bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pain: Basics and relevance in dermatology
Authors: Nashan Dorothée , Meiss Frank , Gralow Ingrid 
Published: April 2009

SummaryScientific progress in pathophysiology and differentiation of pain, functional diagnostic of pain and emerging treatments highlight this subject. Basics of development of pain, as well as differentiation of nociceptive and neuropathic pain are depicted; the latter is illustrated with the example of postherpetic neuralgia. Complex regional pain syndromes are described as a third pain complex. Principles of differentiated pain management are given. Substance groups from the WHO scheme including antipyretic analgesics, non‐steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids are discussed. Recommendations of the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association concerning NSAIDs and of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) concerning new treatment options for cancer pain are cited. Overviews amongst others from the Cochrane library for local anesthetics, opioids and for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia are included. Tables are provided to simplify use in daily practice. The goal of this overview is a conceptual development of pain diagnosis and therapy in dermatology.
The pattern of self‐poisoning among Lebanese children and adolescents in two tertiary care centres in Lebanon
Authors: Sinno Durriyah , Majdalani Marianne , Chatila Rajaa , Musharrafieh Umayya , Al‐Tannir Mohamad 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim: Self‐poisoning in childhood and adolescence is a major problem for health authorities all over the world. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of self‐poisoning in Lebanese children and adolescents.Materials and methods: This prospective study included all cases of poisoning in individuals aged 0–18 years who presented to the emergency department of two major hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon over a period of 1 year. Participants were divided into two age groups (0–12 years and 12–18 years). These cases were followed to record the applied treatment and whether the patient was admitted or discharged.Results: There were 110 self‐poisoning incidents, of which 74 (67%) were in female patients. The predominant type of poisoning was with pharmaceutical products (68.2%). Accidental self‐poisoning was significantly more common in the younger age group among both genders compared with the older age group (p < 0.0001). There were significantly more poisoned male children (72%) than male adolescents (28%) (p = 0.003); whereas among females, poisoned adolescents were significantly more common (64%) than poisoned children (36%) (p = 0.009). Moreover, poisoning with pharmaceuticals was significantly higher in the young male group compared to the older age group and older female group compared to the younger age group (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.01, respectively). In total, 78% of patients were discharged home following basic observation, charcoal or gastric lavage.Conclusion: Female adolescents are more at risk of deliberate self‐intoxication after the age of 12 years compared to males, whereas males younger than 12 years are more likely to suffer from accidental poisoning. Preventative strategies include screening adolescents at high risk of self‐harm in order to offer adequate counselling, while providing anticipatory guidance for parents of children in the younger age group.
Atmospheric nitric oxide stimulates plant growth and improves the quality of spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Authors: Jin C.W. , Du S.T. , Zhang Y.S. , Tang C. , Lin X.Y. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous signalling molecule implicated in a growing number of plant processes and has been recognised as a plant hormone. The present research employed spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea cv. Huangjia) and closed growth chambers to investigate the effects of gaseous NO application on vegetable production in greenhouses. Treatment of low concentration of NO gas (ambient atmosphere with 200 nL L−1 NO gas) significantly increased the shoot biomass of the soil‐cultivated plants as compared with the control treatment (ambient atmosphere). In addition, the NO treatment also increased the photosynthetic rate of leaves, indicating that the enhancement of photosynthesis is an important reason leading to more biomass accumulation induced by NO gas. Furthermore, the NO treatment decreased nitrate concentration but increased the concentrations of soluble sugar, protein, antioxidants (vitamin C, glutathione and flavonoids), and ferric reducing‐antioxidant power (FRAP) in shoots of the plants grown in soil, suggesting that the gaseous NO treatment can not only increase vegetable production but also improve vegetable quality. In addition, the effects of the combined application of NO and CO2 (NO 200 nL L−1 and CO2 800 μL L−1) on shoot biomass was even greater than the effects of elevated CO2 (CO2 800 μL L−1) or the NO treatment alone, implying that gaseous NO treatment can be used in CO2‐elevated greenhouses as an effective strategy in improving vegetable production.
Elemental Content in Brown Rice by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy Reveals the Evolution of Asian Cultivated Rice
Authors: Zeng Yawen , Wang Luxiang , Du Juan , Liu Jiafu , Yang Shuming , Pu Xiaoying , Xiao Fenghui 
Published: April 2009

