Virtual reality-based exercises' effects on pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life in children with repaired congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: The long-term consequences of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), which include altered lung functions and compromised cardiopulmonary capacity, impact functional performance and quality of life. This study investigates the effects of virtual reality-based exercise programs on pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life in children with repaired CDH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. Fifty-two children with repaired CDH (aged 6-10 years) were enrolled and randomly allocated to virtual reality-based exercises plus traditional physical therapy (VR-EX group, n = 26) or traditional physical therapy alone (control group, n = 26). Interventions were conducted three times a week for 12 weeks. Pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The VR-EX group demonstrated significantly enhanced post-treatment pulmonary functions and cardiopulmonary capacity compared to the control group after accounting for the pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). In addition, the values in functional performance and quality of life measures showed significantly larger improvements in the VR-EX group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with repaired CDH may benefit more from VR-based exercises when combined with traditional physical therapy than from traditional physical therapy alone regarding their pulmonary functions, cardiopulmonary capacity, functional performance, and quality of life.

Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Virulent Factor FadA among Ulcerative Colitis Precancerous and Colorectal Carcinoma Patients in the Iraqi Kurdish Population.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is considered one of the main risk factors that play a key role in the promotion and progression of colorectal carcinoma. The main goal of this study is to find out the association between the prevalence of various subtypes of Fusobacterium nucleatum with inflammation and colorectal cancer progression, in addition to screening the positive ratio of the possession of the FadA gene. One hundred tissue samples were collected from healthy individuals and patients from colonoscopy and surgical operation biopsies. The patients were categorized into (Ulcerative colitis, precancerous colitis and colorectal carcinoma) according to their colonoscopy and histopathology examination reports. Molecular detection of Fusobacterium nucleatum and FadA gene was performed via PCR and gel electrophoresis, and then phylogenetic analysis for Fusobacterium nucleatum was done using 16S rRNA partial sequencing based on specific primers. The results showed significant differences among the four groups regarding the prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum. The most prevalent subtype was Fusobacterium nucleatum subtype animalis, which constitutes 7 out of 17 samples. The ratio of the FadA-positive gene was 20% among the Fusobacterium nucleatum-positive cases. This finding suggested a strong correlation between Fusobacterium nucleatum and colon inflammation and cancer progression steps, and Fusobacterium nucleatum subtype animalis was the most prevalent subtype.

Distinct effects of trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle exercises on muscle strength and postural control in children with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a 3-month, trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises on muscle strength and postural control in children with Down's syndrome (DS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two children with DS aged between 7-9 years were enrolled and randomly assigned into the control group (n = 16); received standard physical therapy (sPT) or SSC group (n = 16); received sPT in addition to a 15-minute, trampoline-based SSC training program twice per week for 12 successive weeks. Lower limb muscle strength and postural stability [anterior/posterior stability index (A/P-SI), medial/lateral stability index (M/L-SI)], and overall stability index (O-SI) were assessed pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Strength of hip extensor (p=0.034) and adductor (p=0.015), knee extensor (p=0.028) and flexor (p=0.01), and ankle dorsi (p=0.033) and plantar flexor (p=0.007) muscles increased significantly in the SSC group when compared with the control group. Also, the A/P-SI (p=0.019), M/L-SI (p=0.002), and O-SI (p=0.021) decreased significantly in the SSC group when compared with the control group, suggesting better postural control. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of trampoline-based SSC exercises are likely effective for enhancing muscle strength and postural control in children with DS and should consequently be included in the rehabilitation programs for these children.