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Exergames are non-immersive versions of virtual reality that involve physical exercise and have shown several benefits on physical fitness and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. However, the effects on brain dynamics are still unknown.
Learn More >We aimed to compare serum biomarkers of inflammation, redox status and cartilage degradation between chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients with and without Modic 1 changes. We used a convenience sample of patients recruited from a single center, case-control study, conducted in a tertiary care center. From December, 2014 to May, 2016, 2,292 patients were consecutively screened, 34 met inclusion criteria and were prospectively enrolled in the present study. Cases (n = 13) were defined as patients with Modic 1 changes detected on MRI and controls (n = 21) as cLBP patients without (Modic 0). To assess serum biomarkers of inflammation, redox status and cartilage degradation, fasting serum samples were collected in a standardized manner and analyzed by immunoassays and spectrophotometry. Mean (95% CI) age was 44.1 (40.0-48.1) years and mean LBP duration was 72.5 (53.0-91.9) months. Serum biomarkers of inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α), redox status (total thiols, advanced oxidation protein products and carbonyl groups) and cartilage degradation (Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO) did not differ between cLBP patients with and without Modic 1 changes. In summary, we did not find any differences in serum biomarkers between cLBP patients with and without Modic 1 changes. Interpretation is limited by convenience sampling and small sample size.
Learn More >Several studies have investigated white matter with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in those suffering from headache, but so far only in clinic based samples and with conflicting results.
Learn More >Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures. The incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain (CPTP) is up to 50%. Paravertebral blockade (PVB) may be superior to thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) in preventing CPTP. The specific objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to determine whether PVB at thoracotomy is more effective in reducing CPTP compared with TEB.
Learn More >The migraine brain seems to undergo cyclic fluctuations of sensory processing. For instance, during the preictal phase, migraineurs experience symptoms and signs of altered pain perception as well as other well-known premonitory CNS-symptoms. In the present study we measured EEG-activation to non-painful motor and sensorimotor tasks in the different phases of the migraine cycle by longitudinal measurements of beta event related desynchronization (beta-ERD).
Learn More >Herpes zoster, a frequent complication following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), is associated with significant morbidity. A nonlive adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine has been developed to prevent posttransplantation zoster.
Learn More >The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal approach to treating chronic low back pain.
Learn More >Many women with endometriosis continue to have pelvic pain despite optimal surgical and hormonal treatment; some also have palpable pelvic floor muscle spasm. We describe changes in pain, spasm, and disability after pelvic muscle onabotulinumtoxinA injection in women with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain, a specific population not addressed in prior pelvic pain studies on botulinum toxin.
Learn More >Scratching Counteracts IL-13 Signaling by Upregulating the Decoy Receptor IL-13Rα2 in Keratinocytes.
The vicious itch-scratch cycle is a cardinal feature of atopic dermatitis (AD), in which IL-13 signaling plays a dominant role. Keratinocytes express two receptors: The heterodimeric IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2. The former one transduces a functional IL-13 signal, whereas the latter IL-13Rα2 works as a nonfunctional decoy receptor. To examine whether scratch injury affects the expression of IL-4Rα, IL-13Rα1, and IL-13Rα2, we scratched confluent keratinocyte sheets and examined the expression of three IL-13 receptors using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence techniques. Scratch injuries significantly upregulated the expression of in a scratch line number-dependent manner. Scratch-induced upregulation was synergistically enhanced in the simultaneous presence of IL-13. In contrast, scratch injuries did not alter the expression of and , even in the presence of IL-13. Scratch-induced expression was dependent on ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signals. The expression of IL-13Rα2 protein was indeed augmented in the scratch edge area and was also overexpressed in lichenified lesional AD skin. IL-13 inhibited the expression of involucrin, an important epidermal terminal differentiation molecule. IL-13-mediated downregulation of involucrin was attenuated in IL-13Rα2-overexpressed keratinocytes, confirming the decoy function of IL-13Rα2. Our findings indicate that scratching upregulates the expression of the IL-13 decoy receptor IL-13Rα2 and counteracts IL-13 signaling.
Learn More >We hypothesized that patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) would describe a more negative pain phenotype including higher pain severity, more neuropathic pain descriptors, more centralized pain symptoms, poorer physical function, and more affective distress when compared with patients with neuropathic pain of the extremities not meeting CRPS criteria.
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