Abstract The phylogenetic relationship for classification traits and eight mineral elements in brown rice (Oryza sativa L.) from Yunnan Province in China was carried out using microwave assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and the analytical procedures were carefully controlled and validated. In general, the results show that the mean levels of K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Cu in brown rice for 789 accessions of rice landraces was distinctly lower than that of improved cultivars. They further demonstrate that Ca plays an important role in the differentiation of subspecies indica‐japonica, especially to enhance adaptation of cold stress, and that five mineral elements in brown rice enhance the eurytopicity from landrace to improved cultivar. Hierarchical cluster analysis, using average linkage from SPSS software based on eight mineral elements in brown rice, showed that Yunnan rice could be grouped into rice landrace and improved cultivar, with the rice landrace being further clustered into five subgroups, and that, interestingly, purple rice does not cluster with either of the groups. Our present data confirm that indica is the closest relative of late rice and white rice, and that they constitute rice landraces together, whereas japonica is the closest relatives of non‐nuda, early‐mid and glutinous rice. It is further shown that japonica, non‐nuda, early‐mid, glutinous, white and red rice might be more primitive than indica, nuda, late, non‐glutinous and purple rice, respectively.
Crime, cash, and limited options: Explaining the prison boom*
Authors: Spelman William 
Published: April 2009

Research Summary An analysis of a state panel of prison populations from 1977 to 2005 shows that the best predictors of prison populations are crime, sentencing policy, prison crowding, and state spending. Prison populations grew at roughly the same rate and during the same periods as spending on education, welfare, health and hospitals, highways, parks, and natural resources. Current and lagged values of state spending on prison construction also accounted for a substantial amount of variation in subsequent prison populations. Public opinion, partisan politics, the electoral cycle, and social threats seem to have had little effect on the number of prisoners. Policy Implications The availability of publicly acceptable alternatives to incarceration may not be sufficient to reverse course. Federal funding of alternatives—but not prisons—would provide states with the financial incentive to reduce prison populations.
Inflammation and melanoma metastasis
Authors: Melnikova Vladislava O. , Bar‐Eli Menashe 
Published: April 2009

SummaryMetastatic melanoma is extremely refractory to existing chemotherapeutic drugs and bioimmune adjuvant therapies, and the life span of patients with metastatic melanoma is often measured in months. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the development of tumor metastasis is critical for finding successful curative measures. An expending amount of data reveal the importance of inflammatory microenvironment and stroma in cancer initiation and progression, which brings new directions and approaches to cancer treatment. This review will summarize current data on the role of the tumor microenvironment in shaping the metastatic phenotype of melanoma.
Outcome of transarterial chemoembolization monotherapy, and in combination with percutaneous ethanol injection, or radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kirikoshi Hiroyuki , Saito Satoru , Yoneda Masato , Fujita Koji , Mawatari Hironori , Uchiyama Takashi , Higurashi Takuma , Goto Ayumu , Takahashi Hirokazu , Abe Yasunobu , Inamori Masahiko , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Kubota Kensuke , Sakaguchi Takashi , Ueno Norio , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: April 2009

