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Biomedical research is fundamental in developing preventive and therapeutic vaccines, serving as a cornerstone of global public health. This review explores the key concepts, methodologies, tools, and challenges in the vaccine development landscape, focusing on transitioning from basic biomedical sciences to clinical applications. Foundational disciplines such as virology, immunology, and molecular biology lay the groundwork for vaccine creation, while recent innovations like messenger RNA (mRNA) technology and reverse vaccinology have transformed the field. Additionally, it highlights the role of pharmaceutical advancements in translating lab discoveries into clinical solutions. Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, genome sequencing, monoclonal antibodies, and computational modeling have significantly enhanced vaccine precision and efficacy, expediting the development of vaccines against infectious diseases. The review also discusses challenges that continue to hinder progress, including stringent regulatory pathways, vaccine hesitancy, and the rapid emergence of new pathogens. These obstacles underscore the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the adoption of innovative strategies. Integrating personalized medicine, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence is expected to revolutionize vaccine science further. By embracing these advancements, biomedical research has the potential to overcome existing challenges and usher in a new era of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines, ultimately improving global health outcomes. This review emphasizes the critical role of vaccines in combating current and future health threats, advocating for continued investment in biomedical science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults is experiencing a rapid increase. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the survival of prediabetic patients using a comparison of the Cox proportional hazards model (CPH) and the Random survival forest (RSF). Method: This prospective cohort study was performed on 746 prediabetics in southwest Iran. The demographic, lifestyle, and clinical data of the participants were recorded. The CPH and RSF models were used to determine the patients' survival. Furthermore, the concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were employed to compare the performance of the Cox proportional hazards (CPH) model and the random survival forest (RSF) model. Results: The 5-year cumulative T2DM incidence was 12.73%. Based on the results of the CPH model, NAFLD (HR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.85), FBS (HR = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.005, 1.012) and increased abdominal fat (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04) were directly associated with diabetes occurrence in prediabetic patients. The RSF model suggests that factors including FBS, waist circumference, depression, NAFLD, afternoon sleep, and female gender are the most important variables that predict diabetes. The C-index indicated that the RSF model has a higher percentage of agreement than the CPH model, and in the weighted Brier Score index, the RSF model had less error than the Kaplan-Meier and CPH model. Conclusion: Our findings show that the incidence of diabetes was alarmingly high in Iran. The results suggested that several demographic and clinical factors are associated with diabetes occurrence in prediabetic patients. The high-risk population needs special measures for screening and care programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver injury with marked elevation of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (AST) is commonly observed in dengue infection. To understand the pathogenesis of this liver damage, we compared the plasma levels of hepatic specific, centrilobular predominant enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, GLDH; glutathione S transferase-α, αGST), periportal enriched 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), periportal predominant arginase-1 (ARG-1), and other non-specific biomarkers (paraoxonase-1, PON-1) in patients with different outcomes of dengue infection. This hospital-based study enrolled 87 adult dengue patients, stratified into three groups based on plasma AST levels (< 80, 80–400, > 400 U/L) in a 1:1:1 ratio (n = 40, n = 40, n = 40, respectively. The new liver enzymes in the blood samples from the 4th to 6th days of their illness were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or colorimetric kits. Based on the diagnosis at discharge days, our patients were classified as 40 (46%) dengue without warning signs (D), 35 (40.2%) dengue with warning signs (DWS), and 11 (12.6%) severe dengue (SD) with either shock (two patients) or AST level over 1000 U/L (nine patients), using the 2009 WHO classification. The group of high AST (> 400 U/L) also had higher ALT, GLDH, ARG-1, and HPPD than the other groups, while the high (> 400 U/L) and moderate (80–400 U/L) AST groups had higher ALT, αGST, ARG-1, and HPPD than the low AST group (< 80 U/L). There was a good correlation between AST, alanine aminotransferase enzyme (ALT), and the