Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Neurosurg 2018 Dec;129(Suppl1):72-76

OBJECTIVEAblative procedures are still useful in the treatment of intractable pain despite the proliferation of neuromodulation techniques. In the paper the authors present the results of Gamma Knife thalamotomy (GKT) in various pain syndromes.METHODSBetween 1996 and 2016, unilateral GKT was performed in 30 patients suffering from various severe pain syndromes in whom conservative treatment had failed. Read More

J Pain 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.

Peripheral neuropathic pain is among the most prevalent types of neuropathic pain. No comprehensive peripheral neuropathic pain classification system that incorporates contemporary clinical, diagnostic, biological, and psychological information exists. To address this need, this article covers the taxonomy for 4 focal or segmental peripheral neuropathic pain disorders, as part of the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION) public-private partnership and the American Pain Society (APS) collaborative to develop a standardized, evidence-based taxonomy initiative: the ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy (AAPT). Read More

Neurol India 2018 Nov-Dec;66(6):1711-1712

Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, Minnesota 56001, USA.

Neurol India 2018 Nov-Dec;66(6):1706-1710

Department of Pain Management, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.

Background: This study investigated the clinical effects of selective dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency lesioning in combination with oral administration of gabapentin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Material And Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive cases of initially diagnosed patients with PHN were randomly divided into the control and the observation groups, with each group consisting of 58 patients. The control group was treated with oral gabapentin (2400 mg/d, tid), while the observation group received gabapentin and pulsed radiofrequency lesioing of the dorsal root ganglion. Read More

Complement Ther Med 2018 Dec 21;41:277-282. Epub 2018 Oct 21.

Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Dermatology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most distressful complication of herpes zoster. PHN results in an impaired quality of life and higher healthcare utilization. Vitamin B12 has been proven to be effective in pain relief for various conditions. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Family Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, No. 707, Sec. 3, Chung Yang Rd, Hualien, 97002, Taiwan.

This study aimed to investigate the association between herpes zoster (HZ) and the risks of osteoporosis and fracture. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The study enrolled 63,786 patients: 31,893 diagnosed with HZ between 2000 and 2012 were included in the HZ cohort, and 31,893 matched controls without HZ were included in the non-HZ cohort, with 1:1 exact matching for age, sex, and index year. Read More

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Healthoutcomes Department, GSK, Tokyo, Japan.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe the disease burden and costs of herpes zoster (HZ) in the general adult Japanese population or patients with immunocompromised (IC) conditions or chronic disorders.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of individuals aged 18-74 years was conducted using January 2005 to December 2014 records from the Japan Medical Data Center claims database. Twenty-eight IC conditions and chronic disorders were defined by diagnosis codes and/or procedures/treatments. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(46):e13178

Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder's Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Rationale: Hyponatremia following duloxetine treatment has been reported in patients with major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, or sciatic pain. The manifestations of duloxetine-induced hyponatremia are varying in different individuals. The overall prognosis for this type of hyponatremia is favorable if properly managed. Read More

Viruses 2018 Nov 2;10(11). Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic human herpes virus that causes varicella (chickenpox) as a primary infection, following which it becomes latent in peripheral ganglia. Decades later, the virus may reactivate either spontaneously or after a number of triggering factors to cause herpes zoster (shingles). Varicella and its complications are more severe in the immunosuppressed. Read More

Pharmazie 2018 Nov;73(11):659-661

Mirogabalin, which is a novel ligand for the α₂δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, is under development for the treatment of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. Mirogabalin possesses unique binding characteristics to α₂δ subunits and potent and long-lasting analgesic effects in peripheral neuropathic pain models. In the present study, we investigated the analgesic effects of mirogabalin in a rat model of spinal cord injury as an experimental animal model for central neuropathic pain. Read More

Drugs Aging 2018 12;35(12):1031-1040

Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.

Shingrix is a recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) that contains a varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E antigen and the AS01 adjuvant system. The subunit vaccine is approved for the prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) [EU, USA, Japan, Canada and Australia] and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) [EU and Australia] in adults aged ≥ 50 years. In the pivotal trials in adults aged ≥ 50 years (ZOE-50) and ≥ 70 years (ZOE-70), RZV significantly reduced the risk of HZ and PHN. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2018 Oct 16. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.

