Impact of Excess Adiposity on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children and Adolescents with Kawasaki Disease.

(1) Background: To assess the impact of excessive body fat on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and coronary artery health in children and adolescents following acute Kawasaki disease (KD-CA). (2) Methods: A retrospective study of KD-CA patients (ages 8-16) who completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in the last five years. Participants were classified based on body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) into normal and excessive adiposity groups.

Effects of virtual reality on the balance performance of older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

[Purpose] Virtual reality has been increasingly used to improve the balance performance of older adults; however, the effect remains inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the effects of virtual reality on the balance performance of older adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. [Methods] The PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PEDro electronic databases were searched.

When two Z-scores meet-analysis of exercise capacity of children and adolescents with Kawasaki disease by a new Z-score model of coronary artery and a new Z-score evaluating peak oxygen consumption : Coronary artery Z-score and peakVO2 Z-score in KD.

Background: Coronary artery (CA) Z-score system is widely used to define CA aneurysm (CAA). Children and adolescents after acute stage of Kawasaki disease (KD-CA) have a higher risk of developing CAAs if their CA Z-score ≥ 2.5.

Comparing efficacy of a single intraarticular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with different hyaluronans for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Intraarticular plasma-rich platelet (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have each been shown to be effective for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). Evidence supporting the combination therapy is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a single intraarticular PRP injection combined with different HAs in patients with knee OA.

Serial Exercise Testing and Echocardiography Findings of Patients With Kawasaki Disease.

Objective: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common form of pediatric vasculitis. We evaluated the influence of KD on cardiopulmonary function and analyzed the echocardiographic findings of patients with KD through serial follow-ups from childhood to adolescence.

Methods: This was a retrospective study.

Differences between Sexes in Cardiopulmonary Fitness among Children and Adolescents with Kawasaki Disease.

It is known that children and adolescents with Kawasaki disease (KD) can maintain normal cardiopulmonary fitness (CPF) after the disease's acute stage has subsided. This study aimed to investigate whether gender differences affect CPF in children and adolescents with KD. We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 204 participants (120 boys and 84 girls) with KD.

Effect of high intensity laser therapy in the treatment of acute atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation: A case report.

Background: Sudden onset of acute torticollis in children is rare and is usually diagnosed as atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS). The common treatment for acute AARS without neurological symptoms is halter traction in conjunction with muscle relaxant and sedative agents, followed by cervicothoracic orthotic immobilization. To the best of our knowledge, a case of acute AARS treatment with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) has not yet been reported so far.

Comparison of Peak Oxygen Consumption During Exercise Testing Between Sexes Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan.

Studies among Western children have observed that the peak oxygen consumption (peak O) of boys is higher than that of girls, and this difference increases as children progress through adolescence. However, the maturation process and social expectation toward Eastern boys and girls are much different from their Western counterparts. This study aimed to provide baseline information on cardiopulmonary fitness (CRF) of Taiwanese children and adolescents in relation to age and sex.

A single intraarticular platelet-rich plasma improves pain and function for patients with early knee osteoarthritis: Analyses by radiographic severity and age.

Background: Most studies use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) requiring multiple intraarticular injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of a single intraarticular PRP injection for patients with early knee OA and consider subgroup analyses of radiographic severity and age, respectively.

Methods: Forty-one patients with knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-2) received a single PRP injection into the target knee and were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months postinjection.

Efficacy of lateral stair walking training in patients with chronic stroke: A pilot randomized controlled study.

Background: Patients with chronic stroke have reduced capacity for performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and are at increased risk for falls during walking due to long-term changes to muscle tone and force, as well as movement control.

Research Question: To investigate the efficacy of lateral stair walking training on muscle strength of affected lower extremities, balance, ADLs, and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke.

Methods: The experimental group received 15 min of lateral stair walking exercise along with 15 min of traditional physiotherapy, whereas the control group received only traditional physiotherapy for 30 min.

Serial cardiopulmonary exercise testing in an asymptomatic young female receiving percutaneous balloon dilatation for cor triatriatum sinistrum at an early age.

A young female was diagnosed as classic cor triatriatum sinistrum (CTS) at 38 months old incidentally and she received percutaneous catheter-based balloon dilatation twice at 41 and 48 months old. She took regular follow-up by echocardiography biannually with no re-stenosis of the orifice in the membrane between two chambers in the left atrium and she denied any cardiac-related symptoms. Serial cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) by treadmill under Ramped-Bruce protocol was done at her 13, 19, and 23-year old.

