(J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;240:420-426)”
“Measurements of the temperature dependence of transmission have been carried out on AlInN thin films grown by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering on (0001) sapphire substrates. By following a detailed procedure developed for analyzing the transmission spectra, we obtained more reliable data for the effects of temperature on the optical properties of AlInN. Two sets of temperature and photon-energy dependence of empirical formulas have been established for the absorption coefficient, bandgap, Urbach bandtail, and

refractive C59 mouse index, which not only unify various experimental data reported in the literature but also provide a database of the optical properties of AlInN based on experimental results. It was found that the shift in the temperature dependence of the bandgap increases with the Al content and that the Urbach bandtail parameter is closely related to the structural characteristics of the AlInN thin films. These optical properties

provide an experimental basis for further theoretical investigation and the design of AlInN-based devices.”
“Background: Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a new technique for visualizing a current distribution in the myocardium. In recent years, current distribution parameters (CDPs) have been developed based on the distribution. The CDPs reflect spatial-time current abnormalities in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the criteria and scoring CA3 in vitro method of the abnormalities using CDPs are still controversial.

Method: We measured MCG signals for 101 normal controls and 56 CHD patients (single-, double-, and triple-vessel diseases) using a MCG system. The CDPs (maximum current vector [MCV], total current vector [TCV], current integral map, and current rotation) during

ventricular repolarization were analyzed. To evaluate the CDPs that are effective in distinguishing between normal controls and CHD patients, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (A(z)) are calculated. Furthermore, the total scores (“”0″” to “”4″”) of four CDPs with high NSC 23766 A(z) values are also calculated.

Results: MCV and TCV angles at the T-wave peak had the highest A(z) value. Furthermore, TCV angular differences between the ST-T segment also had high A(z) values. Using the four CDPs, the averaged total score for patients with triple-vessel disease was the highest (“”2.67″”) compared to the other groups (normal controls: 0.53). Furthermore, based on the assumption that subjects with a total score over “”1″” were suspected of having CHD, sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 74.3%, respectively.

Conclusion: We concluded that the score and criteria using MCV and TCV during repolarization in CHD patients can reflect lesion areas and time changes of electrical activation dispersion due to ischemia.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A total

of 788 patients with relatively normal baseline serum creatinine (< 1.5 mg/dL) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were prospectively enrolled and divided into a hyperuricemic group (n = 211) and a normouricemic group (n = 577). Hyperuricemia is defined as a serum uric acid level > 7 mg/dL in males and > 6 mg/dL in females. The incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury was significantly higher in the hyperuricemic group than in the normouricemic group (8.1% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality and the need for renal replacement therapy were significantly higher in the hyperuricemic group. According to a multivariate analysis (adjusting for potential confounding factors) the odds ratio for contrast-induced acute AZD6738 manufacturer kidney injury in the hyperuricemic group was 5.38 (95% confidence interval,

1.99-14.58; p = 0.001) compared with the normouricemic group. The other risk factors for contrast-induced acute kidney injury included age > 75 years, emergent percutaneous coronary intervention, diuretic usage and the need for an intra-aortic balloon pump.

CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with relatively normal serum creatinine after percutaneous coronary interventions. This observation will help to generate hypotheses for further prospective trials examining the effect of uric acid-lowering therapies for preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury.”
“In organic food industry no chemical additives can be used to prevent microbial spoilage. Selleck eFT508 As a consequence, the essential oils (EOs) obtained from aromatic herbs and spices are gaining interest for their potential as preservatives.

The EOs of Thymus zygis, Thymus mastichina, Thymus capitatus and Thymus vulgaris obtained from organic growth, were chemically analyzed and identified by GC and GC-MS, while the agar disk diffusion and microdilution assays were used to determine their antibacterial activity. In T. mastichina EO the major compound was 1,8-cineole (51.94%) whilst in T. zygis EO the main constituent was thymol (48.59%). T. capitatus EO was AZD4547 mw characterized by high content in carvacrol (69.83%). Finally, T. vulgaris EO had a high content of linaool (44.00%).