new liver biomarkers such as GLDH, αGST, ARG-1, and HPPD. Our findings suggest that dengue-induced liver damage initiates predominantly in the centrilobular area toward the portal area during the dengue progression. Moreover, these new biomarkers should be investigated further to explain the pathogenesis of dengue and to validate their prognostic utility. Key messages: Arginase-1, α-glutathione S transferase, and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase levels were significantly associated with dengue severity and can serve as good prognostic predictors for liver injury. Our findings suggest that dengue-induced liver damage initiates predominantly in the centrilobular area toward the portal area during the dengue progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on evaluating the correlation between component size asymmetry and functional knee outcomes in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (simBTKA). Topics include the rate of asymmetry in component sizes, the impact on Knee Society Score (KSS) and range of motion (ROM), and the incidence of complications associated with the procedure.

Taping is increasingly used to manage proprioceptive deficits, but existing reviews on its impact have shortcomings. To accurately assess the effects of taping, a separate meta-analyses for different population groups and tape types is needed. Therefore, both between- and within-group meta-analyses are needed to evaluate the influence of taping on proprioception. According to PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was conducted across seven databases (Web of Science, PEDro, Pubmed, EBSCO, Scopus, ERIC, SportDiscus, Psychinfo) and one register (CENTRAL) using the keywords "tape" and "proprioception". Out of 1372 records, 91 studies, involving 2718 individuals, met the inclusion criteria outlined in the systematic review. The meta-analyses revealed a significant between and within-group reduction in repositioning errors with taping compared to no tape (Hedge's g: -0.39, p < 0.001) and placebo taping (Hedge's g: -1.20, p < 0.001). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses further confirmed the reliability of the overall between and within-group analyses. The between-group results further demonstrated that both elastic tape and rigid tape had similar efficacy to improve repositioning errors in both healthy and fatigued populations. Additional analyses on the threshold to detection of passive motion and active movement extent discrimination apparatus revealed no significant influence of taping. In conclusion, the findings highlight the potential of taping to enhance joint repositioning accuracy compared to no tape or placebo taping. Further research needs to uncover underlying mechanisms and refine the application of taping for diverse populations with proprioceptive deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kinesiology Taping(KT) is commonly used as a physical therapy to prevent exercise-induced fatigue. This study aims to evaluate the immediate effects of KT on muscle strength, static balance, and proprioception after eccentric muscle fatigue on ankle. Methods: Twenty healthy male university students were recruited. The experimental protocol was structured into four sessions, each separated by a one-week washout period to prevent carryover effects. Participants were randomly allocated to one of four intervention conditions in each session, ensuring no participant received the same intervention twice. These conditions were: no taping(NT),sham taping(ST),athletic taping(AT),and kinesiology taping(KT).Taping was applied immediately following an eccentric muscle fatigue protocol targeting the ankle, and assessments were conducted in the order of proprioception, muscle strength and static balance. Isometric muscle strength and proprioception were evaluated using the Biodex isokinetic system. Static balance was measured using the TecnoBody balance platform. Results: KT had a significantly higher plantarflexion/dorsiflexion peak torque, dorsiflexion average peak torque, and plantarflexion/dorsiflexion average power at 60°/s compared with NT and ST in terms of isometric muscle strength (p < 0.05).Furthermore, the plantarflexion peak torque of KT was significantly greater than AT at 60°/s[p = 0.005,95% confidence interval(CI) = 3.39 to 18.20] and 180°/s[p = 0.006,95%CI(2.62,21.98)]. In terms of proprioception, KT showed a lower absolute error in 25° plantarflexion and 10° dorsiflexion compared to NT, ST and AT. For static balance with eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, AT and KT had a lower total sway area than NT and ST (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in total sway length with eyes-open condition was observed between AT and KT[p < 0.001,95%CI(-431.81,-168.25)];total sway area and the center of pressure(COP) velocity in the mediolateral(ML) and anteroposterior(AP) directions with eyes-closed condition were significantly lower in AT compared to KT. Conclusion: This study suggests that KT is more effective than other taping conditions in improving muscle strength and proprioception after eccentric muscle fatigue on ankle. However, AT is more helpful in increasing static postural control ability after ankle muscle fatigue than KT. Trial registration: This study was registered with www.chictr.org.cn (registration number: ChiCTR2300068278) on 13/2/2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Investigating the epidemiology of mental health disorders resulting from COVID-19 intervention measures, primary school closures, and social isolation in children and adolescents needs to be prioritized over adults at the post-pandemic stage. Most preliminary psychosocial studies conducted during the pandemic have demonstrated that younger age groups are the most vulnerable to such implications. Thus, this study aims to estimate the probable prevalence of specific anxiety disorders in children and quantify their relationships with relevant demographic risk factors. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study comprising 430 children aged between 8- and 18 years old living in Kuwait during the period of school closures as well as full and partial lockdowns. The survey included questions about participants' characteristics, children's anxiety using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders Questionnaire (SCARED) scale, and children's emotions and behaviours using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to summarize the demographic and characteristics of the participants and their association with general, social, and generalized anxieties, as well as behavioural and emotional difficulties. Results: We inferred that 24.83% of our participants had at least one anxiety disorder, while 20.19% were classified as abnormal on the SDQ scale. Our multivariate analysis revealed that lockdown duration and sex of the child were consistently significant predictors (p-values < 0.05) of the broad spectrum of selected mental disorders. Additionally, we inferred notable increases in the likelihood of mental disorders associated with the increased duration of lockdowns. Conclusions: Our findings revealed preliminary insights into the vulnerability of young populations to the indirect negative impacts of strict public health measures during pandemic emergencies. Thus, authorities should consider such implications when planning and implementing similar interventions in future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: We aim to provide valuable insights into the current state of therapeutic development for the deadly Marburg virus and guide researchers and clinicians to study the emerging therapies and shape future directions against this deadly virus. Recent Findings: We find considerable progress in understanding the molecular biology and pathogenesis of the Marburg virus, leading to the identification of small-molecule antivirals and host-targeted approaches, including RNA polymerase inhibitors, viral entry inhibitors, and RNA interference therapies. However, there are very few ongoing clinical trials on the therapy/vaccine development against Marburg virus. Some of the potential studied candidates are chimpanzee adenovirus type 3, modified vaccinia Ankara, Marburg DNA plasmid vaccine, antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers, and galidesivir. Yet, there are no approved vaccines or drugs against Marburg virus due to the viral genetic variability. Summary: Extensive efforts and global awareness in the scientific society are requisite to develop preventive and therapeutic measures focusing on combinatorial formulations against Marburg virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since October 2021, multiple paediatric cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology (SAHUA) not caused by hepatitis A–E viruses have been reported by multiple countries. As of 14 September 2022, approximately 1296 probable cases of SAHUA in 37 countries and regions had been reported. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to present a complete picture of this outbreak, including its origin, current cases, clinical signs, possible hypotheses, and potential treatments. Methods: A thorough search for literature from October 2021 to September 2023 was performed in the PubMed and Medline databases. Additional websites, including the WHO, CDC, ECDC, and the UKHSA, were searched for further relevant data. Results: Common clinical symptoms include jaundice, vomiting, pale stools, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and nausea, whereas fever is infrequent. Elevated AST and ALT are prevalent, and most cases test positive for adenovirus. However, immunohistochemical staining on liver tissue often yields negative results for adenovirus, thus challenging the hypothesis that adenovirus is a definitive cause. A recent compelling hypothesis has implicated AAV-2 as a likely etiologic agent of SAHUA in paediatric cases involving abnormal AAV-2 replication products and immune-mediated hepatic disease. Evidence of low immunogenicity, tissue tropism, and immune responses supports this hypothesis. SARS-CoV-2's role has also been explored. Some SAHUA cases have SARS-CoV-2 IgG positivity even when PCR tests are negative, thereby suggesting silent prior infections. Cidofovir, a suggested treatment for severe human adenovirus infection in immunocompromised patients, has not decreased adenoviral load in two cases. Notably, 29 deaths have