Aim:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly occurring malignances worldwide. Curative therapies such as resection, percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been applied to patients with early‐stage HCC. Patients with more advanced cancers require local or systemic therapies. We present the results of our retrospective review conducted to evaluate whether transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone and combined TACE with percutaneous ablation for HCC exhibited superior efficacy to palliative treatment.Methods:  The effects of TACE and of the combined therapies (TACE + PEI or TACE + RFA) on the long‐term survival rates were evaluated in 268 untreated HCC patients by various statistical analyses.Results:  The cumulative survival rates in the TACE alone group were significantly superior to those in the palliative treatment group. Further, the cumulative survival rates in the combined TACE + PEI/RFA group were significantly superior to those in the TACE alone group. When the comparison among the groups was restricted to patients with two or three tumors fulfilling the Milan criteria, significantly greater prolongation of survival was observed in the combined TACE + PEI/RFA group than in the PEI/RFA alone group.Conclusions:  The aforementioned treatment modalities yielded greater improvements of the survival rate and survival duration as compared to palliative treatment in HCC patients. Furthermore, in terms of the effect on the survival period, combined TACE + PEI/RFA therapy was more effective than TACE monotherapy, and also more effective than PEI or RFA monotherapy in cases with multiple tumors fulfilling the Milan criteria.
Low Reactive-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Authors: Glennie-Smith Keith 
Published: April 2009

The physical properties of Laser and the present medical uses of applied photobiological energy are outlined. The neuropathology of herpes zoster and the aetiology of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) are summarised, and the various treatment approaches are discussed. By matching the known healing properties of specific laser wavelengths and the underlying neuropathology of PHN, a profile of therapy has been developed for trial in those patients suffering from intractable PHN, refractory to conventional treatment
5-Ht: The Story So Far
Authors: Starr Mike 
Published: April 2009

Serotonin (5-HT) has recently aroused great interest and has been linked to a number of therapeutic actions of acupuncture. It was originally discovered about 45 years ago to have a vasoconstrictor effect in the clotting mechanism, but is now known to be involved in numerous body processes including the modulation of a number of anterior pituitary hormones. Multiple 5-HT receptors have been identified and drugs with specific receptor action are being developed. Sumatripan is a 5-HT1 stimulator which has a vasoconstrictive effect, relieving migraine headaches. Ondansetron is a blocker of 5-HT3 receptors in the gut, thus being a very effective antiemetic in oncology treatment. Fluoxetine prevents 5-HT reuptake and thus has an antidepressant effect. As well as being endorphin mediated, the analgesic action of acupuncture has been shown to rely partly on 5-HT release: notably from nerves electrically stimulated at 200Hz. Acupuncture is a potent antiemetic, possibly acting by the same mechanism as ondansetron. It also has antidepressant action, perhaps through altering 5-HT mobilisation in the brain. Even the treatment of drug withdrawal symptoms by electroacupuncture may be by restabilising 5-HT at a normal level.
A Pilot Study of Acupuncture for Tension Headache, Using a Novel Placebo
Authors: White AR , Eddleston C , Hardie R , Resch KL , Ernst E 
Published: April 2009

Tension headache is common, and treatment with acupuncture is frequently recommended, although the evidence of its effectiveness is contradictory. This small, randomised, controlled trial was designed as a pilot to test procedures in preparation for a multi-centre trial investigating the effect of acupuncture as a treatment for tension headache. Ten volunteers suffering from episodic, tension-type headache were recruited by local newspaper articles. Patients were randomised to receive either brief needling to tender areas or selected traditional points (Group A), or pressure from a cocktail stick supported within a guide tube to defined, non-tender and non-acupuncture areas (Group B). The patients’ view of the treatment sites was obstructed so that no indication could be gained as to which form of treatment was being given. Throughout the period of the trial, duration, frequency and intensity of headaches were recorded, from which the mean weekly headache index was calculated. There was no difference between the changes in weekly headache index in the two groups, comparing scores before and after treatment. However, Group A experienced a considerably higher number of headache-free weeks than Group B. The credibility of the two procedures was tested using a standard credibility questionnaire and a “final verdict”. One subject in Group B concluded that she had not received genuine acupuncture, but overall there was no statistical difference between the credibility of treatment in the two groups.
Acupuncture in the Management of Herpes Zoster
Authors: Boaler Janet 
Published: April 2009

