Effect of Mulligan’s Mobilization Versus Muscle Energy Technique on Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJDF) is about 15% to 30% identified in a patient with low back aches. This Study aimed to determine the effect of mulligan mobilization versus muscle energy technique on sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The study was a randomized controlled trial that involved 66 participants with SIJDF, after a thorough evaluation the participants were divided into three groups. In experimental group I (Mulligan's mobilization group (MMG)), participants underwent Mulligan mobilization for 20 minutes. The experimental group II (Muscle energy group (MEG)) participants underwent the muscle energy technique for 20 minutes, and the third group underwent moist heat therapy (moist heat group (MHG)) for 20 minutes. For all three groups, 10 minutes of exercise were taught to the patients. All the participants of the groups were included based on pre-determined selection criteria, and all were willing to participate in the Study. The outcome measures of Pain, functional disability, and kinesiophobia were measured by the Numerical pain scale, Oswestry disability index, and Tampa scale respectively. The result was computed using One-way ANOVA, showing significant differences between the three groups. When significant differences were obtained on ANOVA, further analysis was done using a post hoc test. The values for the outcomes are Pain was compared with MMG vs. MEG is 8.045 and the MMG vs. MHG is 4.022 and MMG vs. MEG is 12.07, on Oswestry disability index MEG vs. MHG 9.85, MMG vs. MHG is 2.23 and MMG vs. MEG is 12.08. For kinesiophobia, MMG vs. MEG is 20.25, MMG vs. MHG is 15.35, and MMG vs. MEG is 35.60. This Study concludes that Mulligan's mobilization is more effective in reducing pain, improving function, and kinesiophobia in SI joint dysfunction than the other two groups. 

Pelvic floor dysfunction and its impact on quality of life among female health care employees

BACKGROUND

In today's fast-paced world, both men and women have to be equally competent to handle their responsibilities in order to look after their family members and children. In this pace of competency women tend to forget to take care of their own health and face many health issues, including pelvic floor dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyse the prevalence rate of pelvic floor dysfunction among the working women in regards to their age and body mass index as well as their quality of life.

METHODS

One hundred sixty one post-partum working female participants from the medical fraternity were involved in this study after their consent was obtained. Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed and their quality of life measured using King's health questionnaire.

RESULTS

There was a strong correlation between the pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and its impact on the quality of life among the females with increasing age. Significant statistical significant difference of P(<0.0001) was noted.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic floor dysfunction among females has a direct impact on their quality of life.

A study to compare task-based mirror therapy versus constraint induced movement therapy for hand function in hemiplegic subjects

Introduction and Aim:To find the effectiveness of task-based mirror therapy when compared with constraint-induced movement therapy for hand function in hemiplegic subjects. Stroke is a major health problem in the world. According to various researches, 70%-80% of the patients have the upper extremity impairment then lower extremity. Task-based mirror therapy can be an effective management for premotor cortex impairment. Constraint-induced movement therapy forms the new neural pathway when used properly.   Materials and Methods:30 patients with subacute CVA (cerebrovascular attack) were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and task-based mirror therapy (TMBT). The full-Meyer motor function assessment was evaluated 4 weeks after treatment.   Results: The results showed that mean value of TMBT (pre-test – 5.733, post-test- 9.86) and SD of (pre-test- 1.67, post-test- 1.92) and in CIMT(pre-test-6.3, post-test-11.13) and SD (Pre-test-1.45,Post-test -1.36).   Conclusion:This study shows that CIMT group showed more improvement than TMBT group.

Prevalence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction in college students

