Non-opioid Analgesics and the Endocannabinoid System

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs produce antinociceptive effects mainly through peripheral cyclooxygenase inhibition. In opposition to the classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol and dipyrone exert weak anti-inflammatory activity, their antinociceptive effects appearing to be mostly due to mechanisms other than peripheral cyclooxygenase inhibition. In this review, we classify classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol and dipyrone as “non-opioid analgesics” and discuss the mechanisms mediating participation of the endocannabinoid system in their antinociceptive effects. Non-opioid analgesics and their metabolites may activate cannabinoid receptors, as well as elevate endocannabinoid levels through different mechanisms: reduction of endocannabinoid degradation via fatty acid amide hydrolase and/or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition, mobilization of arachidonic acid for the biosynthesis of endocannabinoids due to cyclooxygenase inhibition, inhibition of endocannabinoid cellular uptake directly or through the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase production, and induction of endocannabinoid release

Systemic Cannabidiol Does Not Reduce Compound 48/80-Induced Itching Behavior in Mice

DergiPark: 541683tmsjAims: Cannabinoids are chemical compounds including natural cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant, their synthetic counterparts, and endocannabinoids. Cannabidiol, a phytocannabinoid derived from the Cannabis plant, exerts anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, analgesic effects. Although there are many similarities between the pathophysiological mechanisms of pain and itch, researches that investigate the effect of cannabinoids on itching are insufficient. Here, we aimed to examine the antipruritic effect of cannabidiol and the contribution of spinal cannabinoid receptors. Methods: Male Balb/c mice, weighing 20-30 g, were used. Itching behavior was produced by intradermal injection of compound 48/80 (100 ?g/50 ?l); cannabidiol (1, 3, 10 mg/kg, ip) was administered 30 minutes before compound 48/80 injections. Then, scratching of the injected site by the hind paws was videotaped for 30 minutes. Locomotor performances were assessed using a rotarod apparatus. Results: Cannabidiol had no effect on compound 48/80-induced itching behavior at any dose given; moreover, cannabidiol did not produce any impairment on motor function. AM-251, a cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonist, and AM-630, a cannabinoid receptor type 2 antagonist were administered intrathecally to observe the contribution of spinal cannabinoid receptors to the antipruritic action of cannabidiol. We observed that cannabidol did not possess any effect on itching behaviour. Conclusion: Our results indicate that systemic administration of cannabidiol does not attenuate compound 48/80 induced itching behavior in mic

The effect of residual calcium hydroxide on the accuracy of a contemporary electronic apex locator

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2)] on the accuracy of an electronic apex locator (EAL). Materials and methods. Working lengths (WLs) of 56 extracted maxillary incisors were determined initially by two different methods. The first method used the ` APEX' reading of the EAL as a reference point, 0.5 mm was subtracted and recorded as WL0. The second method used the '0.5' reading and the score was recorded as WL0.5 without subtraction. The roots were prepared to WL0 and divided randomly into three experimental groups (n = 16) (1 mm in group A, 2 mm in group B and 4 mm in group C) and a control (n = 8). Specimens in all experimental groups were filled with Ca(OH)(2) paste. Following its removal, WLs were re-determined with the same methods. Results. In group C, pre/ post WLs were significantly different (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the other experimental groups and the control group. Conclusion. Accuracy of EAL decreased proportionally with the amount of paste remaining at the +/- 0.5-mm tolerance level. Ca(OH)(2) paste remnants may cause incorrect EAL readings

Effects of sodium hypochlorite on gutta-percha and Resilon cones: An atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on gutta-percha (GP) and Resilon cones. Six standardized GP and Resilon cones were selected and cut 3mm from their tip. One GP and 1 Resilon cone were used as control samples. Cones were immersed in 6% NaOCl for 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes, thoroughly rinsed with nanopure water, and dried with filter paper. Then, surface topography was analyzed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled to an energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectrometer. According to the root mean square and depth analysis values obtained from atomic force microscopic evalution, there were no significant differences found among the GP groups. However significant differences were found among Resilon cones (P <= .05). SEM images and EDX graphics showed that there were no prominent differences between GP and Resilon groups. These results showed that 6% NaOCl solution can be used in the disinfection of GP and Resilon cones. No alterations were observed on the GP cones, but it can change the surface of Resilon cones. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011; 112: e21-e26

Toplumda yaşayan yaşlı bireylerde posturografik düşme riski ile klinik denge testleri arasındaki ilişki

