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Sensation-seeking as a moderator of the effects of peer influences, consistency with personal aspirations, and perceived harm on marijuana and cigarette use among younger adolescents.

Concurrent effects of peer influence and protective cognitive variables on marijuana and cigarette use are hypothesized to be contingent on adolescent sensation-seeking. The hypothesis was tested in 1999-2000 using a survey given to eighth graders (N=3127) in 20 U.S. middle schools. Results largely supported the hypothesis that peer pressure and perceived peer marijuana use had only a relatively trivial effect on low sensation-seekers and a much greater effect on high sensation-seekers. In addition, aspirations inconsistent with marijuana use appeared protective for high sensation-seekers.

Adolescent↗

Differential effect of compression-ischaemia block on warm sensation and heat-induced pain.

The effect of compression-ischaemia nerve block on psychophysical thresholds for warm sensation and heat-induced pain was studied on 19 normal human volunteers. Although those two sensory submodalities should be predicted to block simultaneously, based on the fact that both are served by unmyelinated primary afferents, it was actually found that warm sensation was much more vulnerable to compression-ischaemia than heat-induced pain. This is interpreted as resulting from different summation requirements for each of the two sensory modalities; sensation of warmth depends on spatial summation to a larger extent than heat-induced pain. Such differential vulnerability is in line with recent clinical studies reporting deterioration of warm sensation associated with preservation of heat pain in peripheral nerve disorders caused by diabetes, ageing and other neuropathic processes.

Afferent Pathways↗

Evaluating the 'Labeled Magnitude Scale' for measuring sensations of taste and smell.

The Labeled Magnitude Scale (LMS) is a semantic scale of perceptual intensity characterized by a quasi-logarithmic spacing of its verbal labels. The LMS had previously been shown to yield psychophysical functions equivalent to magnitude estimation (ME) when gustatory, thermal and nociceptive stimuli were presented and rated together, and the upper bound of the LMS was defined as the 'strongest imaginable oral sensation'. The present study compared the LMS to ME within the more limited contexts of taste and smell. In Experiment 1, subjects used both methods to rate either taste intensity produced by sucrose and NaC1 or odor intensity produced by acetic acid and phenyl ethyl alcohol, with the upper bound of the LMS defined as either the 'strongest imaginable taste' or the 'strongest imaginable odor'. The LMS produced psychophysical functions equivalent to those produced by ME. In, Experiment 2 a new group of subjects used both methods to rate the intensity of three different taste qualities, with the upper bound of the LMS defined as the 'strongest imaginable [sweetness, saltiness, or bitterness]'. In all three cases the LMS produced steeper functions than did ME. Experiment 3 tested the hypothesis that the LMS yields data comparable to ME only when the perceptual domain under study includes painful sensations. This hypothesis was supported when the LMS again produced steeper functions that ME after subjects had been explicitly instructed to omit painful sensations (e.g. the 'burn' of hot peppers) from the concept of 'strongest imaginable taste'. We conclude that the LMS can be used to scale sensations of taste and smell when they are broadly defined, but that it should be modified for use in scaling specific taste (and probably odor) qualities. The implications of these results for theoretical issues related to ME, category-ratio scales and the size of the perceptual range in different sensory modalities are discussed.

Acetic Acid↗

Sensation seeking and novelty seeking. Are they the same?

Responses to Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) and Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (which consists of novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and reward-dependence dimensions) have been linked to a variety of behavioral and psychiatric variables. The relationship of these two measures to one another has not been examined previously and, in the present study, is evaluated in a group of men briefly hospitalized for treatment of alcohol and chemical dependence. Total sensation seeking scale scores were significantly correlated (Pearson r) with total novelty seeking scale scores. Set correlation analysis revealed significant overall relationships between sensation seeking and both high novelty seeking and low harm avoidance. Most of these overall relationships were attributable to six subscales, although broad relationships were observed between the SSS disinhibition and novelty seeking subscales, and between a harm avoidance subscale and all SSS subscales. Neither statistical approach identified an association between reward dependence and sensation seeking.

Adult↗

A sibling study of sensation seeking and opiate addiction.