Introduction and Aim: Sacroiliac (SI) joint is considered as one of the pain generators in students. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is one of the common sources of low back pain, and many times the SI joint dysfunction mis-lead as the lumbar problem. Students who sit for longer duration cause stress in the sacroiliac joint. So, this study intended to investigate the prevalence and the contributing risk factors amongst students’ population with work-related musculoskeletal problems and also to identify the percentage of SI joint involvement in them.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 590 students from a private paramedical college, involving full time college students, with age group of 17-27 years, no recent falls or those not on current medications related to any musculoskeletal problems, and students without any congenital problems. Evaluation was done using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire along with a self-developed demographic questionnaire. The involved students were assessed using questionnaire and sacroiliac joint tests to identify the SI Joint dysfunction. Provocation tests included i) Sacroiliac joint distraction test, ii) SI Compression test iii) Thigh thrust test iv) Faber’s test and v) Gaenslen’s Test. Inference considered was presence of pain in more than 3 test indicates Sacroiliac joint involvement. On completion of assessment, a thank you card was given to all the volunteer students participated in the study. The collected data was filled and analyzed.Results: The study results showed that students with lower back pain also had complaints of neck pain. It was also noted that about 30% of the individuals were positive to the sacroiliac joint tests, among them 93 participants complained of low back pain.Conclusion: This study concluded that 61% of individuals were suffering with musculoskeletal disorders in the selected population. Around 30% of the low back pain participants complained of sacroiliac joint dysfunctions.

A study to compare the effectiveness of core strengthening exercises for phase I and phase II of menstrual cycle in primary dysmenorrhea subjects

Introduction and Aim:The common gynaecological problem among females found to be Dysmenorrhea, which is a cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring at menstruation in the absence of any identifiable pelvic disease with a prevalence rate of 60%-90%. The consequences of primary dysmenorrhea affect quality of life (QOL) and limitations in daily activities as well as absenteeism. There is no open literature on which phase of the menstrual cycle is better to exercise in and is more effective. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of core strengthening exercises for Phase I and Phase II of menstrual cycle in primary dysmenorrhea subjects and find out which phase is best to exercise in.   Materials and Methods: A total of 150 subjects were selected using convenient sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly allotted into 2 groups (group A and group B)containing 75 subjects each. Group A (Phase I follicular phase)and group B (Phase II luteal phase) performed core strengthening exercise protocol for a duration of 3 menstrual cycles (12 weeks). Working ability, location, intensity, days of pain, dysmenorrhea (WaLIDD) score as well as EQ 5-D 5-L (Euroql5 dimension 5 level quality of life questionnaire) values were obtained before and after the intervention.   Results: An unpaired t-test of the post-test mean values of phase I and II groups show that there is a significant difference between the two groups(p-value<0.0001)   Conclusion: From the results,it can be concluded that there is a significant difference in effectiveness of core strengthening exercises between phase I and phase II and thus exercising in Phase I is most effective.  

Estimation and prevention of text neck syndrome among smart phone users

Introduction and Aim: Text neck syndrome has become a global musculoskeletal problem in relation to all the ages who uses the mobile phone. The aim of the study was to investigate the neck posture, self-report of pain and disability in smart phone users, and to identify the preventive measures of text neck syndrome. Materials and methods: 253 students were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were assessed by measuring the resting head posture using a ruler’s method and A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all subjects. The data obtained was tabulated and statistically analysed. Results: Results were statistically analysed using Chi-square test. Questionnaire includes totally 10 domains. Each question is given with three to five options. Conclusion: Frome the study it was concluded that most of the people are using phone in the non- ergonomic way. 90% of the people were affected by neck related musculoskeletal problems. Prevention is the only key to avoid text neck syndrome. Keywords: Mobile phone; neck posture; cervical spine; text neck syndrome; hazards; preventive measures.

Range extension of the Least Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros cineraceus Blyth, 1853 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Hipposideridae): to central India

The Least Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros cineraceus Blyth, 1853 is one of the 13 leaf-nosed bats in India, and was known from Uttarakhand, West Bengal. North-east India and Tamil Nadu. Upon careful examination of the leaf-nose of the bat collections, which were collected from N.P. Kailash cave in Kanger Khati National Park, Jagadalpur district of Chhattisgarh, during the year 2004 and subsequently deposited in the National Zoological Collections of Zoological Survey of India were identified as Hipposideros cineraceus. It is the first report on the occurrence of Hipposideros cineraceus in Chhattisgarh, Central India.

An old collection reveals an additional distribution record of the Greater Long-tongued Fruit Bat Macroglossus sobrinus K. Anderson, 1911 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) from southern West Bengal, India

Greater Long-tongued Fruit Bat Macroglossus sobrinus K Anderson, 1911 is one of the small fruit bat found in South and Southeast Asia. In India, this species has only been reported from northern West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast India. Upon detailed examination of the external morphology, skull and dentition of a single bat specimen, which was collected from Narendrapur, South 24- Parganas district in West Bengal (southern West Bengal) during the year 1995 and deposited in the National Zoological Collections of Zoological Survey of India, was identified as Macroglossus sobrinus. It is the first report on the occurrence of the species from southern West Bengal, extended distribution by more than 600 km southward from the known localities in Darjeeling in northern West Bengal.

