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Significance: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has evaluated pain in awake and anesthetized states. Aim: We evaluated fNIRS signals under general anesthesia in patients undergoing knee surgery for anterior cruciate ligament repair. Approach: Patients were split into groups: those with regional nerve block (NB) and those without (non-NB). Continuous fNIRS measures came from three regions: the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), known to be involved in evaluation of nociception, the lateral prefrontal cortex (BA9), and the polar frontal cortex (BA10), both involved in higher cortical functions (such as cognition and emotion). Results: Our results show three significant differences in fNIRS signals to incision procedures between groups: (1) NB compared with non-NB was associated with a greater net positive hemodynamic response to pain procedures in S1; (2) dynamic correlation between the prefrontal cortex (PreFC) and S1 within 1 min of painful procedures are anticorrelated in NB while positively correlated in non-NB; and (3) hemodynamic measures of activation were similar at two separate time points during surgery (i.e., first and last incisions) in PreFC and S1 but showed significant differences in their overlap. Comparing pain levels immediately after surgery and during discharge from postoperative care revealed no significant differences in the pain levels between NB and non-NB. Conclusion: Our data suggest multiple pain events that occur during surgery using devised algorithms could potentially give a measure of “pain load.” This may allow for evaluation of central sensitization (i.e., a heightened state of the nervous system where noxious and non-noxious stimuli is perceived as painful) to postoperative pain levels and the resulting analgesic consumption. This evaluation could potentially predict postsurgical chronic neuropathic pain.

Background The responsiveness and the intertester reliability of the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI) were tested, and a cut-off between compromised and severely compromised performance level was set. Methods Three groups of dogs were used, 29 with any stifle dysfunction (STIF), 17 with other musculoskeletal disease except stifle (OTHER) and 11 controls (CTRL). All dogs were tested with the FCSI by the same physiotherapist at three occasions, at baseline, at six weeks and 10 weeks, and once also by another physiotherapist. Results Dogs in the STIF group demonstrated significantly higher (P

This study aimed at developing a quantitative testing battery for dogs' stifle functionality, as, unlike in human medicine, currently none is available in the veterinary field. Forty-three dogs with surgically treated unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture and 21 dogs with no known musculoskeletal problems were included. Eight previously studied tests: compensation in sitting and lying positions, symmetry of thrust in hindlimbs when rising from lying and sitting, static weight bearing, stifle flexion and extension and muscle mass symmetry, were summed into the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI). Sensitivities and specificities of the dichotomised FCSI score were calculated against orthopaedic examination, radiological and force platform analysis and a conclusive assessment (combination of previous). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)was used to evaluate FCSI score differences between the groups. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was calculated. The range of the index score was 0-263, with a proposed cut-off value of 60 between 'adequate' and 'compromised' functional performance. In comparison to the conclusive assessment, the sensitivity and specificity of the FCSI were 90 per cent and 90.5 per cent, respectively. Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability of the FCSI score was 0.727. An estimate of the surgically treated and control dogs' FCSI scores were 105 (95 per cent CI 93 to 116) and 20 (95 per cent CI 4 to 37), respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (P

Certain consumer products, such as feminine hygiene products, and baby and adult diapers, are worn for prolonged periods of time in close proximity to the skin. A sensitive test method was needed to evaluate these products and their components for the potential to cause mechanical irritation during use.We investigated several test sites on the body where normal, daily activities provided the opportunity for movement and, therefore, friction. These test sites were: the back of the knee, the axilla, and the wrist. Three exposure regimens were tested: 6-h daily for 4 days, 24-h daily for 3 days, and 24-h daily for 4 days. Controls consisted of satin fabric (a non-irritating material) or burlap (an irritating material). Test materials were secured to the test sites using an Ace elastic bandage (on the back of the knee), a snug fitting garment (on the axilla), or an athletic band (on the wrist). Test sites were scored for irritation on a visual scale prior to the initial application and 30-60 min after removal each day. Data were evaluated for the ability to reliably detect irritating materials, and for the ability to consistently differentiate between irritating and non-irritating materials. Quantitative measures of these abilities were used to rank the overall effectiveness of various test protocols as a model for mechanical irritation.The results of these studies indicated that a protocol using the back of the knee as a test site with an exposure regimen of 6-h daily for 4 days, best met the success criteria for an effective test system for evaluating mechanical irritation.