European journal of pain : EJP
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The neuropeptide FF system is thought to act as an anti-opioid modulator and plays a role in nociception, morphine antinociception and dependence. Two receptor subtypes, NPFFR1 and NPFFR2, have been identified, but their respective roles in these processes remain uncertain. ⋯ Our results suggest that neuropeptide FF R2 is mainly involved in the modulation of nociception and tolerance to morphine antinociception.
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Comparative Study
Pain and pain tolerance in whiplash-associated disorders: A population-based study.
Pain is a cardinal symptom in individuals with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). We aimed to compare pain characteristics between individuals with WAD and individuals reporting chronic pain from other causes, and to determine whether potential differences were accounted for by experimental pain tolerance. ⋯ Individuals with WAD report more additional causes of pain, more painful locations and higher pain intensity than individuals with chronic pain from other causes. The increased pain reporting was not accounted for by pain tolerance.
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After the introduction of instruments for benchmarking, certification and a national guideline for acute pain management, the aim of this study was to describe the current structure, processes and quality of German acute pain services (APS). ⋯ The availability of APS in Germany and other countries has increased over the last decade; however, the quality of nearly half of the APS is questionable. Against the disillusioning background of recently reported unfavourable pain-related patient outcomes, the structures, organization and quality of APS should be revisited.
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Pain is hardwired to signal threat and tissue damage and therefore automatically attracts attention to initiate withdrawal or defensive behaviour. This well-known interruptive function of pain interferes with cognitive functioning and is modulated by bottom-up and top-down variables. Here, we applied predictable or unpredictable painful heat stimuli simultaneously to the presentation of neutral images to investigate (I) whether the predictability of pain modulated its effect on the encoding of images (episodic memory) and (II) whether subjects remember that certain images have been previously presented with pain (source memory). ⋯ Targeting negative expectations and a maladaptive attentional bias for pain-related material might help reducing frequently reported pain-induced cognitive impairments.
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Very preterm infants are exposed to adverse stressful experiences, which may result in long-term behavioural outcomes. The developmental care practices, including pain management and environmental support, can minimize the effects of stress exposure. However, developmental care quality levels may vary among Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and little is known about how differences in developmental care quality affect long-term behavioural outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between quality levels NICUs developmental care and behaviour problems at 18 months corrected age in preterm children. ⋯ Findings suggest that higher quality of developmental care related to infant pain management can mitigate behavioural problems at 18 months in children born preterm, to such an extent that preterm children exhibit a behavioural profile similar to that displayed by full-term children.