Crosstalk between astrocytic CXCL12 and microglial CXCR4 contributes to the development of neuropathic pain

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Central administration of C-x-C chemokine receptor type 4 antagonist alleviates the development and maintenance of peripheral neuropathic pain in mice

Aim To explore the roles of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in spinal processing of neuropathic pain at the central nervous system (CNS). Methods Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (pSNL) model was assessed in mice. Effects of a single intrathecal (central) administration of AMD3100 (intrathecal AMD3100), a CXCR4 antagonist, on pain behavior and pain-related spinal pathways and molecules in the L3-L5 spinal cord segment was studied compare to saline treatment. Results Rotarod test showed that intrathecal AMD3100 did not impair mice motor function. In pSNL-induced mice, intrathecal AMD3100 delayed the development of mechanical allodynia and reversed the established mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent way. Moreover, intrathecal AMD3100 downregulated the activation of JNK1 and p38 pathways and the protein expression of p65 as assessed by western blotting. Real-time PCR test also demonstrated that substance P mRNA was decreased, while adrenomedullin and intercellular adhesion molecule mRNA was increased following AMD3100 treatment. Conclusion Our results suggest that central (spinal) CXCR4 is involved in the development and maintenance of PNP and the regulation of multiple spinal molecular events under pain condition, implicating that CXCR4 would potentially be a therapeutic target for chronic neuropathic pain.published_or_final_versio

Optical surface generation in ultra-precision polishing of freeform

2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Dysmenorrhoea among Hong Kong university students: prevalence, impact, and management

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Inhibition Of Spinal Endothelin Type A Receptor Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain Through Down-regulation Of Mapk And Nf--κappab P65 In Rats

Conference Theme: Translating Evidence into PracticeLate-Breaking Poster Session 3: abstract no. EFIC5-1288 / Poster board no. 508published_or_final_versio

Removal of single point diamond-turning marks by abrasive jet polishing

Author name used in this publication: C. F. Cheung2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Propofol produces preventive analgesia via GluN2B-containing NMDA Receptor/ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway in the rat model of Inflammatory Pain

Compared to other anesthetics, propofol has showed superior analgesic effect used during surgical procedures on acute post-surgical pain. Whether propofol has preventive analgesic property remain debated. The present study investigated the antinociceptive effect of propofol and underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms via pre-emptive administration in a formalin-induced inflammatory pain model in rats. Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: naïve (Group Naïve), formalin injection only (Group Formalin), and formalin injection at 30 min (Group P-30min) or 2 h (Group P-2h) after intravenous infusion of propofol (0.6 mg kg-1 min-1) for 1 h. Nociceptive responses were evaluated by composite pain score-weighted scores. Protein expression of phosphorylated- or pan-GluN2B, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK in the spinal dorsal horn was assessed by Western blot. Alteration of intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by NMDA receptor agonists with or without pre-treatment of propofol was measured using fluorometry in SH-SY5Y cells. Neuronal activation was assessed by immunofluorescence. Pre-emptive propofol reduced pain with a delayed response to formalin and a reduction in hypersensitivity that lasted at least for 2 h. The formalin-induced activation of spinal GluN2B and ERK1/2 but not p38 or JNK were also diminished by propofol treatment. Preconditioning treatment with 3 µM and 10 µM of propofol inhibited Ca2+ influx mediated through NMDA receptors in SH-SY5Y cells. Propofol also reduced the neuronal expression of c-Fos and p-ERK induced by formalin. These findings indicate that pre-emptive administration of propofol produces preventive analgesic effects on inflammatory pain through regulating neuronal GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor and ERK1/2 pathway in the spinal dorsal horn.published_or_final_versio

A cross-national study on the antecedents of work–life balance from the fit and balance perspective

Drawing on the perceived work–family fit and balance perspective, this study investigates demands and resources as antecedents of work–life balance (WLB) across four countries (New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain), so as to provide empirical cross-national evidence. Using structural equation modelling analysis on a sample of 870 full time employees, we found that work demands, hours worked and family demands were negatively related to WLB, while job autonomy and supervisor support were positively related to WLB. We also found evidence that resources (job autonomy and supervisor support) moderated the relationships between demands and work–life balance, with high resources consistently buffering any detrimental influence of demands on WLB. Furthermore, our study identified additional predictors of WLB that were unique to some national contexts. For example, in France and Italy, overtime hours worked were negatively associated with WLB, while parental status was positively associated with WLB. Overall, the implications for theory and practice are discussed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A Multilevel Measurement Model of Social Cohesion

In spite of its currency both in academic research and political rhetoric, there are numerous attempts to define and conceptualize the social cohesion concept but there has been paid little attention to provide a rigorous and empirically tested definition. There are even fewer studies that address social cohesion in a framework of cross-cultural validation of the indicators testing the equivalence of the factorial structure across countries. Finally, as far as we know there is no study that attempt to provide an empirically tested multilevel definition of social cohesion specifying a Multilevel Structural Equation Model. This study aims to cover this gap. First, we provide a theoretical construct of social cohesion taking into account not only its multidimensionality but also its multilevel structure. In the second step, to test the validity of this theoretical construct, we perform a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis in order to verify if the conceptual structure suggested in first step holds. In addition, we test the cross-level structural equivalence and the measurement invariance of the model in order to verify if the same multilevel model of social cohesion holds across the 29 countries analysed. In the final step, we specify a second-order multilevel CFA model in order to identify the existence of a general factor that can be called “social cohesion” operating in society that accounts for the surface phenomena that we observe