[Functional improvement and thickening of quadriceps muscle and femoral intercondylar cartilage after a single intra-articular injection of a new bionic cross-linked hyaluronic acid Flexotron Cross in the treatment of knee joint osteoarthritis].

Objective: To evaluate an effectiveness of a single intra-articular injection of a new cross-linked hyaluronic acid by measuring thickness of the quadriceps muscle and femoral intercondylar cartilage in addition to subjective assessment.

Material And Methods: There were 49 patients with gonarthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III) who underwent a single intra-articular injection of Flexotron Cross into the knee joint with higher grade of arthrosis. The scores were assessed at baseline, after 1, 3 and 6 months using: 1) visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain syndrome, 2) Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), 3) Lequesne Index, 4) duration of standing on one leg, 5) thigh circumference, 6) thickness of quadriceps muscle and femoral intercondylar cartilage according to ultrasound data.

Segmental zoster paresis of unilateral upper extremity: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Segmental zoster paresis (SZP) is a relatively rare neurologic complication of herpes zoster (HZ), and is characterized by focal asymmetric motor weakness in the myotome that corresponds to skin lesions of the dermatome. The upper extremities are the second most commonly involved regions after the face, and predominantly involve proximal muscles. The pathogenesis of SZP remains unclear; however, most of the reports indicate that it is the inflammation because of the spread of the herpes virus.

Serial Analysis of Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Echocardiography in Patients with Fabry Disease Undergoing Enzyme Replacement Therapy.

Objective: Fabry disease, a rare X-linked disorder, can lead to exercise intolerance. In Taiwan, the cardiac variant of Fabry disease has a significantly higher prevalence than the classic variant. The cardiac variant of Fabry disease primarily involves the heart.

Comparison of cardiorespiratory fitness between preschool children with normal and excess body adipose ~ An observational study.

Objective: Overweight and obesity in preschoolers might develop into childhood and even adulthood obesity. Overweight and obesity have been shown to be negatively related with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children and adults but few studies did among preschoolers. We aimed to evaluate whether excess body adipose is negatively associated with CRF in both the submaximal and maximal effort of preschool children in exercise testing and to examine if there is difference to achieve maximal effort during exercise testing between preschoolers with normal and excess body adipose.

Risk of osteoporotic fractures as a consequence of haemophilia: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Aim: Low bone mineral density occurs more commonly in patients with haemophilia (PWH) than the general population. However, the risk of haemophilia-related osteoporotic fractures has not been well established. We aim to explore the relationship between haemophilia and the development of osteoporotic fractures following haemophilia.

Analysis of Exercise Capacity of Children with Kawasaki Disease by a Coronary Artery z Score Model (ZSP Version 4) Derived by the Lambda-Mu-Sigma Method.

Objective: To compare exercise capacity measured by direct cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) of children with Kawasaki disease with different coronary artery diameter z scores (CA z score).

Study Design: This was a retrospective study that recruited children with Kawasaki disease after the acute stage receiving CPETs determined by CPET with treadmill. CA z score was based on a model using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma method.

Improvement of self-reported functional scores and thickening of quadriceps and femoral intercondylar cartilage under ultrasonography after single intra-articular injection of a novel cross-linked hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Most studies used hyaluronic acid (HA) requiring 3-5 intra-articular injections (IAJ) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of a single IAJ of a novel HA by measuring the thickness of quadriceps and femoral intercondylar cartilage (FIC) under ultrasonography (US) in addition to subjective self-reported measures.

Methods: Forty-nine patients with KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2-3) received unilateral IAJ of HYAJOINT Plus to the worse knee and were assessed at baseline and 1, 3 and 6-months after IAJ.

Comparison of Single Intra-Articular Injection of Novel Hyaluronan (HYA-JOINT Plus) with Synvisc-One for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Trial of Efficacy and Safety.

Background: Viscosupplementation has been widely used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Because we found no well-controlled trial comparing single-injection regimens of hyaluronan for knee osteoarthritis, we compared the efficacy and safety of a single intra-articular injection of a novel cross-linked hyaluronan (HYA-JOINT Plus) with a single injection of Synvisc-One in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial with a 6-month follow-up, 132 patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3) were randomized to receive 1 intra-articular injection of 3 mL of HYA-JOINT Plus (20 mg/mL) (n = 66) or 6 mL of Synvisc-One (8 mg/mL) (n = 66).

Effect of rehabilitation on a child with atlantoaxial rotatory fixation.

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: To discuss a case of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) successfully treated with manual therapy.

Summary Of Background Data: A 9-year-old girl experienced acute torticollis and neck stiffness after a traffic accident.