Comparison of the effects of dry needling and spinal manipulative therapy versus spinal manipulative therapy alone on functional disability and endurance in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a global musculoskeletal ailment. Over the past few years, dry needling (DN) has garnered interest from both physical therapists and patients. Physical therapy commonly employs spinal manipulation to alleviate persistent LBP and other musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of spinal manipulation alone and in combination with DN on functional disability and endurance in individuals suffering from chronic nonspecific LBP. METHODS: Patients of both genders who had chronic nonspecific LBP and who had not received physical therapy within the last 3 months were included in this single-blind, randomized controlled trial using purposive sampling. All participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental (SMT + DN) or control (SMT alone) group using computer-generated random numbers. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. For between-group comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. A P-value < .05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis of the difference between the 2 groups revealed that the mean ±â€…standard deviation (SD) for the SMT alone group was 16.09 ±â€…3.963 at baseline and 12.66 ±â€…3.801 at 8 weeks, whereas for the DN + ST group, it was 13.67 ±â€…3.904 at baseline and 10.92 ±â€…3.534 at 8 weeks, with a P-value of .003. Thus, the RMDQ score improved gradually in both groups, and the mean endurance score reported for the ST group was 2.5 to 4.5, while that reported for the DN + ST group was 3.1 to 5.1. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both therapies effectively reduced LBP. When comparing the effects of spinal manipulation alone to those of spinal manipulation combined with DN, the latter showed significantly greater benefits.

Virus transmission frequencies in the pine root rot pathogen Heterobasidion annosum.

The combined use of Heterobasidion partitiviruses 13 and 15 (HetPV13-an1 and HetPV15-pa1) is considered a promising biocontrol approach against Heterobasidion root and butt rot. In a previous study, the transmission frequency of HetPV15-pa1 was found to be higher from a double partitivirus-infected donor than from a single partitivirus-infected donor. In this study, we included a wider array of recipient isolates to assess whether the phenomenon is widespread across different host strains and conducted transmission experiments on artificial media (in vitro) using a total of 45 different H. annosum donor-recipient pairs. In addition to investigating whether double partitivirus infection improves the transmission of HetPV13-an1 and HetPV15-pa1, we examined for the first time how efficiently co-infecting ssRNA viruses are concomitantly transmitted with the partitiviruses, and whether pre-existing ssRNA viruses in the recipients affect virus transmission. Generally, the transmission rates of HetPV13-an1 and HetPV15-pa1 were high from both single partitivirus-infected and double partitivirus-infected donors to most of the H. annosum recipient strains, with few exceptions. However, in contrast to previous experiments, the transmission frequency was not higher from the double partitivirus-infected donors. Also, ourmiavirus was transmitted between H. annosum strains, but the presence of another ourmiavirus in the recipient might affect the efficacy.

The Role of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequences in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background The neurological condition known as multiple sclerosis (MS) is crippling and has a complicated pathogenesis as well as a wide range of clinical symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty walking, numbness or tingling, muscle spasms and spasticity, weakness, vision problems, dizziness and vertigo, bladder and bowel dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and emotional changes. The complete scope of MS pathology cannot be fully captured by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, which has led to the investigation of sophisticated MRI methods for better diagnosis and treatment. Objective This study aims to evaluate the clinical relevance of advanced MRI sequences in multiple sclerosis. Methodology A retrospective cohort study was conducted across multiple specialized medical centers renowned for treating neurological disorders, particularly multiple sclerosis, and involved 310 patients with diverse geography seeking treatment throughout 2022. Records were searched to obtain patient information, demographics, and treatment history. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were among the statistical studies that investigated relationships between MRI biomarkers and clinical factors to help with the diagnosis and treatment of MS. A p-value of <0.05 was significant. Results The research group consisted of 310 MS patients, the majority of whom were female (67.42%) and had a mean age of 34.7 years. With hypertension (14.52%) and hyperlipidemia (19.35%) as prevalent comorbidities, the majority of patients (72.26%) were on disease-modifying treatments. The results of advanced MRI showed that lesions with white matter had higher mean diffusivity (1.25 ± 0.15 mm²/s) on DWI, lesions with reduced magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) (0.15 ± 0.03) on MTI, and lesions with reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) (0.40 ± 0.08) on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Additionally, the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals in cognitive processing regions (0.75 ± 0.10) on functional MRI were different from those with normal-appearing white matter (0.40 ± 0.08). Conclusion Advanced MRI sequences are essential for bettering MS diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment because they link imaging biomarkers to important clinical parameters, which improves patient care and quality of life.

