Hans Madsen

Endometriosis Is Associated With Central Sensitization: A Psychophysical Controlled Study

Endometriosis is a pain syndrome representing a major cause of pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that persistent nociceptive input from endometriotic tissues leads to central sensitization manifested by somatic hyperalgesia and increased referred pain areas to experimental saline-induced muscle pain in patients with endometriosis, compared to healthy control subjects. Ten women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and 10 healthy, age-matched women participated in the study. Hypertonic saline (0.5 mL, 5.8%) was injected intramuscularly, in random succession, into 1 site of menstrual pain referral (the multifidus muscle at the low back) and into 1 non-pain control site (first dorsal interosseous muscle [FDI] of the hand). The post-saline pain intensity and pain areas at the FDI were significantly greater in patients with endometriosis than in control subjects (P <.05) but were not different between the groups for the back. An absence of enhancement of post-saline pain responses at the back in the endometriosis group suggests that saline-induced pain at the back appears to activate segmental inhibitory systems in patients with endometriosis. Manifestation of central sensitization in women with endometriosis is demonstrated by increased muscle nociceptor input in the form of increased post-saline pain intensity, pain areas at the FDI, and hypersensitivity to pressure stimulation. These findings provide new insights into the complex pain mechanisms associated with endometriosis.

Antibacterial properties of human amnion and chorion in vitro

OBJECTIVEnThe purpose of the present study was to explore the direct effects of amnion and chorion on bacterial growth in vitro including the antibacterial spectrum. Chorioamniotic membranes were obtained under sterile conditions from 13 healthy women undergoing elective cesarean section at term. Likewise, chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from 10 healthy women with spontaneous vaginal delivery at term. Five strains of Hemolytic streptococci group B (GBS) were tested and one clinical isolate of the following species or bacterial groups: Hemolytic streptococcus group A, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Lactobacillus species. Bacteriological media included (1) blood-agar medium; (2) a transparent agar medium for submerged cultures; and (3) a nutrient broth medium.nnnRESULTSnAn inhibitory effect of fetal membranes against a range of bacteria was found. Consistent results were obtained in experiments with cultures on agar and cultures suspended in agar (membranes from eight women in both studies). In experiments with liquid cultures (seven women) only chorion showed a marginal inhibitory effect. All strains were inhibited, but the most pronounced inhibition was obtained for streptococcus group A, S. aureus and S. saprophyticus by both chorion and amnion.nnnCONCLUSIONnThis study demonstrated an inhibitory effect of the fetal membranes on a diverse panel of bacteria

A comparison of modality-specific somatosensory changes during menstruation in dysmenorrheic and nondysmenorrheic women.

ObjectiveThe objective was to evaluate somatosensory thresholds to a multimodality stimulation regimen applied both within and outside areas of referred menstrual pain in dysmenorrheic women, over four phases of confirmed ovulatory cycles, and to compare them with thresholds in nondysmenorrheic women during menstruation. DesignTwenty dysmenorrheic women with menstrual pain scoring 5.45 ± 0.39 cm (mean ± standard error of mean) on a visual analog scale (10 cm) participated. Fifteen nondysmenorrheic women with a menstrual pain score of 0.4 ± 0.2 cm participated as controls. Ovulation was confirmed by an enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique. Menstrual pain was described with the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Areas within menstrual pain referral were two abdominal sites and the midline of the low back, and the arm and thigh were the control areas. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pinch pain threshold were determined by a hand-held electronic pressure algometer, the heat pain threshold (HPT) by a contact thermode, and the tactile threshold with von Frey hairs. ResultsIn dysmenorrheic women the McGill Pain Questionnaire showed a larger sensory and affective component of pain than the evaluative and miscellaneous groups. The HPT and PPT were lower in the menstrual phase than in the ovulatory, luteal, and premenstrual phases, both within and outside areas of referred menstrual pain (p <0.01), with a more pronounced decrease at the referral pain areas. The pinch pain threshold was lower in the menstrual phase than in the ovulatory phase (p <0.02), and the tactile threshold did not differ significantly across the menstrual phases or within any site. Dysmenorrheic women had a lower HPT at the control sites and a lower PPT at the abdomen, back, and control sites, than in those of nondysmenorrheic women in the menstrual phase. ConclusionsThe results show reduced somatosensory pain thresholds during menstruation to heat and pressure stimulation, both within and outside areas of referred menstrual pain in dysmenorrheic women. Dysmenorrheic women showed a lower HPT at the control sites and a lower PPT at all the sites than those for nondysmenorrheic women in the menstrual phase. The altered somatosensory thresholds may be dependent on a spinal mechanism of central hyperexcitability, induced by recurrent moderate to severe menstrual pain.

Sensory changes during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy women

This study compared the pain sensitivity in healthy women at the abdomen and lower back (presumed referral areas of menstrual pain), thigh and arm (control areas), in the menstrual, ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual phases of confirmed ovulatory cycles, with that of males. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pinch pain threshold (PiPT) was determined by an electronic pressure algometer, heat pain threshold (HPT) by a contact thermode and tactile threshold (TT) with von Frey hairs. The abdominal PPT was significantly lower in females in all menstrual phases as compared to the control sites (u2008p<0.0007). The abdominal and lower back HPT was significantly lower in females in all menstrual phases compared with control areas, and to the sites in males (u2008p<0.002). The TT was significantly reduced in females compared with males (u2008p< 0.013). There was no difference in the PiPT between females and males. In males, the HPT, PPT and TT were not different within any site. During the ovulatory phase, the HPT was significantly reduced at the abdomen and the PPT at the back compared with the menstrual, luteal and premenstrual phases (p<0.0002). There were no within‐menstrual phase variations in the PiPT and TT at any site, or for the HPT and PPT at the control areas. The reduced thresholds in menstruating women may be due to the presence of latent uterine algogenic stimuli, and the increased levels of oestrogen and leuteinizing hormone at ovulation may enhance nociception by acting both at the peripheral and central level, resulting in the hypersensitivity changes at the abdomen and lower back areas. Copyright 2001 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain Copyright 2001 European Federation of Chapters of the International As̋Ér the Study of Pain

