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Biomedical subjects

Sharon Wood

Publications and source records attributed to Sharon Wood.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Circulating hormones and hypothalamic energy balance: regulatory gene expression in the Lou/C and Wistar rats.

To ascertain the mechanisms underlying low caloric intake and low body weight in the Lou/C rat, the circulating hormone levels and gene expression of hypothalamic peptides and receptors important in energy balance and the induction of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) gene expression in response to leptin challenge were compared with Wistar rats. Plasma leptin levels were lower in the Lou/C rat, as were levels of rat corticosterone, TSH and T4 but not T3. Ghrelin levels were higher in the Lou/C rat. Total leptin receptor (Ob-R) and the long form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) gene expression were lower in the arcuate (ARC) and ventromedial nuclei (VMN) in Lou/C rat. Ghrelin receptor expression in the ARC and VMN was lower in Lou/C than in Wistar rats. However, agouti gene-related peptide (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene expression were higher in the Lou/C rat. There was no difference in the level of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript gene expression in the ARC, but both were higher in the paraventricular nuclei of the Lou/C breed. There was no difference in Ob-R gene expression in, or [(125)I]leptin binding to, the choroid plexus. SOCS3 mRNA induction in response to leptin was lower in the Lou/C rat. This study reveals that the comparatively low plasma leptin, TSH and T4 levels, and high ghrelin levels together with high levels of AgRP and NPY gene expression seen in the Lou/C rat are indicative of a strong drive to eat and decreased energy expenditure, which are in direct opposition to the comparatively low body weight and adiposity of this rat strain.

Agouti-Related Protein↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Special focus. Pain.

This Part has explored some of the epidemiological factors that affect pain. The differences between acute and chronic pain have been discussed in terms of disease process, anatomy and physiology and associated signs and symptoms.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aetiology, signs, symptoms and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most common causes of facial pain. It can be excruciating and can severely incapacitate patients and negatively affect their quality of life. First-line treatment is anticonvulsant drugs but other pharmacological options are available. If drug therapy is ineffective, a range of surgical options exist.

Analgesics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors influencing the selection of appropriate pain assessment tools.

Pain is one of the most complex human experiences. Nurses have a moral, ethical, humanitarian and professional responsibility to provide an adequate standard of pain assessment and documentation. In order to obtain an accurate pain assessment from patients, they need to feel that their expression of pain will be listened to, accepted and acted on. It is therefore vital that nurses are educated in the process of pain assessment.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for using cannabis and cannabinoids to manage pain.

In the past 30 years there has been a rise in anecdotal evidence from patients on the effectiveness of cannabis in pain relief. This has led to an interest in the potential medical use of cannabis and its derivatives (Ware et al, 2003). In the UK this debate has led to expert bodies reviewing the evidence for and against its use in pain management. This article explores this evidence.

Acute Disease↗