Ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block versus physical therapy for chronic knee osteoarthritis: a prospective randomised study.

To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block (GNB) and physical therapy (PT) in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis. A prospective randomised study with 102 patients (45-70 years) was performed wherein the patients received ultrasound-guided GNB (n = 51) and PT (n = 51) along with a standard home exercise programme. Scores for pain on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and 6-min walking test (6MWT) were assessed pre-treatment and at 2- and 12-weeks post-treatment.

Applications of TiO2, ZnO and Ag Nanomaterials to Denim Fabric.

In previous studies much research has reported the determination of applications of TiO2 (rutile and anatase), ZnO and Ag nanomaterials onto various textile surfaces, but in this study for the first time application to denim fabric and testing of the finished fabric for antimicrobial activities of these nanomaterials was investigated. The presence of nanoparticles on dyed denim fabric surfaces was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The nanomaterial-impregnated denim fabric (100% cotton) showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli isolated from pasta.

An experimental analysis on the magnetic field sensitivity of the black-meadow ant Formica pratensis Retzius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Ant responses were tested under both the natural geomagnetic and artificially induced Earth-strength electromagnetic field. Foragers were trained for a month to visit a food source at the north arm accessed through an orientation platform assembly. Under the natural geomagnetic field, when all other orientational cues were eliminated, results indicated significant heterogeneity of ant distribution with the majority seeking geomagnetic north in darkness.