\n\nResults: The assays are sensitive (aldosterone

15 pg/ml, testosterone 12 pg/ml), reproducible (intra-/inter-assay imprecision aldosterone 5.1-15.6%/9.9-15.8% and testosterone 9.7-10.9%/7.7-11.4%) and correlate significantly to established assays (r = 0.94-0.95). Baseline aldosterone levels varied between strains, but not between the genders. Testosterone was significantly higher in male of all strains except in C57BL/6x NMRI mice. After ACTH injection, aldosterone (median, interquartile range) rose from 354 (261-396) pg/ml to 2008 (875-2467) in male and from 260(210-576) to 1120(734-1528) in female CD-1 mice. HCG injection in the same strain increased testosterone in male mice only (3.5 (0.4-8.3) ng/ml to 31.8(30.4-33.9) Selleckchem Ricolinostat ng/ml, P<0.01).\n\nConclusions: We describe a MIA for the simultaneous measurement of aldosterone and testosterone in small volumes after extraction. In addition to presenting a new tool for steroid research in rodent models, our data show strain-dependent differences in steroid hormone metabolism in rodents. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All

rights reserved.”
“Background and objective The aim of the study was to examine a possible relationship between the extent of preoperative chronic pain and the development of moderate-to-severe acute postoperative pain.\n\nMethods Eighty-four patients scheduled Belinostat Epigenetics inhibitor for radical prostatectomy were studied. Pain intensities after mobilization during the first 3 postoperative days were added to yield a total pain score (total pain score after mobilization, range 0-30). Pain was considered as moderate to severe at a total pain score after mobilization of 12 or higher. The preoperative severity of chronic pain disorders was measured using the Mainz Pain Staging System (I-III). Further possible preoperative risk factors for the development of intense postoperative pain that were examined included pain intensity, pain in the urological site, psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and health-related quality of life (Short Form-12).\n\nResults Patients with moderate-to-severe Nirogacestat preoperative chronic

pain and those with higher Mainz Pain Staging System stages were significantly (P<0.001) more likely to develop moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. Anxiety and depression scores as well as physical health (Short Form-12) were significantly associated with a total pain score after mobilization of at least 12. The development of postoperative pain was independent of the presence of preoperative pain in the urological site.\n\nConclusion This study demonstrated that higher degrees of preoperative chronic pain were associated with the development of more intense pain after radical prostatectomy. Preoperative psychological distress and reduced physical health were associated with a marked increase in postoperative pain intensity.