been reported, and 55 cases have required or received liver transplant. Conclusion: SAHUA in children presents a complex challenge with potential involvement of AAV-2 and immune-mediated factors. SARS-CoV-2 may affect disease severity—a possibility warranting further investigation. Treatment options include diagnostics, supportive care, antivirals, and immunosuppression. Prevention relies on infection control measures, and management requires advanced diagnostics and international collaboration. SAHUA remains an enigma, thus underscoring the need for continued research and adaptability to emerging infectious threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana is currently grappling with simultaneous outbreaks of Marburg virus disease and human monkeypox virus. The coexistence of these outbreaks emphasizes the imperative for a collaborative and global approach to enhance surveillance and expedite case detection. While Ghana has made efforts to respond to these outbreaks, this paper outlines the lessons learned and proposes recommendations in this regard. It is crucial to intensify response efforts at the local, regional, and national levels to effectively contain the spread of these infectious diseases. Therefore, this paper suggests prioritizing the following recommendations as crucial for assisting Ghana in adequately preparing for future outbreaks and safeguarding global public health: strengthening surveillance system through digitization, rapid and effective response; risk communication and community engagement; healthcare system readiness; and research and collaboration. Also, prioritizing building healthy public policies and developing personal skills of health personnel across the country is key for future outbreak response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant raises concerns globally. Objective: To investigated the clinical characteristics and severity of COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant in Thailand, comparing it to the previously dominant Alpha and Delta variants. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data from two secondary hospitals in Thailand during the Omicron variant's prevalence were analyzed. Demographic and clinical information, including age, comorbidities, symptoms, lab results, and outcomes, were compared with the Alpha and Delta variants. Severity was assessed based on the presence of pneumonia and mortality. Results: Preliminary findings revealed distinct clinical characteristics in COVID-19 patients with the Omicron variant compared to the Alpha and Delta variants. Common symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue varied in frequency and severity across the variants. Breakthrough infections were more prevalent with the Omicron variant. Differences in the development of pneumonia were observed. Conclusion: This comparative study provides initial insights into the clinical characteristics and severity of COVID-19 patients with the Omicron variant in Thailand. Further research is required to validate these findings and improve understanding of Omicron's impact on disease outcomes. This knowledge will inform effective strategies to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute Severe Hepatitis of Unknown Etiology (ASHUE) emerged as a new global outbreak in Indonesia early May 2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to understand public reactions and responses to the emergence of ASHUE Indonesia and to Government-led disease prevention responses. Understanding how the public perceived government-led preventive messaging about the hepatitis outbreak is crucial to controlling viral spread – particularly given the rapid and unforeseen emergence of ASHUE coincided with COVID-19 and public trust in the Indonesian Government to manage health outbreaks was already tenuous. Methods: Social media users' responses to information disseminated via Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter were analyzed to understand public perceptions about ASHUE outbreak and their attitudes toward Government-led prevention measures. Data were extracted on a daily basis from 1st May 2022 to 30th May 2022 and analyzed manually. We inductively generated the codes, from which we formed a construct and then grouped to identify themes. Results: A total of 137 response comments collected from 3 social medial platforms were analyzed. Of these, 64 were from Facebook, 57 were from YouTube, and 16 were from Twitter. We identified 5 main themes, including (1) disbelief in the existence of the infection; (2) suspicion about a potential new business after COVID-19; (3) suspicion that COVID-19 vaccine(s) are the cause; (4) religion-related fatalism and (5) trust in government measures. Conclusions: The findings advance knowledge about public perceptions, reactions and attitudes towards the emergence of ASHUE and the efficacy of disease countermeasures. The knowledge from this study will provide an understanding of why disease prevention measures might not be followed. It can be used to develop public awareness programs in Indonesia about both the ASHUE and its possible consequences and the available healthcare support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a meta-analysis showing that self-sampling methods for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing increase cervical cancer screening rates and are preferred by participants. Opt-out distribution and swab self-sampling are found to be the most effective. Self-sampling should be combined with HPV vaccination and targeted communication about screening.

