痛情绪相关神经递质及神经环路研究进展＊

痛情绪是指因疼痛引发的情绪和情感体验，是疾病过程中最常见的一种情绪。痛情绪相关神经机制非常复杂，但主要与单胺类神经递质、神经肽和某些神经环路有关，笔者将结合目前研究现状分别从以上两方面展开，就痛情绪相关单胺类神经递质和神经肽在受体分类、脑区通路、共疾病以及各神经递质之间的联系和痛情绪相关神经环路中各个蛋白的作用机制等方面进行探讨。     

Immediate effects of rhythmic joint mobilization of the temporomandibular joint on pain,mouth opening and electromyographic activity in patients with temporomandibular disorders

BackgroundRhythmic joint mobilizations (RJM) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are employed to relieve pain and improve function in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the evidence on the immediate effects of RJM in patients with TMD is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate clinical and functional effects of RJM in patients with TMD.Materials and methodsThis was a one-group quasi-experimental before and after study. Thirty-eight patients with TMD were assessed by means of pain intensity (visual analogue score, VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT, measured through pressure algometry on the masseter and temporal muscles), mouth opening (MO, measured with a ruler), and surface electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporal muscles (asymmetry index, AI). Measurements were performed before and after a single, 1-min session of RJM of each TMJ. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS version 20.0 statistical package.ResultsA statistical significant difference was found in pain intensity, PPT and MO after the intervention (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the AI. A large effect size was observed for pain intensity, PPT of the left and right masseter muscles and MO (d = 0.85–1.13), whereas for the left and right temporal muscles the effect size was moderate (d = 0.62) and small, respectively (d = 0.49).ConclusionIn this sample of patients with TMD, a single session of RJM of the TMJ seemed to be effective in reducing pain intensity, increasing PPT and improving MO immediately after the intervention, without differences in the AI.     

New frontiers in applied veterinary point‐of‐capture diagnostics: Toward early detection and control of zoonotic influenza

Among the chief limitations in achieving early detection and control of animal‐origin influenza of pandemic potential in high‐risk livestock populations is the existing lag time between sample collection and diagnostic result. Advances in molecular diagnostics are permitting deployment of affordable, rapid, highly sensitive, and specific point‐of‐capture assays, providing opportunities for targeted surveillance driving containment strategies with potentially compelling returns on investment. Interrupting disease transmission at source holds promise of disrupting cycles of animal‐origin influenza incursion to endemicity and limiting impact on animal production, food security, and public health. Adoption of new point‐of‐capture diagnostics should be undertaken in the context of promoting robust veterinary services systems and parallel support for operationalizing pre‐authorized plans and communication strategies that will ensure that the full potential of these new platforms is realized.     

Dry eye signs and symptoms in aromatase inhibitor treatment and the relationship with pain

PurposeAromatase inhibitors (AIs) limit the synthesis of oestrogen in peripheral tissues thus lowering levels of oestrogen. The primary aim was to evaluate whether women treated with AIs have altered dry eye symptoms and signs. A sub-aim was to investigate whether symptoms of dry eye in postmenopausal women were associated with symptoms of non-eye pain, ocular pain and self-rated pain perception.MethodsThis cross-sectional, observational, single visit study recruited 56 postmenopausal women (mean age 64.1 + 7.9 years) and 52 undergoing AI treatment (mean age 66.6 + 9.0). Ocular symptoms (OSDI, MGD14) and pain questionnaires (PSQ, OPAS) were administered and signs of dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction were evaluated.ResultsAlmost half of each group reported dry eye symptoms, defined as OSDI>12 (48% control, 46% AI). The PSQ score was significantly higher in the AI group (p = 0.04). Neither frequency or severity of dry eye (or MGD) symptoms scores were significantly different between groups. In the AI group, meibomian gland expressibility score was worse (p = 0.003); there were no differences in any other signs. Higher OSDI scores were associated with higher OPAS eye-pain scores (r = 0.49, p < 0.001), but not OPAS non-eye pain (r = 0.09, p = 0.35). Pain perception (PSQ) showed a moderate positive association with OPAS eye-pain (r = 0.30, p = 0.003).ConclusionsIn this study elevated ocular symptoms were observed in both the AI treated and the untreated groups, with no difference between the groups. Women undergoing AI treatment for early stage breast cancer had worse meibum expressibility score and increased pain perception compared to an untreated group of women.     

Bonding to industrial indirect composite blocks: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of surface conditioning methods on the bond strength of industrial indirect composite blocks (ICs).MethodsBased on the PICOS strategy, the Medline via PubMed, Embase and Web of Science (ISI – Web of Knowledge) electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles in both English and Chinese, with no publication year limit. In vitro studies evaluating the effects of surface conditioning on the bond strength of ICs were selected. The meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the mean difference between surface-conditioned ICs and unconditioned controls. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the different surface conditioning methods, separately for polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) material and the ICs with dispersed fillers (ICDFs). Meta-analyses were performed with a random-effects model at a significance level of 0.05.Results and SignificanceFrom 802 relevant studies, 25 were selected for full-text analysis. Nineteen studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, whereas 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis. A manual search of the principal periodicals specific to the area resulted in no additional articles. The meta-analysis indicated a significant difference in bond strength between the surface-conditioned ICs and controls under both non-aged and aged conditions. The combination of mechanical and chemical conditioning yielded the highest bond strength of ICs. This meta-analysis suggests that chemical etching followed by a universal primer and alumina air abrasion followed by a silane coupling agent could be considered the best strategy for optimizing the bond strength of PICN materials and ICDFs under aged conditions, respectively.