Targeted Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Abdominal Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Case Series.

Unlabelled: Abdominal pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis (CP) is difficult to manage and often requires chronic oral opioid therapy (OOT). Targeted drug delivery (TDD) allows for a diminished dose of opioid intake and improved pain levels. TDD has been used in different pain syndromes with only limited reports in CP.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in Chronic Knee Pain: A Case Series.

Introduction Chronic knee pain is increasing in prevalence and is associated with substantial limitations in functional mobility. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been increasingly used to treat various chronic pain conditions. However, there is a paucity of research exploring the potential therapeutic benefit of PNS for chronic knee pain.

Case Series: Cancer-Related Facial Pain Treated with Stellate Ganglion Block.

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is believed to modify the pathologic sympathetic pain response and has been commonly used to treat complex regional pain syndrome. We report successful treatment of cancer-related facial pain with SGB in three patients, suggesting a possible sympathetic pain-related mechanism. All patients exhibited clinically significant improvement of pain 12 weeks following the procedure.

Dihydrotestosterone suppression of proinflammatory gene expression in human meibomian gland epithelial cells.

Purpose: We discovered that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) decreases the ability of lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial toxin, to stimulate the secretion of leukotriene B4, a potent proinflammatory mediator, by immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cells (IHMGECs). We hypothesize that this hormone action reflects an androgen suppression of proinflammatory gene activity in these cells. Our goal was to test this hypothesis.

Are BALB/c Mice Relevant Models for Understanding Sex-Related Differences in Gene Expression in the Human Meibomian Gland?

Background: A compelling feature of dry eye disease is that it occurs predominantly in women. We hypothesize that this female prevalence is linked to sex-related differences in the meibomian gland (MG). This gland plays a critical role in maintaining the tear film, and its dysfunction is a major cause of dry eye disease.

Testosterone Influence on Gene Expression in Lacrimal Glands of Mouse Models of Sjögren Syndrome.

Purpose: Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that occurs almost exclusively in women and is associated with extensive inflammation in lacrimal tissue, an immune-mediated destruction and/or dysfunction of glandular epithelial cells, and a significant decrease in aqueous tear secretion. We discovered that androgens suppress the inflammation in, and enhance the function of, lacrimal glands in female mouse models (e.g.

Sex Effects on Gene Expression in Lacrimal Glands of Mouse Models of Sjögren Syndrome.

Purpose: Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disease that occurs primarily in women, and is associated with lacrimal gland inflammation and aqueous-deficient dry eye. We hypothesize that sex-associated differences in lacrimal gland gene expression are very important in promoting lymphocyte accumulation in this tissue and contribute to the onset, progression, and/or severity of the inflammatory disease process. To test our hypothesis, we explored the nature and extent of sex-related differences in gene expression in autoimmune lacrimal glands.

Influence of lipopolysaccharide on proinflammatory gene expression in human corneal, conjunctival and meibomian gland epithelial cells.

Purpose: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin, is known to stimulate leuokotriene B4 (LTB4) secretion by human corneal (HCECs), conjunctival (HConjECs) and meibomian gland (HMGECs) epithelial cells. We hypothesize that this LTB4 effect represents an overall induction of proinflammatory gene expression in these cells. Our objective was to test this hypothesis.

Corneal Epithelial Immune Dendritic Cell Alterations in Subtypes of Dry Eye Disease: A Pilot In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Study.

Purpose: To evaluate density and morphology of corneal epithelial immune dendritic cells (DCs) in different subtypes of dry eye disease (DED) using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).

Methods: This retrospective study included 59 eyes of 37 patients with DED and 40 eyes of 20 age-matched healthy controls. Based on clinical tests, eyes with DED were categorized into two subtypes: aqueous-deficient (n = 35) and evaporative (n = 24).

Does estrogen deficiency cause lacrimal gland inflammation and aqueous-deficient dry eye in mice?

Researchers have proposed that estrogen deficiency will lead to a Sjögren's syndrome (SjS)-like lacrimal gland inflammation, aqueous tear deficiency and dry eye. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this proposal is correct. Lacrimal glands were obtained from adult, age-matched wild type (WT) and aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice, in which estrogen synthesis is completely eliminated.

A novel revision to the classical transnasal topical sphenopalatine ganglion block for the treatment of headache and facial pain.

Background: The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is located with some degree of variability near the tail or posterior aspect of the middle nasal turbinate. The SPG has been implicated as a strategic target in the treatment of various headache and facial pain conditions, some of which are featured in this manuscript. Interventions for blocking the SPG range from minimally to highly invasive procedures often associated with great cost and unfavorable risk profiles.

Transcription, translation, and function of lubricin, a boundary lubricant, at the ocular surface.

Importance: Lubricin may be an important barrier to the development of corneal and conjunctival epitheliopathies that may occur in dry eye disease and contact lens wear.

Objective: To test the hypotheses that lubricin (ie, proteoglycan 4 [PRG4 ]), a boundary lubricant, is produced by ocular surface epithelia and acts to protect the cornea and conjunctiva against significant shear forces generated during an eyelid blink and that lubricin deficiency increases shear stress on the ocular surface and promotes corneal damage.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Human, porcine, and mouse tissues and cells were processed for molecular biological, immunohistochemical, and tribological studies, and wild-type and PRG4 knockout mice were evaluated for corneal damage.

Influence of aromatase absence on the gene expression and histology of the mouse meibomian gland.

Purpose: We hypothesize that aromatase, an enzyme that controls estrogen biosynthesis, plays a major role in the sex-related differences of the meibomian gland. To begin to test this hypothesis, we examined the influence of aromatase absence, which completely eliminates estrogen production, on glandular gene expression and histology in male and female mice.

Methods: Meibomian glands were obtained from adult, age-matched wild-type (WT) and aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice.

Regulation of leukotriene B4 secretion by human corneal, conjunctival, and meibomian gland epithelial cells.

Objectives: To test the hypotheses that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production in human ocular surface and adenexal cells, arachidonic acid duplicates the stimulatory effect of LPS, LPS-binding protein potentiates LPS-induced LTB4 secretion, and dihydrotestosterone attenuates the immune effect of LPS.

Methods: Immortalized human corneal, conjunctival, and meibomian gland epithelial cells were cultured in the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum and were exposed to vehicle, LPS, LPS plus LPS-binding protein, arachidonic acid, or dihydrotestosterone. Culture media were processed for the LTB4 analysis.

Corticosteroid regimens for treatment of acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD) after allogenic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Corticosteroids are commonly used in treatment of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Nevertheless, there has been no systematic analysis of effects of their use on the patients' survival and quality of life.

Objectives: To compare the effect of corticosteroids in treatment of patients with GvHD and to compare the effect of different regimens of corticosteroids.