Tunable Nanoislands Decorated Tapered Optical Fibers Reveal Concurrent Contributions in Through-Fiber SERS Detection.

Creating plasmonic nanoparticles on a tapered optical fiber (TF) tip enables a remote surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing probe, ideal for challenging sampling scenarios like biological tissues, site-specific cells, on-site environmental monitoring, and deep brain structures. However, nanoparticle patterns fabricated from current bottom-up methods are mostly random, making geometry control difficult. Uneven statistical distribution, clustering, and multilayer deposition introduce uncertainty in correlating device performance with morphology. Ultimately, this limits the design of the best-performance remote SERS sensing probe. Here we employ a tunable solid-state dewetting method to create densely packed monolayer Au nanoislands with varied geometric parameters in direct contact with the silica TF surface. These patterns exhibit analyzable nanoparticle sizes, densities, and uniform distribution across the entire taper surface, enabling a systematic investigation of particle size, density, and analyte effects on the SERS performance of the through-fiber detection system. The study is focused on the SERS response of a widely employed benchmark molecule, rhodamine 6G (R6G), and serotonin, a highly relevant neurotransmitter for the neuroscience field. The numerical simulations and limit of detection (LOD) experiments on R6G show that the increase of the total near-field enhancement volume promotes the SERS sensitivity of the probe. However, we observed a different behavior for serotonin linked to its interaction with the nanoparticle's surface. The obtained LOD is as low as 10-7 M, a value not achieved so far in a through-fiber detection scheme. Therefore, our work offers a strategy to design nanoparticle-based remote SERS sensing probes and provides new clues to discover and understand intricate plasmonic-driven chemical reactions.

Work-related neck pain and its association with postural and ergonomic factors among Pakistani professional drivers.

BACKGROUND: Professional drivers are most likely to experience work-related neck pain due to awkward sitting positions for extended periods of time. Globally, millions of people depend on drivers who dedicate their lives to the craft. However, there is a paucity of data available on professional drivers suffering from neck pain or other musculoskeletal pain in Pakistan. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of neck pain and its association with postural and ergonomic factors among Pakistani professional drivers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January to June 2022 among 369 professional drivers located in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The data were collected by using a questionnaire comprising different sections, including personal, postural and ergonomic factors among drivers. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 was used for data entry and analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 40.83±9.27 years. Among the 369 participants, 129 reported neck pain. The period and point prevalence of neck pain were 35% (n = 129) and 31% (n = 115), respectively. Professional drivers reported a significant association between habitual forward posture and head-neck posture (p = 0.000) and between habitual forward posture and trunk posture (p = 0.000) with neck pain. In addition, ergonomics training (p = 0.002), ergonomics awareness (p = 0.002), and mobile use while driving (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with neck pain. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that drivers have greater period prevalence of neck pain than point prevalence. Moreover, this study revealed that age, BMI, lifestyle, health status, medication use, and smoking habits were associated with neck pain in drivers. Drivers who had ergonomic training and awareness were significantly less likely to suffer from lower neck pain. Drivers with a habitual forward posture are more likely to suffer from neck pain than are drivers with a prone posture.

Dual catalytic potential of isoeugenol synthase in Asarum sieboldii Miq. (AsIGS): Unveiling isoeugenol preference in vitro and eugenol production in vivo, with insights into hydrogen bonding influence.