Previous studies suggested that dengue was associated with an increased risk of several autoimmune diseases. However, this association still needs to be explored due to the limitations of these studies. A population-based cohort study was conducted using national health databases in Taiwan and included 63,814 newly diagnosed, laboratory-confirmed dengue patients between 2002 and 2015 and 1:4 controls (n = 255,256) matched by age, sex, area of residence and symptom onset time. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the risk of autoimmune diseases after dengue infection. Dengue patients had a slightly higher risk of overall autoimmune diseases than non-dengue controls (aHR 1.16; P = 0.0002). Stratified analyses by specific autoimmune diseases showed that only autoimmune encephalomyelitis remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (aHR 2.72; P < 0.0001). Sixteen (0.025%) dengue patients and no (0%) controls developed autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the first month of follow-up (HR >9999, P < 0.0001), but the risk between groups was not significantly different thereafter. Contrary to previous studies, our findings showed that dengue was associated with an increased short-term risk of a rare complication, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, but not associated with other autoimmune diseases. Author summary: Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Antibodies produced during dengue infection can cross-react with several self-antigens to the tissues of the body and contribute to thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and vascular leakage in severe dengue. Autoimmunity might occur after dengue infection and cause some autoimmune diseases. Previous studies suggested some autoimmune diseases might be associated with dengue infection. Contrary to previous studies, our findings showed that dengue was associated with an increased short-term risk of a rare complication, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, but not associated with other autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an enormous impact on practically every aspect of daily life, and those with neuromuscular disorders have certainly not been spared. The effects of COVID-19 infection are far-reaching, going well beyond respiratory symptoms alone. From simple myalgias to debilitating critical illness neuromyopathies, we continue to learn and catalog the diverse pathologies presented by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV-2) as it relates to the neuromuscular system. Complications have been documented both as a direct result of primary infection but also in those with pre-existing neuromuscular disorders from myasthenia gravis to devastating critical illness neuromyopathies. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between COVID-19 infection and critical illness neuromyopathy, peripheral nerve palsies, myalgias, positional compressive neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019 and led to the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to develop therapeutics against SARS-Cov-2 led to both new treatments and attempts to repurpose existing medications. Here, we provide a narrative review of the xenobiotics and alternative remedies used or proposed to treat COVID-19. Most repositioned xenobiotics have had neither the feared toxicity nor the anticipated efficacy. Repurposed viral replication inhibitors are not efficacious and frequently associated with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Antiviral medications designed specifically against SARS-CoV-2 may prevent progression to severe disease in at-risk individuals and appear to have a wide therapeutic index. Colloidal silver, zinc, and ivermectin have no demonstrated efficacy. Ivermectin has a wide therapeutic index but is not efficacious and acquiring it from veterinary sources poses additional danger. Chloroquine has a narrow therapeutic index and no efficacy. A companion review covers vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and immunotherapies. Together, these two reviews form an update to our 2020 review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the research hotspots and trends of Kinesio Taping in the last decade and provide new sights in future studies. Publications in the area of Kinesio Taping were searched from the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2011 and 2020. Citespace software was used to analyze data on countries/regions, institutions, authors, co-cited references, and keywords. A total of 677 publications were obtained in the last decade. We identified the most prolific countries, institutions, and authors in the field of Kinesio Taping from 2011 to 2020. The annual number of publications showed an upward trend. The most prolific country and institution were Turkey and Hacettepe University, respectively. The author with