Abstract The contribution of supraspinal, spinal or peripheral mu-opioid receptors (MORs) to the overall antinociception of systemic centrally penetrating versus peripherally restricted opioids has not been thoroughly investi gated. Therefore, we examined paw pressure thresholds in Wistar rats with complete Freund’s adjuvant hindpaw inflammation following different doses of intraplantar (i.pl.) as well as intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl (6.25 50 mg/kg), morphine (1–7.5 mg/kg) or loperamide (1–7.5 mg/kg). Antago nism of the i.v. mu-opioid agonists by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.), intrathecal (i.t.) or i.pl. naloxone-methiodide (NLXM) revealed the rela tive contributions of supraspinal, spinal and peripheral MOR to the overall antinociceptive effects. In parallel, the MOR density at these three levels of pain transmission was assessed by radioligand binding. Antinociceptive effects of i.v. fentanyl and morphine, but not of the peripherally restricted loperamide were two- to threefold greater and longer lasting compared with their i.pl. administration. I.c.v. but not i.pl. NLXM significantly antagonized fentanyl’s and morphine’s antinociception by 70–80%, whereas i.t. NLXM reduced it by 20–30%. In contrast, antinociception of i.v. loperamide was abolished by i.pl. but not by i.c.v. or i.t. NLXM. In parallel, a respective 32- and sixfold higher MOR density in supraspinal and spinal versus peripheral sensory neurons was detected. In conclusion, in comparison with supraspinal and spinal opioid receptors, peripheral opioid receptors do not significantly contribute to the antinociception of systemic fentanyl and morphine during inflammatory pain. Antinocicep tion of their i.v. administration was superior over both i.v and i.pl. lopera mide, acting exclusively via peripheral MOR. These findings may guide the future development of novel peripherally restricted opioids.

• Background and Aims: Loss in the antinociceptive efficacy of systemic, spinal, and supraspinal administration of opioids has been reported in rats with diabetic neuropathic pain. Recent studies investigated alterations in opioid receptor expression and signaling at the spinal level, however, results were conflicting. Since diabetic neuropathy is primarily a disease of the peripheral sensory neuron, this study aimed at investigating alterations of mu-opioid responsiveness during the development of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic pain in rats.

Background and Aims: The contribution of supraspinal, spinal or peripheral opioid receptors to the overall antinociceptive effects of centrally penetrating versus peripherally restricted opioids is still a matter of debate. Therefore, we examined the antinociceptive effects and its antagonism by intracerebroventricular, intrathecal or intraplantar naloxone methiodide of systemic fentanyl and morphine versus loperamide in relation to the density of mu-opioid receptors (MOR) at the three levels of pain transmission.

 Background and Aims: Painful diabetic neuropathy is a peripheral sensory neuron disease, is difficult to treat and is known to be less susceptible to opioid analgesics. In diabetic neuropathy little is known so far about alterations in mu-opioid receptor (MOR) expression, coupling and efficacy of sensory neurons within the spinal cord of diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the changes in MOR expression, signaling and function of sensory neurons at spinal cord level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In addition, it is examined whether i.t. NGF treatment will restore the MOR expression and G-protein coupling and consequently will rescue the deficit in peripheral fentanyl induced analgesia of diabetic rats.

 Background and Aims: Visceral pain seems to be attenuated by intrathecal (i.t.) application of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists. In contrast, i.t. CRF elicits inhibition of somatic pain that is reversed by the opioid antagonist naloxone. Previous studies have identified CRFR1 and more predominantly CRFR2 receptors within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. At present it is unclear to which proportion each CRF receptor subtype contributes to the modulation of inflammatory somatic pain and on which opioid containing neuron population it is located.

ABSTRACT

Increasing the private vehicles namely own car, taxi, microbuses and coaches as

a mode of transport is due to its inherent advantages associated with its usage. In

Tripoli due to rapid increase in private vehicles usage associated with no public

transport system namely public buses and train has resulted in increase of traffic

congestion problem, accidents and inadequate of parking spaces. The objective of

this study which identify the factors encourage users of own car and private

vehicles to shifting to public transport system. Re-establish of public transport

system and decreasing own car users simultaneously has become necessary for

solving traffic congestion problems and reduces road accidents and travel time

for all trips. A questionnaire survey was carried out on users of private vehicles

transport in the Tripoli such as car owners, passengers, taxis and microbuses

drivers (n = 900). The probability of car drivers shifting to public transport was

examined based on scenario several options such as reduction and improve in

public transport travel time. Improve travel time by70% will be encourage

switching about 82.3% to switch from use own car to use public transport system

services. Logistic regression technique has been used to analyses the factor that

impact users to switch their trips to public transportation system alternatives.

Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 19 and Excel 2007

software were used to analysis the questionnaire in this study.

.

Keyword: Improve travel time, reduction traffic congestion, public transport,

road safety

Abstract: Currently, Tripoli the capital city of Libya experiences a steady increase in traffic

volumes on its road network especially in the city centre. The increase has caused traffic

problems. Tripoli has registered an increase private cars ownership approaching 743,796

vehicles of the total registered vehicles in the city, which reach more than one million at the

end of 2009. A study has been carried out in Tripoli city authority areas among own car users

who live in the areas with lack of private transport and no public transport (PT) services. A

questionnaire survey in Tripoli area was carried out to study the potential reduction of private

cars on road through optimal use of suitable public transportation system in order to reduce

traffic problems and travel time. Logistic regression model has been used to analyse the factor

that impacts users to switch their trips to public transportation alternatives.

Key Words: own car, private transport, travel time, logistic regression

We are concerned here with the existence of at least one positive

continuous solution of the quadratic integral equation of fractional orders

x(t) = a(t) + Iαf(t; x(t)) · Iβg(t; x(t)); α; β 2 (0; 1]:

The maximal and minimal solutions are also proved. Some applications are

given.