Asarum sieboldii Miq. is an important medicinal plant valued for its diverse health benefits in the pharmaceutical industry. In the present study, we isolated and characterized isoeugenol synthase from A. sieboldii (AsIGS), an essential enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of volatile phenylpropenes. We hoped to elucidate the secondary metabolic network of eugenol in A. sieboldii plants, which constructed the prerequisite for quality improvement of the well-known TCM Asari Radix et Rhizoma. Bioinformatics analysis revealed high similarity between the DNA sequences of AsIGS and isoeugenol synthase genes from other plants, and that the association of the candidate protein AsIGS with the PIP reductase family. Moreover, the AsIGS protein displayed a molecular weight of about 34.96 kDa, with a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.01 and an average hydrophobicity of -0.092, indicating the protein's partial acidity, stability, and hydrophilic nature. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AsIGS had a close relationship with isoeugenol synthases and fewer eugenol synthases found in other species. Alphafold2 predicted the structure of the AsIGS protein, and CB-Dock2 predicted the binding sites of the ASIGS-NADPH-coniferyl acetate ternary complex. In vitro enzymatic assay results demonstrated that the optimal temperature of the AsIGS-involved catalysis for coniferyl acetate was 30 °C, and several kinetics parameters were Km (12.21 mM), Vmax (27.9 U/mg), kcat (76.26 s-1), and kcat/Km (6.49 s-1·mM-1). Furthermore, it was also determined that the AsIGS protein had varying performance at different pH levels. While the candidate protein converted coniferyl acetate into both isoeugenol and eugenol at pH 5.5, it just catalyzed the production of isoeugenol at pH 6.5. However, isoeugenol has never been detected in A. sieboldii. Altering AsIGS expression in transgenic plants impacted only eugenol contents. Compared with wild type, overexpression of AsIGS increased eugenol content by 23.3 %, while RNAi-induced down-regulation of AsIGS decreased it by 25.3 %. Taken together, these results confirmed that the AsIGS gene was involved in the biosynthesis of eugenol in A. sieboldii with a dual catalytic potential.

Advances in agar-based composites: A comprehensive review.

This review article explores the developments and applications in agar-based composites (ABCs), emphasizing various constituents such as metals, clay/ceramic, graphene, and polymers across diversified fields like wastewater treatment, drug delivery, food packaging, the energy sector, biomedical engineering, bioplastics, agriculture, and cosmetics. The focus is on agar as a sustainable and versatile biodegradable polysaccharide, highlighting research that has advanced the technology of ABCs. A bibliometric analysis is conducted using the Web of Science database, covering publications from January 2020 to March 2024, processed through VOSviewer Software Version 1.6.2. This analysis assesses evolving trends and scopes in the literature, visualizing co-words and themes that underscore the growing importance and potential of ABCs in various applications. This review paper contributes by showcasing the existing state-of-the-art knowledge and motivating further development in this promising field.

Huntington's Disease-Related Mortality Patterns: A Two-Decade Analysis of Mortality Trends in the United States, from 1999-2019.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder debilitating mainly in adults. Objective: This study aimed to assess the trends in HD-related mortality regarding various demographic factors. Methods: Death certificates from the CDC WONDER were studied from 1999 to 2019, for HD-related mortality in adults aged 25 + years. Age-adjusted Mortality Rate (AAMR) per 100,000 persons and Annual Percentage Change (APC) were calculated and stratified by year, age groups, gender, race/ethnicity, state, census region, urbanization, and place of death. Results: Between 1999 to 2019, 22,595 deaths occurred in adults due to HD. The AAMR increased from 0.43 to 0.54 during this period (APC = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.84). Old adults (65-85 + years) had the highest overall AAMR, followed by middle-aged adults (45-64 years) and young adults (25-44 years) (AAMR old: 1.01 vs. AAMR middle-age: 0.68 vs. AAMR young: 0.16). Men had slightly greater overall AAMRs than women (AAMR men: 0.54 vs. AAMR women: 0.48). When stratified by race, non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had significantly higher mortality rates than NH African Americans (AAMR NH White: 0.61 vs. NH African American: 0.35), while the AAMR were lowest in Hispanic/Latino (0.28). The AAMRs also showed variation by region (overall AAMR: Midwest: 0.63, Northeast: 0.47, West: 0.48, South: 0.46), and non-metropolitan areas had higher HD-related AAMR (0.66) than metropolitan areas (0.47). Conclusions: HD-related mortality in US adults has increased since 1999. Reflecting on the variations in trends observed, new strategies are required to optimize the quality of care in long-term care facilities.

Efficacy and Safety of Stem Cell Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions, Including Osteoarthritis and Bone Defects.