Substance abuse and its correlative personality traits may have familial associations. We assessed the relationship between sensation seeking and drug use in 201 opiate addicts and 133 of their siblings in a cross-sectional family study. Probands and their drug-abusing siblings showed greater sensation seeking than their non-drug-abusing siblings and this diagnosis accounted for the most variance in regression models. Degree of sensation seeking correlated among drug-abusing siblings and with age of first drug use. The results are discussed in terms of substance abuse typologies and for using sensation-seeking assessments for prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

Adolescent↗

Pulp reconstruction of fingers with very small sensate medial plantar free flap.

The essence in dealing with the pulp deficit accompanying fingertip injuries lies in functional restitution of the inherent skin texture and characteristics unique to that area and sufficient preservation of digital length, along with successful restoration of fine tactile sensation indispensable to delicate and skillful maneuvers. Among various techniques used to meet such demands, the very small sensate medial plantar free flap can be considered an excellent method in view of the skin texture that allows firm grasping, durability to friction rub, a cushion effect, and adequate sensation. Six cases of finger pulp reconstruction with the very small sensate medial plantar free flap are presented. At follow-up examination (an average follow-up of 24.3 months), the patients were evaluated clinically and neurologically. The operative procedures, advantages, and results in clinical cases are presented. Satisfactory results were obtained with sufficient preservation of digital length and good sensory recovery. No functional deficit was found at the donor site.

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up of total penile reconstruction with sensate osteocutaneous free fibula flap in 18 biological male patients.

Surgical reconstruction of the penis is challenging because of the many cosmetic and functional (e.g., sexual intercourse and voiding) requirements that must be addressed. Since the free sensate osteocutaneous fibula flap was first described for total penile reconstruction in 1993 it has been widely accepted, with its advantages and minimal shortcomings. In this article, the authors present the longest follow-up of biologically male patients with free fibular phalloplasties. Since 1994, 18 biologically male patients with total penile losses for various reasons were treated with free sensate osteocutaneous fibula flaps. All patients were included in the study. The ages of the patients ranged between 20 and 26 years (mean, 22.2 years). The average follow-up period was 5.4 years (range, 1 to 9 years). Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire regarding both quality of orgasm and daily activities. Conventional radiographic imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone mineral densitometry were performed to evaluate the fate of the bony component of the flap. Also, sensibility was evaluated by bulbocavernous reflex and penile somatosensory evoked potentials testing in nine patients. Six patients married, and five of them had six children. Most patients and their partners reported pleasurable sexual intercourse and orgasm. Conventional radiographs of the fibular bone in neophalluses showed robust, calcified bone structure without any evidence of bone resorption or fracture. The magnetic resonance images showed the cortical substance and spongiosum of the bone marrow, which are characteristic signs of bone viability. After intravenous injection of gadolinium, the neophallus bone showed uptake of contrast medium. Viability of neophallus bone was shown even at 9-year follow-up (the longest follow-up in the literature). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements of the penile bone grafts showed that fibular components in the penis had bone mineral density values that were close to but lower than those of intact fibula in the same subjects. These results were considered as evidence of viability of bone grafts. Neural integrity was found between the nerves of the neophallus and the residual penile bodies by both bulbocavernous reflex and penile somatosensory evoked potentials tests. In conclusion, free sensate fibula flap phalloplasty provides the cosmetic and functional requirements that an ideal penis should have. All results put an end to the discussion that the fibular component of the neophallus could resorb. Constitution of neural integrity is important in terms of pleasurable sexual intercourse. The authors believe the free sensate osteocutaneous fibula flap should be considered as the standard in penile reconstruction.

Adult↗

Saddle sensation is preserved in a few patients with cauda equina or conus medullaris lesions.

Although saddle sensory deficit seems the most useful clinical sign in the diagnosis of a cauda equina or conus medullaris lesion, findings of previous studies were controversial. The aim of the present study was to try to resolve this issue. The data from the author's series of patients with clinical, electrodiagnostic and radiological findings compatible with a cauda equina lesion were reviewed. Of the 117 patients in the series, 11 (10 men) did not have a saddle sensory deficit. These 11 patients had less severe sacral dysfunction than the others, and none of them needed urgent surgical intervention. They all had electromyographic (EMG) signs of a significant motor fibre lesion, and in seven men the sacral (penilo-cavernosus) reflex was clinically abnormal. The study revealed normal saddle sensation in approximately 10% of patients with cauda equina or conus medullaris lesions. Dissociation between preserved touch sensation and abnormal EMG findings, as well as dissociation between preserved touch sensation and a non-elicitable penilo-cavernosus reflex might be explained by preservation of the thinner sensory nerve fibres, which are more resistant to compression. Although, saddle sensory loss seems to identify patients who might benefit from urgent spinal imaging and surgery, further diagnostic evaluation is also indicated in patients with normal saddle sensation, particularly due to the increased frequency of spinal tumours found in this subgroup.

