Refining surgical models of osteoarthritis in mice and rats alters pain phenotype but not joint pathology.

The relationship between osteoarthritis (OA) structural change and pain is complex. Surgical models of OA in rodents are often rapid in onset, limiting mechanistic utility and translational validity. We aimed to investigate the effect of refining surgical small rodent models of OA on both joint pathology and pain behaviour.

The impact of anxiety on chronic musculoskeletal pain and the role of astrocyte activation.

Anxiety and depression are associated with increased pain responses in chronic pain states. The extent to which anxiety drives chronic pain, or vice versa, remains an important question that has implications for analgesic treatment strategies. Here, the effect of existing anxiety on future osteoarthritis (OA) pain was investigated, and potential mechanisms were studied in an animal model.

Potential audibility of ultrasonic signal monitoring of Public Address and Life Safety Sound Systems.

Ultrasonic surveillance monitoring, to check the operational integrity of Public Address (PA) and Emergency Communication Systems, has been in existence for over 40 years-particularly in Europe. Since its inception, there has been debate as to the potential audibility that these systems may have. As the vast majority of sound systems engineers and designers have not heard or experienced any effects, it has generally been assumed that the general public do not either.

Effects of carrageenan induced synovitis on joint damage and pain in a rat model of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with ongoing pain and joint damage that can be punctuated by acute flares of pain and inflammation. Synovitis in normal knees might resolve without long-term detriment to joint function. We hypothesised that osteoarthritis is associated with impaired resilience to inflammatory flares.

Therapeutic Benefit for Late, but Not Early, Passage Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Pain Behaviour in an Animal Model of Osteoarthritis.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of osteoarthritic (OA) joint pathology and pain. The aims of this study were to determine the influence of a passage number on the effects of MSCs on pain behaviour and cartilage and bone features in a rodent model of OA.

Methods: Rats underwent either medial meniscal transection (MNX) or sham surgery under anaesthesia.