the biggest number of publications was Gul Baltaci from Turkey. The top 5 most frequent keywords were "pain", "tape", "strength", "exercise", and "reliability". The keywords with the highest centrality were "proprioception", followed by "reliability", "clinical trial", "ankle", and "pain". Ten clusters were found and the biggest one was "quadricep". The top 9 keywords with the strongest bursts were detected and "trial" had the highest burst strength. The results from the bibliometric analysis provide hotspots and trends in the field of Kinesio Taping. It is still in the development stage of the past decade. Pain relief, sports injury prevention and treatment, and proprioception enhancement to improve postural control were the hotspots from 2011 to 2020. High-quality trials and standardized criteria for applications are needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of Kinesio tape and conventional physiotherapy in addition to home exercise in patients with chronic neck pain. Material-Method: A total of 44 individuals were randomly divided into two groups. Conventional physiotherapy methods were applied to all subjects for 15 sessions. In addition to the study group, Kinesio tape application was performed each session. Pain, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, muscle strength, muscle endurance, pectoralis minor muscle length, disability level, quality of life, and depressive symptoms were evaluated. The first evaluation was conducted prior to the Kinesio tape application, the second was conducted 24 hours after the procedure, and the third was after 15 sessions. Results: A significant improvement was obtained in depression scores, muscle endurance, and patient satisfaction in favor of the study group (respectively p = 0.021, p=0.029, p= 0.009). Conclusion: Kinesio tape can be used to increase muscle endurance in the short term. Also, it can be said that Kinesio tape application provides additional benefits to the conventional physiotherapy method in terms of treatment satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most non-polio enterovirus infections in immunocompetent individuals are acute and self-limiting in nature; however, infection can be severe, chronic and have devastating outcomes in immunocompromised hosts. Therapeutic strategies have predominantly involved supportive care, with the lack of approved antiviral treatments proving challenging for management. We report a case of an 8-month-old child who presented with severe enterovirus encephalitis following gene therapy for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) and who demonstrated clinical and microbiological improvement after a novel regimen of favipiravir, fluoxetine, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). The patient presented 6 weeks post-gene therapy with rapid neurological deterioration in the context of incomplete immune reconstitution, with microbiological and radiological evidence confirming enterovirus encephalitis. His neurologic examination stabilised 8 weeks after treatment, and he subsequently demonstrated excellent immune recovery. This is the first case report of combined therapy with favipiravir, fluoxetine, and high-dose IVIg in the context of severe enterovirus encephalitis in an immunocompromised host. This case highlights the importance of considering enterovirus encephalitis in immunocompromised patients presenting with both acute and chronic neurological signs, as well as developmental regression. The demonstrated treatment success and the associated low risk of toxicity warrant further investigation of this therapeutic regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kinesio Taping (KT) is proved useful to many musculoskeletal disorders. But the mechanism remains unclear. The kinesio tape works by sticking to the skin surface. So exploring the interaction between the tape and the skin and analyzing its biomechanical influence may be an effective way to explore the mechanism of the tape.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping and taping methods on skin deformation during knee joint flexion and extension motion and further explore its possible functional mechanisms.Methods: Ten healthy and pain-free subjects (4 males, 6 females) were recruited in this study. The skin observation area on the anterior side of the right thigh of the subjects was divided into 11 segments by 12 reflective marker points for distance measurement, from the distal knee to the proximal knee, the length of the interval was L1 to L11, and the total length was L0. Subjects were treated with no KT (NT), resting positive taping (RPT), resting negative taping (RNT), stretching positive taping (SPT), and stretching negative taping (SNT). A Qualisys infrared high-speed three-dimensional spatial coordinate capture system was used to observe changes in the length of the observed skin surface on the right anterior thigh during right knee flexion and extension in the sitting position.Results: During right knee flexion and extension in the seated position in 10 subjects, all skin segment deformations produced significant differences between intervention groups (P < 0.05), except for L1 during flexion (P = 0.07). During right knee flexion and extension, total