H. , Gretarsdottir E.Th. , Fridriksdottir N. , Hafsteinsdottir E.J.G. , Gunnarsdóttir S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aims
To test the effectiveness of the Pain Resource Nurse (PRN) education program in a university hospital.

Methods
This was a randomized controlled trial. Two nurses from each of the 23 participating surgical and medical units were selected to participate in the PRN program. The program consisted of a three day course in pain management with a structured follow up. After a baseline measurement, the units were randomized to either receive the intervention or to serve as a wait-list control. The control group received the intervention following a second data collection 10 months from baseline. Data regarding knowledge and attitudes regarding pain were collected from nurses, but patient data were collected with the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire and from medical records. Patients had to be ≥18 years, hospitalized for ≥24 h, alert and able to participate.

Results
Participating patients were 308 at T1 (73% response rate (RR)) and 329 at T2 (79% RR). Participating nurses were 224 (48% RR) at T1 and 176 (38% RR) at T2. No difference was found between the intervention and control groups regarding knowledge and attitudes of nurses, or in any of the patient outcome variables. The only significant effect of the intervention was improvement in documented standardized pain assessment, which increased from 12% at T1 to 24% at T2 on the intervention units, compared to a decrease from 12% at T1 to 9% at T2 on the control units, p < 0.05.

Conclusions
Patient outcomes remained unchanged after the intervention, as were nurses’ knowledge and attitudes. The intervention was, however, successful in changing pain assessment practices. Multifarious efforts to change nursing practice resulted in modest changes. Further studies are needed to advance pain management practices in clinical settings.
Moderate red wine consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the PREDIMED population
Authors: Tresserra-Rimbau Anna , Medina-Remón Alexander , Lamuela-Raventós Rosa M. , Bulló Monica , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Corella Dolores , Fitó Montserrat , Gea Alfredo , Gómez-Gracia Enrique , Lapetra José , Arós Fernando , Fiol Miquel , Ros Emili , Serra-Majem Luis , Pintó Xavier , Muñoz Miguel A. , Estruch Ramón ,   on behalf of the PREDIMED Study Investigators
Published: July 2015

Previous studies on the association between alcohol intake and the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) have yielded inconsistent results. Besides, few studies have analysed the effects of red wine (RW) consumption on the prevalence of the MetS and its components. As moderate RW drinkers have a better lipid profile and lower incidence rates of diabetes, hypertension and abdominal obesity, all components of the MetS, it was hypothesised that moderate RW consumption could be associated with a lower prevalence of the MetS. In the present cross-sectional study of 5801 elderly participants at a high cardiovascular risk included in the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) study, 3897 fulfilled the criteria of the MetS at baseline. RW intake was recorded using a validated 137-item FFQ. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the association between RW intake and the prevalence of the MetS. Compared with non-drinkers, moderate RW drinkers ( ≥ 1 drink/d) were found to have a reduced risk of prevalent MetS (OR 0·56, 95 % CI 0·45, 0·68;P< 0·001), a lower risk of having an abnormal waist circumference (OR 0·59, 95 % CI 0·46, 0·77;P< 0·001), low HDL-cholesterol concentrations (OR 0·42, 95 % CI 0·32, 0·53;P< 0·001), high blood pressure (OR 0·28, 95 % CI 0·17, 0·45;P< 0·001) and high fasting plasma glucose concentrations (OR 0·67, 95 % CI 0·54, 0·82;P< 0·001) after adjusting for several confounders. This association was found to be stronger in female participants, in participants aged < 70 years and in participants who were former or current smokers. No significant association was found between RW intake ( ≥ 1 drink/d) and TAG concentrations. In conclusion, moderate RW consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of the MetS in an elderly Mediterranean population at a high cardiovascular risk.