INTRODUCTION: Orthopedic conditions like osteoarthritis and bone defects pose significant challenges due to their impact on individuals' quality of life. Traditional treatments often provide only symptomatic relief, necessitating alternative therapies for long-term management. Stem cell therapy has grabbed attention for its regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, offering potential for tissue repair and functional restoration. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for orthopedic conditions, specifically osteoarthritis and bone defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from patients who underwent stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis or bone defects between January and September 2023. Outcome measures focused on pain and function improvements using tools such as Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), alongside radiographic assessments. Adverse events, range of motion, quality of life, and demographic factors were also examined. Data were collected from electronic medical records while maintaining patient confidentiality. Descriptive statistics using SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) were employed to analyze patient characteristics, treatment variables, and outcomes, with statistical significance determined using Chi-square test and Independent t-test. RESULTS: Out of 50 individuals, the majority, i.e., 35 (or 70%), were diagnosed with osteoarthritis, while the remaining 15 (30%) had bone defects. Treatment outcomes showed significant improvements in pain and function, with a decrease in mean VAS and WOMAC scores at the six-month follow-up. Seven participants (28%) reported adverse events, and two participants (8%) experienced serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Stem cell therapy shows promise for treating orthopedic conditions like osteoarthritis and bone defects. While demonstrating efficacy in pain management and functional improvement, safety considerations warrant further investigation and optimization of treatment protocols. Future research should focus on refining stem cell therapy techniques and addressing safety concerns to maximize its therapeutic potential in orthopedic practice.

Potential of plasmonics and nanoscale light-matter interactions for the next generation of optical neural interfaces.

Within the realm of optical neural interfaces, the exploration of plasmonic resonances to interact with neural cells has captured increasing attention among the neuroscience community. The interplay of light with conduction electrons in nanometer-sized metallic nanostructures can induce plasmonic resonances, showcasing a versatile capability to both sense and trigger cellular events. We describe the perspective of generating propagating or localized surface plasmon polaritons on the tip of an optical neural implant, widening the possibility for neuroscience labs to explore the potential of plasmonic neural interfaces.

Microsurgery of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations in a Resource-Limited Setting: The First Case-Series from Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can lead to significant morbidity and are particularly challenging to manage in resource-limited settings where endovascular treatment modalities are unaffordable for most patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the first case series of AVM from Iraq with an analysis of the related clinicoradiologic characteristics, operative features, and outcomes. METHODS: A single-center database from October 2018 to December 2022 was reviewed to analyze the characteristics of cerebral AVMs who underwent surgical treatment in Baghdad, Iraq. We collected patient demographics, clinical, radiologic, operative, and the follow-up combined outcome results (modified Rankin Scale score and the presence of AVM remnants). RESULTS: Of the 54 AVM patients treated with microsurgery, the majority of lesions have Spetzler-Martin grade of 3 (31.5%), followed by grade 1 (29.6%). The parietal lobe was the most common location of AVM in 25.9% of the cases, and the temporal location had better outcomes. The mean duration of surgery was 8.5 hours, ranging from 3 to 14 hours, with 20.3% of cases having undergone preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery, and just one patient received preoperative embolization. Good combined outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2 and no AVM remnant) was associated with lower SM grades (P=0.003); location in the nondominant hemisphere (P=0.036), and noneloquent regions (P=0.006); absence of deep venous drainage (P=0.042) and no intraoperative brain swelling (P=0.004). The mortality rate in our series was 5.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Good clinicoradiologic outcomes can be achieved through microsurgery in a setting where endovascular treatment is inaccessible to patients due to limited resources.

Evaluation of South Korean marine waste resources for hydrochar production: Effect of process variables.

This study assessed the hydrochar production potential of fish and crustacean waste from 8 marine species (Scomber japonicus, Trichiurus lepturus, Larimichthys polyactis, Trachurus trachurus, Paralichthys olivaceus Litopenaeus vannamei, Portunus trituberculatus, and Penaeus monodon) through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of their waste fractions. The impact of reaction temperature (200 - 240°C), fixed residence time (5 h), and water-to-biomass ratio (7) on HTC was analyzed. The results showed that hydrochar yields varied between fish (15.1 - 21.5 %) and crustaceans (36.9 - 69.3 %). The elemental composition and surface properties of the hydrochar were influenced by reaction temperature, as indicated by the pH point of zero charge. The adsorption capacity of hydrochar was tested for methylene blue (MB, 2.7 - 10.8 mg/g) and methyl orange (MO, 5.9 - 9.2 mg/g), with MO showing higher adsorption, except for Scomber japonicus, Larimichthys polyactis, and Trachurus trachurus. These findings highlight the significant potential for converting marine waste into valuable hydrochar, contributing to waste management and sustainable resource utilization.