Herpes zoster is a painful, eruptive, viral condition occurring with reactivation in immunosuppressed individuals. The selection of an effective analgesic method in the acute phase of herpes zoster can decrease the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia by reducing neural sensitization. The erector spinae plane block has been reported to provide diffuse and effective analgesia in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 2;11:2131-2144. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE and STCSM), Shanghai Changning ECNU Mental Health Center, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China,

Background: Although the interaction between pain and cognition has been recognized for decades, the neural substrates underlying their association remain unclear. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is known as a critical brain area for higher cognitive functions, as well as for pain perception and modulation. The objective of the present study was to explore the role of the PFC in the interaction between chronic pain and cognitive functions by examining the relationship between spontaneous activity in the frontal lobe and pain intensity reported by postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients. Read More

Anesth Analg 2018 Oct 12. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St Louis, Missouri.

Recent findings from a phase II clinical trial showed analgesic effects of an angiotensin II type-2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist in postherpetic neuralgia patients. This study aimed to investigate whether AT2R antagonism could provide effective analgesia in voluntary measures of unevoked/ongoing pain-like behaviors in mice with experimental neuropathy. Mice were subjected to spared nerve injury to induce neuropathy and tested in 2 operant behavioral tests to measure ongoing mechanical and cold pain hypersensitivities. Read More

Korean J Pain 2018 Oct 1;31(4):235-243. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Shi, China.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most troublesome side effect of Herpes Zoster (HZ), which mainly affects the elderly and immunocompromised populations. Despite the current advancement of treatments, PHN persists in many individuals influencing their daily activities and reducing their quality of life. Anticonvulsants, antidepressants, topical therapies including lidocaine and capsaicin, and opioids, are the most widely used therapies for the treatment of PHN. Read More

Schmerz 2018 Dec;32(6):464-467

Institut für Schmerzmedizin, Schmerzpraxis Wiesbaden, Sonnenberger Str. 68, 65193, Wiesbaden, Deutschland.

A 68-year-old patient suffered from postzoster neuralgia with severe pain of the left trigeminal nerve V1. Despite medication with gabapentin 1800 mg/d, oxacarbazepine 600 mg, tapentadol 500 mg/d, amitriptyline 20 mg as well as ambroxol 20% ointment and lidocaine patch topically, the pain reached an intensity of 8-10 on the numeric rating scale (NRS). Wearing a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask at night to treat a sleep apnea was impossible or the mask was leaking under lidocaine patch, only topical ambroxol 20% brought a certain pain relief. Read More

Neuromodulation 2018 Oct 4. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

Objective: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) can relieve postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) caused by herpes zoster (HZ) infection. Nevertheless, its curative effect can vary and may be related to the duration of treatment period. The following study investigates the efficacy and safety of CT-guided PRF modulation on HZ neuralgia over different periods and different time points. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Oct 3;18(1):496. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Health Economics Department, GSK, Avenue Fleming 20, 1300, Wavre, Belgium.

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful dermatomal rash caused by reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus surviving in the patient's sensory ganglia after a previous episode of varicella. The incidence of HZ increases markedly with age as does the proportion of HZ patients who develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) with often severe and debilitating pain persisting for months and even years. This prospective study aimed to assess the impact of HZ and PHN on the quality of life (QoL) of individuals aged ≥ 50 years in Germany. Read More

Microsc Res Tech 2018 Sep 24. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Department of Anatomy, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Three-dimensional microscopy provides more extended depth of penetration compared with conventional light microscopy and is known to be useful in clinical evaluation of thick biological specimens. Skin nerve biopsy together with the quantification of intraepidermal nerve fibers in multiple thick sections has been widely adopted for evaluating peripheral neuropathies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectivity of three-dimensional microscopy in reducing the required time and inter-rater discrepancies, especially in the case of personnel not familiar with the quantification methods. Read More

Drugs 2018 Sep;78(14):1489-1500

Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.

