Jordi Miró

Identification of sperm subpopulations with specific motility characteristics in stallion ejaculates

The aim of this study was to test the presence of separate sperm subpopulations, with specific motility characteristics, in stallion ejaculates by using a computer-assisted semen motility analysis (CASA) system. Motility data were analyzed with a hierarchical clustering of variables based on a correlation or covariance matrix to select like parameters of sperm motility descriptors that better explain the kinetics of spermatozoa. The statistical analyses clustered the whole motile sperm population in both fresh and 24 h stored ejaculates into four separate groups. There were significant differences in the distribution of the four subpopulations (P < 0.001) as well as in the total sperm number and the percentage of total motility (P < 0.01) in fresh semen among the five stallions tested. Our results show that separate subpopulations of spermatozoa with different motility characteristics coexist in stallion ejaculates. These subpopulations were maintained, although with a less-progressive motion pattern, after 24 h of storage. The study of subpopulations in ejaculates that have confirmed fertilizing capacity showed that the majority of the motile spermatozoa in these ejaculates are included in a subpopulation with high progressive motility and low linearity, and the ejaculates with proven fertility that have a total sperm count > or = 20 x 10(9) spermatozoa/ejaculate show all of their motile sperm included in this subpopulation. Our results show that the use of the CASA system is a relatively simple approach to the study of sperm subpopulation patterns in equine ejaculates.

Evidence for the use of a numerical rating scale to assess the intensity of pediatric pain

The aim of this work was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Numerical Rating Scale‐11 (NRS‐11) when used to assess pediatric pain intensity. We performed two studies: 175 schoolchildren, aged 8–12, participated in Study 1 and 63 children undergoing surgery and aged 6–16, participated in Study 2. The NRS‐11 showed (a) adequate convergent construct validity when correlated with the Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS‐R; r1 = 0.78, r2 = 0.93); (b) adequate discriminant validity in relation to measures of pain‐related affect (z1 = 3.55, z2 = 7.62) and disability (z1 = 7.62, z2 = 6.83); and (c) adequate criterion‐related validity using measures of pain‐related affect (r1 = .58, r2 = .66), disability (r1 = 0.22, r2 = .39), and quality of life (r2 = −.46). Schoolchildren were asked whether they preferred using the NRS‐11 or the FPS‐R when reporting the intensity of their pain. While both sexes and both the younger and older age groups preferred the FPS‐R, this preference was more marked among girls and younger children.

The fear-avoidance model in whiplash injuries

The aim of this work was to study whether fear of movement, and pain catastrophizing predict pain related‐disability and depression in sub‐acute whiplash patients. Moreover, we wanted to test if fear of movement is a mediator in the relation between catastrophizing and pain‐related disability/depression as has been suggested by the fear‐avoidance model [Vlaeyen JWS, Kole‐Snijders AMJ, Boeren RGB, van Eek H. Fear of movement/(re)injury in chronic low back pain and its relation to behavioral performance. Pain 1995;62:363–72]. The convenience sample used was of 147 sub‐acute whiplash patients (pain duration less than 3 months). Two stepwise regression analyses were performed using fear of movement and catastrophizing as the independent variables, and disability and depression as the dependent variables. After controlling for descriptive variables and pain characteristics, catastrophizing and fear of movement were found to be predictors of disability and depression. Pain intensity was a predictor of disability but not of depression. The mediation effect of fear of movement in the relationships between catastrophizing and disability, and between catastrophizing and depression was also supported. The results of this study are in accordance with the fear‐avoidance model, and support a biopsychosocial perspective for whiplash disorders.