Enhancing durability and sustainability of industrial floors: A comparative analysis of dry-shake surface hardeners.

This study investigates the development of a cost-effective and sustainable dry-shake surface hardener for enhancing the durability of industrial concrete floors. Utilizing locally sourced materials, the research aimed at not only ensuring the hardener's strength and finish but also its economic viability and environmental friendliness. Fourteen unique mixtures were formulated by altering the sand ratios and incorporating superplasticizers to optimize the composition. These mixtures underwent rigorous testing over 7, 14, and 28 days, evaluating their compressive and flexural strengths, flowability, water absorption, and impact resistance. The findings revealed that the modified floor hardener, specifically the FH-12 mixture, exhibited superior performance across all tested parameters. It showed higher compressive and flexural strengths, enhanced impact resistance, and reduced water absorption compared to other variants and commercially available hardeners. Notably, the use of finer coarse sand and the adjustment of superplasticizer quantities significantly contributed to these outcomes. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of employing locally available materials to create a durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for industrial flooring. The study underscores the importance of material characterization and methodical formulation in developing construction materials that meet the dual criteria of performance and sustainability. This option is preferred for its lower environmental impact and compatibility with sustainable practices, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. It highlights the role of floor hardeners in global sustainability efforts.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of Caralluma fimbriata for antioxidant and diabetes management: a 28-day rat model study.

This study evaluated the anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic potential of Caralluma fimbriata (CF) in 28-days rat modelling trial. Diabetes is a chronic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and insulin resistance and cause microvascular and macrovascular issues. Caralluma fimbriata was evaluated for its nutritional composition along with anti-oxidant potential of CF powder (CFP) and CF extract (CFE) using total phenolic contents (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Furthermore, anti-diabetic potential was computed by dividing rats into four groups of 5 individuals each. Rats of Group I was non-diabetic and no supplementation was given while rats of group II were diabetic and no supplementation was given. While group III and group IV rats were diabetic and received CFP and CFE supplementation respectively. CF powder's TPC, and DPPH and FRAP activity were observed maximum at 44.17 ± 0.006 (µgFe/g) in water, 68.75 ± 0.49 (µgFe/g) in acetone and 800.81 ± 0.99 (µgFe/g) in hexane. Supplementation of CFP and CFE reduced blood glucose effectively i.e. (125.00 ± 4.04 and 121.00 ± 4.49 mg/dL, respectively). Moreover, the consumption of C. fimbriata can be helpful in the management of diabetes mellitus due to its glucose lowering potential, anorexic effects, anti-oxidant potential and α-amylase inhibition.

Comparative study on efficiency of surface enhanced coal fly ash and raw coal fly ash for the removal of hazardous dyes in wastewater: optimization through response surface methodology.

Crystal violet (CV) dye, because of its non-biodegradability and harmful effects, poses a significant challenge for wastewater treatment. This study addresses the efficiency of easily accessible coal fly ash (CFA)-based adsorbents such as raw coal fly ash (RCFA) and surface enhanced coal fly ash (SECFA), in removing CV dye from waste effluents. Various analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, zeta sizer and zeta potential were employed for the characterization of the adsorbents and dye-loaded samples. BET revealed that RCFA possesses a surface area of 19.370 m2 g-1 and SECFA of 27.391 m2 g-1, exhibiting pore volumes of 0.1365 cm3 g-1 and 0.1919 cm3 g-1 respectively. Zeta-sizer and potential analysis showed the static charges of RCFA as -27.3 mV and SECFA as -28.2 mV, with average particle sizes of 346.6 and 315.3 nm, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were also employed for adsorption studies. Employing central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM), the maximum CV removal was 81.52% for RCFA and 97.52% for SECFA, providing one minute contact time, 0.0125 g adsorbent dose and 10 ppm dye concentration. From the thermodynamic studies, all the negative values of ΔG° showed that all the adsorption processes of both adsorbents were spontaneous in nature.