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The present study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness and suppression in the psychological and physiological experience of pain. Fifty-seven chronic pain patients responded to the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory and Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale. Then they were assigned to two groups to suppress or be mindful during the experience of invoked actual pain and participants in each of the two groups were assessed after their respective group intervention. They have reported their pain and distress by Numerical rate scores, and the biofeedback system has assessed their heart rate and the respiratory response. Each group had exposure to a massage device, with results recorded of both exposures to the device and participant psychological recovery (i.e. reporting of pain and distress scores) in the 48-h follow-up. The results showed that there were no differences between groups regarding reporting pain and distress scores immediately and after the 48-h follow-up. However, the mindfulness induction was accompanied by increased activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, and the suppression induction was accompanied by increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system in the cardiovascular and respiratory responses. Also, the suppression induction led to pain sensitivity in the muscular massage experience more than mindfulness induction. The present study provides new evidence for the rebound effects of suppression in revealing pain sensitivity and activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The suppression of pain and feelings increases pain tolerance, while more activation of the sympathetic nervous system leaves patients prone to greater pain sensitivity. Therefore, the induction of mindful attention, may positively alter both the process of developing and reducing chronic pain in patients., Author(s): Zoha Saeedi [sup.1] , Nima Ghorbani [sup.1] , Arista Shojaeddin [sup.2] , Mahdi Reza Sarafraz [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.46072.37, 0000 0004 0612 7950, Department of Psychology, University of [...]

Chronic pain is a massive and costly health problem (1-5) and among the main non-fatal causes of years lived with disability worldwide. (6) In the United States alone, an estimated [...]

Mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) is a critical relay of nociception. This study recorded responses of MD neurons to noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli in isoflurane anesthetized rats. We found the threshold of noxious mechanical stimulation was 141 gw and that of noxious heat stimulation was 46 [degrees]C. A significantly higher percentage of noxious inhibitory neurons were found in the medial and central part of the MD, whereas a higher percentage of noxious excitatory neurons were found in the lateral part of the MD and adjacent intralaminar nuclei. The differential distribution of excitatory and inhibitory neurons implies functional differentiation between the medial and lateral part of the MD in nociception processing. Furthermore, by an analysis of the stimulus-response function (SRF), we found 80% of these excitatory neurons had a step-function or hat-shape-like SRF. This suggests that most of the MD neurons may serve as a system to distinguish innocuous versus noxious stimuli. Keywords: Mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, Intralaminar thalamic nuclei, Stimulus-response function, Multiple single-unit recording, Author(s): Pen-Li Lu[sup.1], Meng-Li Tsai[sup.2], Fu-Shan Jaw[sup.1] and Chen-Tung Yen[sup.3] Introduction Mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) contains numerous nociceptive neurons [1]. They are mostly noxious-specific, containing a large receptive field including [...]

Monthly measurements of carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]), methane (C[H.sub.4]), and nitrous oxide ([N.sub.2]O) fluxes were made at 3 sites along a sequence of naturally regenerating Kunzea ericoides shrubland in New Zealand, consisting of unimproved pasture (UP), young (8-12 years) Kunzea trees (YK), and old (80 years) Kunzea trees (OK). The C[O.sub.2] flux at a base temperature of 10[degrees]C was highest at the OK site (0.51 g C[O.sub.2]/[m.sup.2].h) and lowest at the UP site (0.26 g C[O.sub.2]/[m.sup.2].h). Values of C[O.sub.2] flux were regulated by soil temperature ([T.sub.s]) throughout the year, and water availability modified the response to [T.sub.s] when root-zone water content, ([theta]), fell below 0.27-0.29 [m.sup.3]/[m.sup.3] in spring and summer. The soils were mostly C[H.sub.4] sinks, although there were net C[H.sub.4] emissions during wet periods at the YK site. The maximum C[H.sub.4] flux at the YK site was -49.7 [micro]g C[H.sub.4]/[m.sup.2].h compared with -33.4 [micro]g C[H.sub.4]/[m.sup.2].h for the UP (and -90.4 [micro]g C[H.sub.4]/[m.sup.2].h for OK), indicating the potential for rapid recovery of methanotrophic populations in the YK shrubland over 8-12 years. However, on an annual basis our data suggest that C[H.sub.4] oxidation rates decrease as land reverts from unimproved pasture to shrubland. Methane oxidation rates were strongly dependent on [theta] and only weakly dependent on [T.sub.s]. Measurements of [N.sub.2]O fluxes were below the minimum detectable limit throughout the year at the UP and YK sites, and low but dependent on both [T.sub.s] and [theta] at the OK site. Annual estimates of soil C[O.sub.2] flux were 39.9, 23.3, and 21.9 x [10.sup.3] kg C[O.sub.2]/ha.year at the OK, YK, and UP sites, respectively. All 3 sites were a net sink for C[H.sub.4], with the highest oxidation rate of -5.1 kg C[H.sub.4]/ha.year at the OK site compared with -1.52 kg C[H.sub.4]/ha.year at the UP site. On a C[O.sub.2]- equivalent basis, the OK site was a greater C[H.sub.4] sink (-127.3 kg C[O.sub.2]-e/ha.year) than a [N.sub.2]O source (77.5 kg C[O.sub.2]- e/ha.year), demonstrating the potential for soils to oxidise C[H.sub.4] with forest succession as a possible mitigation strategy for land managers to reduce net emissions. Additional keywords: carbon dioxide, methane, methane oxidation, respiration, nitrous oxide, land use change., Introduction The conversion of forest to pasture for grazing animals became widespread in New Zealand from the mid 19th century (Harding 2003). Indigenous shrubland species Kunzea ericoides var. ericoides (A. [...]

