Reducing Pain Through Affective Computing

2022 ◽  
pp. 86-103
Author(s):  
Luca Bondin ◽  
Alexiei Dingli
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Affective Computing ◽  
Pain Reduction ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Control Pain

For a long time, the primary approach to control pain in patients involved the use of specially designed drugs. While these drugs have proved to be sufficient to reduce the perception of pain in patients of all ages, they do not come without any potential side effects. The prolonged use of such drugs can have adverse effects on the health of a patient. This research proposes a shift away from such practices and proposes the use of technology as an adjunct tool to help patients cope with pain. Through the adoption of affective computing, this research presents Morpheus results obtained at the time of writing confirm that the approach presented by this research is indeed useful and can achieve results that are in line with the set out as part of this study. The authors firmly believe that the approach presented in this research can lay the foundations for the research and development of similar applications in pain reduction scenarios.

scholarly journals Metformin, the Rise of a New Medical Therapy for Endometriosis? A Systematic Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Stochino-Loi ◽  
Attila L. Major ◽  
Tessa E. R. Gillon ◽  
Jean-Marc Ayoubi ◽  
Anis Feki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Contraceptive Effect ◽  
Antiproliferative Agent ◽  
Pain Symptoms ◽  
Control Pain

Medical treatments for endometriosis aim to control pain symptoms and stop progression of endometriotic lesions. However, their adverse effects and their contraceptive effect in women who desire pregnancy, limit their long terms use. Although there is only one study investigating the effects of metformin on women with endometriosis, metformin seems to have a unique therapeutic potential. It may be a helpful anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agent in the treatment of endometriosis. As such metformin may be more beneficial thanks to the lack of serious side effects.

The Use of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis

1985 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W. Letendre ◽  
Douglas J. DeJong ◽  
Donald R. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Systemic Administration ◽  
Refractory Disease ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Folic Acid Antagonist ◽  
Acid Antagonist

The use of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed. Methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist, is sometimes employed in an attempt to symptomatically control patients whose disease does not respond adequately to conventional therapies. Systemic administration of 7.5–15 mg/wk in a “pulse” fashion appears to be effective without precipitating severe adverse effects. However, concern over potentially serious side effects and a lack of well-controlled clinical trials have limited its use to severe, refractory disease. Further studies are needed before its role in rheumatoid arthritis can justifiably be expanded.

scholarly journals Neutralizing Antibodies Titers and Side Effects in Response to BNT162b2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers with and without Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 742
Author(s):  
José Javier Morales-Núñez ◽  
José Francisco Muñoz-Valle ◽  
Carlos Meza-López ◽  
Lin-Fa Wang ◽  
Andrea Carolina Machado Sulbarán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Antibody Production ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccination Program ◽  
Expected Result ◽  
Neutralizing Capacity ◽  
The Usa

The main expected result of a vaccine against viruses is the ability to produce neutralizing antibodies. Currently, several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are being applied to prevent mortal complications, being Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) one of the first to be authorized in the USA and Mexico (11 December 2020). This study evaluated the efficacy of this vaccine on antibody production with neutralizing capacity and its side effects in healthcare workers with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and in a group of unvaccinated individuals with prior COVID-19. The main findings are the production of 100% neutralizing antibodies in both groups after the second dose, well-tolerated adverse effects, the possible presence of immunosenescence, and finally, we support that a single dose of this vaccine in individuals with prior COVID-19 would be sufficient to achieve an immunization comparable to people without prior COVID-19 with a complete vaccination program (2 doses).

scholarly journals Achalasia Cardia: A Mimicker of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a High-Burden Setting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratibha Sharma ◽  
Ranganath T. Ganga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Antitubercular Drugs ◽  
Achalasia Cardia ◽  
High Burden ◽  
Antitubercular Treatment ◽  
Common Diagnosis ◽  
National Tuberculosis ◽  
Long Time

AbstractBRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries account for more than two-thirds of the global tuberculosis burden. Tuberculosis is a common diagnosis in patients presenting with chronic respiratory symptoms in these high-burden countries, which results in other diseases being missed easily. The national tuberculosis elimination program encourages to start antitubercular treatment on a clinical basis even without any confirmatory evidence. This has resulted in missing many nontuberculosis cases and unnecessarily exposing to adverse effects of antitubercular drugs. Here we report one such instance where achalasia cardia was missed for a long time.

Short-term adverse effects of testosterone used for priming in prepubertal boys before growth hormone stimulation test

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Albrecht ◽  
Theresa Penger ◽  
Michaela Marx ◽  
Karin Hirsch ◽  
Helmuth G. Dörr
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Effect Rate ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Testicular Pain ◽  
Prepubertal Boys

AbstractBackground:Despite the fact that priming with sex steroids in prepubertal children before growth hormone (GH) provocative tests is recommended, there is an ongoing controversial discussion about the appropriate age of the children, the drug used for priming, the dose and the period between priming and the GH test. Interestingly, there is no discussion on the safety of this procedure. To date, only little data have been available on the possible side effects of priming with testosterone.Methods:We analyzed the outcome in 188 short-statured prepubertal boys who had been primed with testosterone enanthate (n=136: 50 mg; n=51: 125 mg, and accidentally one boy with 250 mg) 7 days prior to the GH test. Serum testosterone levels were measured on the day of the GH test in 99 boys.Results:Overall, only five boys developed adverse side effects. Two boys (dose 125 mg) showed severe low-flow priapism and had to undergo decompression of the corpora cavernosa. One boy suffered from self-limiting priapism and testicular pain (dose 50 mg). Two patients reported testicular pain (each dose 50 mg). The single patient with 250 mg testosterone did not show any adverse effects. The total side effect rate was 2.7%. The serum testosterone levels of the boys with side effects were not different from the testosterone levels of the boys without any side effects.Conclusions:Parents and patients should be informed about the possible side effects of priming with testosterone such as priapism and testicular pain. However, the overall side effect rate is low. We found no correlation between the outcome and the testosterone dose used and/or the level of serum testosterone.