A Comparison of Some Algorithms for Reliability Based Structural Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis

Reliability based structural optimization requires a combined usage of numerical methods for structural reliability analysis and structural optimization. In analyses presented in the literature the approach has been to use nested analyses, where the structural reliability analysis is done within the structural optimization analysis. This means that the reliability and possibly also partial derivatives of the reliability are calculated each time the value of the objective function or constraints in the optimization are required. The reliability is typically calculated using a first- or second-order reliability method, while standard routines for non-linear optimization are used for the optimization part. Sensitivity factors, i.e. the sensitivity of the optimal solution for e.g. the structural dimensions to changes in cost or statistical input parameters, are computed by numerical differentiation.

Chorioamniotic membranes constitute a competent barrier to group b streptococcus in vitro

OBJECTIVEnTo study the penetration of group B streptococcus (GBS) through human chorioamniotic membranes in vitro.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnChorioamniotic membranes from seventeen healthy women were mounted onto glass cylinders and placed in tissue culture trays constituting a two-compartment system with a maternal compartment internally and a fetal compartment externally. GBS from healthy pregnant women and from newborn babies with sepsis were added to the maternal compartment at densities from 10(7) to 10(9) colony forming units (cfu) per ml.nnnRESULTSnIrrespective of inoculum density, GBS was not recovered from the fetal compartment within a 20 h incubation period. By histology, micro-colonies of GBS were found on the maternal surface after 8 h, but invasion of the morphologically intact membranes was not observed. A five log reduction in cfu occurred in the maternal compartment with amnion when GBS were suspended in saline.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn this in vitro model the membranes appear to constitute an effective barrier against ascending infection.

Microbiology of semen specimens from males attending a fertility clinic

The relationship between semen quality, pyospermia and bacteriology was studied in 201 semen specimens from male patients attending a fertility clinic. Semen quality parameters were within normal limits in 115 (57%) patients, slightly reduced in 60 (30%), and 26 (13%) had findings indicating reduced fertility. Twelve patients (6%) had pyospermia. In 182 patients, 552 microorganisms were detected, including Enterobacteriaceae (2.8%), Gardnerella vaginalis (9.6%), Chlamydia trachomatis (1.6%), Mycoplasma genitalium (0.9%), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (11.8%). Semen quality was neither related to occurrence of microorganisms nor pyospermia. However, pyospermia was associated with simultaneous growth of Gardnerella vaginalis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. The exact nature of this association could not be ascertained, in as far as the males were not questioned about urethritis symptoms.

Changes in red blood cell oxygen transport in diabetic pregnancy

Parameters of red cell oxygen transport were studied in 23 nonsmoking, insulin-dependent diabetic women and 20 nonsmoking healthy women late during pregnancy. In the pregnant diabetic women, arterial oxygen saturation (SAT) and arterial oxygen tension were significantly decreased. SAT correlated inversely with hemoglobin Alc (Hb Alc) (diabetic women: r = -0.43, p less than 0.05; total material: r = 0.66, p less than 0.001). Red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) was significantly increased in the pregnant diabetic women (p less than 0.01), but the 2,3-DPG-induced change in hemoglobin-oxygen affinity was impaired. P50 (oxygen affinity, i.e., Po2 at 50% oxygen saturation) at actual pH correlated inversely with Hb Alc of the diabetic women (r = -0.45, p less than 0.05). The suggestion is made that, in diabetic pregnancy, particularly in poorly regulated cases, fetal hypoxia may be an important factor of the increased risk of intrauterine fetal death.

A prospective, randomised, controlled trial comparing 3 hour and 24 hour postoperative removal of bladder catheter and vaginal pack following vaginal prolapse surgery

Background. The aim of this prospective, randomised, study was to determine whether or not there was a higher incidence of bleeding, reoperation, urinary retention or bacterial count in the urine, depending on whether urinary catheter and vaginal pack was removed 3 h or 24 h after vaginal prolapse surgery. Methods. Some 136 women were randomised into Group 1 (removal of catheter and vaginal pack after 3 h), and Group 2 (removal of catheter and vaginal pack after 24 h). Data on postoperative bleeding, reoperation, and urinary retention were collected. Preoperatively, day after operation, and 14 days after operation, a urine culture was performed. Results. There was no tendency towards more bleeding with early removal of vaginal pack and urinary catheter. No patients in either group were reoperated during the first 48 postoperative hours. Three patients in Group 1 required sterile intermittent catheterisation postoperatively, however, only once in 2 patients. There was a trend towards a higher postoperative bacterial count in patients in Group 2 (p = 0.306). Conclusion. We recommend removing the vaginal pack and urinary catheter after 3 h with careful monitoring of the patients voiding.

Cigarette smoking shortens the bleeding time

The cutaneous bleeding time was shortened after smoking high nicotine cigarettes while not after smoking nicotine free cigarettes. The ADP induced primary platelet aggregation was not enhanced. The number of circulating platelet aggregates did not change due to smoking.