Most Viewed Articles

Background: Mechanical chronic neck pain is very common musculoskeletal dysfunction among people, manifesting one or more pain-induced movements and disability impairments. Clinical guidelines suggest passive cervical mobilization and thoracic manipulation as manual therapy interventions. Mulligan concept has positive effect in patients with lumbar and thoracic spine mechanical chronic pain. Study objective was to investigate possible clinical effects of Mulligan techniques in patients with cervical pain according to pain and disability status. Methods: forty participants diagnosed with mechanical chronic cervical pain, randomly assigned into experimental and control group. NAG, SNAG and self-SNAG joint mobilization in a nine-sessions protocol implemented to the study group, while SHAM-Mulligan techniques applied to control group. Self-reported questionnaires Numeric Pain Rating scale (NPRT) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used for the measurement of pain and disability levels respectively. Possible Interactions among Factors (TIME X GROUP) and simple effects in three-time measurements of pre, post and one-month follow-up concerning NDI and NPRS variables, were detected with Mixed-ANOVA test. Results: Baseline scores of pain and disability resulted in no differences between groups. A significant Group and Time factors interaction founded and simple main effects analysis showed that Mulligan concept-group had significant improvement in post-intervention NPRT and NDI scores (p<.001), compared to baseline scores. Follow-up also differed compared to post-treatment score (p<.001). SHAM-Mulligan control group had no significant differences in dependent variables at any level of TIME factor (p>.001). Significant differences were found between groups according to second and third measurement phase (p<.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Mulligan concept techniques improve symptoms of pain and disability in chronic mechanical neck pain patients in short and mid-term effect level. Summary: Mobilization techniques of SNAGs, NAGS and self-SNAGs reduces pain and improve function in patients with mechanical neck pain. Taken into consideration the safety and simplicity of application, future studies are encourage to examine the underline mechanism of action.

A preliminary laboratory study was conducted using upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor to investigate the potential of methane generation from brewery wastewater. Brewery wastewater from a local brewery company was collected and used in the experiments. The experiments were run for 15 days. The rate of methane production was about 5.32 L per kg of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removed per day. The pH reduction in the experimental reactor limited the ability of gas production and is likely the result of the temperature at which the experiments were conducted.

Geosynthetics used in landfills provides a technical and economic advantages over traditional clay liners. It may create stability issue and even lead to landfill failure due to its low interface or internal shear strength if improperly designed and/or constructed. The most common failure mechanism in geosynthetic-lined landfills is transitional failure involving waste and bottom liner (deep-seated failure) or only final cover system (shallow failure). Shear strengths of geosynthetic-geosynthetic and geosynthetic-soil have a wide range of variations. Shear strengths of interface from literature may be used in preliminary design. For final design, site-specific interface shear strengths shall be used. Internal shear strengths of unreinforced geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) are less than those of reinforced GCLs. Unreinforced GCLs are not recommended for slopes steeper than 1:10 (1 Vertical and 10 Horizontal). Peak shear strength of interface and internal GCLs can be used in bottom liner; residual shear strength of interface and internal GCLs shall be used for geosynthetic placed along the slopes. Site-specific shear strengths of waste are recommended to be used in the design. Landfill failure could be triggered by static loadings including excessive leachate, pore pressure above the bottom liners, gas pressure, and excessive wetness of the geomembrane-GCL, and earthquake loading. The factor of safety of 1.5 is recommended for static loading and 1.0 for earthquake loading. A higher factor of safety is recommended if a failure could have a catastrophic effect on human health or the environment, and if large uncertainty exists in input parameters to calculate the factors of safety. The main objective of this review article is to provide a comprehensive knowledge of slope failure mechanisms, causes, and probable remedies in one place.

The aging of stones in response to climate change and the carbon lifeform environment is a fascinating topic that highlights the resilience and adaptability of geological structures to the ever-changing conditions of our planet. Stones, as foundational components of the Earth's crust, undergo a complex process of weathering, erosion, and transformation in the face of environmental challenges such as climate change and the presence of carbon-based lifeforms. In this essay, we will explore the key characteristics of how stones age in response to these factors and the implications for climate resilience.