length, L0, and spacing lengths, L1, L6, and L11, were longer in the NT group than in all other groups. L0 and L1 were both longer in the stretched position than in the rest position; L11 also showed this trend.Conclusions: The usage of the KT had an effect on the biomechanical changes of the skin, resulting in changes in skin deformation. I-tape, natural tension taping can shorten the skin distance between the two ends of the tape. Limb position during taping may influence the KT's effects. However, the change in taping direction showed no significant effects on skin deformation during exercise. KT may apply a pre-stress in the biomechanics of the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue is a common viral infection worldwide, though its neurological manifestations are infrequent (2%-11% in recent years) and can be varied as the Dengue virus per se is a non-neurotropic virus. Neurological manifestations of Dengue usually result from multisystem dysfunction which may be secondary to vascular leak or it can be due to direct virus invasion (dengue encephalitis) or an immunological phenomenon which is triggered by dengue infection (demyelinating disorders). Here we present two cases of dengue fever associated demyelinating disorders in two pediatric patients aptly depicting the two spectra of the disease. One of them is a case of fatal acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy (AHLE) in a 3-year-old girl, that developed severe neurological sequelae while the other one is a case of an Acute disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in a 3-year-old boy who had recovered with timely immunomodulatory therapy and appropriate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of Kinesio Taping (KT) in addition to conventional Physical therapy (CPT) with CPT alone for the treatment of patients with acute low back pain. METHODS: This study was conducted in Peshawar, Pakistan from Jan to June 2019. A total of 56 patients with acute LBP, selected through a convenient sampling technique were randomly allocated to the experimental group, KT along with PT (n=28), or the control group, conventional PT alone (n=28). Participant allocation was concealed using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. Both groups received treatment for two weeks. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) were used for the measurement of outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 56 participants, 34 (60.7 %) were male and 22 (39.3%) were females. The majority (n=40; 71.4%) were aged between 30 and 50 years and mean age of patients was 44.36±8.73 years. Pre-and Post-treatment pain score on NPRS was 8.32±.612 and 4.50±1.599 for experimental and 8.21±.630 and 5.29±1.213 for control group respectively (p<0.001). Pre-and Post-treatment ODI score was 31.54±3.339 and 20.86±2.649 for experimental and 30.68±2.653 and 22.64±2.542 for control group respectively (p<0.001). Pre-and Post-treatment Disability in percentage (ODI score* 100/50) was 62.50±6.221 and 41.54±6.741 for experimental and 61.36±5.307 and 45.29±5.083 for control group respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Current study suggests the efficacy of therapeutic KT and conventional PT on reduction in pain intensity and functional disability in patients with acute LBP as compared to PT alone for the management of acute LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A preliminary exploratory study shows solid agreement between the results of case reports and clinical study meta-analyses in mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS-I) adult patients. The aim of the present study is to confirm previous results in another patient population, suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS-II).Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case reports published by April 2018 was conducted for MPS-II patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). The study is reported in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines (PROSPERO database code CRD42018093408). The assessed population and outcomes were the same as previously analyzed in a meta-analysis of MPS-II clinical studies. The primary endpoint was the percent of clinical cases showing improvement in efficacy outcome, or no harm in safety outcome after ERT initiation. A restrictive procedure to aggregate case reports, by selecting standardized and well-defined outcomes, was proposed. Different sensitivity analyses were able to evaluate the robustness of results.Results: Every outcome classified as "acceptable evidence group" in our case report meta-analysis had been graded as "moderate strength of evidence" in the aforementioned meta-analysis of clinical studies. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive-negative predictive values for results of both meta-analyses reached 100%, and were deemed equivalent.Conclusions: Aggregating case reports quantitatively, rather than analyzing them qualitatively, may improve conclusions in rare diseases and personalized medicine. Additionally, we propose some methods to evaluate publication bias and heterogeneity of the included studies in a meta-analysis of case reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]