* Objective.--To review the current understanding of the pathophysiology of protein C deficiency and its role in congenital thrombophilia. Recommendations for diagnostic testing for protein C function and concentration, derived from the medical literature and consensus opinions of recognized experts in the field, are included, specifying whom, how, and when to test. The role of related proteins, such as thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor, is also reviewed. Data Sources.--Review of the published medical literature. Data Extraction and Synthesis.--A summary of the medical literature and proposed testing recommendations were prepared and presented at the College of American Pathologists Conference XXXVI: Diagnostic Issues in Thrombophilia. After discussion at the conference, consensus recommendations presented in this manuscript were accepted after a two-thirds majority vote by the participants. Conclusions.--Protein C deficiency is an uncommon genetic abnormality that may be a contributing cause of thrombophilia, often in conjunction with other genetic or acquired risk factors. When assay of protein C plasma levels is included in the laboratory evaluation of thrombophilia, a functional amidolytic protein C assay should be used for initial testing. The diagnosis of protein C deficiency should be established only after other acquired causes of protein C deficiency are excluded. A low protein C level should be confirmed with a subsequent assay on a new specimen. Antigenic protein C assays may be of benefit in subclassification of the type of protein C deficiency. The role of thrombomodulin and endothelial cell protein C receptor in thrombosis has yet to be clearly established, and diagnostic testing is not recommended at this time., Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein that plays an important role in the regulation of the hemostatic system, and deficiency of protein C has been associated with venous [...]

* Objective.--To review the role of acquired and inherited prothrombotic risk factors that increase the risk of thrombosis in oral contraceptive users, during pregnancy, and in neonates, infants, and children; and to determine by the consensus opinion of recognized experts in the field which risk factors should be determined in which individuals at which time. Data Sources.--Review of the medical literature and current clinical practice by a panel of experts in the field of thrombophilia. Data Extraction and Synthesis.--The experts made an extensive review of the published literature and prepared a draft manuscript, which included preliminary recommendations. The draft manuscript was circulated to participants in the College of American Pathologists Conference XXXVI: Diagnostic Issues in Thrombophilia prior to the conference. The manuscript and recommendations were then presented at the conference for discussion. Recommendations were accepted if a consensus of the 26 experts attending the conference was reached. The results of the discussion were used to revise the manuscript into its final form. Conclusions.--This report reviews the options for testing for thrombophilic states in women using oral contraceptives, during pregnancy, and in neonates and children. General guidelines for testing in these clinical situations are provided, along with citation of the appropriate supporting literature., This report focuses on diagnostic studies in thrombophilia related to pregnancy and its prevention by oral contraceptives, and in children. The discussion begins with the controversial issues related to thrombophilia [...]

Worldwide, almost 90% of the human food supply is provided by only 15 crop species and 8 livestock species, small numbers when compared with the estimated 10-30 million species inhabiting [...]

Byline: Jagdish. Sadasivan, Nanda. Maroju, Anandh. Balasubramaniam Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is among the most challenging surgical infections faced by a surgeon. The difficulty in managing this entity is due to [...]