Although it has been demonstrated conclusively that anti-viral medication reduces the duration and intensity of the manifestations of acute herpes zoster, controversy remains concerning its effectiveness in preventing post herpetic neuralgia and patients with this distressing condition are often referred to Pain Clinics. The problem is likely to become more prevalent in the future due to the ageing population, particularly in those over 80 years of age. Research, most of it uncontrolled so far, suggests that simple acupuncture starting in the acute phase, within 24–72 hours of the appearance of the skin eruption, could, if combined with anti-viral medication, produce a substantial reduction in the incidence and severity of post herpetic neuralgia. Further controlled clinical trials conducted at primary health care level are urgently needed.
The Neurophysiology of Acupuncture: A Viewpoint
Authors: Karavis Miltiades 
Published: April 2009

Acupuncture is a specialised sensory stimulation that is analysed through sensory neural pathways. Therefore to understand its action we have to analyse the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the nervous system, aided with a knowledge of neuroendocrinology and the chemoarchitecture of the brain. Various neural theories have been developed to explain the mechanisms of acupuncture. It is now evident that acupuncture reacts at local, regional (spinal cord) and general (brain) levels. Therefore, inserting one or more needles at particular points (or areas) of the body activates neural pathways on three different levels, provoking local, regional, and general reactions. The local reaction is a multifactorial phenomenon. The electric injury potential due to the needle, the presence and synthesis of opioid peptides at the site of injury, and substance P, histamine like substances, bradikinin, serotonin and proteolitic enzyme release around the needle, all occur during needling. The regional reaction concerns the activation of a larger area (2–3 dermatomes) via reflex arches. We can analyse the viscero-cutaneous, cutaneo-visceral, cutaneo-muscular and viscero-muscular reflexes and also the vegetative, stretch and polysynaptic segmental reflexes. The general reaction mainly activates the brain central mechanism of internal homoeostasis. We can explain the action of acupuncture in acute and chronic pain syndromes, in addiction and in psychiatric disease through the role of central neurotransmitters and the modulatory systems that are activated by acupoints: opioid, non-opioid and central sympathetic inhibitory mechanisms.
Pc.6 Acupressure for Dental Nausea: A Preliminary Report of a Prospective Randomised Double Blind Clinical Trial, Part 1
Authors: Chate RAC 
Published: April 2009

Acupressure effectively reduces the amount of nausea experienced, both in the first trimester of pregnancy, and after either opiates or cytotoxic agents. The aim of this randomised, controlled study was to establish whether it could also reduce any sensation of nausea related to the taking of maxillary dental impressions. The sample comprised 8 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 14.64 years and whose self-registration of nausea following an impression was greater than 33% of a 100mm visual analogue. The test involved a second impression with prior application of pressure on either PC.6, the sixth point on the Chinese pericardial meridian, or a placebo point on the forearm of the patient's dominant limb. A random mental choice as to which point to press was made by each patient, and double blind conditions prevailed. After the withdrawal of the impression, another visual analogue was marked. Of the 9 patients who had used the placebo point during the test impression, there had been a mean reduction of 29% in the scale of nausea experienced. Of the 13 who had used the PC.6 acupressure point, the mean reduction was 30%. The difference was not significant. Three and a half minutes of acupressure on PC.6 did not reduce the sensation of nausea induced by tactile stimulation of the soft palate in this small sample of susceptible patients.
Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Heel Pain Due to Plantar Fasciitis
Authors: Tillu A , Gupta S 
Published: April 2009

