The interplay of fear of pain, emotional states, and pain perception in medical and nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Fear of pain is known to influence pain perception and worsen pain outcomes. However, its relationship with pain threshold remains unclear. Negative emotional states, namely depression, anxiety, and stress, have been found to increase fear of pain.

Conservative versus Invasive Approaches in Temporomandibular Disc Displacement: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) frequently cause orofacial pain and dysfunction, with treatment options spanning from conservative therapies to invasive surgical procedures. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and compare the efficacy and safety profiles of conservative, minimally invasive interventions and surgical procedures in patients diagnosed with TMDs and disc displacement.

Methods: Following PRISMA recommendations, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCT).

Molecular targets in bone cancer pain: a systematic review of inflammatory cytokines.

Bone cancer pain (BCP) profoundly impacts patient's quality of life, demanding more effective pain management strategies. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines as potential molecular targets in BCP. A systematic search for animal rodent models of bone cancer pain studies was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Enhancing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness Therapies and Guided Imagery Interventions.

: There has been an increasing interest in the use of non-pharmacological approaches for the multidimensional treatment of chronic pain. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies and Guided Imagery (GI) interventions in managing chronic non-cancer pain and related outcomes. : Searching three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and pilot RCTs investigating mindfulness or GI interventions in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain.

Pharmacogenetic Approaches in Personalized Medicine for Postoperative Pain Management.

Despite technical and pharmacological advancements in recent years, including optimized therapies and personalized medicine, postoperative pain management remains challenging and sometimes undertreated. This review aims to summarize and update how genotype-guided therapeutics within personalized medicine can enhance postoperative pain management. Several studies in the area have demonstrated that genotype-guided therapy has the ability to lower opioid consumption and improve postoperative pain.

Maxillary Sinus Augmentation with Xenogenic Collagen-Retained Heterologous Cortico-Cancellous Bone: A 3-Year Follow-Up Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sinus augmentation procedures have become a valuable solution for patients with posterior maxillary edentulism. The objective of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of porcine xenograft with collagen supplementation as a potential alternative to autologous bone grafts in lateral sinus augmentation over a three-year follow-up period. Twelve patients, each with bilateral posterior maxillary edentulism, were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive either a porcine xenograft or an autologous graft.

Update in Immunotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Optimizing Treatment Sequencing and Identifying the Best Choices.

The introduction of immunotherapy has brought about a paradigm shift in the management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It has not only significantly improved the prognosis of patients but has also become a cornerstone of treatment, particularly in those without oncogenic driver mutations. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) play a crucial role in the treatment of lung cancer and can be classified into two main groups: Anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (Anti-CTLA-4) and anti-T-cell receptor programmed cell death-1 or its ligand (Anti-PD-1 and Anti-PD-L1).

Maxilla Reconstruction with Xenograft Blocks to Allow Implant Rehabilitation: A Case Report.

Reducing patient morbidity is one of the challenging goals of proper surgical techniques. The rehabilitation success begins with a good surgical plan. Scientifically proven biomaterials are excellent options to overcome the lack of autologous bone for maxillary reconstructions.

Outcomes of a QST Protocol in Healthy Subjects and Chronic Pain Patients: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Chronic pain is an important cause of disability with a high burden to society. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a noninvasive multimodal method used to discriminate the function of nerve fibers. The aim of this study is to propose a new, reproducible, and less time-consuming thermal QST protocol to help characterize and monitor pain.

Parental influence in orthodontic treatment: a systematic review.

The reasons for searching orthodontic treatment in pediatric/adolescent patients are multifactorial. The aim of this systematic review was to study the parental influence in this process. This study comprises a systematic review of the literature, based on the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Implants Placed in Two Different Biomaterials Used for Maxillary Sinus Augmentation.

The objective of this study was to compare marginal bone loss, surgical and clinical complications, and dental implant survival rate in bilateral maxillary sinus augmented by autologous or porcine xenograft. A randomized controlled clinical trial using split-mouth design enrolled 12 consent adult patients (59.7 ± 8.