The adhesive capsaicin dermal patch (Qutenza) delivers a high concentration (8% w/w) of synthetic capsaicin, a highly selective agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV-1), directly to the site of pain. The capsaicin 8% dermal patch is indicated in the EU for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) in adults, either alone or in combination with other medicinal products for pain. In patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a single 30-min application of the capsaicin 8% dermal patch provided 12 weeks of pain relief and improved sleep quality compared with placebo. Read More

J Infect Dis 2018 Sep;218(suppl_2):S120-S126

Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.

Patients with postherpetic neuralgia may experience various sensory signs and symptoms of pain. Despite this, the recommendations for medicinal treatment do not differ accordingly. In order to find the appropriate treatment options for postherpetic neuralgia, several attempts have been made in the past. Read More

J Infect Dis 2018 Sep;218(suppl_2):S127-S133

Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora.

Background: Immunization for herpes zoster (HZ) aims to reverse the decline in cell-mediated immunity to varicella zoster virus that occurs with advancing age or immunocompromise. There are 2 vaccines available, one live attenuated (Zoster vaccine, live attenuated [ZVL]) and, recently, a recombinant subunit vaccine (HZ/su).

Methods: The literature relevant to the two HZ vaccines was reviewed. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2018 Sep 14;4(8):752-760. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.

Frontline Gastroenterol 2018 Oct 3;9(4):323-324. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis, Den Bosch, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands.

This case report describes a young, immunocompromised patient who presented with thoracic pain. After an extensive workup, she was diagnosed with a varicella zoster virus infection with involvement of the gastric mucosa, pancreas and lungs for which she was treated with acyclovir. Although the viral load decreased significantly, the patient had persistent postherpetic neuralgia and nausea. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Sep;97(38):e12388

Department of Pain Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Rationale: Effective treatments for trigeminal nerve postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) are limited. Adriamycin (doxorubicin) has been applied to the treatment of neuropathic pain. This study reports a new treatment: Adriamycin injected to Gasserian ganglion for an elderly patient with the intractable trigeminal nerve PHN. Read More

Infect Drug Resist 2018 5;11:1401-1411. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy,

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute vesicular dermatitis with a typical dermatomal distribution, caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), often preceded and accompanied by prodromal pain or pruritus. HZ may be related to several complications such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The incidence and severity of the disease increase with aging, due to immunosenescence and in particular to the decline of the specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Read More

J Pain Res 2018 3;11:1699-1708. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Pfizer, New York, NY, USA,

Purpose: Pregabalin is indicated for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in multiple countries, including China. This analysis compared pregabalin efficacy and safety in Chinese and international patients with PHN.

Patients And Methods: Data from Chinese and international randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were compared. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 27;11:1637-1643. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Department of Anesthesiology, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.

Introduction: We investigated the effect and safety of ozone autohemotherapy combined with pharmacological therapy in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Methods: Ninety-eight patients with PHN were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into a pharmacological therapy group and ozone autohemotherapy group (49 patients in each group). The PHN patients in the pharmacological therapy group were administered pharmacological therapy for 2 weeks, whereas PHN patients in the ozone autohemotherapy group were given ozone autohemotherapy (200 mL blood from patients, the concentration of medical ozone was set as 30 μg/mL using an ozone medical apparatus, 40 mL medical ozone was incubated in 200 mL autologous blood for 3-5 minutes) combined with pharmacological therapy for 2 weeks. Read More

J Neuroophthalmol 2018 Sep 1. Epub 2018 Sep 1.

Department of Neurological Sciences (SK, LNJ), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Stanley M Truhlsen Eye Institute (SK), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; and Department of Neurology (JRB), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Background: Approximately 1 million new cases of herpes zoster (HZ) occur in the United States annually, including 10%-20% with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). Postherpetic neuralgia, a debilitating pain syndrome occurs in 30% HZ, whereas 50% HZO develop ophthalmic complications. Diplopia from cranial nerve palsy occurs in less than 30% HZO, whereas optic neuropathy is seen in less than 1% HZO. Read More

J Med Virol 2019 Feb 24;91(2):287-295. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