The agar disk diffusion assay, T. zygis and T. capitatus EOs showed inhibitory effects against the ten tested bacteria, while T. matichina and T. vulgaris had inhibitory effects against eight and seven tested bacteria, respectively. T. zygis and T. capitatus EOs had higher inhibition halos against all tested bacteria, at higher concentration (40 mu L), than T. matichina and T. vulgaris EOs. The microdilution assay, T. mastichina EO had a MIC values ranging between 3.75 and 7.5 mu L/mL. Whilst in the case of T. zygis, T. capitatus and T. vulgaris EOs the MIC values ranged between 1.87 and 7.

Sequential MR imaging and T1 and T2 measurements, as well

as measurements of functional changes, were obtained over a 70-day follow-up period, with histologic assessments performed at regular intervals. Signal abnormalities and the time course of T1 and T2 values were observed in the proximal, traction, and distal portions of the injured nerves and the sham-operated nerves, and were compared with each other.

Results: Nerves with acute traction injury showed visible hyperintense signals on T2-weighted images and had prolonged T1 and T2 values. Differences of T1 and T2 values were dependent on the sites along the same injured nerve, with the most pronounced and prolonged phase of T1 and T2 increases (peak values of 1333 msec +/- 46 and 79 msec 6 +/- 3.7, respectively) observed in the most severely damaged portion of the injured nerve. T1 and T2 values and functional changes after nerve injury Citarinostat datasheet showed a similar time course. A return of T1 and T2 signals to normal values correlated with functional improvement.

Conclusion: MR imaging could be used to help predict the degree of nerve damage and monitor the process of nerve recovery in acute peripheral nerve traction injury. (C) RSNA,

2010″
“We present a case of cardiac device-related Aspergillus endocarditis in a patient with a pacemaker and an allogeneic bone marrow transplant to segue into a review of the Aspergillus endocarditis literature. Aspergillus endocarditis should be suspected in patients with underlying immunosuppression, PD-L1 inhibitor negative cultures, and a vegetation on echocardiography. Diagnosis ultimately requires confirmation by tissue histology and culture. The optimal treatment approach often requires aggressive surgical debridement in conjunction with prolonged antifungal therapy. (C) 2010 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose: To investigate the cause of reduced vertebral perfusion in a rat ovariectomy model.

Materials and Methods: Experimental protocol was approved by the local Animal Experiment Ethics Committee. Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley

rats were studied. Computed tomographic bone densitometry and magnetic resonance perfusion imaging were performed at baseline and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after ovariectomy (n = 11) or sham surgery (n = selleck chemicals 11). Perfusion parameters analyzed were maximum enhancement (E(max)) and enhancement slope (E(slope)). After the animals were sacrificed, the aorta and femoral artery were analyzed for vessel reactivity, and the lumbar vertebrae were analyzed for marrow content.

Results: In control rats, bone mineral density (BMD), E(max), and E(slope) remained constant. In ovariectomy rats, a comparable reduction in BMD and the perfusion parameters at two weeks post-ovariectomy (BMD, 9.3%; E(max), 11.6%; E(slope), 9%) was seen 2 weeks after ovariectomy, and further reductions were seen 4 weeks (BMD, 17.5%; E(max), 15.6%; E(slope), 33%) and 8 weeks (BMD, 18.8%; E(max), 14.

HMGB1 from applied nucleus pulposus and actively secreted from macrophages would act as a proinflammatory

mediator together with proinflammatory cytokines. HMGB1 blocking therapy might become a new treatment method for neuropathic pain.”
“Background: Consumption of 3 g oat beta-glucan/d is considered sufficient to lower serum LDL cholesterol, but some studies have shown no effect. LDL cholesterol lowering by oat beta-glucan may depend on viscosity, which is controlled by the molecular weight (MW) and amount of oat beta-glucan solubilized in the intestine (C).

Objectives: Our 2 primary objectives were to determine whether consumption of 3 g high-MW oat beta-glucan/d would reduce LDL cholesterol and whether LDL cholesterol lowering was related to the log(MW x C) of oat beta-glucan.