Adult↗

Pain sensation during intradermal injections of three different botulinum toxin preparations in different doses and dilutions.

BACKGROUND: Pain sensation associated with injections of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is commonly reported. To date differences in pain sensation between the commercially available products containing BoNT have not been quantified. OBJECTIVES: The pain sensations during injection of Dysport, Botox, Neurobloc, and pure saline (control) were compared. In addition, the nociceptive effect of different volumes used for the dilution of the same BoNT dose was investigated. METHODS: In a prospective, double-blind, controlled trial, 10 healthy subjects were injected intradermally with Dysport (12 U), Botox (3 and 4 U), Neurobloc (150 and 300 U) reconstituted in 0.9% saline, and pure saline. Pain sensation was quantified during injections. RESULTS: Neurobloc injections caused significantly more injection pain than Botox, Dysport, and saline. No significant differences between Dysport, Botox, and saline were found, although there was a trend toward less pain with pure saline injections. Higher pain levels with higher volumes could not be demonstrated significantly. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that BoNT type B injections are associated with substantial pain. There is a considerable difference between the commercially available BoNT type B compared to the two BoNT type A preparations. Therefore, considering mitigation of injection pain seems necessary when using BoNT type B.

Abdomen↗

The effects of biofeedback on rectal sensation and distal colonic motility in patients with disorders of rectal evacuation: evidence of an inhibitory rectocolonic reflex in humans?

OBJECTIVE: Abnormalities of descending colon motility reported in a subset of patients with rectal evacuation disorders are consistent with a rectocolonic inhibitory reflex. Our aims were to evaluate distal colon motor function and rectal sensation in such patients and assess effects of biofeedback (BF) training on these functions. METHODS: Seven patients (five women, two men; mean age 36 yr) with rectal evacuation disorders were studied before and after 10-days biofeedback training; six healthy volunteers (five women, one man; mean age 30 yr) were studied once. Colonic compliance, motility, sensation thresholds, and perception scores during standardized rectal distentions were measured using two barostat-manometry assemblies inserted into the cleansed colon with the aid of flexible sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Sigmoid compliance, fasting, and postprandial motility index, and perception thresholds were similar in controls and patients before and after biofeedback training. Postprandial sigmoid tone tended (p = 0.09) to be lower in patients than controls; after biofeedback, postprandial tone was comparable to that in controls. Rectal urgency scores at 24 mm Hg distention were greater in patients than in controls (p = 0.02 for both). After biofeedback, there were trends for lower perceptions of urgency to defecate (7.6 +/- 1.1 cm pre- vs 5.3 +/- 1.5 post-; p = 0.04) at 24 mm Hg; conversely, gas sensation at 12 mm Hg was higher (1.2 +/- 0.5 cm pre- vs 3.3 +/- 0.6 post-; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of rectal evacuation and postprandial sigmoid tone in patients with evacuation disorders by biofeedback training supports the presence of a rectocolonic inhibitory reflex. Effect of biofeedback on rectal sensation in these patients requires further study.

Adult↗

Could chronic pain and spread of pain sensation be induced and maintained by glial activation?

An injury often starts with acute physiological pain, which becomes inflammatory or neuropathic, and may sometimes become chronic. It has been proposed recently that activated glial cells, astrocytes and microglia within the central nervous system could maintain the pain sensation even after the original injury or inflammation has healed, and convert it into chronic by altering neuronal excitability. Glial cell activation has also been proposed to be involved in the phenomenon of spread of pain sensation ipsilaterally or to the contralateral side (i.e. mirror image pain). Substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, released due to an inflammatory process, interact with the endothelial cells of the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers. The barriers open partially and substances may influence adjacent glial cells. Such substances are also released from neurones carrying the 'pain message' all the way from the injury to the cerebral cortex. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may be released from the microglial cells, and astroglial Ca2+-transients or oscillations may spread within the astroglial networks. One theory is that Ca2+-oscillations could facilitate the formation of new synapses. These new synapses could establish neuronal contacts for maintaining and spreading the pain sensation. If this theory holds true, it is possible that Ca2+ waves, production of cytokines and growth factors could be modified by selective anti-inflammatory drugs to achieve a balance in the activities of the different intercellular and intracellular processes. This paper reviews current knowledge about glial mechanisms underlying the phenomena of chronic pain and spread of the pain sensation.