DISSAL Section of Dermatology, Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, Genoa, Italy.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is typically characterized by pain involving the area of vesicular eruption. Several patients, however, complain of unilateral radicular pain without rash (zoster sine herpete [ZSH]). To evaluate whether the severity and duration of pain and the use of analgesics are greater in ZSH patients than in typical HZ with rash, 16 consecutive patients with acute unilateral pain, without vesicular eruption (ZSH), were compared with 16 controls suffering from typical HZ eruption. Read More

Nurs Womens Health 2018 Oct 24;22(5):417-422. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Women ages 50 years and older are at risk for herpes zoster, a reactivated virus from varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) that causes a painful vesicular rash and can result in postherpetic neuralgia. It is estimated that one in three adults will be affected by herpes zoster in their lifetime. Research evidence points to the need to prevent herpes zoster through vaccination. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Aug;97(34):e11986

Acupuncture Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

Background: Acupuncture is widely used for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in China but its effect is unclear. We aim to evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture for PHN.

Methods: The Cochrane Skin Group Trials Register, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the gray literature were searched. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018 Aug 21:1-11. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

a GSK , Wavre , Belgium.

Each year, around 300,000 Herpes Zoster (HZ) cases are observed in the German population, resulting in costs over €182 million to society. The objective of this study was to estimate the potential public health and economic impact of the new Adjuvanted Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) in the German population ≥ 60 years of age (YOA) and to identify the optimal age of vaccination. We used a static, multi-cohort Markov model that followed a hypothetical cohort of 1 million people ≥ 60 YOA life-long after vaccination using German-specific inputs. Read More

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2018 Aug 16;18(10):69. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Jefferson Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Neuralgias are characterized by pain in the distribution of a cranial or cervical nerve. Typically, they are brief, paroxysmal, painful attacks, although continuous neuropathic pain may occur. The most commonly encountered conditions are trigeminal, postherpetic, and occipital neuralgia. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Aug;97(32):e11864

Department of Pain Management, Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Few treatments are effective to manage herpes-zoster (HZ)-related pain. This retrospective study focused on the efficacy of 2% lidocaine continuous epidural infusion on pain control and quality of life in patients with thoracic or lumbar HZ.A total of 256 patients with thoracic or lumbar HZ were reviewed for this study. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018 08 6;115(34):E8057-E8066. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110;

Peripheral nerve damage initiates a complex series of structural and cellular processes that culminate in chronic neuropathic pain. The recent success of a type 2 angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor (AT2R) antagonist in a phase II clinical trial for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia suggests angiotensin signaling is involved in neuropathic pain. However, transcriptome analysis indicates a lack of AT2R gene () expression in human and rodent sensory ganglia, raising questions regarding the tissue/cell target underlying the analgesic effect of AT2R antagonism. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 16;9:1632. Epub 2018 Jul 16.

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.

This narrative review focuses on the herpes zoster (HZ) and its prevention in transplant patients. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly contagious and distributed worldwide in humans. Primary VZV infection usually causes varicella and then establishes a lifelong latency in dorsal root ganglia. Read More

J Clin Anesth 2018 Dec 1;51:37. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Department of Anesthesiology, Showa University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Biomed Res Int 2018 4;2018:7474207. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Electrophysiological Laboratory, Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, China.

Objective: The study aims to systematically evaluate the clinical effect of gabapentin in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Method: Data were retrieved electronically from PubMed, Embase, CNKI, the China Biomedical Database, and the Library of Clinical Database, beginning from the time of inception to April 2017, in order to collect data on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of gabapentin and placebo in PHN treatment.

Results: A total of 11 RCTs (2376 people) were retrieved. Read More

Yakugaku Zasshi 2018 ;138(8):1027-1031

Department of Molecular and System Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University.

 Neuropathic pain associated with cancer, diabetic neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia is a type of intractable chronic pain characterized by mechanical allodynia and abnormal pain hypersensitivity evoked by innocuous stimuli. However, this disorder has no specific treatment. We previously showed that the purinergic receptor P2X4 (P2X4R), a subtype of ATP-gated nonselective cation channels, is highly upregulated in spinal microglia after peripheral nerve injury, and blocking the function of P2X4R reverses mechanical allodynia. Read More

Ann Ig 2018 Jul-Aug;30(4 Supple 1):23-27

Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Italy.