Design: Bafilomycin A1 ic50 In a double-blind, parallel-design, multicenter clinical trial, subjects with LDL cholesterol >= 3.0 and <= 5.0 mmol/L (n = 786 screened, n = 400 ineligible, n = 19 refused, n = 367 enrolled, and n = 345 completed) were randomly assigned to receive cereal containing wheat fiber (n = 87) or 3 g high-MW (2,210,000 g/mol, n = 86), 4 g medium-MW (850,000 LBH589 research buy g/mol, n = 67), 3 g medium-MW

(530,000 g/mol, n = 64), or 4 g low-MW (210,000 g/mol, n = 63) oat beta-glucan/d (divided doses, twice daily) for 4 wk.

Results: LDL cholesterol was significantly less with 3 g high-MW, 4 g medium-MW, and 3 g medium-MW oat beta-glucan cereals than with the wheat-fiber cereal by 0.21 (5.5%; 95% CI: -0.11, -0.30; P = 0.002), 0.26 (6.5%; 95% CI: -0.14, -0.37; P = 0.0007), and 0.19 (4.7%; 95% CI: -0.08, -0.30; P = 0.01) mmol/L, respectively. However, the effect of

4 g low-MW oat beta-glucan/d (0.10 mmol/L) was not significant (2.3%; 95% CI: 0.02, -0.20). By analysis of https://www.sellecn.cn/products/BKM-120.html covariance, log(MW x C) was a significant determinant of LDL cholesterol (P = 0.003). Treatment effects were not significantly influenced by age, sex, study center, or baseline LDL cholesterol.

Conclusions: The physicochemical properties of oat beta-glucan should be considered when assessing the cholesterol-lowering ability of oat-containing products; an extruded breakfast cereal containing 3 g oat beta-glucan/d with a high-MW (2,210,000 g/mol) or a medium-MW (530,000 g/mol) lowered LDL cholesterol similarly by approximate to 0.2 mmol/L (5%), but efficacy was reduced by 50% when MW was reduced to 210,000 g/mol. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00981981. Am J Clin Nutr 2010;92:723 32.”
“This multicenter, open, phase IIIb study assessed short-term efficacy, safety and dose adjustments in adult stable renal transplant recipients converted from tacrolimus twice-daily (BID) to once-daily (QD). Patients receiving unchanged tacrolimus BID for >= 12 weeks were enrolled, and after 6-weeks, converted from tacrolimus BID to QD (morning dose) on a 1 : 1 (mg : mg) total daily dose basis, for a further 12 weeks.

They were distributed into two groups: Group I (test) – 50 patients evidently HIV+, from whom information was collected and analyzed regarding age, gender, skin color, habits, general and oral diseases, levels of T-CD4 lymphocytes, viral load and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); and Group II – (control) 50 HIV- patients, from whom information was collected and analyzed regarding age, gender, skin color, habits, general and oral diseases. In both groups, measurement of salivary flow, pH and buffer capacity was made. Group I presented high MDF, bacteria plaque and bleeding, with a greater susceptibility to the SB203580 inhibitor risks of oral cavities and periodontal disease. The salivary flow and the buffering capacity

of the saliva were low, indicating a high level of xerostomy. Two important modifying factors influence these pathologies in an incisive way: one is immunossuppression and the other is HAART therapy. The control exhibited results that are closer to normality; it had better oral-health conditions.”
“Objective: Pneumolabyrinth resulting from temporal bone trauma and stapes luxation has been associated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The principal purpose of this

study was to determine the incidence and volume of pneumolabyrinth after stapedotomy in which iatrogenic perilymphatic fistula is created and to also correlate this with possible hearing loss and vertigo.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patients and Methods: Fifty

stapedotomy learn more selleck inhibitor patients were operated on for otosclerosis, and of those 50, 20 underwent high-resolution computed tomography (CT) on the first day, 10 on the third day, and 20 on the seventh day. The patients followed up regarding SNHL and vertigo that could develop postoperatively, and the correlation of such complications with HRCT findings was examined.

