European journal of pain : EJP
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We have previously reported that intrathecal (i.t.) implantation of bovine chromaffin cells has an anti-allodynic effect in a rat model of mechanical and cold allodynia-like neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. The technique of encapsulation of the cells by a semipermeable membrane has been developed recently. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of encapsulated bovine chromaffin cells on the allodynia-like pain in the same model. ⋯ The results indicate that spinal implantation of encapsulated xenogeneic chromaffin cells may be useful in treating some refractory painful states associated with spinal cord injury. Immunoisolation of chromaffin cells by a semipermeable membrane may inhibit immunorejection, prolong the survival of the cells and enhance their anti-allodynic effect. Copyright 1998 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.
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The characteristics of chest pain due to suspected acute myocardial infarction and morphine use during the first 3 hospital days are described in a population of 2988 consecutive patients admitted to hospital. The duration of pain was usually less than 24 h (mean 20.9+/-0.55 h), and only 24.8% of patients experienced chest pain of longer duration. The majority of patients had only one attack of pain, but 34.4% experienced four or more attacks during hospitalization. ⋯ When intravenous morphine is given, it attains full effect 20 min after injection. Furthermore, the active morphine metabolites M3G and M6G appear rapidly in the circulation, which could influence the analgesic response to morphine treatment. Copyright 1998 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.
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Temporal summation of pain is suggested to be an important factor during various clinical conditions. Controversies exist as to whether temporal summation exists for Adeltafibre-mediated first pain. The aim of the present human experimental study was to investigate the importance of stimulus configuration (intensity, inter-pulse interval, location) for temporal summation of radiant (laser)- and contact-heat-induced pain. ⋯ Taking the latency from stimulation to perception into consideration, we were able to differentiate and find summation of first (Adeltafibre-mediated) and second pain (C fibre-mediated). Summation of first pain was more pronounced for high (38 degrees C) than for low (30-32 degrees C) baseline temperature. Copyright 1998 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.
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Surveys show consistently that pain is not treated well. Improvement depends on knowing which treatments are the most effective. We used systematic review to compare the relative efficacy of two common analgesics, ibuprofen and diclofenac, in post-operative pain. ⋯ Both drugs worked well. Choosing between them is an issue of dose, safety and cost. Copyright 1998 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.