Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Utilization.

Background: The decision to utilize HEMS is a complex process that involves many considerations. Professional associations and agencies have published guidelines to assist providers with decision making for the utilization of helicopter transport.

Study Objective: Determine if requests for HEMS align with recently published utilization guidelines.

TRPA1 is functionally expressed primarily by IB4-binding, non-peptidergic mouse and rat sensory neurons.

Subpopulations of somatosensory neurons are characterized by functional properties and expression of receptor proteins and surface markers. CGRP expression and IB4-binding are commonly used to define peptidergic and non-peptidergic subpopulations. TRPA1 is a polymodal, plasma membrane ion channel that contributes to mechanical and cold hypersensitivity during tissue injury, making it a key target for pain therapeutics.

Prostaglandin metabolite induces inhibition of TRPA1 and channel-dependent nociception.

Background: The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channel TRPA1 is a key player in pain pathways. Irritant chemicals activate ion channel TRPA1 via covalent modification of N-terminal cysteines. We and others have shown that 15-Deoxy-Δ12, 14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) similarly activates TRPA1 and causes channel-dependent nociception.

TRPA1 mediates mechanical sensitization in nociceptors during inflammation.

Inflammation is a part of the body's natural response to tissue injury which initiates the healing process. Unfortunately, inflammation is frequently painful and leads to hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli, which is difficult to treat clinically. While it is well established that altered sensory processing in the spinal cord contributes to mechanical hypersensitivity (central sensitization), it is still debated whether primary afferent neurons become sensitized to mechanical stimuli after tissue inflammation.