Byline: N. Venkataramana Hydrocephalus is a common clinical problem seen in pediatric neurosurgical practice. Hydrocephalus involves dilatation of the cerebral ventricular system with corresponding, compressive effects on the parenchyma. It [...]

Byline: Radheshyam. Purkait, Tryambak. Samanta, Biswanath. Basu, Sutapa. Ganguly Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive, potentially fatal infection of the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue. It is rare in children. [...]

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic condition that consists of a pervasive set of unexplained physical symptoms with widespread pain (involving at least 3 of 4 body quadrants and axials) [...]

This study investigated [sup.15]N enrichment and nutrient cycling in hill country used for semi-extensive pastoral agriculture, at a site where pre-European seabird breeding occurred. Soil (0-15 cm) and plant samples were taken from 18 ridgeline and sideslope transects. Three stock camps (locations which grazing animals frequent) were identified within the study area, two on the ridgeline and one on the sideslope. Soil [sup.15]N enrichment was greatest at stock camps, and lowest where stock input was minimal. Soil natural abundance [sup.15]N ([Δ.sup.15]N) was therefore an index of stock nutrient inputs. Soil [Δ.sup.15]N increased with decreasing C:N ratio, consistent with N loss through volatilisation and/or nitrate leaching from net mineralisation. Plant [Δ.sup.15]N from stock camps was lower than its associated soil, implying that [sup.15]N enrichment of plant-available N was lower than that of total soil N. However, the correlation between plant [Δ.sup.15]N and soil [Δ.sup.15]N varied between stock camps, indicating differences in N cycling. Olsen P was higher at stock camps, although again differences were found between stock camps. Total P and N were correlated neither with stock camps nor topography, but were higher than expected from parent material concentrations and literature results, respectively. It is postulated that significant contributions of both elements from former seabird breeding remain in the soil. Additional keywords: C:N ratio, nitrogen, nitrogen-15, natural abundance, phosphorus, stock camping., Introduction Since human contact around 2000 years ago (Holdaway 1996), a series of environmental disturbances derived from human activity and natural events have occurred in New Zealand. Natural events include [...]

Objective. To describe a new national general pediatrics clerkship curriculum, the development process that built national support for its use, and current progress in implementing the curriculum in pediatric clerkships at US allopathic medical schools. Curriculum Development. A curriculum project team of pediatric clerkship directors and an advisory committee representing professional organizations invested in pediatric student education developed the format and content in collaboration with pediatric educators from the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) and the Ambulatory Pediatric Association (APA). An iterative process or review by clerkship directors, pediatric departmental chairs, and students finalized the content and built support for the final product. The national dissemination process resulted in consensus among pediatric educators that this curriculum should be used as the national curricular guideline for clerkships. Monitoring Implementation. Surveys were mailed to all pediatric clerkship directors before dissemination (November 1994), and in the first and third academic years after national dissemination (March 1996 and September 1997). The 3 surveys assessed schools' implementation of specific components of the curriculum. The final survey also assessed ways the curriculum was used and barriers to implementation. Outcomes. The final curriculum provided objectives and competencies for attitudes, skills, and 18 knowledge areas of general pediatrics. A total of 216 short clinical cases were also provided as an alternative learning method. An accompanying resource manual provided suggested strategies for implementation, teaching, and evaluation. A total of 103 schools responded to survey 1; 84 schools to survey 2; and 85 schools responded to survey 3 from the 125 medical schools surveyed. Before dissemination, 16% of schools were already using the clinical cases. In the 1995-1996 academic year, 70% of schools were using some or all of the curricular objectives/competencies, and 45% were using the clinical cases. Two years later, 90% of schools surveyed were using the curricular objectives, 88% were using the competencies, 66% were using the clinical cases. The extent of curriculum use also increased. Schools using 11 or more of the 18 curriculum's knowledge areas increased from 50% (1995-1996) to 73% (1996-1997). Conclusion. This new national general pediatric clerkship curriculum developed broad support during its development and has been implemented very rapidly nationwide. During this period the COMSEP and the APA have strongly supported its implementation with a variety of activities. This development and implementation process can be a model for other national curricula. Pediatrics 2000;106:216-222; medical education, pediatrics, curriculum, generalism, implementation, clinical teaching, medical students, pediatrics., ABBREVIATIONS. APA, Ambulatory Pediatric Association; COMSEP, Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics; AMSPDC, Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairmen. Nationally accepted curricular guidelines for the core clinical clerkship [...]