The Herpes Zoster vaccine is strongly recommended by the World Health Organization to promote healthy aging by preventing the corresponding age- related disease, also named shingles. The disease is due to the endogenous reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus, the causal agent of chickenpox, that becomes latent at the peripheral nervous system level. Here, owing to the host's cell-mediated immunity, it may be confined for several decades. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018 30;14(11):2632-2635. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

a Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Prevention and Control , Beijing Research Center for Preventive Medicine , Beijing China.

Little data are available on the overall incidence and characteristics of herpes zoster (HZ) in China, thus a community-based retrospective survey was conducted during December 2012 to March 2013 to collect HZ incident data over the past year in selected districts of Beijing, China. A total of 237 incident HZ cases were identified from 118,220 residents and majority of HZ patients (219/237, 92.4%) sought healthcare. Read More

Pain Physician 2018 Jul;21(4):373-382

Department of Anesthesiology Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan.

Background: The acute phase of shingles is characterized by severe pain, and one of the complications of shingles known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is associated with prolonged pain. Although factors predicting the development of PHN, as well as its preventative measures, have been investigated, there is no single treatment effective for PHN. Some studies showed effectiveness of epidural injection to alleviate pain associated with acute-phase shingles. Read More

Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018 07 19;73:e243. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Center for Observational & Real-World Evidence, Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, United States.

Objectives: Herpes zoster is characterized by acute neuritis and post-herpetic neuralgia. Currently, data concerning the zoster-associated impact on quality of life and healthcare resource utilization in Brazil are scarce. This study measured the zoster-associated burden in a Brazilian population. Read More

JAMA 2018 07;320(4):416

Front Physiol 2018 4;9:819. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays an important role in maintaining skin health and can promote the differentiation of keratinocytes and decrease melanin synthesis, leading to antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage. Normal skin needs high concentrations of vitamin C, which plays many roles in the skin, including the formation of the skin barrier and collagen in the dermis, the ability to counteract skin oxidation, and the modulation of cell signal pathways of cell growth and differentiation. However, vitamin C deficiency can cause or aggravate the occurrence and development of some skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Read More

Vaccine 2018 08 14;36(33):5037-5045. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

University of Minnesota, MN 55455, USA. Electronic address:

In the United States, herpes zoster (HZ) and related complications are estimated to result in approximately $1.3 billion in medical care costs and $1.7 billion in indirect costs annually. Read More

J Rheumatol 2018 Nov 15;45(11):1541-1548. Epub 2018 Jul 15.

From Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales; Département de Néphrologie et transplantation d'organes, et Centre de Référence Maladies Rénales Rares; Service de Médecine Interne; CIC 1436; Service de Rhumatologie et Médecine Interne; Service de Pneumologie; Service de Médecine Interne, Fédération Digestive; Département d'information médicale; Service de Virologie, CHU de Toulouse; UMR 1027, Inserm-Université de Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.

Objective: To assess the incidence and the risk factors for zoster in patients exposed to intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) for systemic vasculitis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the protective effect of prophylaxis by valacyclovir (VCV).

Methods: This retrospective study included all adults treated by intravenous CYC for SLE or systemic vasculitis between 2011 and 2015 at Toulouse University Hospital, France. Zoster occurrence was recorded using medical chart review, laboratory data, and patient interviews. Read More

Pain 2018 Nov;159(11):2245-2254

University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.

Integrating information on physical function and pain intensity into a composite measure may provide a useful method for assessing treatment efficacy in clinical trials of chronic pain. Accordingly, we evaluated composite outcomes in trials of duloxetine, gabapentin, and pregabalin. Data on 2287 patients in 9 trials for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and 1513 patients in 6 trials for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) were analyzed. Read More

Integr Med Res 2018 Jun 8;7(2):141-148. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional herbal (Kampo) medicine consisting of seven herbs, is effective in the treatment of pain disorders, such as headache, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, and trigeminal neuralgia, and we have previously shown it to be effective against morphine analgesic tolerance in rats. It has been reported that orexin receptor antagonists prevent the development of morphine tolerance and that YKS inhibits the secretion of orexin A in the hypothalamus. This study examined whether the inhibition of the secretion of orexin A by YKS is one mechanism underlying its effect against morphine analgesic tolerance. Read More