Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Integrated Neuromuscular Inhibition Technique (init)—a manual therapy approach combining Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Ischemic Compression (IC), and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS)—with posture correction using a postural belt in individuals with mechanical neck pain.Methods: In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 40 participants with mechanical neck pain (mean age: 34.32 ± 7.90 years) were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received init, while Group B received posture correction through a postural belt. Interventions were administered three times per week over three weeks. Pain intensity, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and neck disability were assessed at baseline and after the third week of intervention.Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in pain, CVA, and neck disability scores after the intervention (p < 0.05). However, the init group demonstrated superior outcomes across all measured variables compared to the posture correction group.Conclusion: init proved more effective than posture correction in reducing pain and disability and improving craniovertebral angle in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Nonetheless, posture correction using a belt may still serve as a viable secondary treatment option due to its simplicity, ease of use, and demonstrated benefits in pain relief and functional improvement.

Increasing the efficacy of allergen-specific intranasal immunotherapy (init) has recently been the main goal of several studies to establish this route as a safe delivery method through mucosal pathways. In this case, the present study evaluated the potential of init using ovalbumin (OVA)-loaded mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (Exo-OVA) in an allergic asthma mouse model. Together with control groups, sensitized Balb/c mice underwent intranasal immunotherapy with Exo-OVA (10 μg OVA per dose) for three consecutive weeks. Serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-4, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production by cultured spleen cells, lung histopathologic analysis, and nasopharyngeal lavage fluid cellular examinations were then conducted. The results showed that init using Exo-OVA significantly increased IFN-γ and TGF-β secretion, while allergen-specific IgE and IL-4 production were dramatically decreased compared to the control group receiving phosphate-buffered saline. In addition, the eosinophil and total cell counts in the nasopharyngeal lavage fluid were reduced, and inflammatory conditions and cell accumulation in lung tissue were ameliorated. In conclusion, the Exo-OVA improved the init efficacy compared to free OVA. Therefore, this formulation could be introduced as an effective approach for immunomodulatory purposes with a shorter treatment duration and reduced side effects.

Introduction: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed neuromuscular conditions characterized by buttock pain which radiates down the ipsilateral lower extremity. This case report describes the use of integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (init) in the management of a patient with piriformis syndrome (PS). Case Presentation: A40-year-oldmanpresented with a complaint of right buttock painwhichradiated to the ipsilateral lower limb. The patient was diagnosed as having PS. The treatment of the patient included init followed by stretching exercises for 6-weeks. Outcomemeasurements included visual analogue scale (VAS), Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), Sciatica bothersome index (SBI), Sciatica frequency index (SFI), and global rating of change scale (GROC) and were assessed at baseline (T0), at 3 (T1) and 6-weeks (T2) of intervention, and then at 12-weeks (T3) follow-up. Conclusions: At 12-weeks follow-up (T3), the outcomes indicated improvement in all symptoms (VAS = 0, RMDQ = 0, SBI = 0, SFI = 0, and GROC = +7). Integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique is effective in the management of a patient with piriformis syndrome.

In this study, polyethersulfone based nanofiltration membranes were modified by air plasma generated through dielectric barrier discharge to increase the membrane hydrophilicity aiming to improve the separat ion and antifouling characterist ics. The effect of plasma t ime on the physico-chemical and separat ion propert ies of membrane was invest igated. The PES nanofilt rat ion membranes were fabricated by the solution casting technique associated with phase inversion method. The FTIR spectra showed format ion of imine and amine functional groups on the membrane surface. The water contact angle decreased form 58 ° to 31 ° by plasma t reatment which produces more hydrophilic surface. SEM and SOM images demonst rated that the surface morphology was changed due to ions collision with membrane surface bombardment. AFM results indicated that membrane roughness was init ially enhanced by plasma t reatment up to 1 minute, and then decreased again by a further increase of t reatment t ime. Membrane water flux increased from 10. 05 (L/m2. h) to 35. 17 (L/m2. h) remarkably by plasma t reatment up to 1 minute and then decreased again at longer treatment times. An opposite trend was observed for the salt reject ion of membranes. The water flux was enhanced ~270% for the modified membrane at 2 min plasma t reatment whereas reject ion declined less than 18%.