Eighteen patients attending an orthopaedic outpatient clinic with a year or more's history of heel pain due to plantar fasciitis were studied. All had had conservative treatment of physiotherapy and shoe-support without significant pain relief before acupuncture was offered, and thus acted as their own controls for the purposes of the study. The following traditional points were needled: Taixi (KI.3), Kunlun (BL.60) and Sanyinjiao (SP.6). Pain was assessed by a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment was started and after four, weekly sessions of acupuncture treatment. If complete pain relief was not obtained by the initial four-week treatment, a further two, weekly sessions of the above mentioned acupoints, with the addition of trigger point acupuncture in the gastro-soleus and plantar fascia, was carried out and pain assessed. Patients were also assessed with a verbal rating score to indicate the percentage improvement after acupuncture compared to before treatment. The mean duration of heel pain was 25.11 months (SD 10.68). The VAS data obtained at 4 and 6 weeks of acupuncture treatment showed a statistically highly significant improvement compared to the VAS before acupuncture (p < 0.0009 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Using the Mann-Whitney test, there was a statistically significant difference in VAS obtained at 6 weeks, after trigger point acupuncture had been added for poor responders, compared to that obtained after the first 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment (p < 0.047). Our study demonstrates that acupuncture is effective in treating patients with chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis and that the addition of trigger point acupuncture in poor or non-responders may be useful.
Pc.6 Acupressure for Dental Nausea: A Prospective Randomised Double Blind Clinical Trial with Crossover, Part 2
Authors: Chate RAC 
Published: April 2009

This reports the second part of a single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind clinical trial with crossover. It has aimed to assess whether PC.6 acupressure could reduce nausea related to maxillary dental impression taking. The selection criterion was a self registration of nausea greater than 33% of a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS) following an initial maxillary impression (control) in patients referred for treatment. Exclusion criteria were: current medication with a secondary emetic or anti-emetic effect, prior knowledge of PC.6 acupressure, a recent history of nausea, and the first trimester of pregnancy. Twenty three entered the trial and 18 completed. The test involved a second and third impression with prior application of finger pressure on either PC.6 or a dummy point on the forearm The initial point was chosen by the patient, leaving the other point to be pressed subsequent to crossover. The mean level of nausea was recorded by patients after PC.6 acupressure and also after pressure at a dummy point. These recordings were then compared. The sample consisted of 6 males and 12 females, and the mean age was 14.74 years. The mean difference in nausea between PC.6 acupressure and pressure at the dummy point was −0.39mm % of the VAS (SD 40.48mm %). The 95% Confidence Interval was −20.52 and 19.74mm %, and the difference was not significant. Three and a half minutes of PC.6 acupressure did not significantly reduce nausea experienced with a maxillary impression, compared with pressure at the dummy point, in this small sample: both showed a mean reduction of 50% on the control figure.
A Comparison of Acupuncture with Advice and Exercises on the Symptomatic Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Hip – a Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Haslam Roisin 
Published: April 2009

Acupuncture is becoming a common technique within the physiotherapy profession as a treatment modality for pain relief; however, few randomised controlled trials have been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture, particularly in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Therefore, a randomised trial to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture with advice and exercises on the symptomatic treatment of OA of the hip was carried out. Thirty-two patients awaiting a total hip arthroplasty were randomly allocated to either the experimental group, (A), to have six sessions of acupuncture each lasting up to 25 minutes, or the control group, (B), to be given advice and exercises for their hip over a six week period. Group A consisted of three men and 13 women, and group B consisted of four men and eight women. The average age in group A was 66 years and in group B it was 68 years. Patients were assessed for pain and functional ability, using a modified version of the WOMAC questionnaire, pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment and at eight weeks post-treatment. The pre-treatment WOMAC scores in the two groups were similar (p=0.85). There was a significant improvement in group A (decrease in WOMAC score) immediately post-treatment (p=0.002) and this was maintained at the eight-week follow-up (p=0.03). There were no significant changes in group B. When the changes in WOMAC scores were compared between groups, a significantly greater improvement was found between pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment in group A, compared with group B (p=0.02). The changes between pre-treatment and the eight-week follow-up also showed a significant improvement in group A compared with group B (p=0.03). In conclusion, this trial supports the hypothesis that acupuncture is more effective than advice and exercises in the symptomatic treatment of OA of the hip.