Evaluation of reliability, validity, and preference for a pediatric pain intensity scale: the Catalan version of the faces pain scale: revised

&NA; The main objective of this research was to determine the initial psychometric properties of the Faces Pain Scale – Revised (FPS‐R) as a measure of pain intensity for use with Catalan children and adolescents. Results of the Catalan version of this scale (FPS‐R‐C) are similar to those obtained with the original instrument. In order to assess the validity and reliability of the FPS‐R‐C, two different samples were studied. The first sample contained 124 hospitalized children and adolescents (mean age 10.86; SD 2.5). They were asked to rate their affective state on the Faces Affective Scale (FAS) and the intensity of their pain on the FPS‐R‐C and the Coloured Analogue Scale (CAS). The pain intensity ratings reported with FPS‐R‐C and CAS were very similar, correlations ranging from 0.83 to 0.9. The relationship between the intensity of pain experienced and childrens affective state was also statistically significant (r=0.32, P<0.01). The second sample contained 247 schoolchildren (mean age 9.43; SD 1.55), who were asked to imagine themselves in eight hypothetical painful situations and rate the degree of pain using the FPS‐R‐C and the CAS (correlations ranging from 0.83 to 0.96). Test–retest correlations on this questionnaire (Painful Events Inventory) ranged from 0.26 to 0.70. Overall, these results provide preliminary evidence of the reliability, and convergent and criterion‐related validity of the FPS‐R‐C. Moreover, all participating subjects were asked to choose the pain scale they preferred the most. Our data suggest that, regardless of their age and/or gender, the subjects prefer the FPS‐R‐C to the CAS.

mHealth: A Strategic Field without a Solid Scientific Soul. A Systematic Review of Pain-Related Apps

Background Mobile health (mHealth) has undergone exponential growth in recent years. Patients and healthcare professionals are increasingly using health-related applications, at the same time as concerns about ethical issues, bias, conflicts of interest and privacy are emerging. The general aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of development of mHealth. Methods and Findings To exemplify the issues, we made a systematic review of the pain-related apps available in scientific databases (Medline, Web of Science, Gale, Psycinfo, etc.) and the main application shops (App Store, Blackberry App World, Google Play, Nokia Store and Windows Phone Store). Only applications (designed for both patients and clinicians) focused on pain education, assessment and treatment were included. Of the 47 papers published on 34 apps in scientific databases, none were available in the app shops. A total of 283 pain-related apps were found in the five shops searched, but no articles have been published on these apps. The main limitation of this review is that we did not look at all stores in all countries. Conclusions There is a huge gap between the scientific and commercial faces of mHealth. Specific efforts are needed to facilitate knowledge translation and regulate commercial health-related apps.

The Catalan version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale: a useful instrument to assess catastrophic thinking in whiplash patients.

UNLABELLED The main aims of this work were to test the psychometric properties of the Catalan version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and to assess the usefulness of the scale when used with whiplash patients. This article reports results from 2 complementary studies. In the first one, the PCS was administered to 280 students and 146 chronic pain patients to examine the psychometric properties of a new Catalan version of the instrument. A confirmatory factor analysis supported a second-order structure, in which 3 second-order factors (ie, rumination, helplessness, and magnification) load in a higher-order factor (ie, catastrophizing). The reliability of the Catalan version was supported by an acceptable internal consistency and test-retest values. Validity was supported by the correlations found among the PCS and pain intensity, pain interference, and depression. The objective of the second study was to evaluate the PCS when used with whiplash patients. In this second study, 141 patients with whiplash disorders participated. In general, the psychometric properties of the PCS were found appropriate, with factor analysis supporting the structure described in patients with chronic pain. Our data suggest that the PCS is a good instrument to assess catastrophic thinking in whiplash patients. PERSPECTIVE The usefulness of the PCS in whiplash disorders has been explored in this study. Results of our work show that the PCS can be a very useful tool to assess catastrophic thinking about pain in whiplash patients.

Effects of freezing/thawing on motile sperm subpopulations of boar and donkey ejaculates

