Rejected

Few models exist that can control for placebo and expectancy effects commonly observed in clinical trials measuring '' pharmacodynamics. We used the Foramen Rotundum Inflammatory Constriction Trigeminal Infraorbital Nerve injury (FRICT-ION) model to measure the effect of "full-spectrum" whole plant extracted hemp oil on chronic neuropathic pain sensitivity in mice.

Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) continues to be a serious gastrointestinal disease with relevant morbidity and mortality.

The special issue "Ion Channels of Nociception" contains 13 articles published by 73 authors from different countries united by the main focusing on the peripheral mechanisms of pain. The content covers the mechanisms of neuropathic, inflammatory, and dental pain as well as pain in migraine and diabetes, nociceptive roles of P2X3, ASIC, Piezo and TRP channels, pain control through GPCRs and pharmacological agents and non-pharmacological treatment with electroacupuncture.

Clinical Scenario: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition related with ischemia of the body's tissue due to increases in intracompartmental pressures, which involves, among other symptoms, pain with exertion. CECS is often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to an ambiguous presentation. Diagnostic accuracy of CECS and subsequent management can be improved when contributing factors are known. Research is lacking on the type of patient most likely to experience CECS, highlighting the need for identification of common demographic characteristics among affected individuals. Clinical Question: What are the common demographic characteristics among patients exhibiting CECS of the lower leg? Summary of Key Findings: Four studies were identified (1 prospective consecutive study, 2 retrospective reviews, and 1 retrospective cohort study) that examined common characteristics among patients with CECS. Conflicting evidence exists on whether CECS is more commonly seen in men or in women. CECS has often been reported in young, active individuals but may present in older populations as well. Soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, competitive running, and speed skating have been associated with an increased likelihood of CECS development. Clinical Bottom Line: Current evidence has identified commonalities in sex, age, and sport participation as characteristics often present among individuals experiencing lower leg CECS. Other factors, such as overuse, trauma, diabetes, and gait mechanics, have also been identified in association with CECS. Further data through future prospective studies will help confirm the type of patient mostly likely to experience CECS. Strength of Recommendation: Grade B evidence exists that certain sex, age, and sport participation demographic characteristics are common among patients with CECS of the lower leg.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that results in constipation (IBS-C) or diarrhoea with abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and bloating. Kiwifruit ( spp.) are nutrient-dense fruit with a number of reported health benefits that include lowering glycaemic response, improving cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers, and enhancing gut comfort and laxation. This study investigated the effect of consuming three whole Zespri SunGold kiwifruit ( var. 'Zesy002') with or without skin on cytokine production and immune and gut health in healthy people and those with IBS-C symptoms. This study enrolled thirty-eight participants in a 16 week randomized cross-over study (19 healthy and 19 participants with IBS-C). Participants were randomized to consume either three kiwifruit without eating the skin or three kiwifruit including the skin for 4 weeks each, with a 4 week washout in between each intervention. There was a significant decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, for both the healthy and the IBS-C participants when they consumed whole kiwifruit and skin, and also for the healthy participants when they ate whole kiwifruit without the skin ( < 0.001). The kiwifruit interventions increased bowel frequency and significantly reduced the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale constipation and Birmingham IBS pain scores for both participant groups. We have demonstrated that consuming the skin of SunGold kiwifruit might have beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health that are not produced by consuming the flesh alone.

Skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs) occur against a background of a very high prevalence of common skin diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we examined the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) and the impact of common skin diseases in children living in a leprosy and Buruli ulcer (BU) co-endemic district in a west African country of Côte d'Ivoire, in order to help inform disease control efforts for skin NTDs.

Mechanisms of analgesic efficacy related to motor cortex stimulation (MCS) remain poorly understood. Specifically, it is unclear whether pain relief is somatotopically driven or not. We present three illustrative case-reports of MCS in which unintentional stimulation setting errors occurred, leading to differential (and reversible) pain relief outcomes across the hemi-body.

Itch is the commonest skin-related symptom, associated with a high psychosocial and economic burden. While the main focus of itch research lies on a few chronic skin diseases, only little is known about the perception of itch, itch-aggravating/-relieving factors and treatment preferences in patients with acute and chronic itch of various etiology. In this cross-sectional study we assessed these aspects in 126 patients (mean age 61.7 ±18.4 years, 67 females, median itch duration 3.9 years) using a 78-item questionnaire. The diseases were categorised into 11 diagnostic groups for descriptive analysis, the three most frequent groups ("Atopic dermatitis"; "Non-atopic eczema"; "Inflammatory dermatoses") were statistically compared. Itch was most often perceived as localised 42.9%, burning (40.5%) and worrying (39.7%) with worsening in the evening (49.2%), due to warmth (42.1%) and sweating (26.2%). Whilst itch perception, itch-aggravating factors and treatment preferences differed broadly amongst patients, the itch-relieving personal strategies were more uniform ("scratching by hand 70.6%, applying topicals 57.9%). 69.8% of patients suffered from itch-related sleep disturbance, consequently affecting their relatives in 30.0%. Subgroup comparisons revealed significant differences regarding itch-aggravating factors (p=0.0012) and itch duration (p=0.0082). Patients rated the antipruritic effectiveness of phototherapy, "Complementary & alternative medicine" and "Other tablets" as high, but oral antihistamines, "Cortisone tablets" and any topical as only moderately efficacious. The preferred administration of an ideal itch treatment was "Creams/ointments" (51.6%) or "Tablets" (35.7%), only few patients preferred "injections" or "patches". Consideration of such differences and similarities in itch characteristics and treatment preferences could help to better tailor treatment in itch patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Postoperative analgesia after corrective surgery of pediatric craniosynostosis is crucial in terms of short- and long-term outcomes. The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an analgesic technique based on the scalp block versus traditional pharmacological approach.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm which can lead to massive splenomegaly secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis. Patients frequently exhibit debilitating symptoms including pain and early satiety, in addition to cellular sequestration causing severe cytopenias. JAK 1/2 inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib and fedratinib, are the mainstay of therapy and produce significant and durable reductions in spleen volume. However, many patients are not eligible for JAK 2 inhibitor therapy or become refractory to treatment over time. Novel therapies are in development that can reduce the degree of splenomegaly for some of these patients. However, splenectomy, splenic irradiation, and partial splenic artery embolization remain valuable therapeutic options in select patients. In this review, we will discuss currently available pharmacologic therapies and describe promising drugs currently in development. We will also delve into the efficacy and safety concerns of splenectomy, splenic irradiation, and partial splenic artery embolization. Finally, we will propose a treatment algorithm to help guide clinicians in the management of symptomatic splenomegaly in patients with MF.