Astrocytes↗

Corneal sensation in acute angle closure glaucoma.

Corneal sensation was found to be decreased in eyes affected by acute angle closure glaucoma. In those patients with a short history (less than four days) the difference in sensation between the two eyes was only detectable using the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer and not by using cotton wool. Patients with a longer history had a more marked decrease in corneal sensation that was detectable by both methods. Corneal sensation in both groups tended to recover partially on normalization of the intraocular pressure.

Acute Disease↗

Testicular pain sensation in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Testicular sensation was examined in 32 male diabetics with symptoms suggestive of autonomic neuropathy to evaluate its usefulness as a clinical sign in this condition. Vascular reflex responses to the Valsalva manoeuvre and sustained handgrip and blood pressure fall on standing were measured as objective tests of autonomic involvement. Absent or diminished testicular sensation correlated well both with the clinical features of autonomic neuropathy, except where impotence occurred alone, and with abnormal vascular reflexes. Most patients with impotence alone had normal testicular sensation and normal vascular reflexes. It is concluded that this sign is useful in diabetics with impotence, the presence of intact testicular sensation indicating that the impotence is unlikely to be due to autonomic neuropathy.

Achilles Tendon↗

Esophageal sensation in spinal cord-injured patients: balloon distension and cerebral evoked potential recording.

We sought to determine the esophageal sensory function in patients with a C6 or C7 spinal cord injury. A balloon was repetitively distended 10 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter in five patients and nine normal control subjects. Sensation was reported on a scale from 0 to 2 with progressive distension to pain threshold (level 2). Cortical responses were recorded from midline scalp electrodes. Blinded determinations of quality and reproducibility of the potentials were performed. All subjects experienced sensation with esophageal balloon distension. Volumes to sensation showed a trend toward a higher sensory threshold in patients but were significant only for first sensation, not pain. In all subjects, a triphasic evoked potential response consisting of a negative-positive-negative complex was noted with distension but not with sham distension. Characteristics (amplitude, latency, reproducibility, and quality) of the evoked potentials were not different in patient and control groups. These data suggest sensory pathways from the distal esophagus are intact in patients with a C6 or C7 spinal cord injury.

Adult↗

Spatial summation of heat-induced pain: influence of stimulus area and spatial separation of stimuli on perceived pain sensation intensity and unpleasantness.

1. Psychophysical experiments were initiated to determine the possible influence of increasing stimulus size on perceived pain intensity. Six trained human subjects (5 male, 1 female) made visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings for pain-sensation intensity and unpleasantness in response to nociceptive thermal stimuli. Test stimuli consisted of 5-s duration heat pulses (45-50 degrees C in 1 degrees increments) delivered by one, two, or three contact thermal probes (1 cm2 each) applied to the medial aspect of the anterior forearm. 2. The area of skin receiving noxious thermal stimuli was changed by randomly varying the number of thermodes activated. The effects of varying the distance between the thermal probes also were evaluated. In the first series of experiments, thermal-probe separation was kept close to 0; in subsequent experimental series, the thermodes were separated by either 5 or 10 cm. 3. In each experimental series, considerable spatial summation occurred in both pain-sensation intensity and unpleasantness dimensions of pain. This summation occurred throughout the nociceptive thermal range of 45-50 degrees C and was larger at suprathreshold temperatures (greater than or equal to 47 degrees C) than those near threshold (less than or equal to 46 degrees C). Unlike spatial summation of perceived warmth, that of pain was not characterized by systematic changes in power-function exponents but as approximately upward parallel displacements in double-logarithmic coordinates. 4. Thermal-probe separation over a range of 0-10 cm had no effects on spatial summation of pain-sensation intensity or pain unpleasantness. In contrast, increasing thermal-probe separation increased the subjects' ability to discriminate differences in stimulus size and their ability to detect correctly the number of thermal probes activated. 5. Because affective VAS ratings of unpleasantness were linearly related to, but distinctly and systematically less than, VAS ratings of pain-sensation intensity, it was clear that subjects responded quite differently to these two pain dimensions. Affective judgements were not additionally influenced by thermal probe separation and hence by the ability to perceive stimulus size or number of thermal probes activated. 6. The results indicate that powerful spatial-summation mechanisms exist for heat-induced pain. Spatial summation of pain is likely to be subserved both by local integration mechanisms at the level of single spinothalamic-tract neurons and by recruitment of central nociceptive neurons, because spatial summation of pain occurred to approximately equal extents under conditions of thermode separations over a distance of at least 20 cm.