This research focused on assessing the levels of selected metal contamination in seven different rice brands (Jasmine, Basmati, Mapembe, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Mbeya, and Cheju). Cheju rice was obtained from local producers from the Cheju area in Zanzibar, while the remaining rice brands namely, Jasmine, Basmati, Mapembe, Morogoro, Shinyanga, and Mbeya were randomly taken from local markets at Darajani and Mwanakwerekwe in Zanzibar. Samples were prepared in accordance with applicable Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laboratory SOPs using information provided by field sample preparation. The samples were ground to fineness and an aliquot of about 10.0 g was measured on the beam balance and mounted on the sample holders for laboratory analysis. An Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique with a Rigaku NEX CG EDXRF model spectrometer was used for metal analysis. The study revealed that the percentage of metal contamination varied considerably from one rice brand to another, with Basmati and Jasmine rice each exhibiting a contamination level of 50%, while Shinyanga, Mbeya, Mapembe, and Cheju rice showed a level of 25% each. Notably, Morogoro rice had no observable heavy metal contamination. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between several metal pairs: Au and Cr (r² = 1.00), Au and Ti (r² = 0.613), Cr and Ti (r² = 0.613), Ni and Pb (r² = 0.748), Ni and Hf (r² = 0.660), Pb and Hf (r² = 0.656), and Ti and Sn (r² = 0.671). The individual occurrence (percentage) for metals across all rice brands were as follows: 71.42% for Sn, and 28.57% for Hf, Ni, Pb, and Ti, while traces of Au, Cr, and Y each had an occurrence level of 14.28%. While Morogoro rice showed no metal discernible analyzed heavy metal contamination, the other rice brands were observed to have a considerable heavy metal contamination trend. The patterns of metal occurrence in each rice brand were observed as follows: Basmati: Sn > Ti > Au > Cr; Jasmine: Sn > Hf > Ni > Pb; Shinyanga: Sn > Pb; Mbeya: Sn > Hf; Mapembe: Sn > Ti; Cheju: Ni > Y. The patterns, then yield the ranking of metal contamination across all seven rice brands from lowest to highest is as follows: Morogoro < (Mapembe, Cheju, Mbeya, Shinyanga) < (Jasmine, Basmati). Furthermore, the data analysis indicated that the concentrations of Cr (1.08 mg/Kg), Ni (4.65 mg/Kg), and Pb (3.05 mg/Kg) detected in the samples surpassed the maximum permissible limits established by WHO/FAO which were 1.0 mg/Kg, 0.10 mg/Kg and 0.20 mg/Kg respectively. Consequently, the study concludes that Morogoro rice is the most superior and considered the safest choice for consumption, while Jasmine and Basmati rice are associated with higher levels of metal contamination. Thus, it is highly recommended that Tanzania intensify its rice cultivation efforts to reduce reliance on rice imports from other nations.

Background: Monotherapy for liver dysfunction in diabetes is less effective. This study investigated the effect of combined linagliptin and metformin therapy on liver function in diabetic rats. Methods and materials: Sixty-four mature male (200-300 g) Wistar rats were used. Streptozotocin (35 mg/kgb.wt) was repeatedly injected intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. The rats were grouped into eight groups (n = 8). Group I: control; Group II: control + 10 mg/kgb.wt linagliptin; Group III: control + 200 mg/kgb.wt metformin; Group IV; control + 10 mg/kgb.wt linagliptin + 200 mg/kgb.wt metformin; Group V: diabetic; Group VI: diabetic + 10 mg/kgb.wt linagliptin; Group VII: diabetic + 200 mg/kgb.wt metformin; Group VIII: diabetic + 10 mg/kgb.wt linagliptin + 200 mg/kgb.wt metformin. The animals were sacrificed on the last day of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical assay. Results: Insulin, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), liver function biomarkers, liver glucose metabolic enzymes, malondialdehyde and inflammatory markers increased (p < 0.05) significantly. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), liver antioxidant, glycogen, and glycogen synthase were reduced significantly in diabetic rats. Linagliptin and metformin administration single and combined reduced the insulin, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, liver function biomarkers, liver glucose metabolic enzymes, malondialdehyde, and inflammatory markers, and increased the HDL-cholesterol, liver antioxidant, glycogen and glycogen synthase in diabetic rats.Conclusion: Linagliptin monotherapy alone efficiently controls hyperglycemia and remarkably improves liver functions. Combining linagliptin and metformin could be used as safe and effective therapy for liver dysfunction progression in diabetes.