Results: The 20 patients who had high-resolution CT (HRCT) on the first day all presented with pneumolabyrinth, and none of the 20 patients who underwent HRCT on the seventh day had pneumolabyrinth. Postoperatively, 92% of the patients had less than 20 dBand 62% had less than 10 dBair-bone gap. None of the patients had SNHL or persistent vertigo. There was no correlation between pneumolabyrinth and hearing loss or vertigo.

Conclusion: Pneumolabyrinth is a radiological sign of perilymphatic fistula and has no effect on sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo. Observing pneumolabyrinth during the early postoperative stage should not necessarily implicate a complication; however, pneumolabyrinth after the first week supported with the clinical symptoms of perilymphatic fistula would be a meaningful finding.”
“The plasticity of natural immunoglobulin repertoires can be exploited for the generation of phage display libraries. Secondary lymphoid organs, such as the spleen and the lymph nodes, constitute interesting sources of diversity because they are rich in B cells, part of which can be affinity matured.

Further the linear temperature dependence of the critical current (I-c) and the well defined Fraunhofer-type pattern of I-c versus the applied magnetic field, rules out any flux flow behavior and firmly establishes Josephson effect in the constant

thickness nanoconstriction type junction. The temperature dependence of I-c is again linear in the variable thickness bridge. However the magnetic field dependence of I-c did not show Fraunhofer-type pattern, possibly due to averaging effects. We believe that the observed low field dependence of I-c in these nanobridges allows one to tune the Josephson energy by small applied fields, making these nanojunctions useful for quantum applications like qubits. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3481425]“
“Objective. JAK inhibition selleck products Our hypothesis is that increased apoptosis

in synovium might contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) degeneration. To investigate this, we measured soluble Fas (sFas) and nuclear matrix protein (NMP) levels in TMJ synovial fluid from patients with disc displacement without reduction as indicators of apoptosis in the synovium.

Patients and methods. Synovial fluid was obtained from 17 joints in 17 patients (11 female, 6 male; mean age, 31.5 +/- 11.9 years; range, 19 to 55). Patients were referred to our clinic because of limited mouth opening, joint sounds, or TMJ pain. Synovial fluid obtained by arthrocentesis for therapeutic reasons was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for APO-1/Fas and cell death detection (NMP).

Results. We studied 12 left (71%) and 5 right (29%) joints with disc displacement without reduction. The chief complaint was pain on the affected side and limited mouth opening. Only 2 patients had a click in the affected DZNeP chemical structure joint, whereas 14 reported pain and 17 had the limited mouth opening. All patients

experienced a significant (P<.01) increase in maximal mouth opening immediately after arthrocentesis. Mean sFas and NMP levels were 484.9 +/- 466.7 pg/mL (range, 17 to 1501) and 29.2 +/- 13.7 U/mL (range, 8 to 52.8) respectively.

Conclusion. Considering reports that increased sFas blocks apoptosis by inhibiting binding of FasL to Fas on the cell membrane, low level of sFas in our patients’ synovial fluid (compared with amounts reported in joint inflammation or degeneration) suggests vulnerability to apoptosis in patients with internal derangement. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009;108:693-698)”
“We have determined “”effective”" Bethe coefficients and the mean excitation energy of stopping theory (I-value) for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bundles based on a sum-rule constrained optical-data model energy loss function with improved asymptotic properties. Noticeable differences between MWCNTs, SWCNT bundles, and the three allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, glassy carbon) are found.

We suggest cautious administration of HES during neurosurgery.”
“Objective: To perform a systematic review of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm or peripheral vascular disease requiring surgery.

Methods: Review methods and reporting were according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were eligible if they reported CPET-derived physiological parameters in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

or lower extremity arterial bypass. Data were extracted Torin 2 mw regarding patient populations and correlation between CPET and surgical outcomes including mortality, morbidity, critical care bed usage and length of hospital stay.

Results: The searches identified 1301 articles. Although 53 abstracts referred to the index vascular procedures, only seven articles met inclusion criteria. There were no data from randomised controlled trials. Data from prospective studies did Alisertib cost not comprehensively correlate CPET and surgical outcomes in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. There were no studies reporting CPET in patients undergoing lower extremity arterial bypass. Major limitations included small sample sizes, lack of blinding, and an absence of reporting standards.