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between fall risk measured posturographically and clinical balance tests among people who are over 65 years of age, and to identify the discriminative ability of the posturographic fall risk index. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and twenty participants who were over 65 years of age were included in the study. The balance and fall risk of participants were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS) and a posturography device; functional mobility with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; lower extremity neuromuscular function with the Chair Stand test (CST) and quality of life with the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Participants were grouped into two, as fallers and nonfallers, on the basis of the past year’s fall history. Results: A total of 78 participant (35.5%) had a history of falling, while 142 (64.5%) of the subjects did not. Age, TUG and posturographic fall risk index of fallers were significantly higher than for nonfallers, whilst some subgroups of the SF-36, BBS and mean CST scores were lower (p<0.05). There were negative correlations between posturographic fall risk and the BBS (r=-0.84) and CST (r=-0.40) yet a positive correlation with the TUG (r=0.67) (p<0.05). Using the agreement between the posturographic fall risk index and history of falls, the area under the ROC curve was 0.818. In this study, when the cut-off value 51≤ was used, sensitivity was found to be 76.9% and specificity was 73.9%, with a higher value for the Youden index: 0.508. Conclusion: It was shown that fallers had poorer balance, functional mobility, lower extremity neuromuscular function and quality of life than nonfallers. The study also demonstrated that posturographically obtained fall risk was significantly correlated with clinical balance tests and had good discriminative ability to identify fallers.Girifl: Bu çal›flman›n amac›, 65 yafl üstü bireylerde posturografik düflme riski ile klinik denge testleri aras›nda iliflki olup olmad›¤›n› de¤erlendirmek ve posturografik düflme indeksinin ay›rt edici kapasitesini belirlemekti. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çal›flmaya, 65 yafl üstü 220 kifli al›nd›. Kat›l›mc›lar›n denge ve düflme riski; posturografik düflme riski ve Berg denge testi (BDT), fonksiyonel mobilitesi; Zamanl› Kalk-Yürü Testi (ZKYT), alt ekstremite nöromuskuler fonksiyonu; sandalyeye otur kalk testi (SOKT) ve yaflam kalitesi; K›sa Form-36 (KF-36) kullan›larak de¤erlendirildi. Hastalar son bir y›l içindeki düflme öyküsüne göre; düflenler ve düflmeyenler olmak üzere, iki gruba ayr›ld›. Bulgular: Çal›flmaya al›nan bireylerin 78’inde (%35,5) düflme öyküsü varken 142’inde (%64,5), düflme öyküsü yoktu. Düflme öyküsü olanlar›n yafl, posturografik düflme riski, ve ZKYT skorlar› düflme öyküsü olmayanlara göre istatistiksel olarak anlaml› derecede yüksek iken, KF-36 yaflam kalitesinin baz› alt grup skorlar›, BDT skoru ve SOKT ortalama say›s› ise düflüktü (p<0,05). Posturografik düflme riski ile BDT (r=-0.84) ve SOKT (r=-0.40) aras›nda negatif korelasyon, ZKYT (r=0.67) ile pozitif korelasyon saptand› (p<0,05). Posturografik düflme riski ile düflme öyküsü aras›ndaki uyuma bak›ld›¤›nda ROC e¤risi alt›nda kalan alan 0,818 idi. Bu çal›flmada, cut-off de¤eri 51 ve üzeri al›nd›¤›nda en yüksek Youden indeks skoru 0,508 ile sensitivite %76,9 ve spesifite %73,9 olarak saptand›. Sonuç: Düflme öyküsü olanlar›n denge, fonksiyonel mobilite, alt ekstremite nöromusküler fonksiyon ve yaflam kalitelerinin düflme öyküsü olmayanlara göre daha kötü oldu¤u gösterilmifltir. Çal›flmada ayr›ca posturografik düflme riskinin klinik denge testleri ile anlaml› olarak iliflkili oldu¤unu ve düflenleri belirlemede iyi ay›rt edici kapasitesi sergiledi¤i gösterilmifltir

The Score for Allergic Rhinitis study in Turkey, 2020

International audienceObjective: This study aimed to determine how prevalent allergic rhinitis (AR) is in Turkey and to compare the current prevalence with the figures obtained 10 years earlier.Methods: This study included 9,017 participants. The minimum number of participants required from each center was determined via a stratified sampling technique according to regional demographic characteristics as ascertained from the last census. For each region, both men and women were administered the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaire and a score for each participant was calculated based on the responses supplied.Results: A total of 9,017 individuals (55.3% men and 44.7% women) took part in this study. Of these, 94.4% were urban residents and 5.6% lived in a rural setting. Of the men, 38.5% self-reported as suffering from AR. The corresponding figure in women was 40.5%. The overall prevalence of AR, as deduced on the basis of the SFAR, was found to be 36.7%. Comparing the prevalence in different regions, we found that AR was the least prevalent in the Black Sea region with a frequency of 35.8%. The highest prevalence was in the Mediterranean region, where the prevalence was 37.7%. There was no statistical significance in the apparent differences in prevalence between different geographical regions. Despite this, however, there was a clear increase in the frequency of AR over the preceding decade. This increase was most pronounced in the South-Eastern Anatolian region, where the frequency rose from 21.0% to 36.9%.Conclusion: Our results indicate that there has been a marked increase in the prevalence of AR in every region in Turkey over the last 10 years. This could be related to living conditions in urban environments. Alterations in lifestyle, urban living, air pollution causing impairments in immune defense mechanisms, and other aspects of modern lifestyles may account for the increase in AR in Turkey