scholarly journals Mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid) induced chronic hepatitis

Gut ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Deltenre ◽  
A Berson ◽  
P Marcellin ◽  
C Degott ◽  
M Biour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Liver Dysfunction ◽  
Liver Enzymes ◽  
Slow Release ◽  
Aminosalicylic Acid ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Release Formulation ◽  
Slow Release Formulation

BACKGROUNDTreatment of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease with sulphasalazine causes several adverse effects, including hepatitis. Sulphasalazine is cleaved by colonic bacteria into 5-aminosalicylic acid and sulphapyridine. Received wisdom was that 5-aminosalicylic acid was topically active, whereas sulphapyridine was absorbed and caused immunoallergic side effects. Mesalazine, a slow release formulation of 5-aminosalicylic acid, was expected to be a safe alternative. However, several cases of acute hepatitis have been reported.CASE REPORTA 65 year old man had increased liver enzymes, anti-nuclear and anti-smooth muscle autoantibodies and IgG levels, and lesions of chronic hepatitis after 21 months of mesalazine treatment. Although liver dysfunction had been identified eight months earlier, simvastatin rather than mesalazine had been withdrawn, without any improvement. In contrast, liver enzyme and IgG levels became normal and autoantibodies disappeared after discontinuation of mesalazine administration.CONCLUSIONContrary to initial expectations, mesalazine can cause most of the sulphasalazine induced adverse effects, and hepatic side effects may be almost as frequent. When liver dysfunction occurs, mesalazine administration should be discontinued to avoid the development of chronic hepatitis and liver fibrosis.

scholarly journals Assessment of Research and Development Financing Based on the Strategies in EU: Case of Sweden, Slovakia and Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8628
Author(s):  
Emília Duľová Spišáková ◽  
Barbora Gontkovičová ◽  
Emil Spišák
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Economic Reform ◽  
The European Union ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Processing Data ◽  
Europe 2020 ◽  
Europe 2020 Strategy ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Given

Research and development have been of interest to the European Union for a long time. This topic is also underlined in economic reform agendas and plans that have the form of strategies with clearly set targets. The article deals with the issue of financing R&D activities from the perspective of the share of expenditure to GDP, the total amount of funds spent on R&D, the share of expenditure per capita, and the structure of expenditure. The aim is to analyze and compare development in the field of R&D financing in selected countries of the European Union with emphasis on achieving the Europe 2020 target and to point out the expected development of the indicator for the first years of the validity of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. During the processing of the article, mathematical and statistical methods (regression and correlation analysis) were used in addition to standard logic methods intended for processing data and drawing conclusions (synthesis, induction). The final evaluates the achievement of the target in the field of R&D financing in accordance with the target of the Europe 2020 strategy and, using regression, predicts the development of the given indicator for coming years.

Elucidating the Potential Side Effects of Current Anti- Seizure Drugs for Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enes Akyüz ◽  
Mohd. Farooq Shaikh ◽  
Betül Köklü ◽  
Cansu Ozenen ◽  
Alina Arulsamy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
First Line ◽  
Epileptic Patients ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Visual Problems ◽  
Gaba Transmission

: Over the decades, various interventions have been developed and utilized to treat epilepsy. However, majority of epileptic patients are often first prescribed with anti-epileptic drugs (AED), now known as anti-seizure drugs (ASD), as a first line of defense to suppress their seizures and regain their quality of life. ASDs exert their anti-convulsant effects through various mechanisms of action including regulation of ion channels, blocking of glutamate-mediated stimulating neurotransmitter interaction, and enhancing the inhibitory GABA transmission. About one third of epileptic patients are often resistant to anti-convulsant drugs, while others develop numerous side effects which may lead to treatment discontinuation and further deterioration of quality of life. Common side effects of ASDs include headache, nausea and dizziness. However, more adverse effects such as auditory and visual problems, skin problems, liver dysfunction, pancreatitis and kidney disorders may also be witnessed. Some ASDs may even result in life-threatening conditions as well as serious abnormalities, especially in patients with comorbidities and in pregnant women. Nevertheless, some clinicians had observed a reduction in the development of side effects post individualized ASD treatment. This suggest that a careful and well-informed ASD recommendation to patients may be crucial for an effective and side-effect free control of their seizures. Therefore, this review aimed to elucidate the anticonvulsant effects of ASDs as well as their side effect profile, by discussing their mechanism of action and reported adverse effects based on clinical and preclinical studies, thereby providing clinicians with a greater understanding of the safety of current ASDs.

scholarly journals Combination oral contraceptives – a practice-guided overview of everyday problems and their solutions

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-32
Author(s):  
DW Wolmarans ◽  
L Brand ◽  
SF Steyn
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Oral Contraceptives ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Treatment Withdrawal ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Withdrawal Of Therapy ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Everyday Problems

Combination oral contraceptives (COCs) are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs for women between the ages of 15–451 and while they are accepted to be safe and highly effective, their use is often associated with a number of minor sideeffects. Considering the limited nature of this review, a detailed overview of the complete clinical profile of COCs falls beyond the current scope. Rather, we will focus on the most frequently reported side-effects of COCs that do not necessitate treatment withdrawal. Adverse effects that require immediate withdrawal of therapy are usually related to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other cardiovascular events, malignancies or hepatic pathology2 and would require a more in-depth review.

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