Conclusion: The paucity of robust data precludes routine adoption of CPET in risk stratifying patients undergoing major vascular surgery. The use of CPET should be restricted to clinical

trials and experimental registries, reporting to consensus-defined standards. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Vascular Surgery. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose Postoperative delirium is a recognized complication in populations at risk. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of early postoperative delirium in a population without known risk factors KU-57788 mouse admitted to the ICU for postoperative monitoring after elective

major surgery. The secondary outcome investigated is to identify eventual independent risk factors among demographic data and anesthetic drugs used.

Methods An observational, prospective study was conducted on a consecutive cohort of patients admitted to our ICU within and for at least 24 h after major surgical procedures. Exclusion criteria were any preexisting predisposing factor for delirium or other potentially confounding neurological dysfunctions. Patients were assessed daily using the confusion assessment method for the ICU scale for 3 days after the surgical procedure. Early postoperative delirium incidence risk factors were then assessed through three different multiple regression models.

Results According to the confusion assessment method for the ICU scale, 28 % of patients were diagnosed with early postoperative delirium. The use of thiopentone was significantly associated with an eight-fold-higher risk for delirium compared to propofol (57.1 % vs. 7.1 %, RR = 8.0, chi (2) = 4.256; df = 1; 0.05 < p < 0.02).

We report on a 20-year-old Caucasian man with psoriatic arthritis who developed multiple eruptive periungual and subungual pyogenic granulomas following

treatment with TNF- antagonist etanercept.”
“Opinions have varied find more regarding the optimal treatment of an unstable Hangman’s fracture. C2 pedicle screw instrumentation is a biomechanically strong fixation which although done through a simple posterior approach, is a technically demanding procedure. This prospective, non-randomized multicentre study included 15 consecutive patients with displaced type II traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis. There were nine males and six females with a mean age of 37 years at surgery. The cause of injury was a road traffic accident in 11 patients and a fall from height in 4 patients. All patients had a single stage reduction and direct transpedicular screw fixation

through the C2 pedicles. During follow-up, clinical evaluation and plain X-rays were performed at each visit; at 6-month follow-up, additional dynamic lateral flexion/extension views and a CT scan were performed. The average follow-up period was 32 months (range 25-56 months). At final follow-up, Belinostat ic50 all patients were asymptomatic and regained a good functional outcome with no limitation of range of motion; all the patients showed solid union with no implant failure. There were no neurological complications. At 6-month follow-up, CT evaluation showed fusion in all patients and an adequate position of 28 screws. Two pedicle screws (6.6%) showed minimal (defined as < 2 mm) intrusion; one into the

spinal canal and the other into the vertebral foreamen. Transpedicular BI2536 screw fixation through the C2 pedicles is a safe and effective method in treating type II traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis resulting in good clinical and radiological outcomes. Adequate reduction was achieved and motion segments were preserved with its use.”
“The primary trigger to periodic limb movement (PLM) during sleep is still unknown. Its association with the restless legs syndrome (RLS) is established in humans and was reported in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients classified by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) as A. Its pathogenesis has not been completely unraveled, though recent advances might enhance our knowledge about those malfunctions. PLM association with central pattern generator (CPG) is one of the possible pathologic mechanisms involved. This article reviewed the advances in PLM and RLS genetics, the evolution of CPG functioning, and the neurotransmitters involved in CPG, PLM and RLS. We have proposed that SCI might be a trigger to develop PLM.

In contrast, while ARF increased over time in other groups, the rates of rise were slower than in CABG patients. Among heart surgery procedures, ARF incidence is highest in heart transplantation. The incidence of ARF is also increasing at a faster Pexidartinib manufacturer rate in this group of patients in contrast

to other procedure groups when compared to CABG surgery. The disproportionate increase in ARF burden after heart transplantation is a concern due to its strong association with chronic kidney disease and mortality.”
“The effects of material and treatment parameters on airflow resistivity and normal-incidence sound absorption coefficient (NAC) of compressed three-layer nonwoven composites have been studied. Material parameters included fiber size and porosity, and treatment factors included applied pressure and duration of compression. Fibers used included poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polypropylene (PP), glassfiber, NVP-BGJ398 and hemp. Three-layered nonwoven composites were classified based on material content and fiber blend. LHL and PGP were sandwiched structures consisting of PLA/Hemp/PLA and PP/glassfiber/PP layers, respectively. PGI consisted of three layers of an intimate blend of PP and glassfiber.