The main aim of this study is to assess the influence of freeze/thawing on motile sperm subpopulations in ejaculates from two phylogenetically different mammalian species, boar and donkey. Our results indicate that, whereas boar and donkey sperm respond very differently in their mean motion characteristics to freezing/thawing, this process did not change the existence of a 4-subpopulations structure in the ejaculates in either species when these subpopulations were defined by taking values of curvilinear velocity (VCL) as reference. Moreover, the freezing/thawing-linked changes in mean sperm-motion characteristics in both boar and donkey semen were especially due to changes in the proportion among each concrete subpopulation. In this way, the freezing/thawing-induced mean increase in motion characteristics observed in boar sperm was a result of the decrease in the percentage of sperm in Subpopulation 1 (from 53.9%+/-4.7% to 31.2%+/-3.9% after thawing) and a concomitant increase of sperm from Subpopulations 3 (from 13.3%+/-2.5% to 32.6%+/-3.9% after thawing) and 4 (from 3.4%+/-0.9% to 8.0%+/-1.1% after thawing). On the contrary, changes in mean motility of frozen/thawed donkey sperm were linked to an increase in the percentage of sperm in Subpopulation 1 (from 31.5%+/-4.3% to 58.8%+/-4.9% after thawing) and a concomitant decrease of sperm from Subpopulations 3 (from 32.4%+/-3.2% to 6.6%+/-1.8% after thawing) and 4 (from 12.2%+/-2.5% to 7.3%+/-1.9% after thawing). In conclusion, our results seem to indicate that motility changes induced by the freezing/thawing protocol are linked to concomitant changes in both the specific parameters and, more importantly, to the specific percentage of each of the motile sperm subpopulations. These changes did not affect the overall proportion of motile sperm present in both boar and donkey, which is conserved despite the detrimental effect caused by freezing/thawing in both species. Finally, the presence of some kind of motile sperm subpopulations structure has been described in mammalian species with a very great phylogenetic distance, thus suggesting that this structure could play some role in the maintenance of the overall function of mammalian ejaculates.

Disability in subacute whiplash patients: usefulness of the neck disability index.

Study Design. Cross-sectional study. Objective. To analyze the psychometric properties of the neck disability index (NDI), with a special emphasis in its factor structure, and its usefulness, in a sample of patients suffering from a subacute whiplash problem. Summary of Background Data. A valid and reliable instrument to assess pain-related disability would be of great help to clinicians and researchers interested in whiplash associated disorders. First, to better understand the impact of whiplash on the patient’s life, and his or her progress over time. Second, to formulate comprehensive treatment plans, and evaluate the results from therapeutic actions. Finally, to follow-up patients’ changes and improvement. The NDI could be an appropriate instrument for these purposes. Methods. A convenience sample of 150 subacute whiplash patients participated. They were requested to complete the Catalan version of the NDI, and report about their pain intensity, pain interference and depression. Results. An exploratory factor analysis showed that the NDI can be viewed as a 2-factor instrument. The items and the instrument’s total score were normally distributed. Internal consistency was also appropriate both for the total score (Cronbach’s &agr;: 0.87) and the 2 subscales (0.7 for the pain and interference with cognitive functioning scale, and 0.83 for the physical functioning scale). Total NDI and subscales scores significantly correlated with pain intensity, pain interference, and depression. Conclusion. The NDI showed excellent psychometric properties in a sample of subacute whiplash patients. Additional research is needed to replicate the NDIs factor structure.

Impact of biopsychosocial factors on chronic pain in persons with myotonic and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

To assess the role of biopsychosocial factors in patients with type 1 myotonic and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (MMD1/FSHD) with chronic pain. Associations between psychosocial factors were found to be important in other samples of persons with pain and both psychological functioning and pain interference in a sample of patients suffering from MMD/FSHD. Prospective, multiple group, survey study of 182 patients with confirmed MMD1 and FSHD. Participants completed surveys assessing pain interference and psychological functioning, as well as psychosocial, demographic, and injury-related variables. Analyses indicated that greater catastrophizing was associated with increased pain interference and poorer psychological functioning, pain attitudes were significantly related to both pain interference and psychological functioning, and coping responses were significantly related only to pain interference. In addition, greater perceived social support was associated with better psychological functioning. The results support the use of studying pain in persons with MMD/FSHD from a biopsychosocial perspective, and the importance of identifying psychosocial factors that may play a role in the adjustment to and response to pain secondary to MMD/FSHD.

Predictive factors of chronic pain and disability in whiplash: a Delphi poll.

The purpose of this study was to establish consensus on what factors might predict chronic pain and disability in whiplash injuries following motor vehicle collisions.