Comparison of two methods of cervical spine pain manual therapy using clinical and biochemical pain markers

Background. Sedentary lifestyle, often associated with faulty posture is a widespread facilitating factor forcervical spine dysfunction (CSD).Objective. The purpose of our study was to compare two methods of physical therapy for CSD: theMcKenzie method and suboccipital relaxation. We investigated the effect of these methods on pain levelperceived by patients and their physical fitness. The levels of biochemical stress indicators were assessed.Materials and methods. Eighty-six adult patients divided into two groups: A and B. Group A included 42patients treated with the McKenzie method. Group B consisted of 44 patients, who underwent suboccipitalrelaxation. The treatment in both groups comprised 3 treatment sessions over a 6-week period. To assesssalivary sIgA concentration, the ELISA technique was used. The alpha-amylase activity was determinedusing static method. Pain assessment was performed using the VAS scale. Disability level was evaluatedwith the NDI scale.Results. Significant decrease of VAS and NDI scores were observed in both groups. An increase of sIgAconcentration was observed in both groups. No difference in amylase activity between the groups was observed,however, time and group effects the interaction was found to be significant. A significant correlationbetween both biochemical markers and VAS score was observed in group B and in the general population.Conclusions. Both therapies improve patient outcomes, however, at present we cannot indicate theadvantage any method

Toxoplasma Controls Host Cyclin E Expression through the Use of a Novel MYR1-Dependent Effector Protein, HCE1

Like most Apicomplexan parasites, Toxoplasma gondii has the remarkable ability to invade and establish a replicative niche within another eukaryotic cell, in this case, any of a large number of cell types in almost any warm-blooded animals. Part of the process of establishing this niche is the export of effector proteins to co-opt host cell functions in favor of the parasite. Here we identify a novel effector protein, HCE1, that the parasites export into the nucleus of human cells, where it modulates the expression of multiple genes, including the gene encoding cyclin E, one of the most crucial proteins involved in controlling when and whether a human cell divides. We show that HCE1 works through binding to specific transcription factors, namely, E2F3, E2F4, and DP1, that normally carefully regulate these all-important pathways. This represents a new way in which these consummately efficient infectious agents co-opt the human cells that they so efficiently grow within.Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that establishes a favorable environment in the host cells in which it replicates. We have previously reported that it uses MYR-dependent translocation of dense granule proteins to elicit a key set of host responses related to the cell cycle, specifically, E2F transcription factor targets, including cyclin E. We report here the identification of a novel Toxoplasma effector protein that is exported from the parasitophorous vacuole in a MYR1-dependent manner and localizes to the host’s nucleus. Parasites lacking this inducer of host cyclin E (HCE1) are unable to modulate E2F transcription factor target genes and exhibit a substantial growth defect. Immunoprecipitation of HCE1 from infected host cells showed that HCE1 efficiently binds elements of the cyclin E regulatory complex, namely, DP1 and its partners E2F3 and E2F4. Expression of HCE1 in Neospora caninum, or in uninfected human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs), showed localization of the expressed protein to the host nuclei and strong cyclin E upregulation. Thus, HCE1 is a novel effector protein that is necessary and sufficient to impact the E2F axis of transcription, resulting in co-opting of host functions to the advantage of Toxoplasma

Microstructure of Haynes\uae 282\uae Superalloy after Vacuum Induction Melting and Investment Casting of Thin-Walled Components

Abstract: The aim of this work was to characterize the microstructure of the as-cast Haynes\uae 282\uae alloy. Observations and analyses were carried out using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), wave length dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS), auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and electron energy-loss spectrometry (EELS). The phases identified in the as-cast alloy include: γ (gamma matrix), γʹ (matrix strengthening phase), (TiMoCr)C (primary carbide), TiN (primary nitride), σ (sigma-TCP phase), (TiMo)2SC (carbosulphide) and a lamellar constituent consisting of molybdenum and chromium rich secondary carbide phase together with γ phase. Within the dendrites the γʹ appears mostly in the form of spherical, nanometric precipitates (74 nm), while coarser (113 nm) cubic γʹ precipitates are present in the interdendritic areas. Volume fraction content of the γʹ precipitates in the dendrites and interdendritic areas are 9.6% and 8.5%, respectively. Primary nitrides metallic nitrides (MN), are homogeneously dispersed in the as-cast microstructure, while primary carbides metallic carbides (MC), preferentially precipitate in interdendritic areas. Such preference is also observed in the case of globular σ phase. Lamellar constituents characterized as secondary carbides/γ phases were together with (TiMo)2SC phase always observed adjacent to σ phase precipitates. Crystallographic relations were established in-between the MC, σ, secondary carbides and γ/γʹ matrix

Microstructure of Haynes ® 282 ® Superalloy after Vacuum Induction Melting and Investment Casting of Thin-Walled Components

material