Statistical models were developed to predict air flow resistivity from material parameters and the change in air flow resistivity from compression parameters. Independent variables in the first model were porosity and fiber size and, in the latter model, were compressibility, pressure, and initial material parameters. An increase in air flow resistivity was

found with increased compression. No significant effect of compression duration was detected. Two additional statistical models were developed for the prediction of sound absorption coefficient based on material and treatment parameters. The independent variables of the first model were air flow resistivity, thickness, and frequency, and those of the second model were compressibility, initial thickness, and initial density of the composite, diameter and density of the fiber, compression pressure, and frequency. A decrease in sound absorption coefficient was detected with increasing compression, while no effect of duration was detected. (C) 2011 GDC-0941 PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 2095-2106, 2012″
“Shugoshin is a conserved protein in eukaryotes that protects the centromeric cohesin of sister chromatids from cleavage by separase during meiosis. In this study, we identify the rice (Oryza sativa, 2n = 2x = 24) homolog of ZmSGO1 in maize (Zea mays), named OsSGO1. During both mitosis and meiosis, OsSGO1 is recruited from nucleoli onto centromeres at the onset of prophase. In the Tos17-insertional Ossgo1-1 mutant, centromeres of sister chromatids separate precociously from each other from metaphase I, which causes unequal chromosome segregation during meiosis II.

These medications, however, also commonly lower systemic blood pressure (BP). Low arterial BP in patients with chronic HF has been shown to be an independent predictor of increased mortality.

Given this apparent paradox in therapeutic goals (treat aggressively but keep BP from going too low), how low should we allow systemic BP to go as a result Of Our medication selleck inhibitor regimens before we compromise the proven benefits of such drug therapy? Or is the association between the BP-lowering effects of standard therapy and Outcomes in HF even meaningful clinically?

It

is from this perspective that the merits, potential clinical implications, and the relevant published literature pertaining to this patient and practice management issue will be discussed. (J Cardiac Fail 2009;15:101-107)”
“Prediction models for IVF can be used to identify couples that will benefit from IVF treatment. Currently there is only one prediction model with a good predictive performance that can be used for predicting pregnancy chances after IVF. That model was developed almost 15 years ago and since IVF has progressed substantially during the last two decades it is questionable whether the model is still valid in current clinical practice. The objective of this study was to validate the prediction model of Templeton for calculating pregnancy chances after IVF. The performance of the prediction model was assessed in terms of discrimination,

i.e. the area under the receiver selleck products operation characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration. Likely causes for miscalibration were evaluated by refitting the Templeton model to the study

data. The area under the ROC curve for GPCR Compound Library order the Templeton model was 0.61. Calibration showed a significant and systematic underestimation of success in IVF. Although the Templeton model can distinguish somewhat between women with a high and low success rate in IVF, it systematically underestimates pregnancy chances and has therefore no real value for current IVF practice. (C) 2011, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Clinically, neuropathic pain is frequent and intense following brachial plexus injury. It is thought that brachial plexus pain is not generated by avulsed roots, but rather by non-avulsed roots, since the avulsed root could not possibly transmit action potentials to central nerves. The aim of this study was to evaluate pain behavior and activation of sensory neurons in a brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) model in rats.

Fifteen male Wistar rats were used. In the BPA group, the C8-T1 roots were avulsed from the spinal cord with forceps at the lower trunk level (n = 5). In the na < ve group, rats did not receive any procedures (n = 5). In the sham-operated group, the lower trunk was simply exposed (n = 5). Mechanical hyperalgesia of forelimbs corresponding to C6 and C7 dermatomes was measured using von Frey filaments every third day for 3 weeks.