<b>Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat <I>Hipposideros durgadasi</I> Khajuria, 1970 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Hipposideridae): a new distribution record in northern India hidden in the National Zoological Collections</b>

Durga Das’s leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros durgadasi Khajuria, 1970 is one of the endemic bats in India and was known only from Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh and Kolar district of Karnataka. Upon careful examination of the external morphology, craniodental and baculum structure of the bat collections, which were collected from 14 km west of Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, northern India during the year 1998 and deposited in the National Zoological Collections of Zoological Survey of India were identified as Hipposideros durgadasi. It is the first report on the occurrence of Durga Das’s leaf-nosed bat in Uttar Pradesh and an additional distribution record in northern India. 

Identification and characterization of DC-SIGN-binding glycoproteins in allergenic foods

BACKGROUND

DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin) is a C-type lectin receptor expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells. DC-SIGN has high affinity for fucosylated glycans in several plant glycoproteins and pathogens. DC-SIGN is thought to be crucial for the development of allergic sensitization. However, the precise role of DC-SIGN in food allergy pathogenesis is not yet understood.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to characterize DC-SIGN-binding glycoproteins in a panel of allergenic and non-allergenic foods.

METHODS

Fluorescent-labeled peanut and soy extracts were used to test protein binding to human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) by flow cytometry. DC-SIGN-blocking assays were performed by incubating DCs with food extracts followed by staining with anti-DC-SIGN antibody. Using a DC-SIGN-Fc chimera, food extracts were tested for binding by ELISA and autoradiography. IgE immunoblotting was performed with pooled sera from food-allergic subjects. DC activation and maturation were assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that peanut agglutinin, a minor peanut allergen, is a novel ligand for DC-SIGN. Peanut agglutinin activates DCs to induce the expression of costimulatory molecules in vitro. We present a comprehensive report on the characterization of DC-SIGN-binding proteins in common allergenic foods such as peanut, soy, tree nuts, egg, and milk. Foods that rarely induce allergy, such as pine nuts, chickpea, and corn, showed no binding to DC-SIGN. Several DC-SIGN-binding proteins show reactivity in serum IgE immunoblots. We have also identified novel non-IgE-binding proteins that interact with DC-SIGN; these proteins may be important for regulating immune responses to these foods.

Evidence of pathway-specific basophil anergy induced by peanut oral immunotherapy in peanut-allergic children

BACKGROUND

In Westernized countries, over 1% of the population is allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, which carries a risk of severe allergic reactions. Several studies support the efficacy of peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) for reducing the clinical sensitivity of affected individuals; however, the mechanisms of this effect are still being characterized. One mechanism that may contribute is the suppression of effector cells, such as basophils. Basophil anergy has been characterized in vitro as a pathway-specific hyporesponsiveness; however, this has not been demonstrated to occur in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hypothesis that basophil anergy occurs in vivo due to chronic allergen exposure in the setting of a clinical oral immunotherapy trial.

METHODS

Samples of peripheral blood were obtained from subjects during a placebo-controlled clinical trial of peanut OIT. Basophil reactivity to in vitro stimulation with peanut allergen and controls was assessed by the upregulation of activation markers, CD63 and CD203c, measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The upregulation of CD63 following stimulation of the IgE receptor, either specifically with peanut allergen or non-specifically with anti-IgE antibody, was strongly suppressed by active OIT. However, OIT did not significantly suppress this response in basophils stimulated by the distinct fMLP receptor pathway. In the subset of subjects with egg sensitization, active peanut OIT also suppressed CD63 upregulation in response to stimulation with egg allergen. Allergen OIT also suppressed the upregulation of CD203c including in response to stimulation with IL-3 alone.

CONCLUSION

Peanut OIT induces a hyporesponsive state in basophils that is consistent with pathway-specific anergy previously described in vitro. This suggests the hypothesis that effector cell anergy could contribute to clinical desensitization.