Introduction: Number of obese people is growing on a daily basis in Brazil, including morbid obese ones, but there is still a lack of studies with this subject. Due to this, the main goal of this study was to identify body profile, physiological variables behavior and oxygen consumption in grade III obese women, submitted to an ergospirometric test in arm ergometer. Method: Take part in this study, thirteen (13) female grade III obese patients between 20 and 40 years. They were submitted to an electric bioimpedance test for body composition measurement and an Ergospirometric test in arm ergometer for oxygen consumption, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, resting and after exercises, analysis. Results: The patients revealed a BMI of 46.5±3.81 kg/m², 51.9±1.59% of body fat percentage. The patients reached 168.2±4.57bpm of heart rate, didn’t make any hypertensive response to the effort reaching an arterial pressure of 171.1±22.15mmHg x 87.5±4.18mmHg. Oxygen saturation was 98±0.71% and oxygen consumption peak was, also in average, 12.3±2.75ml.kg.min-1. Conclusion: It was verified that there was no oxygen saturation drop nor hypertensive response and all of the patients reached the maximum heart rate. 

Age estimation is an essential aspect of profile building in forensic investigations. Age estimation using teeth is one of the exciting applications of Forensic Odontology because teeth can survive post-mortem damage, so it is considered more suitable for age estimation. This study aims to estimate the age of individuals using the Cameriere method on teeth in various countries. The approach used in this research is a literature review study design compiled based on the Preferred Reporting System for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines from several articles with a period from 2007-2024. Scientific articles that meet the criteria will be analyzed using the Cameriere method to estimate the age of individuals. The search yielded 222 studies and only 12 scientific articles that met the requirements from the specified articles obtained. The population represents countries from various countries. The sample was in the age range of 4 years - 16 years. The results showed that the Cameriere method can be used to estimate the age of individuals quite accurately in various countries. However, there were some differences in accuracy between countries when using this method.

Background: The Intercostal Stretch Technique is one of the physiotherapy techniques that is used to solve different respiratory problems. It is used for increasing chest expansion and diaphragm excursion improvement and also intra-thoracic lung volume. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the intercostal stretch technique.Methodology: A narrative review. In this study, an RCT study was used to review the intervention.Results: Several articles are used to discuss the effectiveness of the intercostal stretch technique. In stable COPD, diaphragmatic breathing and the intercostal stretch technique both work equally well to improve chest expansion and functional capacity while lowering dyspnea. Research has shown that IC stretch outperforms the anterior basal lift technique in lowering heart and respiratory rates while increasing oxygen saturation. According to this study, IC stretching in conjunction with breathing control may improve dynamic lung parameters, particularly FEV1/FVC%, more than breathing control alone. Patients with COPD have an increased functional exercise capacity and reduced dyspnea when aerobic training and respiratory muscle stretching are combined. Conclusion: Different articles demonstrated that IC stretch improved lung function, expired tidal volume, decreased dyspnea, and increased chest expansion.

Introduction: Most police officers work long hours in day and night shifts and this exposure can harm your health. Objective: Know the Body Mass Index (BMI) of a group of policemen of both sexes chosen at random to calculate the degree of overweight / obesity of the observed population. Material and Method: An cross-sectional study was carried out on 75 elements of the municipal police of sexes, obtaining age, height, and weight with which the corresponding Body Mass Index was obtained. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: Measurements were taken at 75 (100%) policemen of both of them sexes, 60 (80%) male and 15 (20%) female. And the following results were obtained: ideal weight 5 (6.6%), overweight 21 (28.0%) elements and obesity 49 (65.3%). Discussion: Obese workers are prone to getting sick, missing work, disability and early retirement when compared to non-obese workers. Obesity can be a predictor of early mortality; therefore, with a BMI of 30-35, life expectancy decreases from 2 to 4 years and with a BMI of 40-45 it decreases from 8 to 10 years. In our study we found 70 (93.3%) policemen were overweight and obese BMI> 25). Conclusions: Our findings recommend the implementation of diverse programs for the improvement of the health of this labor group with a multidisciplinary team as well as the adequate physical spaces for the practice of the corresponding activities.