Perceptions of medical students towards the role of histology and embryology during curricular review.

Background: The continuous changes in the medical education to prepare medical doctors for the future requires updates in medical curriculum. However, the perspectives of the medical students are not frequently considered during the revision of the medical curriculum. In parallel with the process of defining and adjusting the medical curriculum, a large survey was performed to inquire the perspectives of the medical students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Portugal, about the role of Histology and of Embryology.

Relationship between Postoperative Pain and Sociocultural Level in Major Orthopedic Surgery.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) are associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain (POP). POP is theoretically predictable and may be influenced by sociocultural differences. This study aimed to identify the relationship between POP and the sociocultural level of the patient undergoing THA or TKA.

Which patient may benefit the most from penile prosthesis implantation?

Background: Penile prosthesis implantation has been associated with overall good functional outcomes. Of relevance, some patients reported higher level of satisfaction and quality of life.

Aim: We investigated the profile of the patients who may benefit the most from penile prosthesis implantation.

Treatment Sequencing Strategies in Lung Cancer.

Background: The advances in the lung cancer screening methods and therapeutics, together with awareness towards deleterious habits, such as smoking, is increasing the overall survival with better quality of life for the patients. However, lung cancer is still one of the most common and fatal neoplasm with a high incidence and consequently burden to public health worldwide. Thus, based on guidelines and recent phases II and III clinical trials studies, this manuscript summarizes the current treatment sequencing strategies in lung cancer.

Pain as the fifth vital sign-A comparison between public and private healthcare systems.

Background: The assessment of pain as the fifth vital sign (P5VS) is of paramount importance since it leads to the management of undertreated pain, consequently reducing suffering, readmissions and emergency department visits after hospital discharge.

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of P5VS in public and private hospitals.

Methods: Data analysis on validated questionnaires was sent to all 171 Portuguese hospitals via an official letter.

Advantages of Porcine Xenograft over Autograft in Sinus Lift: A Randomised Clinical Trial.

This study aimed to compare the performance of intra-oral autologous bone grafts versus porcine xenografts in a two-step lateral window sinus lift. This split-mouth randomised controlled trial sequentially enrolled 12 patients with a 6-month follow-up. For each patient, a simultaneous randomised bilateral maxillary sinus lift was performed and filled with autologous bone from the mandible (control) or a porcine xenograft (test).

The woman and the penile prosthetic implant. Primary or secondary role? Personal experiences on 355 implanted patients.

In a group of 355 pts  submitted to Penile Prosthesis Implant (PPI) we recorded data on their relationships with the woman (wife, partner, girlfriend, lover); the aspects of their sexual life; if they were married, divorced or widowed; if they had a lover; if they frequented brothels; if they were satisfied of their actual couple's life; after operation we recorded data concerning if they had some difficulties utilizing the PPI and their level of satisfaction. After operation most pts (93%) confirmed their satisfaction. Relational aspects:  Unmarried pts: 6 pts (21-30 years old) who weren't able to penetrate their girlfriends managed to have regular sex with PPI and could marry.

Penile prosthesis and complications: Results from 577 implants.

Objective: Penile Prosthetic Surgery is already well characterized but the problems connected with possible complications still need to be evaluated and discussed.

Material And Methods: The Authors revaluated their experience in Penile Prosthetic Surgery involving 577 patients (18 - 86 years, mean age 51.3 years) operated by the same surgeon since 1984.

Prevalence of morphological and structural changes in the stylohyoid chain.

Background: Total or partial calcification of the stylohyoid chain, elongation of the stylohyoid process of the temporal bone and/or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament are usually incidental radiographic findings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of morphological and structural changes within the stylohyoid chain in 4413 digital panoramic radiographs.

Material And Methods: The images were evaluated for the presence or absence of changes in the stylohyoid chain by a specialist in dentofacial radiology and the information collected comprised gender, age, side, right and left measurements and classification of the chain side elongated or calcified stylohyoid process, as well as type and pattern of right or left calcification.