Programmable Pump for Intrathecal Morphine Delivery to Cisterna Magna: Clinical Implications in Novel Management of Refractory Pain Above Middle Thoracic Vertebrae Level Utilizing a Prospective Trial Protocol and Review.

Background: The cisterna Intrathecal Drug Delivery system (IDDS) with morphine has proven to be effective in treating refractory cancer pain above the middle thoracic vertebrae level in some countries. However, it has not been fully investigated in others. We designed the current project to investigate the efficacy and safety of cisterna IDDS for pain relief in refractory pain above the middle thoracic vertebrae level in advanced cancer patients.

Intrathecal Morphine Delivery at Cisterna Magna to Control Refractory Cancer-Related Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: For patients suffering from primary or metastatic cancer above the middle thoracic vertebrae, refractory pain management still remains a great challenge. Theoretically, inserting a catheter tip into the cisterna magna may be a promising solution. However, at present, there have been no reliable data regarding this novel technique.

High-Voltage, Long-Duration Pulsed Radiofrequency on Gasserian Ganglion Improves Acute/Subacute Zoster-Related Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial.

Background: Trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia is a severe neuropathic pain and often refractory to existing treatment, it develops secondary to herpes zoster-infected Gasserian ganglion. Therefore, it is important to prevent the transition of acute/subacute zoster-related pain to trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia. Despite numerous studies, the optimal intervention that reduces trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia incidence is still unknown.

Prospective Evaluation of Nasopharyngeal Intubation During Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Trigeminal Ganglion.

Aims: To investigate whether nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) intubation could reduce the risk of complications caused by radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) of the trigeminal ganglion.

Methods: From November 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015, 200 patients treated with sedation (combination of sufentanil and propofol) were randomly divided into two groups, one in which NPA intubation was used (intervention group) and one in which it was not used (control group). The primary outcome was the frequency of hypoxemia, and secondary outcomes were the frequency of hypotension, nasal mucosa damage, corneal numbness, masticatory weakness, palsies of other cranial nerves, and intracranial hemorrhage.

Efficacy of Short-Term Spinal Cord Stimulation in Acute/Subacute Zoster-Related Pain: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a refractory condition that impairs the patient's quality of life (QoL), it develops secondary to herpes zoster infection. Therefore, it's important to prevent the transition of acute/subacute zoster-related pain to PHN. Despite of numerous studies, the optimal intervention that reduces PHN incidence is still unknown.

Bipolar High-Voltage, Long-Duration Pulsed Radiofrequency Improves Pain Relief in Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is often refractory to existing treatments. Treatment of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) using monopolar pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), which is a non- or minimally neurodestructive technique, is not efficacious in all patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the safety and clinical efficacy of bipolar high-voltage, long-duration PRF on the DRG in PHN patients.

Meta-analysis of black tea consumption and breast cancer risk: update 2013.

Black tea is a commonly consumed beverage in the world, comprising approximately 80% of all tea consumed. We sought to examine the association between black tea consumption and risk of breast cancer, using all available epidemiologic evidence to date. PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and China Biological Medicine Database were used to search for citations using the MeSH terms as "breast neoplasm" AND "black tea.

Synergistic antitumor activity of resveratrol and miR-200c in human lung cancer.

MicroRNAs have emerged as promising molecular factors with potential for clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. In the present study, we demonstrated that the level of miR-200c in lung cancer tissues was lower than that in normal tissues using real-time PCR. To further investigate the effects of miR-200c expression in lung cancer cells, we upregulated miR-200c levels in H460 cells using transfection.

Association of polymorphisms in interleukin-18 and interleukin-28B genes with outcomes of hepatitis B virus infections: a meta-analysis.

Several polymorphisms in the interleukin-18 (IL-18) and nterleukin-28B (IL-28B) genes have been reported to influence hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the published findings have been conflicting. We conducted meta-analyses of randomized, controlled trials to address the association of IL-18 or IL-28B polymorphisms and the outcomes of HBV infection.

Resveratrol mitigates isoflurane-induced neuroapoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the Akt-regulated mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway.

The inhalation anesthetic, isoflurane, induces learning and memory impairment. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are thought to play important roles in isoflurane-induced neuroapoptosis. In this study, we treated neuronal cells with isoflurane for 6 h.