Adult↗

Antipruritic and thermal sensation effects of hydrocortisone creams in human skin.

Few studies evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroids on thermal sensation and in alleviation of itch produced by intradermal injection of histamine. We evaluated the antipruritic effect of hydrocortisone (1% and 2.5%) on histamine-induced itch and sensory effects by measuring itch magnitude, itch duration and thermal thresholds using a computerized thermal sensory analyzer (TSA). This was a double-blind, random, comparative, controlled, single-dose and single-center study. Itch was experimentally induced in both forearms by intracutaneous injection of histamine in 18 subjects. Hydrocortisone 1%, 2.5% and placebo were applied to test sites on both forearms. The thermal threshold for warmth sensation, cold sensation, cold and heat pain was measured with the TSA. Itch magnitude was measured each minute after histamine injection for 10 min with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Itch duration was also recorded. In comparison to placebo, 2.5% hydrocortisone significantly (p = 0.03) reduced itch duration from 12.6 +/- 11.0 min (mean +/- SD) to 8.6 +/- 8.2 min (the reducing rate was 32%) as well as itch magnitude (at minutes 3, 6, 7 and overall). Placebo, 1% and 2.5% hydrocortisone significantly altered (p <0.05) the cold sensation threshold. No treatment altered cold or heat pain thresholds. These data suggest that topical application of 2.5% hydrocortisone may be significantly beneficial for the treatment of histamine-induced itch. The correlation between thermal measurements and antipruritic effects warrants further study.

Administration, Topical↗

Hostility-aggressiveness, sensation seeking, and sex hormones in men: re-exploring their relationship.

To evaluate the relationship between sex hormones and aggressiveness, hostility and sensation seeking we studied 30 healthy males. Using a standardised technique of radioimmunoassay, we obtained blood values of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and the free androgen index (FAI). Personality was evaluated by the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory and the Sensation-Seeking Scale, form V. The results showed a lack of significant correlations between the measures of aggressiveness-hostility and hormones. Nevertheless, Spearman and Pearson correlations between Sensation Seeking and testosterone were positive and significant after controlling for age. Considerably higher correlations were obtained after controlling for LH and SHBG. A group of subjects with high scores in a factor made up of Experience Seeking, Disinhibition and Boredom Susceptibility obtained significantly higher scores on TT and FAI. Subjects with high scores in a factor made up of Assault, Indirect Aggression and Verbal Aggression obtained significantly higher scores in SHBG and TT. These findings support Zuckerman's personality model for the sensation-seeking trait.

Adult↗

Sensation seeking, sexual curiosity and testosterone in inmates.

The relationships between sensation seeking, curiosity about sex, and total and free testosterone in inmates were investigated. The role of other hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in these relationships was also analyzed. Previous analysis allowed the deletion of extreme hormone values affecting the distribution of the variables. In spite of obtaining a high mean for SHBG, relationships between hormones were appropriate. It was observed that higher values of SHBG produce an increment in total testosterone, but not in free testosterone. Positive relationships between total testosterone and the Disinhibition scale of the Sensation Seeking Scale Form V were replicated, although they were affected by SHBG. Significant relationships between total and free testosterone and curiosity about sex were also found. LH and FSH did not influence these patterns of relations. It was suggested that relationships between SHBG and sensation seeking in inmates could be mediated by items referring to alcohol and drugs. The high levels of SHBG observed in the sample reinforced this suggestion. In spite of the role of SHBG, subjects who were desinhibited and concerned about sex presented higher concentrations of total and free testosterone. The results support Zuckerman's sensation seeking theory.

Adult↗