The effects of thoracic manipulation versus mobilization for chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial pilot study

[Purpose] To investigate effects of thoracic manipulation versus mobilization on chronic neck pain. [Methods] Thirty-nine chronic neck pain subjects were randomly assigned to single level thoracic manipulation, single level thoracic mobilization, or a control group. The cervical range of motion (CROM) and pain ratings (using a visual analog scale: VAS) were measured before, immediately after and at a 24-hour follow-up. [Results] Thoracic manipulation significantly decreased VAS pain ratings and increased CROM in all directions in immediate and 24-hour follow-ups. The thoracic mobilization group significantly increased in CROM in most directions at immediate follow-up and right and left rotational directions at the 24-hour follow-up. Comparisons between groups revealed the CROM for the manipulation group to increase significantly more than for control subjects in most directions at immediate follow-up and flexion, left lateral flexion and left rotation at the 24-hour follow-up. The CROM for the thoracic mobilization group significantly increased in comparison to the control group in flexion at immediate follow-up and in flexion and left rotation at the 24-hour follow-up. [Conclusion] The study demonstrated reductions in VAS pain ratings and increases in CROM at immediate and 24-hour follow-ups from both single level thoracic spine manipulation and thoracic mobilization in chronic neck pain.Thavatchai Suvarnnato, Rungthip Puntumetakul, David Kaber, Rose Boucaut, Yodchai Boonphakob, Preeda Arayawichanon, Uraiwan Chatchawa

Transcriptome landscapes of salt-susceptible rice cultivar IR29 associated with a plant growth promoting endophytic streptomyces

Plant growth-promoting endophytic (PGPE) actinomycetes have been known to enhance plant growth and mitigate plant from abiotic stresses via their PGP-traits. In this study, PGPE Streptomyces sp. GKU 895 promoted growth and alleviated salt tolerance of salt-susceptible rice cultivar IR29 by augmentation of plant weight and declined ROS after irrigation with 150 mM NaCl in a pot experiment. Transcriptome analysis of IR29 exposed to the combination of strain GKU 895 and salinity demonstrated up and downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) classified by gene ontology and plant reactome. Streptomyces sp. GKU 895 induced changes in expression of rice genes including transcription factors under salt treatment which involved in growth and development, photosynthesis, plant hormones, ROS scavenging, ion transport and homeostasis, and plant–microbe interactions regarding pathogenesis- and symbiosis-related proteins. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PGPE Streptomyces sp. GKU 895 colonized and enhanced growth of rice IR29 and triggered salt tolerance phenotype. Our findings suggest that utilisation of beneficial endophytes in the saline fields could allow for the use of such marginal soils for growing rice and possibly other crops

Table_1_The First Molecular Genotyping of Naegleria fowleri Causing Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis in Thailand With Epidemiology and Clinical Case Reviews.docx

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and fatal central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in the environment. To date, eight pathogenic N. fowleri genotypes have been reported worldwide. We aimed to explore the genotypes of N. fowleri that cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis in Thailand. In 2021, the 17th PAM case was reported, and a retrospective literature search of PAM cases in Thailand from 1982 through April 2021 was performed. Phylogenetic and genotyping analyses of the two mitochondrial (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (ITS1 and 5.8s rRNA) genes of N. fowleri were performed on four available clinical isolates. Based on the mitochondrial and nuclear genes, N. fowleri genotype T3 was found to cause PAM in three out of four cases. However, disagreement between the genotype based on the mitochondrial and nuclear genes was found in one of the PAM cases, in which the 12S rRNA locus suggested the causative genotype as T1, while the ITS1 implied genotype T4. The discrepancy between the mitochondrial and nuclear genome was previously observed, which suggests the possible horizontal gene transfer among N. fowleri species. Based on the ITS1 gene, two N. fowleri genotypes, T3 and T4, were found to be the genotypes causing PAM in this study. In addition, N. fowleri genotype T2 was previously reported in a traveler who was infected in Thailand. Thus, at least three genotypes (T2, T3, and T4) of N. fowleri are found to be associated with PAM in Thailand.</p

Video_1_The First Molecular Genotyping of Naegleria fowleri Causing Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis in Thailand With Epidemiology and Clinical Case Reviews.mp4

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and fatal central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in the environment. To date, eight pathogenic N. fowleri genotypes have been reported worldwide. We aimed to explore the genotypes of N. fowleri that cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis in Thailand. In 2021, the 17th PAM case was reported, and a retrospective literature search of PAM cases in Thailand from 1982 through April 2021 was performed. Phylogenetic and genotyping analyses of the two mitochondrial (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (ITS1 and 5.8s rRNA) genes of N. fowleri were performed on four available clinical isolates. Based on the mitochondrial and nuclear genes, N. fowleri genotype T3 was found to cause PAM in three out of four cases. However, disagreement between the genotype based on the mitochondrial and nuclear genes was found in one of the PAM cases, in which the 12S rRNA locus suggested the causative genotype as T1, while the ITS1 implied genotype T4. The discrepancy between the mitochondrial and nuclear genome was previously observed, which suggests the possible horizontal gene transfer among N. fowleri species. Based on the ITS1 gene, two N. fowleri genotypes, T3 and T4, were found to be the genotypes causing PAM in this study. In addition, N. fowleri genotype T2 was previously reported in a traveler who was infected in Thailand. Thus, at least three genotypes (T2, T3, and T4) of N. fowleri are found to be associated with PAM in Thailand.</p

Study of siRNA Delivery via Polymeric Nanoparticles in Combination with Angiogenesis Inhibitor for The Treatment of AFP-Related Liver Cancer

Angiogenesis inhibitor drugs have been explored as important pharmacological agents for cancer therapy, including hepatocellular carcinoma. These agents have several drawbacks, such as drug resistance, nonspecific toxicity, and systemic side effects. Therefore, combination therapy of the drug and small interfering RNA could be a promising option to achieve high therapeutic efficacy while allowing a lower systemic dose. Therefore, we studied adding an alpha-fetoprotein siRNA (AFP-siRNA) incorporated on polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) along with angiogenesis inhibitor drugs. The AFP siRNA-loaded NPs were successfully synthesized at an average size of 242.00 &plusmn; 2.54 nm. Combination treatment of AFP-siRNA NPs and a low dose of sunitinib produced a synergistic effect in decreasing cell viability in an in vitro hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. AFP-siRNA NPs together with sorafenib or sunitinib greatly inhibited cell proliferation, showing only 39.29 &plusmn; 2.72 and 44.04 &plusmn; 3.05% cell viability, respectively. Moreover, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) demonstrated that AFP-siRNA incorporated with NPs could significantly silence AFP-mRNA expression compared to unloaded NPs. Interestingly, the expression level of AFP-mRNA was further decreased to 28.53 &plusmn; 5.10% when sunitinib was added. Therefore, this finding was considered a new promising candidate for HCC treatment in reducing cell proliferation and enhancing therapeutic outcomes